Chapter 3 Yes, Dogs I Have Arrived
968 Words
Eros POV
As I land in this goddess-forsaken realm—yes, I said goddess because the gods have nothing on me—I’m instantly irritated. The air reeks of wet fur and testosterone-laced insecurity. Wolves. The dog realm. What a joy.
Still, I can't deny the magnetic pull that drags my soul every damn time I enter this place. It’s her.. My mate. She hasn’t arrived on campus yet. The semester starts in a few days. This will be her second year, and every minute without her presence scratches at the inside of my chest.
She doesn't know it’s me, of course. She doesn’t remember me—not yet. But I know her. I’ve always known her. Her tattoo stopped growing. That number on her back? A zero now. A beautiful, damning zero, right in the middle. The sign of the end—and the beginning.
She’s beyond a catch. Stronger than Coral. Stronger than Reed. She’s stronger than most lycans—and she got hers at sixteen. Six-f*****g-teen. That’s unheard of. Most of them don’t activate until twenty-one, barely crawling into power by the time they get their first shift. But not my queen. My mate was born ready.
She's meant to rule beside me. Me—the first of my kind. She’ll bear my dragon children, reign in my kingdom, and walk through the realm as mine. The world will bend for her, or it will burn.
But first, I must play basic shifter. Disguise. Deception. It’s an art I’ve perfected.
I changed everything. My golden hazel eyes are now a piercing, icy gray-blue. Still haunting. Still divine. My glorious mane of dark waves now cut into a sharp, clean taper fade. I even slapped on a pair of f*****g glasses. I hate them. But chicks dig them, and I need the attention off my scent and my energy. I look about twenty-three, maybe twenty-four now. Youthful. Sexy in an “approachable professor” kind of way.
And, yes—of course the females stare. I can’t turn it off. It's the curse of being perfection incarnate. They whisper, smile, offer to carry my bags. Room 26A, Room 46B... Honestly, who gives a s**t? They’re not my mate. I don’t care.
I moved into a four-bedroom apartment. What in the fresh hell is this? No high ceilings. No crystal fixtures. Just drywall and laminate flooring. I nearly vomited when I saw the shared laundry room.
But sacrifices must be made. I did bring Ross. He’s loyal, fastidious, and fortunately immune to most nonsense. He’s unpacking as I type—probably hanging my shirts by fabric weight and color gradient. Good man.
Still, I need reinforcements. I pick up my phone and call my kitten—Coral.
Ring... Ring...
She answers, laughing with chaos in the background. “Hey, Eros. How are you? Busy with a billion kids here.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, I heard you started your own football team.”
“Don’t remind me,” she groans. “Why are you calling? You better not be asking for my omegas again—”
“I need Tina,” I cut in. “Remember the little omega who worked with me years ago? Sweet. Organized. Quiet.”
“Oh, Tina? She's like twenty-three now. No mate, no kids. Yeah, I can ask her. What’s this for?”
“I need help at the apartment. Just cooking and cleaning. Ross is doing most of it, but I figured she could help too. It’s for the semester. Full pay. Think of it like a vacation. Or a favor for your favorite dragon.”
Coral sighs. “You’re so annoying. Send me the address. We’ll have the guards bring her.”
I grin. “Thank you, kitten.”
She snorts. “Stop calling me kitten before your mate finds out and burns your tail off.”
“Only if she can catch me.”
“Whatever. I’ll send her in two hours. You’re lucky Wolfen is only an hour away.”
“I owe you,” I murmur before hanging up.
I do miss Coral sometimes. If fate hadn’t ruined everything, she could’ve been my queen. But she wasn’t. My true queen hasn’t stepped foot on campus yet—but I feel her. I know her. I watch her.
She’s not wild. Not reckless. She’s touched a few boys, sure—I’m not naive—but she’s not for the streets. She’s private. She’s careful. She’s not mine yet, but she will be. And I’m not a hypocrite. I’ve had my fun. Demons, witches, sirens, even a Valkyrie or two. I’m older than the stars. Of course I’ve tasted more than my fair share. But she will be the last. The one who stays.
As I climb the apartment stairs, dragging my designer duffel bag and three suitcases, a few girls stop me. “Do you need help?” “What room are you in?” “Want company later?”
I flash my award-winning smile. “Thanks, but I’ve got it.”
Room 3A. Ross already opened the door.
“Sir, I’ve prepared your lunch and laid out your robes. Let me handle the bags.”
“Thanks, Ross,” I say, stepping inside. “Oh, and we’ll have company soon. A helper. Her name is Tina. She’ll assist with light duties. You’ll still handle the cooking.”
Ross bows slightly. “Understood, sir. Will she be staying in the guest room?”
“Yeah. Set her up.”
He nods and vanishes with my luggage. I drop onto the oversized armchair and stretch.
So close. So close I can taste it.
My mate is coming. She doesn’t know who I am yet.
But she will.
And when she does... she won’t be able to walk away.
- Writer
