Push Back

Mara’s POV

My mind raced as I staggered backwards as I tried to put distance between us. It had been ten years since I'd last seen him up close, and yet he still managed to bring out the memories I had spent years burying deep into the ground.

I had to make sure he never saw me again.

“Fancy seeing you here, Mara." Dresden said as he strode forward, his built toned body moved with grace and the same fierceness he'd always carried.

"What do you want ??" I hissed as I folded my arms across my chest and moved closer to the tree I sensed behind me.

“You've always been such a feisty thing haven't you??" He chuckled,

" But you kept all this fury away from me…” His voice wavered as he stopped walking and stared at me with an emotion I didn't quite understand.

“After all these years, You've become quite beautiful to the eyes Mara.”

I watched as the mask he wore slipped only a little before his taunting smirk creeped back to its rightful place.

" What are you saying??" I snapped.

“You seem to have forgotten what happened ten years ago, Dresden.” I spat back at him as he watched me.

My feet moved even before I could register the action, " You abused me, insulted me, you made each and every member of your pack verbally disrespect me.”

" Mara..”

" Listen to me!!” I yelled as I shut him up, not caring how far my voice rang through the forest, the trees moving in tandem with the wind and the breeze carrying the echoes of my scream.

I was already pent up from the entire ordeal with Matthew and now to be cornered by the one man I had spent years trying hard to forget and heal from.

I poked his chest hard not caring how it seemed like tiny bolts of electricity passed through my bones at the connection.

It wasn't skin contact and yet the mate bond was already pulling tight as he moved backwards with every jab my finger made into his skin.

“You rejected me…” My voice now barely a whisper echoed through the dark. “You left me for one who wasn't your mate, you rejected me in front of the entire pack, ridiculed and humiliated me." I jabbed my fingers even harder, my anger fueling each and every thought that raced through my mind.

“How dare you come here and tell me that I've grown, Well not that I'm surprised seeing as you made a public display of your sexual abilities, one of us had to grow.” I sneered.

I was panting hard at my outburst, refusing to let him see my cry. I wasn't the same weak Mara he'd ridiculed, being in the crescent pack made me much stronger.

Having to prove myself countless times because the pack couldn't accept that the moon goddess mated their alpha to a stranger and having to pick myself up during days that were worse than most.

I wasn't going to be weak, I had to stand for myself or no one else would.

Dresden seemed shocked at my outburst, his eyes wide and his lips parted as though he needed to speak but he could not get the words out of his mouth.

My fingers still jabbed at his chest ached, as I leaned backwards hoping to rid myself of touching him.

I didn't register when the shocked state broke, but a sharp gasp left my throat as his hand wrapped around my wrist and pulled me closer to him.

“Wha–”

" You've done enough talking, now listen.” His voice deep and gravelly as he holds my hands to his chest, while his free hand snaked across my waist making it impossible to free myself.

I bucked hard as I tried to free myself from his grip, I ignored the spike in my breathing as he held me.

It was forbidden to even think of him, I forbade it, I wouldn't let myself fall for any tricks, the moon goddess had done well in surprising me but I was done with all of that.

“Stop fighting,” Dresden growled, making me still in his arms.

I growled slowly, hating how much power he had. Hating how compliant my body felt within his hold. He shouldn't have this much say over me but he did, I hated it.

“Unhand me, you monster." I tried moving again.

He only chuckled at my attempt to free myself from his death grip.

“Yeah, keep fighting.." He laughed using the opportunity to shift us from beneath moonlight and maneuvering us to a tree bark. “I really do like it rough."

The bark of the tree bit at my skin from underneath the sheer cotton top I'd packed for the run. It was rather comical that I was barely able to wear anything other than cotton.

My breaths came in hazy, as my lungs seemed to constrict further than it was used to at the now inseparable space we had. Dresden wore a smug look as he held my head against his and his legs pinned at my sides to prevent me from turning away from him.

“You pig!!" I jerked back from his touch, the tree scraped my top.

“Let go of me this instant!" I screamed.

Dresden watched me for a moment before he finally took a step back.

I inhaled the hair through my lungs sharp and fast, finally feeling like I could breathe.

The Full moon run was to be in session in a few days but I still couldn't explain why no other wolf had run across the path only us both seemed to occupy.

Why wasn't there anyone out here???

“You feel it too, don't you??” Dresden asked and my breath hitched because I hadn't thought he'd be able to feel it too.

I tried to reign ignorance and opened my mouth to lie,

“I know you do, you jolted when you first touched me Mara. Don't lie to me." He said.

I turned my face away and let out deep breaths to control myself and not make it so obvious that I was clearly affected by the mate bond.

"It's just the mate bond and most definitely nothing else." I sighed.

"There is nothing in my heart towards you other than hatred.”

“Mara… you have to listen to me,” Dresden said as he ran his fingers through his hair, “You don't know how many years I've waited to see you again." He whispered.

"I don't want to hear anything you have to say.” I said and turned around to walk away.

I was done with that conversation, I stormed away from him angrily not turning back as he called my name. I picked up my pace as I heard the breaking of twigs and footsteps behind me.

“Mara."

“Stop following me Dresden." I yelled back, not looking at him as he stormed closer.

My head buzzed with a dull ache. I already had enough to deal with, adding all of the drama that seemed to follow suit since I'd stepped into this pack was becoming too much.

“Mara, I am your mate!!" Dresden roared furiously and I stopped to turn around.

I watched his breaths become ragged as he fumed in anger, my hands fisted at my sides and my head high as I held his stare.

“You lost the right to call me your mate, the day you fucked another woman right before my eyes even before you rejected me."

“You lost the right to call me your mate, the day you humiliated and stepped over me time and time again." I screamed as tears burnt my eyes and my body shook with anger.

I threw my arm out and pointed between both of us, “This bond, it means nothing to me.” I said.

"I have a mate and his name is Matthew Crescent, Alpha of the Crescent Pack,” I raged, "And he has been by my side for the entire years that you've spent away from me, I do not accept you, the same way you never accepted me.”

"You have no right over me Dresden."

I don't wait for a reply as I storm off, my feet moving quickly as I left a rather stunned and fuming Dresden behind.

My mind is heavy with the acknowledgement of Dresden’s know to the mate bond. I'd been able to resist it due to the anger but now it seemed to be growing with every day I spent within his presence.

My thoughts are hazy as I finally reach the clearance of the pack house where we'd been given rooms. I pluck the tiny bits of bark that seem stuck to my top and dust the leaves scattered over my shoulders.

“If it isn't the little slut who slept her way into another pack." Bella's shrill voice was filled with distaste as she stood perched against the side of the front porch.

“It's lovely to see you again Bella." I replied my voice flat.

"You know… I don't care if you've got a new alpha or not, you had better stay away from Dresden.”