Chapter 8: Confusion

Marcus POV

I was walking through the hallway as we had just finished our practice, so guys were waiting for me at the cantina while I showered and dressed.

I couldn’t get that girl out of my mind since the moment I first saw her. Shadow, my wolf, was jumping in my head since that day we first started at this school.

At first, I wasn’t sure why he was acting so strange, and then when I saw her in the cantina, she took my breath away. I couldn’t say for sure as Shadow said her inner animal was blocking him out, but when he said she might be our mate, that is when I flipped.

So this weekend, I partied with my friends and still her eyes would pop into my mind. So I did what I do the best—hooked up with a girl to forget her.

So here I am now, running through the hallway with my heart racing, and I’m not sure if it’s because I’m running-which I’m used to and love doing- or if it’s because I will get to see that green-eyed beauty today.

Arghh… what was I thinking?

Stop it!

Shadow was not helping either as he was consumed with the thoughts of the flashing images of her eyes, her lips… Fuck.

“I’m blocking you out!”

Finally, having some peace and quiet in my head, I sped up ahead, nearing the corner, when it suddenly hit me.

Lilies and dew…

Panicking, I tried to slow down, but someone crashed into my chest. I reacted instinctively as I saw her falling, grabbing her and pulling her up.

Breathing fast and trying to take a deep breath, her scent hit me like a bulldozer. My mind was clouded as I looked into her mesmerizing pools of green, hearing her heartbeat racing the same pace as my own as sparks flew between us.

Shadow’s voice broke through the barriers, making my eyes grow wide and I froze.

MATE!

I heard her breath hitch as I could see the same realization dawn on her.

And the next thing I heard was her soft, low voice saying the same exact thing.

Mate.

Everything that happened after was a blur.

I found myself pressing her against the wall as I slammed my lips down onto hers, kissing her feverishly.

Feeling her hands tug into my hair made my blood boil as lust crept inside of me.

Wanting—no, needing—to taste her some more, my tongue gently licked her lower lip as she readily parted her lips for me. I didn’t waste a single second as I dove right in and kissed her with everything I had.

I tightened my grip on her hips and pressed my body against hers, not wanting to break the kiss.

I could hear her erratic heartbeat in her chest, making me smirk into the kiss. I loved how her body was reacting to my touch.

I have no idea how long we were in the hallway of the school kissing like we were both starved for each other.

Damn, she tastes so good.

I moved my lips to her jaw and neck as her grip in my hair tightened, giving me a slightly pleasurable pain. I scraped my teeth over her collarbone, and she rewarded me with a soft moan that escaped her lips.

The second I heard her little moan, reality came crashing back to me. I pulled back and with frantic breaths, I locked my eyes onto hers. I could read the desire in her eyes as it likely matched my own.

Fuck… what am I doing?!

Her eyes were wide for a moment before she closed them in an attempt to compose herself.

As we stood there looking at each other, I couldn’t help but take a closer look at her features. Her long, silky light brown hair with soft waves, heart-shaped face, beautiful and flawless face, small perky nose, and plump kissable-as-fuck lips. But the most intriguing and captivating part of her were those beautiful, round, emerald-colored eyes. I felt like I was under a spell just from looking into them.

“Mark!” I heard a voice calling me and we quickly separated as I took a step back from her, but not losing eye contact. “Mark!”

I turned my head for a moment, to see who was calling me, and I realized I didn’t have much time. Turning back to her, I felt my breath hitch in my throat from seeing her again, with her lips a little swollen from my kiss.

Clearing my throat, I forced myself to speak. “What is your name?”

Her eyes were inspecting my face closely now, and then they wandered down my body slowly.

If she kept that up, I swear I would grab her and take her to an empty room…

Clearing my throat again, hoping I would get her attention, I repeated my question. “What is your name?”

“Olivia.” She spoke softly, and I felt the need to grab her and hold her in my arms.

Fuck… this can’t be happening.

Cursing inwardly at the Moon Goddess and her stupid play at being a matchmaker and at the weakness I felt, I grabbed her and kissed her again.

When she broke the kiss, she asked for my name.

I looked at her, thinking… wishing that things were different.

I didn’t want a mate… not yet at least, and now I found her and she’s a freaking Siren!

We both knew that anyone who found their mate from a different species was to reject that bond and move on. I had always said if there were to happen to me, it would be a piece of cake to say the words and walk away.

I was free; I had girls chasing after me and I could do anything I wanted… but that was before I ran into Olivia.

Fuck… How am I supposed to do that?

Just the thought of rejecting her made my heart hurt, and I’m supposed to say that out loud?

Fucking Elders!!!

Fucking law!!!

Growling, I noticed her jump slightly.

Great, way to scare her, asshole!

“Marcus… My name is Marcus.”

She smiled as she repeated my name. “Marcus.”

Hearing her say my name was like a melody I wanted to hear over and over.

Shit Marcus, get a hold of yourself. You can’t be with her, she deserves better than you.

Taking a deep breath and exhaling it slowly, I shut my eyes for a second, trying to clear my head and gather the courage to let her down.

“Olivia… listen—”

As I started to speak, I was interrupted by a pair of arms clinging around my neck as a body pressed against mine.

“Mark, baby, I was looking all over for you.”

I heard a low growl and my eyes snapped to Olivia as she covered her mouth. I was about to say something, but the girl turned around and spoke to Olivia. “Who are you?”

I could see Olivia trying to calm herself, and my hands were itching to hold her in my arms and soothe her.

Instead, I peeled myself away from the gripping arms around my neck and spoke. “This is Olivia… she… we bumped into each other and her books fell down, so I was about to help her gather them.”

Olivia said nothing, but her jaw was tight and I could see a fire in her eyes.

Great… just what I fucking needed!

“Oh, that explains it then. Will you go with me to the cantina, baby?” she purred as she wrapped her arms around my neck again.

Exhaling, I said, “Sure.” She was like a fucking octopus, grabbing me constantly. When I answered, I saw the hurt pass through Olivia’s eyes.

Before I was pulled away, I crouched down and gathered Olivia’s books and handed them to her. “I am sorry.” I said as walked away, trying not to look back at her.

Entering the cantina, I saw Logan and Tanner as they waved us over. As I sat down with them, my mind wandered to my interaction with Olivia.

Then I saw her enter the cantina and go to her usual table. The only difference now was the table was full except for one empty seat. Watching her closely, I saw her take that seat next to the brown-haired asshole who smiled at her and said something into her ear. I couldn’t help the growl that escaped me, which in return made her look at me.

“Baby, what is wrong?”

Trying to get myself in check before I took that asshole by his throat and threw him across the room. I turned towards my friends and tried to engage in a conversation with them.

I felt the girl slide her hand over my biceps and lean her body closer to me as she whispered, “I can feel your tense, baby, we can go somewhere and I can help release some of that tension.”

A chair fell down and the next thing I saw was Olivia rushing out of the cantina.