“Yes, of course. Hello, you’re the alpha’s brother. You’re a pack treasure.”
Inside, he groaned. Just what he wanted, to be defined by his brother’s accomplishments. If that wasn’t a fist in the gut. But he didn’t have the strength to show her any ire for the quip. Instead, he considered breaking his fast. She was safe. A pack mate. Something had changed though. When he thought about fucking her, he just felt… empty.
“How about this? Instead of us going back to your place, we go to dinner. Get to know each other.” If she was his girlfriend, she wouldn’t count as vice sex. Maybe that was the answer. Surely it would be easier to be monogamous than give up sex entirely.
“Like on a date?” She smirked, then shifted on her feet like the idea made her uncomfortable. “We… don’t havethatkind of relationship, Jason. I think it would be too confusing. People might get the wrong idea.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. Shit, thanks to his werewolf metabolism, he was starting to sober up, and he really needed the buzz right now. “What idea might that be?”
She snorted. “That you’re interested in me as a potential mate. I used to think that was a possibility when I was younger. I’m sure you know I was smitten with you back when we were in school. After our first few times together, I understood it was about your wolf and our animal appetites. It’s normal. I enjoy it as much as you do. But it will never be anything more.”
He sat up straighter, rubbing circles in his palm with his thumb. “In the past, yes. But now I’m asking you on a date.”
She sighed and glanced over her shoulder at the door. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
He shook his head incredulously. “You’re willing to have sex with me but not have dinner with me?”
She shrugged. “How will I ever find an actual mate if everyone thinks I’m being seriously courted by our alpha’s brother?”
“I’m not claiming you, Luna, just suggesting we have dinner together.” Why was she so resistant to this idea? Annoyance brewed in him, making his skin feel hot.
Backing up a step, she folded her arms. “I just… I need to have boundaries.”
“Boundaries?” He raised his brow.
“After what happened to Jessica—”
“Don’t.” He shook his head. Jessica was his fated mate. Well, his potential fated mate. She’d been killed by Bloodright before Jason had a chance to claim her, and so the mating was never completed. Jessica’s death was what kicked off his wolf’s vice for sex. In some maladaptive hissy fit, his inner animal had decided the only thing that could fill the hole that Jessica left behind was sex.
“It was a tragedy, Jason. You suffered a deep trauma. It’s understandable.”
“This has nothing to do with her.”
“But it does. We are not potentials. You’ll never claim me. If we dated, the relationship wouldn’t have a chance.”
“You don’t know that.”
“It’s been two years. I think one of us would have felt the start of a bond by now if something was ever going to happen.”
It was true. He didn’t feel any sort of metaphysical connection to her. Not even a little bit.
“Sex with you, that’s something else. I think of it as a service to the pack.”
“Service to the— Being with me ischaritysex to you?” With a pensive grunt, Jason stood from his stool, glancing around the bar for his jacket and finding it in a booth.
“I didn’t say that.” She spread her hands, looking frustrated. “How wouldyoucharacterize our relationship? We haven’t even seen each other in months.”
He swiped his jacket and tie and set his jaw before he turned to face her. “Just two people who take solace from an unforgiving world in the safety of each other’s arms.”
Her laugh told him exactly what she thought of that description. “Perfect. Let’s keep it that way then.” Lips parting, she studied him for a moment, her hands landing on her hips. “What’s this all about anyway? You’ve never been interested in dating before.”
He sighed. There was one thing he could tell her that had nothing to do with the fact he was strung out from denying his vice. “My sister is getting married.”
She paused, eyebrows creeping higher. “Oh my goddess, now this all makes sense. Laina’s getting married. You don’t want to attend your sister’s royal wedding alone.”
Flashing his most endearing smile, he walked toward her with swagger. “So… if dinner is out, do you want to attend a royal wedding?”
She shook her head. “I’m already going with Blade from Crescent City pack.”
