*Hazel*
“Because you are my mate.”
His words barely registered in my mind, when his lips close the gap between us, and he starts kissing me softly. Gentle hands tilt my head up, while his thumbs caress my cheeks lightly. My mind becomes foggy, and all I can think of is how good it feels, how good he smells, and how I don’t want this kiss to ever end.
The softness and warmth of his sweet lips, subtly coax me to keep up with his pace, that in contrast is becoming more and more demanding. Soon I find myself lightheaded and in need to break free for air, so I push lightly on his hard chest, and he releases my lips, giving me just enough space to breathe.
Like I am freed from a spell, I suddenly come back to my senses and right mind, and start panicking in earnest, because there is no way that I can be his mate!
And why did I just respond like that to his kiss? I should have pushed him away, maybe slapped him, like they do in the movies. Ok, maybe the slap would not be such a good idea, he would cut me into tiny pieces and then cook me as meatloaf.
Why would he think that I am his mate?
I am human and he is a werewolf, there has never been a human mate for a werewolf. Mates are like two destined souls, which for werewolves are their wolves, and they are destined to be together by the Moon Goddess, which is their Goddess, not mine, so there is no way she could fate me to anyone. She should take it up to my God first, I suppose. Not having a wolf though, would make the binding impossible.
“No!” I exclaim, without thinking before talking.
The Alpha’s eyes harden at my denial, and he moves back a little, to look at me fully. His aura turns to menacing again, and I am afraid of what he’s going to do now.
“What do you mean “no”?”
“I mean, I can’t be your mate. I am human.”
His eyes harden even more and his lips purse into a thin straight line.
“Do you think you can fool me? How could I mistake your scent? I’ve searched for you for so long. Stop with this nonsense and let me mark you.”
That’s my clue, I spring up to my feet, before he can encase me again in his cage of steel arms, and mark me, as he put it.
And for anyone who’s wondering what marking means, know that we are not talking about a small tattoo, but of a bone deep bite, which is bound to hurt like hell, and would probably kill me. So, thank you, but no thank you.
I manage to jump off the back of the armchair, without him catching me; luckily, I am quite athletic, but I only manage a few steps before he catches me from behind. His arms wrap around my torso, blocking my arms at my sides, leaving me completely at his mercy.
His nose tickles my neck, and I know that in seconds, his teeth will seep deep into the tender spot between my neck and my shoulder. I can’t let him.
“Don’t, please. I beg you. Please, don’t mark me.”
Tears start flowing down my cheeks, and it is no act, I am seriously just scared out of my mind.
He freezes behind me, like he’s turned into stone.
“Let me go,” I implore him, and he slowly releases me.
When I turned around, to assess his mood, I found him staring vacantly at floor, with his head bent and his hands running rapidly through his jet-black hair, which are longer on top, and shorter on the sides.
“I am sorry, but I am not your mate, I am human,” I tell him again, trying to stop the flow of tears which have run out of my control.
His head suddenly shots up, and his burning stare nearly turns me into ashes.
“You are my mate, there’s no mistake, and I will prove it to you.” He vows with confidence that baffles me.
Didn’t he listen to anything I said? I am human. I can’t be his mate! Something must have got lost in translation.
I am ready to explain the situation to him again, when he suddenly walks to the door and leaves. Just like that. No goodbye, no sorry for nearly scaring you out of your wits, nothing.
I don’t get this Alpha. He just told me that I am his soulmate, and he even tried to mark me, and now he just left me here without a word of explanation. If he really was interested, he would have at least asked for my full name and phone number. Not that I want him to, but it would have made more sense.
“Hazel, what have you done?” Carol’s screeching voice reaches my ears making me cringe. “You’ve angered Alpha O’Brien; he’s left without even discussing the project! I want to kill you!”
Her hands go straight for my neck, but providentially Mr. Jones stops her before she can touch me. Twice the hero in one day, I am starting to admire this man.
“Carol, keep it together!” he scolds, “She might be the Alpha’s mate. Have you any idea what he would do to you and to this company if you touched even one hair on her head?”
“But she can’t be his mate, she’s human!” Carol protests.
“It doesn’t matter if she is or not, what’s important is that he thinks she is. And we could use it to our advantage. Imagine all the projects we could get through his connections.”
His eyes practically sparkle with gold, and even Carol seems in agreement with this new perspective.
That’s when Mr. Jones’ phone chimes with an incoming email; he reads it quickly, and his eyes light up to supernova levels.
“It’s Alpha O’Brien, he’s requested a meeting for tomorrow morning at 10. And he wants Hazel to attend.”
His gaze flashes in my direction, giving me a meaningful look. Don’t mess up, or you are out.
I want to cry again. Doesn’t anyone care if I get hurt or bitten in the process? Apparently, not.
“With all due respect, Mr. Jones, I personally think that it would be better if I didn’t”, he doesn’t even let me finish my sentence, cutting me off with a,
“Nonsense. Tomorrow you’ll be there, and you will make the Alpha happy. Am I clear?”
Crystal clear.
Tomorrow I am doomed.