The Genius Delta
Chapter 16 - Persephone

I haven't been this eager to shift since the first time. I also haven't been this glad I didn't wear my standard sports bra and boyshorts. André may have taunted me about what I was packing, but that doesn't mean I didn't bring or don't own cute underwear. The only reason I didn't put on my usual sports bra is that this morning Sara tracked our mate, and I figured if I came across him, I should put in some effort.

Judging by how he's staring at you, it was the right call.’ Sara laughed.

Okay, that was the ego boost I needed. Undressing to shift at the pack is totally different. I quickly undress and change to my wolf. I'm naked for all of two minutes. Right now, however, I'm taking my time undressing because Jonathan is looking at me like that. His brown eyes were getting darker and more intense, with the amber of his wolf swirling around starting to overtake more of his iris. I've been leered at once or twice. The offender lost some teeth and, when one dared whine to Alec about it, lost some more for leering at his younger sister. The way Jonathan is looking at me is nothing like that. Nothing about his gaze makes me nauseous or angry. If anything, the way he's looking at me is giving me butterflies and making my body feel hot with an ache between my legs. “Well, keep going. You're impeding me from meeting Jonathan's wolf. You know MY mate.’ Sara encouraged, nudging me.

That encouragement pushed me to flick the front clasp of the bra to the sound of Jonathan sucking in a breath and breathing out a growl that resonated in my bones. I could only compare this feeling to the spark of the mate bond, but I can't blame the bond as he’s not touching me.

'If you feel this way without him touching you naked, just wait." Sara snickered. “Now stop wasting time. I want to shift."

I get she's in a hurry, but I feel like a deer in headlights with him looking at me like that. After I shrugged out of my bra, my hands hovered at my slacks, nervous about taking them off. Especially as he's still standing there fully clothed. Somehow it feels both unfair and hot... mostly hot having him staring at me. His eyes raked down my body to look at my hands, and his eyebrow arched at my hesitation.

"Want some help with that?” Jonathan offered as he gestured to my waist, his voice changing pitch like he was just as nervous about making the offer as I was standing here half naked

My answer was lodged in my throat, but before I could answer, an annoyed sigh made us both jump. My arms quickly moved to cover my breasts. Jonathan growled, and suddenly his shirt was off his body and pulled over mine, trapping my arms inside the stained shirt. Our heads turned to find Azriel Delaney walking up from I don't know where with his head cocked and a laugh bubbling on his lips.

“I wonder if my brother-in-law knows about this.” He chuckled. I am going to die of embarrassment at this rate.

“Persy, if you're going to strip for a man, you should probably do it in private. At least not right behind a packhouse where anyone could walk by.” He teased me. “And Silvercloud, relax. Mated father of two over here. Plus, she’s like the kid sister I always wanted and thankfully never got.” He laughed, holding his hands up.

“I'm making a mental note to put something terrible in your personal vehicle and telling Sadria not to use your car under any circumstances.” I narrowed my eyes at the near replica of Darren, Azriel got the lighter hair, but otherwise, I'd be unable to tell them apart quickly.

"Oh please, don't try to intimidate me with the kind of threats your mate over there makes. You've never blown anything up that I'm aware of. So I'm more afraid of him messing with my ride.” Azriel chuckled.

"What are you doing here? Should you be at home cleaning up after your pups and giving Sadria a break from them?” Jonathan questioned, taking a stance that kept me slightly out of sight.

“You should know why I'm here. Alpha called me about one of your interns needing to be watched. I was at the training grounds, so I reported straight here.” Azriel shrugged.

"Stop wasting my Deltas’ time and get your lazy ass in here, Delaney,” Logan called behind us.

Yep, I'm going to die of embarrassment at this rate. Or maybe it's less embarrassment and more that I'm going to die from a never-ending loop of beaver blocking in this pack. I get it, Goddess. You are making me live karma for being a pain in Crista and Alec's necks. But come on! Have a heart! “See you two around.” Azriel winked, still laughing, as he passed us and went inside with Logan. “Karma...so much fucking karma,” Jonathan grumbled.

“Do you mean karma is catching up to you or Azriel?” I asked.

“Because I'm fairly certain that karma is hitting me. I will openly admit I was a pain in the ass to my sister and Alec early on. Not that it did much good. They still fucked like rabbits, and the result was my nieces.” I shrugged

“Peas in a pod.” He chuckled.

“Karma is catching up to me too. Not that I intentionally tried to get in Logan's way. I like all my limbs attached, and as much as I joke, he would never kill me if I got in the way of him, and Aurelia fucking, he would, and if not, she totally would.” He smiled.

"How about we head further into the tree line so we aren't so visible to anyone walking up to the packhouse.” He suggested nodding his head to the tree line.

"Yes, that sounds like a good plan. I'm not from this pack, but I know enough people I don't want to run into because of Darren and Kurt.” I agreed, wiggling my arms through the sleeves of his shirt.

I don't think I'm giving him this shirt back. It smells like him and is warm. Yeah, he’s not getting his shirt back. “You realize this is now my shirt. Right?” I teased.

“Not even a full day and stealing my clothes?” He shook his head with a smile.

I was about to tease him back, but the words didn't get to leave my lips as he pinned me to one of the large oak trees kissing me. I'm not going to complain, even if there is a knot in the tree digging into my shoulders. This is the third time we've kissed, and damn, they keep improving. Or maybe this time feels more intense because his hands have slipped under the shirt to touch my bare skin. My lips parted to moan as his calloused fingers danced their way up my sides. He took full advantage of my parted lips as his tongue slipped into my mouth and swirled around mine, taunting me. I growled into the kiss, wrapping my arms around his neck to pull him closer as my fingers pulled his thick hair out of his bun. Who knew kissing could be this addictive?

Regrettably, we had to pull apart oxygen and all that. I opened my eyes to realize Jonathan's face was still incredibly close to mine. His forehead against mine, his nose brushing mine, sharing ragged heady breaths. His brown eyes were focused on mine, and I was starting to feel hypnotized at the swirling movement of amber, not entirely overtaking his iris but ever-present. I've never seen eyes like his. It's incredible. He's incredible.

“As fun as watching you strip is... if we hold off shifting any longer, Jaci will try and force his way out.” Jonathan broke the sexually charged silence in a raspy needy voice that had me clenching my thighs.

“I'm not sure if you are trying to encourage or dissuade me from quickly shifting.” Unconsciously I licked my lips.

“Fuck... Persephone, don't toy with us.” Jonathan's voice was deeper as it overlapped with his wolf. "Yeah, stop toying with them and let me out! The sooner you shift, the sooner we get to the bunker.’ Sara nodded as she moved closer. She is probably preparing to shove me out of the way. “Probably a good idea.” I agreed with a sigh as my hands slid down his neck and across his shoulders.

I smiled as he shuddered, goosebumps dotting his skin as my fingers continued to explore. I know we just agreed we should quickly shift, but I didn’t want to give up this opportunity, even if I will have it again soon. He's shirtless here and now, and I will take full advantage and trace the lines of muscle and space chest hair. His breath hitched as my fingers moved lower, culminating in a deep growl as my hands stopped at his jeans.

“Do you want some help with your jeans? They...” I licked my lips as I boldly let my hand slide lower over the outline of his cock in the denim. “A bit snug.”

I felt a little smug as his eyes slid closed, and he groaned while cock twitched under my hand. I'm the one that is making him hard. I have this control over him. It's a bit of a power trip.

“Fuuucckkk.” He growled long and low as his eyes snapped open, the amber swirling brighter in his eyes. "We said to stop toying with us.” His voice had a harder edge, and I blinked at the realization that it was more his wolf speaking.

“Jac...” I didn't even get his name out before Jonathan's lips were against mine.

I gasped into the kiss at the sound of fabric being torn. He ripped his shirt I'd wanted to keep along with my dress slacks and panties. It was strange and arousing as fuck to have the rough bark of the tree against my back and his hot soft chest pressed against mine. He growled into the kiss, deepening it while his hands started exploring my naked body.

Fucking hell, are we going to fuck against a tree a stone's throw from the packhouse? I don’t know. And right now, I'm not sure I care. All I know is that my hands have taken on a life of their own as they eagerly unbuttoned his pants. I don't think Sara has the strength to rip denim, so I opted for the traditional method of yanking them down, pleased that his boxers decided to come along for the ride. And now, nothing separated us.

This may not be the first time I've seen a man naked. However, this is the first time I've been this close to a naked man. And holy hell, I landed a hot mate. He's mine, all mine. And even by his admission, he's not been with someone else, so I'll also be his only.

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