In Ma'Heron's dreams…
"Ragdoll Club, huh? I guess this is the place," M said aloud, still remembering how he managed to get himself to that seedy-looking club. Just yesterday, he wasn't even thinking of going here, to be honest. Anyone who knew him would understand why…
He was sweaty, shirtless, and was wearing one of the pack's practice shorts which were very thin and was a bit tight. Well, for someone with his "size", it was quite snug even if he was completely "soft" but it didn't bother him that much.
They usually put them on after a sparring session, since they also shift during hand-to-hand combat, so they don't walk naked around the whole packhouse while they're on their way back to their apartments. Even with these simple clothes, his impressively sculpted, muscled body, made females - and even males - turn to see him as he passed.
Yet his mind was completely lost in thought…
Still thinking of her, I see. Lyon started teasing him.
"Let's not start, okay? I've had enough of that shit. Besides, you saw the way she took the fact that we were mates. She kicked my ass, and that's not exactly encouraging…"
But she didn't call the guards. You're a high-ranking member of this pack, M, come on! And aren't you well-known for being analytical? Use your brain a little. Think!
"Lyon, there's nothing to think about. Sure, there might be a pull, but not because I find her attractive. I haven't even seen her face. There is no reason for me to go head over heels for her. And I can assure you that she thinks the same of me." Oh, does she? You know her so well now?
Ma'Heron walked in silence for a moment, as he walked by the mailboxes at the packhouse, like he usually does every morning. Of course, he took this chance to take a peek into a few of them. He fished out one particular envelope with a scent he suddenly remembered.
"Well, well, well… What is this?"
I can smell her scent on it, so whatever it is, we're reading and doing it, M.
"You're gonna get us killed, with this 'mate' thing, Lyon." I'll take the blame then… Go on and read it, ok?
It was a note, not very long: "I need to meet you tonight regarding what happened near the Dark Forest Pack border. I know you're the Silvercrest Gamma, and if you don't want your little 'visit' to my pack becoming too big an issue for you, you'll meet me at the 'Ragdoll club' tonight, at 9 pm. Follow my instructions carefully. The address and everything else you need to know is right below…"
Ma'heron bypassed the particulars for later, then scoffed at the last sentence, "Hope you're not as clumsy following instructions, Ma'Heron Denar."
She knows how you are and how to deal with you. I like her, Lyon said with a laugh.
"Well, I have no other option than to go and fix whatever mistakes. And it's all because a certain wolf didn't shut up when I told him to. And now she knows my name, position and identity. Tsk…"
You can say whatever you want, M, I know better. I feel your feelings and hear your thoughts. Keep denying it all you want; I'll always know the truth.
* * *
Ma'Heron shifted his thoughts so he can get inside the club without giving away any clues on who he is. Dressed in his trusty leather jacket, black undershirt and biker pants, all without print or studs, were the most rugged clothes he owned.
Well, he can't imagine himself wearing a suit while riding his vintage motorbike.
"Damn, this place indeed looks shady. What did the stupid instructions say again? Password to tell to the entrance bouncer: Feline. Then, give a signed one-dollar bill to the first waitress that takes my order. Ok, this sounds childish and unnecessary. Why am I doing this again?" he murmured to himself, but his wolf answered.
You keep telling yourself it's because you want to fix a mistake, Lyon reminded.
I can feel you smirking, Lyon. I didn't even know you could, but I feel you doing it. And whatever you're thinking, you're wrong.
Sure, Ma'Heron. Sure… Look, there's the bouncer guy. Let's follow through and see what happens. Something tells me we're up for a lot of surprises tonight.
M gave the password at the entrance and was guided by a hostess to a specific private booth at the back of the club, very close to a stage with three poles.
"I hope you enjoy the show, sir," she said with a flirty smile, while playing with her hair.
"Thank you, miss," he said distractedly, looking all around for his masked mate, not even noticing yet another female's failed attempt at trying to get his attention.
"Very welcome, sir," she said, slightly disappointed, leaving him to go back to her other customers.
Not long after, a waitress approached him.
"Good evening, sir. This is courtesy of the house. Here is the menu, and I will come back in a few minutes to take your order," she said with an overly sweet smile.
He noticed the very short black shorts that she wore, beautifully toned legs covered by sand color pantyhose. Her white shirt was tight and almost transparent, and as a final detail, she wore dark red suspenders. Her body was curvaceous, and she was pretty but didn't match what he remembered of his mate.
Are we now comparing other girls, no matter how beautiful they are, to our mate? I thought you were not "that kind of wolf" Atty. Denar. Seems that I was wrong, Oh no no no, I wasn't the one who said that, so that means you're the one who's wrong hehe…
"Nope, you're the one who's wrong, Lyon. I just noticed that this place would make Aaron very happy. I'll have to bring him here for his birthday. That's all I'm thinking," M clarified tonelessly.
"Aaron… Yeah, riiiiight."
"Thank you very much, miss," he replied, ignoring Lyon while extending his hand with the one-dollar bill, his signature on it big and visible. It was directed towards her.
"My name is Danielle, and I'll be happy to deliver your message," she said, keeping the smile pasted on her face as she took the dollar bill. "I will be back soon to get your order."
Danielle came and went, eventually leaving him with a crystal decanter of prime Scotch.
Not long after, the lights went off, and the stage was illuminated with a purple-pinkish light.
The first girl of the night came out.
A cat mask on her face, a skimpy and very tight silver shorts with a silver bralette that barely kept her perfectly rounded, voluptuous breasts from playing peekaboo with the audience. She slowly walked onto the stage, owning it with her beautifully toned body on full display.
M's heart pounded like a jackhammer in his chest. It was getting hot and hard to breathe. Her intoxicating fragrance overwhelmed his senses, and his dick immediately stood up to attention. It was really HARD for him to keep his body's self-control intact, but his brain was fighting relentlessly, trying to remain unaffected and cold as he watched the desirable woman dance seductively in front of him. And that was the first time he got angry at her.
How the hell is she doing this? How come all my control and logic just disappear only because she stepped half-naked onto a stage? And with a pole dance, too? How dare she!
"Is she a hooker!?" M asked Lyon aloud, and scoffing.
Honestly, M, do you hear yourself? First, I don't get why you're so angry at her, and second, I only see her about to dance, and she's clothed! I don't think that word describes her at all.
"But all this just proves my point. Not all mates are a good match for each other. You've seen how many have gotten expelled from our pack because they've hit their mate, right? And then there's that crazy guy who was obsessed with Di a long time ago. That idiot rejected his real mate but imagine what their life would have been had that poor girl Claire followed through in pursuing him. And still, I don't think that would have spared Di from that maniac…"
Excuses, excuses… really M?
"Now this one… 'our' mate? I can tell you now, she smells of trouble."
"There are things in life that are worth the trouble, you idiot. But I see that you'll learn the lesson the hard way. For your own good, I hope we don't lose her because of your stupidity."
"You should use your head, and not your heart for life decisions, wolf. Being tied to the wrong person just because of the mate attraction is possible, and I repeat, we have seen it. You can veto me all you want, but one day you will thank me. I'm sure of it."
"Or one day you will cry because of what you're saying and they will be tears mixed with blood. Mark my words."
The music started and the gorgeous, sexy woman on stage, directly focusing on him, turned and swayed to the rhythm of a seductive and naughty song. She was staring at him as if he was her next meal.
Looking at her was already a treat for him, but also, at the back of his mind, he was amazed at the impressive bodily control that she had, how she could hold herself up almost horizontally in the air just by the strength of her two thin and fragile-looking wrists. A man who has trained for so long like him can easily spot her expertise and skill, despite her unorthodox way of showcasing them.
She is a sensual, strong, beautiful, smart and skillful fighter… and more…
His dick was throbbing inside of his pants while Lyon was going crazy, enticed, drugged with her, and not satisfied enough to be sated. Despite all of this, Ma'Heron was still livid because he could not control his own body, and he kept looking for logical counters to what was happening to him.
No such luck…
And to make matters worse, he didn't even know what her face looked like.
The song finished, and he was surprised that he found himself wanting more. He immediately started scolding himself at the thought. Especially since she had left the stage, and he found himself eagerly waiting for her to show herself to him.
Not so long after - but to M it seemed like forever - she found her way to his booth. Dressed in a simple signature short dress that zipped up in front, a slit in the midsection exposing her small waist, he was relieved to finally see her without a mask.
She sensually sat down opposite him and he kept himself from gazing into those feline-like upturned eyes. It seemed her motions were naturally smooth and sexy, so her movements came with no effort or fakery at all.
Also, her natural smell was stronger now after her sweat had enhanced it. Flashes of her just-finished performance kept repeating themselves in his mind, causing havoc to his already mangled sanity. More so, for his wolf…
I need to hold her right now, M! I need to kiss her and caress her beautiful face, her soft skin!
Damn you, Ma'Heron! I. Need. Our. Mate!!!
We didn't come for that, Lyon! AGH! I'm going crazy here, can you help me for once and stop talking? I need to be focused!
You're not going crazy because of me, man! Your body will naturally react to hers, and you're trying to go logical against what the Moon Goddess chose for us! US!!! Not just you, DAMNIT!
Even if it was really difficult, he managed to look cool and in control in front of the enticing woman that exuded confidence and sensuality as she sat there, looking straight at his eyes.
"It's actually very lucky that I found you when I did," she finally said.
"You call that lucky? Why did you fight me if you thought so?"
"There are many things you can find out from people when they try to defend themselves."
"And you needed to know something interesting about me, is that it?"
"Well," she smirked, "there are many things that I'm interested in, but I will keep our talk within the topic so it's easier for both of us to negotiate this. I actually was the one who sent the video to your Alpha, so it will probably explain why I was there, and why I didn't call the guards on you."
"And why would you do that?"
"Because…" she paused for a second.
He could read slight doubt clouding her eyes for a few moments before they disappeared completely.
What now? She calls me all the way here and makes me wait because she's having second thoughts?
She continued her explanation. "A good friend of mine was betrothed to the Alpha of
Crescent Moon Pack, as you must have seen on the video. They intend to merge the packs,
Dark Forest and Crescent Moon so they have a bigger chance at taking over Silvercrest."
"And what is your interest in all this?"
"My friend had to agree to the arrangement, but she doesn't want to get married to Alpha Abner. And especially, she doesn't like, or agree with how Alpha Arnout, her father, is managing Dark Forest's matters."
"Right, right, I understand that Alpha Arnout had only one daughter, and then his mate died when their child was still very young. But then, upon his retirement, this daughter would be the new Alpha. She should be able to have a word with her father on this matter, right?"
"She should, but she doesn't. Her father doesn't want to leave the Pack to her, so he decided that he would use the pact with Crescent Moon to merge them. This way, a male Alpha continues leading both packs."
"And, as the video showed, he wouldn't think of Vince, because of the conflicts that had been between the packs before, right?"
"Because Vince believes that he will find his supposed unique and legendary mate, as my friend hopes to do. This is why she doesn't want to be married off."
"Ok, all of this is very interesting, and this is good information, but, I repeat, what's your interest in this? I don't even know what you want me to do…" "I need your help to break up their wedding," she cut in.
M gazed at her, completely perplexed. "I'm sorry, I believe I didn't understand correctly what you just said. You want the Gamma of a pack with which Dark Forest has a conflict with, to get into their territory, alone, and get in the middle of a wedding that everybody seems to have agreed already?"
"Pretty much."
"Lady, I think you're crazy. What you need is not a warrior or a Gamma. You want a therapist!"
The smile on her face puzzled him.
"Did I say something funny?"
"Oh, you did."
"What was it? If you don't mind me asking, I think a good laugh can help my mood regarding our talk."
"Well, I am, in fact, a therapist."
M paused a second and then just guffawed. He couldn't hold back his laughter, which was so hearty and masculinely attractive that he actually made a few females in the club look at him from their tables, despite their current dinner partners.
"I bet your clients here in this club consider your performances really excellent therapy. Is this extra service or do they pay for it?" he sarcastically stated in between deep chuckles.
SLAP!
He was not fast enough to notice her hand flying towards his face, giving him a resounding slap. M was shocked still, only realizing what just happened when his cheek was already burning.
"Who the hell do you think you are to judge me?" she hissed through gritted teeth.
M's jaw was clenched when he answered her, "I believe you are aware of who I am. I'm your mate, if you choose to believe in that madness!" "And you think that gives you the right to say that to me?"
"You knew that from the moment we fought, correct? Why would you call me to see you 'at work' if you didn't want me to see a worse second impression of you?"
"Maybe to see if you could see through the prejudice! Maybe it's to make you aware how you would blindly judge someone, which is what you're doing to me now! That's why I didn't even talk about it. Even as you looked at my letter, as you looked at the club's exterior and as you walked in here, I could clearly see all of that in you!"
"And yet you still came out to sit here and ask me to help you?"
"I never said 'oh, we're mates, now you have to do whatever I ask you to', did I? I don't even know you!"
"Well, FINALLY, I'm so glad that we agree on something!"
At this point, their voices were rising to a point where the very loud music could barely cover it. There were now pub clients and staff whose heads were now starting to turn in their direction.
"But I know about YOU. You're the ANALYTICAL type, CLASS A PERSONALITY! The one who minds what his brain says instead of what his heart feels!"
"Miss, I don't know you enough for my heart to feel anything about you!"
He could see the hurt in her eyes after he said that, but he could no longer take it back.
WHAT THE HELL MA'HERON!
Lyon was furiously yelling in his head now, and his own mind knew that was too far even for him. Even if he wanted to live his life the way he did, he knew that she didn't deserve that.
I didn't have to hurt her, but why is it so easy to lose my temper with her? This is not normal. Well, I can always walk out…
"I think I've seen and heard enough. If you excuse me, miss…"
Flight versus fight... And I didn't even get to ask her name… Dammit, but I think we're too far to go back at this point.
Her tone had suddenly turned softer, "Wait… if not for anything else… if not for… my friend… then do it for your pack. Help me break up their wedding, please."
"I don't believe that's a smart move. Not for me, and not for the pack. It was a pleasure. Good night!"
And with that, he got up, holding in his fury, and walked out.
"Hey you, big guy!"
M had just come out the club's front door and had now walked a few steps away, aiming to get to the alley in front, where his black BMW R18 motorcycle was parked. That's when he heard the yelling behind him.
He looked over his shoulder and noticed that the bouncer in charge of the club's entrance had removed his jacket. And he wasn't alone.
"What is it, pal?"
"The lady you were yelling at, we want you to go back in and apologize to her," the bulky wrestler-sized male demanded as the half dozen other men with him - also large in both width and height - nodded their heads in agreement. "We also want you to agree to whatever she asked you to do… or else!"
"And you are?"
"We're just fans, but that doesn't take the right of a real man to demand that a woman should be treated properly. Especially the really good ones."
"Right. I meant no disrespect to her."
You know you're lying, right? That you behaved like an asshole, and that's why, let me remind you, she slapped you. I'm not fighting with you on this one, M.
"We're not blind, my friend. We saw her slap you, and she is no ordinary girl. You're probably judging her just because you found her working here. We'll ask you to be friendly once more, but if you still say no, we'll have to persuade you in a more aggressive way."
"You know what? I'm in the mood for playing. Why don't you show me your way of 'persuading' me, as you say?"
"You arrogant bastard," one of them screeched, charging towards M, who easily turned and dodged. Two more followed, and he put them to sleep at the same time with a 360-degree twist kick.
The remaining five surrounded him and he made quick work of them, mostly dodging then landing one or two solid hits that either put them to sleep or left them groaning on the ground.
When he was finally done with the seven poor fans, slightly panting because of his anger, but not even scratched or sweating, he looked up to see the woman, his mate, at the door of the club. She was looking at him with an emotionless smirk.
"Ok lady, you win… I will help you… For my pack… And for nothing else."
She responded by crossing her arms in front of her, as she continued looking at him with deadpan eyes and still with that infuriating, unreadable smile.
"Then I'll be sending you invitations to the engagement party, Gamma. I'll stay in contact with you. Don't worry, I know where to find you," she finally said, turning to walk back inside the club. After instinctively watching her sexy behind sway away, he turned around to walk towards his motorcycle.
Years later, while naked in bed and hugging that same lady he initially thought was not a good match for him, she would tell him how she recorded part of that fight. She also admitted that, as soon as he left, she checked the video smiling, and kept watching it over and over again in the next few days.
Actually, for the next few years…
And this dream will be a comfort from the nightmare that he will find himself waking up to.