Unexpected Visitor

Shopping with my mother should have been relaxing. Instead, I was hiding inside a changing room staring at my phone like it had personally offended me. The dress hanging from my body was the fourth one I'd tried on in the last hour, and my mother was already threatening to buy all of them if I didn't make a decision soon.

My phone vibrated, and my heart immediately betrayed me. Caspian. Just seeing his name made something flutter inside my chest.

Caspian: What are you doing?

A smile tugged at my lips before I could stop it.

Me: Stripping 😜😜

Three dots appeared instantly. Then disappeared. Then appeared again.

Caspian: ?

I laughed.

Me: Changing room at the mall. With my mom.

His response came so fast it was almost suspicious.

Caspian: Had I known shopping involved stripping, I would have taken you myself.

My cheeks warmed immediately.

Me: Perv.

Caspian: I've already told you to stop calling me that.

Me: Then stop acting like one.

There was a short pause. Then another message appeared.

Caspian: Can I see you today if you're not too busy stripping?

The stupid grin on my face grew wider.

Me: Maybe tomorrow.

Caspian: Why tomorrow?

I hesitated. Lying suddenly felt wrong.

Me: I have dinner tonight.

Almost immediately.

Caspian: With who?

I stared at the screen, then sighed.

Me: At Alpha Alistair's

The typing bubble appeared. Stopped. Appeared again. Then finally

Caspian: Why?

A second message arrived before I could answer.

Caspian: Never mind. I'm coming to see you soon.

I frowned.

Me: Soon as in tomorrow?

No reply.

Me: Tomorrow right?

Nothing.

Me: Caspian?

Still nothing. I stared at the screen suspiciously. That couldn't possibly be a good sign.

A few hours later I was standing in my bedroom trying to convince myself to attend the dinner. The dress my mother bought fit perfectly. The problem was that I didn't want to go. Not even a little. I was still considering pretending to be sick when a familiar voice drifted through my room. "You look beautiful in that dress, sunshine."

I nearly screamed. My heart launched itself directly into my throat as I spun around. "Caspian!"

He looked entirely too pleased with himself. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

The smile that appeared on his face should honestly have been illegal. He stood beside my window like he belonged there. Dark brown hair slightly messy. Golden-tanned skin. Broad shoulders stretching the black shirt he wore. His sleeves were rolled up carelessly, exposing powerful forearms. But it was his eyes that always ruined me. Silver. Bright. Focused entirely on me. Like I was the only thing worth looking at. And judging by the intensity of his stare, he definitely liked what he saw.

His gaze traveled slowly over my dress before returning to my face. Something dangerous flashed across his expression. "Are you dressed up like that for him?" The question came out low. Controlled. Not jealous. Possessive.

I swallowed. "No."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "No?"

"I have to dress up for dinner. My mom bought this dress."

Caspian began walking toward me. One step. Then another. Then another. Until there were only inches separating us. "Change."

My heart skipped. "What?"

"Change."

The annoying part? A small part of me wanted to obey immediately. Which made absolutely no sense because I wasn't the type of person who listened to anyone. Especially not stubborn Lycans who climbed through windows. Still... I disappeared into my closet.

A few minutes later I emerged wearing a beautiful emerald-green dress. The fabric hugged my curves perfectly. For once, I felt genuinely proud of my appearance. I turned toward him confidently. "Well?"

Caspian looked up. Then growled. "No."

I stared. "No?"

"Sunshine."

"What?"

"You look beautiful."

My confidence immediately returned. "Thank you."

"But that's the problem."

I blinked. "What?"

"I want you looking ugly to this dinner."

For several seconds I simply stared at him. Then laughed. "You cannot be serious."

"I am completely serious."

A tiny frown appeared on my face. "Do I look ugly in this?"

His expression softened immediately. "No." The answer came instantly. Too instantly. "You look beautiful."

My stomach did an embarrassing little flip. "But sweetheart," he continued, "I don't want anyone looking at you tonight."

I rolled my eyes. "What exactly do you want me to wear? My pajamas." I laughed so hard I almost snorted.

"No! Especially not the pajamas from this morning."

My face heated instantly. His grin widened. "Do you have baggy jeans? An oversized shirt? Something terrible?"

I pointed at him. "You know you're ridiculous, right?"

"No."

"You're absolutely ridiculous."

"No, sunshine. I'm serious."

Before I could argue further, my mother's voice echoed up the stairs. "Livana! Time is going!"

"In a minute, Mom!"

I waited until her footsteps disappeared, then looked back at Caspian. He tilted his head. "If you won't change, can I at least do something?"

I eyed him suspiciously. "What kind of something?"

His smile turned softer. "Trust me."

That was probably the least reassuring thing he could have said. Still... "Go on."

His expression immediately brightened. He stepped closer, close enough for me to feel the warmth coming from him. My breath caught. Carefully, he moved my hair away from my neck. A shiver raced through me. Goosebumps followed instantly. His hand brushed my shoulder briefly before dropping away. Then his head lowered slightly.

I froze. His nose hovered near my neck. Not touching. Just close enough. A strange warmth spread through my chest. My thoughts became fuzzy, like standing in sunlight after being cold for too long. I breathed in without meaning to, and immediately caught his scent. Cedar. Rain. Something wild. Something uniquely him. The smell wrapped around me completely. Comforting. Protective. Safe.

My pulse stumbled. "Ca-Caspian? What are you doing?"

His eyes closed briefly. Then he inhaled slowly. Satisfied. "Strengthening our bond."

The words sent another wave of warmth through me. I suddenly felt surrounded by him. Protected by him. Like nothing could reach me. The sensation was overwhelming, but strangely comforting. When he finally stepped back, a pleased look crossed his face. "There."

I blinked. "There what?"

His silver eyes gleamed. "Now you'll remember."

"Remember what?"

A slow smile appeared. "That you're mine."

The words should have annoyed me. Instead, my heart betrayed me completely. And that annoyed me far more.