Chapter Four

My breath caught in my throat. The door swung open and let in a breeze, a breeze that carried a delicious scent. I felt my naked body get warmer and warmer and I looked up. The hairs on the back of my neck rose. He stood there, holding the door. His eyes were on Walter and then on me, blue like the ocean. Walter held his hands out in reverence as if begging for forgiveness.

I wiped my tears fast as he approached. He was the alpha I saw earlier. His eyes were filled with so much worry I assumed was for me.

"Are you okay?" His deep voice asked, I could feel it in my chest. I looked down to control my shaky breath.

"No."

"Get out Walter,” he demanded.

I could feel his authority over Walter like a bag of sand. Walter scurried out.

Butterflies fluttered aggressively in my stomach. My temperature was high. He was far from me but he was close enough. The door closed.

I wiped my tears and took a deep breath. What was happening to me? I faced him. Deep furrows formed on his forehead.

"I had to save you," he began.

"Why?" I held back a sob with my mouth shut.

He sighed heavily and ran his tanned hands through his short hair.

"Why?" I pressed.

It felt like his eyes were stinging me for my challenge. What had I to lose?

"Why didn't you just let me die? I wanted to die.”

"I could let you,” he said curtly. That hurt.

"But you were howling, calling for us to save you. You needed me,” he spat.

He’d been calm until he said that. I was perplexed.

"Needed you?" I tried to fight how true this was all becoming. I did need him. But I was content with death too.

“And I just might need you, too. Whatever this pull is it isn’t for nothing,” he said calmly. He seemed to be levelling with himself, trying to convince himself of something.

"Can you feel it?" I looked up again slowly to meet his gaze still on me. I searched his eyes and he searched mine.

"Of course. We're mates."

When he said it, I was assured about my feelings.

“No,” I blurted.

His stance faltered and I instantly regretted it.

This explained why looking at his eyes had an effect, why I felt like he was a magnet attracting me.

I sighed looking down again. What was happening and why was it so fast?

"What's your-"

"Please take me home."

I wrapped the sheets around me and swung my feet over the bed. His arms folded and he sighed this time.

"I won’t."

"Why?"

"Damn you like pressing,” he spat.

I raised a brow at him. Was he talking to me like that?

“Look I can’t let you go. I know the rules just as much as you do, if we are apart it will hurt. I’ve seen how bad it can be. So I won’t let you go.”

“So what now? Am I your prisoner?”

“Not necessarily. You can go but I’ll follow you. Besides, those wolves are hungry for your blood, you’re much safer here.”

He spoke the truth. It would hurt. But the timing was terrible. I couldn’t do this. Who were these wolves?

"It’s tradition,” he closed the space between us.

"What tradition?" I questioned in alarm. "Stay back!" I shouted and he stopped in his tracks.

"That when the Luna is found, she can't return home until she is accustomed to our ways. You can't visit home. This is your home now,” he said.

I pulled an unhappy face at him.

"I am thankful for saving my life and all but I'm not your Luna, I’m not your property. I just need to get back home."

"Yes, you are. I saved your life. You’re in debt,” he stated.

"No, I can't-"

"You are staying." His alpha voice commanded, making me shudder. He blinked, pressed his fingers on his temple and sighed for the hundredth time.

"I didn't want to say it like that."

I looked down, not knowing what to do. My mind was crossed by many confused thoughts. My eyes shut as I exhaled. My thumbs twiddled under the covers. Without looking up I could hear him unbuttoning his shirt.

Terror blocked my ears.

Was he going to ravish me right there? I wouldn't be able to save myself, weak like this. I couldn’t run. My breathing escalated. He was on his last button.

Underneath his shirt, he had a grey vest. The white shirt slipped off his rigid body. His eyes were expressionless as the shirt came completely off his bicep.

I pushed myself further from him until I fell over the other end. I held the covers to my breasts as I leaned back, already accepting my fall. His quick actions caught my free hand. He pulled me up with his warm grip. His gaze was captivating, I thought I saw a whole movie unfold in them. Pain, sorrow, anger and tenderness.

Was his skin always so clear and beautiful? Even when he walked in or was it a trick of the light? He looked like a bronze statue, sculpted to perfection.

His grip remained on my arm as we stood so close to each other. My legs apart and him between my thighs. The heat between us was nerve-wracking.

"What's your name?” he asked strongly.

"R-Rh-." I stopped to swallow, to control the urge to wrap my legs around him.

"Roman,” I said just as strongly and he let go of me. "Wh-whats yours?"

My body yearned for him to stay closer but he picked up the shirt on the floor.

"Khai." He held the shirt to me.

"Please wear this,” he almost groaned.

I took the shirt and held it to myself, catching his scent on it. It was so salacious, soothing like wet rocks after a rain storm. Petrichor. His eyes never left me for one second.

"Go," I croaked.

"No,” he said, ghosting a smile.

"At least turn around." I slapped my thighs closed in frustration.

Was he ever going to do anything I asked?

"What's the point, I'm bound to see that."

"Who promised you?"

He smiled now and turned around.

With his back to me, I quickly put on his shirt. Watching the shapes and grooves on his back under his tank top. I was sure he could feel my look on him so I stopped.

"Done?"

"Yeah," I said and he turned around to walk over.

"Let’s go."