Chapter 3 - Mate

• Emily's POV
• The cool autumn breeze shook me out of my trance, and I yelped out in fright as the door shut closer behind me.
• I shook my head, confused, looking over the gardens.
• Why did I have the urge to come here? There was nothing out of the ordinary out there. Everything was quiet, except for my racing heart.
• The immense pull was unavoidable, and I took a step forward.
• I ended up making my way down to the huge fountain centered in the gardens and sitting down on the cold white marble bench, overlooking the water and fountain.
• I sighed.
• Was I losing my mind?
• I lifted my gaze toward Mother Moon's sculpture standing in the center of the huge bowl.
• She stood protectively among powerful wolves who were howling at the moon.
• "Why have you kept my wolf from me?" I whispered.
• An unnerving silence answered me back, and my temper flared out of control.
• I jumped to my feet as anger and pain rippled through my chest.
• "Why did you punish me like that?" I cried out and dropped to my knees. "Am I not pure enough to be blessed with one of your creations? Am I not strong enough to have one?"
• I sobbed uncontrollably, releasing every bottled-up emotion of the last few weeks.
• "Why did you bring me here?" I asked, whipping my face.
• The cold statue stared back at me with the same kind of cold smile as every other day.
• "Tell me!" I demanded angrily. "Tell me why I am here!"
• My yelling echoed through the silence of the night, disturbing the wildlife in the forest.
• I sighed, getting to my feet.
• "I should have known you wouldn't answer me!" I spat angrily.
• I turned to leave, starting back at the packhouse.
• I rushed down the path through the gardens, my eyes blurry from my tears. I went at a slower pace when the packhouse came into view, wiping my tears with my hands—my make-up must have been smeared from all my crying.
• I reached out to open the door when the same intoxicated scent of apple crumble assaulted my nose.
• I froze in my tracks with my hand firmly on the door handle, and my breathing started to race.
• "Mate!" Alex's familiar, husky voice sounded behind me, sending pleasurable shivers down to my core.
• "This can't be," I whispered, closing my eyes and swallowing the lump in my throat.
• This must be some kind of dream. I must be imagining things!
• I could hear Alex getting closer, and I yelped out of fright when he suddenly stretched his arms out, holding the door.
• I visibly shivered, feeling his warm breath fanning over the side of my neck.
• For a few odd seconds, we both stood frozen.
• I wasn't sure what to do.
• Was Alex waiting for me to answer his call? I didn't have a wolf to tell me if it was true!
• I slowly let go of the door handle to turn to face him.
• I gasped, surprised, seeing his huge body tower over my small 5'5 frame. His enormous biceps flexed under his black stretch shirt.
• He had his eyes closed with a small, teasing smile playing on his lips.
• Was he happy to have found me?
• Alex's eyes snapped open, and I was met with deep pools of darkness staring back at me.
• Startled, I took a quick step back, hitting the door—his wolf must have taken control.
• Alex made no effort to move out of the way or let me go. Instead, he knitted his eyebrows together and shifted his head to the side.
• Was he trying to read me?
• Was he going to reject me?
• "What's the big rush, little mate?" He asked, shifting his head from side to side.
• "No, no, no big rush?" I muttered nervously under my breath. Alex's closeness was welling up unknown feelings inside me.
• Alex's hand moved to the side of my face, and I flinched at his touch when he carefully removed stray hair from my face.
• Did I just feel sparks?
• "Why are you scared of me, little mate?" he asked, his husky voice full of emotion.
• "I-I-I am not," I stuttered nervously. "I-I-I am just..."
• Alex moved his head to my nape, extended his canines, and scraped my marking spot. I shivered, feeling my legs giving in under my weight. He slowly pulled his head back and openly took a deep and long whiff of my scent.
• "Ahh," he said excitedly, licking his lips. "You smell so bloody delicious."
• For a second, I was wondering what I smelled, but before I could ask, he flung me over his shoulder and ran off toward the forest.
• He didn't run too deep into the forest. I could hear the rumbling of the waters close by.
• A couple of minutes later, a cottage came into view, and Alex ran up the few steps to the door.
• He carefully set me down, snaked his arm around my waist, and pushed the door open.
• Alex picked me up in bridal style and carried me inside.
• "Where are we?" I asked when I found my voice. I was too shocked to ask any questions or even yell when he ran off with me.
• Alex switched on a light.
• "My cottage," he said, setting me down on the couch. "I used to come here when I needed a break from reality."
• I nodded in understanding. I used to have a special spot down the river where I used to hide, and only Mila knew where to find me.
• Alex pulled his shirt over his head and threw it on the floor, then headed to the fireplace, squatted in front of it, and started the fire.
• For a few minutes, Alex just stared into the fire, not saying a word.
• What was he thinking?
• Was he thinking about rejecting me?
• My gaze moved toward the window, hearing the wind picking up outside.
• Was a storm brewing? A couple of minutes ago, the skies were clear, and the moon hung low against the sky.
• "Alpha Alexander," I called nervously.
• "Alex," he said, getting to his feet. "It's Alex for you."
• "Uhm, Alex," I muttered. "I think you should take me back to the packhouse. It looks like it is about to rain."
• Alex shook his head and got closer. He pinned his arms on the couch's armrest, caging me in.
• "It is about to snow," he said happily.
• "Snow?" I shrieked, my eyes widening.
• "Yes, snow. Take a look," he urged, smiling.
• Alex moved away from me, giving me room to get up. As soon as I was on my feet, I ran to the door and threw it open.
• I gasped, surprised—everything was already covered in at least three feet of snow.
• "How is this possible?" I squeaked. It had never snowed here before.
• Alex gave me a cheeky grin, and for some reason, I already knew the answer. His wolf must be responsible for this.
• "It only happens when our bloodline finds our true and fated mate," he said proudly, and his eyes shifted back to his beautiful gray color.
• "Alex?" I whispered, enjoying the way his name rolled over my tongue.
• "Yes, my love," he said, opening his arms for me. "Come to me."
• I hesitated for a moment before my legs dragged my body towards him as if they were compelled to do so.
• As soon as I was in his arms, he pulled me closer to his chest, and his warm apple crumble scent enveloped me. This was pure bliss; this was home.
• I sighed in contentment, feeling accepted and loved.
• Alex carefully lifted my chin with his index finger, searching my gaze.
• Was he searching for approval?
• His eyes shifted to my lips, leaving me nervous and quivering.
• Was he about to kiss me? I so wanted to taste him.
• "Sh*t!" I groaned inwardly, becoming intoxicated by Alex's scent. It was numbing my senses and making me feel and want things.
• My breath hitched when Alex dropped his gaze lower, his minty breath fanning over my face and leaving his lips inches from mine. I could feel his heat radiating from them.
• My core clenched out of anticipation, making my juices willingly spill into my panties.
• Alex's eyes darkened, and he licked his lips. He must have sensed my arousal.
• "You smell so mouth-watering," he huskily whispered. "I want to have you right now."
• My face warmed, spreading the heat down to my core and making my pussy throb. My panties had been soaking wet since the moment I smelled his scent.
• I so wanted him to touch me. I wanted to feel his hands roaming over my body, lining every curve I had. I wanted him to touch the most intimate, deepest part of my body that no one had ever touched before.
• "Can I?" Alex asked, and for a moment, I was left confused.
• Was he asking if he could kiss me? Or fuck me? Or both?
• Before I could answer, Alex's lips crushed on mine, stealing my first kiss, and I melted into his arms. I never knew kissing felt so good.
• Alex lifted me without breaking the kiss, carried me up the stairs, into a room, and laid me down on a bed.
• I whimpered when he pulled away—I wanted more!
• "Relax, little mate," he said, chuckling. "I am not going anywhere!"
• Alex turned toward the dresser and removed his jacket, while my gaze scanned over the interior of the room.
• The room was clean and neat, and only simple things decorated the walls, but interesting enough, there was no scent of another she-wolf.
• Alex came closer and sat next to me, taking my hands in his, and I hesitated for a moment.
• "What is it?" I asked.
• "I'm not sure how to say this," he said, rubbing the back of his head.
• Did he get to his senses and notice that I didn't have a wolf? Was he-?
• "I have never made love to anyone before," he said, looking up through his eyelashes, embarrassed.
• My heart leaped out of my chest. Alex waited! He waited for me!
• My hand instinctively cupped his face, and a small, relieved smile followed on my lips.
• "So have I," I said, my cheeks burning. "It's my first time."
• Alex pushed his lips against mine and softly pushed me back on the bed. He looked like a boy opening a long-awaited Christmas present, his hands roaming and exploring my body. His hands were so big and warm, sending shivers through my body.
• This felt so good. This felt so right. This made me so happy!
• If only I had known that this happy moment would end in the blink of an eye.
• ****