Innocently Guilty

Chapter4. Lucas's POV

I stood a few feet away in the shadows of the forest and watched her confused expression when she realized I had vanished. I knew in her mind she thought I had used her and left her like a cheap w***e along the wayside, but that was the farthest thing from the truth. I was only trying to protect her. If I had stayed, I feared I would've lost control and marked her without her consent. She didn't even know what I was, so marking her would've been as disgusting as forcefully slamming my d**k into her tight virgin p***y. I felt my c**k twitch at the thought of her tight wet folds and the feeling of her legs wrapped around my waist. My wolf, who was currently angry with me for abandoning our mate, growled dangerously.

Shut the f**k up, Dante, I muttered in exasperation.

No! Dante shouted angrily. You had no right to touch her! We finally found our mate and you are going to f**k it up before I even get a chance to meet her!

I rolled my eyes but I knew he was right. The moment I had entered that bookstore I had become intoxicated by her scent and when I saw her alone in the woods, her luscious body on full display, I had wanted to claim her. Mark her so that no other man could ever touch her. Bury my d**k deep in her p***y and wash her cervix with my seed. The thought of her belly round and pregnant with my child nearly brought me to my knees.

Get your s**t together! Dante warned. Stop thinking with your d**k and use your head! Let me know when you're ready to act like a man. And with that he disappeared leaving a greatly appreciated silence.

I stayed like this for a moment, just watching her from the shadows. I could tell by the way she was looking around nervously that she could sense she was being watched, but fortunately she didnt see me. She was getting dressed now and I wanted nothing more than to run to her, wrap her in my arms and never let her go. Dante was right though. I didn't want to scare her away before she even knew she was my mate, so I quickly shifted into my wolf form and ran like hell. Only when I could no longer smell her intoxicating scent did I stop for air.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Bella's POV

I returned home in the early evening hours exhausted from my adventure and still mortified by my behavior. I hoped my mother would still be napping so I could sneak in unnoticed and rid myself of this manly scent all over my body. She had already commented on the fact that I had been moody all week and seemed amused at my discomfort everytime Lucas's name was brought up in casual conversation. To her credit, she hadn't pushed the subject, but I didn't want to give her a reason to start.

I had reached the garden gate by now, but something felt off. My brow furrowed as I realized the cottage lacked its usual sunset glow. Not a single lamp was lit in the windows and no smoke furled from the chimney. My stomach dropped to my shoes as I fumbled with the latch on the gate. I finally freed the lock and bolted up the steps, stumbling only once in my frantic state. When I reached the front door, I flung it open, not even bothering to close it behind me, and began frantically calling out for my mother.

"Mum!" I cried,,my heart threatening to jump out of my rib cage. "Mum!! Are you here?" A lump formed in my throat as panic set in causing my mouth to go dry as a bone. It had been months since her last bout of depression since my father's death, but fear still pooled in the pit of my stomach at the memory of her vacant eyes staring into nothingness and my heart breaking as I pleaded with her to return to me.

I ran into the kitchen and instantly saw a vase of fresh flowers and a note on the table. I snatched up the note and quickly scanned over the contents.

Darling,

I accepted an invitation to join a friend for dinner. I do not know when I shall return, but no need to worry. I'm in good hands.

I smiled knowingly despite the adrenaline rush still pulsing through my veins. I'm sure you are, I thought mischievously. I turned my attention back to the note in my hand.

I left your dinner in the cupboard so you don't have to light a fire. Enjoy an evening to yourself, love. You deserve it. xoxo

I sighed If only she knew how little I deserved at the moment, I thought, feeling a pang of guilt as I recalled my behavior in the forest earlier. I propped my elbows on the table and rested my head in my hands. The panic had faded away but my emotions were still raw and vulnerable, leaving me feeling tired and weak. I was honestly glad my mother wasn't here to see me like this. She had been through enough in recent years, causing a major decline in her health,but she had always been there for me and I, in turn, had tried my best to care for her. If anything ever happened to her, I don't know what I would do.

Stop it!! I shook my head vigorously to remove these dark thoughts from my mind, and resolutely pushed myself away from the table. I decided I was going to enjoy my evening and I'd start by drawing myself a hot bath. I grabbed my supper from the cupboard and headed upstairs.