The Game Of Quadruplet Mates
(Bk 2) Chapter 9

O's soft lips were warm on mine and he kissed me like nothing I ever expected from him, for it was gentle and hesitant and sweet. All things he was not.

As he pushed me against a tree, his kiss was filled with such passion, such promise that it took my breath away. There was an inferno that raged inside him, setting ablaze within as he kissed me.

It took a fraction of a second before I responded, one arm wrapping around him to bring him closer while my other hand rested on his chest.

He was still topless, his body covered only by a loose pair of shorts and he was still dripping with lake water.

A water droplet falls on my cheek from his hair and I pull away from him, panting and dizzy from how quickly things have gone.

I had hoped kissing him would explain the unanswered questions in mind and heart, but it seemed to only make it worse. The lines between us are blurry now and yet there were still no answers. Only more questions.

And the way he looked at me made me worry that I had done something wrong. He looked scared... almost regretful.

My mind raced with questions, with emotions I could not decipher.

He cracks a smile then. "Always such a good girl, huh?"

I was a good girl.

I've always been a good girl, following rules and staying out of trouble.

But with O, he made me want to do bad things.

"O..." I found myself whispering, my voice small and meek and out of breath. "I don't understand,"

"Let's not understand it for now. Let's just enjoy what we can while we can?" His words were loaded with meaning, for only the two of us to truly comprehend.

I could only nod. "Okay."

"Come." He takes me by the shoulder, wrapping his arm around me. "We're going to be late."

It was only then did I see my bracelet still on his wrist. It looked funny on him, pink and bright and lace, but he wore it shamelessly.

"I caught you staring at me earlier." He teased smoothly, back to his old self. "How very inappropriate, my lady."

I rolled my eyes, suddenly hyperaware of how I looked, standing in nothing but my lace panties covered only by a blanket. "Shut up."

"No, no." He grinned mischievously. "I didn't expect this of you. I mean, you pull me out here in the woods all alone, nearly n a k e d, with no one to see or hear us. What would people say? You know I'm a very popular man. I have lots of suitors who would hate to see me be ruined by you."

"We are hardly alone." I motioned behind us to where I was sure guards were following, waiting to send us home. "And, you did all the pulling and ruining, not me."

"I do like to ruin..." He doesn't finish, eyes on me.

I wondered if he was just drunk or bored or if I was just another one of the girls that fell prey to his charms.

As we walked, I looked up at him and in his eyes, I could see the countless stars from above us and I couldn't help but admire him quietly.

Against my better judgement, I thought about the possibilities.

What would it be like to wake up next to him every day? What would it be like if we went home together, mated and chosen? And if he could leave it all behind just for me? Everything he's carrying on those broad shoulders? Would he take the leap for me? Or would he stay where he was?

There was more at stake.

A future with him is just impossible.

He knows this and I know this.

Yet it seems we will ignore it.

For now.

I haven't been to the inside of the mansion yet, so when we make it to the massive wooden doors at least twice the size of me, I can only gasp. The entrance is lit with warm golden light by candles and lanterns and firefly lights, all creating this enchanting palace that was waiting to be explored. It didn't feel real. Just like the gardens, the mansion itself- the mere entrance was already a sight to behold.

The doors open before I could and I'm immediately greeted by the sight of something straight out of my imagination, maybe something even better.

Made completely out of white stone and marble and gold, the mansion was absolutely radiant. The ceiling was domed and was sculpted and carved to perfection with the columns and arches looking bigger than life itself.

The mansion was monumental and grander than anything else that I had seen before it.

Fresh flowers decorated the large staircase that branched towards different wings and floors of the mansion, which then led to wide hallways lit by tall chandeliers. The steps were lined with candles in beautiful artistic glass, casting the marble floors in an even prettier golden glow.

At the foot of the staircase was the board where our room assignments were posted, as well as schedules and other important information.

I wasn't surprised to see that O was on a completely opposite wing to where I was. The organizers often kept pack members apart to encourage friendship with other packs.

We stared at each other and I swear the silence between us was the loudest thing...

"I guess I'll see you at dinner." I said, in an attempt to stop the suffocating silence between us.

He drops the arm he had around my shoulders and nods, his expression almost haunted, but he hides it quickly with a smile. "Yes, dinner."

I watch him as he turns to leave but my hands stop him before he can get far, gripping his hand that had my bracelet. "Did I do something wrong? Have I upset you?"

The look of conflict on his face could barely be masked. "No, X, trust me. You've done nothing to upset me. In fact, it's the opposite. All you've been is right and perfect."

My mouth dries as my chest tightens. I thought I was strong enough to withstand whatever he would say, but this... with his messy hair, sharp jawline and pretty eyes? It was impossible not to crumble just a little bit.

He looks at me again and I think I might melt into a puddle at his feet. "We have a whole week ahead of us. I want us to have the best time here, the way they always boast back at home."

At home, all they talked about was how beautiful everything was, how exciting and new and fun.

Whenever I hear that, I always think; how can that be fun? How can replaceing our future within a week be considered exciting?

I can see now what they meant.

An overly loud cough from behind us stops me from saying something back to O.

I'm not surprised that it was my impatient guard. He doesn't look at me or say a word, but he does tap his watch as if to remind us of our schedule.

"He's a bit demanding, isn't he?" O teased, eyes bright with amusement.

Demanding was just one of them.

But I didn't say that, merely laughing and turning in the direction of my room.

"I can't wait to see what the Alpha assigned for you to wear," He says, walking towards his wing.

I quietly wondered as well. There were many of us attending this year and I doubt he can afford everyone's requests. I haven't been the best pack member either. I'm sure he'll remember that when approving the budget for my clothes. "One can only hope he took mercy on me." Alone in a wide hallway lined by intricate statues and gigantic vases, I could hear my ever present shadow follow behind me.

Right as I make it to my room, I hear him speak.

"Is he the one you're choosing?" His voice was so low and so deep that I whirled around to face him to make sure he really did talk to me.

I sized him up, my lips pursed. "Did I hear correctly? You're actually talking to me? I thought you weren't allowed to."

The hallways were brightly lit but his clothes and that damned cap kept most of his features hidden.

Still, somehow I can hear him roll his eyes.

"Is he?" He repeated ever so patiently.

"I don't know." I told him honestly and when I noticed him shift his weight from left to right, I knew he had more to say. "Why? What is it?"

He kept his head down but his words were biting when he spoke next. "Whoever you choose isn't my concern."

I gaped at him, resisting the urge to shove him into one of the monster size vases. "You're the one that brought it up."

He doesn't respond, merely staring at me from under his cap.

"Do you have a name?" I asked, wondering how to address the guard as I gripped the blanket around me tighter. "Or a letter?"

He takes a second to respond, his eyes suspicious. "T."

I smile my sweetest smile, fluttering my eyelashes. "Well, T, you're being an ass and your neck veins are popping out again."

Turning away, I replace my room along the rows of glittering doors that faced the window with a perfect view of the lake from earlier. Not waiting for another word from him, I opened the door but not before he says, "He's not right for you. And I know you know why."

I wanted to say something smart, to defend myself and O as well, but he was right. Whatever he knew if he even knew, was right and I couldn't do anything but close the door behind me, with the door to my guard's face, to keep the truth away.