My Holiday Mate

Sarah Will Be Mine

Daniel POV

The Christmas Eve party was one of many parties and events that I have hosted for my employees. These parties and events were to show how much I do appreciate my staff and their hard work. Also, there is a great opportunity to network with other companies and gain more clients.

As always, I would arrive early to ensure everything is set up correctly and to watch over my guest from a distance. Even though I am the host of my parties and events, I act more like a security guard, surveilling everything.

Walking the halls, I immediately smelt Sarah's scent, vanilla and honey. I followed her scent down the hall. I came across a very surprising site once I found her. I saw red and acted right away. How dare John put his hands up to strike my mate?

Yes, Sarah is my fated mate. Nearly a year ago, I was hosting a work convention focused on the latest in cyber technology. As soon as Sarah entered the venue, my senses heightened unexpectedly. I instinctively followed a familiar scent trail that led me directly to her. To my surprise, she was embraced in the arms of another man. Later, I discovered that the man she was with was actually her boyfriend, who also happens to work for me.

It was undoubtedly a frustrating period for me because I was unable to be close to my friend. I have always been someone who respects relationships and would never want to interfere or cause a breakup. To ensure that everything remained appropriate, I closely monitored John's work and his interactions with other employees, always on the lookout for any signs of inappropriate behavior.

Sure enough, I eventually caught him flirting and whatever else with female staff members. I knew that sooner or later, Sarah was going to uncover what John had been doing behind her back. What caught me by surprise was how everything came to light during the Christmas Eve party, when all the events suddenly unfolded before Sarah's eyes.

I took Sarah home with me after seeing how drunk she had become. Last night, I reflected on how close she came to being hit by John. It angered me to think that if I hadn't been there to help her, I had no idea what John might have done to her. My wolf, Luca, tried to calm me, reassurance flooding through my mind that Sarah had slept safely in my bed, beyond John's reach. She was finally free from him, and now she is entirely mine.

I was aware that she would be experiencing some pain from the trouble John had caused her. Nonetheless, since she was close to me, I believed that her pain would diminish through our mate bond. I sincerely hoped that Sarah understood she could rely on me whenever she needed support.

Both my wolf, Luca, and I felt a sharp sting in my chest when Sarah rejected the idea of me accompanying her to her apartment. Despite this, I was determined not to leave until I knew she was safe. Considering what John had attempted to do to her last night and the disturbing text messages he had sent, I was convinced he was up to no good, and I intended to ensure her safety regardless.

I felt relieved that I had made the decision to stay, because even though Sarah and my mate bond wasn't fully established, I could still perceive her emotions. I sensed she was in distress, which prompted me to act quickly. Using my wolf's speed, I sprinted inside her building, navigating the stairs swiftly to reach the floor where her scent was strongest, indicating her location.

Once again, I was confronted with a horrific scene—John was touching what belongs to me. It seems I haven't made my boundaries clear enough to him. After restraining John, I issued one final warning, but he ran away like a coward. I attempted to check if Sarah was injured in any way, but she wouldn't respond. It wasn't until my skin made contact with her's that she was brought back, though she was in tears.

I reached out to grab her keys quickly so we could leave the hallway and step into her apartment. I was careful to avoid disturbing Sarah's neighbors any further or causing an additional scene that might attract more unwanted attention from everyone around. Sarah was already crying, so it was best to be inside for privacy. The situation was already complicated enough with the noise that John had just made, and I didn’t want to add to the chaos.

Once I managed to get inside, I gently embraced Sarah, holding her close as her head came to rest on my chest. Gradually, her sobs began to quiet, and her breathing slowly stabilized, returning to a more normal rhythm. I sincerely believe it would be best for her to stay at my place for the time being. Letting her remain here would be unwise, especially since there's a high likelihood that John will return at any point.

Although I recognize that Sarah was not in the best mental state at that moment, I felt it was important to communicate to her the immediate danger of remaining at her apartment. Carefully, I leaned slightly forward, gently cupping my arm beneath her legs to lift her up in a bridal style. I then guided us over to the nearby couch, where I gently lowered her onto my lap, ensuring she was comfortably seated. Her head remained softly resting against my chest as I held her, offering both support and reassurance during a difficult moment.

I gently tilted her head upward to make eye contact with me, then carefully began to wipe away her tears from her cheek. "Sarah, it's not safe for you to stay here right now. Please pack some belongings, and you'll stay with me," I said softly. Sarah's eyes fluttered repeatedly as if trying to clear her thoughts, her mind racing. "But I can't leave my apartment," she replied hesitantly. I reached out, gently holding her hand, and said, "Sarah, eventually John will return. What will happen then when he does return? I can't always be here to protect you. It's either you move in with me for now until things settle, or I move in with you. I believe my place offers a safer and more comfortable environment for you," I explained patiently. After a moment of silence, she nodded and said, "Alright, Daniel, I will stay with you."

My wolf Luca started to jump up and down in my mind with pure happiness. "Our mate is going to stay with us. We'll be able to mate and mark her," Loca stated excitedly. My intentions weren't to rush things with Sarah; she's just coming out of a bad relationship and still feels a bit hurt. Besides, I need to tell her the truth about werewolf resistance and that I am one of them. It’s going to be difficult, but it's a step forward. I gently caressed Sarah's cheek and whispered softly in her ear, "Sarah, let's go. I’ll help you pack your things and support you through this."