Two

CHASE

I'd always seen Emily as my daughter's best friend, just that. Just a kid. Until the day she turned eighteen. That day, I’d stumbled across some photos of her, and my world shifted. She wore that little black dress that accentuated her curves perfectly, a bare chest that gave just the perfectly tempting eyeful of a creamy swell of breasts, and raven-black hair that fell in soft waves around her shoulders. She looked confident, sultry, and somehow, those photos had ignited something deep inside me- something I hadn't expected.

For a year, I'd tried to push those thoughts away. I'd focused on my duties as Alpha, raising Gretchen alone since her mother passed. I didn't need distractions, and yet, the more I tried to forget her, the more my mind wandered back to her. It was easier when she was in college, a thousand miles from our Pack. But now she was back. And not just back- she was staying at Gretchen’s apartment, throwing wild parties.

I clenched my hands, irritated at the idea of her being so close, yet so far. It drove me insane. I'd spoken to Gretchen earlier, and she took the sudden information just as I expected.

"Dad, I don't get why you want me to come home," her voice broke into my office, her frustration clear. "Can't you let me have this? Just a few more nights of fun with my best friend?"

I turned to face her, trying to keep my voice steady. "Gretchen, I need you home. I don't want you staying at that apartment with all those people coming and going. You're mine daughter, and I want to keep an eye on you."

Her brows knitted together, I could see the defiance. "It's not like anything bad is happening! We’re just having a good time."

"It's not just about you," I snapped, my voice rising unintentionally. "Emily is there, too. I don't want her around those party types. You know how it gets."

She crossed her arms, snorting. "You just don't want me to have fun! You're being so overprotective."

"Maybe I am," I admitted, praying in my heart that mentioning Emily hadn't given me away. There was this surge of something fierce every time I thought of her, and it terrified me. "I want her under my roof, so I'm sure she's looked after. Bring her with you."

"Fine," Gretchen huffed, rolling her eyes. "But don't blame me if she hates it. She was looking forward to spending time with me, not having guards breathing down her neck." I waved her off, my mind already racing ahead.

Having Emily in my house would be dangerous. Tempting.

I would have to keep myself in check, but the very thought of her being close to me sent a rush of heat through my veins. Later that evening, as Gretchen and Emily walked through the door, my heart skipped. There she was, looking stunning as ever in a simple sundress that clung to her in all the right places.

The thought of pulling that dress above her waist and burying myself inside her made my pulse quicken. My cock stirred, and twitched. Her laughter was like magic, light and carefree, making my chest tighten. I had to remind myself that she was still just a kid, even though she wasn't.

"Hey, Alpha Chase," Her smile was bright and genuine as she greeted. "Gretchen says we're crashing here for a bit."

"Yeah, I thought it’d be better for you two to stay here instead of the apartment," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "It's quieter, and I can keep an eye on you both."

Gretchen snorted, obviously unimpressed.

"Thanks for the welcome home, Dad. Just what we needed- a babysitter."

I ignored her jibe, focused on Emily. "I appreciate it, really." she said, her voice softening. "It's nice to be back in the Pack."

"Good, you're always welcome here."

As they settled in, the feeling of restlessness kept consuming me.

Being around her was intoxicating, and it took everything in me not to let my desires show. I could feel the heat radiating off her, and I hated that I couldn't act on the primal urge that screamed inside me.

Later that night, after Gretchen had gone to bed, I wandered down the hallway toward Emily’s room. It was a stupid idea- one that I knew I should avoid- but the pull was inevitable. I needed to see her. I knocked lightly on her door, trying to keep my tone casual even with my cock straining against my pants.

"Emily? You awake?"

"Yeah, just a minute." She called back before her footsteps approached. The door opened slowly, and her seraphic features came through.

"What's up?" She asked, tilting her head slightly, her eyes bright with curiosity. "I just wanted to check on you. How are you settling in?" I asked, forcing myself to focus on her words, and not the way her nipples strained against the dress. I bet she felt the same way, the red cheeks were a giveaway.

"It's... great." Her eyes glanced down to my crotch before she quickly looked up.

"Gretchen and I were just uum..." she swallowed. "Talking about old times."

"Those were good times, you've both grown up so much."

"Yeah, well, I feel a bit out of place now that I'm back. It's like I don't quite fit anymore."

I stepped closer, my heart pounding. "You belong here. You always have. Don't let anyone make you feel otherwise."

She met my gaze then quickly glanced at my lips. For a moment, the world around us faded. And I wanted nothing more than to bridge the gap between us. To reach out and pull her into my arms.

"Thanks, Alpha. I should get some rest, we have a lot planned tomorrow." She said quickly, avoiding my gaze.

But as she turned to leave, I felt her hand brush against mine. The sparks erupted, exploding in my head before bursting out at my back. I couldn't help it anymore.

"Wait," I said, holding her hand and staring into her eyes, my chest heaving and my heart pounding.

I cupped her face gently, brushing my thumb along her cheeks as I leaned in. Her lips trembled, but she didn't pull away. I kissed her, soft and slow, trying to show her how much I cared. Her warmth, her scent- it was intoxicating. My hands slid down to her waist, pulling her closer while pulling down her pyjamas. I wanted to have her, right here, right now.

For a moment, she kissed me back, and my heart soared. But then, she gently pushed against my chest.

"Alpha, wait," she whispered with a shaky voice.

I froze, my breath catching. "What's wrong? I want you… Emily."

The fear was creeping in. "I feel the same way too... but I can't... not like this."