ALPHA MASON POV
I had been sitting in the corner of my room for hours, watching her sleep. My mate. My human mate. Every breath she took eased something wild inside me, yet the confusion only grew. The Moon Goddess never made mistakes, but this… this didn't make sense.
Mars paced in my mind the entire night, restless, wanting to be closer to her. I couldn't even look away for a second.
Then she moved.
Her eyelashes fluttered, her body tensed, and she shot upright like someone running from a nightmare. Her eyes darted around the room, fear instantly taking over her features.
She didn't recognize the place.
Of course she didn't.
Her breathing turned erratic, her heartbeat loud enough that even as a wolf, I could hear it pounding. She looked like a cornered prey.
And I hated how much it affected me.
She swung her legs off the bed, ready to bolt.
My voice came out sharper than intended.
"Where are you going to?"
She froze. Slowly, she turned toward me fear widening her eyes when she saw me sitting there.
Good. She should fear me.
I was losing control just being near her.
Her thoughts were written all over her face.
She remembered me from the street.
From the club.
From the moment Dennis brought her unconscious.
She had every right to be confused.
But when she opened her mouth, the words that came out made something dark snap inside me.
"If Thomas sold me to you, please… please go and collect your money back. I'm not his daughter. Don't be heartless. I'm sure your mother didn't raise you"
Mother.
She dared.
Before the thought even formed, my hand was around her neck, lifting her slightly off the ground. Her fingers clawed at my wrist, her legs kicking weakly.
"Don't you ever," I growled, my voice vibrating the room, "in your next life, mention my mother with that rotten mouth of yours."
Mars roared in agreement inside me, fueled by her insult.
I hadn't meant to squeeze that hard
but my control was already hanging by a thread.
Black spots clouded her eyes.
Her pulse weakened.
I felt her slipping.
"Alpha!"
The door slammed open.
Selena rushed in, her healer robes flowing behind her. Dennis stumbled in after her.
"Alpha Mason, leave her!" Selena cried. "You're choking her!"
Reality snapped back like ice water.
My hand dropped instantly.
She fell into Selena's arms, gasping faintly. Her terrified eyes met Dennis's, and guilt washed all over his face.
Selena's hands glowed faintly as she checked the girl's pulse. She looked at me, horrified.
"She's your mate, Alpha! You can't hurt her!"
The words hit me like a blade.
My mate.
My responsibility.
My destiny.
And I had just nearly choked her unconscious.
My chest tightened painfully as she finally collapsed completely, darkness swallowing her.
I stood there frozen…
shaken for the first time in years.