The Hunt

Chapter 7

Emily hated how time seemed to fly with Nick. She loved every second in his presence, but the realisation that their time together was over never failed to dampen her mood.

Emily had thoroughly enjoyed their little game. They both had, teasing and learning new things about each other. It was like wearing a risqué dress, daring and dangerous, but tantalising. Emily thought she imagined those suggestive glances, his eyes on her everytime she looked at him. But she basked in them all the same, loving how Nick never failed to put her at ease and how she could be herself around him.

Nick had been so lost in the eyes of his lovely mate, he wanted to break the blasted oven when it beeped for interrupting them. He could not believe how lucky he was. She was simply the most beautiful creature he had ever met, and with every word she spoke, every moment he spent with her, he fell for her more and more. He did not know it was even possible to be under someone's spell in such a short time, but he was not ashamed to admit his heart was completely at her mercy. No, it might not be love yet, he knew it was too soon for that. But looking over at her now, laughing as she peeled off a small chunk of the cake stuck to the parchment paper, her dark hair illuminated by the afternoon sun, he was suddenly afraid for his heart. How was he to resist such a woman?

At any rate, Nick was not ready to part with her just as yet. "Would you like to grab lunch at Wren's?" Nick wanted to smack himself. He really lost his mind when it came to his mate. "If you don't have anywhere to be, of course."

"I would love to," Emily answered with a wide smile. "I'll go change into something warmer." Entrusting Nick with the freshly baked cake, she rushed to her room, her cheeks flushed in excitement. She could not believe her luck. Her day just kept getting better and better.

It wasn't long before she returned, stealing his breath like everytime he saw her. When she asked if he was alright, he only shook his head with a smile. He couldn't name the odd feeling that made his chest hurt everytime his eyes found her, but he didn't necessarily dislike it.

Nick had never been a talkative person. His duties as the Alpha required of him to interact with people to a certain degree, but he was never in his element in a crowd. He was reserved and had always had a hard time opening up to people, including his own family. But for reasons unknown to himself, he loved Emily's company. He felt comfortable with her and found himself wanting to share his deepest secrets with her. He knew it wasn't the mate bond either. The bond was a purely physical force that served to geographically bring together mates destined for one another so they met. It did not interfere with one's emotions.

But then why did he feel this way? Why was he so powerless to resist her? It was almost laughable how the mighty Alpha was at the mercy of a tiny human girl. And oddly enough, he was not ashamed of it. On the contrary, he wanted to climb to the peak of the highest mountain in Howling Snows and claim her in front of the world.

Silently chuckling at his own thoughts that bordered on obsession, Nick followed his lovely mate out the door. He observed her human ways- her graceful countenance, her delicate fingers as they locked the cottage door and her defenceless frame. For a brief moment, he wondered if she could ever accept him. He was wild and animalistic- a typical Alpha of the lycan community. Would she find him repulsive when she learned of his secret? She was so delicate and precious and he, the most powerful man in the continent. Would his identity ever become the reason she would be afraid of him?

A dull ache settled in his heart at the thought. He couldn't bear the thought of her being anything but comfortable with him. Instead of being terrified in his presence, he wished for her to be just as carefree forever, keeping up with their occasional playful banter and long, endless conversations. He wanted to be someone she could turn to in times of need, someone she could trust and depend on. But could she accept him? All of him?