My Mate, Charlie

S E V E N T E E N

Charlie

"Okay, back up." Pressing my hand to Declan's chest, hard and definitely well built chest, I push him back a little. "What the heck is a mate?" Declan chuckles at my confusion, hand tugging my own back to his desk.

"Let me explain-"

"Uh, yes please." I plop myself in the same leather chair I was in before, but instead of Declan sitting in his own seat, he perched himself against the desk facing directly in front of me. He was so close his legs grazed mine and one was placed between my own two.

"Do you believe in soul mates?" I barely caught what he said as my eyes watched his arms cross over his chest and muscles pull against his shirt.

"Uh...I mean I've never really thought about it." I look away from his arms, cheeks reddening at my actions.

Curse his bulkiness!

"But... I wouldn't say I didn't at least think about that one person I'm meant to be with." Shrugging nonchalantly.

"I really don't know how else to explain this...but, werewolves have mates. Do you know what a mate is?" Declan is watching me carefully, being very careful with his words. While appreciate it, I can't help but feel like a child who has to be explained something and is too young to understand.

"Mate, like soulmate."

"Yes!" Declan exclaims, eyes slightly widening. I couldn't help but think his expression was quite adorable for a man who seems all closed off and silent with a bad temper. "Exactly. Werewolves have soulmates. Every wolf has them. They are your greatest weakness but your greatest strength. Mates are very important to wolves. Once we find our mate, we are fully committed to them. Forever and always, literally." Declan paused, gauging my reaction. He probably thought I was going to run off.

I wouldn't blame him, the last few times I did try and run. You can't accuse me of being wrong in that. It was a lot to take it, so much at once, it was overwhelming. Considering my life is anything but exciting. I feel like that's about to change drastically.

"Okay, I get it. But why are you telling me this?" I couldn't help but be slightly impatient.

"Basically what I'm saying is that we're...mates." There's a heavy pause as I let his words sink in. Nibbling on my lip I look over Declan seeing this is no joke by the blank and very serious expression on his face. Once again I got lost in his beauty, that familiar pull wanting me to nuzzle my way right between his legs and into his chest.

"Is that why I'm feeling this way?" I break the ice, Declan jumping lightly at my voice.

"Yes. You're feeling a pull to me, right?" I nod once. "The need to be near me?" Nod twice. "The want to be in my arms?" Three nods. "You feel this sudden urge to feel me pressed against you, lips on yours?" Gulping, I push myself back into the chair as Declan's stands, eyes darkening. But not in a scary way, in an entrancing way. Forth nod and Declan is leaning over, elbows resting on the arms of my seat, his face inches from mine. He smelt of coke and whiskey, but he also had this deep woodsy fragrance that calmed my body. I never realized till now how much more at ease I was when I was around him.

"That's the mate bond. What you feel is nothing to what I feel when I see, heck even smell you. Charlie, you drive me crazy, but in the best fucking possible way."