Chapter 2

I had almost made it to my car when I spotted him standing next to it. He could probably smell my scent coming from inside of it. That’s the only way he could know it was mine unless….

“Have you been stalking me?” I question him in an extremely calm voice. I was more than irritated. It would explain why I’ve been

smelling traces of his scent all week. He must have caught my scent and realized I was his mate if what he claims is true.

He ignores my question. “I’m going to change your mind. I’m your mate. You won’t be able to resist long.”

Was he serious? “No you won’t. Not like this.”

“Like what?”

“Like an entitled man, behaving like a child who isn’t getting his way. Are you going to cry next and storm off if I reject you again? Even if we are mates, that doesn’t mean you own me. I don’t have to be with you, and talking to me like that certainly isn’t earning you any points.”

He frowned. “That’s not how I meant it. I meant I will do whatever it takes to win you over because you are my mate, and that means you are worth fighting for.”

I sighed and moved towards my car. “Well that’s a wonderful sentiment. But I’m not some prize to be won. And besides, you don’t even know me. You just like the idea of having a mate.”

He was leaning against the driver’s side car door, completely blocking my way. He tipped his head down as he looked into my eyes and said with complete sincerity,“That’s not true.”

“How could it not be? You even just admitted it when you said being your mate was what makes me worth fighting for. Not the person I am; after all, you just met me, and you can’t be in love with me already. Infatuated maybe, but not in love.”

He took a breath, and then a moment of pause before he said, “First of all, a mate is not a mere trophy, a mate is far more valuable than that. And before you get worked up, what I mean by that is a mate can offer things that are priceless and intangible. Things like unconditional and powerful love, trust, peace, a home, even children and a family. and those things are invaluable.

“Secondly, I do know you. I know you like Italian food, more specifically pasta. I know you love the beach but rarely make time for it. I know you like to read smut and fantasy. I know your favorite flowers are lilies. I know you like to watch the sun rise and set everyday from your balcony. I know you enjoy baking. And I know, despite your behavior and attitude towards me, that you are a very kind, compassionate person who always tries to give people the benefit of the doubt.

“So I do know a little about you. And after everything I have seen, I know I want to know more.”

I tapped my foot on the ground. “So you have been stalking me?” And apparently for longer than I thought.

“I was merely curious about my mate.”

“How long? How long have you been watching me?”

“Since I scented you.”

“Which was when exactly?” I was losing my patience.

“A few weeks ago.”

I just shook my head. “You vampires are all the same. Obsessive and arrogant.”

“You’ve met other vampires?” he asked.

“Yes. Well, only one other one.”

“I see. So you are judging an entire race based off of two vampires, one of which you only met twenty minutes ago?” He scuffed at me.

I looked down, suddenly feeling a little ashamed. “You’re blocking my way,” I muttered.

He moved off my car door and began to walk away.

I opened the car door, but I paused before I got into my car, chewing on my lip. Fine. He wins.

I turned around and called out to him, “One date.”

He stopped and turned towards me

“One date,” I repeated, “and if I don’t want to go on another you have to leave me alone. And that means no stalking either.”

“That seems fair. Where would you like to go?” he asked.

“You’re telling me you’ve been watching me for weeks and don’t have any idea what I might enjoy doing on a first date?”

He just kept looking at me.

“Surprise me,” I told him, as I climbed into my car and rolled down the window to let out the heat.

“Where should I pick you up?” he asked.

I rolled my eyes. “You know where I live. Just pick me up from my place tomorrow night.”

As I pulled away, I watched him vanish in my rear view mirror.

***

The next day at work went by too fast. I was anxious about this date despite my carefree attitude about it last night, and I didn’t really know why.

I still wasn’t sure I believed him about me being his mate. Witches didn’t have mates in the sense that vampires, werewolves, and other beings had them. We were more like humans in that sense. Although, since vampires could have mates, I supposed it was possible. I just couldn’t quite imagine how that would work.

If vampires could be mated to anyone, and witches didn’t have mates, would he be the only one who could feel the mate bond? Would I ever feel it? Or would I have to fall in love with him like I would a human or a witch? Did mate bonds even make a person love someone? The truth is, I didn’t really know how mate bonds were supposed to work even if the couple was the same species.

I had so many questions, and I was embarrassed to even need to ask them. I didn’t want to make assumptions and be wrong either though. There was a part of me that didn’t want to mess this up. There was a part of me that thrilled at the idea of a mate existing for me.

I didn’t know this man, but I wanted to.

There was only one way I was going to find out the answers to all my questions.