Mine to claim

(Alexander)

Her lips were fire against mine, burning away every ounce of restraint I had left. I didn’t care. Not about the consequences, not about the fact that I had dragged her out of that club like a damn caveman. All that mattered was that she was here, in my arms, melting into me like she had been waiting for this just as much as I had.

I deepened the kiss, my fingers tangling in her hair, gripping tight as if she’d disappear if I let go. She gasped against my mouth, her hands fisting my shirt, pulling me closer. I growled low in my throat, the sound vibrating through me as I lifted her off the ground. Her legs wrapped around my waist without hesitation, her body fitting against mine like it was meant to be there.

I barely made it to the couch before lowering her down, pressing into her, needing more. She arched beneath me, her breath shaky, her fingers dragging across my skin as she pulled at my shirt. I didn’t stop her. I wanted her touch. Needed it.

"Tell me to stop," I rasped, even as my lips trailed down her jaw and my hands gripped her thighs, pinning her in place.

She shook her head, eyes dark with heat. "No."

That one word shattered whatever was left of my control.

I kissed her again, harder this time, my hands roaming, gripping, claiming. She met me with the same hunger, matching me move for a move like she had been waiting for this moment forever. Like she wanted it just as badly as I did.

I didn’t know how long we stayed like that, tangled up in each other, lost in the heat and desperation between us. Time didn’t exist. Nothing outside of her mattered.

I was going to lose myself in her.

And I would have.

If I didn’t know the truth.

The thought slammed into me like ice water, cutting through the haze of lust clouding my mind. My body tensed, my grip on her tightening as reality hit me all at once.

I had to stop.

She felt it instantly, the shift in my body, the sudden stillness. "Alexander?" she breathed, voice unsteady.

I pulled back, dragging in a deep breath, forcing my hands to let go. It took everything in me to move away from her, to put even an inch of space between us.

Her brow furrowed. "What—"

"You’re my mate," I interrupted, my voice rough. "But this… This can’t happen."

Confusion flashed in her eyes, then frustration. "Why not?"

I clenched my jaw, my hands forming fists against the couch. "Because you’re too young. And because I’m your professor. Your Alpha."

She stiffened. Her breathing was still uneven, her skin flushed from everything we had just done, but her eyes—those fierce, determined eyes—held steady on mine.

"So? I'm nineteen years old and you're acting like I was the one who chose you to be my mate." she challenged.

I sighed, running a hand down my face. "Selene—"

"No," she cut me off. "I don’t care about any of that. I don’t care how old I am. I don’t care that you’re my professor. And I sure as hell don’t care that you’re my Alpha."

Her words sent a jolt through me, but she wasn’t done.

"You can keep making excuses," she continued. "But it’s not going to change anything. I want you, Alexander. And nothing is going to stop me from making you mine."

I stared at her, my heartbeat pounding in my ears.

She meant every word.

And that terrified me more than anything.

Because deep down, I knew…

I wouldn’t be able to resist her forever. "You're something else," I whispered, making her smile.

"I'm only someone who knows what she wants. So, are we going to continue this or do you get a thrill out of me chasing after you?" I grabbed her hands and held them above her head pinning her beneath me.

Her breath itched as I slammed my lips against hers, kissing her like my life depended on it.

I tried to stay away and told myself that I was doing the right thing by following the rules. But she made it so hard for me.

It's not like I hadn't noticed the way she watches me in class. Of course, I did.

It got me hard every damn time. But I tried to keep my distance even when I knew that she was my mate.

But I couldn't hold on anymore not when her scent was driving me so damn crazy.

I kissed her until she found it hard to breathe. Then I stopped and made my way down to her neck, kissing the spot where my mark would go.

I still held her hands above her head, making sure that she knew that there was no way I was going to let her go.

Kieran growled, wanting so much to be a part of this. But I wanted my time with her first before I gave him control.

She thought that I was an easy person to get along with, but she had no idea what type of beast she had unleashed.

Her chest rose and fell beneath me, her lips swollen from my kisses, her eyes burning with something just as wild as the need clawing inside me. Kieran snarled in my head, restless and demanding, but I kept him on a leash. Not yet. This was still my moment. Mine and Selene’s.

I dragged my lips along the curve of her neck, inhaling deeply, letting her scent consume me. It was intoxicating—sweet and sharp, like honey and spice. My mark would go here. Right where her pulse pounded beneath my lips, calling to me.

She shivered beneath me, her fingers twitching against my grip. “Alexander…” My name was a whisper, a plea, and it damn near broke me.

“You don’t know what you’re asking for,” I murmured against her skin, letting my teeth graze her just enough to make her squirm.

She arched beneath me, challenging me even now. “Then show me.”

A low growl rumbled through my chest. She was fearless—reckless, even—but that was what drew me to her in the first place. From the moment I laid eyes on her, I knew she would be the one to test me, to push me past every limit I had set for myself.

And f**k, she was doing it now.

I released her hands, only to grip her hips, holding her in place as I pressed my forehead against hers. My control was slipping. If I didn’t stop now, I wouldn’t stop at all.

"Selene," I breathed, my voice strained.

She lifted her hands to my face, cradling it between her palms, forcing me to look at her. “I want this,” she whispered. "I want you."

A sharp, possessive heat spread through my chest. I wanted her too—more than she could ever understand. But if I gave in now, I wouldn’t be gentle. I wouldn’t be careful. I would claim her.

And once I did, there would be no going back.

Her fingers trailed down my chest, teasing, pushing me toward the edge. I caught her wrists again, pinning them back above her head. “You’re playing a dangerous game, little wolf.”

She smirked, her legs tightening around my waist. “Maybe I like danger.”

I groaned, dropping my head against her shoulder, trying to steady my breathing, trying to rein myself in. One more second. Just one more.

But then she whispered the words that completely shattered my resolve.

“Take what’s already yours, Alexander.”

A primal snarl tore from my throat, and before I could stop myself, my canines lengthened, aching for her skin. Kieran howled inside me, surging forward.

No more waiting. No more resisting.

She was mine.

And it was time to make sure she never forgot it.