Chapter 5

When I woke up, Ares was still asleep next to me. I felt my wolf stirring in my mind. I tried to reach her. This was the day I could find my mate. I never thought about it before, “stupid Carson,” I mumbled under my breath.

I know the stories, how you recognize your mate instantly. I looked over at Ares hoping everything would fall into place, but nothing happened. I sighed in disappointment. With how he acted, I hoped I was his mate. I quietly got out of bed and got dressed.

Maybe Carson is my mate, but then again. Why would Ares be like this? Why would he claim me as his own if I’m not his mate?

I gave Ares one last look before I left his bedroom, hoping again for some sort of mate bond. I walked downstairs towards Carson’s bedroom. But was stopped by the head mistress. A small growl left my lips when she grabbed my arm. I saw I startled her with my growl.

“Don’t you have that tone with me, missy,” she said disapproving, but with a hint of fear in her voice. Something I have never heard before.

I looked at her confused, wondering why the fear. I chuckled, “who do you fear, me?”

She stuttered in return, “No, no I don’t fear you.” Her eyes lingered on the stairs. I followed her eyes.

“Ares?” I said with a cocked eyebrow.

The head mistress shook her head, hoping it would shake the fear out of her eyes, I presumed. “Alpha Ares, he’s very protective of you,” she said with a sigh.

I shrugged my shoulders, “then maybe you shouldn’t get in my way anymore. I’m eighteen now. I don’t have to listen to you,” I said with an attitude. I felt my anger rise. She has always been mean to me.

“I know, I have to give you something. Your parents gave it to me when they brought you.” her voice has never been this kind.

“You know my parents, I thought they were dead.”

I felt Rhys pressing forward. “now you wake up” I said, annoyed at Rhys.

“Just meet me at the orphanage,” the head mistress said before she turned and walked away.

“Are you keeping something from me?” I asked Rhys.

I got nothing in return. I felt her moving to the back of my mind again. I sighed, why is she being this difficult? I continued my way to Carson’s bedroom.

I felt nervous, wondering if I should be here. Or just wait. I shook the feeling off and knocked on his door. I tried to listen in, but I couldn’t hear anything. I slowly opened his door.

“Of course, it’s not locked,” I mumbled.

I peeked inside and saw Carson still asleep. I walked in and quietly closed the door behind me, his scent had filled the room. It was intoxicating. It suddenly gave me the same feeling Ares’s sent gave me. Carson had his back towards me. I walked over to him. I softly placed my hand on his shoulder. Trying to wake him up.

His movements were unexpected and swift. Before I knew what had happened. I was lying on the bed under him, he placed himself between my legs. His entire body pressed against mine. A growl left his lips before he recognized me.

“Seriously?” I growled in return.

A chuckle left his lips before he placed his head in my neck, sniffing me. “Sorry, I didn’t hear you come in,” he whispered in my ear.

His warm breath on my skin made a shiver ran down my spine, I felt my face heat. I cleared my throat when I felt something press against me, “I really hope that’s not what I think it is.”

He pressed himself down ever harder, “and what if it is,” he said seductively.

I felt my breathing getting heavier, I felt my body relax under his. He slowly released his grip and pushed himself off me, meeting my gaze. I saw his eyes flicker to his wolf.

“What is he saying?” I asked, softly.

“He is wondering if you found your mate.” He moved his lips closer to mine.

“No, I haven’t,” I whispered against his lips.

Carson moved back, confusion filled his eyes, “you haven’t?”

He moved his body off mine and got out of bed. Pacing back and forth. I chuckled, “What is it with you and Ares, with the pacing.”

My eyes lingered to his bare chest. I never saw him without clothes before. The blush on my cheeks never left. I could feel my arousal rise, I sat up and placed my legs over each other. Hoping to hide it. I saw a smile form on Carson's face. He stopped pacing and looked me in my eyes. His eyes lingered down while biting his lip.

He pulled himself out of the moment, “wait here.”

I sighed, “fine.”

He quickly got dressed and walked out. Just before he closed the door, he gave me one last look. He had the same devious smile as the day we met.

I tried to find Rhys, but she locked me out. Why was I feeling like this for Ares and Carson? I lied back on his bed, I buried my face in his pillow. His scent smelled perfect. But like Ares, the mate bond didn’t snap into place when I saw Carson.  

I felt my whole body heat, being surrounded by Carson’s scent. I wanted to take everything off, to have some sort of relief from the warmth. I heard some rummaging outside before the door was opened. When I met Ares’s eyes, I felt my body tremble with desire. The heat overtaking me. I tried to snap out of it, but I needed his touch. I saw Ares moving closer but was stopped by Carson.

“You see what she does,” Carson mumbled to Ares.

I couldn’t understand what he was saying. I’m not doing anything. I can't help it.

“Who is your mate?” Ares asked plainly.  

My confusion never left me. “I don’t know,” I said not much louder than a whisper. Embarrassed that I couldn’t recognize my own mate.

“She doesn’t recognize her mate, that must be it,” Carson said to Ares.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Well, you are my mate. I know it,” Carson said.