Chapter 4
Breeana bit into her strawberry birthday cake and it tasted like ash in her mouth.
She went through the motions; laughing with her dad, feeding him the cake, smiling for the camera, hugging Arianna and acting like her entire world hadn't just come crashing down.
Reece. The arrogant fool. The boy who dunked her head in her 3rd birthday cake. The wolf whose only redeeming feature had been that he was dating her sister was somehow her mate?
He just stood there frozen like a moron. She rolled her eyes and passed by him to hug his dad. It wasn't like she wanted him as her mate either could he be any more obnoxious?
Mate, mate, mate. Scar declared.
I heard you loud and clear the first time. Breeana quipped back.
Although it was growing considerably difficult to fight the growing need to go to her mate, she just couldn't do it.
He was Ari's boyfriend, her sister's soon-to-be mate. She couldn't do that to Arianna. Even if Breeana had wanted to betray her sister, it was Reece. Reece of all people.
They aren't together anymore. Scar urged.
Scar, he didn't take his eyes off her all night. Until this happened. I think it's safe to assume they are still together. Bree replied.
Ah yes, how could Breeana forget? The infamous breakup. It was mostly rumours and hearsay about Reece cheating or Ari cheating.
Neither of them had actually confirmed or debunked the rumours but they weren't as lovey-dovey as usual so Breeana guessed there was actually trouble in paradise. Although she still felt the cheating theory was a far stretch. The two of them were mad about each other. It just wasn't possible.
****
The birthday dinner was a smaller affair than the lavish celebration. It was just Breeana's family, the Alpha and Reece, with some extremely close friends. Reece was seated exactly opposite Breeana and Breeana tried her best to not meet his gaze even though she was hyper-aware of every small movement he was making.
The way he cut his food, ate it, swallowed, and licked his lips.
Get a hang on yourself, Brenna. He's just freaking eating. There is nothing, I repeat nothing remotely intriguing about that. Brennan shook herself awake and tried participating in the conversations being struck up.
"...I definitely want to focus more on fashion. I mean look at me. I'm such a styling expert. It would be a shame to waste it." Sarah said.
Breeana's eyes nearly rolled to the back of her head.
Stylish? Huh, right. More like slutish.
Callie snickered as though in tune with Breeana's thoughts and Breeana fought back a laugh.
Somehow Sarah Kayes was at their private birthday dinner. Probably because she was now Ariana's bestie. Seriously, Bree couldn't see what her sister saw in her.
Sarah turned to face Ryan who sat by Breeana's side on the opposite side of the table, her expertly styled bottle-blond hair swinging with the movement in a dramatic swish. Breeana hoped she didn't take out someone's eye with that hair flip.
"What about you Ryan? Still drawing?" She batted her lashes at him.
"Yeah." Ryan looked vaguely discomforted. He looked at me. "What are you planning on doing now that you are eighteen, Bree?"
Hmm. Was there trouble in paradise there too? Why was Ryan acting so weird with Sarah?
"Yeah, I was thinking about volunteering more at the clinic. Been waiting out my applications. That sort of thing." Breeana said tightly noticing Reece's attention was now on her.
"You always did like to help people." Ryan smiled.
Then Sarah cut in. "Yeah, speaking about help. Can someone help me understand why everyone is talking about our Alpha couple splitting up? The wedding isn't off, is it?"
The entire table went silent even with their parents who'd been carrying on their conversations at the other end of the table. All eyes were now fixed on Ariana and Reece.
Ariana blushed turning pink as she spoke. "Actually we are–"
"Were having a fight." Reece cut in looking at Ariana, who was seated right next to him, his eyes full of love. "But I can't take it anymore. I love you so much. I want us to put everything behind us, Babe. If you'll have me." He lifted her left hand and kissed it.
Maybe it was just Breeana but it seemed like Ariana was really shocked at the turn of events before she regained composure.
"Of course, Reece. I love you so much." She smiled.
Reece leaned to kiss her, caught the stern disapproving glares of Arthur and Martha Connor, and gave her a peck on the cheek instead and the conversations continued.
Scar whined in Breeana's head. Sounding low and pained.
Breeana tried to console her. But Scar was inconsolable.
To think that she used to pity the person who would end up being Reece's mate. Not knowing all the while that she would end up being that unfortunate person.
"Anna. What's wrong? Not happy your brother-in-law is getting out of the dog house?" Reece smirked looking closely at Breeana for a reaction. Any reaction.
"I've told you to stop calling me that. As for your relationship, congratulations." Breeana said not giving Reece any attention as she dug into her food.
This is wrong. Ray said angrily.
We can't stand each other besides she doesn't want me or care. It's better this way. Reece replied.
The only problem was that Reece hadn't forgiven Ariana for what she did. Every time he saw her, the image of her riding that other wolf and the moans she made kept entering his head.
But he'd had to do it because he knew Breeana didn't like him. Which was fine because the feeling was mutual. Even with everything going down with Ariana, he still loved her. A lot. That would never change.
Maybe it had been his fault for touching Breeana that way. For dancing with her like that, for wanting to do a lot more than dance with her. Maybe this situation with Ariana was his penance.
"Please excuse me." Breeana left the table and went into the house. Reece waited a bit before making his own excuses too. He listened around for her. She was in the kitchen.
He stood by the doorway watching her search for something, her back to him.
"Are you planning on standing there all day and staring at me like a creep?" Breeana said as she opened the fridge, her back still turned to him. She got out some ice cream finally turning to face him.
"You aren't that fascinating, I assure you. I came in here for something."
Breeana cocked a brow in disbelief. "Well get it and get out." She lifted herself and sat on the kitchen island and began to lick the ice cream.
Reece shouldn't have been looking at the way she licked that ice cream cone thinking about her in an entirely different position. Or the way that dress was made for her. Clinging to her curves, it made her look like a woman not like the annoying younger sister of his girlfriend he could barely tolerate.
He shook himself startled at the direction his thoughts had taken.
Was this the power of the mating bond? Was it affecting Breeana in the same way?
She definitely didn't show it.
"Look about this bond, I have to reject you…we won't ever have anything together. I love Ariana–"
Breeana began to laugh. She laughed so hard she nearly choked on her ice cream. She slid down from the island and dumped her cone in the trash before sauntering towards him, her hips swaying with every step and Reece's eyes drawn to the movement. Had she always been this curvaceous? He had never noticed.
"Don't bother Reece, with the rejection or anything else. Even if you weren't with my sister, I would never accept you as my mate. You are an arrogant self-important manchild who can't see anything or anyone beyond yourself. Do me a favour and stay away from me. Dick." She clipped his shoulder as she walked out of the kitchen.
He heard something like "Accept him?" followed by Breeana laughing hysterically in the hallway. She was laughing at him. Reece stood shocked into silence. Had… had he just been rejected?
5"Eat something before you leave, you look so thin as though we do not feed you enough in this house.""Love you too Mum. I'll grab something on the way." Breeana closed the door to her mother's rising complaints about her eating habits with her father trying to intercede on her behalf only to get blasted about how he spoiled Brenna a little bit too much and tried not to smile. She loved her family.Even Scar perked up a little at that. It was normal. It was home.What wasn't normal was the ever-increasing pull she felt towards Reece and the wave of sadness it brought on Scar. Scar knew Breeana couldn't betray her sister but she still longed to be united with her mate.Scar was miserable all the time and it was beginning to affect Breeana too.That was why she'd asked the clinic if she could come in more often for volunteer work. If she was working, actively doing something, it would help Scar focus on something other than her douchebag of a mate.Breeana grabbed two chocolate glaz
Reece held the phone in his hand following Breeana's scent.How could they have moved so fast?He rounded the corner and caught sight of Breeana's long dark hair only that wimp was leaning into Breeana, her hands on his shoulder. Then he kissed Breeana.Reece saw red. He pocketed the phone, crossed the distance between them and punched the guy in the face. Rage burned him from the inside out and he could no longer control himself.*****"Reece! Reece stop hitting him! Reece!"Breeana shouted trying to pull Reece off Ryan who was trying all he could to dodge the punches that Reeve kept throwing.It wasn't going too well however, Reece was larger, stronger and more dominant than Ryan. If Breeana didn't stop him, he could shift and hurt Ryan really badly.Reece looked possessed, lost and so viciously angry that cold fear gripped Breeana's heart.Breeana prayed she wasn't about to do something exceptionally stupid then she stepped between both of them directly in Reece's line of fire. "St
"So what's up with you and Ryan?"Ariana asked Breeana over at the dinner table.Breeana paused. "Nothing.""Oh. Okay." Ariana said, looking at her strangely.Breeana ignored Ariana's questioning tone and reached for the salt shaker at the exact time that Reece did.Both of them dropped their hands simultaneously and Breeana hoped her sister hadn't noted the odd interaction."We haven't been seeing you around as much as usual Reece." Arthur, Breeana's dad commented curiously."Oh, he's busy with his Alpha training. Gotta get him ready for leading this pack. I know he will do exceptionally well and let this old man retire in peace." Alpha Sean joked."The last thing you are is old, Sean. I brought dessert." Martha dropped the pie on the table before settling in next to her husband.Breeana was slowly coming to dread these dinners where she had to come in contact with Reece.They had successfully avoided each other since that incident and she wanted it to remain that way if she had any
His eyes were hooded and inviting as he gazed down at her like he hadn't seen anything or anyone as exquisite as she. Her core clenched with want as his lips dipped to her collarbone, nipping, teasing. She clung to him feeling needy, gasping as he reached her nipples.He sucked on her and she couldn't hold back a moan. "Please, Reece."Breeana woke up drenched in sweat and wetter than she had ever been in her life.It had felt so real that she had to look around to check if Reece was actually in the room.She closed her eyes and tried to get her mind and her breathing under control. The dreams had started almost immediately after she'd taken Reese to the hospital.Dreams where they did all sorts of things to each other. Dreams where she forgot or didn't remember they weren't going to ever be a thing. It would have made seeing him in person awkward except they barely saw each other.Reece was now taking up more security-related responsibilities so she didn't see him at the clinic anymo
His body was a marvel. He stood unashamed. Why wouldn't he when he had nothing to be ashamed of? Although Breeana had seen him shirtless, seeing him naked was something else entirely and left her breathless for all the right reasons. She stared at his strong thighs up to his…Breeana shook herself mentally. She couldn't stare at him in that manner, it was Reece for fuck's sake. Reece.Then she noticed he was also staring at her body. His eyes raked her exposed body shamelessly and she found herself reacting to his stare instead of flaring up at him."You shouldn't be looking at me like that, Reece." She finally found her voice fixing her eyes on his eyes, determined to not look below his neck."I know."But he kept looking at her so intensely that her cheeks burned."Then stop.""Do you want me to?" Reece's voice sounded so arrogant and self-satisfied that Breeana found herself wanting to hit him."Yes. You are so disgusting, it's super unattractive."Reece moved closer to Breeana and
"If you touch that chicken, I'll break your wrist."Naturally, Breeana's mom had to bring violence into everything."Mom, I'll still eat it at dinner. What is the difference?" Breeana whined, her voice in childish tones that always got her dad to do whatever she wanted."Touch it and find out."Like she would be that stupid.Breeana rolled her eyes and caught Ariana's gaze, Ari seemed to be biting back a laugh at the exchange between them. Breeana grumbled under her breath but dropped the plate on the dining table without taking anything from it."Is that chicken I smell?" Bree's dad wandered into the dining room, took one fried chicken thigh from the plate and bit down on it. "Oh my. I think I should invite Sean over more often. You never make anything like this for me.""Because I'm trying to keep you healthy." Breeana's mom sounded like she was about to throw something at her husband. Something heavy and blunt.Her dad must have felt the same because he turned to Breana and spoke
Ariana was in the hallway.They pulled apart.There was no way Breeana could leave without being seen. Breeana nearly slapped herself. When had she become so enslaved to her body's desires and needs? Ariana rounded the corner. Breeana thought fast and tripped herself making sure to land with a thump and yelled out loud, naturally, Reece reached out and tried to help her up just as Ariana reached the balcony.Ariana was a wolf so she would scent Breeana all over Reece so running off was off the table. Also, Breeana couldn't see herself but her hair had escaped the bun she had put it in courtesy of Reece's wandering hands so she knew she would look messy.Trying to stand up, Breeana latched onto Reece so that that would explain her scent on him. Then once she got her feet beneath her, she shoved him away trying to balance on her 'twisted ankle'.He stood there visibly puzzled. He knew Ariana was at the doorway but still didn't know what to make of Breeana's 'fall'."I don't need your bl
"I can't believe you are opening a store already. I am so happy for you." Breeana hugged Callie and Callie giggled.They had been catching up for hours now. Ryan was running late so Callie had broken down and told Breeana about her store's opening.Breeana couldn't believe Callie was already opening a clothing store and line. No, she could believe it. Her girl had been putting in so much effort so definitely it was going to pay off. It just seemed like Breeana was the only one stuck in one phase in her life. Reece.It had been a week since the dinner and everything wasn't fine. Okay, things were fine but Breeana could barely face herself. She felt that ashamed about everything that had gone down. Ariana hadn't even suspected a thing making her feel even worse.To his credit, Reece had kept their interactions since then brief and distant even when they were alone. Especially when they were alone. It was a relief and a bother. It was a relief because she wanted to do right by her sister