03. My Mate (c)

ELISSE

I shoved the door open, anger pounding in my veins. My breathing was ragged, my pulse fierce.

All I cared about was taking him, who was supposed to be mine, away from Selena.

But, the second I stepped in, something strong and cold clamped over my mouth.

Before I could fight back, I was yanked inside, the door slamming shut behind me.

My gaze darted to my captor—

Dario?

My eyes flicked past him and froze. My cousin lay unconscious on the floor.

What happened?

I tried to speak, but his grip over my mouth was unyielding. His body was pressed to my back, his heat sinking into me, his breath hot against my neck.

'Mine… mine…' I could hear Sera’s voice in my head, already drunk on Dario’s scent.

I had to restrain myself, torn between my anger and the desire burning inside me.

He inhaled me slowly, and when I dared to glance at him over my shoulder, his eyes were hungrier. He was just like me, already consumed by the blazing desire.

“Quiet, my love …” His voice was a low growl right by my ear. “The enemy hasn’t left. While we wait … let me enjoy the scent of your tempting body.”

A shiver ran down my spine. His words carried both danger and desire.

After few moments, I finally tore free, stepping back to face him. “What the hell is going on?! What enemy?”

His gaze burned into me, urgent yet stubborn. One arm still locked around my waist like steel. “I’ll explain later.”

“Why are you here with her and not me? Why did you lie to everyone that you’re not my mate? I know you’re my mate!”

Something in his expression softened, but his grip didn’t ease. “Selena Ravenshade … she’s hiding something. I just want to investigate it, so I have to be alone with her."

"What you mean?"

"To keep you safe."

“Safe from what? Safe from who?”

“I can’t tell you now. I don’t have proof yet. You have to stay away from that girl."

I truly didn’t understand what he meant. There was so much hidden in his gaze that I longed to uncover, yet for now, other matters demanded my attention.

“So, that’s why you lied? That’s why you told everyone I’m not your mate?” I asked.

"Yeah.” Dario leaned in, brushing his face against my neck, inhaling deeply. He whispered seductively in my ear, “you angry?"

“I almost wanted to reject you as my mate.”

His head snapped up, eyes flaring with panic and raw anger. "What?"

"You heard me."

Without warning, he crashed his mouth against mine, the kiss bruising, desperate, possessive.

This intense kiss had stolen every breath from my lungs. When he broke away, we were both panting.

“You ... you think you can just get away with this?” I shot back.

"You’re so fierce,” he said, reaching to stroke my hair, but I quickly shoved his hand away roughly.

"Dont touch me!"

"What if I dont want to?"

"After what you did earlier, you think it can all end with just a kiss, huh? Who do you think you are?"

"Im the alpha, the strongest here, you little pupcake."

I saw him smirk slightly, as if he was enjoying my outburst yet still couldn’t believe it.

Well, I wasn’t about to hide this side of me. I refused to be humiliated, even just a little, by anyone. His arrogant side or intimidating aura didn’t affect me at all.

I said to him, “too bad the strongest alpha has to be mated with a weak little wolf like me.”

“All right then, seems like you’re really angry. Get your revenge on me now. Reject me if you want.” He opened his arms wide, daring me to make a move.

“So you won’t stop me?”

"No. If that’s what you really want … don’t flatter yourself. I don’t really need a mate. With or without you, my life goes on just fine."

His words made my blood boil even more, yet somehow, they also felt like a challenge. I could sense that he truly was my destined mate.

I hated annoying people like him.

***