The Alpha's Untamed Mate

Chapter 5

Iris wondered if she'd hit her head hard enough to be hallucinating. This couldn't be real! Her aunt gave her a warning glance before turning to pour more tea.

Meanwhile, Geraldo stood there, practically undressing her with his eyes, right there in her kitchen, with her aunt just steps away. Suddenly, the phone rang, and her aunt hurried from the room to answer it.

"What the hell are you doing here? And why were you spying on me in the forest?" Iris hissed, trying to keep her voice low.

His eyes darkened as he seized her arm, pulling her close. They stood inches apart, glaring at each other. Then he leaned in and whispered,

"I told you it wasn't over, didn't I?" His voice was chilling, a stark contrast to the heat of his breath on her skin.

"What isn't over? What's wrong with you?!" She attempted a growl, but it came out as a whisper; his presence unsettled her. The proximity of his breath made her head swim.

As if reading her thoughts, he grazed the sensitive skin of her neck with a sharp fang, drawing blood. She couldn't suppress a moan. His warm, wet tongue followed, healing the wound and sending shivers down her spine.

A conflicting desire to throw herself at him burned within her.

"You taste as good as you look, Little One." She must be losing her mind! She pushed him away, desperately clinging to her anger.

Geraldo stood there, a smug smile playing on his lips.

"Wipe that smirk off your face before I do it for you!" she warned, but he only chuckled. "Calm down, little hellcat."

"Don't tell me to calm down!" she barked.

"What bothers you more—that I'm here or that you want me to make love to you?" She gasped, scandalized by his bluntness. Of course, he knew.

The arrogant bastard could probably smell it on her. Thank goodness her aunt lacked his abilities! If she knew how this man affected her, Iris would die.

"I don't want you anywhere near me!" she insisted, trying to sound convincing. But he just laughed.

"Then why are you so aroused?"

She was going to strangle him! Her cheeks burned as she responded, "I'm not... that." His expression hardened, his voice dropping to a near snarl.

"Don't ever lie to me again, Little One!" Geraldo growled, menace lacing his voice. Iris swallowed hard, biting her lip. She would never, ever admit he aroused her.

Absolutely not! She'd rather die than give him that satisfaction.

"I think it's time you left," she said, attempting a stern tone, hoping against hope it would work.

"Oh, Little One, I'm not going home," he replied, amusement in his voice. "Then go somewhere else, just not here!" she retorted.

"Don't you want to know why I'm here?" he asked, his eyes fixed on hers. "No, I'm good! Just leave!" she insisted. But despite herself, curiosity gnawed at her.

"Fine!" he said with a casual shrug. "Fine?" she repeated stupidly, caught off guard by his sudden compliance.

"I'll leave if you meet me at Cold Creek in an hour," he proposed. "Are you serious?" she asked, bewildered. Why would he want to meet her there?

"As serious as death," he replied, smirking. "And what makes you think I'll meet you there?" she challenged.

"Are you scared the big bad wolf might bite you?" he taunted, winking with that infuriatingly smug expression. "I'm not scared of you!" she hissed, poking her finger into his hard chest, instantly regretting it as a jolt of electricity shot through her.

"Well, then meet me there." He looked at her with a bored expression, and she longed to wipe that look off his face. She hated him, yet something about him was undeniable.

"Not going to happen!" she retorted. She knew she sounded childish, but the conflicting emotions were overwhelming. "Well, then I might have to pay a visit to your boyfriend," he said, his tone shifting to something more threatening.

The mention of Noel sent a chill down her spine. Would he involve Noel if she didn't comply?

"You've got one hour; don't be late!" he ordered, turning to leave. She listened as he exchanged a few words with her aunt before the door closed behind him.

"What am I going to do?" she thought, panicking. She couldn't just sit back and hope he didn't approach Noel.

"Are you alright, Iris? You look pale," Aunt Sarah noted with concern as she returned.

"Umm, I'm fine, just hungry," Iris lied, trying to mask her turmoil. "Well, come on then, let's eat," her aunt suggested, her tone lightening.

"You didn't tell me you were seeing someone," she said teasingly, catching Iris off guard. "I'm not seeing anyone!" Iris protested, her words more defensive than intended.

"Well, when are you going to see him then?" her aunt continued to tease.

"Umm... I... I don't want to discuss this," Iris responded, embarrassed and flustered.

"Alright then, just be careful and use protection," Aunt Sarah advised with a knowing smile.

"Oh my God, don't say that! We're not—we're not doing anything! I barely know him!" Iris shrieked, mortified by the implication.

"Calm down, Iris. It's a natural part of life, and a pretty good part, too," her aunt laughed, clearly enjoying Iris's embarrassment.

"Oh my God, stop! I don't want to hear about it! I'm going out," Iris announced, eager to escape the conversation. She stormed out of the house, her cheeks burning crimson. Once outside, she pulled out her phone to text Noel.

"Hey! Busy?" she wrote, hoping for a distraction.

"Hey! At work," Noel responded quickly.

"Call when you're off," she replied.

"Sure thing, sugar," he texted back, and she smiled.

Looking at the clock, she realized she only had twenty minutes to reach Cold Creek. She sighed heavily and got into her car, feeling like she was driving towards the final stop on an emotional rollercoaster.

She couldn't afford to be late—nothing, and no one, was going to be hurt because of this. She was determined to confront Geraldo and end whatever game he was playing before it went any further.

.......

At Cold Creek

Upon arrival, she saw Geraldo's car parked, but he was nowhere in sight. She stepped out and leaned against her car, the sun beating down, making the air oppressively hot. She considered removing her long-sleeved shirt but decided against it. She waited, growing increasingly irritated.

He'd told her not to be late, and now he was the one who was tardy. What an asshole! Fed up, she moved to a shaded bench and sat down, seeking refuge from the heat.

Finally, Geraldo emerged, his expression annoyed. "You're f*****g late!" he growled.

"Excuse me?! I've been here for over thirty minutes," she snapped back, incredulous at his accusation.

"Well, I didn't tell you to sit in the damn parking lot, did I?" he retorted, sounding like he was scolding a child.

"You told me to come to Cold Creek. How the hell was I supposed to know exactly where you'd be when you didn't specify?" she replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm.