Prey Cove

Two

Nix jerks back in surprise but I don’t wait around for him to react, I jump straight out of the tree. Luckily being a werewolf means we are less fragile than humans. I land in a crouch before darting into the trees as fast as I can. Now I know my mate is on my tail there is no need to be sneaky. I know exactly where he is. I hear a thud as Nix lands on the ground near the tree. Now the chase is on.

I wind through the trees, duck under the shrubbery and generally try not to fall or face plant anything. My only goal here is to get as far away as fast as I can.

Simple.

I was feeling quite confident in myself and felt a smile slipping on my lips when a weight tackled me to the ground. I expected to land with a thud but my body was twisted last second and I landed on top of Nix. His back took the impact of our fall and his arms were securely wrapped around me, one hand cradling my head.

He looked at me with annoyance but still asked, “are you hurt?”

I scoffed before ramming my elbow into his rib and knocked the breath out of him. I tried to stand but he grabbed my wrists and pulled me back down. I threw my body forward and collided my own head with his.

“s**t. What the f**k?” He tries to dodge my assault.

I am not going to make this easy for him, he needs to understand that I am powerful, independent and make my own choices.

I try again to hit him but he manages to flip my body and sit up. His hands hold my wrists as they cross over my chest, making sure I have limited movement of my head. His legs have also trapped my own, totally immobilising me.

I thrash a little but he speaks softly into my ear. “Calm down, I am not going to hurt you. I just want to talk.”

“I will not be marked by some pretentious jackass on a power trip without my permission.” I snarl the words at him.

“Listen Cove,” his words are harsher now. “I never had any intention of marking you without permission. I would just like the chance to get to know you.”

Maybe he does not want me, he hardly seems affected by my request not to mark me. I am oddly disappointed by that revelation.

“Look, just do it. I would rather get it over with.” I pray my voice is even and unaffected by the request.

He is silent for a moment before asking, “do what exactly? You just said not to mark you without permission.”

“What? No! I am talking about rejecting me,” I demand.

His grip immediately loosens and I spin to sit opposite him on the floor. His shoulders rise and fall when he looks at me. “Is that what you want me to do?”

I deliberate how to answer that question. Ten minutes ago I would have answered yes without hesitating, now the fact I am hesitating is screaming at me.

I should just get it over with, “yes.” I almost choke over the word.

“Well that is some darn bad luck, because I am not rejecting you darling.” He shrugs and stands before turning to walk. “Let’s head back.”

I stare at his retreating back for a moment before deciding I should follow him. He approached me calmly back in the tree. Then he took that punch to the nose like a champ and chased me through the woods. He protected me when he tackled me and still did not attempt to mark me without consent. Plus he has just declared he has no intention of rejecting me.

I would be stupid to not be intrigued by this man. I always imagined my mate being very different. Let’s face it, an inconsiderate asshole would have been easier to reject on sight.

I hurry my steps a little and reach Nix’s side before matching his pace. “I am sorry about your nose, that was uncalled for.”

Nix looks at me with a half smile now, “I like girls who are feisty but I have never met one quite like you. I can see we are going to have some fun Darling.”

I roll my eyes at that, “we shall see.”

-

We walk in silence for around twenty minutes before hearing the gathered crowds ahead. Nix stops walking and turns to me.

“I promise not to mark you until you are ready but do you mind if I scent you. There are a lot of males who have not found their mate this year. I do not want to have to kill anyone today.”

I flash him a look that I hope screams annoyance before sighing, “fine.” I step closer and lift his arm before sliding under and letting his arm rest on my shoulders.

He huffs a laugh and I hate to admit that the tingles are radiating across my shoulders. I surprise him when I raise my hand and lace fingers with him too.

We reach the starting point and crowds of people are gathered. Some talking, a lot of males are still holding unconscious mates, medics checking them over. The general consensus is a lot calmer than before. There are also a crowd of males standing alone off to the left hand side. They all looked frustrated, clearly the unmated bunch.

Nix tightens his arm around me a little and I turn into his body more. We make it across the clearing and reach the opening to the car park area. Two males are standing guard.

“You cannot leave until the event is over sir,” one of them tells us. He then glances at his watch, “another fifteen minutes or so.”

Nix does not stop walking though, he confidently leads me through the gap between the guards.

“Hey.” The other guard reaches out toward me.

A furious growl rips from Nix as he whips me out of reach and grabs hold of the guard by his neck. “Do not dare touch my mate.”

The guard holds up his hands, “I was merely going to tap your arm that was wrapped her.” He looks sincere.

Nix drops the guard and turns back to me before proceeding to walk again. The guards do not attempt to stop us again.