Cael

Cael's POV

I rubbed my eyes; this place smelled too much of trash. I came to this run-down place to keep an eye on the group of humans by the pool table, tracking them, not following. One of those men was supposed to receive a package, and if my hunch was right, it came from the witches. Then a scent hit me like a brick wall. Not perfume. Not liquor. Not the thick smoke curling in the air. Lavender, mixed with the scent of rain. Though something darker, wilder, and something that clawed at my chest and made it hard to breathe. Her.

She stood in the middle of the bar, her shoulders tense, while she scanned the room. Too beautiful for a place like this, that much I knew. Long black hair that tumbled down her shoulders, framing a face that could be a weapon of war. A goddess in torn jeans and an oversized sweater. Her eyes were wide, guarded with lips pressed tight like she knew she didn’t belong here.

There was no fear in her; I couldn’t smell it, but that heart of hers was racing, and my wolf locked in on her. Possessiveness surged through me, a growl trying to claw its way out of my throat. I shoved the need to shift down, and down to the bottom of the depth of my being. Mate. The word ripped through me, like a bomb had exploded. The bond slammed into my chest like a lead bullet. It was heavy, to heavy. I gripped the table to keep myself steady, or rather, holding onto whatever control I had. The wood started to crack and splinter. I hadn’t expected this, not tonight, not ever.  It’s been centuries since I was born, and never once did I think the moon goddess would give me a mate. It was dangerous, and this woman’s scent was intoxicating. And then a man moved towards her, a human piece of trash. He leaned too close to her, his hand reaching for her arm. I didn’t realize it, but I was standing now, watching her flinch, and subtle but enough for me to notice.  Her voice was soft and carried towards me; she rejected him, low and firm. Like a thread breaking free, something inside me snapped. My feet were before I could stop myself.Three strides and I was there, looming over him. My voice came out sharp with a growl.

The bastard sneered, turning halfway toward me. Then his gaze locked with mine.

Frozen.

Humans, wolves, didn’t matter; they all recognized what I was. I didn’t need to bare my teeth. He went pale, muttered something about payback, and walked away.

Good.

Her eyes were on me then. She looked annoyed with a curious look in her eyes. I chuckled despite myself because even pissed, she was breathtaking. She took a step back when I moved closer, and it only made me want to close the distance again. She could run, but she wouldn’t get far. Not from me, because she was my mate.

By the gods, her scent was worse, no better up close. Wrapping around me until control felt impossible, her pulse fluttered at the base of her throat. My wolf was raging inside, wanting to sink its teeth there, to claim and mark her. My mind was betraying me, as visions flashed of her under me, begging for me to do unthinkable things to her.

But the look in her eyes... no, she wasn’t weak. Her chin lifted with defiance, ready to fight me if she had to.

Another smirk crossed my lips. I couldn’t have asked for a better mate, strong-willed and beautiful.

“You okay?” My voice softened, and I tried to make it less threatening, though it still came out deeper than I meant.

Her pretty mouth pressed into a thin line. “I… yeah. Thank you.” Her voice was a melody, soft but steady.

My chest tightened. My wolf howled the same word again and again.

Mine. Mine. Mine.

I wanted to know her name, I wanted to throw her over my shoulder and take her away from this filthy place. But my gaze caught the bag she was hugging tight to her chest. Then the necklace around her throat. The mark of Erza. The ring on her hand, glowing faintly, was the blood ruby.

My stomach went ice cold.

A witch.

My mate was a witch.

My enemy.