I woke up enveloped in warmth and a profound sense of relaxation, the remnants of sleep still clinging to me. The intoxicating scent of him lingered in the air, a delightful blend of Old Spice and whiskey that wrapped around me like a comforting blanket. As I rolled over, I realized the room was shrouded in darkness, a soft veil of night enveloping everything. Curiosity nudged me to look for Simon, and I turned my head to find him lying on a blow-up mattress beside his bed. Why was he sleeping there instead of next to me? A wave of confusion washed over me.
Glancing at the clock, I was startled to discover it was only 6 AM. Unsure whether this was an appropriate time to rouse him, I decided against it. My body felt relaxed, but a lingering warmth between my legs reminded me of the previous night's escapades. A shower seemed like the perfect way to cleanse away the remnants of our intimate encounter and soothe any lingering tension.
As I swung my legs over the side of the bed, my eyes caught sight of his drawer, slightly ajar, with a curious blue object peeking out. My curiosity piqued; I had never claimed to be anything but a curious soul—just ask Liv, and she would attest to my nosy nature. I tiptoed over to the drawer, pulling it open just enough to reveal the item inside. My heart raced, and a wave of embarrassment washed over me as I realized what it was: a dildo. Why on earth would a man keep such a thing in his drawer? Had I just had a passionate encounter with a gay man? Confusion swirled in my mind, and I felt a headache begin to throb. If he was gay, why had he been with me? Was it merely because I was his mate?
Suddenly, a rush of air brushed against my neck, sending shivers down my spine. A deep, resonant growl reverberated from behind me, causing my heart to leap in my chest. I couldn't discern whether I was more frightened or exhilarated by the deep timbre of his voice. "Well, well, well, what do we have here? Is my little whore rummaging through things that don't belong to her?" His hands began to glide down my sides, igniting a fire within me.
I could have lied; that would have been the smarter option. But caught in the act, all I could do was confess. "Yes, I'm very sorry. I saw it and just wondered what it was. You didn't have to if you were…" Before I could finish, he placed a firm hand over my mouth, rendering me helpless and filled with an overwhelming desire. He didn't speak; instead, he let his gaze roam over my body, drinking in every curve and contour.
Then, in a whisper that sent chills down my spine, he leaned closer and said, "You've had my dick enough for one day, baby girl, so relax. Now I just want to tease you." With that, he backed away and headed into the shower, leaving me breathless and weak-kneed. My mind was a storm of confusion and desire. What kind of hold did this man have over me? But now that he was showering, my own urges began to cool. Curiosity, it seemed, had once again led me into trouble.
I quickly dressed and made my way downstairs, where Liv was bustling around the kitchen, preparing breakfast with the doctor. I watched as he wrapped his arms around her waist, an intimate gesture that made me ponder whether this was the reason Liv had avoided dating—because she already had a mate. The more I learned about this world, the more my anxiety grew.
"Calm down, Meghan. Yes, this is her mate. I'm sorry I wasn't here earlier when you wanted to talk. Hydro wasn't dealing well, so I had to calm him down before he came out and did something he'd regret." Hydro? The name sent another wave of confusion through me. How could she communicate with others? I thought the bond was exclusive. I sat at the table, where Liv greeted me with a warm smile, wrapping her arms around me in a tight embrace.
"How did you sleep? Simon didn't give you any trouble, did he?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with genuine concern. I couldn't help but smile back, but I felt a pang of guilt remembering that Simon had slept on the floor. I didn't want him to be uncomfortable because of me.
"Anything of mine is yours," he spoke in my mind, as if reading my thoughts. "I slept on the mattress because I couldn't trust my wolf to be next to you for too long. I didn't want you to get hurt." His voice resonated with warmth, making me smile even wider. Why did he have this effect on me?
Liv returned to her cooking, and I suddenly realized I had never gotten the doctor's name. "So, Liv, who's your mate?" I asked, genuinely curious. She giggled, glancing affectionately at him, a sight that was both adorable and slightly nauseating.
"Jonah Wilkins, meet my best friend Meghan," she said, introducing him with a playful lilt in her voice. I couldn't help but nod along, though the mention of my last name filled me with a sense of distaste. I had long wished to shed it.
Just then, I heard Jonah lean in and kiss Liv gently on the cheek, then motion for me to follow him. I obeyed, though I couldn't quite understand why I was doing so. "The Alpha wants me to help you become one with your wolf," he explained, his tone serious yet encouraging. "We're going to work your pretty little heart out so you can shift tonight."
The next four hours felt like torture as we engaged in an intense mix of cardio and meditation, pushing my limits in ways I had never imagined. Finally, we retreated inside, panting and exhausted.
"So when do I get to meet the Alpha and Luna of this pack?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
Liv dropped her sandwich, her expression a mix of shock and disbelief. Had I said something wrong? "You'll meet him tonight, but you need to get ready. Midnight is approaching, and we have to meet him by the tree for your werewolf ceremony."
An exhilarating mix of anticipation and nerves coursed through me as the weight of the evening ahead settled in.