THREE

ELOISE

The sun was what notified me that morning had come. The hot rays seeping through whatever cracks present made me turn to my side. The bed was strangely spacious and the sheet smelled different. It wasn't the sweat or the strange fluid that caught my nostrils. It was the soft sweet smell of strawberries. Cologne, I think. That was when my eyes shot open. I didn't use strawberry fragrances. I didn't use any for that matter. I had been right. The white sheets my body was pressed on were definitely not set by me. My eyes glanced around. The room in question was painted in black and gold. An odd choice but that wasn't the point. The question I needed to ask was where was I? Well, that question was answered when I looked to my left. Curved into a ball was the man from last night. He was naked and his hand was hooked around my hips. I...I was also naked. Usually, one would scream in this sort of situation but I couldn't risk waking the sleeping man. My memories were coming back. Hazy recollections but I was beginning to understand what had transpired last night. We had talked a bit more and he had suggested sex. That wasn't the jaw dropping part. He was high on something and so was I but the jaw dropping part was that I accepted. Not because I saw his offer as a ticket to escape having to deal with my overbearing guardians. But because I thought he was cute. I remained seated for a minute. Maybe two. What was I doing? I was staring at his face. Everything about him was incredible. From the strong nape of his neck, the dark blonde sheen of his superbly cut hair to the strong line of his jaw, and the sweep of lashes that closed such easy eyes. Eyes that could compel and melt me into mush with just one glance. But I could not get attached. This wasn't an attraction. Lust and drugs did this. The afterglow faded and I gently eased off the bed. I tiptoed to his trashcan which stood just behind a dresser and took a quick look. He had used protection. There was a used condom tied up in his trashcan. I had been so knocked out last night that I didn't even ask him to put one on. The fact that the massive red flag of a man did it of his own volition made me smile. I fished for my dress and gently slipped them on. I planned to leave before he even woke up and hopefully that would be the last of it. I did not do werewolves. They brought a lot of baggage. Loads that I was unwilling to unpack.

"You were just going to sneak out?" Matthan's baritone voice caused me to stop tiptoeing toward the door.

I turned to face him and he was indeed awake. He sat by the edge of the bed. His legs extended. It was distracting for him to do that. Also, why was he rock hard? "I didn't want to wake you up." I mustered out. "You looked like you were having a good sleep."

"Come to bed." He insisted. "It's still very early." His eyes. They were doing their magic again. The smirk on his mouth was a bonus. It was tempting I would admit. John had been a sexual creature himself and he indoctrinated me. My sexual drive was at an all time high but I also had an enviable bout of self control. His eyes and bedroom voice would have to do much more than that to make me break my own rules.

I sighed. "I had a great time last night Matthan. I would like to think I did considering I was completely knocked out by your drugs."

"Moonshine." He acquainted.

"Thank you but it's morning now. My parents are probably deadly worried and minutes away from calling the police not to mention I have a shift to cover by 10. I don't know what Beta werewolves do but you can do that if you want." After such an eloquent chat, I picked my flats which I initially did not notice, and strolled to the door.

"Wait," There was a constrict in his voice. It was faint but I sensed it and it made my stomach twist. I just knew I had made a grave mistake. Matthan was not the first man to get a lil bit attached after a one night stand. He might be the shifter but definitely not the first man. I hoped my gut read something wrong but I was usually in the right.

I stopped once again and turned to give him an audience. "What now?"

He was close. Dangerously close. He smelled like sex and strawberries. My eyes strayed fit a minute to worship his gorgeous body. I found myself swallowing at the sight of his pecked nipples. I wanted to run my tongue over them. The feeling. It was animalistic. Almost uncontrollable. I fought hard to keep control but it was getting even more difficult to do so with every passing second. It made me shudder because my birth mother had told me something about it before. She had draped it in with her fairytales but I was no fool. I knew what a mate bond was and what it did to people. I had no first hand experience with what the mate bond was supposed to feel like but the sensation my body had when Matthan approached me caused me to fear it was something of such. I shook my head instantaneously. This was lust. If not, Matthan would have felt it too. He had mentioned the concept of fated mates was a rare phenomenon and even in such rare cases, a happy ever after was not guaranteed. I had nothing to worry about.

"Eloise, last night... I felt like we connected on a personal level. I know you felt it too. That spark. It's how last night happened. It's why last night happened. So I was hoping to ask if we could–"

"Do it again?" I cut in. My breath was hitched and my hands were practically shaking. Anger burned through me like an inferno.

"I was going to suggest a date." He answered. "I am not a savage."

"Well no," I replied. "I appreciate your interest but nothing can fester from this night. I was high. You were high. It was a mistake because I would never do a werewolf in my right senses. So can we just leave it at this and go our separate ways?" I made sure to be harsh and direct. It was the only way out of this mess. I did get a rude awakening when the smirk on Matthan's mouth refused to vanish. Good goddess, he couldn't be taking my resistance as a challenge. Could he?

I didn't get the opportunity to dispute my analysis. In a single fluid movement, before I could back away or realize what he was going to do, he slid his hands around the frame of my jaw, slid his fingers into the silken mass of my hair, cupping my head, tilting it to him, and then, closing up to me, he lowered his mouth down to mine. I made no resistance. None at all. With a tiny sigh, deep in my throat, I parted for him, letting him taste me, letting his tongue glide into my mouth, deepening his kiss. It felt good. He felt good. My hands sank into his hair and we fought with our tongues. Somehow I wanted more. The taste of his mouth didn't seem to be enough. I craved him. When my brain grasped what I had just confided in myself. Common sense kicked in. I dragged my mouth from his and pushed him off.

"This is exactly why I don't do werewolves." I practically screamed before storming out. As I walked through his front door, wonder seared through me. What was that, I asked myself? For the first time in nineteen years, I didn't have to give an answer to my question.

"It's quite simple Eloise," The voice in my head replied. That same voice I had asked to vanish in the aftermath of my family tragedy. The same voice that had done just that. "Matthan Gardenia is our fated."

My wolf was back.