The Mate That Wasn't Mine novel Chapter 2

2.

TESSA POV

Malva might have retreated but there is no way she’s shut up. She will be squawking everything she just saw to everyone she just met.

“Well,” the guy with black spiky hair grins, “I’m Kai. Pleased to meet Maxim’s mate. The girl the Goddess has blessed…or maybe that should be cursed? Did this joyous moment happen over the summer then?”

“Happened last night. Now shut up,” Maxim scoffs, his good-natured amber gaze hardening for a second.

“No. I think cursed is right,” the blonde man grins, reaching over the seats to take my hand after. “I’m Silas. Your man isn’t that bad.”

“Hey!” Maxim objects, clearly put out at the idea he’s bad news might be just a rumour.

“I sincerely doubt that,” I mutter shyly.

What can be worse than being in a fake mate bond with a man I first met five minutes ago? All that work and training has been for nothing. I should just jump out at the next stop.

My wolf quickly whispers that the rumour about mated couples being ahead of the rest would work for me too? Would it not help to have a bit of extra support starting this new life?

Malva is going to shred my reputation by the time we arrive anyway. Maybe this crazy idea can protect me a little?

I see the men sharing concerned glances, just as my wolf reacts with force. Her spirit charges upwards, rushing up my spine like a tornado. Pressing, begging me to be bolder. Pushing me to sit up straighter, my hand pressing into his hard chest. So I swallow my fear and attempt to lighten the mood.

“You guys might feel sorry for Maxim soon! When he gets to know me better…”

“Ha!” Silas laughs, slapping the seat with gusto. “Feel sorry for that animal, that would make a change! It makes sense now, the Goddess has sent someone to tame you!”

Even Maxim chuckles, a lopsided grin spreading across his bearded face. Everything about him is so interesting. I want to touch his beard, the soft hair versus the sharp jawline. Tame him, he looks like he could eat me alive. The idea is nonsense.

Smiling, blonde Silas reminds me of a lion, his thick blonde hair hangs shabbily down to his chunky shoulders. Everything is oversized and brawny. If he didn’t smile so kindly he’d be monstrous.

Just making them laugh like that has my pulse through the roof. I might be sick. This is going to be impossible. I haven’t accepted an offer to train at the packhouse to improve my social skills. I’ve come to fire arrows through enemies’ hearts.

“Guys, you’re going to have to fuck off now,” Maxim mutters, his hand roughly snaking right around my waist. Rendering me his possession for anyone daring to sneak a look. “Unless you’ve turned into pervy little voyeurs over the summer?”

With one arm he lifts me, twisting me upwards. Suddenly I’m straddling him, my hands on his shoulders. My back turned to Kai and Silas, facing nothing but Maxim and his stunning amber eyes.

Except Maxim stares past me, focused on his shuffling friends until we’re left alone. Focused on the task until three rows of seats ahead of us are vacated. My wolf purrs but this isn’t the time to enjoy trembling little butterflies in my stomach.

Silently panicking, it takes me a few seconds to realise Maxim has stopped looking at Silas and Kai. In fact, his gaze is fixed on me. It’s enough to make those stomach-butterflies treble in size.

One hand is spread across my lower back, his thumb circling the base of my spine. When his other lifts and begins gently threading through my long copper hair I briefly forget how to breathe.

He looks like he is completely swept up in the matebond. He’s very smooth. I’ll give him that. My head’s spinning even though it’s not real. At all. Get a grip.

When he lifts his leg, nudging me, I know what he wants to happen. His friends are still watching from a distance. Expectation builds up like a dam, pressure rising every second that we’re not taking that expected step.

So I kiss him. That’s right isn’t it? Especially new mates.

I’m meant to crave him like a demon seeks souls and kiss the sin right out of him.

Based on nothing more observing others’ romance whilst I sat on the sidelines, it is a kiss laced with nerves. A first kiss. My very first kiss. Used as a cheap diversion tactic.

His beard is cutely soft, not scratchy like I assumed. His lips quickly guide mine. Warm and firm. Making me want more of what he quickly takes charge of delivering. I don’t protest when he drags me closer into his body. Oak and berries cloud my senses.

He knows I haven’t a clue what I’m doing. But he’s putting on a show anyway. The sheer size of his body swallows me up.

When his tongue seeks mine I don’t know where the line between pretence and real exists. My wolf is too busy firing explosives through my nerves like a lunatic with access to fireworks. My hands find his dark curls, tentatively exploring.

This train is trying to kill me. The rhythm of the juddering tracks forces my spread apart-legs to hit a stunning friction against his body, my chest pressed tightly into his. I’m so lost in the dizzying, heated sensations when he caresses my neck, a little moan escapes.

There is no pretence in me right now. This is all real. The most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen is kissing me like we’re star-crossed and soul-bound. I want to whisper his name and hear him curse mine in return.

Only for him to stop. A whisper in my ear. “Good job. Now climb off.”

His lips find mine again, seizing me passionately, his hands squeezing my ass with rough abandon. It feels like he has an alarm set when less than five seconds later he robotically moves to the other side of my neck, finding my ear and hissing. “Take my hand and drag me to the bathroom. Other end of the carriage.”

I shake my head in a silent no. I’m bright red, puffy-lipped and no doubt reeking of perfumed arousal. How can I possibly walk past two dozen people in this carriage and shack up with him in the bathroom?

“Fiesty?” he checks quietly, his voice a little darker, a rough edge that pairs with the increasingly tight grip on my ass. His lips feather against mine as he mouths. “Move.”

I sink my teeth into his bottom lip and watch his eyes widen in surprise.

It wasn’t that hard, just enough to let him know I’m not interested in his idea. Everything freezes. He stares into my eyes, so close I can see every green fleck in the edges of his tawny irises.

Calm and serious, Maxim is looking at me properly for the first time since this insanity started. I run my thumb over the small drop of blood glistening on his wounded lip, mouthing, “Everyone will see.”

He mimics my silence. “Exactly.”