Claiming His Tempting Mate
Chapter 14

Avan's POV

I groaned as I opened my eyes. I looked around and found the familiar decoration of my studyroom. The sunlight is trying to peek inside through the grey curtains on the window. I sighed andturned my head only to Reese's sleeping face. My eyes widened as I set up immediately. The duvetwas covering half of her body as the full swell of her breasts came into my view.

Fuck. I slept with her again. I held my head and the image of last night played in my head like avideo. The way she dressed herself looked like a slut and used seduction to get me on bed. I shookmy head trying to erase the image. I never intended to sleep with her but I must say she lookedseductress with those half nude lingerie. I used to love the way she always managed to seduce me.She is really good at making me hard and making me want to fuck her endlessly.

I felt an arm sneaking around my waist and warm lips pressed on my back.

"Good morning" her half sleepy voice reached my ear. If it was before I would have fucked her againtill she moan my name but today it's different. It felt like her touch was burning my skin. I removedher hand and got up from the bed. My study always has an extra bed. And this is not the first timewe slept here. I grabbed my boxers and wore them.

"Avan what happened?” I heard her ask.

I turned around and looked at her "you did it on purpose aren't you?"

She looked at me confused first but then her expression changed. She grabbed the duvet andcovered her nude form "so what? Don't behave like you didn't like what happened last night”

I felt irritated with her bitchy tone "you are really enjoying irritating me to hell?"

"What are you talking about? I missed you so much Avan. It has been over half a month that you areavoiding me. Do you know how much it hurts? I always think that maybe you are working too hardso I never interrupted but how could you be so selfish to only think about yourself?" She accusedme.

"Am I selfish now?"

"Yes you are. It was you who always used to replace time for me and courted me like I am the only onewho is special to you. We used to make love frequently and I still remember how you used to tellhow much you love me. Then what happened so suddenly? You are avoiding me like you don't evenknow me" tears wetted her cheeks as she looked at me with sad eyes.

Suddenly I felt guilt rushing through my body. What she said was true. Before I used to replace herattractive, she still looks attractive but I couldn't focus my attention only on her. But the way she islooking at me I couldn't help but feel sad. I sighed and got on bed before wiping her tears.

"Don't cry. Look at the situation before and now it has changed so much. I was just a young alphaback then but now I am the Alpha of this pack and I have many things to handle for which I couldn'tmake any time for you. And the spare time I get is to rest so I didn't want to get bothered byanything. But if that made you feel neglected then I am sorry” I said to her.

"Is it not about Shyla?"

"No, she was in between us when she was here then how can she come between us now. You're justoverthinking because of your insecurity”

Reese looked at me unconvinced " you are not avoiding me because you don't want to see me?”

I shook my head "no, as I said you are overthinking”

"But it has been 2 years since you became Alpha but still haven't chosen your Luna. Avan youpromised once you get the title you will make me the Luna of the pack. What happened to that?"She asked.

I was startled. I was not expecting her to raise this question suddenly. I sighed "It will take time. Firstthe bonding. You know that you are not my real mate. So even if I declare you as my Luna and thepack accepts you, it will raise questions among the tribe because this is not something common. Butif Shyla was here then it would be another matter. You have to understand me"

She looked at me for some time before nodding.

I got up and grabbed my shirt from the floor "now get prepared for the hunting. Make sure tochoose some more and perform well in the event” I said before walking out of the study room. Allthe gentle expressions I had suddenly vanished in thin air as a serious expression formed in my face.Fuck I had to persuade her to believe me. It was hard to look at her sad face and at this moment Idon't want to mess up anything before the hunting events ends. Though I am always attracted toReese physically, she is not my real mate. And this time I am going to bring back my mate no matterwhat. She belongs here, in my arms and this is where she is going to live her whole life.

With me.

Savannah's POV

"Savannah?" I turned around to see dad coming towards me. With his age he still managed to lookso handsome and added his purple orbs. Sometimes I feel really lucky that he has purple eyesbecause I have inherited that too.

"Dad" I smiled at him..

"Why are you alone?" He asked as he sat beside me.

I shook my head "I have just finished my training. Tanea and Devak is busy as always so I thought Icould spare sometimes for myself"

"That Brat" his voice sounds like scolding "are you happy Savannah?"

His question startled me. I looked at him with confusion "why are you asking like that dad? Ofcourse I am happy. I am really glad that I chose to leave that pack. If not then I would not be able toget my freedom"

Just thinking about those heartless people clenched my heart till it hurt like hell. Though it has beenyears, the pain and humiliation I have suffered back there is something I will never forget in this life"l know that. But what I am asking is not about us but you"

"Dad"

"How do you feel about Hardwick?"

I stayed silent. What should I say? Though I know he is my mate and he is good, no better thanAvan in every way. He is handsome, strong and the way he treats me is something that made meattracted towards him. I couldn't deny the mate bond I felt towards him. With the passing time, it'sgrowing even stronger than before. My wolf dances with excitement whenever he is closer. Sheurged me to throw myself on our mate but every time I held myself back. Though this secondchance is precious and was not like before but the wound of my heart is deep and there's alwaysfears about what if.

I sighed "dad, it's complicated. I don't know what to say. First this second chance is something I stillcouldn't believe and second thing is I got badly hurt last time and this fear is holding me back""Savannah, not everyone is lucky enough to get a second chance in their life. But since you foundyour mate again you should not leave this chance. Besides, the Dark Forest Pack is the mostdominating and powerful one. Hardwick may seem cold and dominating but every wolf has theirsoft spot for their mates. And the way he behaves with you, I think he is the best choice for you"

I gave dad a surprise look "dad, you are saying this? You -"

"I know 1 first wanted to oppose it because I thought this second chance is something unacceptablebut after thinking carefully I have decided to let it be. Choosing a mate is not in our hands. It wasalready predestined and no matter what we do we can't change it so the only way in our hands is toaccept it and go with the flow. After observing him these days, I can't replace any falsehood in hischaracter and certainly he is good person”

"Dad" I bit my lips as my eyes started to get wet.

"Take a chance, you will never know the truth if you don't, " dad smiled. An assuring smile thatimmediately flattered my heart.

I couldn't say anything so I nodded my head and sifted my gaze towards the training field whereour pack members are training.

"The due date of the event is near. Are you ready?"

"Yes" I nodded and a sudden wave of excitement rushed through my body. I couldn't wait for thisevent to start. I don't know why but I feel this event will be a great Adventure of my life.

"Where's Hardwick?" Dad asked

"He left early in the morning. He has been going back and forth" I replied.

Dad chuckled "I hardly believe he agreed to let you stay. But now I understand”

I turned my head to look at him "understand what?"

Dad shook his head "you will get to know it soon”

"Dad-"

"Sav " a cheerful voice called my name. Then Tanea's familiar figure appeared before my eyes "havelook what I got for you"

I eyed the packet in her hand then raised my eyebrows. Dad suddenly got up. "I will go and replace mymate. You guys enjoy" then he walked away.

"What's this?" I asked her.

"See yourself," Tanea grinned.

I frowned and took the packet and opened it. Instantly my nostrils filled with a familiar deliciousscent. My eyes widened. It's my favourite spicy nashville hot chicken wings, my mouth watered atthe sight. Smoked chicken wings with a fiery hot pepper sauce. Spicy, smoky, with a little touch ofsweetness from the brown sugar.

"Devak brought this" before I could ask, Tanea said. I looked up grinning widely.

"You know me better” then dipped my fingers and pulled out a piece of chicken before shoving itinside my mouth."ummm...." I moaned when the spicy sweet flavour melted in my mouth. "It's toogood"

"Tasty?" Tanea smirked.

I gave her an OK gesture instead of replying as I savoured my favourite wings.

"Where's Alpha Hardwick? I have not seen him since morning”

"He had some work so he left early” I replied and shoved another piece in my mouth.

"Poor guy, he has been running back and forth these past days, " Tanea commented, making mesigh. Dad also said it and now she is also saying this. Now I feel bad for him. After all he is an Alphaand his pack needs him. But am I ready to move into his pack? The hunting past of mine is....

"Are you okay?" Tanea asked as looked at me with a concerned expression.

I nodded "yeah, I am good"

"I know you are thinking about him. Don't you?" She smirked.

I rolled my eyes "shut up. He has works to do"

"Uh..uh .. I really don't think so..." Her eyes feel behind me. I looked at her and frowned.

"What?"

"Look by yourself," she shrugged. I turned my head and my eyes almost bulged out of its socketwhen I saw Hardwick walking towards us. When did he return? He just went a few hours ago.

"I will come” I heard Tanea say, but I was too careless to pay any attention to her.

"When did you come back?" I asked once he was near me.

"Few minutes ago" he replied and squatted down before me "wings?" He eyed the packet in myhand then his eyes raked over my face "you have some sauces here"

"Huh?"

He reached out then gently wiped the corner of my lips with the pad of his thumb before he lickedit "hmm..taste good"

"What-" I gasped. He really licked his thumb? No one ever did something like this before but seeinghim doing such a thing....it flattered my heart. Gosh, how can he be so ....

"Get up, I am taking you somewhere"

"Where?" I frowned.

"To dine," he shrugged.

"But it's still afternoon”

"We need to drive quite long, so by the time we reach it will already be dinner time"

"Where exactly are you planning to take me?" I was confused. How come he suddenly thought ofdining?

"You will know once we get there. Now get up and get ready”

"Like really now?" I asked.

He nodded "yes"

I sighed and got up, "How long is it?"

"3 hours”

"What?do we really need to go there?" I can't believe it. 3 fucking hours of driving? Where exactly ishe taking me?

"Instead of talking nonsense it will be better if you just do as I said" he didn't reply but interruptedwith another statement.

"Fine" I huffed and we walked towards the pack mansion.

I chose a thin strap blue bodycon dress which ends just above my knee and paired with a light bluebolero jacket. I wore my high heels and let my hair down. I checked myself on the vanity mirrorbefore grabbing my purse and walking out of the room. It almost took me 30 minutes to get ready.I didn't apply any make up as I am not a big fan of it. When I walked down the stairs I saw himsitting in the hall checking his phone.

"I am ready," I said, announcing my presence. He looked up and raked his eyes over my body. Hisheated gaze made me uncomfortably shift my standing position.

"What? Do I look bad?" I asked when he stared at me.

"Fuck" he cursed and rose on his feet before striding towards me "you look fucking sexy" hemumbled before sneaking his arm around my waist and pulling me closer to his body. I gaspedloudly.

"You-" I stopped instantly when I felt him cupping my ass and squeezing it hard "aw..." I winced."Do you know how sexy you look right now? Tell me did you do it deliberately to seduce me?" Hewhispered in my ear then gave a light bite.

"What are you doing?" I put my hand on his shoulder in order to push him but he pulled me evencloser to his body.

"You are making me insane” he dipped his head in the crook of my neck inhaling my scent "sofucking good"

His cursing made my body tremble with unknown delight I never knew I had. I have never intimatedlike this before but these new emotions are starting to break all the boundaries I have created in myheart with slow steps.. What's happening to me? All I could feel was hotness pooling in my core. Mybreath quickened as I said panting lightly.

"Dinner?"

His movements stopped instantly then I heard him cursed "fucking hell” then he pulled away but hiseyes are dark swirling with lust.

"We will continue it later," he said, then grabbed my hand. Just as he was about to drag me withhim, mom walked inside the hall.

"Oh, are you two going somewhere?" She smiled.

"I am taking her for dinner, we will be late" he replied before I could say anything. I looked at himwith wide eyes.

"Okay, enjoy your day" mom smiled, waving her hand.

I frowned at her. She didn't even ask where he was taking me yet she dismissed us. Mom, what areyou doing?

Before I could say anything I felt him pulling me with him. I stared at mom as she smiled, waving herhand.

"Have fun" she yelled behind us.

Since when has my mother joined his side?