Leo
“Wwwhat are you doing here?” She knits her eyebrows, her face as pale as a ghost.
I hold on to the door frame to find my balance, as my knees feel weak and I feel dizzy.
'Mate! Mate! Mate!' My wolf’s excitement gets me irritated.
‘Moon goddess, I swear, I don’t think I deserve this punishment.’ I say internally. ‘This is my mate? Out of all people on the planet, it had to be her!’
‘Dude, why didn’t I feel the mate bond when we were at the hospital?’ I ask my wolf.
‘Look at you, learning through your mistakes.’ He replies smugly.
I decide to deal with my wolf later, and to find out what my intended mate was doing in Willow’s dorm room.
I decide on the bold approach, to act as if I already know she is the suspect.
“Why? How could you do this to your own sister?” I glower at her.
She holds the doorknob, pushing the door towards me. I place my foot to prevent the door from closing.
“I’m not going to let you get away with this!” I push the door with one hand in her direction in order to open.
She continues pushing from the other side to close it.
“I can scream right now and call for help.” She says breathlessly, while using her whole body to try to close the door.
“I wouldn’t dare if I was you. I have evidence that can land you in jail.”
She lets go of the doorknob when she hears the words, and she takes a few steps back. I finally manage to fling the door open, and I get in and close the door behind me.
“How did you find me?” Her voice is a little shaky, and she looks away from me.
“I asked you a question.” I glare at her.
‘Don’t talk to our mate like that.’ My wolf interjects, and I ignore him.
“What question?” Her eyes shift, showing the guilt written on her face.
“How could you ruin your sister’s life like that?”
“You won't understand. How did you...?”
“It doesn’t matter. I need those memory sticks, all of them.” I hold out my hand authoritatively. Although, I suspect she won't do what I want.
“You think you can just barge in here and give me orders?” She folds her arms defiantly.
“I can do whatever I want. Did you forget about my evidence?” I raise my eyebrows.
“You would do this for Willow?” Her eyes widen.
For the first time, I notice her hazel eyes, and how they complement her blonde hair and her pretty face.
“She is your sister! Do you hate her that much?” I try to use anger to distract myself from the chemistry that I feel.
“Like I said. You won’t understand.”
“How did you know about her presentation? Did you stalk her?” I eye her suspiciously.
“She was always blabbing about it to Marcel, before he...” She trails off, and swallows.
“You were close to him as well?” I look at her sympathetically, trying to get rid of the feeling that this is my fault. I created the poison that killed their brother.
“He was the one who brought us together. He got along with all of us. So, he was very proud of Willow. He couldn’t shut up about those videos. Willow always sent the videos to show him her progress.” She purses her lips.
My gaze averts to her lips, and I look away, trying to fight the urge to kiss her.
'This is just the mate bond that is making me feel this way.' I say internally.
“Then you know she worked hard for this.” I snarl, but she doesn't even flinch.
“I know. I found out about her presentation date while watching the videos.” She smirks. This psycho!
“How did you get in?”
“Marcel had a key. Willow gave it to him for whenever he was around.”
“She is lonely, she doesn't say it but she misses him. Don’t you?”
“I do,” her eyes get filled with tears, before suddenly shaking her head. “Nope, that’s enough pity party for today. If you want those videos, I want something in return for them.”
“What?” I eye her suspiciously.
“I want us to be together. I want you to go out with me in public. I will announce that we are dating, then you will come to my modelling jobs when you are free. No, not free, on weekends, free or not.”
“What? But I have a girlfriend, she won’t be happy about this.”
“I know, but if she doesn’t submit her work, it will change her life, and not in the best way.” She chuckles. “If you get to be with me, she will lose you, but not her career. Either way, I get the satisfaction of seeing her get hurt.”
I shake my head, but I decide to go along with her assumption that Willow is my girlfriend.
“But it would be a loss for you if you decide not to date me, I’m a better option than her. Ever since I saw you at the hospital, I couldn’t stop thinking about you.” She smiles, making her face light up.
So she felt the mate bond at that time? She just didn't know what it was, but I need to make her see that the arrangement won't work out.
“So, I’m just a crush?” I smirk.
“No! I love you. I don’t know how, but I’ve never felt this way about any other guy before.” Her face drops.
I clench my fists to stop myself from trying to hold her, and to comfort her. I want to tug her hair behind her ear, and to hold her.
“But you know about my relationship with Willow. I’m leaving. I can’t stand this." I say defensively before turning the doorknob.
"It’s such a shame. Her research was going to change many lives." She says calmly.
"I will find another way." I mumble.
"Okay, leave. You’ll tell me when you are ready to talk."
I leave the hotelroom confused, and I rush outside to inhale fresh air, and to be slapped back to reality by the air.
My brain is too fuzzy, and I feel more confused. I always instantly rejected my mates. I get into my car and sit in the parking lot.
'What is this mess we find ourselves entangled in?' My wolf chimes in, and I roll my eyes at the amusement in his tone. 'See? These are the funny disadvantages of drinking that scent-masking potion.'
'I swear I’m going to take more potion to shut your mouth!'
'What if there are other potential mates?' He titters.
'There won't be.' I say dismissively, and I drive to my apartment.
'You know about a harem. Right? How could I ever alert you of another mate if you blocked me?'
I ignore him and his remarks about needing his mate.
“I met my mate.” I sink into the couch next to Jessica.
“That’s great news! You got another chance. The moon goddess really favours you." She squeals, “Who is she?” She grins.
“I know what that smile means. It’s not her. It’s someone called Chloe.”
"And as usual, you don’t seem happy. Are you going to reject this one, too?”
"Your eyes seem judgy."
“Which pack is she from?” Her intense gaze makes me shift in my seat.
“Human pack.” I shrug to try to seem nonchalant.
Her eyes widen.
“I know,” I sigh. “And she is Willow’s sister.”
“The Willow who was here?” Her eyes widen.
I nod.
“That would break her,” she shakes her head.
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t play ignorant. You saw her reaction when she saw me. She thought you were my boyfriend, didn’t she?”
“Yes, but she has a boyfriend.”
“But you know she likes you. This is going to break her heart. What are you going to do?” She squeezes my hand sympathetically.
“Chloe isn’t someone I would like to be with.”
“Why?”
I tell her the story about Willow’s memory sticks, her laptop and Chloe’s dating deal. By the time I finish, her jaw is on the floor.
“Even if she didn’t do anything to Willow, I was going to reject her, anyway.” I confess.
“But you know with your rejection record, this could kill you? You have rejected three mates already.”
“Yeah, it crossed my mind, but I don’t ever want a human as a mate.”
“If you said you want to reject her because you are in love with Willow, I would understand, not because she is human. You don’t need our dad or the pack. You are independent. Why would that be your reason?”
“So, you want me to prove your dad right?” My jaw tightens as my dad's smug face comes to my mind. He would laugh about this, and I don't ever want to be a laughing stock.
“You are just like him!” She gets up from the couch.
“No! Don’t you dare compare me to that man.”
“What about Asclepius? Your wolf has suffered enough! What if you, what if you…” Her voice trembles.
“What if I die? I know. I have thought about the possibility.” I chime in.
“I don’t believe this. You would rather die than...” She trails off. “I have to go.”
“Jessica, Jessica.” I run after her.
“Please don’t take that motorcycle home, you are too upset to drive.”
She just stares at me. Then, she lets the elevator doors close and I press the button for another elevator.
“Dude, it’s best if you give up on women. You are not doing well.” Josh, my neighbour chuckles, and I glare at him before getting in another elevator.