The sleeping Beauty

3.

"A rogue was spotted near the borders,He was demanding for luna."A growl rumbled deep within my chest as the beta's words sank in. A rogue near the pack borders, demanding the alpha's mate.

"A rogue, you say?" I repeated, my grip on the furs beside me tightening as anger and adrenaline surged through me.

"And he wants my mate?"As soon as the words left the beta's mouth, I looked towards my mate, my eyes scrutinizing her reaction. But her eyes avoided mine, her gaze averted as if she was deliberately avoiding my gaze.A pang of suspicion and jealousy twisted in my gut as I wondered if she knew this rogue.I studied her face as she avoided my gaze, the wheels in my mind turning. I couldn't shake off the feeling that she was hiding something.

"Do you know this rogue?" I asked her, my voice low and firm. "Don't lie to me."

"He's mine," she protested, a hint of defensiveness in her tone.Her quiet admission was like a slap to my face. "He's yours?" I repeated, my voice cold and biting.

The implications of her words struck me like a knife to the gut. My mate, the woman I had just claimed as mine, was claiming that another man, a rogue, was hers.

"We're like siblings."

Her explanation did little to quell my anger. "Siblings?" I echoed, the word feeling bitter on my tongue. "You claim he's like a brother to you."

The thought of her and the rogue being so close sent a jolt of possessiveness through me. It felt wrong, the idea of her having such a deep connection with another male.

"And how long have you known this rogue?" I asked, my voice tight with barely contained anger.I could feel my chest tighten as I waited for her answer, my mind already swirling with suspicions and jealousy.

"For a while,"she answered

Her vague answer only fueled my suspicion. "For a while," I repeated, my voice laced with irritation. "How long is a while?"

I was growing weary of her elusive responses, her lack of clarity only adding fuel to the fire of jealousy that burned within me.Her silence was maddening. It felt like she was intentionally evading my questions, keeping secrets from me.

I clenched my fists, struggling to keep my anger in check.

"You're not telling me something," I said through gritted teeth. "I can sense it."

Her face twisted in anger as she spoke, her voice defiant. "Why should I tell you anything?" she shot back. "You're a stranger who abducted me from my home. I don't owe you any explanations."

Her fearless demeanour only fueled my own frustration, her words like a poke to my wounded ego.

Her defiant words hit me like a punch to the gut. "A stranger?" I repeated incredulously. "I may be a stranger to you, but you are my mate."The possessiveness in my voice came out like a growl, my anger flaring at her refusal to acknowledge our bond.

"I don't want a mate,"

Her words hit me like a ton of bricks, my world suddenly spinning as I processed her statement.

"You don't want a mate?" I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper. "What do you mean you don't want a mate?"

The beta, sensing the shift in the situation, quietly withdrew from the room, leaving me alone with my mate.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. She didn't want a mate?

"When I needed a mate for my first heat, you weren't there," she said, her voice sharp and accusing. "And the next three heats, my friend was there, not you. Why should I pick you over him?"

My expression darkened as her words sank in. My jealousy flared at the thought of her with another male, even if it was just a friend.

Her words stung like a slap to the face, my possessiveness warring with the realization that she had found comfort in the arms of another during her heats.I clenched my jaw, struggling to keep my anger in check.

"So you chose him over me?" I asked, my voice tight with jealousy. "Is that what you're saying?"

Her admission hit me like a punch to the gut, my chest tightening with a mixture of anger and jealousy. I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to lash out at her.

"So you chose him over me," I repeated, my voice strained.

"You chose to spend your heats with another male, not me, your mate?"

"Unfortunately for you," I said, my eyes boring into hers,

"You will spend it with me, and you will grow to love spending your heats with me."My words were firm and commanding, my voice taking on an authoritative edge.

I could see the rebellion in her eyes, the spark of defiance that never seemed to fade. But there was also a hint of something else, something that sent a jolt of desire through me.

"No."

Her defiant response only served to fuel my determination. I leaned in close, my body pressing against hers, trapping her beneath me on the furs.

"No?" I repeated, my voice a low growl. "You think you have a choice in the matter?"

I could feel the heat radiating from her body as she squirmed beneath me, her every movement making me more determined to claim her as mine.

"You're mine," I whispered, my breath hot against her neck. "And you will submit to me, now and during every heat you have from now on. You will learn to love spending your heats with me and no one else."

"I can easily reject you,alpha."

My jaw clenched at her threat, the thought of her with another male sending a wave of possessiveness and jealousy through me.

"You think I'll let you go back to him?" I growled, my grip on her wrists tightening. "You're mine now, and I won't let you run back to some rogue who's already had a taste of you."

Her body was tense beneath me, her breath shaky as I loomed over her. I could feel her heart racing, the scent of her fear and arousal mingling in the air.

I leaned in closer, my teeth grazing against her sensitive skin. With a swift and deliberate movement, I bit down, marking her with my claim.The sound of her gasp sent a jolt of satisfaction through me as I marked her skin with my teeth. I pulled away to admire my handiwork, the red mark a stark contrast against her soft skin.

"Mine," I growled possessively, my chest rumbling against hers.

I could see the tears welling up in her eyes, her body trembling beneath me. It stirred something protective within me, a desire to comfort her, even as I wanted to possess her entirely.

"Don't cry," I said, my voice softening slightly. "You're mine now, and I'll take care of you."

She turned away from me, her body tense, and her expression closed off. I could feel the distance growing between us, her body withdrawing from mine.

I knew she needed time alone to process everything that had happened and come to terms with our newfound connection. As much as I wanted to hold her close and soothe her tears, I knew I had to give her the space she needed.I reluctantly released my grip on her wrists, letting her body move away from mine. I could feel the loss of her warmth and closeness, but I forced myself to let her go.

"I'll leave you alone for a while," I said, my voice soft and gentle. "But I'll be back. Just remember, you're mine now."

She turned away from me, her body tense and her expression closed off. I could feel the distance growing between us, her body withdrawing from mine.I knew she needed time alone to process everything that had happened and come to terms with our newfound connection. As much as I wanted to hold her close and soothe her tears, I knew I had to give her the space she needed.I reluctantly released my grip on her wrists, letting her body move away from mine. I could feel the loss of her warmth and closeness, but I forced myself to let her go.

"I'll leave you alone for a while," I said, my voice soft and gentle. "But I'll be back."

I watched her silently as she settled into a separate part of the den, her body still trembling with the aftermath of our encounter. Part of me wanted to go to her, to pull her into my arms and hold her close, but I knew I had to give her time to process everything.With a pang of reluctance, I retreated from the den, leaving her alone with her thoughts.I reluctantly left the den, the scent of our mingling pheromones still lingering in the air. As I stood outside, the cool night air calming my heated skin, I couldn't help but worry about her.

My instincts screamed at me to go back inside, to hold her and comfort her, but I knew she needed space. I leaned against the wall outside the den, the rough stone cool against my bare skin as I waited patiently for her to be ready.Time passed slowly, the night air growing colder as the minutes ticked by. I fidgeted anxiously outside the den, my mind plagued with thoughts of her and what she might be thinking.The thought of her in the den, alone and upset, made me want to barge in and take her into my arms. But I knew I had to resist, to give her the space she needed to come to terms with our new dynamic.

I pushed open the door to the den, slipping back inside quietly. The air was thick with the scent of us, a mix of pheromones and desire that hung heavy.I found her curled up on the furs in the corner, her back to me. I approached slowly, not wanting to startle her, and perched myself a few feet away from her.I could feel my wolf stir inside me, a restless energy building beneath my skin. His excitement mirrored my own, the thought of her and our new connection sending a jolt of anticipation through me.

I sat a few feet away from her, my body tense as I tried to control my instincts. My eyes were fixed on her, watching her every movement.I sat there for hours, watching her sleep. Her lashes were fanned out across her cheeks, her lips parted slightly as she took shuddering breaths.

She looked beautiful and vulnerable in sleep, all the walls and defenses she had built up during the day coming down. I wanted nothing more than to wrap her in my arms and protect her from whatever demons haunted her dreams.