Chapter 20 Not Chosing Anyone

Chapter 20 Not Chosing Anyone

Kael's POV

The witches had been easy enough to deal with. A few broken bones, some blood, and they scattered like the cowards they were. Helena had tried one last spell before I snapped her wrist and left her screaming on the ground.

I did not kill any of them. As much as I wanted to, Serena would not have wanted that.

So I left them alive. Barely.

By the time I made it to Cassian's car, my body was still humming with adrenaline. My wolf was pacing beneath my skin, wanting more violence. More blood.

But when I yanked open the car door, ready to tell them we needed to leave now, everything inside me went cold.

Then hot. So hot I thought I might explode.

Serena was naked. Completely naked. Her clothes scattered across the floor of the car.

And Cassian. That bloodsucker was naked too, still inside her, his hands on her hips, her body pressed against his.

The smell hit me like a punch to the gut. Sex. Arousal. Her scent mixed with his in a way that made my vision go red.

"What the fuck is this?" My voice came out as a growl.

Serena gasped and tried to cover herself. Cassian moved to shield her with his body, but it was too late. I had already seen everything.

"Kael—" Cassian started.

"Do not." I cut him off. "Do not say a single fucking word."

I reached in and grabbed Serena's arm, pulling her out of the car. She stumbled, still trying to cover herself, her eyes wide with shock.

"She is my mate," I snarled, getting in Cassian's face. "Mine. How dare you touch what belongs to me?"

"She does not belong to anyone," Cassian said, stepping out of the car. He did not bother covering himself either. Typical vampire arrogance.

"The hell she does not." I pulled Serena closer, my hand moving to the back of her neck. "I am going to mark her right now. Make sure everyone knows she is mine."

I bent down, my fangs extending, aiming for that sweet spot on her neck where my mark would brand her forever.

But Cassian was faster. He grabbed my wrist and yanked me back with surprising strength.

"Calm down," he said firmly.

"Calm down?" I laughed, but there was no humor in it. "You just fucked my mate in the back of your car and you want me to calm down?"

"She is my mate too. Or did you forget that part?"

"I was a fool for trusting you. For working with you." I shoved him back. "A vampire will always betray. Always take what is not theirs."

"I did not take anything. She wanted this."

"Because you manipulated her! She is confused. Traumatized. And you took advantage of that."

"She is in heat," Cassian said, his voice dropping lower. "Look at her, Kael. Really look."

I turned to Serena. She was still standing there, naked, her arms wrapped around herself. But her eyes... they were glazed. Distant. And her scent was still strong with arousal. Even after what they had just done.

My wolf went quiet. Listening.

I stepped closer to her, inhaling deeply. Her arousal was not fading. If anything, it was getting stronger. The smell of sex clung to her skin, evidence of how wild it had been between her and Cassian.

But she was still aroused. Still wanting.

Because of me. She wanted me too.

The realization hit me like lightning.

I moved until I was right in front of her. Close enough to feel the heat radiating off her skin.

"Did you choose him?" I asked quietly. "Is Cassian the one you want?"

She looked up at me, her eyes focusing slightly. "What?"

"If you have made your choice, then say it. Reject me right now. Tell me you only want him."

She shook her head quickly. "I did not choose anyone."

"Then what was that?" I gestured toward the car.

"I was just... I was horny, okay?" Her face flushed. "I almost died in there. I needed to feel something. Anything. Why do I have to choose?"

"Because that is how this works. You cannot have both of us."

"Why not?"

The question hung in the air. I stared at her. Cassian stared at her.

Why not?

Before I could answer, something inside me snapped. The jealousy. The need. The bond pulling me toward her like a rope around my chest.

I grabbed her face and kissed her. Hard. Possessive. Claiming.

She tried to pull away at first, her hands pushing against my chest. But I did not let go. I kissed her deeper, pouring everything I felt into it. All the rage and want and desperate need.

And then she stopped fighting.

Her body melted against mine. Her lips parted, letting me in. She kissed me back with the same hunger, the same desperation.

I groaned into her mouth, my hands sliding down to grip her waist. She was soft and warm and perfect. Everything I had been craving since the moment I first saw her.

When I finally pulled back, we were both breathing hard.

"Kael," she whispered.

I kissed her again. Softer this time but no less intense. My hands roamed her body, memorizing every curve. Every inch of skin.

Behind us, I heard movement. Cassian stepped closer, and for a second, I thought he was going to pull her away. Claim her back.

But he did not.

Instead, his hands moved to her breasts. He cupped them gently, his thumbs brushing over her nipples.

Serena gasped into my mouth.

I broke the kiss and looked at Cassian. We stared at each other over her shoulder. Two predators. Two alphas. Both wanting the same woman.

But instead of fighting, we were... sharing.

Cassian leaned down and took one of her nipples into his mouth. She arched back against him, a moan escaping her lips.

I watched. My body was on fire. My wolf was howling, torn between jealousy and something else. Something darker and more primal.

Serena's hands grabbed my shoulders, steadying herself between us. Her eyes were half-closed, her face flushed with pleasure.

"Please," she whispered. "Do not stop."

I kissed her neck, right where my mark would go. Not biting yet. Just teasing. Making her squirm.

Cassian switched to her other breast, his tongue swirling around the sensitive peak. His hand slid down her stomach, heading lower.

She was trapped between us. Surrounded by us. And from the sounds she was making, she loved every second of it.

Maybe she was right. Maybe she did not have to choose.

Maybe we could both have her. Both claim her. Both make her ours.

The thought should have made me angry. Should have made my wolf rage.

But instead, it made something inside me settle. Like this was always how it was supposed to be.

Serena whimpered as Cassian's hand found her center. Her body trembled, caught between pleasure and need.

And I knew right then that this was just the beginning.