Listen to me 124

Benedict

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I was hoping that Sloane would be waiting for me in her room when I finished showering. Well, only partially hoping. That shower gel … Holy Mother Moon Goddess! I know it’s not what makes Sloane smell as good as she does, but it’s a very close second. Having that scent surrounding me in the small space of her shower, seeing the evidence of Sloane in the shower, like a dark hair on the shower wall, or the bar of soap that had the marks of a washcloth on it, made my shower seem so much more intimate and my body responded accordingly.

Being a gentleman, I didn’t do anything about my body’s response to her, but damn do I need a private moment or two… or three.

”

However, when I stepped out of her bathroom, she wasn’t there. got dressed quickly and stepped out of her room, but once again, she wasn’t there. Since we were planning to have dinner together, I went downstairs, thinking I’d find her there. However, once again, she was nowhere to be seen.

“Alpha Benedict, you look lost,” a she wolf says to me. I vaguely remember that she graduated last year.

“Have you seen Sloane?” I ask her.

“No, not since warrior training. I’m happy to keep you company while you wait,” she purrs.

“We both are,” another she–wolf says. Bella, I think her name is, she’s a year younger than me, if I remember correctly.

“Why don’t you get some food and come sit with us, Alpha Benedict,” a third she–wolf says.

I look around the room, wondering where the hell Sloane is.

“I really need to find Sloane,” I say.

She wouldn’t have run off. No matter how embarrassed or shy she was about our relationship being publicized, Sloane isn’t the type of wolf to hide. She might make me regret it, but she wouldn’t run. So where the hell is she?

“I’m sure she’ll surface eventually,” one of the she wolves purrs, putting her hand on my arm.

I pull away from her, not wanting Sloane to see and get the wrong idea. However, that only bumps me into the she wolf that is standing way too close behind me. Her hand slides around my waist.

“We’re happy to keep you company until then,” Bella purrs in my ear.

There’s a very loud snarl, startling everyone in the room into silence.

“Get your fucking hands off my boyfriend,” Sloane growls, slowly walking down the stairs.

As always, she’s magnificent. She commands the room, walking with a confidence and grace that others dream about, but could never replicate.

“Sorry, Alpha,” the she–wolves say before quickly moving away from me.

She walks right up to me, wrapping an arm around my neck and kissing me in the most possessive kiss I’ve ever shared with someone. I love that she’s claiming me openly in front of her pack.

I wrap an arm around her waist pulling her to me and answering her possessiveness with my own.

When she pulls back, she looks at me with more confidence than I’ve ever seen on her face. It’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. In that moment, I fall completely, totally, and irrevocably in love with her.

“Stop teasing my pack members,” she says.

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“I was waiting for you,” I breathe, not sure who this confident woman is in front of me but knowing that I refuse to live one moment without her in my life ever again.

“Good answer. Ready to eat?” she asks me.

I raise an eyebrow. “What’s on the menu?” I purr.

“Not that,” she says, blushing and losing the confident expression on her face.

“Maybe another day,” I say softly, holding her gaze. “Someday soon, I hope.”

She turns but takes hold of my hand and leads me to where they have a buffet of food.

We get our

and make our way to a table with her family.

“Alpha Benedict,” Theo says formally.

Alpha

“Alpha Theoria how are you this evening?” I ask.

“I think the better question is, how are you, Alpha Benedict?” Slade asks.

“Well,

your sister kicked my ass on the sparring field. There’s no doubt about that,” I say, grinning at Sloane. “But I also realize that your pack trains more often than mine. I’ll be changing that when I become Alpha.”

“Packs don’t always like change, Alpha,” Alpha Roman says.

“True, but this will make our pack stronger. As their Alpha, I would expect them to understand that becoming stronger as warriors makes us a stronger pack overall.”

“We received the invitation to your Alpha ceremony earlier today, Alpha Benedict. Unfortunately, only Roman and I were included in the invitation,” Luna Samara says.

you and your family to my Alpha ceremony next weekend, Luna. I wouldn’t want “Well, let me clearly and publicly invite my girlfriend to miss my big event. Of course, Slade is invited as well as your other children if you’d like to bring them,” I say, not at all surprised that my mother once again ignored protocol and did not invite Sloane and Slade.

“As a matter of fact, I would like to come pick you up early on the day of my Alpha ceremony, Sloane. When I take my position as Alpha, I would love to have you at my side,” I say.

“Benedict, I won’t be eighteen at your Alpha ceremony,” she says

“And yet, I’d still like you at my side, Sloane,” I say, holding her gaze.

“Your mom …”

“Is not Alpha and will technically no longer be Luna after I take my place as Alpha. Please Sloane. I want you there with me. It’s important to me,” I say, holding her gaze.

She rolls her eyes like she frequently does and that’s when I know that I’ve got her.

“Fine. But if you’re mother screams and throws a fit …”

“I’ll deal with her,” I say. And I will. I’ll make sure she knows ahead of time that if she says anything at all to Sloane, she will no longer be welcome in my pack.

“So, you have a busy weekend next weekend. First graduation, then your Alpha ceremony,” Alpha Roman says.

“Yes, and that whole pesky Valedictorian thing,” I say, grinning at Sloane.

“The only ‘pesky‘ thing about it, Benedict, is you,” Sloane says, back to the teasing, confident way she has that is nearly irresistible to me.

“I wasn’t jealous that you defeated me on the sparring field, Sloane. Don’t be jealous that I’m going to defeat you in intelligence,” I say, enjoying myself immensely.

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“Oh, I’m not jealous, Benedict. I’m just feeling bad that the really big ego you have is going to take yet another hit this week,” she with mock concern.

says,

“Don’t you worry about my ego, Sloane. I can take everything you throw at me and more,” I growl.

I’m not sure she realizes that as we’ve been talking, we’ve been slowly moving closer to each other. Now, our faces are so close that I can feel her breath on my lips.

I see the moment she realizes the position we’re in. Her eyes go wide and she starts to pull away from me. Before she can, I lean forward, and press my lips to hers, once again claiming her for the pack and the world to see.

When I pull back, she looks dazed.

“I think it’s time I went home. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow, $loane. Thank you for a wonderful day and a fantastic dinner.”

While she blinks at me, as if trying to clear her head, I turn to Alpha Roman and Luna Samara.

“I’ll rectify the invitation for next week. For now, thank you for your hospitality, for allowing me to be a part of your pack for the day, and for having me for dinner. It was wonderful,” I say.

“Thank you, Alpha Benedict,” both of them say.

“Will you

walk me out, Sloane?” I ask when I stand.

“Sure.”

I take her hand as we walk outside to my car. Once we’re there, I press her against the car, sliding my hand into her hair and pulling her mouth to mine.

Knowing I won’t be able to taste her again until tomorrow, I slide my tongue into her mouth, kissing her until I’ve had just enough of her taste to feel satisfied that I can survive until tomorrow morning. Then I pull back, rubbing my nose against

hers.

“Goodnight, Sloane. I had a great day with you. I always do but i was nice seeing you in your own environment. Sleep well tonight and I can’t wait to see you tomorrow,” I say.

“Good night, Benedict. Drive safe. I’ll see you tomorrow at school.”

“Yes, you will, beautiful,” I say before getting in my car.

I drive away, watching as she stands in front of her packhouse watching me drive away. Just before I turn, I wave, smiling she

waves back.

My happiness lasts all the way until I get home and even my mother’s snarky comment about me leaving my Alpha duties undone doesn’t ruin the elated feeling that I have after spending the day with Sloane.

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.