Destin POV
I land in the front yard of my cabin. This is a mistake. I shouldn't have brought her here, but when she asked me to take her anywhere but the pack house, this was the first place I thought of. Now that she is here, in my arms, it feels like a mistake.
She feels too perfect in my arms. She fits so well against my chest that I can't bear to put her down. So, I don't. Just this one night, I am going to pretend like this isn't complicated.
She fell asleep in my arms as we passed over the Gravestone Pack. At first, she was terrified. Her fingers dug into my skin, and she hid her face in my chest. I held her close. I didn't want her to think I would drop her. Eventually, she peeked out and held her breath as she watched the ground below us. I stole glances at her while we flew. Just when I think she can't get more beautiful, she proves me wrong. The way the moonlight illuminated her face made my heart swell, and I couldn't remember why I was fighting against the mate bond to begin with.
I push open the door to my cabin and step inside. Wren stirs in my arms, but she doesn't wake. Cradling her close to my chest, I carry her up the stairs. I pause outside the guestroom door, but I continue to my bedroom.
My heart beats faster when I step into my room, and Wren wiggles in my arms. She can feel my nerves through the mate bond. We are more closely connected than I thought.
I place her in the center of my bed and stand back to look at her. Even though I know the truth about what happened in the playroom, Wren looks the part. My shirt is riding up her thighs, almost giving me a peek of what is between her legs, but I don't let my eyes linger.
She wiggles against my sheets and whispers my name. If I don't put more space between us, I am going to jump in that bed with her. So, I take another step back. Then she whispers my name again.
Slowly, I inch my way toward her. My hands grip her ankle, and I slide off her shoes. The electricity that flows between us makes her moan.
"Fuck," I whisper, as I take off her other shoe. I should leave this room, but I can't.
Moving the blankets back, I get ready to climb into bed with her, but someone bangs on my front door. I can guess who is at the door, and I plan on ignoring him. I did what Charlie asked. I retrieved her from Heat. I don't owe him any more than that.
"Answer your fucking door," Charlie shouts.
He is hitting my door so hard the wood is cracking. I take one last look at Wren before I tuck the blankets around her chest and leave the room.
I take my time going downstairs, even though it sounds like Charlie is going to break my door. I can hear him growling on the other side, and I prepare myself for the attack.
"Who is it?" I call out with a smirk on my face.
"Fuck you, Destin," he shouts back. "Open this fucking door."
"Such language," I reply as I open the door.
Charlie is partially shifted. His claws have left marks all over my door and I scowl at it. He storms inside and growls. "Where is she?"
I am not paying attention to him. I am still looking at my door. "Do you know how long it took me to make this?"
"I don't give a fuck about your door," he snarls. "Where is Wren?"
"Keep your voice down," I roll my eyes. "She is sleeping."
"You were supposed to bring her home," he hisses through his teeth.
"The royal mansion is so far away," I muse.
"To the Gravestone Pack house," he continues to snarl.
"She didn't want to," I shrug.
Charlie is pacing the floor. His claws are still extended. "You took her a playroom."
I can't wipe the smile off my face. "And…"
"You were just supposed to take her out of there. Not fuck her in a public space. She is a fucking Princess for Goddess's sake."
"Put your claws away," I sigh. "I did not fuck her in a public space."
Charlie looks at me with hope in his eyes. "You didn't?"
"I have more respect for my mate than that," I scoff.
"Oh," he responds sarcastically. "Now she is your mate. What was she the past year?"
"I can't deny what she is," I admit.
Charlie bares his teeth. "Then why are you hurting her?"
"She is mortal," I finally speak the truth to someone other than Nyx. "One day she will be gone, and I will be left without her. You of all people should understand what it feels like to lose a mate. I can't do it again."
"Reject her," he tries to command me. "Let me give her what you can't."
"No," I grind out.
A whimper comes from the stairs. Charlie and I look up and see Wren standing with her arms wrapped around herself. "You don't want me, but you won't reject me? What am I supposed to do? Live the rest of my life without a mate because you are afraid of what will happen when I die. What about what I want?"
"Wren," I whisper her name.
"Save it," she stomps down the stairs. "Take me home, Alpha."
She storms out of the door, and I chase after her. "Wren," I call her name again. "Stop."
"I don't want to hear it, Destin," she growls.
"Kitten," I can hear myself begging. "Let me explain."
She whirls around and presses her finger into my chest. "You have had a year to explain. In that time, I have done my own research. You had a mate. She made mistakes and was turned into a Gray Creature. She threatened Macy, and my brother killed her. After that, you fled the Immortal Realm because you couldn't bear to be there any longer."
She smooths her hands through her hair. "I am sorry you lost your mate. I am sorry your heart was broken. But none of this is my fault. Why are you punishing me?"
Guilt washes over me. I try to find the words to apologize to her, but she doesn't give me a chance. She closes the distance between us and lays her hand on my chest.
"I have waited on you, Destin. Maybe it is your turn to wait for me."