Forbidden Mate

Chapter 8

We must have been diving for at least an hour the city has blurred past. I have no idea where we are now. All I can see are the trees becoming denser and the itch to get out and run is becoming unbearable. 

"5 more minutes and you can run" Alaric croons. Just his voice is enough to calm my wolf for a few more minutes. 

"Thanks, had you not got there goddess knows what would've happened" he doesn't say a word just nods. 

We pull into a small lay-by and as soon as the car is parked I'm out and behind a hedge. 

"Thanks for letting me borrow this" I say, throwing back his jacket. I let my wolf forward and shift. 

"It's not  problem Princess" 

I trot out from behind the hedge and nuzzle into his leg before taking off at full speed. To my surprise he is able to keep up pretty well even in his tight fitting suit. 

I can't stop my wolf from checking him out. I mean really even my wolf finds him attractive. After running a few miles I stop at a river and take a few laps of water before curling up and laying my head on my paws. 

Alaric sits next to me and scratches my head between my ears. Before I know what I am doing I'm laying my wolf head on his lap and turned over showing him my belly. He takes that as his cue to give me a belly rub. 

Since when did my wolf turn into a sap. She has never been like this before. It must have something to do with his being there for me earlier. We just stay like that, no talking, just sitting and a couple of belly rubs for me. Which feels amazing. I never get any attention like this in wolf form. I leap up and jump up and down heading into the river when I'm deep enough my wolf pulls back and I shift into my human form. As I stand I realise the water level is a little lower than expected. Alaric isn't where he was sitting moments ago. I turn around to find those cobalt blue eyes staring into mine. He stood in the river shirtless!! Facing me. 

"Why am I so fascinated by you Aria? I feel a pull to you, a need to protect you." I step back to put some space between us. I raise my arms to cover my chest. "Yet I look into your eyes and it's like there is something hiding"

"I..I..I don't know what you mean" I lie. 

"I think you do in all my years the only time I have ever seen a wolf act like that is" 

"Don't" I cut him off "I'm sure it's because of my mark and the fact I'm the future queen on the shifters and it's my first mission you feel protective" I'm not convinced by what I have said. 

"Maybe, well it's getting late and we have a big day tomorrow meeting the french council". I allow him to leave the river and admire the view. I hadn't noticed he had stripped down to his black tight fitting boxers to enter the river. He obviously can feel my eyes on him with a smug smile on his face. "Like what you see Princess" I blush and force my wolf forward and shift. I exit the water and shake. And the traitor that my wolf is goes and nuzzles into his leg again. "I don't think you and your other half are on the same page,'' he says kneeling down looking into my wolf eyes and she shakes her head, like the traitor she is. She then has the audacity to lick his face, gaining her a wide smile. "Come on let's get back to the hotel" 

Once back at the car he drapes his jacket over me again to shift. 

"What have you done to my wolf" I scold "she has never acted like this with anyone. I swear if you have mesmerised her I will kill you" 

I see anger flash in his eyes "Okay, one I can't mesmerise shifters in their shifted form, secondly you have something on your eyes stopping any mesmerising and thirdly you can't mesmerise a royal there powers are too great. So little girl watch your mouth and remember who you are talking to" 

"Don't you dare talk to me like a child" I growl back "Argh" I scream there is so much pain and heat searing through my body. 

"Princess talk to me what's wrong" I can hear the concern in his voice. 

"It hurts" 

"What does" 

"Everything, it's hot" 

"s**t have you met your mate?" 

"No, why?" I scream. 

"You have gone into heat. I need to get you to the hotel now. The only person who could ease this got you is your mate" with that he picks me up. I feel some relief as he carries me but it's all over as he throws me into the car.

"F##k, …….. smell…….good" I can't hear what he is saying just catching bits. The pain and heat I feel is unbearable. 

I feel the aircon blowing out cool air but it does nothing for the heat surging through my body. I can't focus on anything other than the words ice and 10 minutes. I feel my head spinning everything is in and out of focus. 

"Aria look at me" Alaric says cradling my face. "Listen to me Princess, I have to carry you upstairs as quickly as possible to stop others from scenting you" I say no words and just nod. All I know is his touch eases my pain "I will have to leave you in your room alone. You have to lock the door, do you understand" I nod again. I really don't want to be left alone.