CHAPTER 5
1416 Words
Chapter 5: Stupid decision number 2
The second I was across, I took a short deep breath.
As a rogue, I had just stepped into yet another Alpha’s territory. Was I asking for a premature death tonight?
But after a few agonising moments, the forest remained still and I let my anticipation crumble. After a deep sigh of relief, I almost laughed at how easily I had let fear grip me and stepped further into the unknown territory.
I pushed a low branch with a brittle network of twigs out of my path and kicked up a mass of leaves with every step. There was no beaten track; wolves clearly did not often cross this area.
Maybe it was abandoned.
Although, that same incredible scent still lingered—now stronger than ever between the trees. But everything was too quiet. Too still. Something wasn’t right.
Just as the idea of escaping the gloom and going back to my warm bed became dangerously appealing, a voice sounded.
“Hello.”
A jolt of shock seized me.
“s**t,” I cursed, spinning around.
A figure stood before me.
How did he manage to sneak up on me so silently?
I looked up slowly. His height alone made him imposing, even without the breadth of his shoulders or the strength of his build. I prided myself on being hard to scare, but this was different.
The hood of his black sweater shadowed his eyes, but what I could see of his face was enough. Sharp cheekbones, a defined jawline, and lips set in a straight, unreadable line. I stepped back.
He was dangerously beautiful—but his expression chilled me.
“What do we have here?” he asked, amusement dripping from his tone.
I stayed silent and took another step back.
“You appear to be on my territory, little wolf.”
His accent stretched his words, making his voice even more unsettlingly smooth.
“I—I was just leaving. I’m sorry.”
He let out a short laugh. “Leaving already? You haven’t even told me your name… or why you crossed my border without permission.”
“It was a mistake,” I said quickly. “I’ll go now.”
He studied me as I continued to back away.
“No… you can stay.”
It sounded less like an invitation and more like an order.
“What kind of man leaves a pretty girl like you alone in the woods?” he said. “It’s cold and late. Let me take you somewhere warm.”
“I’ll be fine,” I replied. “Thank you though.”
Then he stepped close enough to reach out and trace a finger along my cheek.
He paused under my chin.
I froze.
His touch was soft, but it sent something sharp and unsettling through me. I refused to look at him, staring instead at a distant tree.
“There’s something interesting about you,” he said at last.
I said nothing.
“You’re different.”
I forced a tight smile. “I really have to go.”
He laughed quietly and ran his fingers through my hair, then along my neck again.
“That’s not how this is going to work, sweetheart,” he said. “Now look at me.”
He pulled down his hood.
From the corner of my eye, I caught tousled dark blonde hair, a strong forehead, thick brows, and a perfectly shaped nose. But I still refused to meet his eyes.
“Look at me,” he demanded.
“No,” I said firmly. “I can’t.”
“So defiant. Even better.”
He grabbed my face and forced me to look at him.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
“Open them. Don’t make me repeat myself.”
Something in his voice—commanding, absolute—made me obey.
I opened my eyes.
And met the most stunning eyes I had ever seen. Brilliant blue, rimmed in darkness, streaked with gold like woven threads. Beautiful—but beneath it, something dangerous. Something wrong.
My wolf screamed one word in my head.
Mate.
My breath caught.
This man… tall, powerful, terrifying… was my mate.
A grin tugged at my lips as I stared at him.
His expression softened slightly as he held out his hand.
He was devastatingly handsome up close—the kind of face that stole thoughts away.
“Who are you?” I asked as I shook his hand.
“Your mate, I suppose,” he said quietly, brushing his fingers along my face.
I stood frozen, completely drawn in by his voice.
“Pleased to meet you.”
I slowly touched his cheek. He covered my hand with his.
“I knew there was something about you,” he murmured.
I smiled faintly.
His scent was overwhelming—powerful, commanding, unmistakable.
Just like the man my father once spoke of.
“Alpha Ethan Laurent,” I whispered.
His eyebrow lifted.
“I mean… you remind me of him.”
“I do?” he asked with faint amusement.
“Yes.”
“Why, thank you. I hear he’s very handsome.”
“But you can’t be him… or I wouldn’t still be alive.”
“And why is that?” he asked.
“Because of the stories. The death, the destruction… he terrifies everyone.”
“Then we should leave this forest,” he said, taking my hand. “We wouldn’t want to meet anyone like that tonight.”
“Wait—my home is this way,” I said, resisting slightly. “I live in Brookhaven.”
“Brookhaven? What are you doing so far from home this late?” he asked.
“I was just… on a run.”
We didn’t need to discuss how I had run away from everything.
He studied me before tugging my hand again. “You must be exhausted. Come.”
“I need to go home.”
His smile tightened slightly. “You’re coming home with me.”
“I can’t. My brother will worry, and I have work at 7 a.m.—”
“He will be informed. Don’t worry about work. Come.”
I frowned. “What?”
“Do I have a simpleton as a mate?” he muttered. “You are coming with me.”
“Why?”
“Because you are mine now.”
His scent wrapped around me, pulling me in.
“I don’t even know your name,” I said. “And you expect me to just follow you? Whose territory is this?”
He didn’t answer. His grip tightened.
“Stop dragging me like an animal!” I snapped.
“For f**k’s sake,” he growled, spinning me around and pinning me against him. “I tried to be gentle.”
I struggled—but he was far stronger.
“Don’t bother. You won’t win.”
“Let me go,” I breathed.
“I love it when they beg.”
“Please…”
He loosened his grip slightly.
“What is your name?” he asked again.
“Get off me,” I snapped.
“Beautiful name,” he said.
I slapped him.
His expression shifted instantly—from amusement to pure rage.
He pulled me back and pinned me against his chest.
“This stubborn act is cute, but save it for later,” he growled. “Name.”
“Why should I tell you anything?” I gasped.
His grip tightened.
“Claire Bennett,” I finally said.
He released me and turned me to face him again.
“Listen carefully,” he said. “You are coming with me. You will obey. No questions. Understood?”
I kicked his shin and bolted.
“I enjoy this game,” he called after me.
Panic surged through me as I ran.
“Hide and seek never lasts long,” his voice echoed.
I pressed myself against a tree, searching for higher branches.
“I will find you,” he said calmly.
I ran toward another tree—
And slammed straight into him.
Hands locked around my waist.
“Found you,” he murmured.
He pinned me against a tree.
“Maybe I should introduce myself properly,” he said.
His scent crushed my thoughts.
“But I think you already know.”
“Say it,” he ordered.
My stomach dropped.
“Alpha Ethan Laurent.”
He smiled.
“That’s right. Alpha Ethan Laurent of the Aurora Pack.”
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