Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by his Brother
Chapter 261: _ Me And You

Chapter 261: _ Me And You

"Why?" she finally articulated it in the most steady way possible, though the tremor in her hands told me she was anything but. "Why are you so sure of yourself? You’re just a pack house guard, aren’t you? Why should I trust you to keep us safe if we step out at this ungodly hour?"

I smirked. This was it. The moment I’d been waiting for. She already knew. I wasn’t Mateo. This was like her way of giving me a chance to redeem myself and come out clean.

I would not deny who I was, nor would I admit it.

"Maybe I’m more than I seem." I interlocked my gaze with hers, drowning myself in the enchantment of her green eyes.

Argh, those eyes...

I moved closer again as I couldn’t help myself. My hand brushed just a little too close to her waist, a touch that was both intimate and invasive. I could feel her flinch, but it was different this time.

When she sucked in her breath, her eyes fluttered, and I could see it in the way her chest rose and fell with an unfamiliar rhythm. There was fear in her, yes, but there was something else too.

Something deep inside her that stirred when I touched her. Something I was beginning to recognize as desire.

María María, oh, my María... deny it all you want, but there’s something. There’s something electric between us, and I wasn’t the only one feeling it.

You wait until Axel marries you, and you start to live together. Us, in the same estate... I could already picture all the happy memories we’d make together.

Why was I blind to this before? Why didn’t I recognize earlier that this was an opportunity to keep her close, ensure she was available for the one year and a few months left for me to confidently claim her as mine?

Ah... my master. My very wise master. He’s seen it all. He knew, and he showed me. Now, I see...

I leaned closer and confidently placed my hands on her waist now, circling my tongue across her left ear, down to the base of her neck. "It doesn’t matter for now. What matters is that I can help you get the man you want."

It took her a minute of shuddering against the proximity before she grew the balls to pull back a little, as if trying to gain some distance, but I followed. "Why?" she asked, and there was a tinge of hurt in her voice now. "Why do you want to help me get another man, after you confessed to me that you loved me?"

I felt a pang in my chest, though I didn’t let it show. I had to be careful here. I couldn’t reveal too much because if I followed my heart right now, I would bare myself to her and dare her to accept me as I was.

Instead, I straightened, letting a look of sincerity fall over my features, even though I knew it was nothing but a mask. "I would do anything for your happiness, María José. If Axel is the one who can make you happy, then that’s what I want for you."

She seemed taken aback by my words, and for a brief moment, I could see the cracks in her resolve. She was touched. I could feel it, and I knew it meant I was one step closer to making her mine. Completely.

"Come with me," I said, holding out my hand. "We can go to the base now. You can present the evidence against Rosa. Everything you need is there."

She stared blandly at my hands, and then, her eyes darted towards the door. The skepticism was still there, like a wall between us, but I could see the hesitation in her eyes. She was so close. So close to giving in. I reached out, gently pulling her closer, forcing her to look into my eyes.

"Use me, María José. You see, that’s the depth of my love for you. I’ll even let you use me."

I then set my gaze on her plush lips, wondering just how sweet they’d taste tonight. If they’d be as delicious as the last time we kissed, or even better.

I was so enchanted that I remained there, staring and longing. First, her eyes followed my gaze to her lips. Then, she slowly trailed her own eyes to mine as though she, too, was considering it.

A kiss. Just a little kiss. Nobody would know.

I began to lean closer, ensuring I didn’t jerk fast enough to break the moment. Almost there.

Those lips, taste them...

"Ahem!" She coughed, shifting back a little. "We should wait until morning. There’s a chance we’ll stumble on Rosa and her lover tonight. They always meet at night like you said."

Ouch. María José, how dare you?

I would have taken what I wanted because Big Bad Daddy Luis always got what he wanted. However, I was playing it cool now.

Learning to play it cool... for her.

"You’re right. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders." I gave her a teasing wink, and she blushed. This was going better than I thought.

And then, I continued. "Well, I guess we should unwind and retire for the night then."

I took a step back and began to undo the buttons on my shirt, pulling the fabric free from my trousers. I was moving slowly, letting her take in every movement, knowing full well the reaction I’d get.

She froze, and her eyes flicked to my hands. "What are you doing?" she asked, her voice sounding a little more breathless than before.

I raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "I’m just getting comfortable. I’m sure you wouldn’t mind me making myself at home, would you?"

Her eyes narrowed, but she didn’t say anything. I was getting under her skin, and I knew it.

"No," she said firmly. "Not in front of me."

I chuckled, leaning back against the wall. "Well, then, I suppose I’ll just have to go inside and do it there, won’t I? But," I added, watching her closely, "there’s one condition."

She rolled her eyes, but I could see a little curiosity in them as well. "What condition?"

Her voice was still wary but edged with something else now—something that said she wasn’t as put off as she would have liked to be.

I stepped forward and rested my hand on her cheek, my thumb brushing over her skin in a way that could be called tender... or possessive. "You let me sleep on your bed tonight. Next to you. I’m exhausted, and I need your light to guide me through the darkness."