Chapter 3

"So that was Dane Carter's car huh? Would have thought being a Carter he'd have something flashier," comments Tory nearly making Emery choke on her beans. Her cheeks flare instantly and she knows although her mom won't pry she'd love to hear the details.

"Yeah. He offered me a lift back," Emery replies speaking the truth-just not all of it.

"I saw...I guess that's why you were so out of breath on the phone…Next time just tell me you're with your mate, okay honey? Then at least I won't be interrupting you two," Tory grins knowingly. Accustomed to thinking of her mom as more of her friend rather than a prison warden, Emery surprisingly doesn’t feel too embarrassed about her mom’s incredible intuition.

"I don't know if there should be a next time mom," confesses Emery. He still hasn't given her back her book and although she wants to believe him about him being completely committed to her from here on out, she’s still really very conflicted by the idea.

"Why what's he done that's got broken your trust of him?" Tory asks.

"Well he did ignore me and slept with other people when he even knew then that I’m his mate..." Emery says frowning.

They weren’t together so she supposes she has no right to feel angry by his conquests and it’s not like there were many notches being made on his bedpost-just one or two from what she’s heard; besides, he didn’t stop her from pursuing another relationship either...Even so…knowing she’s there and being with other girls? That doesn’t exactly follow his ‘only her’ declaration.

Even if she can move on from all that there’s still the ignoring. She can’t get over that. Not when he’s the one person she had always hoped wouldn’t ignore her, wouldn’t just walk past her, yet he did exactly that. So how can she possibly trust the interest he has in her now?

"Did you ask him why he did that?"

"Yeah. He said it's because I wasn't ready..." mumbles Emery.

Tory raises an eyebrow, “and are you now?”

Emery blushes darker, remembering just how ready she’d been earlier-crying out for him to…to-take her.

“Mom…” sighs Emery, yes she’s close to her mom but not that close, “I guess so. I mean, I don’t know.”

Tory inhales deeply, knowing that her daughter is long overdue for their talk on boys. With Emery being her daughter, Tory had thought that she’d be dating much sooner than she is currently. By the time Tory was a senior, she’d learnt a thing or two already about boys and teenage love. Emery though is far shyer.

“Sweetie, don’t feel intimidated, okay? If you don’t want to do something or you’re not sure about it-you tell him and you stop.-”

“Mom,” whines Emery rolling her eyes, “I know how to say ‘no’ to a guy.”

“This isn’t just some guy Emery,” sharply retorts Tory, “this is a Carter. They’re very sexual-it’s in their nature. And I’m sure Dane is a sweet boy but you make sure he respects you and waits for you, okay?”

“Yeah mom.”

“…But tell me, what changed his mind? Why does he think you’re ‘ready now’?” curiously pipes Tory.

Emery’s wide eyes flicker away from her mom’s eyes as her cheeks flush.

“Ugh…I’m not sure, mom,” she lies. The book, it has to be the book that’s changed Dane’s perception of her but it’s not like she’s going to tell her mom that.

Tory narrows her eyes playfully. One thing she’s grateful for is her daughter utter lack of ability to lie convincingly, “uh-huh, if you say so, sweetie.”

****

The next day Emery wakes up super early feeling surprisingly fearless. That night she’d decided that if Dane’s changing-then so is she. No more wallflower Emery. It’s time she starts to just be herself and wear what the hell she wants regardless of what she thinks people like Charlotte will say. Beside it won’t hurt in keeping Dane still interested in her either; because of course, if Dane really is going to keep his word and claim her as his then she wants to look worthy of the Carter brother.

So right at the back of her closet where a short, off-the-shoulder top and dark skinny jeans are folded away, she yanks them out and looks for matching underwear set to go with it. Deciding on a red lace bra and matching thong she slides it over her body and pulls on the jeans and top. Much to her surprise the jeans are tighter than she remembers but then again that may be because she’s been wearing her jeans too big for her all these years.

Sighing she leaves it to work on her hair. Usually it’s in a messy bun or left loose but today she decides to use her curling iron to make her waves into shiny ringlets. Smearing a light layer of the sparkling pink liquid lipgloss onto her lips she slips on some black boots and inspects herself in the mirror. Twisting and turning she can feel thoughts of self-doubt but exhaling sharply she ceases them all in their tracks.

No, she looks fine.

Although Dane said he'd pick her up she couldn't be 100% sure he'd stick to his word. In which case she'd only have five minutes for breakfast or she'd have to run to school-which in her jeans seem impossible.

Breakfast’s quiet as usual.

Tory works long hours at a secretarial position for an IT company and would usually go around the time Emery wakes up, only to return around the time she’s back from school. So breakfast’s always just Emery by herself which is fine with her because more often than not, she’s rushing out of the door with a piece of toast lodged in her mouth. Today however is the first time in months where she’s actually managed to wake up early enough to properly sit down and have the meal.

Finishing up she cleans the bowl when the doorbell rings. Glancing at the clock she wonders who on earth it could be-probably the mail man with a package, she reckons. Opening the door she’s surprised to find Dane standing there in all his handsomeness. It is far too early for him to be so chipper.

"Good morning my Honey Bee," he sultrily says his eyes raking up and down her body and taking in her new more vicarious for her outfit. To be fair he’s very much surprised his shy librarian would wear such a thing, but he knows he's there to protect her from any groping so he isn't too worried. Annoyed a little at her teasing, though.

"Hey Dane," breezily replies Emery leaving the door open and going to dry her washed bowl. Dane follows her down the hallway, watching her small plump ass as she adds extra swishes of her hips to get him aroused. Leaning against the counter Dane silently watches as she dries the bowl and then walks right in front of the cupboard he’s standing next to. Bending down she places the dish away causing peeks of red lace to appear from the top of her jeans and he knows then that she has to be punished for teasing him. As soon as she stands back up he moves behind her and grips her hair. Pulling on it hard enough to have her gasp he moves some away from her ear.

"Are you teasing me my vixen?" he whispers into her ear. Emery gulps in excitement.

"Answer me!" Dane growls lowly tugging again on her hair.

Another gasp leaves Emery's mouth before she answers him with a, "no Dane."

"I think you're lying to me Honey Bee. Now put your hands on the counter and do not move them, understand?" replies Dane.

"Yes Dane," she responds and does as he says.

She feels his hands rubbing under her t-shirt at her stomach but for the time being he does no more. Her pússy awakens at his mere gentle touch and like the thirsty beast it is, slowly starts getting wetter and wetter.

"Now Honey Bee, what is the safe word?" he asks.

"Blank."

"Good girl," he murmurs his hands, unbuttoning and zipping open her fly. His fingers graze at the red lace thong before he slips them down into her pants.

Stroking her through her wetting lace thong she grips the counter to tries to keep her hands there and not fly backwards to latch onto her Dom. Rubbing her through the wet thong he then pushes it aside with one finger as his others glide up and down her dripping pússy.

"Dane," she moans, feeling a sensation since yesterday that has become very familiar to her.

"Dane oh God, please Dane please," she moans as he rubs faster.

Then on the verge of coming he removes his fingers completely and zips up her jeans.

Emery starts to only just becoming aware of his refusal to allow her to come when he buttons up her jeans and moves away from her. Washing his hands after licking clean her juices he turns around to come face to face with a confused and disappointed mate.

"Dane?" she whispers.

He moves towards her and strokes her sides.

"Honey Bee do you know why I punished you?" he asks knowing that she must understand his actions to have the relationship work.

"N-no."

"You lied to me, my darling. I do not ever want you lying to me, understand?"

"Yes Dane. I'm sorry," she speaks knowing that although it was only a small lie, he’s making a point that she should never lie to him, and although her sexual frustration remains she still feels joy.

"I know, baby. Now let's go before we're late for school," he says and places a quick peck on her lips before walking away.

******

"Dane, wait. Are you sure you want to be seen with me? You don't have to if you don't want to; I'll-I'll still be your...side girl," panics Emery as they round the corner and Dane turns into the parking lot of the school.

"Honey Bee, don’t ever say that. You are much more than that. You are my mate and now you're ready, you will always be my top priority, never my 'side girl' understand?" he says deadly serious and staring straight at her.

Her stomach flips and her heart flutters at his words while she meekly nods.

"O-okay Dane. If you're sure..."

"Of course," he responds and pulls her in for a quick comforting kiss, pulling back before he gives the students a free show.

As they both slip out of the Mustang, pack wolves start staring and whispering as they walk past Dane and Emery- in fact even some of the humans were doing it.

Feeling the heat of the students gaze Emery lowers her head to hide the blushing of her cheeks. Once he's locked the car, Dane drags Emery's into his side with a protective arm latched around her shoulders.

Stopping at her locker he waits for her to get the things she needs before they walk to his own locker. Tyler, the Alpha's son of her pack immediately spots them both and strides over to them.

"Carter! Hey man, practice tonight," he said needing an excuse to talk to Dane.

"Sure thing," responds Dane shutting his locker and seeing Tyler's gaze every so often flicker towards Emery.

She stands there quietly and obediently with her head hung in embarrassment at the attention she thought she'd like. Nope, definitely not. There are some people who love attention but it seems like she’s not one of them.

Sensing her discomfort Dane loops his hand back around her side causing a shiver of pleasure to rake down her back.

"Tyler, this is my mate Emery Collins," he introduces and immediately Tyler stops his lust-filled gaze.

As peaceful as the Carters' are, they’re also fiercely protective of their mates even more so that regular wolves or Alphas.

"I thought I recognised you...Aren't you the girl who works in the library?" he asks.

She looks way hotter than when he'd last seen her about but still he can't help feel sorry for Dane. The poor Carter brother has the worst luck getting stuck with a frigid loser as a mate. After all a man has needs.

"Yeah," lamely replies Emery raising her head and keeping it there.

"Cool. Well, see you later guys," he responds and walks away.

As soon as he’s gone Dane's head lowers to near her ear as he softly strokes her side.

"Emery I want you to do something for me for the rest of today...I want you to keep your head held high and try be confident. Okay Honey Bee? And if you do, I promise I'll give you a reward..."

"O-okay Dane," she whispers her panties soaking at the thought of a reward from him.

"Great. I'll see you at lunch then, Honey Bee," he breathes kissing her temple. His hand slips off her side but just before he goes he gives her ass a cheeky squeeze before strolling away.