I didn't exactly know how to respond. Mostly because I didn't know understand what he was saying.

I mean I wasn't completely oblivious, I had read some information regarding the 'mates' situation Klayton was referring to.

While I was researching information for my essay, I had stumbled across stories of soulmates in the "Moon Goddess" book.

Legend says that every lycan is destined for someone; the other half of their soul.

Hence, the term soulmate.

The term coined as 'mate' was just the modern slang, although still highly valued and deeply significant within lycanthropy traditions.

So legends says.

What I'm not comprehending is how I have gotten myself into this situation, and well, why Klayton thinks I'm his mate.

"Pardon me?" I couldn't help but sputter out. I think anyone in this situation would react the same way I am— this is appropriate.

Klayton repeats himself, slower. "You. Are. Mine."

Instantly shaking my head, I remove myself from our close proximity. This is nuts.

I turn away from him and start to pace around my living room. As if I just noticed, I start to truly recognize the damage I have created inside my apartment. What the...?

I don't understand why I did this. This is not me; not something I could impulsively do.

No matter how mad I am.

As if Klayton is sensing my internal frustration he gently strides over to where I am pacing. He grabs my fingers and interlocks them with his.

"It's our bond," he says. "You can't feel it between us, so your mind is playing tricks on you. It's making you do crazy things,"

"What do you mean?" I whisper. "If what you're saying is really true, then why can't I feel it like you do?"

Klayton's eyes zero in on the necklace around my neck. He isn't the first one to hold such a contemptible look due to it's presence. What's wrong with my necklace?

"That necklace," he nods in the direction of it. "it's been charmed by a witch."

My eyes grew to the size of saucers. Is he for real?

"Witches? Werewolves?" I shake my head. "This isn't happening!"

"I can prove it to you."

~

We walk side by side to the trail near my apartment. Right now, it's pretty dark outside so I have a feeling we won't be interrupted. I'm not sure what to expect right now, and my mind is reeling. What if he's lying? What if he's not?

Eventually, we end up in a small quarter of the forest that seems well hidden. This was near where we first met. I almost smile at the stupid memory.

Klayton and I stop and he starts to walk a few feet in front of me. I shake in small anticipation.

"Well?" I prompt.

Klayton looks up at me and smirks. Then, he starts to strip.

I quickly shriek and shield my eyes. I turn around.

"What are you doing?" I whispered harshly. "Is this what you brought me out here for?"

"No. I came to show you the truth," He replies.

I remain not facing him. He sighs and continues. "Adira, you can look. It's nothing you haven't seen before anyways," he teases lightly.

Instantly, my cheeks burn a bright pink. I didn't want to think about that right now.

I tell him to at least cover up and he complies. I turn around and avoid looking at his perfectly sculpted body and only look into his eyes.

His dark, perfect, stormy eyes.

Soon enough, I hear a crack. And then another. Our eyes remain on each other's the entire time until he's suddenly on all fours and covered in fur. It happened simultaneously and a small scream escapes my mouth unintentionally.

In front of me suddenly, is a giant black wolf. Much bigger than the brown scruffy one I had seen before. That one had tried to kill me, and I can't help but take a tentative step back as I assess the one currently standing a few feet in front of me.

His dark eyes watch my every move and I'm paralyzed with fear. It is hard to process and resonate that this is Klayton in front of me right now.

I gulp and am about to run away screaming before the unexpected happens.

The giant, deadly wolf leans down onto his two front paws and wiggles his tail at me.

My eyes instantly light up.

He wants to play?

I hesitantly step forward towards the intimidating animal. Reaching my arm up, I brush my fingers threw his soft fur. My hands looks almost white compared to the obsidian black that is his fur.

As I tenderly comb through his silkily strands, I can tell he is almost growling in pleasure. It brings me a small comfort that I make him so mellowed.

We spend most of the time accessing each other, and me every so often running my fingers through his coat or petting him.

I felt very serene in Klayton's presence like this, and it was refreshing. We sat there for quite a while, me talking and him listening to every single word I had to say. I mostly told him about my life before Myersdale, and he watched my every move.

I could tell I was feeling sleepy so I decided to stand up from where we had made ourselves comfortable, beside a tree. Brushing off my pants, I see that he had trotted off somewhere else. I don't pay much attention to it and start to walk back towards the trail.

Without warning, a larger hand encased around mine. I swiftly turned around and see Klayton holding my hand, looking at me expectantly.

I quickly run my eyes up and down his body, silently thanking God that he had the decency to put appropriate clothing on this time.

For some reason, I wasn't freaking out right now. We both stare at each other until I decide to break the silence growing between us.

"So..." I drawl. "You're a werewolf."

His face holds almost a ghost of a smile. "I am."

"Cool," I nod my head slowly.

This literally couldn't get any weirder.

"And you are my mate."

Never mind.

I let go of his hand gingerly and he looks almost pained as I do so. I casually put my arms in my pockets so he won't attempt to grab them again. When he touches me, it gets hard to think.

Remembering what he said about my necklace earlier, I tenderly clasp onto it around my neck. His eyes follow the small act.

"You said a witch charmed this necklace? What does that mean?" My eyes flicker to his. "What does that do?"

He grimaced in response, with a small frown etched onto his perfect face.

"It means that someone never wanted you to find me," he says. "You can't feel the bond we have growing between us, but it is there."

"What do I do?"

"You have to take the necklace off," he says. I'm dumbfounded.

"Why didn't you just rip it off me as soon as we met? This whole situation could have been over with way sooner," I shake my head at him in slight disbelief.

"That's the catch," he replies to me. "You have to do it on your own accord. If me or anyone else had attempted to take it off you, it would have burnt my hand or some other severe consequence."

My mouth slowly pops open at his statement. What the...?

Consequence?

"Why?" I can't help but ask him. I have no reason to not believe him, he has shown me his true self at this point.

"The charm," he says like it was obvious. "It's obvious to strong supernatural creatures what was cast onto that necklace. Although, I've only seen something like it maybe once or twice in my entire life. It's really only something we read about growing up."

"What witch could have done this? I mean, this was a family heirloom," I sputter out.

Klayton's eyes widen and he takes a step back from me. My eyebrows furrow in confusion.

"T-this belonged to your family?" His eyes widen. His voice was harsh; demanding, however it held slight confusion.

I don't like this side of Klayton.

"Yes, why?"

"This is one of the most powerful charms I have ever felt. It wasn't just me who could feel the powers from it, but also my pack. Normally only an Alpha or strong entity can sense such things," he says.

"So what are you trying to say? And wait— Alpha?"

"We can discuss my position later. Right now, I would like for you and I to discuss us." His hands gesture between me and him.

I sigh through my nose and decide to do one better than what he expected. I reach up behind my neck and grab the ends of my necklace. I slowly unclasp it from around my neck, and it feels as if I can suddenly breath again.

I look down at the small, silver and opal necklace resting in my hands. I place it in my pocket.

All the while I am doing this, Klayton is watching me like a hawk. His heated gaze is trained on me and as soon as I look up it's like I've never truly seen him before.

His undeniable beauty is unmatched, and his aura is so powerful that I almost want to stumble at the vigor of it. I inhale deeply and almost have to stop myself from running into his arms and staying there forever. I want him more than I have ever wanted anyone.

Is this what I've been missing out on?

Without thinking, we rush and collapse into each other's arms. I clasp my fingers around his biceps as I embrace him, and all I feel is warmth and sparks emitting between the both of us.

If I died right now, I would die happy.

He looks down at me, with the biggest smile on his face. He knows I feel it too. He face starts to slowly lean down and I instantly lean up to meet him, almost too eagerly.

Our lips gently touch one another, as if we aimed to savor this moment for eternity. He is mine; I am his.

Our movements against one another become more rough, and we start to need each other.

I run my tongue against his bottom lip, almost asking him for permission. He fervently accepts and I plunge my tongue deep into his mouth. He tastes like cinnamon. He moans into my mouth and I grip onto his hair, running my fingers through his soft dark strands. His hands are equally exploring, one gently clasped around my neck and the other working it's way up and down the side of my body.

I press my breasts into his chest, trying to get as close as him as possible. I melt into his warmth and shiver as sparks run through my body at his zealous touches. His tongue tentatively thrusts in and out of my mouth a few times softly. I moan at the sensation and I start to shrug off my jacket. This is what I want.

As soon as I peel off my light jacket and throw it onto the ground, it's like Klayton snaps out of a trance. He quickly jumps off of me and takes a step away. We are both panting hard. I can't help but watch his chest move up and down, admiring the size.

Looking at him heatedly, I take another step forward, hoping to finish what I started. Klayton puts his arm in front of himself to stop my advance.

"Adira, as much as I want to do this we can't," he says. "This is just overwhelming for you. The first time you're feeling our bond,"

I don't process what he's saying. All I'm staring at are his lips moving and how badly I just want them all over me.

"Adir—''

I cut him off by slamming my lips onto his.

😚