Listen to me 120
In Chapter 120, Benedict returns home after a night out, where he has an emotionally charged encounter with Sloane. His mother questions his whereabouts, and their interaction is tense, highlighting the strain in their relationship. Benedict is excited about seeing Sloane again, recalling their intimate moments, but his mother tries to impose her expectations on him, insisting he fulfill his Alpha duties. Frustrated, he stands his ground, asserting that he has more important responsibilities, which fuels his determination to pursue Sloane.
The next morning, Benedict receives alarming news from Scarlet, who reveals that Sloane has left without saying goodbye after learning about the potential mate bond between them. Concerned for her well-being, he rushes to find her, feeling a strong pull to protect her. His thoughts race as he contemplates how to express his feelings to Sloane and address her fears about their bond, especially given her insecurities and the complications introduced by other characters like Marrok and Aisling.
When he finally locates Sloane, she is distraught and confronts him about the mate bond. Despite her resistance, Benedict passionately defends their connection, insisting that she is worthy of being his mate regardless of her perceived flaws. He challenges her negative self-image and expresses how much she means to him, revealing the depth of his feelings. Their exchange is filled with raw emotion, as Sloane grapples with her fears while Benedict reassures her of his commitment.
The tension culminates in a passionate kiss, signifying a turning point in their relationship. Sloane’s initial reluctance gives way to acceptance as she agrees to have dinner with him and reaffirms their relationship. Benedict’s confidence and sincerity resonate with her, and despite her reservations, she cannot deny the bond they share. The chapter closes on a hopeful note, with both characters feeling a sense of joy and anticipation for what lies ahead, as they navigate their complex emotions and the implications of their connection.
Chapter 120
Benedict
When I returned home last night, my mother immediately aske where I had been.
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“I’m a grown man who doesn’t answer to you, mother. Where I was isn’t anyone’s business but my own,” I’d said before walking away.
Bethany, of course, had pounced on me. I’d told her nearly everything, then I laid in bed remembering the feel of Sloane’s lips, the taste of her tongue against mine, her intoxicating scent, and most of all the sweet way she admitted that she’d missed me.
In the morning, I was flying high, ready to see her later today.
“You seem awfully chipper this morning, Benedict,” my mother says over breakfast, her sourpuss face securely in place.
“It’s a lovely morning, mother. Perhaps you should take some time to enjoy it yourself, get some fresh air.”
“I have some things I need for you to take care of today, Benedict,” she says.
“And what are those things?” I ask as I eat.
She lists off tasks that are so ridiculously outside the role of an Alpha that I know she’s doing everything in her keep me home today.
“Give me the list and I will delegate as appropriate,” I tell her.
“I said I needed YOUR help, Benedict,” she snaps.
“Yes, you did. Therefore, I will delegate these tasks to the appropriate person or persons to handle them.”
“You are neglecting your Alpha duties!” she growls.
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I put my fork down, leaning forward and giving her the full force of my gaze. “I dare you to tell father that you need HIM to handle these things, mother. You and I both know that this is bullshit. So, give me your fucking list, and I will take care of it, but I won’t be doing it. I have REAL Alpha duties to take care of day.”
“What do you have to do today? Go gallivanting around again?”
“It’s called creating alliances and bonds with other Alphas, mother. I would have thought you’d understand that since you’re so interested in having large parties with lots and lots of Alphas in attendance,” I say, standing up. “Excuse me, I’ve lost my appetite.”
I’m still fuming when I get upstairs and check my phone seeing several missed calls from Scarlet.
I call her back immediately, worried that something happened Sloane.
“Alpha Benedict?” she answers.
“Scarlet, what’s wrong. Did something happen to Sloane?”
“Is it true? Are you feeling the early effects of the mate bond, or are you screwing with my friend?” she growls.
“I don’t know what it is Scarlet, but I’m not messing with Sloane like her. You don’t have to worry about me using her,” I say, falling into the recliner in my bedroom.
“And what about you saying you like the way she tastes and sine, Benedict? I know what that means. I understand it a lot
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better now that I’m mated.”
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“Well, I’m not mated, so I wouldn’t know,” I growl, not happy tha I’m having to justify myself to Scarlet Chapman.
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“But you feel a pull to her, right?” she asks.
I sigh. “Yes. Not that it’s any of your business, but she obviously old you about our conversation, so yes. Ever since my eighteenth birthday, the pull to Sloane has become even stronger than it was before my birthday.”
“Shit,” she whispers.
“Why is that a bad thing?” I growl.
“I wasn’t thinking earlier. Daniel says I act first and think later which is probably true. But when she told me what you’d said, I instantly realized what it was. Daniel felt it too before I turned fighteen. I may have told Sloane that it was possible that you were feeling the early signs of a mate bond.”
Shit. I sit up.
“And what did she say?” I ask.
“She left, Benedict. That’s the real reason I’m calling. She didn’t even say goodbye. She told her grandfather she had to leave, she borrowed a car, and she left.”
“When?” I ask, walking to my desk and getting my car keys.
“About an hour ago.”
“Do you think she was going home?” I ask, walking out of my room and jogging down the stairs.
“Benedict? Where are you going?” my mother asks when I get downstairs. I ignore her and continue walking outside to my
car.
“I’m not sure. When Sloane gets like this, she withdraws into herself. I wanted to go after her, but Daniel said I need to give her space.”
Fuck that. The only thing Sloane will do with space is put up a bunch of walls to keep me out.
“I’ll find her. I’ll make sure she’s okay,” I say, hanging up as I pull out of the pack’s garage and race down the lane to the main entrance of our pack lands. If she was headed home, she would have already passed the entrance to my pack lands. So, I turn in the direction of Alpha Roman’s pack and hit the gas.
My mind begins racing with what I’m going to say to her. Sloane isn’t the kind of woman who will accept pretty accolades. I need to be honest and I need to tell her that yes, I feel like this is the early stages of the mate bond. I know that every time I kiss her, she tastes better than the last, which only confirms my elief that we will be mates. But more important than what I feel are Marrok’s feelings for Sloane. HE likes Sloane. He feels protective of her. He’s become infatuated with her and that’s before you add Aisling into the mix. When you add Aisling, Marok is becoming downright possessive.
I’ve been driving about twenty minutes when I see a car on the le of the road. I’m in the middle of nowhere. It’s possible it’s Sloane, but even if it’s not, I have to stop and make sure the person is okay. There’s nothing around here for miles,
I pull up behind the car and as soon as Marrok sits up in my hea, I know it’s Sloane. Relief and a bit of dread wash over me.
‘She’ll probably hit us, Marrok says.
‘So be it,’ I say, getting out of the car.
And then I hear it, sobs so heart–wrenching that I can’t stand it. race to her door and yank it open.
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“Sloane.”
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She turns and looks at me. Her eyes are haunted and so sad that it makes my heart ache even more. I want to do whatever I can to take away her pain.
“Is it true, Benedict?” she growls, her voice rough with her grief. Is it true that you’re feeling the early stages of the mate bond?”
“I don’t know, Sloane, but I think so.”
She shakes her head. “No! NO, Benedict,” she yells, leaping out of the truck. She shoves me away from her. “I can’t be your mate,” she growls.
“That’s not your choice, Sloane. The Moon Goddess grants us our mates.”
She shakes her head looking down, swiping the tears from her cheeks, but they continue to come.
“Then she made a mistake. I’m not taking a mate. I refuse to take a mate,” she says.
“Why do you say that?”
“Come on, Benedict. You’re a smart man. You know why?”
“No, Sloane, I don’t. What’s wrong with you? You are as powerful an Alpha as I am.”
She closes her eyes as if resigned to whatever fate she’s decided for herself. Well, I refuse to resign myself to that same fate. And if she’s my mate, then that means I won’t allow her to resign herself to that fate either.
“Don’t you see, Benedict,” she says sadly. “You deserve someone so much better than me.”
“Who might that be, Sloane, hmm? Who is better than you?”
“I don’t know, Benedict. Pick someone. Anyone.”
I step forward, angry now that she thinks she will deny me my goddess given right of having my fated mate.
I slam my hand on the side of her truck and push forward until he’s pressed against it.
“Now you listen to me. This is what I know. I know that I’ve never enjoyed myself as much as I did on our date Friday night. I’ve never felt comfortable enough to relax with someone and just be myself, not even with Bethany. Even with her, I’m the older brother, her future Alpha. But with you, I could just be myself. For the first time in my life, the weight of being an Alpha, the pressure of what comes with being an Alpha, the burden of being responsible for so many people, felt light and easy. Being with you made me feel like I could do everything that I have to do to become the Alpha I want to be, Sloane. No one else has ever made me feel that way. That means something to me. I don’t know for sure that this is the beginning of a mate bond. But I know that it feels real. It feels right.”
“You don’t want me, Benedict,” she says softly.
I growl. “Don’t tell me what I do and don’t want, Sloane. I respec you enough not to put words in your mouth and I expect you to have that same level of respect for me.”
“I’m cursed, Benedict. Don’t you get it. Aisling was supposed to a white wolf. But because of our mother, she isn’t. I did everything, everything I could to be worthy of having a white wolf, but it wasn’t enough. I wasn’t enough. Do you really want to have children with me? Daughters who are cursed just like me
White hot desire flows through me as images of children that look like a cross between Sloane and I race through my mind. Marrok pushes forward.
I grab hold of him. ‘You can’t fucking mark her, Marrok. She’s underage and she’s not willing!‘
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‘Mine,’ he growls.
‘Fine. Call her yours. Call her ours. I’m fine with that. But you know you can’t mark her.’
Yes, I can. It just won’t last,‘ he growls.
When I refocus, Sloane has that sad look on her face again.
“See, you understand now don’t you. You deserve a mate who ist cursed, Benedict.”
I growl, a softer growl this time as I push her against the truck, pressing my body against hers.
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“What I understand, Sloane, is that the thought of you having my pups, nearly made Marrok so overwhelmed with desire. that it was all I could do to keep him from marking and claiming you right here.”
She blinks rapidly, frowning at me.
“Yeah. So like I said, don’t tell me what I’m thinking, because I guarantee you, you’re wrong. And about you not being a white wolf? So. The fuck. What? So what, Sloane? You’re still one of the strongest wolves I’ve ever met. You’re gorgeous, you’re smart, except when it comes to yourself apparently, you‘ compassionate, you’re loyal, and I’ll say it again because it’s worth repeating, you are one of, if not THE, strongest wolf I’ve ever known. The color of your wolf’s fur doesn’t mean any more to me than the color of your skin or your hair or your yes. I don’t fucking care. Aisling is still an amazing wolf, white or not. You are still an amazing woman, no matter who your mother was. Do you hear me, Sloane? Because I mean every single word that I’m saying.”
Her lips tremble as she stares at me. “I really hate you right now she whispers.
“Yeah, I can tell,” I growl, leaning in to press my lips to hers.
I’m surprised when she responds right away, her arms sliding around my neck as she presses her body to mine. I growl louder, deepening the kiss, possessing her mouth, owning it so she knows that I meant everything I said.
I don’t stop when she begins whimpering. I don’t stop when she clinging to me and the scent of her arousal is so strong that I want to strip her down and make her mine right here.
It’s not until I finally feel her body relax, feel her submit to me, giving herself to me, the kiss, and whatever is happening between us, that I finally release her mouth.
“That’s better,” I murmur against her lips.
“Benedict…”
“No arguments, Sloane. All I want from you is your agreement that we’ll have another date. Your agreement that I’m following you home and having dinner with you and your aunt and uncle, and your agreement that we’re still boyfriend and girlfriend. Anything else that comes close to an argument will be kissed away until you forget what it was you wanted to argue about.”
“This is a bad idea, Benedict,” she says.
“For whom, Sloane? Because for me, it’s a great idea. I get to spend time with a woman who excites me mentally and physically and at the same time, calms me in ways that no one else in my life ever has. I love that you challenge me. I love that you trust me. I love how honest you are. I love how you are ways you. You never try to be anyone other than yourself. And I really, really like the woman you are, Sloane.”
I slide my hand down her arm to her hand, then pull it to my lip as I watch her war with herself, and maybe with Aisling.
She huffs out a sigh. “Fine. Come have dinner. Introduce yourse as my boyfriend. If you’re not worried about facing the wrath of Uncle Roman, who am I to deny you?” she asks, her lip twitching.
“Challenge. Accepted,” I say, leaning in to kiss her quickly, but thoroughly. “I’ll follow you home.”
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1 step away, giving her space again as I walk backward toward my car, watching her. She shakes her head, then scrubs her hands over her face. “It’s your funeral, I guess.”
As we pull away from the curb, I smile. Sloane is still my girlfriend and that makes me and Marrok very, very happy.
In the aftermath of the tumultuous confrontation, Benedict stands at the precipice of a new chapter in his life, one defined by vulnerability and connection. The weight of expectation from his mother fades into the background as his heart races towards Sloane, the woman who has awakened something deep within him. The raw honesty he shared with her—his feelings, his fears, and the undeniable pull of the mate bond—transforms their relationship from mere attraction into something profound. Sloane’s initial resistance gives way to a tentative acceptance, a glimmer of hope as they navigate the complexities of their feelings together. In her acceptance, he sees not just a partner but a fierce ally, someone who challenges him and brings out the best in him, easing the burdens of his Alpha responsibilities.
As they drive away from the confrontation, a sense of relief washes over Benedict. The kiss they shared was not just a promise of passion; it was a declaration of intent, a commitment to explore the depths of their connection despite the challenges that lie ahead. With Sloane by his side, he feels emboldened to face whatever comes next, ready to build a life that honors their bond. The journey may be fraught with obstacles—family expectations, the shadows of their pasts—but in this moment, they are united in their resolve to embrace their future together. As the car rolls down the road, a new chapter unfolds, filled with possibility, love, and the strength of two souls intertwined.
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the tension between Benedict and Sloane reaches a boiling point, readers can anticipate a whirlwind of emotions in the next chapter. With Sloane’s fears about the mate bond and her perceived curse looming large, Benedict must navigate the delicate balance between his own feelings and Sloane’s insecurities. Their dinner with her family promises to be a pivotal moment, filled with potential confrontations and revelations. Will Uncle Roman’s protective instincts clash with Benedict’s determination to claim his mate? The stakes are higher than ever as both characters grapple with their destinies, and the arrival of unexpected guests could further complicate matters.
Moreover, as Benedict’s resolve strengthens, Sloane’s internal struggle will likely intensify. Will she finally confront the truth about her worth and the nature of her bond with Benedict? Or will her fears push her further away just when they seem to be making progress? With Marrok’s presence still looming in the background, the dynamics of their relationships will be tested in unforeseen ways. The chapter promises to delve deeper into the complexities of love, loyalty, and identity, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover how these intertwined fates will unfold.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.