Chapter Three

Angelica

The grass beneath my bare back was cold yet soothing to my skin, my breath coming out in short heaves as Gabriel's mouth licked and nibbled at my neck. He'd made quick work of my clothes and they lay in a crumbled pile beside us. His warm hands roamed down my chest, down my waist to stop at my thighs before pulling away from my neck to loom above me. His eyes changing to a completely black hue and I knew he was holding back his wolf spirit. 

He grinned sluggishly, almost as if he were drunk, and whispered to me, "Let me have you."

I felt a shiver travel through my entire body, I attempted to steady my breathing as I nodded, reaching for his belt buckle. He threw his head back and muttered something under his breath before I pulled his belt out and threw it to the side. And before I could even blink his mouth was on me again as he fumbled with his jeans. Then, with a hot blush wasing over me, we were one.

****

Gabriel shouted his release and I screamed out mine, both of us climaxing together. I could feel his member pulse inside me, his seed filling me completely. His body was tense above me as he dealt with the aftershocks of both our orgasms. While he was doing that, I laid back and smiled at the stars as my hands reached up to cuddle him - but he moved away.

My smile faded, feeling like someone pinched my heart as I noticed another thing too - he didn't mark me. We were mates. Mates are supposed to mark each other when they become intimate, it completely binds their spirits together. Without that, the bond can break. "Gabriel-"

"Shh," he hissed. He grabbed my shirt as he pulled out of me - a wave of coldness made me shiver as I closed my legs and crossed my arms over my breasts. All the happiness and romance was gone as I now wanted to know why he didn't mark me. He wiped his member clean with my shirt and then threw it down beside me with a malicious smirk. "Thanks for all that, but I gotta get going or else I'll be late." He got up and dressed and I stood up and took hold of his arm.

"Wait!" I pleaded, ignoring the way his glare pained my chest. "When will I see you again?"

He pushed my arm away and shrugged. "Probably never, darling," he sighed casually. "I know what you're gonna say, love. 'But we're mates, we're meant to be, I love you' blah blah blah. Am I right? Of course, I'm right. The thing is, love, I'm too good for you and I can't be tied down with just one woman. I got gals at home waiting for me to please 'em all. But I have to say, babe, you were the greatest f*ck I ever had. Maybe we can catch up for a quickie before I leave back to England? Here? Same time tomorrow?" I didn't get a chance to say anything before he pecked my lips and ran off into the woods.

The numbness had taken over me by then and I barely registered anything he said over what just happened. My mate used me and then left. I stood there, naked in the eyes of the Moon Goddess, barely feeling the cold as the temperature continued to drop. It was like I was a toy he grew tired of playing with. 

I don't know how long I stood there for, watching the part of the forest where he disappeared out of sight. I must have been standing there for a long time because the moon and stars were sitting in a different place and once I realised this, the numbness began to subside and I began to feel again. My knees began to shake as my heart twisted painfully, my tears poured down my cheeks as my body convulsed in shivers because of the coldness, betrayal and regret seeped into my heart, crushing my spirit and what was left of my dignity.

My knees buckled as harsh, strong sobs weakened my body and I fell to my knees, sobbing and screaming as indescribable agony peeled away the numbness and tortured my heart mercilessly. My throat tightened as I screamed out my pain and lack of dignity. I sobbed out my what was left of my pride until I had nothing left to scream out, nothing left to cry for. On the cold grassy ground on my hands and knees, my screams and sobs settling down even though my heart was beating erratically, ready to burst out of my chest. With shaky hands, I reached for my bra and shamefully put it back on, remembering how Gabriel had unclasped it and pulled it off with his teeth. I grabbed my panties with the same shame and slide them back on, feeling sickening regret dig into the pits of my stomach making me feel sick. My jeans were next to slide on and I left my once favourite shirt off, however, I carried it with me as I made my way back home.

I slowly paced my way through the forest and back to my house, twigs cutting into my feet as I walked, but that stinging pain couldn't compare to how used and disgusting I felt. Despite my shame and God-forsaken regret, I had to tell my parents - there was no avoiding it. What would be the point? Delaying it would only increase my nervousness and anxiety, so avoidance was not an option. It didn't take long before I reached the back of my house and before I could open up the back door, it swung open and there stood my mother, cheeks tear-stained and new worry lines creasing her forehead. "My baby!" Mom sobbed as she grabbed me into a hug.

And that was when I broke down again, I grasped on to Mom and squeezed her slightly pudgy body into mine as I, again, cried out my pain, regret and heartbreak. I heard my father in the background and he came rushing to our side.

"Nessie," he called out to my mother, "is she alright?" Dad saw me, observed my physical state quickly and grabbed onto my shoulders. "Who did this to you?!"

"Jim, calm down! You're scaring her!" Mom scolded, softly placing a hand on his shoulder as I looked at my dad's fearful eyes. I knew what he was thinking and it made me cry harder.

"Dad!" I was pulled to my father's chest as he hushed me, telling me he was sorry he didn't protect me, that he'll do anything to see me smile again. I shook my head against his chest. "It's n-not your f-fault, Dad," I stuttered.

"Let's go into the kitchen, have a nice hot chocolate and you can tell us what happened," Mom suggested as she and Dad guided me into the house.

****

Half an hour later, I told them everything from when I ran out of the house to the moment I stepped back onto our threshold. Mom had her hand over her mouth as tears once again stained her cheeks, Dad was fuming with anger...until I told him my mate's name.

"Gabriel Black?"

"Who is he, Jim?" Mom asked worriedly.

"The Black family, are cruel, heartless Werewolves. They're close to Royalty, but only distantly - they are a part of the Werewolf Council. I'm not just talking about reputation, I mean - really mean - that they are ruthless, powerful, cold and evil. If you are his mate that means..."

Both my parents silenced themselves, but they didn't have to say it. I knew. If I was Gabriel's mate and if he somehow decided to take me back, I would have to live with them and live their cruel, callous way of life - no love, no kindness, only blood and cruelty. But, what if, Gabriel never finds me? Even if he does, somehow, want me back, what if he never finds me? And I can live my life the way I want? Find someone who loves me? My wolf spirit stirred angrily at my thoughts, but I ignored her. She is compelled by the mate bond to do everything so we could be with our mate - but if our mate loved us, truly loved us, he wouldn't have left us. No, he would have declared our love for us, marked us and we would have lived happily ever after. We would have had a beautiful life together, rather than...what that was back there.

"What if he never finds me?" I said suddenly, startling both Mom and Dad. "I mean, I know he left me and all but if he does decide to take me back he'll have to find me first. But what if I left?"

"Oh, Angel, you can't just up and leave-"

"And why not, Nessie?" Dad questioned, defending me. "You heard what that boy did to our little girl. Why make her stay with the risk of him coming back to claim her, making her live a life of callousness and misery when she can start anew?"

"I know, Jim, I know. But if he finds out she doesn't live here anymore he-"

"He won't be able to do a thing because if he harms us or anyone here, it'll start a war not only between our pack and his but between our allied packs, as well because he and members from his pack are foreigners." Dad turned to me and embraced me tightly. My chest aching and my heart becoming heavy. My father has always been my rock, my saviour and the one person I could always turn to when I had nothing and no one else. "I have family friends in a few places, you can join their packs and stay hidden until you find someone else or until he stops looking for you but remembers, this is only if he starts looking for you. But we'll hide you just in case, for six months, maybe twelve." He told me, his eyes brimming with tears and determination.

It made me feel loved, that he would go as far as he needed to just to protect me yet at the same time I couldn't help but feel like a disappointment to him - that I allowed this to happen to me. I was too trusting, too gullible. "I'm so sorry, daddy," I sobbed loudly.

"No, sweetheart, no," he cooed. "This isn't your fault. You did nothing wrong. And no matter what, I will always love you and I will always be proud of you." Dad kissed my forehead as Mum joined us for a group hug. After a while, Dad pulled away and nudged my cheek softly like he always did when I cried. "You and your mom go finish up your hot chocolates and some cookies," he suggested with a smile. "I need to go make a few phone calls."