"Do you regret it?" I questioned, my eyes locked on his as I stared, waiting expectantly for an answer.

Fen's mouth pressed into a thin line. His stance shifted slightly, yet his eyes revealed nothing. I waited. A minute passed, followed by another and another until it became apparent that he wasn't going to answer the question. A scoff snuck past my lips and I shook my head.

"Of course you don't. You're nothing but a manipulator, Fen," I told him. "You hurt people for your own benefit and then tuck your tail between your legs when it doesn't work out the way you planned."

A spark seemed to ignite inside of him. His jaw clenched and he stared at me with ire present in his eyes.

"And you're not?" He took a step forward, decreasing the gap between us. "You use people to fill an empty void inside of you and then ditch them when you're done. You try and pretend that you give a shit, but you and I both know the truth. I may be bad but get off your high horse, Cronan. You're far from a saint yourself."

The sound of thunder echoed through the house as the storm outside grew increasingly more violent, yet it did nothing to break our glares. I could feel it—the anger and contempt simmering between us—but that wasn't the only thing. As much as I hated it, I couldn't deny that as the black pepper-like scent invaded my body, my wolf became more alive and with it so did the desire for its mate and I knew I wasn't the only one feeling it.

Fen's eyes seemed to grow brighter, his scent more potent. He took another step forward, closing what was left of the gap. Sparks fluttered through me as his arm brushed against my own. Everything inside of me demanded that I give in; that I drag him back toward the bedroom and refuse to let him leave my side, but instead of wrapping my arms around him, I shoved him back roughly and inhaled deeply.

I looked at him one last time, watching as his dazed expression slowly cleared up, and clenched my fist. I wouldn't succumb; I couldn't. Not when I knew what he'd done. Mate or not.

Do, I headed toward the door and pulled it open. Rain poured down, viciously assaulting those who dared to leave the comforts of their homes, but I stayed strong.

"Get out," I ordered.

Fen stared at me for a moment with an unreadable expression before scoffing and striding past me. Once he was outside I closed the door and leaned heavily against it. Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see his figure walking away as he quickly became drenched. Mixed feelings boiled inside of me. My mind told me I did the right thing, but my heart disagreed.

My eyes shifted up toward the ceiling and I found myself questioning why, out of all the people in the world, the Moon Goddess mated me with the one wolf I didn't want.

The one wolf I'd never be able to accept.

A preview for what's to come. Three words: enemies with benefits 👀