Chapter 22

Ardal

No, no, no. Not like this.

He is not dying like this.

I’m panting as my fingers firm on his shirt, wanting to violently shake him so he opens his eyes. Only, I know it won’t do me any good. I need to get air back in his lungs, make his heart beat again.

Gulping down breaths of panic, my hands move over him again, adjusting to a new position at his sternum. I’ve never performed CPR on someone before, but I’ve had enough training throughout the years - for the sake of my job and the babies.

100 to 120 compressions a minute, I state in my mind.

Brows furrowed and teeth pressed tight, I bring my weight down on Kadeem as I compress and then bounce back up. I repeat the action over and over, counting in my head as water drips from my clothes.

97, 98, 99…

I don’t let up. I make sure every push of my hands is as equally firm as the last. If I lose any sense of pressure, make one mistake then it could cost Kadeem his life.

That thought only adds to my desperation, keeping my body controlled even if I want to pick up speed. This is all a science and I need to make sure it’s perfect.

114, 115, 116…

Come on, Kadeem. Come on.

When I hit 120, my hands slide from his chest, my body twisting so I can move onto the next step. I reach toward his beautiful face, one hand going to pinch his nose while the other tips his chin up.

A flutter interlaces with the sourness in my stomach as I lean over him, lowering until my face is just above his. I want to hesitate, but I know I don’t have the time. Crossing a few more inches, I gasp in a breath before I finally hit my mark.

My mouth falls over Kadeem’s, pressing against his as electricity burns down to my toes. But I ignore it, trying to pretend he’s no one and this is nothing as I blow a breath out of my mouth and into his.

I can sense his chest rising, making my own squeeze with slight relief as I know it’s a sign that there’s nothing blocking his airway.

That’s one breath down, but still one more to go. Then I’ll have to go back to chest compressions.

Pulling back a centimeter, I suck in another rush of air before my mouth is over him once more. For the second time, I spark as we align and then I blow. That time, Kadeem’s chest raises higher, filling with more air.

But then it tightens - just before his lips firm and press back forcefully against mine.

I want to squeak, but the sound comes out as a muted hum instead as I suddenly feel Kadeem stir. His body shifts, turning toward me as he comes to life. Surprised, my hand releases his nose, hearing how he deeply inhales now that my fingers are gone.

I expect him to release me, clearly no longer unconscious as I’ve managed to wake him. Only, he doesn’t pull back - he keeps me close as his lips deepen what I now realize is a kiss.

Kadeem is kissing me.

And I’m kissing him back. I hadn’t noticed it before. But at some point my hand had gone back to his chest, gripping his wet shirt so tightly that my knuckles ache. I’m tugging on him, as if trying to draw him closer without realizing it.

Stop, my mind tries to whisper, but the rest of my body is having a hard time listening. Even my thoughts are a mess, quickly flooded with only Kadeem. My wolf laps them up as she awakens, hungry as she notices Kadeem’s lips are on mine.

The thought of “stop” begins to disappear and all I can repeat is more.

As if he’s heard my silent desires, Kadeem strives for more too. His hand leaves the sand, soon diving into the hair at the back of my head so he can keep me close. His lips force mine to part, his tongue lapping at mine seconds later.

I offer my approval by whimpering, a shudder rippling through me as I slowly pant. My nose fills with his scent as I try for air, making both my wolf and me moan as I pull at his shirt.

Closer. Closer.

A rumble vibrates from Kadeem’s throat in return as he keeps tangling our tongues together. His hand pulls in my hair, making me gasp before his touch falls away.

But then his hands find my hips, gripping tensely at my wet jeans as he tugs me forward. I offer no resistance, lost in him and swimming in his scent as he draws my body nearer.

My mind is putty as Kadeem pulls me onto him, bringing me onto his lap so I’m straddling his waist. I’m dizzy, my head spinning as I feel his hardened length at the peak between my legs - my wolf begging me to roll over him.

There’s an ache at my center causing me to grow more frenzied as my hands find the back of Kadeem’s head. I keep him to me as I lap, bite, kiss at his lips, pulling groans from him that set me on fire.

Kadeem’s hands jerk against my waist, causing me to grind over him as I release a desperate moan against him. He replies with another groan, but it sounds pained, wanting.

I barely have time to breath before he’s twisting, rolling us until my back meets the sand. But even with the change in position, I don’t pull my lips away from his - not even as he nestles himself right between my legs.

Yes, I hiss as he rocks against me, pulling incoherent sounds from both our lips. I tug at his hair, causing him to tremble before he growls, soon sinking his teeth into my lower lip.

I gasp in both surprise and pleasure at the sensation, the sound only repeating as Kadeem’s hand finds my neck, gently squeezing as he pins me down. He pushes a dominating kiss to my lips - so hard that it could leave a bruise.

However, I welcome the pain as I moan, wanting him to own me in this way. Every touch of his hands and movement of his body is intoxicating. Even after all these years we still fit so perfectly together.

Kadeem. My mate. Made for me.

No.

My body tightens.

No. He was my mate.

But then he threw me to the side, believing lies about me without a second thought.

He left me to fend for myself, to raise our babies alone.

And now he’s with another woman, expecting what he believes is his first pup.

Not mine. Not anymore.

Gasping, my eyes fly open as Kadeem tries to capture me with another kiss. However, my body is already tensing, my hands ripping from his hair so they can return to his chest.

With all my strength, I push him off of me, tearing his lips from mine as he falls away. Due to his distracted state, I’m able to move him easily, causing his body to slide to the side so I can wiggle free.

I scramble away, sitting back on my knees as Kadeem also rises to sit. Both of us are panting, our gazes pulling to each other as cool air meets my skin. However, my eyes narrow as I notice the lust still placed behind his eyes, and as I stomach what he’s done.

He’d been faking. He hadn’t been drowning - he’d somehow stopped his breath, stilled his heart. He’d known I’d save him, that I’d resuscitate him and bring my mouth to his.

He’d planned to kiss me - planned this whole thing out.

Anger flashes through me as I continue to stare at him, my own desires going out like a light. And before Kadeem can even blink, I reach over and land a slap clean across his face.

“How dare you!” I yell at him as his head snaps to the side due to my blow. I can see pink rising in his cheek, bringing me some relief. But still, I can’t help my growing desire to strangle him.

“You tricked me,” I practically spit, ignoring my wolf who wildly disapproves of my behavior. She wants to kiss him again, feel his body back on top of ours.

And Kadeem wants those things too. The lust still hasn’t left his eyes as he looks back at me again, my skin feeling a flash of heat under his harsh stare.

Noticing my momentary weakness, he comes to reach for me again, his eyes going to my lips. However, I gather enough of my wits to shove him back once more.

“Don’t touch me, Kadeem!” I yell. “You need to leave. I don’t want you anywhere near me.”

Kadeem growls at my words, but he grows silent as I raise my hand, threatening to hit him again. He glowers at me as I stand, my knees wobbly as I scowl right back.

What an asshole. I would drown him myself if I had the chance.

As I settle on my feet, I clench my teeth before I point a firm finger down at him.

“Don’t bother me anymore, understand?” I snap at him. However, Kadeem doesn’t say anything - just stares at me with the same intensity. At any moment, he looks like he might pull me down to the sand again.

But I won’t let him.

Instead, I sneer at him, beyond pissed at his lack of remorse. It’s enough to make me give a swift kick against his side, causing him to blink as I haven’t hurt him at all.

But then his eyes narrow, darkening with what seems like desire. It’s enough to make me tear my eyes away, my hands clenching as I begin to storm off.

Fucking asshole.