She pulled her hand from his grip.
“See, your body wants what it wants.”
“This doesn’t change anything. All these feelings are bound to be there because we’ve been put together as some kind of twist of fate. It sucks.”
“And I’m sorry.”
“What? Sorry that you’re mated to me or destined to be mated to me?” she asked, hating the hard spike of pain that rushed through her. This made no sense to her. The last thing she wanted to be was mated to him.
“No! I’m not sorry about you being my mate, or that we’re here. I’m sorry for all the shit I did to you in high school. For all the pain I caused.”
She couldn’t help it. She started to laugh.
Lucas ran fingers through his hair. “I know that no matter how many times I apologize, it doesn’t change anything.”
Mabel lifted her hand to her mouth, trying to stop the laughter. “I’m so sorry. I don’t even know why I’m laughing. It’s just…” She stopped and continued to laugh.
It wasn’t long before Lucas joined her.
She picked up her chopsticks and took a bite after the giggles had subsided. “I don’t even know why I’m laughing.”
“I know sorry isn’t going to make up for all the years of pain.”
She lifted her hand. “How about we don’t talk about that right now? You’re right. Sorry doesn’t make up for everything. I’m struggling here with everything.”
One year. One year of being in his company.
Did Lucas even think about what would happen during the full moon? There was no way to remove the energy that surged through them or the arousal that would often claim during that time.
Pushing her hair off her forehead, she made a vow to avoid him.
There was no way they were going to last. In a month or two, if she was lucky, perhaps a week, he’d see sense. Mates they may be, but they weren’t right for each other. No matter what anyone said, neither of them were supposed to be together.
Eating her food, she looked over at him. Lucas watched her.
As she returned her gaze to her bowl, in her mind, she knew she had to start setting so many new boundaries. Like now, she wouldn’t look at him over food. She’d avoid being alone in intimate settings. Once night fell, she’d remain in her room.
All these conditions would help her to survive as long as she needed for others to realize they were not suitable.
Lucas had been a bully. One of the worst in her life, and she wasn’t just going to forgive and forget.
****
A week had passed and Lucas stood out near the ocean, extremely pissed with himself.
One week of Mabel avoiding him.
One week of constantly trying to find a reason to seek her out. This wasn’t what he had planned. This couldn’t continue. Not for much longer. Glancing up at the sky, he took several deep breaths in an attempt to try to gain some composure.
They didn’t even eat meals together.
He’d cook and leave out a dish for her. Sometimes it would be gone, other times, he’d return to the kitchen to find it still there.
“What the fuck do I do?” he asked.
Looking up at the sky, he found no answers.
It was dark, and with the full moon so close, his wolf wanted to run. He didn’t just want to run, he craved Mabel.
The past couple of nights, he’d gone to her door and touched the hard wood. It was enough for now. Having her this close, her scent surrounded the house. He knew where she was just by following the floral smell. So heady.
He’d spent most days with a stiff cock, imagining all the pleasure they could have with each other.
He slammed her against the locker, his fingers wrapped around her neck. “No one will ever fuck you, Mabel. You’re going to be the loneliest bitch in the pack. Even on heat, they’ll avoid you.”
His old words taunted him.
At the sound of a twig snapping, he turned to find the woman of his dreams standing there. She wore a white summer dress. The fabric was sheer, and he saw the outline of her curvy body.
She was different from other females of the pack. Her curves were one factor.
“I didn’t know you were out here.” She made to turn away, but he couldn’t have that.
“You can’t keep avoiding me forever.”
Mabel turned toward him. “And why not?”
“I’m not as big of an idiot as you think. You know the rules. To sever our mating, you have to give this a chance. Both of us do.”
She tucked some hair behind her ear. “And what if I am?”
“We both know you’re not, but after this year, if you haven’t given me a chance, then I can request a second year. I can keep on requesting until you give me the chance to earn back your trust.”