Chapter 7

Eric had been trying to convince me to go with him for the past half hour. It didn’t escape me that it was already really late in the night and the more I took to decide- the later it was going to get.

Whenever I felt anyone was getting too close to where we were at, I started to run further away. Eric came along with me.

I had thought about losing him, but there were two reasons why I didn’t. One- I didn’t think I’d be able to outrun him because he looked too fast. Two- I appreciated that he hadn’t told anyone from his pack where I was at.

It made me trust him.

“If you don’t want to listen to me, then you shouldn’t. But, you should at least listen to your Wolf. What does she want? Because I can bet anything that whatever she wants- is the same thing you want,” Eric said.

“She wants him,” I softly muttered.

When I looked up at Eric, I noticed he was smiling at me.

“I already know that she wants him. Your Wolf calls to him. I can’t even imagine how she must feel. Your mate’s an Alpha. I heard the pull for an Alpha male is stronger than any other,” he continued.

I swallowed audibly, which made Eric chuckle.

“You look like you’re scared of it.”

“I am. I’m married. Nicolas- he isn’t going to let me go so easily,” I reminded him.

“He’ll have to. If he doesn’t- my Alpha will make him do it. We are stronger than Raven pack… and well, stronger than any other pack in the US. I think you already know that though.”

I did know that. Most of us knew all of the packs in the US. Hell, most of them had a name for something. Midnight Moon was known for not only being the biggest, but also the strongest pack in the US.

But, would that even be fair?

Nicolas didn’t deserve for me to do something like this to him.

“It isn’t Nicolas’ fault that I am your Alpha’s mate,” I stated.

“It isn’t my Alpha’s fault either. If anything, you should blame your pack.”

I did blame my pack. Not only for being married to Nicolas, but for so many things where they had been in the wrong. It was unfortunate that I only noticed how bad their ways were until I moved out.

Over the past month that I’d been with Nicolas, and even the little time I knew him before that- I came to care for him. I didn’t want him to be hurt. At the same time, I didn’t want to give up my mate.

When Eric noticed I’d kept quiet, and I was looking down at the ground- he closed the distance between us.

“I’m not trying to make you feel guilty. I just think that before you decide anything, you should talk with my Alpha,” he suggested.

As soon as I agreed to talk with the Alpha of Midnight Moon- Eric called him over.

Surprisingly, he was closer than I thought- despite how much I kept moving away to keep him or Nicolas from finding me.

“Mate,” he said, when he was standing a few feet away.

The same happiness that had taken over my body the first time I saw him, came to me just as quickly.

“Hey,” I said, offering a small smile.

He didn’t hesitate to walk towards me. The first thing he did was crush me into his chest.

His hands snaked around my waist tightly, and his head nestled into my neck. Dylan kept inhaling my scent, while nuzzling his nose against my skin.

“Dylan?” Another voice called.

I recognized his voice- it was Jace. He was the guy who’d said Midnight Moon didn’t want a fight with Raven pack.

Dylan didn’t turn around. He didn’t even turn to look at him, or stop what he’d been doing. If it was possible, he tightened his hold on me.

“Dylan, we need to go,” Jace said.

That made Dylan snap out of it.

He didn’t let go of my waist, but he turned to face Jace.

I noticed the small group of guys that had gathered around the area. There was about ten of them and they all had Midnight Moon scent.

Dylan nodded at him, as he began walking with me on his side.

“Whoa, I’m not coming with you,” I told him, as I tried to stay in place.

“Yes you are,” Dylan stated, as he easily moved me along with him.

“No, I’m not. I need to go back. I need to talk to Nicolas,” I told him.

Dylan growled either at my words or me mentioning Nicolas’ name. I wasn’t too sure.

“You said you’d let my Alpha talk,” Eric spoke up.

Both Dylan and I turned face Eric after he’d said that.

“Just to talk?” I asked, directing my gaze to Dylan.

He slowly looked between Eric and me. I was waiting for him to say something- anything. His slow nod gave me my answer.

“How did you get your trucks back?” I asked, looking around the insides of the SUV truck.

“Everyone was distracted looking for you. It wasn’t exactly hard to take them,” Jace replied.

We’d been driving for about ten minutes. The further we got away, the more I started to worry. Eric kept insisting that we were only going to talk. But, we had to do it far enough from Nicolas- or he would never let Dylan and me get a word.

I found myself in the truck, with Jace driving and Eric on the passenger seat.

Dylan and I were occupying the backseat. Even though there was plenty of space, Dylan had me pressed to his side. His arm had only left my waist to allow me to get into the truck.

The way we sat- it made me remember the ride from home to Raven territory, after my wedding with Nicolas.

“You know, you can start that talk right now while we’re in the car,” Eric said, turning back to look between Dylan and me.

Dylan hadn’t said a word. His expression was serious, and partly cautious. Whenever Eric and I talked, I noticed his eyes were on me the whole time.

“I’m married to Nicolas,” I bluntly stated, even though it was something he already knew.

I felt his fingers sink into my waist, and a low threatening growl rumbled through his chest.

“I’m aware of that. It won’t be for long,” was his reply.

I tried pulling away from him to be able to face him directly. He didn’t let up on his hold. When I got tired of trying to pull him off me, I finally gave up and sat with my arms crossed across my chest.

“What if I don’t want you?” I asked him.

My Wolf growled at me when I said that. She obviously didn’t like that I had told Dylan that, even if I was just doing it to taunt him.

My words caused him to loosen his hold on me. In his expression, I could easily tell that he hadn’t been expecting me to say that.

“Is that what you want, Leila?” He asked.

He sounded hurt. I could hear it in his voice, and his eyes had softened- but in a dejected way.

I shook my head, and looked down. I was now feeling ashamed for making my mate feel bad over a stupid comment.

Dylan put his hand under my chin, and made me look up at him.

“You’re thinking about Nicolas and the farce marriage you had with him. You shouldn’t. I’m your mate. I want you to be by my side not only to marry me and carry my pups- but also to help me lead my pack as their true Luna. Because now that I know you’re my mate- I am completely certain that you were never meant to be with Nicolas or become the Luna of Raven pack,” he said, looking at me in a very serious way.

His words left me shocked. While I felt pride in his way of thinking- I still couldn’t completely bring myself to leave Nicolas.

I’d made a commitment with him. I knew there was a chance I would find my mate at some point.

I should have stopped my dad and Alpha Jackson from arranging my wedding with Nicolas. But I didn’t. I allowed them to go through with it, and now I was hurting everyone because of it.

I agreed with Dylan. I wanted him as much as he wanted me. My actions didn’t say that, since I hadn’t bowed down to him and allowed him to take my Wolf and me. But- I really did want to be with him.

So many people spoke to me about the bond between mates. I knew it was something strong and that the pull was almost impossible to fight.

Now, I was realizing how right they were- and so much more.

I didn’t say anything to Dylan, and he didn’t push me to talk either. I only kept thinking of anything I could do to fix the damage that had already been done.

Somehow, I managed to drift off to sleep. The last thing I remembered was being next to Dylan- and arguing with my Wolf.

I woke up to find myself sitting sideways on Dylan’s lap. He had one of his hands around my waist, while the other was lazily over my thigh. My head had been resting against his chest. Once I realized the position I was in, I tried pulling away.

He didn’t let me though.

I looked around and noticed how light it was outside. The tinted windows didn’t allow for much sun to seep through, but my Wolf quickly felt that it was day already.

“What time is it?” I asked, looking around the truck.

Eric suddenly snapped his head up, and turned to look at me with sleepy eyes.

“Whoa, I think I dozed off,” he said, as he rubbed his eyes. A yawn escaped his lips, and it made me yawn as well.

“Dylan?” I asked, knowing fully well he had heard my question.

“It’s a little past four in the afternoon,” he replied.

“What?” I yelled, this time managing to get away from him. We were still in the truck, with Jace driving. The only place I could really move away to was the seat next to Dylan.

I did just that, but he didn’t really seem to mind as much.

“Why didn’t you wake me up?” I asked him, as I slapped his chest angrily.

He shrugged, and lowered himself to pick up something from the ground.

“You looked tired,” he said, as he handed me a white paper bag with a colorful logo on the side.

I quickly smelled the food, and my stomach reminded me that I hadn’t eaten since early in the day yesterday.

“I thought we were going to talk?” I snapped at him, but still took the food from his hand.

“You were asleep, that’s not my fault.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, while he tried to suppress a grin.

“Where are we?”

I looked around at the scenery passing by us. There were trees on either side of the road we were on- but nothing about it seemed familiar.

“We’re far from home,” he replied.

“Are you serious? Do you know what Nicolas will do because of this? How far from home are we?”

Dylan cocked an eyebrow. He remained quiet for a moment. I wasn’t sure who to blame for how stupid I had been for coming along with him and Eric.

Eric turned to give me a sheepish smile, but I still frowned at him. He had said we were only going to talk.

“We’re a long way from home. My home- which is now yours as well,” Dylan said.

Something inside me felt warm when he said that, and my Wolf was ecstatic with his words.

“Have you talked to Nicolas?” I asked, suddenly feeling nervous.

Dylan nodded, but he remained quiet otherwise.

“So..? What did he say?” I asked.

“What do you think he said?” Dylan’s question threw me off guard. I wasn’t sure if to think over his question, or be mad at him for not replying.  

I noticed that Jace and Eric were trying to pretend like nothing was happening in the seats behind them. I could tell that Eric looked slightly worried. Jace did a better job at keeping a stoic face.

“I know he’s mad. I just want to know what he’ll do to me because I’m here,” I snapped at him.

Dylan’s icy glare centered on me, and I had to suppress the urge to shrink back. His Wolf was intimidating- I had to give him that.

Even when he was in human form- I could strongly feel the power emanating from his Alpha.

“Nicolas won’t do anything to you. No one will ever touch you. You’re my mate,” he replied, leaning closer to me.

I stayed in place, feeling my heartbeat pick up. My Wolf was begging- like she’d never done before- for me to throw my arms around Dylan to show him that we only wanted him.

I didn’t thinking a make out session would solve our problems, as tempting as Dylan’s lips looked.

He pressed close enough that his breath was tickling my face. I felt the impulse of closing the distance between us- but my cowardly side stopped me.

“You are mine,” he said, with a husky voice.

A part of me- my Wolf side mainly- was howling with pleasure. The way he said that simple phrase- it made me realize that I was having the same effect on him. At least I wasn’t the only one trying to keep down our Wolves.

After I took a few moments to collect my thoughts, and breathing- I spoke out again.

“Can I at least talk to him?”

Dylan shook his head.

“He’s had it tough- you know,” I said, not knowing if Dylan would even pay attention to my words.

“I know,” he replied, but he didn’t turn to face me.

He kept his blank expression looking ahead.

“You lied to me,” I stated.

At my words, Dylan’s eyes quickly found mine. His cocked eyebrow easily showed the confusion written on his face. I realized I should’ve clarified my comment.

“Eric, you said we were only going to talk. Now I’m getting kidnapped,” I corrected.

“You haven’t really talked- much,” Eric said, while smiling at me.

“Leila, you aren’t getting kidnapped,” Dylan told me.

Something tugged in my chest when I heard him say my name.

“I’m against my will, in a car with three strangers.”

Dylan looked amused by my words. He remained quiet for a few moments, before grinning at me.

“Jace is driving. He’s the Beta of the pack, and the second strongest,” Dylan introduced Jace, while sending a smirk his way. Jace laughed at his words, while putting his hand back and throwing Dylan the finger.

“You already know Eric. He’s in charge after my third in command and I believe he deceived you into coming,” he said, motioning at Eric.

I giggled at his words, and the reaction in Eric’s face. Eric had raised both of his eyebrows, while shooting me an apologetic look.

“I’m your mate, Dylan,” he finally introduced himself.

It was so odd- yet so normal and refreshing?

“You’re still strangers, but it’s nice to have proper introductions,” I shyly said, while nervously looking down at my hands that were resting on my lap.

“We met late last night. There isn’t really a way for us to get to know each other if you keep insisting on calling Nicolas,” Dylan said. I noticed how he sneered at Nicolas’ name.

“What if the situations were reversed?” I asked.

A pang of jealousy sprouted in my mind. I wouldn’t be able to handle it if Dylan was the one who was married.

He’s mine! My Wolf kept shouting.

“I don’t do relationships or compromises. I knew you were out there somewhere. I found you,” he told me, while slowly running his hand over my cheek. His thumb was stroking my lower lip softly.

He took his time caressing down my neck- his fingertips grazing over my arm seductively, until reaching my hand. All the while, I felt shivers starting in whichever part of my skin that he touched.

I unconsciously intertwined our hands together. It felt so natural- like the right thing to do.

In that moment, it dawned on me. Even though his words weren’t accusatory- I felt guilty.

He had waited for me. But I- I’d gone off to get married.

All too suddenly, the bite in my neck felt like it was pulsating- reminding me that I had been claimed by Nicolas.

I remained silent for a while. My thoughts were now haunting me. Dylan could easily remove my claim. My body would accept it because he is my rightful mate.

I just couldn’t let go of the thought that he would be angry. By now, he should have noticed the claim in my neck. I knew I must have had Nicolas’ scent on me.

‘Was Dylan keeping quiet about Nicolas’ claim because I had been difficult with him? Was he waiting for me to accept him so that he could reproach me on what a bad mate I’d been?’

“Can you stop the car?” I asked, directing my question to Jace.

I seemed to catch him off guard with my question. When he recovered, he turned to face Dylan- who shook his head at him.

“Please,” I asked, now turning to look at Dylan.

I squeezed his hand that I’d been holding, offering him a small smile. His expression seemed to slightly falter.

We were in the middle of nowhere. He had ten men accompanying him.

Surely he must’ve known that if I ran- he’d be able to easily catch me. Even if I did run- there was no where I could go. I wasn’t sure where I was, and Nicolas was hours away.

“Stop the truck,” Dylan ordered.

Jace seemed hesitant at first. A harsh look from Dylan made him finally pull over. The trucks behind us stopped when they noticed Jace parked on the side of the road.

The door remained locked, so I had to wait until Dylan got out. He offered me his hand, and eased me onto the ground.

“Where are you going?” He asked.

He hadn’t let go of my hand, so I held on to it tighter and started dragging him into the woods.

Both Jace and Eric were wearing confused expressions, but neither of them questioned me or their Alpha.

Dylan easily kept up with my pace. I could see the curiosity in his eyes, which was something that made me smile.

Once I thought we were far enough from the other guys, I stopped.

Dylan kept going for a moment, but stopped when he felt me pulling his hand back.

“Is something wrong?” He asked, with a worried voice.

“I need to talk with Nicolas- even if you don’t want me to. I can’t just run away without an explanation.”

He immediately frowned at my words, and shook his head as a response.

“He loves you, or is obsessed with you. I’m still deciding which. If I give him a chance, he’s going to snatch you from my arms. It isn’t a risk I’m willing to take.”

Dylan softly placed one of his hands on my lower back. His other hand was cupping my cheek.

“I think you already know this. I-”

I couldn’t continue with my words. Instead, I moved my long black hair to the side, and showed him the bite mark.

I was able to hear his sharp intake of breath, before he nodded his head at me.

“I’m aware.” He sounded uncomfortable as he said that. His eyes were quickly shifting to their dark color. I couldn’t imagine how much strain he was putting to keep his Wolf from coming out.

His jaw was clenched, and both his hands had tightened on my body.

“When we mate, I’ll bite you. His claim will be removed from your body,” he said, his voice sounding tense.

“Since I haven’t mated with him,” I swallowed loudly when saying that word, since I’d been so close to doing so.

“The claim will be easily dissolved,” I finished.

My words made Dylan pull away from me. He was looking at me with a frown on his face.

I was surprised when he closed his eyes, and took a long inhale of breath from my neck- the side that wasn’t claimed.

He repeated that process around my shoulders, over my face, and dangerously close to my chest.

When he opened his eyes, they were looking at me in awe.

“Are you okay?” I asked him.

He chuckled lightly, making his entire features lighten.

“You haven’t mated with him, or with anyone,” he said, sighing- with what looked like relief.

I shook my head, and felt the blush creeping into my face.

“I was too blind. When I saw you in his arms- the way he was touching. I just assumed. His scent is all over you. It’s not strong- very faint in fact. The only reason I can smell him strongly on you is because my Wolf hates- I hate it. I don’t understand.”

His eyebrows were scrunched up, a thoughtful expression taking over his face.

Dylan’s words had only made my face feel hotter than before.

Without any other word, Dylan wrapped his arms around me and pressed me to his chest.

He chuckled once again, his breath blowing next to my ear.

“You’re mine- completely,” he said, pulling away from me.

His eyes were a swirl between blue, gray, and black. I couldn’t describe it, but it was very alluring.

When I noticed Dylan lowering himself, I knew what he was going to do. I knew it, and I didn’t stop him.

His hands were holding on to me tightly, while he brought his lips down on mine. Kissing him was like nothing I had felt before. His lips were moving against mine roughly, while keeping a slow pace. I moaned when I felt his tongue enter my mouth. When I did, his fingers dug into my waist. I ran one of my hands through his short hair, while I rested the other on his hard chest.

Dylan had taken over the kiss, and I was enjoying every second of it. The little electric shocks that ran from his body to mine- through our contact- were a lot stronger than when he was touching me.

He pulled away from me first- only to trail small feathery kisses over my jaw.

“Mine,” he growled huskily, resting his forehead against mine.

We were both still trying to control our breathing. Even though we were no longer kissing, he was still embracing me in his arms- making me feel the intimacy of our moment.

It was then when I realized I had made my choice.

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