Temptations

"What ceremony?" I ask.

"The joining ceremony, of course," Darius states.

Terry chuckles. "Don't tell me you don't know guys from the high ranks host them once they find mates."

I shake my head. Am I really that uneducated about wolf stuff or was I simply desperately disinterested in those customs?

"It's like a wedding in your human world," Debra clarifies, amused, having noticed my distress.

"Right," my food suddenly climbs back up my throat. I was supposed to marry Ian this year. And now...it turns out I'll be marrying someone else. I can't help feeling the Moon Goddess' blessing is more a curse.

Why is she doing this to me? Ian didn't deserve to be left. We didn't deserve this - all those years of love and support ending in one damned second.

Is Darius really worth it? I sure hope so. "And when is this ceremony supposed to happen?" I clear my throat.

"Don't worry about that," Darius puts down his fork and knife. "It will happen when we say it will."

Debra claps her hands. "Oh, I can't wait. I love celebrations!"

He stands up slowly. "Alright then. Have a good night, everyone."

Does this also refer to me?

I get my answer as he stops behind my chair and takes his hand out. "Join me to the bedroom?"

My throat goes stiff. I should just say no, but then I will portray myself as a coward to these people.  And a weirdo. No one behaves this weird with their mates but me. Then again, not everyone had a human fiancé just a few hours ago.

I decide to play it cool and place my hand into his. "Have a good night," I say as I stand up.

I can almost hear my heart pounding as we walk hand in hand, him leading me to the stairs.

It is the most normal thing in the world, my wolf reassures me. All werewolves are crazy over their mates once they find each other. What's your problem?

What is my problem?

Still having feelings for Ian? A fresh breakup? A new love forced upon me? Or is it embracing someone as my Alpha? I'll go for all of the above.

Ugh, you suck.

Shut up. I'm the boss of us in human form.

He intertwines his fingers with mine quite roughly, then lifts my hand up to lay a strong kiss on it. "It pleases me that you came this soon, Lila," he says in a deep sexy voice. "I would've hated it if I had to come and get you myself."

I can't with this dominance.

"I just felt a bit tired, that's all."

He smirks as if he has all the power over me.

I abruptly take my hand away and stop.

"What?" he asks, confused.

"Introducing some nice manners wouldn't kill you, you know," I scratch my neck in anxiety.

He seems legitimately confused. "You want me to carry you to our room?"

He already bends a little to pick me up, but I stop him gently with my hand. O.K, I get that to him this is no big deal. He found a mate and now he's expecting to have the world's most normal relationship. One he grew up watching. But I'll need some time before I start behaving like a normal mate. Time for adjustment. When I stop feeling like I'm cheating on Ian every time me and mate touch.

"No, I want you to give me my room."

He squints as if I am asking the most stupid thing there is. "Your room is my room. You know, ours," he smirks amused as he gestures with his index finger.

"No," I simply say. "I can't share a bed with you. Not tonight at least," I add so that I wouldn't offend him.

He sighs, irritated. "Great, another sleepless night," he mumbles finally getting the grip of the situation. He shakes his head slightly in disbelief. "We're mates, Lila."

"I ended my engagement only hours ago!" I burst. I mean what is wrong with this guy? Werewolf or not, the compassion chip is missing.

"Alright, relax," he puts his hands on the outer part my shoulders. "If you think you don't wanna stay in the same room, I'll give you another one. Ain't a problem, baby."

"If I think?" I pick his hands with my fingers and theatrically remove them from my body. "Great. Then we can proceed." I continue my way upstairs, with him lagging behind.

I hear him chuckle, but ignore it. Why does he anger me so much? Is it because I am not in control of myself in front of him? Because he disarms me? Quite probably. It's irritating as hell having someone wrap you around his finger without even trying.

When I reach the top most stair, I step aside, letting him lead the way to my separate room. I'll be damned if I let my sinful desires get the better of me tonight. I would feel horrible to lie in bed without another man only hours after ending things with Ian.

He walks the hallway, then turns to give me an amused stare as he reaches a door. He shakes his head in amusement, then swiftly grabs the door knob on his right and swings the door open.

"Enjoy," he says ironically.

I raise an eyebrow and step inside without even checking the room out, then take hold of the inner knob. "I sure will," I reply matter of factly, preparing to slam the door in his face. "Good night, Darius."

He stops the door with his hand just before they close. He tilts his head, eyes closed, inhaling deeply. "I love the sound of my name coming out your mouth."

He takes my head between his palms and stuffs his nose into my hair, then whispers into my ear. "I can't wait to hear you moan it with pleasure.

Shit.

He always throws me off guard.

I feel my body burning with desire to grab him and have him here and now, but something is stopping me.

I want to be stronger than this invisible force of mate bond. I want to remain in control of myself.

Besides, if I somehow manage to resist it for a while, maybe I will be free again? And I can beg Ian to forgive me?

Ian who? My wolf interrupts my stray of thoughts. I watch Darius walk towards his room longingly, unable to part my eyes from his handsome manly back.

He turns just before he opens the door to his bedroom. "You know where to find me when you get bored."

Ugh. So tacky.

"Dream on," I close my door and lean onto it. I turn on the lights and gaze at my new room. It is a plain bedroom with white walls, a queen bed with white cotton linen, a small balcony exit, and a wooden closet with a mirror on it.

I realize I left all of my stuff in his room, as Debra led me there. Crap.

Of all my belongings, I only have a cellphone in my pocket. I take it out, wanting to text him to bring me my stuff but it occurs to me I don't even have his number. Great.

Now, I could sleep in my undies, but going to sleep without brushing my teeth after dinner is a no-no. I decide to go as quickly as possible to my ex room, before Darius starts to change into pajamas and I catch him butt naked.

I leave to the hallway and basically run down it, then knock on his door.

It takes him a few seconds to open and he is, of course, shirtless. "Even sooner than I thought." He has a victorious spark in his eyes. It's so obvious he's used to always getting what he wants.

For some reason, it makes me spiteful.

I roll my eyes. "I came for my toiletry. Your mother had brought me here earlier today, so I left my stuff in your bathroom."

"Our bathroom," he smiles, enjoying seeing me nervous, then swings the door open. "The room's all yours."

I give him a short polite smile and rush to the bathroom to collect my belongings.

He follows me with a lazy stroll, then leans onto the door frame to observe me do it.

"All done," I force another smile as I walk to the door.

Then he grabs me by the elbow and I almost drop everything to the floor from the electricity that runs through my bones.

"My offer still stands, Lila," he leans into my neck and inhales deeply. "I would like nothing more than to fall asleep next to my mate." His breath is disarming. "We'd both catch some rest," he lifts his hands in defense.

I swallow hard. "Maybe next time."

He smirks. "Definitely next time."

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