Tempting LUNA 【18+】

Chapter 7: Mate

POV:

Flora Duncan

I passed out after climaxing, and when I woke up, it was already the next morning. The bed was super comfy, like it had high-end silk sheets. I slowly sat up and realized my back was sore. When I got out of bed, my legs were so weak I almost fell to my knees.

I fumbled to pull the curtains open. The sunlight was blinding, and that's when I noticed the room. It was big but simple and cozy, mostly gray and white. This must be Alpha's room. I could smell his scent all around. There were clean clothes on a bench at the foot of the bed, and that's when I noticed I was only wearing a white T-shirt, with nothing underneath.

The heat from my mating season had faded, but my body was sore all over. I touched my neck and felt the mark he left. The burning sensation and the bright spark from that moment were scary.

Alpha marked me. My plan worked. Other werewolves in heat would smell me and see the mark, knowing I had a temporary partner. I should feel safe for this season, but instead, I feel uneasy. 

Yesterday, Alpha acted like I was already his mate.

Just then, I heard a heavy knock on the wooden door.

"Can I come in?"

It was Adam Hansen. I stood by the window and tried to sound calm. "Come in."

"Did you sleep well?"

He wasn't wearing a suit today like he was at work. Instead, he had on a white short-sleeve shirt, gray jeans, and casual flip-flops. His hair was messy, golden, and looked like he had just woken up.

Alpha walked slowly toward me.

"Did you sleep well?" I heard his gentle voice again. He started a mind-link with me.

"Yeah," I said, and then automatically covered my chest, which was without a bra. He seemed to notice and laughed softly. Then he got closer, and I could smell his faint tobacco scent and feel his warm breath.

Wait, isn't this too close?

"What are you nervous about?" Flora asked, puzzled. "Isn't this what you wanted?"

Is this what I wanted? I'm not so sure anymore. My emotions feel like they're just flowing around. I look up at Adam Hansen, and his high nose bridge and deep green eyes are mesmerizing. I tell myself it's just because of the mark. I'm feeling attached to Alpha.

It's not great to get attached to someone.

He looks at me gently and then takes my hand. "I'll help you change."

What??? I'm shocked. Seriously, with the heat of the mating season just over, my mind is clear now, including my sense of modesty. I quickly grab the clothes and turn away from him.

"No, I can do it myself, Mr Hansen."

When Alpha hears me call him Mr Hansen, his eyebrows raise, and his expression darkens a bit. He looks at me, clearly confused.

"I thought everything was going smoothly, you know, Flora." He says my name softly.

"I know, and I really appreciate you helping me through the heat," I say with a polite smile.

"That's all?"

"Um... what else?" I shrug and then avoid his gaze. Suddenly, I notice a door diagonally across from the bed—it might be the bathroom.

"If you don't mind, could I use your bathroom?" I gesture towards it and quickly move over and shut the door.

In the mirror, I look a mess. Besides the mark Alpha left, there are also hickeys on my neck. I pull down my collar and glance at them.

"Fuck! That beast."

I feel like Alpha is a bit angry, especially since I called him Mr. Hansen. I thought we were clear about everything yesterday. I told him honestly that I just needed a sex partner, and his attitude seemed to agree. I figured someone like him would be used to these kinds of things.

"He thinks you're his mate," Fala says, ruining my denial of the guess.

"Bullshit! No way!"

This is my first time, so I'm not sure, but the spark was real. No one ever told me what it's supposed to feel like. All I know is that at the moment he marked me, my mind went blank. I couldn't breathe. The scent, the blood—it all mixed into my wound. Everything was floating, but he was the only thing I could touch.

"Flora, are you okay?" Alpha asks through the mind-link.

I quickly get dressed. My underwear fits just right, and I put on a simple white polo shirt and a light brown A-line skirt that falls just below my knees.

When Adam Hansen doesn't get a response from me, he leans closer to the door and says,

"There's a new toothbrush in the bathroom. I'll wait for you downstairs for breakfast."

Then I hear him walking away.

 I let out a slow breath.

Obviously, I don't know how to face him.