Chapter 34 Not enough reason to kiss me

Chapter 34 Not enough reason to kiss me
Elsie’s pov
I shifted slightly on the bed. My fingers continued to brush against the unfamiliar fabric beneath my body. It wasn’t the corner I used to sleep in. It was not the cold, narrow space tucked away where no one had to think about the weak-willed Alpha’s maid.
This room was bigger and warmer built like it was meant for someone to live in and not just exist.
I stared up at the ceiling as I had been doing all night listening to the distant sounds of the house settling under the growing moon.
“I finally got a good thing and I can’t seem to relax with it,” I muttered to myself.
How could I possibly relax? The situation was not familiar in any way.
It was also hard not to think, especially given my history with the boys. They could very well change their minds in the coming morning when they realized that despite my ability to stand firm now, I was still an omega, the weakest wolf.
But just before my fears took root, a burning heat licked at the edges of my mind enough to remind me and my body about the things I wasn’t ready to think about.
The way they had looked at me. The way they had slowly drawn out an orgasm out of me. They didn’t ask for anything in return, and they also didn’t push for more.
I pressed my lips together, rolling slightly onto my side. It didn’t help to settle my thoughts. I felt silly.
I obviously wasn’t used to that kind of attention. That kind of focus that went beyond being acknowledged for my use or to be ignored.
The memory alone sent a quiet shiver through my insides. I was desperately trying to think over it because I didn’t want to relive it in my head. It felt too real and I couldn’t stay cautious if I was damn horny all the time.
I swallowed, gripping the blanket tightly as I forced my thoughts to move away from them. That wasn’t the only thing sitting in my mind.
The other thing lingered heavier. The Queen Luna, their mother, and my step-mother who had proven she hated me enough to kill me.
My body shuddered coldly at the thought.
Her return wasn’t a question of if, it was a when, and when she comes back, I wasn’t sure where that left me.
I doubted what they said would matter to someone like them. The Queen wasn’t the type of woman to bend over backwards for someone to influence her sons. Would they stand for me when it counted?
A familiar ache settled in my chest.
No. I couldn’t sit here and spiral. I’d worked so hard just to stand my ground in the first place. I needed to plan for that.
I pushed the blanket off and sat up. I needed some Water first to clear my mind.
I slipped out of the bed quietly, careful not to make too much noise as I moved across the room and out the door.
Shadows stretched through the walls of the hallway as I stepped out.
The house was eerily quiet and still. If I weren’t on edge, I would have mistaken it for peaceful.
“Oof!” I collided with something solid in the dark.
“Careful,” A hand caught my arm, steadying me before I could stumble back. The contact bubbled familiar warmth on my skin. My wolf bristled awake from it.
I looked up to the towering figure and of course, it was Tristan.
Tristan stood bare-chested and slightly out of breath. His skin glowed faintly with sweat and he scented heavily of pine cones and grass. He had just returned from running through the woods.
His eyes locked onto mine instantly. And then, to my momentary horror, his expression tightened.
“What are you doing out here?” he asked in a sharp tone that had me anxious. “It’s the middle of the night.”
I frowned, steadying myself and pulling my arm back just slightly. Why was he being prickly? Had he already changed his mind on how to treat me?
“I could ask you the same thing,” I shot back. “You’re the one walking around half-dressed.”
That earned a faint, humorless huff from him. “This isn’t about me,” he growled, stepping a little closer. “You shouldn’t be wandering the halls alone.”
“I was going to get water,” I replied evenly. “Not exactly dangerous.”
His jaw flexed with restraint. “That’s not the point.”
“Well, it feels like it is,” I said. “Because you’re acting like I can’t even walk ten steps without something happening.”
“Something can happen,” he retorted as a matter of fact.
“Yeah right!” I snorted. “If it did then I’ll handle it.”
His gaze blinked from black to normal in a short second.“That’s not how this works.”
I crossed my arms, frustration rising. He should really drop that controlling tone with me! I thought we were over it.
“And how does it work, exactly?” I challenged. “You tell me where I can and can’t go? Is that the part where I’m supposed to feel safe?”
That hit something. I saw it in the way his expression shifted.
“Elsie,” His hand came up and I almost flinched but I stood my ground.
He gently held my wrist before tugging me closer. The change gave me whiplash. He stepped too close into my space and my resolve weakened.
His other hand lifted, brushing lightly against my jaw as his voice dropped. “Stop arguing for a second.”
I veered my head sideways, unwilling to look him in the eyes. I had more to say but I kept quiet.
“You think I’m trying to control you,” he said, quieter now.
“I think you’re being unreasonable,” I shot back, though my voice wasn’t as steady as before.
That was all it took.
He gently pulled my chin, turning my face his way. “I’m sorry for snapping, I got worried.”
I finally looked at him. “But that’s no reason to chastise me like I’m some child, you could have just…”
His lips met mine in a sudden motion. My mind blanked instantly and I froze up. My thoughts didn’t have a second to process it as my heart took control.
I didn’t pull away; instead, I kissed him back to taste the delicious sensation of his lips on mine. It was addictive. The way his tongue glided over my lips as he swallowed every exhale out of my mouth.
My back hit the wall as he pushed his body against me. I could feel his length poking my belly and it only pushed my desperation for more. .
Boldly, I roamed my hands on his chest, grounding myself as the argument melted into something else entirely. We didn’t need words. It complicated things.
His tongue pushed to enter my mouth and I let out a moan. I mimicked him and pushed my tongue against his. To my surprise, Tristan caressed my tongue with his and my knees buckled.
Out of the blue, he pulled away, just enough to breathe but I didn’t want to.
“That’s enough,” His forehead rested lightly against mine. His voice had dropped an octane and it shook with every breath.
“Are you okay?” I asked gently and he nodded with a small smile.
“You don’t get to walk around alone at night,” he murmured. “Not when I just started trying to do this right.”
My chest rose and fell unevenly.
“That’s not a reason to kiss me, though,” I countered with a small tease.
His thumb brushed against my jaw, almost absent. He laughed and the sound made me flush.“It is when you won’t listen.”
I let out a quiet breath, shaking my head just slightly.
“I’m just getting some water. Can you trust me to handle myself with that?” I looked him in the eye as I asked.
A pregnant moment passed. I almost thought he
wouldn’t answer till he sighed and nodded.“I’ll be in my room.”