Raula
That can't be true? But why would he be be lying to me about such a thing? Yes, I know about that the moon goddess is kind enough to give wolves second chance mates but I have just been rejected last night. That would be so unbelievably quick even for the heavens. He came to find me just moments after I had been thrown away...
He takes small graceful steps towards me, his eyes glued to mine. My throat is suddenly dry. I try to swallow saliva but I only end up chocking on it.
Shit!
I burst into a wreck of coughs. He dashes to come help me out.
"Hey, are you alright? Let me bring you some water," he offers, placing his hands on my shoulders and squeezing them together like I am a little child. In this position, I feel so small compared to him. He towers over me, and his big hands could just suffocate me in the warmest of hugs-
"I think you are fine now," his voice startles me out of out my daydream.
I clear my throat, realizing the hysterical coughs ended moments ago. Embarrassed, I push stray strand of my hair behind my ears and take three steps away from him.
If he is my mate, then why is my wolf still attached to Ulfred? Shouldn't I be all over him right now, begging for affection?
"I know it's somehow hard for you right now and things have probably happened too fast for you you to take in but I am sure of what I am talking about," he says, his deep voice gentle and rough at the same time. How is that even possible? I don't know. I think I am too confused right now.
He stares into my eyes with that waiting look like he is expecting me to say something.
"I- I am so sorry, but I don't know what to say," I shrug and bite down on my lower lip.
"No, I mean you don't have to say anything. I thought I should let you know so as to clear any misunderstandings in your mind about my intentions," he responds calmly.
"It was really nice of you to come and save me last night and bring me here to your place. I really appreciate that," I say quickly, hoping that I don't seem utterly ungrateful to him.
"I already told you that you don't have to apologize. I did what I had to do. It's my responsibility as your mate," he responds.
Not knowing what to do, I purse my lips and then start to chew on my lower lip.
This is totally not going the way it should. I couldn't recognize my mate on first encounter and he was able to do it. That's how things went with me and Ulfred back at the pack inn. He couldn't recognize me as his mate, and it hurt me more than anything. I don't want to say anything that is going to hurt my second chance mate. I have never heard of third chance mates anywhere.
"I don't want you feeling uncomfortable here with me. Come on, I have prepared breakfast," he says, holding my hand in his before I can give his words a thought.
He leads me out of the vast living room into the kitchen. There is a dining table with covered dishes a glass jug full of what I presume is orange juice. The dinning table is right adjacent to a glass wall that shows the beautiful view of the grass compound and the woods.
Not allowing me to stare for too long, he leads me to the table, pulls out a sit for me and I sit down, feeling overwhelmed by the amount of care I am receiving.
"I obviously didn't know about your allergies or dislikes so I prepared a variety," he says, busy uncovering the dishes. The sweet aroma fills the room making my stomach gamble. I am famished. I don't remember that last decent meal I had.
"Whoa! You prepared all this? By yourself?" I inquire.
"Yes, now dig in," he says, placing a served plate infront of me.
A male who cooks? Huh! You would rather be successful looking for a needle in the woods before you can find a male who can cook, leave alone cook properly, in the Starry Banes pack!
"Thanks," I say with a small smile. This is the kind of mate I dreamed of, someone who would welcome me and take care of me... but somehow I feel like I don't deserve him. Why?
"I feel so guilty having been in your house for this long without knowing your name," I tell him while I help him clear the table after we eat.
He chuckles and then says, "Damien. Damien Kessler." I smile but then realize the familiarity of his name.
"Kessler? Are you somehow related to Ulfred Kessler?" I ask, and for some reason, hoping they are not related.
"Yes, but our relationship is somewhat distant. It doesn't matter at all to me," he responds, and then cocks his head to the side to study my face. "Hey, I hope my name doesn't drive you away from me."
"What? No. Why would it?" I stutter and and smile nervously hoping that he can't see through me.
"Okay, that's good to know," he nods, but he doesn't look convinced.
"I am Raula Lockwood," I say, trying to clear up the atmosphere. Why does Ulfred Kessler seem to be looming over myself even after rejecting me?
"Raula... That's a nice name."
Oh god! Why is the way the syllables of my name roll on his tongue is so seductive?
I am crazy.
Somehow we manage to do the dishes and organize them in their carbinets together with almost no talk. I think Damien has a lot to say big he is being careful not to say the wrong things. And hell am I also afraid of saying nonsense!
I have been around this man for a few hours but everything about him looks perfect. I am so imperfect. I don't even have anything nearly perfect in my life. That's why Alpha Ulfred rejected me infront of the whole pack! I am not good enough! I don't belong here either. Maybe I don't even deserve this second chance mate. The heavens have made a mistake once again!
"Raula?" Damien's familiar voice sounds from behind me. I am bending infront of the sink in the kitchen starring blankly at the outlet holes of the sink while my soul gets sucked in sad thoughts. I turn slowly to look him in the eyes. He looks so good, chiseled jaw, silky black hair, eyes of a god, and those lips- hd is too perfect...
"Are you alright?" he inquires , his green eyes narrow with worry.
"Damien, I am a lone female in the Starry Banes pack. I am among the low class members, if not the lowliest member of the pack. I am an orphan who has grown up serving in the pack diner with no status or privilege whatsoever. But look at you! You are so different. I know you are a lone werewolf too but we are still-"
He mouth quickly covers mine, cutting me off. Caught between surprise and confusion, I take a few seconds to blink into reality.
When I catch his scent in my nostrils, my wolf goes loose inside me, stirring up all my heightened hormones, and before I know it, I am wrapping my hands around his neck and kissing him back like he is the thing I didn't know I have been craving all my life.