He is Cold

"Pardon, my lady," Elijah questioned, positive he must have misheard her. 

Not your lady, I am your woman, Sabrina was tempted to say

"You are my mate," Sabrina nervously fisted her nightdress and repeated with a little more confidence this time. 

Elijah was staring at her with a straight face. He scanned her expression for any hint of amusement but there was none. She has to be a really good actress for he knew she was just messing around with her. On the other hand, Sabrina was turning into a nerve-wreck by his silence.  

Her brows knitted down when he started chuckling. That deep delicious chuckle.  

"You got me for a second, my lady. Your theatrical skills are worthy of many praises," the traces of mirth still lingering on his appetizing bow-shaped lips.  

Embarrassment colored her cheeks red. She had never imagined that one day she would have to say these things. Moreover, his mate was not believing her. Could it get any more embarrassing?  

'I am speaking the truth, my lord. I felt the mate connection with you," She asserted, looking into his enigmatic amber eyes. 

Her declaration caused the remnants of a smile to wipe away from his lips. His features tightened into a serious expression as he leaned back. Sabrina felt a silver of dread at the sudden shift in his demeanor. 

“I am certain you have mistaken, my lady. My brother is your mate and it would be ver…”

“You smell of pine and mint,” she interrupted him. He went silent at her sudden revelation. 

“I had never smelled something this addictive before. My wolf went wild when she smelled you. This can’t be a mistake, my lord. I know it’s you. Only you,” she explained desperately. Whatever it was needed to have him believe her.

“Do you not feel it? The bond?” hope shimmered in her blue eyes. 

Eliza clenched his jaw. He did feel, but tremendous lust for her. He wanted to devour her, fuck her for days without a break. He wanted his name on her sweet lips when he would ravage her delicate heat with his hard shaft. 

“I don’t feel any bond, my lady, and I think you should leave,” he stated emotionlessly and rose to his feet. Sabrina’s heart broke into million pieces. Her wolf, howling in agony.  

“Please, my lord. I am not making false claims. I’ve felt it,” she walked over to him in utter desperation.  

“You are supposed to be mateless. What you are saying doesn’t stand to reason unless you are not the goddess moon’s blessing,” he shot back in a calm but authoritative tone. She clammed up. 

This was something she too was struggling to understand. She wasn’t supposed to have a mate then how. 

“It’s getting late, my lady. Go and sleep. We will head out early tomorrow,” he stated and turned towards his bed.  

With tears brimming her eyes, she reluctantly walked out of his chamber. The night was cold but not more than her mate. Her wolf was going mad for her mate. Her hormones were raging wild. She casted one wistful look at his chamber over her shoulder before entering her own camp. 

The whole night, she remained awake, thinking about her mate. His deep voice, muscular frame, and those large firm hands, she squeezed her thighs together as sinful thoughts started to bubble in her mind. 

They left the camp the next day at the first light. Elizah was riding ahead, leading the team. Sabrina was surrounded by other riders for protection reasons. Elizah hadn’t looked her way for once since the last night. Sabrina felt heartbroken. Why was he being this cruel to her? Her vision was getting blurred with tears that invaded her eyes every now and then due to his ignorance. 

During the journey, she conversed with the other riders in hope of knowing more about Elizah. She learned a few more things about him. He was a man of few words and savored solitude. In other words, he was a lone wolf by choice. 

After riding for hours, they finally paused near the river. The horses needed some water and rest too.       

She got off the horse and walked towards the stream to drink some water. Elizah was yoking his horse. Some had left to arrange for food and some were basking in the sun. 

She crouched down and collected fresh water in her cupped hands and gently splash it on her face. She closed her eyes and splashed again. A soft smile broke onto her lips as the cold water hit her face. It felt nice and refreshing. 

Smiling, she absently turned her head only to catch a pair of amber eyes staring right at her, intensely. Her heart gave a loud thump when their gaze locked. Hope started to bloom in her pure heart. However, not even a moment later, Elizah ripped his gaze off her as if she wasn’t even there and turned to his horse. Disappointed, she got to her feet and walked back to where her maids were seated.

A young warrior approached her with a bunch of fruits in his hand. 

“You must be hungry, my lady,” he bent and offered them to her. She gave him a soft smile and took the fruits. 

“I appreciate your help…” she halted, realizing she didn’t know his name. The man let out a soft chuckle. 

“My name is Booth, my lady. Booth at your service,” he dramatically bent and put his hand on his heart. 

Sabrina smiled at his demonstration. 

‘I am glad to know, Booth,” she replied. Booth erected his stance. 

“Let me know if you needed anything else,” he said. 

“I will,” she said and the man parted with a bow. 

Her eyes of their own accord darted to him. To her surprise, he was already looking at her. He had seen the exchange between her and that warrior. He looked away immediately and continued sharpening his knife.

Sabrina studied him intently. The man sitting afoot was hers. The moon goddess had made her for him. She didn’t want any Alpha King. She only wanted Elijah. 

The only way to make him believe that she was his mate was to get him to sleep with her. Once, they connected, he would feel the bond on his own. She knew what she had to do. 

She had to seduce him into sleeping with her.       

After staying there for some time, they carried on with their journey.

The sun was about to set when they decided to halt for the night. 

It seemed the sleep had eluded her for good. She was anxious and desperate. Why was he not believing her? How moon goddesses can be so cruel? She whined in frustration and sat up. 

She had to talk to him. 

Sabrina climbed down her bed and straightened her nightdress. Her dress had a low neckline that she didn’t bother to pull up. After combing her hair with her fingers, she stepped out of her camp. Her maids were sleeping peacefully in the outer camp. The bonfire had burned out and the warriors were also sleeping outside.

She turned to his tent. A soft orange light was permeating his camp. She, with light steps, waked towards his camp. Her heart was slamming loudly against her chest. She just hoped, he wouldn’t throw her out. That would be embarrassing. She had never imagined, she would have to chase her mate. The roles had reversed. 

She cautiously lifted the curtain and strode in. Her heart fluttered with exhilaration when she breathed in his addicting scent. She inhaled deeply and filled her lungs with his scent. An innocent smile covered her lips when her eyes met with his sleeping frame.  

Without her knowing, her feet carried her to him.    

So stunning. She couldn’t help but admire his striking face. Her fascinated eyes roved over his sharp features and rested on her inviting lips. She had never kissed before nor did she ever feel tempted. But right now, in that moment, her lips were burning to touch his. 

She resisted the temptation and wiled her eyes down his face. His torso was large and taut with muscles. He was enormous. She felt so tiny in front of him.    

He was a man through and through. He could easily crush her with his weight if he wanted. She leaned over him.        

This was the first time she was seeing his shoulder-length hair bound free. They were midnight back. They looked soft. Sabrina couldn’t stop her hands from touching them. She started running her fingers through his soft locks. However, let out a short yelp when she was tossed in the bed. In a flash, she was pinned in the bed with him on top of her. Her wrists above her head locked in his hand, making her breasts arch. He was glaring daggers at her until he realized who she was. Sabrina was staring at him with her mouth agape.     

His amber eyes glowing fire in the depth of the night. Even the blazing sun didn’t compare to his radiant orbs.  

Elizah instantly loosened his hold when he realised who she was. Sabrina exhaled loudly in relief, causing her breasts to lightly touch his bare chest. Elizah’s gaze instantly dropped to her breasts which were almost out of her dress. His gaze lingered on her soft lumps. Desire heated his eyes as he stared unabashedly at those delightful globes. He was tempted to see those pink peaks that were hiding behind the thin fabric. 

Sabrina remained still as he gawked at her body. She arched her back a little more, pressing her pebbled tips against his stone-like chest. He gulped in response and looked up to meet her eyes. They stared into each other’s eyes for what felt like an eternity. The sexual tension between them was as clear as day. 

Encouraged by his silence, she lifted her face to kiss those scrumptious lips. Their breathing mingled together as her lips closed in on his. She was just a fraction from claiming his lips when Elizah leaned away.

He got off her, shattering the moment. Sabrina watched him with a fallen face as he paced the room restlessly, running his fingers through his hair. 

“You shouldn’t have come here, My Lady, at this hour,” he paused and said in a controlled tone, not even looking at her. 

“Why? I am at my Mate’s place. This is precisely where I should be,” she climbed down the bed and walked over to him. 

Elizah put his hands on his hips and gritted his teeth in annoyance.

“For the last time, I am not you mate. You are going to mate with my brother,” he retorted with frustration dripping from his voice. 

“I will not mate with him,” Sabrina said in sheer determination. Elizah’s eyes flashed at her words. 

He took a threatening step towards her, making her back away a step. 

‘You will mate with him. The moon goddess has sent you with a duty that you will fulfill,” he told her in a stern tone. She felt a stab in her heart. He was telling her to mate with someone else.

“What if I didn’t,” she asked, controlling her tears.

“They will kill you,” he answered in a softer tone. 

“Won’t you protect me?” she took a step closer and asked him, staring hopefully in his eyes. He fell silent for a moment as if contemplating his answer. His eyes gently roved over her face before they turned cold. 

He clenched his jaw and turned his chin up.   

“I am born to protect my clan,” he answered with a straight face. Sabrina felt as if someone had twisted a knife in her guts. He didn’t care about her. 

“Do not come in my camp at night,” he told her before taking a step away and turning his back on her. She wiped her tears and stormed out of his camp.