003~ NAKED STRANGER

Vaelra

Unfortunately, my legs have a mind of their own as they refuse to move.

It takes him one step, and he closes the distance between us.

He's close.

Way too fucking close that I can feel the heat rolling of his large body.

His hand comes up beneath my chin and tilts my face toward him until I can feel the brush of his breath against my temple as he leans in.

His eyes glow.

And I can't help but notice how terrifyingly beautiful they are this close.

Then, a muscle ticks in his jaw as though he's fighting back something.

His nostrils flare again, followed by a crease forming between his brows.

"How old are you?"

His voice is rough gravel, low and dark, and it sends an unexpected shiver down my spine.

"Twenty," I answer before my brain can catch up.

His gaze narrows.

"You're wolfless."

The words shatter whatever strange haze had settled over me.

I didn't need a strange man, no matter how hot he was, reminding me I was defective.

I slap his hand away and take a step back.

"Want a prize for figuring it out?"

"Depends on what the prize is."

His gaze drifts away from my face.

I follow it, then immediately cross my arms over my chest as heat rushes to my cheeks.

"Pervert."

One silver eyebrow lifts as the corner of his mouth twitches.

"I was here first."

"Hiding under the water like some creep."

To my surprise, a deep laugh escapes him.

The sound is rich and warm and makes something low in my stomach tighten.

For a second, I forget I am supposed to be annoyed.

"I'm not a creep."

"That's exactly what a creep would say."

He's clearly fighting another laugh as he runs a hand through his damp hair.

The movement draws my attention to the muscles in his arm.

And my legs...

Okay.

The way my body is reacting right now is weird. I know it's sexy but get a grip, bitch.

I jerk my chin toward the riverbank.

"Leave."

"And if I don't want to?"

I glare at him while grinding my teeth knowing I can't do a damn thing about it.

A smug look settles across his face as he leans farther against a rock, looking too comfortable like he plans to spend all night here.

Fine.

If he wants to play this game, I'll be his guest.

Sinking lower into the water, I fold my arms as we just stare at each other.

Minutes pass, and neither of us moves.

The river grows colder around me and judging by the way my teeth are threatening to chatter while he looks perfectly fine, I seem to be the only one suffering.

That bastard.

Eventually, I gave up.

"Fine."

The satisfaction in his eyes is immediate.

"Turn around."

He raises his brow.

"I need to leave, and I'm..." My voice trails off.

He fucking knows what I mean.

His smirks deepen.

God, I have only known him for ten minutes, and I already hate him.

"Beg me."

At this point, I'm considering drowning him.

Not that I can with how huge he looks.

"Please," I grit out.

"I can't hear you."

"Just turn around goddamit."

He chuckles but turns his back to me.

I don't trust him, so I slowly move toward the shore while keeping my eyes on him.

The second I reach land, I lunge for my dress.

Clutching it to my chest, I spin around, only to find him standing right behind me.

I stumble back in shock, lose my footing, and land hard on my ass.

"The hell is—"

The words die in my throat as I look up and immediately discover what the river had been hiding.

His cock, no a third fucking arm hangs between his thighs, thick and long even at rest.

My brain short circuits for a full second as I just stare mouth open.

There is no way that is real.

"Pervert," he says, throwing my earlier accusation straight back at me.

Heat rushes to my face instantly.

"You- you're the one who walked up behind me!" I stutter. "While I was— while I was..."

The weapon between his legs makes it hard to form a coherent sentence.

He chuckles.

This bastard is enjoying this.

Suddenly he starts walking toward me.

"Stay back." My grip tightens on the dress clutched against my chest.

He keeps coming.

"Hey. Don't come closer."

Before I can scoot back he drops into a crouch between my legs.

My breath catches. "W—what are you doing?"

Instead of answering, he leans in, shifting onto his knees.

I immediately lean back and he moves closer. I lean further until my back hits the grass.

The dress is practically strangling in my grip.

He hovers over me, water dripping from his wet hair onto my chest and face.

By now I can hear my own heartbeat pounding in my ear.

His thumb drags over my lips, then down my throat following the line of my swallow all the way to my thigh.

His rough heat of gis palm o my bare skin sends electricity jolting through me.

He pulls my thigh higher until my core is just a breath away from pressing against his cock.

"St—"

Before I can finish, something slides out from under me. He holds up a pair of black trousers.

For several seconds I can only stare.

"You were sitting on my clothes."

There is silence as the humiliation hits me.

The corner of his mouth twitches and my face catches fire.

He could have just told me in the first place.

His fingers brush a loose strand of hair from my neck. "What dirty thoughts were running through your mind?"

I shove him with both hands. "Just get lost."

A low laugh rumbles from his chest as he straightens.

"Sure, Wildfire."

Then, without another word, he turns and starts walking away, completely naked and ready to traumatise the next poor soul who crosses his path.

I stay lying on the grass, dress forgotten in my hands as I watch him disappear into the trees.

Letting out a long groan, I bury my face in my hands.

I really hope I don't run into that lunatic again.

**********

It's the second day of the festival, and with most of the pack busy preparing for tonight's celebration, there isn't much work for me to do.

Which means I'm bored out of my fucking mind.

This should feel like a vacation instead, I'm lying on my bed staring at the ceiling and counting the holes in the roof.

We really need to repair it before the rainy season.

I groan and roll onto my stomach, burying my face in the pillow.

If only Zane were here.

A knock comes at my door.

I barely look up as it cracks open and Mama peeks her head inside.

"Vae?"

"Yeah."

A smile tugs at her lips as she announces, "Zane is here."