Chapter 49
Ethan grabbed a jacket from the locker and slipped it on, fastening the buttons without a
rush. His eyes stayed fixed on me the entire time. “I’ve got worse scars than this one. Got
them after you left. Want to see?”
“Do you really?” I asked, laughing nervously to hide my discomfort.
“No,” he said flatly, leaving the top button undone. The bronzed skin of his chest peeked through, drawing my eyes against my will. His raw, untamed scent filled the air, carrying a pull I didn’t want to feel.
He picked up his car keys, his tone firm and final. “Let’s go. I’m driving you.”
It was clear I didn’t have a choice.
Inside the elevator, I caught our reflections in the mirrored walls. Ethan looked so different–more mature, confident in a way that made it hard to look away.
The awkwardness he used to carry was gone, replaced by a strength that showed in every movement. His lean frame had filled out, all muscle and power. My throat went dry as I tried not to stare.
And there I was, standing in a light blue sporty dress, trying to keep my thoughts from going places they shouldn’t.
But my mind betrayed me, painting an image of me on top of him, our bodies tangled and slick with sweat, the air thick with desire.
The heat rising between my thighs snapped me out of it. *Oh my God. Claire, stop drooling over him!*
But my wolf wasn’t helping. She practically howled with excitement, urging me to let go, to show him just how much he still affected me.
Ethan’s lips curved into a knowing smirk, and he licked his lips slowly, sending my pulse
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ཡིན དུ ནས ཀྱི ་ ག ག ག ད ག བ བ བ
Forsaken Mate: Alpha’s Second Chance at Love
Chapter 49
racing. “What are you thinking about?” he asked, his tone teasing and low.
“Nothing,” I lied, keeping my eyes glued to the elevator doors. “I was just thinking about how much you’ve changed.”
“And how have I changed?” he asked casually, flipping a lighter in his hand. He stepped closer, leaning in until his breath brushed my ear. His eyes never left the mirror, watching me watch him.
Thesitated, then said quietly, “You’ve become… more attractive.”
His laugh was low and smooth, like the soft hum of a cello. It sent shivers down my spine. He leaned in even closer, so close that it felt like he might bury his face in my neck.
I clenched my fists, torn between shoving him away and pulling him even closer. Damn him. He knew exactly what he was doing, and he was enjoying every second of it.
Just as the elevator chimed and the doors slid open, Ethan stepped back, leaving me hot and flustered. The tension in my body was unbearable, like a fire left burning with no release.
I wanted to storm out, to put as much distance as I could between us, but his voice stopped me in my tracks.
“Claire…” His tone was soft, almost unsure. “You’re right. I have changed a lot.”
I froze, waiting for him to say more.
“I’ve changed because I love you more than I ever did before.”
His words hit me like a weight, pinning me in place. I wanted to run, to escape the intensity of his confession, but my feet wouldn’t move. The elevator doors closed again, sealing us inside together.
The air felt heavy, crackling with something I couldn’t name. Every glance, every breath made the tension between us harder to ignore. Ethan’s presence filled the space, magnetic and impossible to escape.
“Claire,” he said again, his voice soft and warm, sending a tremor through me. He stepped
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Chapter 49
closer, slow and deliberate, until my back hit the cool metal wall of the elevator. My pulse thundered in my ears.
He reached up, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. “You always do this,” he said, his breath warm against my cheek. “You run, even when it’s the last thing you want to do.”
I swallowed hard, trying to stay calm. “You think you know what I want?” I tried to sound steady, but my voice wavered.
His smirk deepened, that infuriatingly confident smirk that made my knees weak. “I know you better than anyone,” he said, his fingers grazing down my side before lifting one of my legs to rest against his hip.
My skirt slid up, exposing more skin than I was comfortable with. His touch was gentle but firm, possessive. Heat pooled low in my stomach, and I couldn’t hold back a soft, humiliating moan.
He leaned in, his lips barely brushing mine as he whispered, “Maybe I know you better than you know yourself.”
I should’ve pushed him away, should’ve stopped him before things went too far. But my wolf was ecstatic, urging me to let go, and I was losing the battle.
Ethan kissed me, slow and teasing, his tongue tracing my lips before he pulled back just enough to speak. His voice was rough, dripping with temptation.
“You have three seconds,” he said, each word heavy with meaning. “One chance to tell me to stop.”
“Three.”
“Two.”
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