MY POSSESSIVE MATE

Four

I blinked awake to a blaze of sunlight that nearly singed my eyelids, forcing an instinctive retreat. With a fervent rub, I attempted a second opening, this time allowing my senses to adjust gradually to the glaring assault. As I unfurled my limbs in a stretch, each joint protested with a symphony of cracks, releasing me from the clutches of morning stiffness.

I heaved myself upright into a sitting position, dragging my hand down my weary face with a groan, a nauseating wave washing over me.

"Never again, never am I going to drink" I muttered under my breath as I slipped out of bed, shuffled out of the room and stumbled into the bathroom, hastily locking the door behind me.

I sucked in a sharp breath as my eyes beheld the most exquisite bathroom I'd ever encountered. It was spacious yet cozy, the shower nestled snugly in the corner, its shiny white tiles gleaming with moisture, evidence of recent use.

The air was imbued with a tantalizing blend of vanilla and musk, a scent unmistakably Blake's. Lost in a reverie, my mind wandered into a daydream of my shirtless companion, water cascading over his chiseled chest and defined abs.

With a contented sigh, I closed my eyes and shed Blake's oversized shirt, letting it cascade to the tiled floor. Stepping into the shower, I cranked the water setting to scalding hot, relishing the sting against my skin as if it were cleansing away the remnants of last night's revelry.

The steaming cascade enveloped me, a soothing embrace that seemed to dissolve the lingering haze of alcohol. I vigorously scrubbed at my face, banishing the remnants of makeup left over from the previous night's festivities, a reminder that sleeping in it was indeed a regrettable choice.

Emerging from the shower, I cocooned myself in a plush blue towel, allowing my sodden locks to cascade freely around my face, opting for the simplicity of air-drying over the fuss of a blow dryer.

I swirled the frothy concoction of toothpaste and water around in my mouth, a desperate attempt to cleanse away the remnants of the morning's salty residue.

Snatching Blake's shirt from the floor, I trudge wearily back to my room, resigning myself to the inevitable task of donning my vomit-stained black mini dress. However, my eyes were drawn to the bed, where a neatly stacked pile of fresh clothing awaited, causing my eyebrows to shoot up in surprise.

Taking hold of the garments, I furrowed my brows at their oversized proportions, but refrained from voicing any complaints, acknowledging their cleanliness as a silver lining.

Once I had slipped into the clothes and checked my appearance in the mirror, feeling content with the result, I descended the stairs cautiously, moving stealthily to avoid drawing any unwanted attention. The prospect of facing the repercussions of last night's events loomed heavy on my mind, driving me to tread carefully.

"Good afternoon," Sophie greeted with a smile as I turned the corner, nearly startling me out of my skin. There she sat, perched on a barstool in the kitchen, clad in an oversized shirt and shorts, devouring food with gusto.

"Ethan made brunch, but we gathered you'd be sleeping, so there's none left, sorry." I ran my hands through my chocolate brown hair, nodding slowly as I made my way over to one of the barstools, perching on it carefully.

"How are you feeling?" Sophie teased, her laughter echoing in the kitchen.

I shook my head. "Like crap."

"I remember my first time on tequila," Ethan chimed in as he strolled into the kitchen, clad only in a pair of fitted suit trousers, his bare chest on display.

Sophie's laughter filled the room as she winked at me, while I groaned and clutched my stomach.

Feeling a bit awkward, I was unsure of what Sophie and I were expected to do next. I didn't want to be rude by leaving abruptly, but I also didn't want to overstay my welcome. Besides, all I wanted was to crawl back into bed and sleep off this hangover.

Suddenly, the familiar musky scent filled the air, making me bite my lip as I turned around. There stood Blake, shirtless and clearly disgruntled, his dark hair still damp from the shower.

He held my gaze for a moment, his eyes meeting my emerald green ones before he looked away, nodding towards Ethan. Ethan, clearing his throat awkwardly, turned his attention to Sophie.

"Let's go eat in another room," he suggested, swiftly picking up both his and Sophie's plates and leading her out of the kitchen. Sophie's concerned expression lingered as she glanced back at me before disappearing with Ethan.

"Are you having anything to eat?" Blake grumbled, pouring himself some coffee.

I shook my head. "I don't think I can. I'm not feeling too great," I replied, causing Blake to chuckle under his breath.

"Well, that's what happens when you drink stupid amounts," Blake's words cut through the air, his tone harsh, leaving me taken aback.

"Oh, come on. You can't—" I started to protest, but Blake interrupted, his voice now a growl.

"Do you even know how much danger you put yourself in, Diana?" His words hung heavy in the air. "You are the perfect target; a young, pretty drunk girl passed out on the floor. Do you know how many creeps out there could have taken advantage of you?"

I sighed, shaking my head, slightly distracted by the realization that Blake considered me to be 'pretty'.

"I know, but Sophie was there," Blake chuckled, rolling his eyes. "And do you really think Sophie could've fought them off, considering how drunk she also was?"

"As if you didn't drink when you turned twenty-one, Blake," I retorted, suddenly realizing I didn't know Blake's age. "If you're even twenty-one yet."

"I'm twenty-six, so I'm past that point now, but Alphas don't have much time to party, Diana."

"You're twenty-six?" I asked, furrowing my brows.

"You're five years older than me," Blake confirmed, leaning back against the countertop. The sunlight highlighted his glistening abs, stirring an uncomfortable arousal within me, causing me to shift in my seat.

"That doesn't mean you can treat me like a child," I shot back.

"Then don't act like one," Blake retorted, his tone firm. I rolled my eyes, sliding off the barstool and turning to head back up the stairs.

"Sorry, old man," I muttered under my breath.

Suddenly, I was halted in my tracks, Blake backing me against the wall. His eyes darkened to a deeper shade of blue, sending a shiver down my spine. I took a few steps backward until I felt the wall against my back, stealing my breath. Blake closed the distance until his chest nearly pressed against mine, his gaze piercing into mine, his lips tantalizingly close to mine.

"There's one thing I know about you already," Blake spoke, his voice low and intense, his eyes never leaving mine.

"You're going to be quite the handful," Blake's voice rumbled, his lips parting slightly as he chewed on them. His words sent a thrill through me, causing me to swallow nervously. Blake growled deeply, his palms flat against the wall on either side of my head, his biceps flexing as he leaned in closer.

I cleared my throat, unsure of how to respond, but relishing the closeness of my mate and the wild fluttering in my stomach caused by his scent.

"Um, Diana?" Sophie's voice suddenly broke the tense atmosphere, making me jump. Blake huffed in annoyance, turning around to face Sophie with a scowl.

"Your dad is on the phone; he's wondering where you are," Sophie informed me. I sighed, waving my hand dismissively.

"Just let him know I'll be home soon. Tell him we stayed at yours last night," I instructed Sophie. She nodded, her expression awkward, before exiting the room.

"I'll take you home," Blake offered, grabbing a black T-shirt from the back of his couch and pulling it over his head.

"I can call a cab," I protested, not wanting Blake to feel obligated to take care of me like a child.

He chuckled, slipping on a pair of shoes. "I'll be waiting in the car. Where's your pack?"

"Down by Longline Lake, if you know where that is?" I replied. Blake furrowed his brows, scratching at his stubble.

"You're from Alpha Paul's pack?" he questioned. I nodded, observing Blake's peculiar expression. A smirk tugged at his lips as he chuckled to himself.

"What?" I asked, perplexed.

"Nothing," Blake replied, his smile lingering slightly at the corner of his lips.

"Meet me in the car," he instructed before turning to leave the house.

I watched Blake walk out, my brows furrowed in confusion, pondering what had amused him about my pack.