True Mate

II.

"Fifteen minutes. The usual place."

A click and they hung up. It was all he needed to change into his tight, leather, riding gear before grabbing his helmet, keys and wallet and heading out into the night.

He'd be there in ten.

The motorcycle purred beneath him in greeting, giving him a buzz that nothing else could replicate. Revving the engine, he took off down the street, a black shiny streak in the darkness. Arriving only eight minutes later, he parked and pulled off his helmet, his shaggy black hair brushing the tops of his shoulders.

Cops must've already gone, he thought.

"Roman, over here," a man called to him.

The man was about his height, with a solid frame, dark hair slicked back, his carriage powerful and confident. He followed him around to the back of the bar, where he could already scent the stench of blood and entrails.

It wasn't a pretty sight.

A young woman, most likely college age, was standing a good distance away. It seemed his alpha, Diego, had taken care of things so far. Jinx, one of their hunters, was doing a half-assed job at reassuring the frightened young woman. He could tell she'd much rather be out tracking the rogue responsible for this mess.

"So? What d'ya think?"

Looking over the mutilated corpse, he noticed the female was about the same age as the young woman with Jinx. Perhaps they were friends, judging by the salty tang of tears tinging the cool night air. Or maybe she was just traumatized.

"Girl say anything?"

Diego glanced over at the girl.

"She said they were roommates. Went out for a night on the town. The other female went to the bathroom and didn't come back, so she went to check up on her and heard her scream. When she found her, the bastard already high-tailed it outta here."

"Guessed that much. The fucker's a rogue. Young, rash, he'll be easy to track."

"Ghost and Sly are already on it."

Diego glanced between the girl and his second in command. His beta probably wouldn't care for what he was about to say.

"I want you to take her home. This sicko might come back to finish her off."

White, hot anger flooded through his veins, and he had to grit his teeth in an effort to keep himself from arguing. His alpha's word was law, and as his beta, he had no choice but to serve him with unquestioning loyalty. But that didn't mean he had to like it. What was Diego thinking, putting the girl under his protection? Deciding against opening his mouth, for fear of letting something he'd regret slip, he nodded and left the gory scene.

"Oh, thank fuck," Jinx snarled, "I was beginning to think I'd be stuck with babysitting duty. She's all yours, big boy."

Clapping him on the shoulder, he smirked as Jinx swiftly made her exit, leaving him alone with the girl. Up close, he was startled by her delicate, fey-like features; pointy nose, heart-shaped face, glistening, almond-shaped eyes; a striking aqua. Her hair was a pale blonde, nearly white, hanging loose over her breasts. His eyes roamed over her delicious curves; a full, hourglass figure.

He could imagine tracing the outline of those curves with his tongue...

"What's your name, beautiful?"

A pretty flush spread over her high, lightly freckled cheekbones, gazing up at him, only now just noticing his presence.

"Liv," she murmured, voice a bit shaky, hesitant.