《Fated Match》 Chapter One Holly I glance up at the towering building, but all I feel is a mix of stress and jitters. In the small town of Divinity, things have gotten a little crazy over the years. Wolves haven¡¯t been able to find their mates, but neither have any of the other paranormals, either. To tell you the truth, I place the blame on the fact we came out to humans two hundred years ago. Once that cat was out of the bag, it seems like our matings have declined and so have our ranks. Not only that, there are so many more out there that are a mix of the two, supernatural and human, which isn¡¯t really a big deal, except for the lack of finding mates. You¡¯d think with a surplus of people and more options we would be flourishing, not struggling. As for me, I¡¯m a werewolf from one of the largest packs in the world called Silver Bane. Yet I can¡¯t seem to find my mate in this city and it¡¯s driving me crazy. My two best friends told me about this place and I¡¯m hesitant. It¡¯s called Love Bytes and their motto is that if they can¡¯t find your mate, then no one can. I asked how they tracked everyone, but apparently you have to put your application in and they match you with the best one. So far, in the last two years, they¡¯ve made two hundred matches just around this area and plan to expand into other towns to help supernaturals. I think they¡¯re just a little on the crazy side and their slogan is too cheesy. A ragged breath escapes my chest and I slowly head up the concrete steps toward the double glass doors. Once I enter through, I know my world is going to change. And even though I¡¯m excited, I¡¯m scared out of my wits. My gaze moves down to the trembling papers clutched in my hand and I force myself to keep moving toward the doors, though I feel like a bundle of nerves inside. All I have to do is keep moving toward my future, but it¡¯s so hard to do so when I¡¯m this nervous. You really should move faster. No wonder we don¡¯t have a mate. You are as slow as a snail. Do you think snails get mates? I choke back a laugh. My poor wolf has been hounding me to find our mate by any means possible, including doing this, which seems so stupid. Though I prefer finding a mate the old-fashioned way, I know that it¡¯s not happening. I¡¯ve already waited seventy years and I could wait even more years, but I don¡¯t really want to. Maybe it¡¯s crazy. Yet I know deep in my gut that finding a mate is near impossible now that we are mixed with humans. I¡¯d have to go to every city possible. At least this way, I can get matched with my best options and go from there. It cuts out some of the legwork. I reach for the door, my free hand slightly brushing against the cool metal before I squeeze it tight and pull. The door comes open easily, allowing me to slip inside. A blast of cold air hits me in the face, causing me to jump. I look up, only to find a vent right inside the door. ¡°Crazy placement.¡± I finally glance back in front of me, only to find a tiny woman standing behind the counter. She probably isn¡¯t even five feet tall and looks fragile. Her dark brown eyes bore a hole straight through me. I walk toward her, still clutching the application in my left hand. She glances down, already suspecting what I¡¯m coming here for. When I reach the counter, I place the application down on the white marble top. ¡°I¡¯m here for -¡± She cuts me off automatically. ¡°I know what you are here for. You want to see the matchmaker, though you look like a trembling leaf. It¡¯s not that bad. That much I can promise you.¡± ¡°The who?¡± To be honest, I thought they just took the application and were done with it. I never thought they had someone up there making matches like a glorified consultant who thinks they are directly linked to fate. No one but fate can do this. Even if I meet someone nice, unless she says yes, I may have them for a time, then nothing will work until fate grants me my fated match. Her knowing grin grows wider. ¡°Let me take you to her.¡± I watch her as she gathers my application with something else from beneath her desk. She makes quick work of everything before coming around to the left side. ¡°Follow me.¡± As she heads for the stairs, I notice the glass they¡¯ve used as some sort of railing. It makes me nervous and feel a little less safe because I can see the floor as we climb higher and higher. ¡°So, do you know why so many of your pack are searching for mates? I thought you all met at least once a month for some kind of run? Surely, there are plenty of choices for you all. There are so many,¡± she says with a laugh. ¡°Silver Bane is a large pack, but that does not mean we are all fated matches.¡± She barely glances over her shoulder as we top the stairs and head to the left. ¡°Seems like you all have become lonely creatures since coming out to the humans. Vampires don¡¯t have such issues.¡± ¡°Vampires are different from us. But yes, wolves have fallen apart. Now that humans know about us and we have spread out, it seems like the way we used to do things just doesn¡¯t work anymore. Some have found mates within humans, fortunately, but not all. Times are changing so fast and we¡¯re becoming less like the pack animals we are meant to be.¡± She nods and shows me the door to the matchmaker¡¯s office. ¡°Oh, look at that. We have made it. Now, this is pretty easy. She just goes over your application and enters everything into our database. After this, you can expect to hear from your true love soon.¡± I roll my eyes at her words. It all sounds ridiculous to me. ¡°We will see.¡± This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. She opens the door slowly, and when I enter the room, I instantly regret ever coming here. The entire room is pink. Almost like bubble gum. She has flowing white curtains hung over her office window, which look weird considering they are all glass. There is only a little piece of wall between each window. Then my eyes drift to the left. There is a rather large painting hanging on it with swirling colors that makes me wonder if the seventies were her favorite time period. When she turns her chair, her smile widens as her eyes land on me. Yes, instant regret. I miss the old days when the packs gathered, and we met our mates that way. I know those times are long gone, but this is the craziest thing I have ever seen. But if I don¡¯t do this, I know it may take hundreds of years to find one. I don¡¯t want to do that at all or wait any longer than I have. ¡°Is that all?¡± I hear a very male¡¯s voice say from somewhere in the room. And that is when I see our alpha sitting right in front of her. While taking in the dazzling and overstimulating room, I had missed him. There is a burning feeling inside of me, yet I struggle to comprehend why I have it or what it even is. Why am I doing this now? What is this feeling? Then he turns around to where I can see him. His dark green eyes meet mine and I nearly faint from the eye contact. This is not my normal reaction ever and I have never once felt this way about him. The woman from downstairs excuses herself to go back to the front desk while I stand there awkwardly gawking at him. ¡°Rex,¡± I whisper. He finally stands from the chair and thanks the woman for her time. ¡°I better be going.¡± As Rex walks toward me, my heart thuds loudly in my chest, making me fear it might pound its way out. He walks by with the faintest brush against my shoulder and my wolf howls with delight. I stand there for a second, gathering myself. Rex and I have a very complicated past. His father has known my mother since they were kids, but they¡¯re also in the same pack, so why wouldn¡¯t they? Anyway, they grew up and got mated, just not to each other. When their chosen mates died, they found solace in each other. Rex and I were both over eighteen, but not quite nineteen yet. So both adults when our parents mated. It only lasted about five years before that fell apart. The sad part about this is Rex and I were friends before our parents got together. We always had fun, too. When they mated, it made things awkward between us and then when they split, it has just gotten worse, especially since he has taken over as alpha for the last forty years. ¡°What a weird one,¡± the woman says. ¡°Hi honey, you can come in. The big bad scary alpha is gone.¡± Shaking my head, I clear my thoughts and turn back to her. ¡°Sorry. Rex is a bit to handle, but he¡¯s a very nice guy. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll find someone great for him.¡± She smiles sheepishly. ¡°Oh, boy. From your lips to fate¡¯s ears. He scares me. Anyway, let¡¯s get this started.¡± The woman stands and comes from around her desk. It¡¯s then I realize she doesn¡¯t have my papers, but I don¡¯t know where the assistant has gone. She quickly reaches outside her door and finds my papers in the slot that is attached to it. ¡°Come on in. This won¡¯t take long.¡± As she shuts the door behind us, I walk to the chair in front of her desk and ease myself into it. It still has his scent, which is driving me crazy. She begins by telling me her name, then going over my application. The hard part is answering what I want from a man and what is my list of what I won¡¯t accept. It¡¯s fairly easy, but I feel like this may never end. Then, like it started, it¡¯s all over. I tried to answer the best I could, yet I feel like my request is too hard. Is it really that simple? Will she find love for me? Can she? What if what I want doesn¡¯t even exist? I reach up to rub my forehead out of frustration. ¡°Are you sure about this, Valerie?¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯m positive and I don¡¯t think it¡¯s going to take too long at all to find what you are looking for.¡± She scrolls through her computer with ease and a cocky grin. ¡°Now, you will need to download our communications app onto your phone and it will show you all of your matches that I have selected for you. Feel free to turn them down or accept. Dates are up to you and what you two decide. Do not feel obligated just because I picked them for you. Sometimes I can get it wrong, but that is rare. Still, I want to lay that out so you know the freedom to choose is yours.¡± I find my phone in my back pocket and download their communications app called Love Bytes before hastily shoving it back. ¡°Thanks. I have it now.¡± The door opens behind me, so I cast a quick glance, only to find the woman from downstairs standing there with another woman. ¡°Miss Valerie, it¡¯s been an hour and the next appointment is here.¡± ¡°Thank you, darling. Send them right in.¡± Her gaze sweeps across the room, then she looks at me. ¡°And thank you, Holly. I think you are going to be just fine.¡± ¡°Awesome.¡± I rise from the chair and turn to leave.¡± ¡°You should get your matches in the next hour,¡± she states.¡± I laugh and shake my head as I reach the door. ¡°Hopefully, you will surprise me.¡± I breathe out a sigh of relief as I walk back down the hallway from before. The woman from downstairs catches up to me quickly, her curly locks bouncing as she lightly jogs. ¡°So how did it go?¡± ¡°I think it went well. She said I¡¯ll have matches in an hour so maybe I¡¯m not that hard to figure out.¡± We head to the right and down the stairs. I keep a hold of the purse at my side and think of what is about to happen. ¡°Is it really that simple?¡± I ask as we reach the bottom. She nods. ¡°It is. Valerie is good at her job and honestly, all two hundred matches made have been her doing. No one else has been able to do it.¡± I roll my eyes and don¡¯t feel too surprised. ¡°Is there anything else I can help you with today?¡± She asks as she comes to a stop. I glance down at the floor, shaking my head. ¡°No, this will be all. Thank you for your help.¡± As I walk off, she calls something out behind me, but I don¡¯t quite hear her. I turn slowly, my eyes locking with hers. ¡°What did you say?¡± ¡°I said good luck.¡± My gaze moves to the side before returning to her. ¡°Thank you -¡± That¡¯s when I realize I never got her name. ¡°Sam. My name is Sam.¡± I give her a curt nod, thanking her, before turning around to leave. ¡°Good luck, Sam. May you have luck with your endeavors.¡± She only laughs. ¡°You¡¯ll never catch me turning in my application to find a mate. Wooo, I don¡¯t know that I want one of those.¡± As I open the door, it strikes me as odd she¡¯d work at a place like this when she doesn¡¯t even want to find a mate. She¡¯s gorgeous and seems really sweet, so I don¡¯t see why she wouldn¡¯t if she¡¯s having problems finding one. ¡°So odd.¡± I reach into my back pocket as it vibrates, but then decide to check it later. When I get home, I can look and see who she has lined up for me. Hopefully, everything goes smoothly for once, but I don¡¯t know how things will be. As I step back down onto the flat concrete sidewalk in front of the old brick building, I look to my left. Something in that direction is pulling me that way, but as I scan the crowds walking down the street, I don¡¯t know what or who it could be. It¡¯s not like I recognize every single face I see and there¡¯s not really anything in that direction that captures my attention. ¡°This is such a weird day.¡± Instead of turning left like my wolf wants, I turn right and head home, back to my apartment. But the feeling of being watched remains. Chapter Two Rex Seeing her again feels surreal. It¡¯s like a dream I never want to wake from, but yet I have to pull myself away from her before I do something stupid. Like mark her in the office where I just applied to find love. Honestly, my wolf sensed her before I saw her and I didn¡¯t even know what I was really sensing, either. Not until I turned around and saw her standing there. It¡¯s been years since I laid eyes on her and the burning in my chest is unnatural. I¡¯ve never felt this way, and I was around her plenty back years ago. I wait outside for the longest, only to see her coming out smiling about an hour later. Mumbling under my breath, I move to a more shadowed area and watch her. My wolf is enthralled with her and I¡¯ve never once acted like this around another female. Not even her. Nothing has ever clicked for us, but now I¡¯m starting to wonder what is going on and why now. Holly¡¯s steps quicken down the sidewalk, away from me. Though she is scanning her surroundings, she hasn¡¯t seen me that I know of. The more I watch her, the more my sanity slips out. Oh, I have to get closer. She reaches the corner of the street and only then do I emerge from my hiding place. After she disappears around the corner, I become even faster. No, I can¡¯t lose her. Used to, I could tell you exactly where every single wolf of this pack lived, but with our new direction, we are no longer as close. It¡¯s sad and I miss the old ways, but change is always necessary. As the alpha of this territory, I really should know where each and every single one of them lives, but I¡¯m far too slack for that. I¡¯ve just let them live their lives because there has been no need to rule with an iron fist. I turn the corner, only to find her not too far ahead. A sigh of relief escapes my lips, knowing that I haven¡¯t lost her. Suddenly, she walks faster, hurrying along. I continue to follow her at a distance, but it¡¯s almost as if she senses someone watching her from afar. The streets become sparser, making it easier to see me. I try to stick to the shadows, but I know my hiding spots are not that great. It¡¯s still daylight out and hanging close to the walls only shrouds my features for the most part. Anyone could still see me standing there, or at least a figure. She keeps walking and seems to almost be at a run, but keeps it right under. I pick up my pace and hope that I can see where she lives soon. The further we go, the business district fades and soon it transitions to apartment buildings. Even from here, I can see her tightening her grip on her purse, her head turning to the right. That must be her building. It¡¯s a newer building with long glass windows facing the streets in every apartment. With the sun now sinking below the horizon, the sky transforms into swirling reds and purples. Her speed quickens, and she quickly darts toward her building, running up the concrete steps. Once she disappears behind the two glass doors, I finally slow down and stop at the edge of her building. It¡¯s not like she can hide from me. Not when she is in there and I have seen where she has gone. I glance up, trying to find which apartment is hers. And then that is when I see it. One window lightens up as someone flicks on a switch. ¡°There you are, precious. There you are.¡± She¡¯s on the third floor, about three from the right. I watch for her silhouette, my eyes glued to the window and a few minutes pass before she goes right by it. ¡°Definitely you.¡± While watching her, I have missed the clouds rolling in, and it starts to sprinkle. I really should leave now, but I¡¯m too enthralled to do anything but stand here, looking up at her window. Even as the rain pelts down harder, soaking my hair and clothes, my gaze remains locked on the window. My mind is a whirlwind of thoughts, making me want to take action. Slowly, I move toward the building, my fingers latching onto the old rough brick. I look up at her window once more, wondering how hard it will be to go through. Then a sneaky grin crosses my face. Brick after brick, I scale the brick wall and head right for her window. It takes a little maneuvering to get it right, but eventually, I get the hang of it and go past the first floor. Then I haul myself up above the windows of the second floor. Right as I¡¯m about to go for her window, it creaks open and I can¡¯t help the smile spreading across my face. This is too perfect. Sadly, the lights turn off and I¡¯m left puzzled as I hang off the side of the building. I wait a few seconds, listening for her footsteps, but don¡¯t hear any. ¡°Oh, I sure hope this is your apartment.¡± A wicked smile spreads across my face as I reach up and grasp the ledge, hauling myself up and then pushing the window open fully. The room is dark, but that doesn¡¯t matter. I scan my surroundings, admiring her living room and kitchen. It¡¯s cute and looks just like her. There isn¡¯t a lot to it, and it¡¯s mostly space, which makes me wonder if she¡¯s struggling any in the slightest. If she is, why don¡¯t I know about it? A low growl rumbles in my chest as my fingers temporarily shift between forms, causing me to panic and try to shove it down. Now is not the best time for me to shift at all. I look around again, noticing a dim light coming from one of the rooms to the left. The door is partially cracked, allowing the golden light of a lamp to spill out into the small hallway. Then I hear her footsteps. My eyes dart toward the crack in the door, watching for her to walk by. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. ¡°There you are, darling.¡± I stroll toward the door, knowing that I¡¯m dripping water all over her wooden floors. But I don¡¯t care. I want her and have to see her again. I push the door open, scanning her bedroom and then I find her sitting on the edge of the bed with her back facing me. She¡¯s looking down at something in her hands. Right then, my phone vibrates, but I ignore it. It¡¯s probably the results from my match making anyway and right now, I don¡¯t know that I¡¯m going to need them. Slowly, she turns to cast a glance over her shoulder, only to become horrified when her eyes land on my dripping wet form. ¡°Rex, what are you doing here? How did you get in here?¡± ¡°Holly, do you really think you need a matchmaker?¡± Her face scrunches with confusion as her eyes trace over every single inch of me. ¡°Excuse me? Who are you to say what I can or can¡¯t do? You were in there too, mister. We¡¯re not -¡± I close the distance between us, my finger going up to her lips to silence her. No, we¡¯re not like we once were. We were childhood friends who grew up to be almost too close, yet not dating. About the time that I realized I was interested in her, our parents decided they were interested in each other. We were just eighteen, and I knew we had all the time in the world, but it hurt when that happened. Sadly, we never felt sparks either, so I wasn¡¯t even sure what I wanted to do would work, so I let it go. Of course, it also caused our friendship to slowly disintegrate into what it is today. Barely anything. She yanks her face away from my finger and bats my hand away. ¡°You aren¡¯t one to talk, Rex. Times are hard and we need mates. There is nothing wrong with me finding someone like this.¡± I chuckle under my breath and look away before I do something stupid. ¡°How would you know what I did? I could have just been there to talk to Valerie. I am the alpha and quite nosey, in case you have forgotten.¡± Suddenly, her phone dings, and she looks down. Once her eyes land on the screen, she nearly chokes on her own saliva. ¡°You can¡¯t be,¡± she whispers. I yank my phone out of my back pocket, thinking it¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m thinking. Once my eyes land on the app, I realize that she and I are a match. ¡°You and me?¡± I ask, my voice low and deep, out of pure satisfaction at this turn of events. Though I dismissed my interest as nothing but a fantasy all those years ago, it never crossed my mind that we might just be a match. Is that what is driving me now? My wolf has known and held off. Told you, idiot. I loved her then and now it¡¯s finally time. There might be something there that wasn¡¯t there before. Holly jumps up from the bed, clad in only a lacy pink tank top and a pair of long white pajama bottoms. She moves away from me quickly, her hand still on the phone. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Rex. We know that we can¡¯t be, so I¡¯ll just deny the match and move on. It¡¯s not like I don¡¯t have four or five other matches, anyway.¡± That is all it takes for my wolf to lose it. Before I can control him, I close the distance between us and snatch her phone from her hand. ¡°Hey!¡± She screeches at the top of her lungs. ¡°Give that back.¡± I hold it out of reach until I can move away and look for myself. Sure enough, there are others, but I¡¯m the first. I deny all the others and leave myself as her only match. ¡°Just hush for a second and I¡¯ll give it back,¡± I say calmly. It¡¯s taking everything in me not to laugh like a mad scientist who just woke Frankenstein because I know what I¡¯ve done. This woman is going to be mine. I don¡¯t even care if I¡¯m acting like a possessive caveman. I¡¯ve waited seventy years for her and I¡¯m not letting grass grow under my feet. My eyes move down the screen, wondering if more matches will be sent to her by Valerie. She¡¯s probably on the other side, watching all the denials. Oh, well. ¡°None of these men will do.¡± When I turn around and hand her phone back, she frantically searches through it and her face falls. ¡°Why did you deny everyone but you?¡± ¡°Because there is no other man meant for you except me.¡± Her mouth falls open in disbelief. ¡°But we aren¡¯t really a match. There has to be some kind of mistake. You and I just can¡¯t be.¡± ¡°And why can¡¯t we be, Holly?¡± I ask as I take one imposing step forward, my boot leaving behind a wet footprint behind and making another. ¡°Valerie thinks differently. She sees what we¡¯ve denied ourselves.¡± When I¡¯m in front of her, I long to wrap my arm around her and pull her close, but refrain since I¡¯m still dripping wet. ¡°You and I can¡¯t be, Rex. Not after -¡± I reach up and plant one long finger across her lips. ¡°I¡¯ll make you a deal. Give me four weeks to win you over. If I can¡¯t, then you can tell her what I¡¯ve done and get those matches back. Plus, I know those men. They aren¡¯t what you are looking for.¡± ¡°And just how do you know what I want?¡± She asks, mumbling behind my finger. I lean down and place my lips against the shell of her ear. ¡°I know you better than anyone else, Holly.¡± She jerks back; her face flushed from frustration. ¡°Who says you are any different from those other men? Maybe I¡¯d like them better.¡± ¡°Me. I say I¡¯m different from them and you wouldn¡¯t like them. They just want to play around and you¡¯re not like that.¡± She rolls her eyes as her arms across her chest. ¡°No, I don¡¯t want just a fun time. I want to be serious, but I¡¯m not accepting this deal. It¡¯s not like you can really stop me from rejecting you as well. I already have their names and numbers, anyway.¡± If she really thinks she is getting with one of those men, I¡¯m going to murder every single one of them while they sleep. You will find their addresses for me so we can roll in their blood. I choke as I hear my wolf¡¯s words. He¡¯s always been vicious, but this is something else entirely. It sounds like the possessiveness of a wolf who has found their fated mate. And then my eyes widen. This has to be it. There is no other reason for my actions besides fate. A sly grin crosses my face. ¡°You can just keep thinking that, doll. I¡¯ll show you what I¡¯m capable of. If you don¡¯t love me in four weeks, then I¡¯m going to continue to be the most annoying thorn in that sweet little backside. I will even force your shift and you will run with my wolf. He can convince you if the man can¡¯t. But I will warn you, if you leave it up to him, he might claim you on the run.¡± She swallows hard; her face a mask of expressions. ¡°So I either date you or I don¡¯t and you won¡¯t leave me alone? Is that what I¡¯m hearing?¡± I nod after hearing her words. ¡°Yes, but I can promise you that you will never regret my offer. You want certainty and someone serious. Well, that I can give you.¡± ¡°But we were-¡± I laugh under my breath, cutting her off. She¡¯s bringing up our parent¡¯s situation again. ¡°Holly, our parents were only married and mated for a few years. We were both eighteen when that happened. It¡¯s not like we grew up in the same house or even lived with each other. Come on. That was years ago.¡± ¡°Still,¡± she whispers. ¡°We said we were a family for a while. It just feels weird. Don¡¯t you think we¡¯ll get stared at and they¡¯ll think it¡¯s weird?¡± I look around her room and out the door. ¡°Who are they? It¡¯s not like the pack is as close as it used to be and what does it matter? You and I were at college, living on campus. We weren¡¯t even there.¡± She slowly looks up and I can see the determination in her gaze. But her wolf is calling to me and I won¡¯t deny the attraction. ¡°Seriously, Holly. What do you have to lose? All I will do is irritate you and ruin all your dates or you just jump straight to being with me. With me, you don¡¯t have to run through guys. It¡¯s only me.¡± ¡°You are the most irritating man I have ever met. No, I¡¯m not doing this. Get out of my apartment and go home.¡± That¡¯s when she looks around and at the floor, noticing how wet the carpet is. ¡°Wait. How did you get into my apartment? I locked the door.¡± ¡°Through the window,¡± I mumble. Her lips part in surprise. ¡°I should have guessed. You have always been a little crazy. Now, get out and this time, take the stairs instead of scaling the side of the building like a madman. You are a wolf, not a monkey. Plus, the humans were probably watching and you know how some feel about us.¡± Drool pools in my mouth as she moves to sit back on the bed, her tank rising just enough I can see a strip of bare skin. When I fail to move, she looks back up at me, still clutching that phone in her hand like it is her lifeline. ¡°I¡¯m serious, Rex. You do not control me or what I do. I will not be done that way.¡± I stalk toward her again, closing the gap once more. Once I lean down and within mere inches of her face, I smile. ¡°You have until tomorrow to answer me, sweetheart.¡± She reaches up, pushing me away with both hands before standing and pushing me out entirely. ¡°I¡¯ll think about it.¡± And just like that, her bedroom door slams in front of my face. Chapter Three Holly It takes a few minutes before he leaves and slams my front door. I walk into the living room, my footsteps quiet and slow. My gaze lingers on the door with its faded paint and chipped exterior. I can¡¯t believe what he has asked me to do. We haven¡¯t seen each other this year nor in the last few years. The last time I saw him was maybe five years ago during a pack run. It doesn¡¯t even matter that our pack gets together once a month for the full moon. We still rarely see each other because it¡¯s so large and everyone has their own clicks. I sigh as I realize he¡¯s slightly insane. The man scaled the side of my apartment building just to see me. But now, after years of no contact, he wants to sabotage my chances of finding love. Well, only if it isn¡¯t with him. I seriously think he has some kind of revenge planned because of what happened between our parents all those years ago. Maybe that is it. It definitely would make more sense than him being in love with me. His laughter echoes from the other side of the door and my eyes flick toward it, snarling and growling. ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± He mumbles something, but I dismiss it and storm toward my bedroom. If he believes that he can pull something like this on me, then he is mistaken. I¡¯m going on dates and I¡¯m going on lots of them. He can¡¯t stop me. I laugh to myself as I find the app again and look through everyone she sent me. It¡¯s refreshing and there they are. ¡°If you think you can stop me, Rex, then you have another thing coming.¡± Instead of clearing them off like my wolf wants me to, I click accept on the first one. It doesn¡¯t take about three seconds before a message comes through from him. He¡¯s asking to meet in about an hour just down the street from me at some little quaint taco joint. With a sneaky grin, I send him a message right away that I¡¯ll be there, then drop my phone to the bed. I walk toward my closet, shrugging off the pink tank and white pajama bottoms, leaving them on the floor. After I¡¯m in there, I look through all of my outfits, searching for the perfect one that will rile Rex. Well, that is, if he notices or sees. The first thing my eyes land on is a pretty little pink number. It¡¯s a shorter dress, more meant for a club. One of the girls talked me into getting it and I couldn¡¯t say no, but I¡¯ve never worn it. Not until now. It has spaghetti straps and will probably hit me mid-thigh, which is perfect for me. Coverage, but flirty. I rush to slip it on, securing it and making sure I look decent. Once I¡¯m ready, I head back into my room and start getting my purse ready. Then snatch my phone from the bed and put it into my purse as well. I breathe a sigh of relief as I finish pulling it all together before grabbing my matching heels. It doesn¡¯t take me but another minute before I¡¯m at my door and swinging it open. Fortunately for me, Rex isn¡¯t there. I laugh to myself, figuring he¡¯s given up and probably moved on already. There is no way he was serious about us. Without wasting time, I tiptoe down the hallway and try to make sure that my heels don¡¯t click against the tile. It¡¯s like I¡¯m afraid to make any noise because it might just summon him. And then what am I going to do? Luckily, I make it to the foyer and exit the building without a problem. He¡¯s nowhere in sight so I¡¯m a free wolf. I rush down the street, my heels clicking like mad as I hurry. I arrive at the little taco joint with ease and see my date just up ahead. He¡¯s a cute man with curly brown hair piled on top of his head. There are a few sparse freckles across his nose. That isn¡¯t mentioning that he¡¯s tall and built like most of the other males. Impressively large. ¡°Holly?¡± He asks as he grins, revealing two rows of pearly whites. ¡°Yes, that is me. You must be Jake.¡± I reach out my hand and barely take his when his smile falls. His eyes dart above my head and I have this feeling someone is standing right behind me. ¡°Alpha Rex,¡± he says in a whisper. My heart sinks into my chest as I realize what just happened. I turn slowly, only to find Rex within a foot of me. ¡°What are you doing here? Why do you just keep showing up like this?¡± ¡°I have a reservation for Speedy Tacos. It¡¯s so nice of you to dress up for our date, but what is your hand doing on that mongrel¡¯s hand? Haven¡¯t I told you baby not to touch things that should be in the garbage can? Once they are thrown out, they just aren¡¯t good.¡± His eyes lift to meet Jake¡¯s with a devilish grin on his face. I turn back around, only for Jake to jerk his hand away and take a few steps back. ¡°Sorry, alpha. I didn¡¯t realize she was yours.¡± ¡°We¡¯re not together. He¡¯s just being a pain in my backside. Please, believe me.¡± But I can tell that it is useless. Rex has ruined my date, and he plans on ruining it further. He wraps one muscular arm around my middle and yanks me back against his chest. A deep rumbling vibrates against my back, bringing my wolf to life. She nearly purrs with satisfaction from the touching. ¡°Sorry, Jake. This little wolf agreed to be with me and must have hit you instead.¡± Jake takes one look at me, but I can¡¯t hide the contentment on my face. My gosh, what is this man doing to me? ¡°I¡¯m out. Thanks anyway.¡± As Jake leaves, I feel my freedom slowly leaving with him. Rex is controlling and possessive and we¡¯re not even together. What kind of mess am I in? ¡°Why did you do this to me? I was just going out on a date.¡± He leans down, his mouth pressing against my ear. ¡°I told you to give me four weeks, or I¡¯d make your dating life a nightmare. So, are you going to be a good little girl and go inside with me or do I have to haul you home and show you what else I can do? Like tanning that disobedient backside of yours.¡± My hands grip his forearm as my nails bite into his skin. ¡°What do you think you are doing? Are you really taking me on a date for tacos? I didn¡¯t think that was your style.¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t lying about the reservation, but you only get to go if you behave,¡± he says with a deep rumbling in his chest. ¡°Fine, I will go get tacos with you but only because I¡¯m hungry and am here, anyway. If I don¡¯t like it, then you and I are done. Do you understand? I¡¯m not going to take thirty years or more to find a mate and you are not ruining this for me.¡± Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. ¡°Give me my four weeks, woman, or there are no more dates for you from anyone else. I will sleep on your doorstep. I will show up at all of them because you are like a beacon in the night to me. Do you understand me?¡± I stomp my pretty little pink heel into his boot, but it doesn¡¯t do anything. He¡¯s entirely amused when I glance over my shoulder to see his reaction. ¡°Do you feel better?¡± ¡°No,¡± I mumble. ¡°Were you trying to hurt me, little fireball?¡± He asks in a laugh, his breath blowing out onto the delicate flesh of my throat. ¡°If you are, you are failing miserably. It will take more than that.¡± I melt into his touch a little, feeling myself caving. Maybe it won¡¯t be so bad. What he is offering sounds pretty good right now. Then again, I could just have my way with him and leave. Surely, I can do that. Um, this is a bad time, but I think he might be our mate. My eyes open wide as I hear my wolf¡¯s words. ¡°No.¡± ¡°No?¡± He asks as he rocks us back and forth. ¡°What are you saying no to?¡± ¡°Nothing,¡± I say as I clear my throat. ¡°Nothing at all.¡± The last thing I want to say to him is what my wolf has mentioned. There is no way I¡¯m saying that out loud. Not now or ever. His breath blows out against my ear and right as he is about to say something, someone calls out his name. ¡°Mr. Inigo, your table is ready.¡± He turns to face the taco joint with me, still trapped in his arms. I¡¯m really surprised that they even do reservations because I¡¯ve never needed one and always came when I wanted to. The woman looks down at me and I instantly know she is one of our pack members. If I¡¯m not mistaken, she had a thing for him a long time ago and now that she sees me in his arms, she¡¯s royally ticked. I want to explain it¡¯s not what it looks like, but deep down I know it¡¯s exactly what it appears. My face heats in embarrassment. ¡°Rex, come on. I can walk just fine. Let me go.¡± I try to move away from him, but he stops me by holding me even tighter. His lips land against my ear, his breath tickling me. ¡°You are not leaving me, so I¡¯m not taking any chances.¡± Instead of running like I really want to, I stay in front of him and go straight into the building. There are several moaning and groaning outside, as if we have cut in front of them. As we pass by, I realize that is just what we have done. Honestly, I had been so tied up in my own emotions and everything going on that I didn¡¯t even see the line. I turn to glance over my shoulder, only to find Rex smiling behind me. He¡¯ll just say he gets privileges since he¡¯s the alpha and won¡¯t say anything else. I know him too well. The server leads us to the table and the smell of tacos fills the air. There¡¯s even a hint of spicy peppers in the air, which makes my mouth drool. Everything smells so good. As we reach the booth, I sit on one side and expect him to sit on the other, but he slides in right behind me. I look over at him, my eyes completely popping out of my head from his closeness. ¡°There¡¯s another side of the table.¡± He just grins in response. ¡°I know.¡± My eyes shift back toward the wooden tabletop as the menu is placed down in front of me. It¡¯s just a single one-sided sheet, but they have all kinds of different tacos you can get. I look it over, deciding carefully to get the four tacos with chips and salsa. ¡°What are you going to get, dear?¡± He asks, keeping his voice low. ¡°Who are you talking to? I¡¯m not your dear.¡± His eyes dart to the side. ¡°Honey, we are on a date. We better look like it.¡± I look around, but don¡¯t see anyone familiar. ¡°What in the world are you doing? Most of these people are humans and it¡¯s not even an actual date, you dingus.¡± He leans a little to the side, but never quite turns his face toward me. ¡°I¡¯m sitting next to a beautiful lady who is my date, like I should. You are my date, Holly, whether you want to be or not. Now, what is good here? I haven¡¯t been to this place in ages.¡± He continues to study the menu as if he didn¡¯t just correct me in public. My jaw drops open and I don¡¯t know whether to be ticked or admit that I like this. I shake my head, dismissing the thoughts that are threatening to consume me. The server returns and I¡¯m still fiddling with the menu. She sets down two waters, but I don¡¯t remember ordering them. Then I glance over at him. ¡°What if I want something else?¡± ¡°Order it,¡± he says without looking up. ¡°You still haven¡¯t told me what is good here.¡± I ignore him and look up at the server. ¡°Can you bring me a Dr. Pepper please and I want the four taco plate with salsa and chips.¡± It isn¡¯t two seconds later; he repeats my order to the server as his, causing me to shoot him a soured glance. When she walks away, the staring intensifies. ¡°You repeat my order like a parrot. Why?¡± He only laughs in response and looks at me with the biggest grin. His sparkling green eyes pull me right in like an idiot. Oh, no. I can¡¯t do this. I look away before he can draw me in further. I try to stare across the table at the other bench, but I keep seeing him turn to look at me. He even reaches out and taps his fingertips lightly against the table, like he¡¯s annoyed, but I don¡¯t think that is what is going on. I think he¡¯s trying to drive me wild and see if I¡¯ll break. I hate to break it to him that I¡¯ll never break. After several more minutes, sweat beads down my back. The server finally returns with our plates and the salsa and chips. Honestly, I have a hard time even looking that way because I¡¯m afraid of looking at him. I try my best to thank the server without my eyes landing on him, but they do. And I feel like I¡¯m done for. He¡¯s staring at me with a mischievous grin plastered on his lips and I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m doing. I turn back toward my piping hot plate and start to eat. I feel like this date is going to go on forever, but if I can just get these tacos down, then all will be fine. Right? He digs into his own plate, but I catch him looking several times while we eat. It¡¯s slowly driving me wild. Why is he staring like this? It¡¯s creepy to watch me eat. After we¡¯re finished, he lays down enough to cover anything and scoots out and stands. I hurry to do the same without flashing everyone. Then once I¡¯m up, I¡¯m off toward the door. I make it to the sidewalk, but he¡¯s right there, keeping up with me. ¡°Why can¡¯t you take the hint? I gave you a date and now it''s time to go home.¡± ¡°You and I both know what this is, Holly. Don¡¯t run away from me. Why else would our wolves call to each other like this? Why would I want to kiss you every single time I see you? You¡¯re driving me wild and I¡¯m helpless.¡± ¡°You might be helpless, but that doesn¡¯t mean anything. Love takes time, and it¡¯s not this. You are forcing me to be with you and go on these dates. You are even running off other men. I never knew you were insane.¡± He scoffs as he reaches out to grab my hand to stop me. ¡°I have loved you for years, Holly, and not in a family way.¡± I stop moving away from him and glance up into his eyes again. His shaggy brown hair has become tousled and is in his eyes. Oh, the way he is staring at me is setting me on fire. ¡°You never loved me as nothing more than a friend. Remember? You were talking to one of your friends who asked you about it. I heard you that night.¡± And there are the words I¡¯ve held on to for years. One night, after our parents had mated, he had a friend over during the holidays. I was in the room next to his, which was my old room, and I heard every single word. His friend was bugging him about me because we¡¯d been friends for years. That¡¯s when he said it. No, I don¡¯t like her like that. We¡¯ve always just been friends. Now, she¡¯s technically family. So how could I? Those words have hurt me for a long time, and then I let them go until now. He pulls me closer, but I don¡¯t collapse into his arms. Instead, I right myself and stand there. ¡°We are not strangers, Holly. Yes, we¡¯ve had our differences and grew apart, but that doesn¡¯t change what I¡¯ve felt for you all these years. My wolf has declared you are his. Are you going to accept it or not?¡± I burst out laughing. ¡°You can tell your wolf to put a sock in it because I¡¯m not falling for this. Not after what you said.¡± I pull away from him and start heading back toward my apartment. He¡¯s hot on my heels, and I know this won¡¯t end without a fight. ¡°We are not finished, Holly. I was a dumb kid and didn¡¯t know what I was talking about.¡± ¡°You said what you truly felt, Rex. Now sleep in the bed you made,¡± I reply. He follows me all the way to my apartment door. Once I enter, I turn to slam the door between us, but he catches it. ¡°Please, Holly. We were friends as kids and close. Everything changed when our parents married, but that was short lived.¡± ¡°If that was the truth, then why have you not had anything to do with me since? We could have gone back to normal. You could have at least acknowledged me, but you haven¡¯t. So why bother now?¡± Everything in me hurts. The burning is only growing worse and now my wolf is riled. Kiss him. Just lean in and plant those lips against his. This will solve everything. I roll my eyes as I hear her words. No, I can¡¯t kiss him. ¡°No, we aren¡¯t doing this. We were kids back then, but we aren¡¯t now. We¡¯re not even the same people, Rex.¡± Kiss him now. You and I both need this. ¡°Please,¡± he begs. And that one little word is what breaks me. I let go of the door, fling it wide open, and close the distance between us. I give in to what my wolf wants. A single kiss. Chapter Four Rex As her lips press harder against mine, a rush of warmth and something else floods my body, leaving me temporarily motionless. It shocks me and I have no idea what to do next except kiss her back. She is acting very possessive, which is riling my wolf. He wants to claim her in the same manner, and possibly more so. I have one greedy wolf. Finally, everything gets on the same page and I return the kiss passionately, savoring every single moment she is giving me. As the moments pass, the kiss becomes urgent and like fire. Then she presses her lips softly against mine before pulling back, ending our moment. My hands rest on her waist and I have a hard time keeping them there, but don¡¯t move. I really don¡¯t want this moment to end. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have kissed you,¡± she whispers. I scoff out of complete shock. ¡°Excuse me? And why not? What was wrong with it?¡± She looks away as her fingers grip my arm. ¡°This is insane, Rex, considering our past. We really shouldn¡¯t be doing this.¡± Hearing those words makes me chuckle softly. I bite my lower lips and try to hide my grin. ¡°Give me the time I¡¯ve asked for, okay? Let¡¯s see how much you care after those days have passed.¡± Her body visibly relaxes, and I can tell I have won. ¡°Fine, you have the time you want, but this better end well or you will never see me again. I will transfer packs to live the way I want to. Do you understand me?¡± She jerks back away from me and heads up the stairs to her apartment before I can utter one single word. All I can do is watch her go because I¡¯ve already done enough damage for today with her. Too much too soon will not give me the results I want. ¡°Great work, Rex.¡± I glance up the stairs as she disappears. ¡°I may have just doomed myself.¡± I turn and walk out of the complex, but stop when I reach the steps and look back up toward her window. The light comes on in her window a moment later and I just stare at it. She¡¯s so close, yet so far away. Instead of going with my instincts and climbing back up there, I plop down on the concrete steps with a huff. That little she wolf is going to keep testing me and pushing me until I snap. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. No, she¡¯s not running away from me. I will just sit here on her steps and wait. My gaze moves behind me and I find a place off to my right where I can prop myself up against the brick wall and be fairly comfortable. Well, as comfortable as I can be for sitting on concrete with no cushions. I get why she is being stubborn. Our parents were friends when we were kids, which spurred our friendship. Both lost their mates right after we were born and I guess they bonded over the tragedy. Then after we were adults, their relationship changed and though their mating didn¡¯t work, they were still good friends, from what I know. My dad was alpha, so her mother argued a lot with him and there are other things that probably would have never happened if he had been in a different position. But her mother wasn¡¯t an alpha. Never has been. But she was close enough to balance him, which is what is most important. They were good together in most things except behind closed doors. But their temporary mating changed everything for us. Once, I listened in during one of those times we were both home for a holiday and Holly mentioned being afraid of having a relationship like them. Maybe that is why she¡¯s fighting so hard to not be with me. I know she mentioned what I said to one of my friends, but obviously I didn¡¯t know what I was talking about. I was young and an idiot. An exasperated sigh escapes me as I lean my head back against the rough brick and roll my head to the side, trying to see her window. ¡°I only have 27 days to pull this off,¡± I whisper to myself. She has to get used to me, eventually. There is no other way. As I sit along the wall, I continue to wonder if I should just go after her. The more it rolls around in my mind, the more I become against it. She needs space and showed me as much, so going after her will get me into trouble. Soon, my eyes become heavy, though I fight it. And the next thing I know, I hear some kind of tapping noise beside me. My head rolls to the right to see what the problem is, only to find one long leg and a heel right beside me. I slowly follow the skin and see the skirt and then look up to meet her gaze. ¡°Oh, hi.¡± ¡°Why are you still here? Did you not go home last night? You¡¯re still wearing the same t-shirt and jeans.¡± I look around and partially stretch. ¡°Well, I accidentally fell asleep after sitting down. Why does it matter what I did last night?¡± She chuckles in disbelief and looks away. ¡°I have to go to work today, so do whatever you want. It¡¯s not like you¡¯ll go guard me outside of my job. You have work to do as well.¡± She walks down the steps, her heels clicking hard against the concrete. Her charcoal gray business suit is doing something to me. I watch her go as she sways her hips and a wicked smile spreads across my face. There¡¯s only one thing she got wrong. I don¡¯t have to work today, so I can technically follow her to work. It may not work out, but I could always stay hidden. Right? The only other option I have is to disappear and play hard to get. I slowly rise from the concrete steps and rub the side of my face as I head back home. If she wants to be difficult, then fine. We¡¯ll play a little game. One where I win. Chapter Five Holly Two weeks pass without seeing him. I find it odd since he asked for four weeks and now he has burned through two without any progress. It¡¯s like once I saw him on the steps outside of my complex, he just gave up. I find it peculiar because he seemed so determined that I was going to be his, so why just quit and give up? How do you win over someone when you aren¡¯t seeing and talking to them? The full moon run is just one week away, but that is just more time between us that he isn¡¯t trying to win me over. ¡°Looks like this bargain is going to fail.¡± Suddenly, my phone vibrates and I look down at the screen to see who the message is from. The matchmaker has lined up several more, but I¡¯ve ignored it because of Rex. Then my eyes land on the message icon. It¡¯s from Rex. For a moment, I consider not even answering. Not after he has gone two weeks with no contact. Surely, he can wait a few minutes while I¡¯m still at work. I read over the message again, blinking in surprise. ¡°What in the world is he doing? He¡¯s where?¡± When I glance up at the clock, I realize it¡¯s time for me to go home, but now I know he is waiting at my apartment for me. Specifically, inside my home. Just to further prove his point, he sends pictures of my home, causing my mouth to fall open in surprise. Oddly, there is something on my stove cooking. ¡°Is that dinner?¡± I look away from my phone as I look back at my computer screen. ¡°This man is going to be the death of me. How did he even get into my apartment? All I can think of is him climbing in through the window again. I quickly shut everything off, grab my purse, and shove my phone into one of the side pockets. After telling everyone I¡¯m leaving for the day, I rush to the door and step outside to begin my journey home, which is only a few blocks away. Once I arrive at the apartment complex, huffing and out of breath, my gaze immediately locks onto the window in my kitchen. It¡¯s small and over the sink, but I can see his shadow moving across back and forth. The window opens slightly, giving me a whiff of what he is cooking. It¡¯s something I haven¡¯t eaten in years and loved it when we were younger. Mom always made it for us when he¡¯d come over to play. He loved it just as much as I did so we¡¯d devour a whole pan. Instead of standing outside of the building, I quickly rush toward the doors and fling them open. Quickly running up the steps, I make it to the apartment in no time. And right as I approach the door, it cracks, letting me know that he knows I¡¯m here. My hand trembles as I reach for the door and push it open. He stands just inside the door with a bouquet of lilies in his hand. I drop my purse down on the table just inside the door and take one step inside. My gaze moves over him as I wonder why he¡¯d do something like this. He shoves out his hand with the bouquet, waiting for me to accept them. ¡°I hope you enjoy your evening.¡± ¡°What do you think you are doing? How did you get in here?¡± Rex slowly closes the distance between us and makes me take the bouquet. ¡°I had to take the time to think of how to do this. Really, I should have done this ages ago. You and I had the possibility to become more all those years ago, but with our parents involved together, we took the hit. Their relationship hurt ours, but I¡¯m not going to let that stand in the way any longer. Also, you should really keep your windows shut completely. Leaving a crack is dangerous.¡± If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°Rex, you and I were just friends. You said so to your friends too. That is all you and I have ever had between us. Even our wolves never wanted more and they should have known if we were mates because we were adults. If you and I were meant to be, then some sort of bond should have already formed.¡± Shaking my head, I dismiss the intruding thoughts and take a step back, but my wolf is furious from the separation. She wants to be closer, but I¡¯m not ready to forgive him just yet. He takes a step forward, his chest rumbling with a low growl. ¡°I can tell your wolf wants me just as much as mine wants you. Accept this fate instead of running from it. We are a fated match.¡± I chuckle under my breath as I realize if we are such a fated match, then how has he stayed away from me for two weeks? ¡°Well, I could say a few things, like how you are the one who has run from it. It¡¯s been two weeks, Rex. What about that?¡± A wicked smile curls at the edges of his mouth. ¡°Is that longing I hear in your voice? Did you miss me?¡± His fingertips suddenly touch my bottom lip, and he drags one long finger down to my chin. I follow his movement, but then he gently takes my chin in his hand and forces me to meet his gaze. ¡°You have missed me, and we can be together.¡± I want to argue the point. This is madness. He¡¯s been gone two weeks and just shows up like this. No, I¡¯m not giving in that easily. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you think you are doing, but we aren¡¯t doing this. My wolf wants what she wants, but she¡¯s not going to be just taken like this.¡± He descends quickly, his lips crashing against mine, which silences me from any further protest. My wolf stirs within me, filled with excitement as I struggle to keep control. He pushes me further, backing me up until my back meets the wall. His hand lands on my waist, keeping me there in front of him. The flowers drop from my hand to the floor with a light thump. He breaks the kiss. ¡°You don¡¯t know how long I¡¯ve waited to do this.¡± As he leans in to kiss me again, I move my head to the side, denying him. ¡°Please,¡± he asks, his voice almost whimpering. ¡°Please what?¡± I ask, wondering where this is going. ¡°What are you asking for?¡± He leans down, his mouth against my ear. ¡°All I¡¯m asking for is a chance to be with you.¡± I¡¯m completely shocked and unable to speak, which he takes advantage of. His mouth moves against mine, but I can¡¯t even kiss back. I¡¯m too focused on the question he¡¯s asked. ¡°We can¡¯t,¡± I whisper softly. ¡°Yes, we can.¡± Without hesitating, he moves his other hand to my waist and leans against me. He kisses the side of my mouth and waits. When I don¡¯t answer, he pulls back and his eyes lock onto mine. ¡°My wolf demands that I don¡¯t take no for an answer. He is sure you are mine and now he won¡¯t let go.¡± ¡°Rex, why didn¡¯t your wolf know that sooner, though? He was around me and could have known ages ago. This doesn¡¯t make sense. Even mine is confused.¡± He leans forward again, but doesn¡¯t kiss me. ¡°Why should we deny what they want? Please.¡± I reach up, my fingertips grazing over his black t-shirt and feeling the hardness of his chest underneath. Everything feels surreal and though my wolf is happy about this turn of events, she is also unsure why now. Why couldn¡¯t they feel a bond before? Should I care? Suddenly, something stirs in my chest and I realize it¡¯s me accepting the budding bond forming between us. Though my wolf is excited, there is still the question of why hanging in the back of my mind. ¡°So what now?¡± He looks down at me and leans forward, our foreheads bumping together lightly. ¡°Now, we give in and accept our mate bond fully. Loneliness will only eat us alive and now that we know our mate, we can¡¯t go on. This is our destiny. To ignore it will only hurt us.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know what to say,¡± I counter. This is happening so fast, yet I can¡¯t deny what I feel. The bond is slowly growing, and it¡¯s there, waiting to be fully accepted and explored. ¡°Say you¡¯ll give me a chance. You can always reject me next week.¡± I chuckle and look away toward the skillet on the stove. ¡°Are you sure about that? If we accept the bond and start to actually try, there won¡¯t be any going back.¡± ¡°Well, maybe I lied.¡± He gently leans in and pecks my lips lightly. ¡°Maybe I want to keep you forever.¡± When he pulls back and our gazes lock, that¡¯s when I know. I have just fallen for him and I¡¯m never going to get enough. Our wolves have declared that we belong to each other and now there is no escape. I swallow hard as I think about it more. ¡°We¡¯re truly stuck together now, aren¡¯t we?¡± He nods. ¡°Yes, love. We are.¡± Chapter Six Rex As I let her move away from the wall, we turn to head to the kitchen to start eating dinner. Everything feels weird, but now I know that she is going to at least try. We can worry about the details later. Her face is pink from the blush creeping up from her neck. I guess everything feels odd for her, too. She reaches for some plates out of the cabinet, then turns to hand me one. I take it, but all I can think about is having her as mine. I want more. But I have to wait until she gives me the all clear to mark her as mine. Otherwise, I¡¯m going to end up rejected or possibly smacked. Maybe both. She fills her plate with the pasta dish her mom always made us. I had a hard time remembering all the ingredients, but I think I got it right. Holly grabs two forks from the drawer as she moves to the side to fill her plate. After handing me one, she heads for the table nearby, so I quickly fill my plate and head there too. When we sit down, she falls silent as she eats. There is this look on her face as if she is worrying about the world. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°The full moon might change everything. We don¡¯t know what will become of our bond.¡± ¡°Do you really think our bond will just disappear?¡± She inhales deeply and I realize she¡¯s been holding back. ¡°We¡¯re not even officially together and I haven¡¯t seen you in two weeks. With the food and the kisses, I really think you might have just come here for more. Maybe you are just lonely and all we are feeling is hopeful butterflies.¡± My mind freezes, leaving me unable to say a word. This is not what I came here for and I only want to make her happy. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! ¡°Who knows when our fated mates will show up? We could find them at the full moon run next week and this will all be a pipe dream.¡± ¡°A pipe dream?¡± My voice becomes higher pitched as I realize what she is doing. ¡°No, you aren¡¯t running away from me. Our wolves know that there is a bond and we are going to be together. You can¡¯t dismiss me like this. On the night of the full moon run, I¡¯m marking you as mine and that is the end of it.¡± She looks down at her shoulder, still covered by her sleeve. ¡°I won¡¯t let you until we are sure.¡± Everything in me is covered in confusion. All the excitement and joy of what we are beginning is just gone. I can¡¯t comprehend how she¡¯s come to this conclusion. It¡¯s almost as if she severed all ties with her emotions and is just now distant. What on earth is going on? When I look at her and refuse to avert my gaze, she finally looks back up at me with an odd look. ¡°Why are you looking at me like that?¡± ¡°Why are you so distant? I thought we were agreeing to become more.¡± She shrugs. ¡°You still have fourteen days. That was our deal and I¡¯m holding you to it.¡± I blink a few times out of disbelief. How did we go from sweet kisses and admitting we have a bond with this? There is no reason for her to be like this. ¡°You¡¯re going to go through the other matches, aren¡¯t you?¡± This only causes her to laugh. ¡°Not exactly. You have told me you¡¯d haunt me if I went on other dates. So, I haven¡¯t done anything for two weeks. Then I wondered where you were and why you cut me off. I let out a huff. ¡°Well, I gave you space because I thought you needed it, but that never meant that I¡¯d be gone forever. I don¡¯t understand what has gotten into you, though. You¡¯ve changed so much in just five minutes.¡± Her eyes become watery and I realize there is more to this than she is saying. ¡°You¡¯re afraid that we¡¯ll become like our parents. We¡¯ll bond and then leave a few years later. Holly, we aren¡¯t them.¡± She blinks back tears, but then turns away as her fork hit the plate so I can¡¯t see. ¡°Just take some food and get out.¡± Holly rises from the chair at the table and slowly heads back to her bedroom with her head hanging low. I don¡¯t even know what to do. Without hesitating, I at first head toward her room, but the door slams shut before I even get there. I pause with my lips pinched into a thin, tight line. Fine. If she doesn¡¯t want me here, then I¡¯ll go. But my time isn¡¯t up yet. Next week is the full moon run and she can¡¯t avoid me then.