3 3. Mate

Tanya's POV

"Who are you?" I interrogated and shuffled on the mattress till my back was pressed to the headboard in fear as he stalked forward in faded jeans and a v-necked shirt.

"That wasn't the warm welcome I was expecting." He grinned, his brown hair falling sexily above his thick brows.

"You haven't answered my question," I stated and swallowed the fear that threatened to overwhelm me with each step he took, his dominating height and muscular build doing nothing to help my nerves.

That caused him to stop a few inches away from me. He cocked his head to the side and lifted an eyebrow before he replied.

"I'm the alpha of this pack."

"Shit just got real," I muttered as my heart hammered against my chest. I didn't dare to look at him anymore as I sensed panic take over me.

"Hey, calm down." He reached out a hand and I flinched away from it. "I didn't hurt you remember?"

"But you still can." I gulped and avoided eye contact.

"Yes, but I won't," he declared in a sincere tone that had me glancing in his direction to spot his arms folded.

"That's highly unlikely, you are one of the deadliest creatures known to mankind, and from what I saw you can break my bones with a single movement," I let out in argument, surprised when he sighed.

"Thank the moon goddess, I thought I'll be forced to transform in front of you," he announced and got seated opposite me, his sharp jaw having a light stubble that had me wanting to feel it on my skin.

"Why would you do that?" I quizzed and eyed him warily in case he decided to flip on me.

"You humans can be unpredictable," was his response as his gaze trailed from my black painted toenails, up my bare legs exposed by what I deemed to be his underwear to my erect nipples that weren't concealed enough by his light white t-shirt.

"Weird, coming from someone who can change into an animal in a minute," I discussed and hoped he didn't catch the fright behind my words.

"Touché." He nodded and watched me, an intense look in his eyes that had me frowning.

"What?" I dared to ask, my sassy attitude not being able to be controlled much longer.

"Why were you roaming the woods at such an hour?" His once husky voice grew stiff as he asked this.

"I-I wasn't roaming, I simply went to get groceries," I defended, becoming more scared at his tone of voice.

"Why at such an hour?" He interrogated, his jaw clenching. "You could have encountered something or someone dangerous."

"I don't see how that would be different, seeing where I am now," I grumbled as my fear morphed into anger. "I'm in this strange room. I don't even know who you are. Don't know who owns this house, fuck, I don't even have any idea what time it freaking is!"

"I am the alpha of this pack and this is my house!" He rumbled, eyes changing to a stormy grey.

"You know, this chat was fun while it lasted but I have to leave," I spoke, afraid of his voice, afraid of what would become of me if he got furious.

"Why?" He implored, his voice returning to its normal husky tone.

"Because dear Alpha, I have a life, I have a home, I have a career, I have a family! You can't keep me in this room forever!" I ranted as I suddenly felt helpless.

"Sadly, you can't," he asserted out of the blue.

"I can't what?" I inquired and gazed at him.

"You can't leave," he confessed and if I felt helpless before, now I sure was hopeless.

"What do you mean?" I queried, my voice shaky.

"Even if you leave this mansion, you won't be able to leave Moonville," he explained much to my horror.

"Why?" It was now my turn to ask.

"It is what it is, you can only leave if I permit you to," he enlightened. "If not whatever efforts you make will be futile."

"Please," I pleaded, going on my knees. "If I ever did something wrong I apologize, but please let me return to my cottage."

"I can't, at least not yet," he declined shaking his head. "How will I know you won't go blabbing your mouth about Moonville and how it has werewolves?"

"Wait up, you mean you aren't the only werewolf?" I asked stupidly.

"Moonville is a pack, everyone is a werewolf, except for children who are yet to transform and a few humans like you who come visiting," he let out.

"Daisy and Ralph are werewolves?" I questioned in a soft voice.

"Yes," he told.

I gulped and continued to kneel as I begged. "Just let me go, I promise to tell no one, heck I won't return to Moonville or near it for the rest of my life."

"Are you trying to make me a promise?" He bit his lip, sitting forward such that our faces were inches apart.

"Yes." I nodded frantically as his minty breath breezed my cheek. He was close enough that I could smell his cologne.

"Darling." He smirked and eyed my lips. "Promises can be broken."

"I don't break promises," I aimed to assure.

"I know because I know you." He stretched his palm to caress my chin and this time, I didn't flinch.

"How?" I croaked.

"Because I've watched you." His hand moved to brush my hair away from my face. "I know about your schedule, when you sleep, how you like your tea, how you interact with strangers, even down to the kind of shampoo you use."

He is a stalker, get away from him.

Instead of me to do that, I did the opposite by asking. "Why, do you know all these?"

He simply chuckled and inched his face closer, we stared into each other's eyes for what felt like a decade before he shifted to my ear and whispered. "Because you are my mate."