His Gentle Beast

We’ve been mates for three years, but my Alpha mate, Clint Delgado—who's cursed with an insatiable need for physical contact—has always refused to have sex with me.

Whenever desire surged, he would wait until I’d fallen asleep before curling up at the edge of the bed, greedily inhaling my scent to keep his wolf at bay.

I used to think he was pining for his rumored ex—a pureblood werewolf from a high-ranking family—and that he despised me for my human fragility.

It wasn't until later that I accidentally overheard a conversation between him and his Beta, Marcus.

"Clint, if you care so much about Alaina, why won't you touch her? It's been three years. Aren't you worried she'll leave you?"

Clint shook his head. "You don't understand. The longer we're together, the harder my inner wolf is to control. She's too fragile; I'm afraid I'll tear her apart. As long as she's still my mate, I don't even care if she finds someone else to be with first."

Marcus scoffed. "You're all talk. If you could really stand her being with another man, you wouldn't be running to the elders every chance you get. You think I don't know what you're asking them?"

The next day, I found Clint's secret journal. In entry after entry, he asked the elders the same question: "How can I be gentle enough during the mating? I don't want to leave a single scratch on her."

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1

After my ninety-ninth failed attempt to seduce my Alpha husband, Clint Delgado, I finally confronted him. "Clint, what's wrong with me? Why won't you touch me after three years as mates?"

He was perfect in every other way. He remembered every anniversary and every special occasion. Anything I added to my shopping cart would appear before me as a gift the next day.

However, when it came to physical intimacy, Clint always wore turtlenecks and long sleeves, as if to shield me from every inch of his scorching Alpha skin.

I reached for the hard ridge in his trousers, the only thing that ever betrayed his desire. "Darling, let me help you."

Clint spun around, his back rigid. After a long, tense silence, he finally spoke. "Go to sleep. I need to cool down."

In the darkness, I bit my lip and pressed myself against his back, unwilling to give up. I could feel the taut muscle of his back and the searing heat radiating from him.

"Don't you want me?"

Before my hand could wander further, Clint roughly shoved me away. "Don't do this again." His voice was a low growl, laced with a warning.

His cold words shattered my hopes as he fled into the bathroom.

Through the door, I could hear his heavy panting, the low growl of a beast fighting its instincts. I closed my eyes, knowing exactly what he was doing in there.

Almost every night had ended like this since we became mates.

I stared at the bathroom door. He had left it ajar, just a crack. Through that gap, I saw his golden pupils glinting in the dark, devouring me with a scorching gaze as his hand moved steadily to grant himself release.

Humiliation washed over me, and rage ignited within. "Clint, if this continues, I'll find another man!"

Clint's body shuddered. His eyes burned with desire, but when he spoke, his voice carried a strange hurt. "Don't get the wrong idea. Just wait a little longer."

Furious, I pulled the covers over my head. He stayed in there for what felt like an eternity. All that incredible Alpha stamina, completely wasted.

When he finally came out, he stood helplessly by the bed, gazing at me huddled under the covers. Eventually, his hand landed gently on the blanket.

Even through the covers, I could feel his palm. It was cool at first, then gradually warmed until it became scorching hot. I could feel the weight of his gaze, but there were no further movements.

I closed my eyes in disappointment.

Thinking I was asleep, he carefully tucked me in.

Clint was always like this. Just when I'd convince myself he didn't love me, he’d do something small and tender that left me utterly confused.

I had no idea what Clint was waiting for.

...

I was in a terrible mood the next day, so I met my best friend, Chloe Sterling, at a new bar downtown.

I downed my drink in one gulp, my heart filled with bitterness and resentment. "Why won't Clint touch me? Everyone says an Alpha's possessiveness is uncontrollable. Wouldn't a normal Alpha have lost his mind by now with a mate like me?"

Chloe pushed a cocktail across the table. "Maybe Clint has his reasons?"

I racked my brain but couldn't come up with a single decent one.

I gave a bitter laugh. "You know what? Last night, he was so aroused he was losing control, but he still wouldn't touch me. If there's anyone he can't let go of, it must be that woman from years ago—his ex from a high-ranking family."

I knew part of the story. Clint and his ex had broken up years ago over a misunderstanding. She went abroad afterward and hadn't been heard from since.

It was a ghost he could never shake.

I used to believe that staying by his side would help him move on, but now it was clear I had lost.

The reason Clint wouldn't touch me was because he still loved her. The thought of his coldness in bed sent a pang through my heart.

I tried to put myself in his shoes. What if I were forced to be bonded with someone I didn't love? The mere thought gave me goosebumps.

He probably thinks touching me, a human, would be... defiling.

My mind went blank. Chloe looked at me with concern. "Are you okay?"

I shook my head. "I'm fine. But I have to sever the mate bond with Clint. I can't take this sham of a bond anymore!"