Phoenix POV: 

My heart was beating out of control. I had no idea how I had gotten into this situation. It was all a blur.

I was driving to meet Noah at the spot where he had tagged me. I can't describe what I felt. It was like a hum or a feeling of knowing I needed to be somewhere.

But here I am now, tied up in the middle of the woods.

Damn... this can't possibly be my fate, can it? 

'Nat, I'm scared. Should we shift?' I said with a shaky voice, 'Mate,' Nat whispered in response. 

What does that mean? I stood there confused, cold, and scared when I saw the green rings in his eyes glow. Was he a... werewolf, too? I hadn't met anyone like me before. Based on what little I had researched into my shifting abilities, I concluded that I was probably a werewolf.

It felt completely bizarre, even to me. I pushed Nat down as far as I could, trying to keep my secret.

He looked at me curiously. His features and demeanor were bold. I could tell he was the superior in the group based on how the other men were submissive. They only did exactly as he requested.

'Mm,' Nat purred. 'SHHHH,' I shoved her to the back of my mind again. 

"I can smell you, little wolf, don't act innocent! Why are you in our territory?" Okay then, I guess this guy is pissed off.

Hell, I didn't even know why I was here. I looked at him, confused because did he seriously smell my wolf?

Wait, Territory?

This guy must be on something. 

"I... I ... I didn't know. Your territory? I swear," I murmured.

I was fighting Nat's pleas to come forward. As he circled around me, he looked at me with more wonder and fascination.

I could feel his wolf pushing forward, looking for Nat.

Deep breaths, I reminded myself. 

"Who are you?" He doesn't beat around the bush, I guess.

His scent was tantalizing; I couldn't deny it. I had never smelt anything more beautiful, more magnetizing, and sultrier.

Sandalwood and roasted almonds lingered in my nostrils as I breathed him in. 

"I'm nobody...." I quickly responded.

Nobody Phoenix?

Really?

That was your best answer? I groaned to myself inwardly.

I noticed his breath faltering with my own. My core began to throb, and the space between my legs was becoming... Wet?

Pull it together Nat, I begged inwardly.  

What the hell was happening?

God dammit, I wanted him closer, but the thought of Noah waiting for me crept in. All I could feel was guilt; this beautiful man could sense it.

He was tall, yes, I'm a sucker for the tall ones, I guess. His features were a stark difference from Noah's.

Dark hair, green eyes, dimples, tan skin. He leaned in, sniffing me curiously. The hair on my neck stood up as I felt his breath against it. 

"She is hiding something; I can feel it." I pinched my thighs together, trying to relieve the sensation his breath against my skin was forcing me to feel.

Nat was fighting hard to break free and call back to her mate, but my will to keep my secret was stronger. 

"You can't hide that little wolf forever. I don't know what you're keeping from me, but I will get to the bottom of it." Was he always so serious?

Even though he spoke sternly, I could sense just a pinch of tenderness he was feeling towards me. 

"Take her to my tent; make sure she can't leave." He looked at me with an expression I couldn't read, but somehow, I knew he wouldn't hurt me.

That could be wishful thinking, though. 

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I had no idea how long it had been since I was dragged into a huge tent nearby.

I tugged on the metal restraints before quickly sucking air through my teeth as I winced.

'Why are they burning me?' I whimpered internally. 'Silver,' Nat's voice was a painful whisper.

She always said things assuming I had any idea what she was talking about.

Noah was waiting for me. This thought made me tear up. It was short-lived, though. My senses quickly distracted me from my worries as I smelt that scent again. 

'Nat who is that?' I whispered. 'Mate!' Nat mewed. 'You're useless Nat,' I scoffed.

She was really thinning my patience. 

I watched with the utmost concentration as his figure appeared in the tent. My breathing tensed and stuttered in my chest as our eyes connected. 

I quickly shoved Nat to the back of my mind.

My heart was now beating uncontrollably again.

He walked around me a few times, eyeing me like a piece of meat.

Who did this guy think he was?

He unhooked my chains calmly after stalking around me like I was prey.

"Who are you... I can feel my wolf calling for yours. Dammit, tell me!" He was angry or confused; I couldn't tell.

One thing was for sure: I was now terrified.

His aura was bright and intimidating. It made me want to hunch over, crawl away into a hole, and bury myself.

Nat could feel my inner walls rising the longer his eyes burned holes through my face. Despite her desire for her mate, Nat could feel my fear, and it pissed her off.

Without warning, Nat sprung through me forcefully in defense.

I felt my canines release as I growled. She had taken control in a flash of 5 seconds or less, transforming into her wolf completely. We growled back at him again, our fur rising.

'Screw it. He could already sense my wolf,' I muttered to Nat, who was now whimpering, not in pain, but rather in lust and desire as we looked at him. 'Nat, can you stop being a hussy for five seconds, please?' I whined as we backed up slowly away from him.