Chapter Three

Mate? Olivia wasn’t sure she’d heard right. And even if she did, what did he mean??

“What do you mean?” Her voice was level, but her heart thudded loudly in her chest.

“What it means–” He finished his survey, finally settling on her face, “–is that I’m a werewolf. And there are others like me, also with their partners which we call mates in the literal sense. Mine just so happens to be you.”

Olivia chuckled. It had to be some silly joke. He wasn’t making much sense, talking some nonsense about werewolves. They only existed in books and not real life.

“You need to get out of my apartment before I call the police.” Olivia put some distance between them. She was afraid she’d lose herself to him, pleading with him to touch her in places that she needed to be touched. God! She was insane. But, Edward made no move to go. Olivia stared at him with a puzzled expression on her face, baffled at this man’s audacity. Didn't he hear her? Or, did she have to repeat herself?

He took a step forward. “I have proof.” Olivia was taken aback. “Look at me,” he said, an undertone of steel in his voice and she turned to him at his command. She didn't want to but Olivia felt herself drawn to Edward somehow. She didn’t understand it.

Edward widened his mouth, exposing his teeth and Olivia staggered backward, her hand moving to her mouth. He had fangs, the edges tapering into a sharp point. Olivia wanted to scream but she had to remain calm. "Breathe. Breathe." Olivia reminded herself, breathing silently through her nostril. "Don’t freak out."

“There’s another one.” At this point, he slowly revealed his glowing eyes. Olivia thought she’d pass out from fear. Her knees were weak and they trembled, unable to support her full weight. Werewolf? It seemed impossible. But, then, how could he do what he did? Some superhuman power?

Something abruptly brushed past Olivia, startling her from her thoughts and she turned, finding Edward at the other corner of the room, across from her, staring intently at her. He’d changed positions. Jesus Christ. What did he want from her?

Olivia had to grip the edge of the couch to steady herself and she slowly sat, the realisation that she was powerless against this werewolf dawning on her. Tears shimmered in her eyes, and Olivia breathed shakily, wiping the tears with the back of her hand.

“What do you want from me?” She asked, loud enough for only him to hear, which was fine because she didn’t want this kind of thing getting out. Imagine if any of her neighbours got wind of it, they’d think she was crazy.

“Olivia,” Edward said softly, going to her. He scooped her in his arms, and Olivia was too weak to protest. She sniffled into his shirt, a vein throbbing in her forehead. Why had she found out all of this? “I’m not here to hurt you. I could never. I’m just trying to protect you.”

By frightening her? She wanted to ask, but didn’t say anything. Heaving a heavy sigh to lift the weight off her chest, she blinked back a fresh bout of tears. “I didn’t ask for this. Why me?”

“You see, I’ve been waiting for years to reveal myself to you,” he continued like she hadn’t said a word. “I can’t wait to make you mine, Olivia.” He looked up at her, carefully brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

“Where do you live?” She sniffed, having the courage to ask the one question that had been hounding her since he gave her information about himself. He had to have a home, didn’t he? “How have you been hiding yourself from the world? I need answers.” Olivia’s nose was slightly red from her constant rubbing–a nervous tactic.

“Don’t worry. You’ll soon learn all that. But, first, you need to stop crying. Your eyes are already swelling.” He wiped the area underneath her eyes dry with his thumb. How could he see her eyes in the dark? “Come on.”

Olivia pushed his hand away. She didn’t want bodily contact at this point. What she needed was answers to the questions impressioned in her mind. “How did you find out I was your mate? Or, whatever you meant. I still don’t understand it.”

“I’ve just known since you were eighteen. I will explain later.” Olivia frowned, unsatisfied with his answer. “We share a bond, you and I,” he further explained for her benefit. Only that?

“Is that why you’ve been following me around? Or, how do you know about my parents?” As she mentioned her parents, Olivia felt his body stiffen. She couldn’t tell if it was a bad or good sign. “What do you know about them?” She sprang up from the seat, backing away from him.

Edward raked a hand through his hair, letting out a small sigh and Olivia was stunned by his clear blue eyes, the definition of his jaw sporting a light beard. He gave a slight hesitation before muttering, “Nothing, okay? I don’t know anything.”

Olivia narrowed her eyes on Edward. She didn’t believe him. He knew something, or he wouldn’t have pointedly asked her to stay away from her parent’s case because it was making it hard for him to protect her. “You’re lying,” she blurted out. “How’d you find out then? And why are you so interested in me not picking up the case again? Do you know something about my parents that I don’t?” Olivia cocked her eyebrows, folding her arms tightly across her chest.

“I mean, I don’t know what to tell you. I’ve already..”

“The truth, Edward.” It was her first time saying his name out loud and it rolled so smoothly over her tongue, shocking her into an abrupt silence. She could tell Edward was surprised by the bemused look on his face. “The whole truth.”

“I swear, I don’t know anything..” he started, his tone convincing. It didn’t fool Olivia. She knew better, having been in the force for many years. She had gotten used to a suspect trying to convince her that what they were saying was the truth, and not some other story she believed to be true.

“Why do you keep feeding me lies? Do you think I'm a fool to believe them? Tell me right now, are you somehow involved in my parents’ case, or not?” At this point, Olivia didn’t care that she was raising her voice–although her apartment had thin walls–and her neighbours could hear her.

Edward remained calm, and unmoving. He didn't look bothered by her outburst. Olivia realized with a disappointing sigh that she was just wasting her time. He was never going to give her a worthwhile answer.

She was about to turn away when Edward gripped her by the hand, pulling her impossibly close to him so much she could scarcely breathe, entranced by his intense gaze. Her eyes widened and Olivia opened her lips to speak, but no sound came out. It was the first time she was losing her tongue.

Edward leaned forward, planting his lips on hers in a slow, sensual kiss.