"W-when did you come?" Althea muttered, her voice trembling. She attempted to push Nathaniel away but he didn't budge.
"Earlier…" Nathaniel said sniffing her scent not so quietly. She reminded him of a field of flowers on a warm summer day. A blend of Rose, jasmine, and honeysuckle.
Nathaniel felt Althea go stuff in his arms. He could hear her heart beating rapidly like it'll burst out of her chest at any moment. Was she that sacred to him?
"Who gave you that bracelet?" Albeit unwillingly, he let go of her and proceeded to walk around the room with his hands to his back like an etiquette scholar. That was the only way he could keep his hands off her.
"Would you hurt me if I don't tell you?" Althea asked, her feet rooted to the ground.
"No." Nathaniel turned to face her, his eyes boring into hers.
"Then I'm not telling." Althea turned her face away from his, unable to further their eye contact. Only then did she notice she was wearing only her undergarment?
She looked back at him shocked to find his gaze lingering on her body. "I would appreciate it if you would leave now." Her hands quickly wrapped around herself in a weak attempt to cover his view.
"Is there any need to cover yourself when your bare body will be at my mercy soon?" Nathaniel said walking towards Althea while she took steps away from him. He cornered her to a wall, his arm sneaked behind her and wrapped themselves around her waist pulling her closer to him.
"Let me go this instant you uncouth man!" Althea gritted out in defiance. She didn't bother to struggle because she knew it would be futile.
Nathaniel ignored her words and looked gently into her fierce eyes, trying to see if there was any place for him in her heart but all he could see was hate. Pure, unadulterated hate.
"I promised you'll be mine." He said releasing her gently before he left the room.
Althea plummeted to the floor the moment Nathaniel left, her chest moving up and down as she tried to control her breathing. The only thought that filled her mind was how much longer could she hold on.
…
Nathaniel slammed the door to his room shut. He aggressively unbuttoned his shirt, taking it off and tossing it to a side of the room.
Nothing could calm the frustration he felt right now.
'Why did you claim her?!' Zak yelled in Nathaniel's head.
'Didn't you see the look in her eyes? It will only push her further away from us.' Nathaniel replied even though he could thoroughly relate to what his wolf was saying. He wanted more than to sink his fangs into her neck and mark her so that she became his.
"Is anything wrong?" Nathaniel turned to the source of the voice to see Hilda standing in front of the bathroom door, worry etched across her features. He hasn't noticed her presence.
"How long have you been standing there?" Nathaniel asked taking a seat on the bed.
"Long enough to sense that you're frustrated about something." Hilda took a step forward, "You know you can talk to me about your problems right? That's why we're mates."
"I know," Nathaniel ran his hands through his thick hair. "Just a little rogue problem. Come here," He stretched his hands and Hilda quickly walked towards him like she had been waiting for that. She took a seat next to him, their fingers interlocking with each other.
"Hilda…"
"Hmmm," Hilda answered and turned her face to look at Nathaniel.
"I have something important to tell you," Nathaniel started.
"Go on."
"I have…" Nathaniel was cut short when Hilda placed her index fingers on his lips.
"Shh. Before that, I think there's something else we need to do." Hilda said trailing her hands down Nathaniel's crotch. Since Nathaniel walked in, she noticed the huge bulge in pants that never seemed to reduce.
Nathaniel didn't even realize he was rock hard until Hilda brought his notice to it. His mind was so occupied with Althea that he didn't pay heed to his carnal desires.
"Don't worry about it," Nathaniel cleared his throat and removed Hilda's hands away from his crotch.
"But I am," Hilda whispered, returning her hands to his crotch, this time squeezing a little harder while gazing lustfully at him. That gaze…Nathaniel knew that gaze too well. Hilda wasn't going to give up on this one. In the heat of the moment, she captured his lips in a slow but hungry kiss which Nathaniel couldn't help but reciprocate.
The steamy kiss went on for minutes their breathing getting ragged. Finally, Nathaniel separated their lips from each other.
"Is anything?" Hilda asked in between ragged breaths.
"I need to take a shower before we continue. I haven't had one in two days."
"We could bathe together," Hilda said without waiting for a response. She got up and stood in front of Nathaniel, slowly removing her clothes to give Nathaniel a little strip show.
She stood stark naked in front of Nathaniel, stretching her hands forward she said, "Come."
Nathaniel took her hands and Hilda dragged him to his feet. She stepped closer to him and took off his undergarment, revealing his toned upper body. She then stepped even closer, her breast touching his bare chest.
She wrapped a hand around his neck and the other hand went to unbutton his trousers whilst engaging him in a demanding kiss.
Nathaniel, completely undressed, picked Hilda up, her legs encircling his waist, as they made their way to the bathroom, their lips still pressed together.
As soon as they entered the bathroom, Hilda released her legs from around Nathaniel and stood on her own two feet.
"Get into the tub," Hilda whispered and Nathaniel complied with no hesitation. Hilda was still his mate regardless of the current situation with Althea. He had a responsibility towards her and avoiding her won't solve it.
Hilda stepped closer to the tub, the flickering candlelight casting soft shadows on the walls of the dimly lit room. She reached for a wooden bowl filled with fragrant Jasmine water. With a gentle smile, she poured the warm liquid over Nathaniel's shoulders, letting it cascade down his back, the warmth contrasting with the cool air of the evening.
As she bathed him, Hilda's fingers glided over his skin, tracing the lines of his muscles with care. She used a soft cloth, soaked in the Jasmine water, to cleanse his body, making sure to scrub him gently.
"Relax," she whispered, her voice low and soothing. Her hands moved with purpose, massaging his shoulders and neck, coaxing out the knots of unease that had settled there.
Once she was done bathing him, she got into the tub with him. Her eyes locked in with Nathaniel's as she got on her knees and made her way to his crotch. She took his member in her hands and after a few seconds of stroking it, she gently took it in her mouth.
"Ahh," Nathaniel moaned as Hilda performed her ministrations. It felt good but his mind couldn't get into it. Something was missing. He couldn't connect with Hilda.
Frustrated, he picked Hilda up in a Princess style and moved to the bed. He laid her on the bed and spread her legs open.
"Nathaniel," Hilda gasped out in anticipation and moaned loudly the moment Nathaniel slid in.
Nathaniel placed one of Hilda's legs on his shoulder with his hand on the bed on each side of her head, he leaned in closely to her body, sliding in and out of her with great rhythm.
He stared into her eyes, trying to find a connection but he couldn't.
"Ah…ahh..ah," Hilda moaned, her hands on Nathaniel's shoulder as she enjoyed every moment of their intimacy.
Suddenly, Nathaniel's movement ceased. He slid out of Hilda and collapsed next to her on the bed.
"W-What's wrong?" Sitting up, Hilda asked with a breathy voice as she hadn't gotten over what transpired moments ago.
Nathaniel lay sprawled on the bed, lost for words to explain what just happened. How could he explain that he could have sex with his mate when other Alphas and even werewolves alike wanted nothing more but to devour their mates? He has never felt the bond of a mate with Hilda, his wolf had never lusted over her, unlike with Althea.
"Althea, the girl from this morning, is my mate," Nathaniel revealed.