SMITTEN

Molly

I wanted him to stop bothering me. He seemed to be adamant on not taking the hint, even when my pack was nearby.

Henry was always the type to get his way, even when we were children.

Before Devin, I was completely smitten with him and I think he had feelings for me, but not like a mate.

This man could never be my mate.

Before he could get to me again, my mother Luna, Barbie, stepped in between us.

“You’ll never guess what’s happening tonight!”

“What?!” I practically buried myself into her aura as Henry stood off to the side, eavesdropping.

“The oracles are being summoned. We’re going to find our mates tonight.”

So much for young love.

Henry

If I hadn’t have been such a cad, I might have gotten her. Not that it would have mattered much. She wasn’t supposed to be mine.

Surely the oracles knew better than that?

I wasn’t going to lie and say that I didn’t have an unhealthy fascination with Molly. I did, but I couldn’t very well let people see it.

There I was, though, chasing her around the room like a fucking lap dog.

I could smell her heat.

How could I?

In all my years, I was sure everyone had told me that only a mate could sense the other.

Molly

I’d never hated someone so much in my entire life, not even the hunters who were always out to get us.

We didn’t live in a life of luxury that promised safety and freedom, unfortunately--even Henry knew this. As an Alpha, he had an advantage and his pack was top notch at the height of the food chain so they rarely had any shortcomings.

I was thinking about Devin when I felt him again, coming closer and bringing me a drink.

“Something to keep your ass calm,” he smiled, handing it to me, “Looks like we could find our mates tonight.”

I didn’t accept the drink so Henry set it on the table beside me and leaned in.

“Whatever feelings you have for me can’t be disguised. The frown on your face says it all.”

“I hate you and I hate what you did to my beloved.”

“I didn’t do it,” Henry growled and began to walk away, but I was on him in a heartbeat.

Henry

I was surprised that she wanted to talk to me, but even though I’d only known of her lover’s demise, I never would have taken that from her.

“You’ll need to explain yourself a little better, Henry. You aren’t my friend and you certainly don’t measure up to my Devin. I hate you and that’s never going to change.”

I looked her up and down and suddenly realized people were staring.

“The oracles are here so calm the fuck down.”

She growled at me, her blue eyes suddenly turning a golden hue.

“Yeah, get mad at me and shift into a hybrid. I dare you.”