**Laura POV**
“I don't want a mate, I want to rule my park, myself.”my voice thundered in the room as Sonia gasped rapidly.
“I concur with them you know, you've already seen your mate, Alex my cousin is your mate.its unclear to me why you don't like him. Regardless of the mating bond between you two being conspicuous. He loves you and with him by your side, you'll need all the assistance you can get.” Sonia said, cupping my tender cheeks into her hands.
“I don’t feel anything for him sonia. I don't feel the mate bond” I lied.
“Your change is so sudden and alarming Laura” she scoffed. “ I thought you've always wanted this, why pulling out at the last minute?” she said through gritted teeth.
“I can do this myself Sonia, except you no longer have fate in your best friend” I said, tapping her shoulder.
“But Laura..” I cut her off abruptly.
“But what sonia… You’re no different from the elders, I thought you would help me in convincing them to see reasons with me. But it's obvious whose side you're on.” I rolled my eyes in disbelief.
“Don't say that Laura, I'll forever be by your side. What are friends for? My only concern is your safety, try to maybe give thought to the elders admonition.”she said with a smile playing on the corner of her lips.
“Thanks bestie, I'll think about it.” I said, pulling her into a tight hug.
“My bestie is back to her normal self,” Sonia squirreled, happily spanking me softly as we both giggled.
Later on, I went for pack training. I could feel the rage coursing through my body as my wolf screamed “Revenge, Revenge”. I went straight to the punching bag as my guards stood watch. I punched the bag with an astronomical strength, and the room shook. I was stronger than before in my past life, but I didn't show it to anyone. I punched harder this time as thoughts of my late parents flooded through my mind, my heart broke into a million pieces. I punched the bag again and again as memories of Alex betrayals also made its way to my mind. I blamed myself for being a fool then . I was beginning to lose control as I shifted into my wolf form, ripping every muscle in my body as I transformed. The experience, once painful, was no longer painful. I howled as I shifted back to my human form. I could hear footsteps walking towards me as I spun swiftly, landing two punches to the person’s face. I knew instinctively that it was Alex.
“Arrgghh, that hurts” he groaned in pain.
“What are you doing here?” I sneered at him. My anger is almost boiling over.
“I came to protect you as my mate, to prevent you from hurting yourself” he replied. “You’re not my mate,” I yelled at him. “ The sooner you get that illusion out of your head the better for you” I deadpanned.
“No matter what you do or how you treat me, I'll always be here for you. We have been fated as mates.”
“You’re sick in the brain.just get out of here now.” I yelled at him.
“I will leave but just know that I'll never stop trying to win you over.” he said with a smirk on his face.
“Arrggh, I told you to leave already” as I turned with another punch. I heard a shrill cry that made my heart skip a beat. It was none other than Maxwell.
“Ouch my Nose, what did you take?”
“I'm sorry, Maxwell” I snapped in a calm, loving voice. “I didn't see you coming,” I added, staring at his already bleeding face.
“You’re Alex, right, Sonia’s cousin” Maxwell enquired.
“Yes I am, and I'm also Laura’s mate. What business do you have here if I may ask?” Alex growled at Maxwell with a menacing look .
“She is my friend and I came to check up on her.” Maxwell replied. I stood there, looking at the two of them banter words.
“ You have no right to be anywhere around here. Seeing that she now has a mate.” Alex enunciated. “ Keep shut! the both of you.” I screamed running into the woods. I ran as far as my legs could carry me until I ended up at the river bank.
Lost in my thoughts for what seemed like forever, I was jerked from my reverie when a familiar scent hit my nostril. It was the scent from Maxwell. I smiled inwardly.
“Is everything okay Laura, what are you doing here all by yourself.”
I turned to look at him and our gaze locked. I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me as my heart pulsated ferociously within my chest. I gulped. Why was I feeling this way towards him?.
“ Nothing, I need some fresh air,” I replied. I could feel him walking towards me as he grabbed my arms into his. “Laura, we might not really be close but I want you to know that, you can always confide in me” his voice was soothing. It made my thighs warm as waves of mixed emotions washed over me. He slowly leaned in to kiss me. I just froze, I couldn't fight the feelings. It felt like he had a special bond over me.
His piercing green eyes swallowed me in, his scent gave me goosebumps. As our lips connected, I felt a surge of electricity course through me. His lips were soft and fluffy. His arms wrapped me into his warm embrace and I felt like melting under his dominating presence. What was I doing? The feeling was unexplainable. He smeared my neck with kisses as he slowly moved to my earlobes. “You’re very beautiful Laura” he whispered . His breath was hot on my neck.
I was almost giving in to my desires when I quickly pushed him away. “Sorry Maxwell, I can't do this, I'm sorry” I said as I ran back home through the woods.
Laura POV We lay back down in bed, and I rest my head on his chest. “I can’t believe I forgot. I’ve been a werewolf and shifted, and I still didn’t know.”“You lost a lot of blood and were in a coma for a few days, Laura. Don’t beat yourself up for not remembering. I think in a way, your memories come back to you when you’re ready to face them,” he admits, and I think about that for a second.He might be right. He’s always right.I stay silent as he wraps me up in his strong arms. “Sleep, baby. It’s still early. We can talk about this in the morning.”My eyes flutter shut, and I inhale the scent wafting from his neck. I smile at the way it invades my bloodstream. My senses have heightened in ways I couldn’t even imagine.Later that day, I find myself in the library with Evan and Sam close behind him, looking as bored as ever. I reach up to find books on werewolf ancestry because I feel like I’m missing a piece of my history. My parents abandoned me when I was a baby, and now I don’
Laura POVMy ankles are submerged in mild water. The bottom of the lake is clear, and fish swim around my feet. I release a soft chuckle as they tickle my skin. My head tilts towards the sunset as it sits perfectly along the horizon.I open my lungs and take down the fresh air. A presence behind me makes me tingle, but I’m not afraid. My head looks over my shoulder to be met with luminous eyes and long white hair. I relax.“Laura.” She reaches out to touch my cheek.My eyes close at the sensation that washes over my skin.I remember her from my dream before. She came back.“You’re here.”When I open my eyes, she nods, and I study the pretty markings on her face. A triangle with circles glimmer across her forehead, and her eyelashes are a metallic blue. She takes my face between her warm hands, and I exhale a breath of relief.“Do not forget your power.”I frown. “What power?”“Do not forget the strength inside your soul.”“What do you mean?”She offers me a sweet smile. “I would neve
Maxwell POVAfter running Laura a luke-warm bath, I perch on the edge of the tub and study her drained face. Her skin is still on fire, despite the fact she’s shuddering as if we’re in the Antarctic. Guilt rides my chest like a wave. I’m not sure if her body is rejecting my mark because her human body isn’t strong enough to accept it. I don’t want to think about that fate.“Laura,” I whisper and caress her face.Her hand splashes into the water, and she retracts as if it’s toxic. I calm her by stroking back her hair and sending as much comfort through our bond as possible. Although, I can sense a barricade.“How are you feeling?”Laura’s eyes open, and they’re lazy, her lids almost shutting again.I examine her lips and move closer. The corners of her mouth are starting to fade into a light blue. Something is definitely wrong. Her body continues to shake, rippling the water aggressively. She wraps her arms around her legs in an attempt to keep warm.My hands reach into the bath, and
Laura POVI’m on the brink when he speeds up, and I clamp down on his lip, desperate to fall over the edge. I’m building and building. I groan into the kiss seconds away from absolute pleasure.Then he pulls his fingers from me, and I glare at him in desperation. I hate the smirk that sits on his face. “What” I can hardly get the words out as I watch him suck on his fingers. “Max, please.”He curls a brow in my direction as he sits back on his knees, staring down at me with misty eyes. “You think I didn’t hear your little thoughts earlier today slip through our bond?”“I used my barriers,” I heave.Maxwell releases a wicked laugh that sends shivers to my toes. “Not well enough, baby.”“What did you hear?”“Most of it.”I throw my head back to the bed. I’m pooling with heat. My heart rattles so loud I’m sure he can hear it. He crawls over my body once more and kisses me with rough passion. “You tell me the fucking second I cross any boundaries. Do I make myself clear?”“Yes.”“Good,”
Laura POVWhen I travel home later that afternoon, there’s a huge smile on my face from how fulfilled I am. My old life might be nothing but a distant memory, but Kayleigh shines above all. She’s one person I’ll never be able to forget.As the car drives through our gated community and pulls up outside Maxwell’s private entrance to the house, I hop out. I’m desperate to share everything that happened today with him and because he is my person.I wander through the front door and into the kitchen where the smell of food hypnotizes me. I’m not even hungry as we ate a few hours ago, but it smells divine.When I enter Max is standing there shirtless. My feet halt at the sight of his muscly back. He’s standing over the stove, using one hand to stir whatever he’s cooking in the frying pan. I scan his skin as the muscles contract and relax with each subtle movement. My lips part, and I’m certain I start drooling.I had no idea I had a thing for backs.“Are you going to stand there and ogle
Laura POVWe pause by a fountain and perch on the ledge as the sun beats down on us. “So, you go here with Danny, huh?”She scoffs. “No. I’ve always wanted to come here. Danny just so happened to rock up. We don’t see each other often if that’s what you think. I feel like he followed me here so he could find out information about you from me, which he did. I’m sorry. I never intended to do that.”“I know, I know,” I reassure her. “It’s fine. I don’t mind. How are your parents?”Kayleigh’s eyes drop to the pebbled floor. “They’re not together anymore.”“Oh.” I frown. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t.”“No, they loved you. They treated you like their own. It’s okay to bring them up. They miss you so much.” Her eyes crinkle at the sides.My chest warms. “I’d love to see them soon.”“They’d love that, too.”“Are you dating anyone right now?”She’s quiet for a long moment, and I inspect her face. There is an edge of slight discomfort at the question. “No,” she whispers. “Not anymore.”“Oh, what h