Lust

Fated

Trope: Werewolf Mates

Emily and Ezra

A lone cabin loomed in the woods, the warm light inside glowing in the dead of the night. Emily looked up at the stars as she walked, wondering how the night was going to progress. She always knew that Ezra was her Mate, they grew up together and he had claimed her when they were only five (how he knew that young, she never knew). A part of neighboring packs, they saw each other almost every day to play together and talk about the future, but Ezra changed when they turned 13. He became cold and distant; he didn't come to see her as often and when he did, he barely spoke to her.

Now at 23, they had just finished their bonding ceremony and were walking to their Mating Cabin to consummate their bond. Emily remember his stance during the ceremony, tense and almost uncomfortable with being so uncomfortable. He walked in front of her now, clearing the overgrown path so that she could follow closely behind. Ezra silently unlocked the door, holding it open for her; still a gentlemen. He closed and locked it behind them as she surveyed her surroundings. The small fireplace in the center of the living room was already lit, a soft-looking couch facing it. The end table next to the couch had a small record player on it as well as a lamp that was on, illuminating the room in a warm, yellow light. There was a small kitchen to her left, a refrigerator, stove, and a few counter tops was all that made it up.

There was a small hallway to the right with a single door she guessed led to the bedroom. Emily watched as Ezra took their bags down to the room, opening the door and disappearing. She took in a deep breath and sat on the couch, staring into the fire. When Ezra didn't return, she craned her neck to try looking into the bedroom, but snapped her head back once his foot steps approached. She kept her eyes trained on the fire even as he stood before her. After a few minutes of awkward silence she stole a glance at him and gasped; he was completely naked in front of her. She turned her head away, shoulders slumping.

"You spend every day since we were five preparing for this moment and now you can't even look at me," he growled.

"What's her name," she asked quietly.

Ezra's face morphed from anger to instant confusion and slight annoyance. "What are you talking about?"

"The girl you've been in love with since we were 13...what's her name?" Emily's voice broke and she could feel her heart sink into her stomach.

"You're my Mate, Emily, there's no one else."

She scoffed, "Right, like I'd believe that. You've been avoiding me for ten years; I'm honestly surprised you went through the bonding ceremony with me since you're so disgusted by touching me or looking at me or even being in my presence!"

"What the fuck are you talking about?! There's been no one but you my whole life!" His anger returned as he seethed, fists clenched so hard his knuckles were turning white.

"Then why," she insisted, "why did you stop coming to see me? Why did you never hold my hand or kiss me or even talk to me?! We used to be best friends, Ezra!!" she swallowed the lump in her throat, tears beginning to fall. "We used to do everything together: swimming in the lake, gazing up at the stars from our backyard fort...I'm assuming all that stopped because you met someone else?"

Ezra's stance softened and he sat beside her, sighing. "No,Em. There's never been anyone but you...I..I was scared." He turned her face to his with his index finger, his heart clenching in his chest at the sight of her tears; he had made her cry. Her pain all these years was his fault. "I was afraid that I wasn't going to be enough for you...we knew so young that we were going to be together and I started thinking I would never live up to your expectations of me. I was worried about everyone's expectations, not just your's. My father started doubling down on my training and you...you were..." he sighed again, trying desperately to find the right words. "You were looking at me as if I was the most perfect person in the world and I just shut down...I'm sorry."