Chapter 3

KESSLER'S POV

A gentle knock on my door heightened my heart rate. She entered, moving with a blend of grace and confidence, her hips swaying elegantly.

As she drew nearer, I concealed my emotions.

"Hi, I hope I'm not interrupting," she said.

"Not at all," I replied, my gaze fixed on her. Fuck, I muttered a curse I couldn't deny the irresistible pull she had on me.

I stood up, circling the mahogany table, and reached out to take her hands.

Leaning in, she kissed me, and my hand found her waist, drawing her nearer. A soft moan escaped her lips as our mouths met in a passionate kiss. I kissed her with intensity, our lips moving hungrily.

My hand moved upward, cupping her breasts, gently massaging and teasing her nipple. She moaned, her hips moving against mine, drawing us closer, and I could feel the heat building as our bodies pressed together.

Breaking the kiss, I started planting kisses along her neck. She wrapped her leg around me, and I couldn't help but moan in pleasure, arching my back. My hand moved lower, cupping her bottom, pulling her even closer as our kisses continued.

She broke away, desires clouding her eyes, and whispered, "Kessler, I need you."

With desire intensifying in my eyes, I lowered my head, kissing her again. Moving my hand down to her waist, I began to remove her jeans and underwear. The scent of her arousal filled my nostrils.

A soft knock echoed, and my attention shifted to the door. I sensed my beta Zach, so I mind-linked him, "Don't enter."

My eyes darkened, my wolf Dolph threatening to surface, still mourning his mate.

I gently let her go, earning a gasp from her. "Annie, get dressed this minute," my voice cold and distant.

Shock smeared her face, on the verge of tears. With trembling hands, she dressed without making eye contact.

In a shaky breath, she muttered, "Fuck you, Kessler. You will regret this," as she stormed out of my office.

As the door closed behind her, I was angry with myself for letting my desires cloud my judgment. My fist clenched as I could feel Dolph's discontent within me.

I decided to reach out to my beta, Zach, through our mind link. "Prepare to go to the lake with me." Without waiting for his reply, I severed the connection.

The lake has always been a place of solace for me, and within a minute, Zach entered the office, ready to accompany me.

"I opened the window and jumped out. I transformed mid-air and landed with a big thump. I noticed Zack's Wolf Dante followed suit as we ran into the woods.

"Catch me if you can," I mind-linked Zach as I sprinted into the woods, my paws echoing through the woods.

Reaching the lake, I took a moment to drink some water and sat down, surrounded by the peacefulness of nature.

I don't wish for any mate, but the moon goddess chose to give me one and was brutally killed.

Even after many years, the heaviness of loss hasn't lifted. Everywhere I look, the air still holds onto the scent of her presence.

Feeling the peace the lake brings, I dive in to swim as the bright moon shines in the sky.

However, that peace was disrupted when the distant sound of hurried footsteps reached my ears.

Despite being far away, my heightened sense of hearing picked it up, sending a ripple of tension through me.

I froze as my senses kicked in, the sound got louder as I prepared for whatever was coming.

Zach, sensing my unease, came over to the lake as the footsteps drew nearer.

"Someone's coming, and they're in a hurry," I mind-linked him, "Pay attention." He nodded, showing he was ready to focus.

"It's not just running; it feels like someone's fleeing from a threat," I said, my pulse speeding with the urgency of the approaching footsteps.

Suddenly, the footsteps stopped, and a group of wolves gathered around a wounded wolf. She was caught in a trap that someone had cleverly set.

Then I sensed a scent—a gentle mix of jasmine, rose, and a hint of citrus, like a sweet memory. Her scent leaves a sense of grace in the air.

Dolph exclaimed, "Mate, our mate is hurting."

A surge of emotions hit me, a blend of anger and determination. I let out a growl that seemed to shake the earth.

The others around me shivered in fear, their bodies tensing up. They could feel the authority in my fierce growl.

They quickly recovered and launched an attack on me. I let out another loud growl, jumping into the fight to protect my mate.

I mind-linked Zach. "Tend to the wounded wolf."

The first wolf charged at me, but I dodged its attack and swiftly swiped at it. My claws extended, and with a decisive move, I snapped its neck, ensuring the threat was out.

The second wolf attempted to pounce on me. With a sudden burst of power, I leaped, meeting the wolf mid-air. We struggled for dominance, and in the fierce confrontation, I used my claws to poke its eyes. The wolf growled loudly in pain, and with a swift move, I snapped its neck.

The third wolf circled cautiously, eyeing me warily. As it lunged forward, I locked eyes with it. Meeting the attack head-on, I swiftly snapped the life out of it in an instant.

These were young wolves, and it was evident that they couldn't match my strength.

Seeing them all dead, my intense energy started to calm down; my heart raced with the excitement of victory.

As I rushed to check on my injured mate, fearing the toll of the trap on her. I gently placed my fingers on her wrist, and sparks of emotions ran through me.

Feeling a sense of urgency, I addressed Zach, "We've got to move fast. Her pulse is weak," as I placed her on my back to get her the help she needed.

Then I ask a simple question. "Moon goddess, why another mate?."