Chapter Twelve:
My scent! My scent was all over the place, not to mention he drove me here that one time! God, strike me down; I’m a fool. The question of the matter is why was he here? Didn’t he know that all he did was cause me pain and suffering? I liked him – by God, I liked him – but every time I saw him, I just kept thinking of perfect, dainty Elizabeth. I could never be Elizabeth and thank the Lord I didn’t try. Elizabeth was a stupid, stuck up, self-righteous, pompous cow and I was lucky to have extremely different personality traits to the witch.
I almost stopped breathing when I caught sight of Ian getting out of his car. It was like watching honey pour off a spoon or seeing a lion strike down its prey; Ian was sleek and smooth with his movements. You could tell he was entirely comfortable with his body.
What is this? I scowled mentally I was never like this. I was strong, confident, and dominant. Never the submissive, was I. I was always powering on; so why was I cowering away and hiding under my bangs? How could he make me feel this way?
I lifted my head and stood up straighter; he was not going to get to me. The sun was high in the sky; signalling it wasn’t even noon yet. Despite the heat of a very typical Australian Summer’s day, I felt shivers run down my spine as the breeze rolled over me. His scent was carried in the wind.
“Ian,” I made a show of using his first name. “What are you doing here?” Don’t mess with me today, boy. Boy-oh-boy was that an understatement, I thought to myself as I casually checked my mate out.
“Marissa, could we go inside, please?” He asked politely; his eyes shifting around uneasily. He was looking everywhere but at me.
“I can, you cannot. Anything else is strictly against policy. You’re my teacher, remember?” Tone it down, Marissa. Sarcasm, yes; full on taunting, no, I chastised myself.
“Look, Marissa, please?” He begged. Oh no. Not the guilt trip. I could feel my eyes stinging. Why did he have to guilt trip me? Great, now I’m whining. Somebody say pathetic?
“Alright fine, you can come inside.” I gave up almost instantaneously… Almost being the keyword there. I’m not so cowardly, you know.
I walked to the front door, wiping away the sweat that formed on my upper lip and forehead. Man, was it hot today. I pulled out my key and slid it into the lock. I unlocked the door and pushed it open, consciously aware of the beautiful man standing behind me. His close proximity was enough to make me sick with longing. My wolf was alive and aware deep inside my core and my heart was beating faster than the speed of light. My nostrils were burning from the sweet smell that ambushed my olfactory sense.
I headed to the very boring lounge room and sat down on the soft, plush brown couch. I felt all my worries slip away as I relished in the relaxing comfort my favourite couch – my only couch – gave me. A throat cleared and I remembered why I was here – aside from the fact that this was my house. I opened my eyes and smiled politely at my mate. I gestured next to me and Ian sauntered over. I was biting my cheeks to stop from sighing out loud. How embarrassing would that be?
“What is up?” I asked casually.
“We need to talk about us.” He said simply. My breathing hitched and my palms started to sweat. I furrowed my brows and opened my mouth, only to close it again when no sound escaped.
“W-what about us,” I finally managed to ask. My tongue felt heavy in my mouth and at any moment I felt like it was just going to hang out like a dog’s – pretty ironic, huh?
“You are my mate, Marissa. You cannot deny that there’s a connection between us.”
“I wasn’t going to but…” I started to say.
“I know that I’m married to my wife, Elizabeth and I don’t want to hurt your feelings,”
“So don’t.” I said.
“But I can’t just leave my wife for no reason at all. She’s already lost one mate; I couldn’t bear to break her heart like that again.”
“So you’ll break my heart because you don’t Elizabeth to hurt?” My voice rose. How dare he?
“No, no; of course not,” He rushed, placing his hand on one of mine.
“You’re my mate, Marissa. I couldn’t live with myself if I hurt you.”
“You’re hurting me now. Do you think I’m okay with seeing some witch with my mate? ‘Because I’m not; it’s not okay. Ian, she’s already had a mate and here she is with mine. She’s being selfish.” I placed my right hand over my heart and squeezed the skin tightly. The pain erupting from my heart, poisoning my body and taking control, was enough to make a hundred men collapse, begging for release. Was this the end of me? I could feel myself destruct from this inside out. I was breathing raggedly and clutching at my heart like a mad woman. I was done for.
“No, Marissa,” He placed a soothing hand on my cheek. I turned to look at him, and my bottom lip wobbled.
“I’m here to tell you that I want you; you are my mate. You are my beginning and you will be my ending. It will always be you.” Tears fell from my eyes and found myself wrapped in my mate’s arms.
“I love you, Marissa. That’s why I’m here. I want to be with you; not Elizabeth. She can’t make me smile like you can; she can’t make my heart race like you can; she isn’t you, Marissa. I only want you.” He pressed his lips to my temple over and over again, whispering, “Only you” with each kiss. I found myself relaxing in his arms.
Only you can make me feel this way, I thought to myself. Only you.
