Chapter 16
Elowen's POV
I woke up with my skin still burning from last night. The memory of Casper's fingers inside me while we hid under the kitchen table made me squirm under my sheets. My body felt different somehow—marked. I ran my fingers across my lips, remembering how he'd shoved my own soaked panties into my mouth to keep me quiet.
"You're thinking about him again," Juno's voice teased in my head.
"Shut the fuck up," I groaned, throwing off my covers and stomping to the bathroom.
I scrubbed my skin raw in the shower, trying to wash away the feeling of his hands, the ghost of his touch between my legs. It didn't work. His scent still clung to me like a second skin.
After pulling on jeans and a simple green t-shirt, I headed downstairs for coffee, praying I wouldn't run into Casper. The universe had other plans. I turned the corner and slammed straight into a hard chest—but not Casper's.
Cassian.
His ice-blue eyes locked onto mine before his nostrils flared. He grabbed my arm, pulling me close and inhaling deeply at my neck.
"What the hell?" I snapped, trying to pull away.
His grip tightened. "You smell like him."
My heart stopped dead in my chest. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't lie to me, little prey." His voice dropped dangerously low. "You reek of Casper."
Heat flooded my face. "Let go of my arm."
"Did he fuck you?" Cassian demanded, his eyes flashing yellow.
"That's none of your goddamn business!" I hissed, finally breaking free.
His jaw clenched so tight I thought his teeth might crack. Then something shifted in his expression—the rage giving way to calculation. He straightened up, his face suddenly casual.
"I'm heading to the track today. Final practice before tomorrow's race." His tone turned light, almost friendly. "Cindy and Ethan are coming to watch. Casper too. You should join us."
I narrowed my eyes. "Why would I want to do that?"
"Fresh air. Fast cars. Something to take your mind off..." He smirked, gesturing vaguely at my body. "Whatever happened between you and my brother last night."
My cheeks burned. "Fine. I'll come."
"Good girl." He brushed past me, shoulder checking mine harder than necessary.
As he walked away, his thought blasted into my mind like a freight train: "Need to get her away from Casper. She's MINE."
I stopped breathing. Our mind link was stronger than I realized, and the raw possession in his thoughts made my stomach flip.
"He wants you so bad," Juno purred.
"Great. Just what I need—two possessive alpha twins fighting over me," I answered silently.
---
Two hours later, I sat in the passenger seat of Cindy's car, heading toward Apex Racing's private track. Ethan drove while Cindy chatted about Cassian's racing career. Casper followed in his own car behind us.
"He founded the team three years ago," Cindy explained. "Drives Alpha crazy that he spends so much time on it, but Cassian won't give it up."
"I didn't know he raced," I admitted.
"Professionally?" Ethan added. "He's ranked third nationally. Could go pro full-time if he wanted."
We pulled into a private lot surrounded by tall fences. The smell of gasoline, rubber and hot metal filled the air. Mechanics in matching black and red uniforms rushed between colorful cars, checking engines and swapping tires.
Cassian stood in the center of it all, barking orders in his black racing suit with crimson stripes hugging his athletic frame. His dark hair was disheveled from removing his helmet, a few strands falling across his forehead. His piercing blue eyes gleamed with raw authority, jaw clenched as he moved with the confidence of someone born to command.
"Quite the operation," I muttered.
"This is nothing," Cindy linked her arm with mine. "Wait till you see him race tomorrow."
Casper approached us, wearing a black silk shirt with the top two buttons undone, sleeves casually rolled to his elbows, paired with charcoal gray trousers and black leather shoes. Simple yet lethally sexy.
"Enjoying the view, cutie?" he asked, eyes traveling down my body.
I rolled my eyes to hide my racing pulse. "It's just cars."
"Blasphemy," he laughed. "Come on, I'll show you the good stuff before my brother steals you away for his grand tour."
His hand found the small of my back, sending electricity up my spine. As we walked through the pit area, he kept me close, his touch burning through my shirt.
"This is his baby," Casper said, stopping at a sleek black car with red lightning bolts. "Custom engine, special tires, the works."
"It's... nice," I offered lamely.
He leaned in, his lips brushing my ear. "You have no fucking idea what you're looking at, do you?"
"Not a clue," I admitted, laughing despite myself.
"Just nod and look impressed when he talks about torque and horsepower," he whispered, his breath hot on my skin.
I felt Cassian before I saw him. The air shifted, growing heavier with tension.
"VIP seats are ready," he announced, eyes narrowing at his brother's hand on my back. "Practice runs start in five."
We followed him to a covered viewing area with plush seats overlooking the track. I ended up between Casper and Ethan, with Cindy on Ethan's other side.
"He's won three championships," Ethan told me. "Complete natural behind the wheel."
Cassian's car roared to life, the sound vibrating through my chest. He took off down the track, hugging curves at speeds that made my stomach drop.
"He's showing off for you," Casper whispered, his thigh pressing against mine.
"Why would he do that?" I asked, knowing damn well why.
His hand landed on my thigh, fingers dangerously close to the seam of my jeans. "Same reason I would."
My breath caught in my throat. The heat of his palm seeped through my jeans, making my core clench with remembered pleasure.
"Special delivery from The Red Wolf!"
A high-pitched voice cut through our moment. I turned to see Sarah Mitchell sashaying toward us, carrying a small cooler. Her red curls bounced with each step, her tiny crop top struggling to contain her breasts. Her shorts looked painted on, revealing miles of tanned leg.
"Casper, baby!" she squealed, dropping the cooler and launching herself at him.
He caught her reflexively, looking surprised. "Sarah? What are you doing here?"
"Bringing drinks for everyone!" She beamed, pressing her chest against his. "Your bartender mentioned you'd all be here, so I thought I'd surprise you!"
Her green eyes flicked to me, ice cold despite her smile.
"How thoughtful," Cindy said flatly.
Sarah ignored her, pushing herself between Casper and me. She dropped into the tiny space, forcing me to scoot closer to Ethan. Her perfume—sickly sweet and overpowering—made my nose burn.
"I've missed you at the bar," she pouted, running red nails down his arm. "It's not the same without you there."
"I've been busy," Casper replied, shifting away slightly.
She pressed closer, eliminating the space he'd created. "Too busy for me? We used to have so much fun closing up together." Her voice dripped with suggestion.
My stomach twisted with an emotion I refused to name. Jealousy? Fuck that. I focused on the track where Cassian was completing another perfect lap.
"He's really good," I said to Ethan, desperate for distraction.
Sarah's hand slid up Casper's arm. "Remember that night after the summer festival? When you bent me over your office desk?"
Casper coughed, looking uncomfortable. "Sarah, not now."
"Why not?" She pouted, leaning forward to give everyone a clear view of her cleavage. "Afraid I'll embarrass you in front of your new toy?" She tilted her head toward me.
Heat rushed to my face—anger, not embarrassment. "I'm going to get some air," I announced, standing abruptly.
Casper caught my wrist. "Elowen, wait—"
"Let her go," Sarah smirked, pressing her breast against his arm. "More room for me."
I yanked my arm free and walked away, Juno growling in my head.
"That bitch needs to be put in her place," she snarled.
For once, I didn't disagree with her.