6. Lust to Betray 🍋

Sona didn’t get a chance to talk or argue or even have any kind of sex…because she didn’t see Conri for two weeks.

Both a lot and nothing happened in all that time. For the first few days she was a ball of conflicting thoughts—do I chase after him, or do I let us simmer until we can both be rational? As time progressed, she was more upset on Raff’s behalf. He was throwing tantrums in the middle of the night shrieking for his father, and she and Auryn were losing many hours of sleep, which did not translate well when tending to patients who were providing her with valuable information. Which included continued strife between Conri and Artem that was only ongoing because Redbone “spies” still appeared to slink along Moonvalley’s borders to grin and laugh—as if they less wanted to make a move and more to tease their agitation.

Sona visited the manor only for her and her grandfather to tend to Amaris, who was suffering from a mild sickness that not even Auryn Mai could determine. But her tea helped bring her mood back up, along with her playdates with Raff, who had begun to call her Gramma, much to her delight.

And to see Arden, of course. They’d taken to having lunch at almost every eatery in town before strolling down Entertainment Street, where she’d critique any gold craftsmanship; nothing compared to the artistry of Goldwater’s smiths. Arden bought her anything made by one when she had her back turned. ”To remind you of your home.”

It was sparse at first, shy and heart-pounding, but they’d taken to sharing physical touch—cheek kisses, fingers fumbling to interlock, hugs that turned into embraces. But when he offered her a small gold statue of a pup, Sona rose onto her toes and touched her lips to his. “This is my home.”

Arden flushed redder than a rose, nearly dropping the statue on his own toes. Then she realized what she’d done—in front of the entire gold shop with at least ten other wolves watching them with unabashedly wide eyes and gaping mouths.

The mate of the Gamma just kissed the Beta.

Oh fuck, what have I just done?

Sona grabbed Arden’s hand and fled from the store, skidding down the street only to careen into an alley between two others and caught herself on the wall. She smacked her palm to her forehead. “Arden, I’m sorry—I can’t believe I just did that. I just cheated on my mate. I’m definitely going straight to the moon goddess’s hell—”

Arden staggered toward her. It was midday, and slats of sunlight made it between the roofs to limn her close– friend in buttery light. She felt the glow of it but only basked in the sight of Arden Roshan advancing on her slowly until his face was inches from hers.

Sona swallowed hard. His scent was familiar; warm leather and the heady freesia flower perfume she’d gifted him every birthday because that was all he asked for. He was familiar. She trusted him with her life and more. And with Conri suddenly estranged…Arden was keeping her from floundering in desperation. For a good while now, she realized.

In kissing Arden, no matter how innocently, she had betrayed her mate. Betrayal was the second-worst crime a werewolf could commit besides murder. It was scandalous and disgraceful and hurtful and heartbreaking and Sona had never felt more terrible.

Arden was just a friend. Just a friend, just a friend, she chanted in her mind—as Arden’s hands rested on her hips.

Just a friend, just a friend! she yelled in her mind—as Arden tilted his head, leaned down, and brushed his lips on her neck.

Just a—oh fuck.

Sona’s core throbbed.

His breath sent a wave of shivers through her skin. “Then I’ll go too,” he murmured.

Instinct took control. Her arms hooked around his shoulders for her fingers to tangle in his white hair, stretching onto her toes to bring her lips to his and—oh gods it felt so good.

Werewolves thrived on passion, whether it be love or hate or joy. They needed it, and if they were deprived of it for too long, they got desperate to seek it out with whatever it took. And when the need was met—or even sparked—it was the best fucking feeling to ever experience. The first time she’d had sex with Conri, she thought she would combust with pleasure; she’d even wept with joy.

Was he better at kissing than the mate she was now committing adultery against? Debatable based on the heat of the moment and the connection of their souls—especially at this point in their lives. Where she barely recognized him anymore.

Conri was going to hell, too, she was sure of it. She’d kiss both of them there—

Oh fucking hell, what am I thinking*?*

She should push Arden away. Tell him that they both knew better than to commit this unforgivable indiscretion because she was thoroughly appalled at herself for even letting it go this far. If she didn’t stop it…stop them…how far could they go?

Going anywhere was too far.

But why didn’t she want to stop?

Because his tongue was feeling hers just like his hands were cupping her ass, lifting her with one robust hoist so she could lock her legs around his hips. He was pressing her against the warmed stone wall, and his body was lean and muscled against the curves of hers. And between her legs…and his…

Well. She didn’t have to wonder if he was enjoying this or not.

Sona nudged her hips against Arden’s torso in response. I want this too.

He moaned into her mouth—pleasure, angst, and…pain. “Sona,” he groaned. She could almost hear his brows furrow.

“Arden—”

“We—we shouldn’t. He’s your mate. My brother. This is…this is wrong.”

Some disreputable part of her brain purred, Why does it feel so right, then? The sensical part told her firmly, He’s right. This is a betrayal of the worst kind for both of you.

Sona broke the kiss but couldn’t look up at him. She dropped her forehead onto his collarbone so he could rest his chin on top of her head. Neither of them could catch their breath.

When she did, she whispered, “Is this how you’ve always felt?”

Arden’s heart was pounding. “A-about?”

“Me.”

His hands were still idly exploring her body, as if he couldn’t bring himself to take them away. She didn’t want him to.

“Where did this come from?” she asked when he didn’t answer. “You…I…we just’ve been doing what we’ve always done. Be together, be casual. Best friends. You and me and Conri…” The words started spilling from her mouth as it tried to keep up with her thoughts. “The three of us, we’ve always been joined at the hip. We all loved each other—but in different ways—”

It clicked. All those different ways.

It was a godsdamned love triangle.

Sona lifted her head and met Arden’s gaze. It was sad and lustful. What a strange combination. Cupping his rough cheek with her palm seemed all too natural, comforting for them both. “I’m sorry,” she said softly.

He laughed once under his breath and shook his head. “Don’t be, Sona. With all of us being who we are, what bond you and my brother share, with what I’m destined to become after my father is gone… We could never be what I’ve always wished we could.”

Arden cradled her face, wiping away a tear she didn’t realize escaped away with his thumb. “I’ve loved you in a way I could never have you since the first time we met.”

Sona felt her whole soul shiver in the darkness within her.

There were too many eternities in the ten seconds it took for her to laugh brokenly, “You should start writing poetry.”

His smile was crooked and brief. “Who says I haven’t?”

Soulmates loved and cared for each other unconditionally. They would walk through any hell and back for them. They would proclaim their love in words or poetry. They would steal kisses and hold hands. Little things that had no meaning at all and yet meant everything.

Conri loved and cared for her, he’d walk through hell and back, and he’d kiss her and hold her hand. He didn’t write poetry and Sona was fine with that because she knew he would be terrible at it.

But rarely did he say he loved her. And when was the last time she said it to him?

That wasn’t right.

Did she…did she not love her soulmate anymore?

Sona was aware of her tears now. The ugly tears and her running nose and her sweaty palms that she rubbed on her pant leg to avoid getting it on Arden’s face.

He sensed her panic and, being the innocent and inexperienced romantic that he was, absorbed the anxiety. He gripped her upper arms to steady her. “What? What’s wrong? Here.”

Moon goddess bless him, he used his expensive prince sleeve to wipe her nose drivel.

So worried for and about her. When was the last time Conri had been so passionate? He’d shown little to no interest in her or even them, ever since Redbone started provoking Moonvalley’s borders, inadvertently provoking Conri’s darker side.

A darker side she’d never really seen, much less explored. Now she wasn’t interested in trying.

Arden had no dark side. He was all pure, sweet light. It radiated off his skin, from between his lips.

Sona wanted to find out if she could taste it from both.

“Everything and nothing,” she whispered, and kissed her new forbidden lover.