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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Dedicated to alicesingh31 for being the most amazing kind of reader there is. Your words of encouragement and love for this story truly mean the world to me. You're amazing darling! Thank you!

A huge shoutout to Dreamzangel21 because I miss you soooooo much, it actually hurts! Love you sweetheart!

This chapter is unedited so please excuse the grammatical errors.

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Suzzanah's POV

The walk back seemed to drag on forever as the ominous silence threatened to blow my ear drums. We were all lost in our own respective thoughts as we made our way through the cold quiet forest, led by the light of a floating flame, courtesy of Zuerien's elemental abilities.

In the orange red glow of the flame that flickered in the air above us, many dark shadows danced over the undergrowth. Shadows of tall trees, of small shrubs, of falling leaves of flower petals. Shadows of three silent figures as they tread an eerie path through the dark woods. My very own shadow!

Stay away from the shadows...

Shadows? What shadows? Whose shadows? The statement couldn't possibly be any more vague.

There was no way I could stay away from my own shadow, it was attached to my body for crying out loud! So it couldn't have been my shadow she had been talking about, right? So then, the shadows of other people?

I looked down at Zuerien's shadow and then Mr. Penson, which were longer and wider than my own short disfigured one. They slid fluidly over the dark grass, making movements in the light that were not humanly possible.

Why was I supposed to stay away from the shadows?

My eyes darted over the many many shadows that appeared briefly in the light of the warm flame before disappearing into darkness yet again. And much to my relief none of them sprung out of the ground with their jelly like arms and legs ready to throttle me against an inconspicuous tree.

So did that mean that her statement had been more figurative than literal. Was it not the really the shadows I was supposed to worry about but what lurked in the dark alongside them?

That did make more sense, and yet, I couldn't see Karina being all philosophical and mysterious like that. She had always been a very straightforward person. And the fact that when she bestowed that very disturbing piece of advice on me, she had apparently been heavily pressed for time and quite tense too, added to the belief that she would never chose such a moment to suddenly turn into Mr. Penson and speak deep enigmatic words with hidden meanings.

So...what was I supposed to do?

I sighed and my eyes widened at how the sound seemed much louder in the heavy silence. Taken aback by my own release of breath I tripped over what I had thought had been just another shadow but had actually been a branch jutting precariously out of the dark ground.

Immediately Zuerien's arm tightened around my waist pulling me back into him. My back pressed into his hard chest as I attempted to realign my momentarily disoriented vision. Within that brief discombobulated second, the shadows suddenly seemed to lunge at me, surrounding me, trapping me and my heart rate spiked as my eyes widened in shock at the unexpected onslaught.

But then with one flicker of the flame they were gone, receding back into the darkness that they came from, moving yet again, only within the confines of their one dimensional monochromatic existence.

And suddenly, I was heavily disturbed.

"Suzzanah are you alright?" Zuerien asked, turning me in his arms to face him. I blinked before nodding, "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention" I told him.

I wondered what he was thinking about when his voice suddenly rang in my head

Maybe I should just carry her

My eyes widened as he started to bend down and I jumped out of his grasp like an Olympic long jumper clutching my chest.

"Gah, don't! I can walk on my own, really!" I told him and his eyes widened slightly as he straightened up again.

He was quiet again, his eyes serious as he gazed deeply into mine before he frowned.

"Alright", he said before holding his hand out for me. I regarded it keenly and heard him sigh before he took a quick step forward pulling me back into him, "Don't be so suspicious", he said sliding his hand around my waist again.

I narrowed my eyes at him, "Despite all my protests you still carried me back to the VIP cabin earlier, in front of Master Cole and Mr. Penson!" I chided, "I have a right to be suspicious"

"And I have a right to carry you if I want to", he replied coolly, "You're my mate"

I gaped at him, "Please tell me you don't have some primitive, incorrigible, insufferable rule that states that females must not be allowed to utilize their lower limbs for locomotion", I said and his lips twitched upwards.

"Not yet", he replied softly before pulling an open mouthed myself along with him.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Maybe there should be", he said looking genuinely thoughtful much to my shock, "Most male wolves wouldn't mind at all"

This man animal!

I sighed before we fell silent again. I would have retorted but I couldn't get my mind off the shadows, panic for my sister's predicament rising inside of me. She had told me that she would be okay, but how could I be sure when I didn't even know what she was up against?

That would have to be the first thing I needed to find out.

Earlier when I had asked about whether there were any werewolves in Canada, Zuerien had gone really tense, as though he didn't want to talk about it. Would it be a good idea to bring up the topic again? I'd just have to beat around the bush a little.

"So...What other species of supernatural people are there?" I asked, "Other than werewolves, witches and wizards I mean..."

I had expected Alpha Penson to answer and apparently so had Zuerien as he too turned to look at Alpha Penson, who hadn't said a thing for a while. He was walking beside us, his gaze distant, his eyes looking glazed over. I had seen that look before.

"Alpha Penson?" I called but he didn't reply, nor did the glassy look leave his eyes.

I frowned and looked up at Zuerien. He gestured for me to wait a minute and I did, gazing intently at Alpha Penson. And all of a sudden his eyes cleared and he blinked before his eyes found my inquisitive ones and widened.

"Oh I'm sorry", he said, "Did you say something?"

"Uh...I asked what other species of supernatural people exist?" I repeated watching him carefully, wondering what had just happened to him.

"Oh well, there are far too many to count. But to name a few there are werewolves, wizards, witches, sirens, the faery, elves, demons, gnomes", he shrugged, "The list is endless"

"Oh-oh...", I nodded, "And do they like...have territories which they inhabit or are they also distributed all over the world like the werewolves?"

"They do have areas where they are predominant, but most of them are spread out across the globe", he replied before his eyes suddenly turned glassy again.

I started to worry about him, "What's happening to him?" I asked Zuerien, "Is he okay?"

"He's mentally communicating with someone", Zuerien told me.

"How?"

Like this

A shriek escaped my lips and my hands flew to my head as Alpha Penson's voice sounded in my head. He smiled at me, his eyes had returned to normal.

"You heard that didn't you?" he asked and I nodded wide eyed. His brow furrowed, "Why are you so surprised Luna. You heard me earlier too did you not?" he asked, his eyes flitting momentarily towards Zuerien.

I knew what he was talking about

Help him

I had heard his voice in my head, but I had just been so out of it that I didn't feel the need to react. Now that I was back to being my plain old panicky self, it seemed like quite a big deal.

I nodded in reply to his question and Zuerien's grip tightened around my waist, "You can mind-link her too?" he asked Alpha Penson and he nodded at him, "Yes I can", he replied, "I asked her to help with your situation earlier via mind-link"

"Mind-link??" I asked.

Alpha Penson nodded, "That's right Suzzanah", he said, "The mind-link is a means of telepathic communication exclusive to werewolves. Wolves can communicate with each other through their thoughts alone without having to voice them"

My eyes widened at his words, "That's really cool", I thought out loud and he smiled, "Indeed it is", he replied.

"You can use it too", Zuerien replied making me look up at him, "Like you did just a while ago to communicate with me, when you called out my name and said..."

He let his words trail off because he knew that I knew what he was talking about.

It's okay, I'm here

That's what I had said and he had heard it and I had heard him too.

"That's the mind-link?" I asked and he nodded, "That's right. Its telepathic communication"

"But you said its exclusive to wolves right?" I asked Alpha Penson, "Then how can I use it?"

Zuerien and Alpha Penson exchanged quick glances before Alpha Penson spoke up, "That's what we need to find out. You see, it's not impossible for a human to be able to communicate telepathically. They can access the mind link if they are mated to a werewolf, like you", he told me, his eyes briefly flitting towards Zuerien, "although...it is still unusually early for you", he completed thoughtfully.

"So why can I access it then?"

"That's what we don't know yet", Mr. Penson said, "And that's what we're trying to find out. You have displayed a multitude of abilities which are unconventional, unlike the usual mating process between wolves and humans. It may have something to do with you being the mate of the King, or..."

Or...

"Or it may be attributed to certain other reasons of which we are not completely aware or sure yet", he completed making me feel uneasy, "Not to worry, whatever the reasons may be by virtue of which you can access the mind link without being marked, I'm quite certain they won't be anything bad. Besides, once marked, you'll be able to use the mind link whenever you like and not on and off like now so this gives you a bit of head start"

"So right now you can all hear my thoughts and read my mind?" I asked nervously and Mr. Penson shook his head.

"Hearing your thoughts and reading your mind are two different things Suzzanah", he said, "You and I may be able to hear each other's thoughts but the only person who can read your mind is your mate"

My eyes widened in shock, "You can read my mind??" I asked Zuerien in bewilderment.

"Sometimes", he replied and I squealed holding my head. He narrowed his eyes at me, "Relax Suzzanah, you can do it too you know. You read my mind sometimes, even without knowing it"

My brows knitted together in confusion as he continued, "When I was going to pick you up, you found out about it because you read my mind right?" he asked and my eyes went up in recollection.

I had heard his voice in my head contemplating picking me up. Had I been reading his mind then??!

I nodded in reply to his question, "I kind of heard your thoughts in my head. I had no idea I was mind-reading", I told him feeling dazed.

"It's probably an on and off thing now", Alpha Penson told me, "But later on you'll be able to read his mind whenever you want to and more consistently", he said, "And he will be able to read yours"

"That's highly disturbing!" I told him and he smiled, "Oh you've braved worse things Suzzanah, don't worry, it's just a matter of getting used to"

"So how is it different from mind-link?" I asked him rubbing my temples.

"The mind-link only allows us to communicate with each other the thoughts we want to communicate", he told me, "It does not give me the power to know the thoughts you wish me not to know and vice versa. I can't read your mind, but that isn't so with mates", he said looking at Zuerien then back at me, "Your mate can hear both the thoughts you want to communicate with them, via mind link, as well as your private thoughts, by reading your mind"

I shuddered and Alpha Penson smiled, "Like I said, its still early for you, but the connection that you both share is much stronger than that of normal mates, and it'll be even stronger with time"

I didn't know how I felt about this piece of information. Being able to communicate telepathically was one thing, having people hear your deepest, darkest secrets just because you were thinking about them was completely different and far more unnerving. Not that I had any deep dark secrets to hide, I was a very simple person. But I was sure Zuerien had things he wanted to hide, and was hiding.

"There is a lot you don't know about me. I'm a man with a dark and heavy past Suzzanah"

He had told me that earlier, and although I hoped that one day he would be able to open up to me, I knew that it was best that it be voluntary and not forced, not by me raiding his head and sticking my nose into the secrets compartment. I would never do that to him of course but it was still disturbing that he could do that to me if he wanted to.

"Isn't there any way to stop your mate from reading your mind?" I asked and immediately Zuerien turned me in his arms pressing me into his chest.

"Why are you asking?" he asked, narrowing his eyes at me.

"I don't want you to find out about all the embarrassing things I have done in the past just because I happen to be brooding over them and you happen to have the power to invade my mind!" I told him animatedly moving my hands for emphasis.

"Whatever they may be, I won't ever judge you", he told me sincerely.

"That's very sweet of you and I am grateful but it'll still be embarrassing as heck for me!" I told him wide eyed.

"Well then block him out", Alpha Penson replied coolly.

"JOHN!" Zuerien shouted and my eyes widened interestedly.

"Block him out? How??!" I asked eagerly.

"You don't need to know", Zuerien said dragging me along faster.

I wiggled in his grip, "Alpha Penson-"

"John, don't you dare tell her!" Zuerien growled out.

"It's only a matter of time before she figures it out on her own, you know Alpha", Alpha Penson replied

"Who were you mind-linking just now?" Zuerien asked changing the topic.

"Marco", Alpha Penson replied, "He was worried about what happened earlier to you, with the explosion and the fire I mean. I told him not to worry, as well as the fact that Luna Suzzanah knows everything. He took a while to recover from the shock. I was afraid he would go into his muttering mode again but thankfully he didn't and when the shock passed he was quite excited"

Alpha Penson paused for a moment before continuing, "Also...Prophecy has returned", he said making Zuerien turn his head towards him, "she had disappeared in between, obviously", he added, his eyes darting towards me for a split second, "and Marco apparently went crazy looking for her. I was just telling him that there was no need to worry... seeing as while she was gone, Prophecy was actually with Suzzanah"

Zuerien shook his head, "Prophecy", he sighed exasperatedly.

"I don't understand", I spoke up and Alpha Penson smiled.

"Luna Prophecy often keeps disappearing and appearing in the most random places leaving everyone around her more than a little baffled", he replied, his eyes glinting with amusement, "That child discovered her extraordinary abilities fairly recently so she can't control them very well"

"Which means that at one minute she could be lecturing Marco about changing his damned Casanova ways and the next she could be giving the same lecture to some unsuspecting stranger on some random street in some very faraway country", Zuerien said making my jaw drop, "Prophecy often can't control where and when she teleports herself. When you met her earlier this evening, I'm quite sure she hadn't planned on meeting you, it just happened"

"That sounds terrifying, poor girl!" I said wide eyed, "Imagine suddenly finding yourself in a place you've never even seen before amidst complete strangers, and not knowing what to do!"

Alpha Penson nodded, "Exactly why Marco and most of the others who are close to her are constantly worrying about her and her antics. Prophecy used to be terrified in the beginning, but then one day she suddenly accepted it and now she isn't scared anymore"

"Well I think she's awesome!" I exclaimed genuinely and both men smiled at me.

"She'll be happy to know", Zuerien told me, "She has been waiting quite eagerly to meet you"

"But be prepared though Suzzanah", Alpha Penson told me, "Prophecy is a little...how do you put it? Because of her unusual abilities she comes off as a little eccentric"

"You mean because she keeps teleporting herself?"

"Yes, that is one of the reasons"

"Oh its fine!" I said waving my hand in the air, "Personally, I have no right to label someone else as eccentric or weird. I mean I'm a freakin spirit sighter-talker-interactor person!" I exclaimed wide eyed, "If she doesn't mind my company, then I sure as heck won't mind hers in the least"

"Oh Prophecy is going to love you", Zuerien told me and I beamed at him, "I'm looking forward to meeting her", I told him, "Say, is she the only one wolf who has the ability to teleport?"

"Oh Prophecy isn't a werewolf Suzzanah", Alpha Penson told me and my eyes widened, "She's human?!" I asked excitedly and he shook his head, "No"

"Prophecy is a witch", Zuerien told me and my jaw dropped.

"A witch?!" I exclaimed, "So she can wield an element too?"

"No", Zuerien shook his head, "She isn't an elemental witch so she can't wield any of the elements"

"And to answer your earlier question, yes Suzzanah, there are others with similar teleportation abilities", Alpha Penson said, "Other witches and wizards can do it too but only to short distances unlike Prophecy who often jumps countries and continents"

"And others need to chant spells to teleport themselves. Unfortunately, Prophecy doesn't have any such criteria", Zuerien added.

"But then if she teleports herself to some place she doesn't want to be in, and she has no control over her power, then how does she get back?" I asked worriedly.

"Oh that's the good part", Alpha Penson said, "After a short span of time has passed, Prophecy invariably returns to the place she first teleported herself from. But yet again, due to lack of experience, she can't always control the amount of time she spends in that place. That explains why she disappeared so suddenly from in front of you both times"

I sighed heavily, "But still, what if something happened to her during that time span?" I wondered out loud.

"Don't worry Suzzanah", Zuerien said softly, "The other good part in this whole kerfuffle is that Prophecy's involuntary teleportation always has meaning. It may seem entirely random to us and even to her sometimes but she is always only teleported to places that have some higher purpose for her being there"

"I don't completely understand" I admitted and Alpha Penson smiled, "It's quite alright Suzzanah, you'll understand everything better with time. I'm actually very impressed that you've been so strong through all this"

I bit my lip, "Oh I haven't really been strong or anything. I've freaked out quite a lot"

"But you're still here right", Zuerien said making me look up at him. His eyes brimmed with gratitude making my eyes widen, "That's enough"

Warmth flooded my body at his words and I suddenly didn't know how to reply. Was my being here really that much of a reassurance for him?

Don't leave me...

My heart clenched in recollection of his words. Had that thought really worried him to such a huge extent that all the power that was sealed tightly inside of him exploded in the blink of an eye. Was my leaving him really such a devastating issue for him? Was I that important to him?...

You Suzzanah, are my heart

When I thought about it now, if anyone else had said it, that statement could easily sound cheesy, but because it was him, because it was Zuerien, it meant so much, more than I could imagine.

Closing my eyes, I leaned into Zuerien, placing my head on his chest and immediately his body tensed. I could hear it, his heart, beating strongly inside his chest. And I found myself hoping and praying with every fiber of my being that it would continue to beat, against all odds, despite all difficulties, I wished fervently that it would never stop, that it would never die.

Because if I am your heart...then you...then you must be mine!

In a flash my feet left the ground and the world around me spun. A shriek escaped my lips and my hands involuntarily went around the thing closest to me. Tingles flooded my body as I felt my weight being supported by two very familiar strong muscular arms and my eyes shot open in shock. Zuerien looked down at me, his soft brown eyes brimming an affection so deep that it made my heart beat erratic.

Or maybe your heart beat is erratic because he is carrying you like a bride is carried by her groom to the bed on their wedding night!

"AAAAHH!" I shouted wide eyed, "W-what are you doing!! Put me down!" I squealed as he continued walking with me in arms as though I weighed no more than a cotton cloth.

"No"

His reply was short and final and it only served to further fluster my body into malfunctioning. I squirmed in his hold feeling my face warm up so much that it was probably hotter than the fire that was lighting our way. Why did he insist on doing all these intimate things in the presence of a very obvious audience!!!!

My eyes flitted towards Alpha Penson who didn't react in the slightest at this very unashamed PDA. And although I was grateful for that, I still found it a little odd. I knew that if I was working in some organization and my boss suddenly hauled a woman off the ground and refused to put her down, I'd either throw my shoe at him for being a pervert or keel over and die of the embarrassment- both first and second hand.

"Please put me down", I whispered knowing that Zuerien could hear me, "Alpha Penson-"

"Doesn't mind", Zuerien cut me off, "Such things are not at all unusual among werewolves. Most new mates are much much worse. Be grateful all I'm doing is carrying you"

From the corner of my eye I saw Alpha Penson smile and shake his head and my cheeks immediately heated up making me bow my head. My eyes secretly roamed the dark forest for signs of someone else who might see us.

"What if someone else sees you carrying me?!" I voiced my concern to Zuerien hoping he would see reason, "I thought you don't want anyone to know that I'm Luna"

"I'll know if someone gets close enough to see us", he told me

I looked around the forest once again and frowned, "Why is it taking so long to get back?" I asked, "It don't remember running this deep into the forest"

"You don't?" Alpha Penson asked and I shook my head, "No"

"Well, it's taking much longer because we aren't going back to the VIP cabin but to the rooms", he said, "They are on the other side of the resorts after all"

"Oh!"

"Once we get there, go back to you room and freshen up if you want to", Zuerien told me, "I'll come get you at your room in about half an hour. Then we'll go to the lounge from there for dinner"

I nodded, "Are Master Cole and Mr. Talon at the lounge?"

Both men nodded, "After the Alpha's fiery little stunt earlier, Cole and Talon had to go to get the situation under control", Alpha Penson told me making Zuerien glare at him, "The wolves understood that it was the Alpha's doing but the humans were a little freaked out"

"Oh that's right! How did they explain it to the humans?" I asked wide eyed.

"Firework malfunction", Alpha Penson replied making me gawk at him.

"HUH?!"

He shrugged, "A little ridiculous, but that's the upside to supernatural happenings. When there is something humans can't explain, they'll buy the explanation which is closest to the natural. And with all of the wolves supporting the firework explanation, most people go with the majority vote"

"I see", I replied thoughtfully, "It must be quite a hassle trying to keep your world a secret from the humans"

"On the contrary Suzzanah, its actually quite simple", Alpha Penson said, "It only requires exercising a little caution"

"But what if the humans ventured into the woods and saw the wolves like I did?"

"They can't", Zuerien replied.

"What do you mean?"

Alpha Penson smiled, "I think Marco will be happier to explain that part to you so let's wait till we get to the lounge"

"Will Luna Prophecy be there too?" I asked.

"Maybe", Zuerien replied, "She is usually quite tired after her teleportation. If not today, you can meet her tomorrow"

I nodded, "Okay"

Soon the woods started to thin and I could see lights in the distance. The flame that had been lighting our way disappeared from above us and I wiggled in Zuerien's arms indicating that I wanted to be put down. He sighed before slowly setting me on my feet but not removing his arm from around my waist.

As we neared the end of the woods, I could see multiple little cottages, one of which belonged to me and Megan. I wondered if she would be in the room. She had told me that she wanted to take a nap before dinner time. I still wanted to thank her again for her advice, after all, it had helped me greatly. After telling Zuerien and the others that I knew, I felt so much lighter and I was truly grateful to her for that.

Soon I saw the fence and the cobblestone pathway that led toward the cottages and I marveled at how well the men had guided us through the forest. I had next to no sense of direction, I could get lost in my own backyard, it was a good thing I didn't have one.

"I'll go ahead to the cottages on the other side", Alpha Penson said, "I want to go see Prophecy, just in case she is awake"

Zuerien nodded, "Alright, tell her to rest up. If not today, I'll see her tomorrow"

"Okay Alpha", Alpha Penson's gaze moved towards me and he smiled warmly at me before stepping closer, "You did wonderfully today Suzzanah", he told me affectionately, "I really admire you. You should know that"

My eyes widened at the sincerity in his words as he added, "We are lucky to have a Luna like you"

He patted my cheek before turning and walking away. My heart warmed at his words and I smiled as they echoed in my mind. Zuerien's grip around me tightened and I looked up at him to find him looking down at me with soft eyes.

"Shall we go?" he asked and I nodded but as we neared the fence my eyes widened and I immediately stopped walking placing my hands on Zuerien's bare chest, "You're shirtless!" I squeaked.

"You only just realized that?" he asked unfazed.

"But what if someone sees you?" I asked and he shrugged, "They'd consider it their good luck", he told me making my eyes widen, "Very modest aren't you", I stated sarcastically.

He smirked, "I am actually", he told me, "Still got my pants on don't I"

My jaw fell to floor as he dragged me to the fence. He reached out and turned a bolt hidden in a groove in the fence before pushing the door open. I was still gaping at me as he led me to the other side of the fence before replacing the door.

I quickly closed my mouth before looking around and found that this was not the front side of the cottages but the back and there were no people around. I gave the forest one more glance. All the shadows had mingled together in the darkness, none standing out separately.

And I had managed to find out next to nothing about them. Zuerien was probably not the right person to ask and if I asked Alpha Penson he'd just give me a complicated deep philosophical answer which would leave me more confused than I was now.

So that left one more person I could ask.

"We'll go in through the back entrance", Zuerien told me breaking me out of my thoughts as he walked me to the cottage that I recognized as mine. I didn't even know there were back doors to the cottages.

"Do you have your room key?" he asked and I nodded, dipping my hand into my jeans pocket before fishing out the key.

As I did, something sparkly fell from my pocket making my eyes widen. Before I could, Zuerien reached out and picked up the tiny round crystal Megan had given me earlier, just before she left. The one she had thought was mine but actually wasn't.

He rolled the pearly crystal in his hand bringing it close to his face for some reason before holding it out to me, "Here"

I smiled and took it from him, "It's actually not mine", I told him, "Should I maybe give it to someone who can return it to the owner?"

He shook his head, "Keep it, it doesn't matter. It's just one bead anyway. Or throw it away if you don't want it"

I rolled it on my palm before smiling, "I'll keep it. Maybe I can wear it around my neck or something", I told him, "I've never really had enough money to buy fancy jewellery, I'll just wear this"

"Do you like jewellery?" he asked.

I shrugged, "I'm not crazy about it. But I like simple things", I told him putting the crystal back in my pocket.

He nodded and I pushed at his chest, "Now go put on a shirt you were-man", I told him but he caught my hand before I could pull away.

"Invite me in?" he said his eyes twinkling making my heart skip a beat.

"Megan may be in there", I told him wide eyed and he smirked, "Jealous she'll see me like this?"

"Worried she'll have a heart attack", I told him pulling my hand back before turning around and inserting the key into the keyhole of my room's door.

The door creaked open and I slowly stuck my head inside, the room was empty. I was about to turn around to say bye to Zuerien but two large hands gripped my hips pushing me into my room making a shriek escape my lips.

The minute I was shoved into my room the door slammed shut and the next second suddenly my entire world blurred like a movie in fast forward.

A silent gasp escaped my lips and my eyes squeezed shut before my back pressed into a hard surface which felt all too familiar. And before I could dwell on it, another hard surface pressed into my chest which yet again felt all too familiar, disturbingly familiar.

My eyes shot open to find Zuerien face less than an inch away from mine making my heart nearly stop in my chest. His large hands pressed into the door on either side of me, trapping me in their confines, yet again a position I was all too familiar with. His brown orbs roamed my face hungrily, drinking in my features, making heat rush up my neck to my face.

My throat went dry at the sight of his intense eyes and my heart rate spiked, "W-what..." my voice trailed off, coming out breathy and raspy.

What has gotten into him all of a sudden?

"When I said invite me in, I wasn't asking", he whispered making my eyes widen.

"I've been dying to get you alone", he said, his voice coming out deep and husky, and before I had a chance to say anything else he buried his face in the crook of my neck making tingles explode all over my body.

His warm breath fanned my neck making goosebumps form on my skin. My eyes widened and my hands came up to his chest in an involuntary reflex to maintain some distance between our torsos.

He inhaled deeply making my breath hitch before turning his face and placing a feather light kiss on my skin. A gasp escaped my lips as pleasure flooded my veins.

"Zuerien!" I breathed out and he pressed himself further into me.

"I love it when you say my name", he whispered against my skin making me shiver in his arms. My body was flooded with warmth and I bit my lip not knowing how to reply, "I'm sure I'll love it even more when you're screaming it", he added making my eyes widen in shock as blood rushed to my face.

"ALPHA!" I squealed.

"Zuerien", he corrected before placing another kiss in the crook of my neck.

"Wh-why are you suddenly-"

He pressed an open mouthed kiss over my flushed skin making me stop short and arch into him involuntarily as my eyes squeezed shut. He peppered kisses up my neck making me gasp breathlessly before taking my earlobe between gently his teeth.

"Zuerien" I moaned.

"Exactly", he whispered before crashing his lips onto mine.

My eyes went wide as electric tingles flooded my body. His lips moved feverishly against mine as I struggled to keep up with him. There was nothing slow about this kiss, it was filled with hunger and need and longing which left me breathless within the span of just a few seconds.

He nibbled on lower lip before sucking on it making a moan escape my lips as my eyes squeezed shut. The pleasure searing through my veins was so intense that it was overpowering all my senses. The only thing I could think about was this man in front of me and the things he was making me feel. It was unfathomable.

One of his hands cupped the back of my head pressing me closer and he turned his head to the side deepening the kiss. Heat intermingled with pleasure assaulted every inch of my body and I felt like I would pass out any minute.

I broke away, gasping for breath as he continued to place open mouthed kisses down the side of my neck making me bite back a moan, "I can't wait to mate with you"

"M-mate with..." it seemed I had become incapable of completing my sentences and I felt him smirk against my skin.

"You know what that means don't you my Suzzanah?" he said making my eyes shoot open.

Mate with you...Mate...you...MATE?!

"EEEEEE!!!" I squealed in realization before pushing at his chest.

His hands immediately found my wrists before pinning them beside my head making my eyes widen as I breathed heavily.

He lifted his face from my neck, before bringing it close to mine, his now black orbs boring into mine.

"Y-Your eyes", I whispered, "They're pitch black"

He turned his head, his lips trailing along my jaw up to my ear, "It means that my wolf is trying to take over", he whispered against my ear lobe, "That's when my eyes turn dark"

"Your wolf..." I blinked feeling dazed, "Steroid?" I asked.

His body suddenly went stiff before he turned his face so that he could look into my eyes again. His still dark orbs glinted with mirth.

"Steroid?" he repeated, his voice laced with amusement and my eyes widened as blood rushed to my face, "The name I gave your wolf"

His smirk melted and his lips parted as a wide mesmerizing smile spread across his face leaving me even more breathless that before. And as he closed his eyes and placed his forehead against mine, I didn't know what I liked better, the feel of his skin against mine or the sight of his dizzyingly handsome smile.

"Steroid huh?" he whispered, his smile never faltering "He doesn't like it"

"Who doesn't like it?"

"My wolf", he replied opening his eyes which were now his usual warm brown, "He says he wants to be called by his real name too, just like you called me by my name"

"He speaks?" I asked and he nodded, "He does, and he wants to speak to you. Would you like to?"

My heart skipped a beat and I didn't even need to think about the answer to that question, "Yes!" I exclaimed eagerly as excitement flooded my body. A chance to talk to Steroid!

Zuerien nodded, "Okay then. I'll let him take over my body for just a little bit so you both can talk"

Inhaling deeply, he closed his eyes before I could ask him to give me a little space. It was the first time I'd be conversing with his wolf and I wanted to have some distance between us so that I could think clearly but it was apparently too late for that.

His body radiated heat that engulfed my already flushed skin and the woodsy scent of wet soil that always lingered around him seemed to intensify. His muscles tensed and rippled and my heart rate sped up in anticipation.

A sudden loud cracking sounded from beside and my body jerked as my head shot to the side just in time to see Zuerien's nails elongating into claws which dug into the wood. A gasp escaped my lips as Zuerien's body pressed further into mine pressing my back into the cracking door. I knew he wouldn't completely transform into a wolf, but I guess these little things still happened.

A low growl escaped his lips and my eyes widened as the full weight of having a conversation with a human's supernatural half descended upon me.

He wants to be called by his real name...

But what was his real name?

"Kai"

Tingles exploded all over my body and waves of immense warm washed over me as a much deeper huskier and rougher version of Zuerien's voice filled my ears and I realized that he had just read my mind.

"I'm Kai"

The two large hands placed on either side of me descended in a flash, wrapping themselves around me before pulling me into the hard muscular chest before me making dizzying electricity flow through my veins.

I gasped and turned my head just in time to catch Zuerien's eyes opening. A strangled breath escaped my lips as I stared into a pair of eyes that were the darkest shade of black I had ever seen, so dark that I couldn't see the pupils in them.

The same familiar handsome face started back at me, but I knew this wasn't Zuerien. The man before me now felt different, more primal and earthy, more animalistic. And for some reason, it thrilled me beyond belief.

His pink lips pulled into a breathtaking smirk before they parted as he said, "Hello Suzzanah"

He gave no time to reply as in a flash he buried his face in my neck and pressed his lips against my skin. Pleasure seared through my veins once again. He sucked on the skin of in the crook of my neck making tingles explode like fireworks on body.

"K-"

His hands squeezed my hips as he continued his assault on my neck. One of his hands left my waist and ran up and down my back making every inch of it sizzle and burn gratifyingly.

"I've waited so long to speak to you", he growled against my neck, "The human hasn't been fair"

His lips parted against my flushed skin before biting down lightly making a shocked gasp escape my lips, "He should have marked you already"

My eyes shot open only to squeeze shut again when his tongue flicked against my skin, soothing the slight sting of his light bite, "Pl-please"

"What is it you want my Suzzanah?" he whispered against my skin placing soft kisses up my neck.

"I-I want to...speak to you", I breathed out placing my hands against his biceps, just as he placed a kiss against my jaw.

"What about?" he asked still peppering feather light kisses along my jaw to the side of my mouth before trailing his lips to the other side of my face and down my neck. His hands slid up and down the sides of my body making me dizzy, "So soft", he whispered huskily and my knees nearly bucked underneath me.

"T-there is...so-something I need to...to say to you", I gasped, "Please"

"I'm listening Suzzanah", he told me before sucking on my earlobe.

"L-look at me", I breathed out making him release my earlobe and pull back immediately.

His dark eyes met mine and I blinked trying to clear the haze in my vision. Taking a deep breath, I brought my hands up to his face, cupping both his cheeks, making his dark eyes widen in surprise. Rising on my toes I gently pulled his face down, then I closed my eyes and pressed my lips to his forehead.

I heard a sharp intake of breath and I smiled against his skin before descending onto my soles. When I looked into his eyes again, they were wide in awe and I knew he remembered this action.

I had placed a kiss on the top of his head before leaving him that day when he had led me through the woods back to the office. And I did it again now, it was our own little special greeting.

"Thank you", I whispered as a smile portraying my deepest gratitude spread across my lips, "Thank you for always coming for me"

The awe faded from his dark eyes as they softened slowly.

"Thank you for finding me in the forest that day when I was injured", I told him, "thank you for finding me again the other day when I was lost and scared and thank you for finding me today, when I needed to see you, to tell you, more than anything else in the world"

His grip around my waist tightened as his eyes brimmed with unparalleled affection.

"The last time I left you, I had said let's meet again, friend", I said, "Little had I known that when I got a chance to talk to you I wouldn't be calling you friend anymore", his brow furrowed and my smile widened, "I'd be calling you mate"

His eyes went wide as I said the next words, "It's wonderful to finally hear your voice! Hello...Kai!"

____

A/N

Done!

Hey sweethearts,

Hope the first week of 2016 is treating you guys well ^-^

Sorry that this chapter is a day late. In my defence, I did mention in my last chapter that the next update would PROBABLY be on Sunday and not definitely lol.

I had to write and rewrite this chapter 4 times before it came out right so I couldn't update on time even though I worked on it all day yesterday, meh :/

Thank you for being understanding and waiting patiently for the update. I'm really grateful to you guys.

Just a humble request, please don't be rude or mad at me when I'm unable to update on time. I'm working hard all day even during my vacation to give you guys appreciable updates which you deserve. I know you all love this story and wait eagerly for the updates for which I'm truly thankful but please do understand my plight too. I have a life outside of writing after all :)

I cherish each one of you from the bottom of my heart! Thank you for being my readers,

Next update- Sometime next week

Until next time,

All my love

Angel