004 - You're my mate, little witch

ALTHEA. 

I arrived at my home and tried to go on with my routine, but I couldn’t seem to focus. 

Everything reminded me of him. 

I could see his muscles flexing and the way his jaw tightened, and even with his nose flaring and his eyes glaring at me, I found myself attracted to his physical features.

Something was definitely wrong with me. 

For the rest of the day, I fought with myself not to think about him. At one point, I even screamed at the top of my lungs and let out energy from my body that had all my pans and pots dropped and clattered on the floor. 

But I still couldn’t get him off my mind.

I finally gave up and let my desire for him take over. I drew my curtains close, even though I knew I was alone in this part of the mountain, and sat on my small couch. 

I leaned my back against it and bent my knees, anchoring my feet on the sofa as I parted my legs and slipped my hand inside my dress and into my underpants.

I let go and pleasured myself with thoughts of the man I saw by the waterfall. 

I didn’t even get his name, but it didn’t matter.

I let my mind wander, taking my desire to an ultimate high, enjoying the thought of his rough hands all over my body, pressing and caressing every part of me.

My toes curled, and just as I was about to explode, a knock was heard from my front door.

I peered through the window and found the same huge man standing outside my door. His one arm was a pile of cut wood. 

I wanted to tell him to go away, but the desire in me took over, and I rushed to the door and opened it instead. “If you’re here to ask me to bring the woman you love back to life, you are wasting your time. I am not helping you.”

Instead of answering, I saw him sniffing the air before his lips twitched into a crooked smile. But it was gone in seconds. If he smelled something, he didn’t say anything about it, and I was grateful for that, as I felt my cheeks were already burning from embarrassment. 

“I got you firewood. I saw you come out and take just a few from your shed, and when I checked it, there was nothing in there, so I looked for wood I could cut and chop.” He said

My eyes went to the wood before tilting up to look at his face. “Are you stalking me?”

“Can I settle this first?” He asked in an annoyed tone. 

I should have told him to go away, but then again, my actions were different from my thoughts. I opened the door wide and let him in. 

He entered and made his way to the fireplace. He dropped the wood on the floor beside it before crouching and tossing some in it, placing them strategically.

I was looking at his broad back until my eyes fell on his boots’ soles. They were full of mud, and they were already on my floor. Not that I wouldn’t be able to wipe it out with my magic, but as much as possible, I tried to do things manually if I could.

He turned around, and he must have seen the expression on my face because he frowned. “It’s just mud. It can be cleaned.”

“Did you hear me say anything?” I retorted at the animosity in his voice.

“Your face said it all.” He grunted before walking toward the door. “You’re welcome. Have a good night.” 

Wow.

But instead of slamming the door in his face, I decided to be nice. “Do you want to eat? I think I have enough food for two. Although I’m not sure how much portion you are eating, I think whatever portion I have is enough to warm your stomach.” I said in one breath.

“How old are you?” He asked instead of answering.

“Eighteen.”

His shoulders slumped before he began walking away again.

My forehead creased, annoyed that he ignored my invitation after I did my best to be nice. I didn’t notice that I picked up one of my clogs and aimed it at him until it came flying and hit his head with a thud, making him growl before turning around slowly.

“What the fuck was that for?” He asked, almost roaring.

Instead of cowering, I decided to act bravely and tilt my head up, placing my hands on my hips. If he decided to attack me, there was a door between us. I could shut it and put an enchantment on my house so he couldn’t break it. 

“I just invited you for dinner on a food I worked hard to cook, only for you to ignore it!”

“Isn’t that basically what you did to me? I ask you questions, and I never get a decent answer.” He snapped back.

“I don’t even know if I can trust you!”

"You don't seem to trust people easily, but you openly spread your legs and touch yourself without closing your windows so everyone can see you put on that fucking show!"

I gasped, horrified at his words.

“And then you invited me for dinner inside your home? So again, if I can’t be trusted, why are you inviting me inside your home?” In a few steps, he was already in front of me, towering over me. “Do you usually do that? Invite males inside your house even if you don’t fucking know anything about them!”

“I hate you!” I yelled at him as my eyes watered from his rudeness. I pushed him with full force, using my energy. His body flew again, and he landed on the ground outside of the house. I shut the door with my chants even before he could get up.

My hands curled into fists as my chest heaved. I didn’t know what to feel at the moment. I couldn’t understand myself. 

The only emotions I was used to were happiness and loneliness, but this man was evoking emotions I was not familiar with: anger and frustration. And yet, I was lusting after him.

I was usually good with my emotions. I never had an outburst.

I bit my bottom lip and tried to steady my breathing, praying to the spirits to calm me down. I was counting numbers when I heard another knock on the door.

“What do you want?” I asked snappily.

“Is the food still available?” His voice was calmer.

“I threw it already!”

“How about water? I promise I won’t anger you again.”

I slowly loosened my tight fists, but I didn't move or answer him.

"I'm sorry. Those words were uncalled for." He added.

I knew I was being stupid because I opened the door.

“My name is Blade. What’s your name?” He said the moment he came into view.

“Althea…”

“I’m thirty years old. And I’m not lying when I say you’re my second chance mate. My wolf is furious at me right now for angering you, but I had no idea what to do with this bond…”

Of course, he wanted nothing to do with me. Didn’t he want his mate alive?

“My first mate died five years ago. You are my second chance mate, Althea. But maybe the Goddess made a mistake because you are too young for me.”

I could hear his words, but all I could think of was him saying I was too young for him. He didn’t want me.

Not that it mattered to me. I didn’t want him as well. 

I closed the door in his face again, but slowly, not knowing what to say this time. But I could still feel his presence outside.

A minute or two passed by, and no one moved behind the door. I finally gave up and opened it, and I was right. He didn’t even move an inch from where he was standing.

Our eyes locked before he took one step forward, making our bodies touch. 

His hand cupped my chin, tilting my head up while he leaned his face downward, making his warm breath fan against my skin. 

“Althea…” His voice came out raspy, sending shivers down my spine and making my pussy tingle. 

He was so close. Too close, I wanted to kiss him.