TO EXPLAIN THINGS A BIT AND HOW THIS STORY WORKS:

1. The mate bond is developed through a touch. Once two mates touch, a tattoo of a word or phrase pops up on their right wrists.

2. The tattoo is of something their significant other says and it will light up green in the presence of their mate and turn black when not around them.

3. They won't know that they are mates until they say the word that is on the other person's wrists and from there on, the tattoo will turn a bright red and both mates will be hit with a sudden onslaught of their smells, etc.

4. Once they have come in contact, going back to #1, they will experience dreams of their mates and they won't know why. Mikhail is a werewolf and he knows that Nicca is his mate but he isn't too sure.

5. This helps deepen their relationship before they first discover they are mates. I want them to have some sort of feelings.

Okay. Bye.

Dr. Nicca James Alfarone

"Dad, you can't be serious!" I complained, folding my arms and glaring at my father, who looked awfully smug. "Здравствуйте, Nicca!" The man called Mikhail nodded towards me, a small smile on his lips. For a bodyguard, he did a lot of smiling. "What the fuck is he saying?" I motioned to my dad to translate and he smirked. "He's saying hello, son." I rolled my eyes. "Not all of us speak idiot." I snorted and Mikhail frowned.

"Ты маленький грубый сукин сын!" Mikhail growled at me, folding his arms with a evil look in his eyes. It seems he understands me. "Aye, Mr. Baranov! Don't call my son that!" My father shot Mikhail a look and he shrugged. "Let's start over, shall we?" Nicolai offered and I glared at Mikhail, who reciprocated the action. I didn't like this motherfucker. Who did he think he was? I mean, it was my fault because I called him out on his native language and I was wrong for that but I was just mad.

"Fine." Mikhail grunted, his accent laying thick on his words. "Hello, Nicca." He said, controlling his words. "I am Mikhail Baranov and I will be your bodyguard for the time being." He stated in a deep voice and my eyes widened at how sensual he sounded. I reached out a hand for him to grab and he walked over to shake it. "I'm Nicca Alfarone. It's nice to meet you." I smiled softly, suddenly feeling like a jackass. He seemed like a nice person and I was being mean to him. "Sorry about that." I offered and he shook his head. "I'm just a little annoyed but I understand." I stated and he let my hand go, a impending pain occurring on my right wrist.

His eyes flickered back and forth to his arm, hissing to himself. "Where are you from, if you don't mind me asking?" I questioned and he stood beside my bed, ignoring everyone else. "I'm from Moscow." He replied and I nodded. "I just knew he would be someone great for you, son. He'll be living with you in your house until we get this situation settled out." My father chimed in with a stern nod and I sighed. "He might be a nice person Nicca, but don't let that fool you. He is not a man to be taken lightly when he's mad." He warned me about Mikhail and I nodded. I knew there was something about him and the way he always seemed like he was smiling.

"I get it, dad!" I furrowed my eyebrows as my wrist began to throb. "When can I leave?" I pondered, rubbing my chin. "Tomorrow. They'll need you to stay overnight so that they can run further tests." My mother clarified as she grabbed her purse. "I'm going to go to your house so that I can get the guest bedroom set up for Mikhail." She told and Mikhail shook his head. "нет miss, it's okay." He protested but my mother was already out of the door. "You're in good hands for now, Nicca but I'm going to get to the bottom of this. Someone is out for my son and that means that they have hell to pay." My father growled, giving me a quick hug before leaving along with his men.

"Well that was great." The man who stood behind Jose muttered. "Jose, who the fuck is this?" I inquired, not knowing why someone random was standing in my room like he had every reason to be here. "Ugh," Jose began, disgust on his face. "Nicca, this is the bane of my existence also known as Kaiden West." He introduced us to each other. "Why is he here?" I tilted my head in confusion, ignoring the many IV's in my body. I was still sore but I wasn't going to let that stop me. I took a sip of water to clear my throat, waiting for Jose to respond.

"He followed me here so I had no choice but to let him in. Besides, he's helping us figure out who did this." Jose waved a hand at me, staring daggers at Kaiden, who just rubbed his neck sheepishly. He was a tall man, almost the same height as Mikhail and he was attractive. That was probably why Jose didn't like him. "Ugh. I don't know who would do this." I mumbled, putting my face in my hands. "I have some idea." Jose grunted and both men in black turned to him. "Кто?" Mikhail muttered in his native accent, standing tall in proud. "His figglio de puttana of a boyfriend." Jose nodded towards me and I didn't know how he undestood Mikhail. "You mean, Steve Bardlow?" Kaiden inquired and he nodded.

"I don't think that it's him. I mean, why would he..." I trailed off, chewing on my lip. "You can't tell me that after what you saw this morning and everything that I have been telling you, that you still don't think Steve can do anything wrong!" Jose stood with a hand on his hip and a finger in my face like he was scolding me. "I don't believe that anymore." My eyes didn't deceive me and I really did see Steve standing there with Adrian. The only question is why was he talking to Adrian, when he claimed he never met him?

"I'll need to look into this." Mikhail sifted past me, the smell of his expensive cologne waving into my nostrils as Kaiden followed suit behind him. They left the room, leaving Jose and I. "Damn, that man is fine!" Jose fanned his face. "I don't know how you'll be able to live with that tall sexy, calm yet intimidating man. I was having a hard time breathing over here!" He screeched and I shuddered. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Back to important things."

"You're right. You're my best friend and all, but I just can't help but feel suspicious of Steve. It was just so convenient on how he came out of nowhere. I just don't like the vibe that he gives off when I'm around. He seems like he's happy with you and all, but I don't know what it's like when I'm not around." Jose took a seat on my bed, letting out a breath. "I just hope that I'm wrong and that it's someone else behind this." I nodded in reply. I didn't want it to be Steve because I had honestly saw a entire life with him but who knows? Only time will tell.

"How do you feel, honestly?" Jose ran a hand through my hair, fixing it. "I feel like straight shit." I mumbled. "Everything was hurting at first but now, it just feels numb as hell. It's weird. Everything stopped when I made eye contact with Mikhail." I shuddered, thinking of that tall man, his blue suit covering everything, his handsome tanned face with his hazel eyes that seemed to be full of mystery. "Are you speechless over his appearance?" Jose asked with a smirk on his face and I slowly nodded.

"I hadn't expected anyone that hot to walk in through that door." I stared with my mouth open. "How the hell will I live with that? Jose, you have to come stay with me too!" He raised a brow, a grin playing on his lips. "How about I not? I could just leave you all alone with him." He smirked evilly and my face fell. "You can't do that." I frowned in horror. "I'm just joking, ya bloody ape. I'll be over everyday." He smiled at me and I let out a sigh of relief.

"I'm just curious as to how Mikhail looks in action. He came in here all smiley so it makes me wonder just how bad ass he looks when he's on a mission." Jose put a hand on his chin. "He probably looks sexy as hell." I confirmed. It was weird. I had expected a silent and scary person to walk through those doors but no one like Mikhail Baranov. Maybe he was a complex enigma that I had to figure out.

"Are you going to tell Steve that a man will be living with you?" He asked and I shook my head. "Why would I? He wouldn't care." I shrugged and he looked at me as if I had just told his dog died. "That's weird. Kaiden got so upset when I told him that I was at your house last week. He got so bloody mad so it's a little mental that you say he wouldn't bat an eye. Most boyfriends would get jealous." Jose confirmed and I bit my lip, trying to sit up a bit. "Now that you mention it, I don't think I have ever seen Steve jealous over me." I drawled, ignoring the feeling of angst in my heart.

"And how long have you guys been dating, what, two months?" Jose offered and I nodded. "It's a little suspect, Nicca. If he says he loves you and he seems like he does, then he would be jealous of everything. There is no guy on earth who can't withstand to see their lover with someone else." He continued, a strange look on his face. "Hm. I'll have to see about that." He clicked his tongue and a thought ran through my mind. "Who found me?" I asked and he pointed to himself. "Luckily, I was leaving after you. Don't know how fucked through the mind I was, Nic." He put a hand on his heart, showing me how scared he was.

"Did you get the card that was in my hand?" He looked confused for a minute but then his face brightened up in recognition. "Yes. Your father has it? The one that says Checkmate?" I nodded and he did too. "Yes, I gave it to your father and I told him about the other two we found. He was mad because you didn't tell him but he promised to figure out who did it and I really want to know who did it because why would someone target you, out of all people?!" He asked in bewilderment and I sighed.

"One day I'll tell you, Jose." I licked my lips, rubbing my face in defeat. How did it get this far? "But right now, you cannot know cause I don't want you in danger." I looked him dead in the eyes and he gulped. "But Nic-

There was a knock at the door before Mikhail stepped inside, looking all mysterious in dominating with his stance. "Pardon me, sir, but there's a man here to see you." He interjected, his accent making it hard for me to understand but I got it anyway. "Says his name is Steve Bardlow, I presume." He raised an eyebrow and my eyes widened as I looked at Jose. "What the fuck?" I mouthed to him and he shrugged, a look of confusion on his face.

"Hide in the bathroom." I motioned for him to go hide in the bathroom because I didn't want to be left alone with Steve. He ran over and locked himself inside. "Ignore that Mikhail, you saw nothing." I said with a smile. "Please let him in." He gave me a skeptical look before nodding and exiting the room.

What was Steve doing here? Didn't he have some 'business' to do in Cairo?

"Hey baby! Are you okay?!" Steve came in and closed the door, a frantic look on his face as he sauntered over to me. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine." I smiled softly at the kiss he placed on my cheek before he took a seat. "How come you're back so early? Didn't you say you had to be in Cairo for a whole week?" I raised a brow, trying to see what he was going to say. "Well, I heard that you were in the hospital so I came to see you." He reached for my hand. "You're more important than any business deal, Nicca." He hummed and I stared at him. "Ah." I replied, not knowing what to say to his obvious lie.

"Did you hear about my driver?" I asked and he stared a bit before responding. "Who?" I snorted. "The guy who was in the car with me, Adrian Fontaine. Is he doing okay?" I questioned, taking note of how his eyes flickered through emotions. "Oh, no I haven't." He stated and I folded my arms.

I knew this wasn't over. Not by a long shot.