The Mate That Wasn't Mine novel Chapter 75

Chapter 75

TESSA POV

There is a lightness that comes with not having a clue what anyone expects of you. Knowing nothing other than I was with the person the ca intended for me. It’s a nice, safe, cosy feeling.

Then I teased him. Did I ever do that before? Did I flutter my eyelashes and open my legs and hope he’d never leave, back when I was at Pavenient

Who knows?

Every so often Maxim’s eyes, those gorgeous, amber pools that seize my heart, flicker with something. Sometimes I think it is confusion, other times resembles hurt.

I should probably have asked more questions about our past. Sounds like there has been a lot of death, a lot of sneaking around. But calling him the wrong name was too tempting.

These are all pathetic excuses. I’m a grown woman. But then Maxim stripped off. My brain became redundant when there was Maxim to look at.

Every bit of him begs for lavish attention. Thick powerful thighs to match his broad shoulders. A swooping v–line that had me licking my lips before blushing. But why must I blush? Why be embarrassed of lusting after my mate?

Deep down, I know I’m probably not going to like what I uncover about either of us. This jolly bubble of vacant nonsense I’m currently floating in, is too fragile for the real world.

Maybe when Maxim isn’t naked we can talk truths and plans. I swim to the centre of the large, glossy lake, surrounded by willow trees and cooing birds

overhead.

My body needs this. Not just because he’s wrung me beyond all sense with his head between my legs. But the vile dress, sleeping outdoors, it’s hard going. Plus my hair is abysmal. But the cool water against my skin? My nipples still hard from his earlier tweaking, sucking adoration? I’m so ready for

more.

Nothing makes my blood race quicker than seeing his face turn serious. When he has me and he’s deciding exactly what to do about it.

After Maxim leaps in, disappearing under the water in a cannonball of boyish idiocy, I swim underwater, hidden from view and pinch his ass. He yells and jumps like he’s been bitten by a snake and I come up to the surface laughing all over again.

“Firecracker,” he grins before wrapping one of those strong hands around my waist. With one tug he drags me close. My chest smashed into his, legs kicking together, entwining, hard cock pressed against my stomach. “I’m sorry we can’t stay for longer. We might have to go back to the rebels site and take some of their weapons-”

“I don’t care about any of that-” grabbing him for a kiss, my hand grabbing his cock and placing it between my legs where I want him kicking and adjusting myself in the water to make it work.

Except instead of using his other hand to grip my ass and slam himself inside me he throws a curveball instead. He stops our kiss and just slowly brushes some of my long wet hair behind my ear, watching me closely.

“Are you happy Tess? How are you feeling?”

“What do you think?” allowing my hand to snake around to his ass and squeeze it. I want more.

There it is again. That look. Half amused, half confused.

“What is it?”

“Nothing. It’s…”

I feel like I’m talking too loud. “Oh? I’m not acting how you expected?”

1/A

Chapter 75

you’re talking money still without a giln, tin hands over my rib cage, just under my breasts, the tool water lapping hesitation I wrap my legs around his waist, bobbing around the water together. I warit him. In the water, on the granny, hea not biting And you’re a lot more…confident I guess I’d say

“is that a bad thing?”

1 really don’t know.”

Now it’s my turn to look hurt. Maxim quickly cups my chin with one hand. “Let me explain

“I think I’ll just get clean,” and push away from his body. My wolf is hurting, curdled up in the pit of my stomach. Fucking bubble couldn’t even läst a day

“Hey! Tess!” Maxim hisses breaking into a strong swim but I keep going, all the way to the edge. Just as I feel a safe footing out he yanks me back into his arms. This time, in the shallower muds he has me elevated.

around the rocks and grass at the edge for a

“You’re not a coward. In any scenario. So don’t run away from this,” he warns. “I’m just saying the girl I fell in love with was so quiet, blushed all the time and only had faith in her archery. Nothing else. Just admitting she liked me was like climbing a mountain for her.”

“Then why would I want to turn back into someone that pathetic!”

“Tess…” and those tiger eyes flash with anger. “Tess you were never pathetic for a second. But I’ll tell you everything I do know about you if you want

“I wanted something else,” looking down at his still–hard cock wedged between us. “But you seem determined to have blue balls.

This time the humour fails. Maxim’s face has changed from sexy–stern to full disappointment, even the water feels a bit too cool for comfort.

“You know what, yeah, let’s just get cleaned up, we’ve got shit to get on with,” Maxim growls, lowering me back into the water before furiously swimming

thirty metres away to another grassy bank.

I float in a sitting position. Arms out, legs gently kicking, watching Maxim rub his face in frustration. An hour ago, I’m funny. Now I’m…annoying?

I call, “What did I do wrong?”

He just shakes his head. No answer.

“Maxim? Come on!”

“It’s my fault. It will be fine. Can we just drop it? We’ve got to get moving anyway. Fuck…clothes. Fucking idiot,” he grumbles to himself. Only then do I realise his cheeks are tinged with a raspberry hue.

I’ve hurt his feelings.

It’s not like I’m completely without memories. Everything he said to me last night whilst I cowered inside a cave is there. How everyone else saw him as someone of zero substance. How he was a better person now because of what we became together. That this was love for him, well before our mate

bond revealed itself.

He saved my life, knowing I would have no idea who he was.

And I’m treating his heart so casually. Ignoring layers that still feverishly exist for him whilst I chase cheap thrills. This version of me is a selfish bitch.

Tears sting my eyes. No wonder he wants to get away.

I keep staring but Maxim doesn’t look my way at all. Just staring into the water, sat hunched on the side of the back, the water up to his shins.

Dappled light falls across his shining skin. But paired with it is the scars down his ribs from last night.

The bite on his chest that he accepted from me even though Lalways refused his in return.

“Maxim, I’m sorry.”

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Chapter 75

He raises his hand, pausing me. When I try to swim closer he just gets out of the water completely and strides away, naked and perfect.

“I’ll get your dress,” he adds flatly before disappearing into the treeline. I disappear under the water, hoping the cost of the lake will soothe the burning. shame that’s spreading from my head to my toes,

I got carried away. Drifted into some stupid honeymoon mode where I could lounge around and have Maxim send my world spinning a hundred times a day.

I haven’t asked him anything. Is he okay, finding the person he risked everything for isn’t the same?

Why he is even out here, is he in trouble with the pack?

He said he faked my death, his brain must be working overdrive.

I stay underwater for as long as I can manage. Only to surface, breathe in and do it all over again. My lungs burn, my limbs kick out. Waves and waves of self–hatred lash at me, weighing me down.

He said I was a lot quieter before. I get it. Now I don’t ever want to speak again. My wolf is the voice of reason. Or rather, the voice suggesting drowning is not an option.

Reluctantly I splurge back out of the water, sadly lacking in any glamour as reams of soaked, copper coloured hair cover my face. I can’t see a thing.

But it is the scent that hits me first.

Pig–like. Unwashed.

The same as yesterday.