I Recognize Her
Kyle's POV
“That's why I want us to talk. Please stop being so difficult.” I ran my hands through my hair frustratedly.
I begged as quietly as I could, tossing my shame away. Her eyes immediately sparkled with interest in a way that made me weak.
“Did you just say please to me? You're not even hiding your desperation. You're letting me know the power I have over you right now and to be honest, it feels great.”
She smiled and even though it was laced with mockery, it suddenly felt like all was well with the world again.
“I get it, just forgive me. You do understand that if you don't, the moon won't come out. Please, I beg you.” I sounded as bothered as I felt and I hated it but I had no choice. Somehow the moon managed to work in her favor.
“It's not my problem. It will be all your fault, so leave me out of it. I can't just forgive you. If you're done please go away, I hate you being close to me. I'm so uncomfortable.”
She faked a shiver to prove a point.
“So you're saying I even make you uncomfortable? Are you being serious right now?” My brows knitted in calculated hurt. Now she just wanted me to feel bad.
“Yes, you make me uncomfortable. I'd rather be in the midst of rogues or in a rival pack.”
Wow. I suddenly felt betrayed. So she'll seriously leave me in the middle of the wilderness to rot.
Daggers after daggers, hitting me so violently I almost shook physically. She looked hollow and empty, angry and hurt. I didn't even know what to do with myself, or what to do for her.
The whole thing just felt hopeless. She won't forgive me, and I get it. The moon won't come out, so I might as well take a couple of shots and chill somewhere. I excused myself to do just that behind the hall.
I stole a bottle of wine and left. I opened it when I got to the back of the hall and took a great gulp, but that was all. I just wanted to wash my mouth and get a breather, then accept my new reality, the aftermath of being a bad husband.
If the moon didn't come back, our power would weaken as we drew strength from it. I didn't even want to think about it, so I brushed away the thought.
I just looked up at the sky for a moment before putting my head down and lamenting. Minutes later, I heard cheers from inside.
“The moon is out! We've been cleansed!” They chanted, so I looked up. Lo and behold, the moon was smiling back down at me. How is it happening? It only means….
No way.
I rushed back inside, panting like crazy when I reached Sabrina's side. She didn't acknowledge me, but I realized what she had done for me.
I had no time for chit chat so I immediately took the wheel and addressed my people, my face full of smiles, my mind filled with gratitude for my wife. Surely I knew she had the greatest hand at making this possible.
“The moon is out!” They cheered on as I spoke.
“The cleansing ritual is over. I appreciate letting go of your grudges for the greater good, even though it was almost impossible. We did it, and I'm grateful for a successful ritual!” I finished with my speech and immediately rushed to meet my wife.
“Sabrina.” I said, my voice soft.
“What do you want, Kyle?”
Just before I could reply to her harsh tone, one of my beta’s announced that it was time for our couples dance. Sabrina didn't look delighted but I still guided her to the dancefloor, just like seven years ago when we danced and she literally harassed me and begged me to fuck her.
I'm sure she probably had the same thoughts running through her mind and she felt ashamed and stupid, she wouldn't even look me in the eyes.
Everybody bonded with their mates. I'm currently mateless even though I had a wife that won't let me touch her.
I wanted her, but I still didn't know if we were mates and I'm probably sure the moon goddess wasn't in support of me taking her anyway. Too bad I do whatever the hell I want.
I rested my hands on her waist and she instantly stiffened like she hated it more than anything. When I pulled away she pulled me back to her.
“I don't want anybody suspecting that it's fake. Don't worry about me and just do your part.” She said, uninterested but ready to pretend to the last. A part of me shattered as I took her in, so close to me, skin against skin.
We began our dance and her scent was definitely going to have my head soon. Her hands rested on my shoulder and when she raised her head to lock her eyes on mine, my cock almost exploded.
She smiled at me, I smiled back.
“Thank you for forgiving me completely. I might be an asshole but I'll never forget this.” I told her with all of my heart.
She took a deep, thoughtful sigh.
“Yes, you are an asshole and it's okay, I get it. You're only trying to help. Even if I don't approve of your methods, I can't help but feel you care and you're just pretending not to.” She smiled at me again, her dimples making an appearance. Fuck, the woman was incredibly attractive.
“I guess that's something we'll have to figure out, Sabrina.”
“It's midnight! Time to unmask and share your eclipse kiss with your partners!” My beta announced, interrupting me from talking.
Sabrina wasn't having it. Her body stiffened even more, but she let me unveil her mask while she removed mine.
Then I saw her face and almost groaned in need. Nobody cares for us, they were too busy with their partners and this was the most perfect excuse to kiss her.
I pulled her very close to me but she created distance, subtly. Just before I complained, she explained herself.
“I don't care. We aren't kissing. Forget it.”
I frowned instantly.
“But we have to mark the ceremony complete. All eyes are on us. Don't do this, we won't ever kiss again after this. I promise you.”
“I've already tried to forgive you, and that should be enough. A kiss? You're really greedy.”
“If I admit that I am, will you let me kiss you? Time is running out. I don't even want to do it either.”
She said nothing, so I leaned in and took her lips. I started slow and softly but the minute I tasted her, I couldn't stop. The last time I kissed her was at our court wedding but it was nothing like how I felt right now. I was burning with need to rid her of her clothes and drag her to my bed.
She loosened up and kissed me back, shockingly.
“If I don't kiss you back, I'll get someone else to do it so don't think much about it.”
Someone else? Over my fucking dead body. I just nodded my head and proceeded to kiss her harder, my tongue touching the depths of her throat, feeling the warmness and almost losing the plot before we had to stop. She pushed me away, saying it's enough.
I stared at her lips one more time before forcing myself to look away. There's no way she'll stay stubborn after that kiss. She had to want me and need me. Fuck, it was getting really hard now.
When we turned to face everyone as we finally celebrated the close of the ceremony, some people seemed to recognize my wife. A woman screamed in horror, seeing Sabrina's face.
“She's the ex wife of alpha of the scarlet pack! I recognize her!” She yelled out from the crowd. Sabrina's eyes began to water, and I immediately took charge of the situation. I took her hands in mine and addressed my people.
“She's my wife. I don't care about what you think of it but what I won't tolerate is embarrassing her or trying to ridicule her. I brought her here. Don't defy me, and respect my wife! If you have a problem with it, you're more than welcome to leave the pack.”
Sabrina tried not to break down, but she wasn't doing a great job at it. Immediately picking her up in bridal style, shocking her, I walked out of the hall and took her straight home.