Chapter 3
1265 Words
His look of inquiry broke my trance. He had said something, expecting a response but I had been staring at his perfect face for a fraction too long. At the back of my mind, I was aware of a slight discomfort in my back region due to the force with which he had slammed into me, and I felt his breath fan my face.
I attempted to put some distance between us. As if anticipating my move, he placed both hands on either side of me, effectively pinning me to the wall. I wanted to struggle, but I felt the power slowly being drained out of me.
I couldn't tell if this was because I was weak from the stress, or if his Alpha wolf was dominating mine.
I hadn't really paid much attention to details about mates, believing I would never have one. I had secretly mocked those who had been mated to each other. Why did my world have to revolve around one person? Why did I have to feel love when love was pain?
I had to admit to myself though that sometimes I had felt I was missing out on something important when I saw how those who had been mated looked at each other as if they were dying of thirst and their partner was the only oasis in the desert. I had seen that expression on the faces of my parents.
I closed my eyes, shutting out his perfect image as I struggled with myself.
I sensed him leaning in even closer. My eyes flew open. I felt a deep blush rising all the way up from my breasts to my face.
My eyes locked with his. Summoning all my self-control, I managed not to look away. I thought he was going to kiss me and my heart beat faster. I fought against a feeling of anticipation-a battle I was fast losing. My heart did somersaults in the turbulence of his gaze. An impulse made me want to close the remaining distance between us, reach out and touch him so I stood as taut as a violin string.
His lips suddenly changed direction.
"Eleanor," he said, whispering in my ear. The warm caress of his breath against my ear made me shiver involuntarily. A moan of pleasure almost escaped my lips.
I bit my tongue hard enough to taste blood. "I don't care if you're the Alpha of your pack, a Beta, an Omega, or whatever. The most important thing is you are my mate. There is no disputing that fact. You are my mate and nothing else matters."
I struggled again, trying to free myself. I was surprised when I was able to slip out of his grasp. He could have continued restraining me if he wanted to but had let me go.
Slowly, I walked to the other side of the room. I wanted to put some physical distance between us. That would enable me to think clearly. I tried not to be too obvious about it. I would not give him the satisfaction of knowing how his closeness affected me. I faced the wall, taking several deep breaths to calm myself, then I turned back to him.
"Who are you? Where exactly am I? How did I get here?" I shot at him.
There was no response. He stood there, leaning against the wall, arms crossed on his chest, looking at me possessively like I was his property.
I let the silence linger. I used the opportunity to ogle him. I couldn't help it. He was the most beautiful male specimen I had ever seen.
He straightened and ran his fingers through his dark, ruffled hair. I could see the muscles ripple under the tight tee shirt he wore.
"And about what you said earlier. I'm not your. . . mate." I spat it out like it was a dirty word. "You are definitely mistaken."
He regarded me, obviously annoyed. His eyes turned gold, and an almost imperceptible shiver ran through his frame. Almost too fast for my eyes to keep up, his shape blurred from human to wolf and back again.
I stared back at him, studying the conflicting play of emotions flitting across his handsome face.
Yes, he is very handsome. Kiara said through our mind link. And hot.
I exhaled, shutting her away from my mind even though I knew she was right.
All through my confrontation with this man, I had been aware of Kiara's approval of him and her desire to submit.
I frowned, annoyed at her, at myself. Kiara and I agreed on most issues, but she wouldn't have her way with this one.
He's our mate, Eleanor. Stop fighting it. It only makes it difficult.
In my mind, Kiara projected a picture of those last few moments of him close to me, highlighting my body's traitorous response to him.
I flinched. She fell silent, smug.
"Eleanor" I blinked, looking away from him as he spoke again, pointing to the tray of food still on the table. "I'm guessing you are not interested in eating that. You probably want something more…filling. Come downstairs and eat immediately."
Angrily, I looked at him. He had completely ignored my rejection of him. He was so bossy. I knew he might be used to having his way as an Alpha who seemed more stubborn than most.
I stood up straighter and crossed my arms across my chest in defiance.
"I am not hungry." As if to refute this statement, my stomach rumbled. I hoped with all my heart that he hadn't heard it. I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of guessing right. He had probably heard it too as his reflexes seemed quicker and more fluid than other werewolves I had met.
"It doesn't seem that way." He noted and I winced. He heard that!
"How am I in my human form? After the fall, I do not remember transforming. In fact, I do not remember much of anything- just waking up here."
Tensed, I clenched my hands, scrunching up my dress. The feel of the material wasn't familiar. I looked down at myself and gasped. I was wearing a new dress.
In my preoccupation with this man, I hadn't noticed what I was wearing. My eyes narrowed as the implication of this hit me.
"While we're on the subject, who changed my dress? Was it the Omega?" I nodded my head in the direction of the door. "Or was it you?" My voice rose on the last word.
He chuckled. I gritted my teeth. I didn't want to be the object of his amusement. I wanted to annoy the hell out of him so he could send me back home. I was beginning to think marrying William was not such a bad idea compared to this. At least if I married William, I would have the satisfaction of knowing that I didn't and couldn't love him.
"It doesn't matter if you changed your dress or not," he pointed out, turning his back on me and making his way to the door. "You're my mate and I can do whatever I want with you. . .and to you."
I gasped at the innuendo in his words. I was sure there was another meaning to what he said and Kiara projecting a fantasy in my mind wasn't helping either.
His head suddenly whipped in my direction. His eyes were cold and fierce as he glared at me.
"Come downstairs in five minutes, or I'll come to carry you down myself, Eleanor." He snarled.
- Writer
