Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by his Brother

Axel’s hand moved to my ribs, slowly dragging up and up until his thumb grazed just under my breast. He didn’t rush and he didn’t push.

He just explored with the patience of a man who knew he had all the time in the world. Every part of me buzzed like I’d swallowed a swarm of bees.

We kissed again. Slower and softer this time. But it burned. Like fire tucked under velvet.

I was lost in the kiss, lost in our own little world when something thrilled me suddenly.

It was tiny at first. It was like a flicker. A shiver that didn’t belong to the room or the warmth or even Axel’s ridiculously sinful mouth.

A voice. A faint and feminine whisper.

Mate.

I froze. It had come from inside of me. My head. My chest. Somewhere I didn’t know I had a door.

Mate, it said again. But this time it was like it was underwater, slipping away as quickly as it arrived.

I blinked.

Was that...?