R H Y S 

A sweet – yet – sour scent filled the room, attracting the attention of my wolf. Like a fine perfume, it hung on the skin of the pretty brunette sitting at the bar. Sipping on a beer, she was doing her best to pretend but I could tell otherwise. She was afraid.

Her eyes would stray to the entrance every couple of minutes as if she were waiting for someone to walk through it and drag her away. Anytime someone got too close to her she would tense up. She didn't converse with any of the regulars seated around her. She didn't seem like she wanted to be where she was – but there she continued to sit. These weren't the normal behaviors of a person out to enjoy a couple of drinks. It was hard not to be suspicious of her.

Normally I wouldn't have cared to pay attention to a stranger in the bar. Strangers passed through town all the time on their way to the mountain resort, but this girl was different. It wasn't just her fear or her body that caught my attention. If I wanted a hot body, I didn't need to look for a stranger. No, this female called to something inside of me, something primitive and dark. I knew what that thing was and it went beyond lust. This stranger was my true mate. It was different than a simple mate I picked out for myself. This was a force of destiny, one that I intended to ignore.

"Got your eye on something?" Dace's blue eyes shifted to the brunette before meeting mine again as he took a sip of his beer. "She is pretty tempting for a human. Still, it would be a better bet to bed one of our female if you've got the urge. They don't break so easy."

I shot a glare in his direction, ignoring his attempts to get under my skin as I swirled what was left of the beer in my bottle. His lips parted in a small grin as mischief swirled in his bright eyes. "Plus, I don't think Camila would be happy to hear you were thinking of seeking out another female, especially of the human variety."

I tightened my grip around the neck of the bottle in my hand. I didn't give a damn about Camila. The female was my bed warmer when I had no better way to pass the time. I had made that clear to her from the beginning despite whatever fantasies she enjoyed imagining about the two of us. I was not the type of male to take a mate, and I had no plans to take one – ever. I had enough to worry about with the pack. A female was an unnecessary trouble I didn't need on my plate.

My eyes drifted back to the brunette, watching the way her leg bounced. She shifted on her stool, stiffening as she twisted to scan the bodies around the room. Her eyes were dressed with dark eyeliner. It pulled the attention to their whiskey color. They were something a man would be happy to drown his sorrows in.

When our gazes locked across the room, I felt my cock twitch. The damn thing had shot up like a fucking daisy in springtime the instant I had come into the bar. The intoxicating fragrance of the strange female had assaulted me. I fisted my hand under the table as my desire gut-punched me, again. How long had it been since I'd taken a female? I couldn't remember. My thing with Camila wasn't a regular gig and honestly, it felt disrespectful to think about another female while I was looking at this one.

Her lips parted, and I caught the sight of her tongue as it swiped over them. The spell was broken when she turned away from my stare, startled by Seth, one of the younger males from the pack. It wasn't hard to know what his intentions were – I could almost smell his lust from where I was sitting on the far side of the room. I gritted my teeth together, resisting the urge to growl.

"Excuse me for a minute..." I scooted to the edge of the booth and rose up as I pressed my palm to the table. I adjusted my pants with my other hand, trying to hide my boner. I didn't need my pack mates knowing, let alone, seeing my lack of control.

Dace followed my gaze, shaking his head. "Come on, leave her alone. She looks like a nice one – just let her finish her beer. She'll be gone soon enough."

I stared down at him. He was like family – and my Beta. Did he really think I was enough of a bastard that I would hurt an innocent girl? If he did, I was more fucked up than I thought.

"I'm not going to kill her if that's what you're worried about," I grumbled before moving towards the bar. She was leaned away from Seth, knuckles white and gripping the bar top.

"What's your name, sweetness?" He smiled at her, laying on the charm.

"Dove, and yours?" she replied, gaze dancing from body to body as if she was looking for a clear exit. The urge to put a barbed wire fence around her to keep the other males away crossed my mind as I came upon them.

"His name doesn't matter 'cause he was just leaving..." I interrupted, meeting Seth's wide-eyed gaze. I would have a talk with him later – warn him to stay away from her. If I had been any other member of the pack he might've thought to challenge me, but I was the alpha. That was enough to have him bowing out without contest.

He lowered his eyes as he backed away from Dove; only when he was a good fifteen feet away did he turn his back to me. He returned to his friends that surrounded the pool table. I relaxed knowing that there were no other males sniffing around my female. I cringed at the slip of my thought. She wasn't my anything.

"That's quite the talent you have there." Her voice was sweet and soft and had my cock pulsing painfully against my zipper. I turned to her as she traced the rim of her beer as she lowered her eyes.

"Another?" I questioned. I should walk away – but my feet remained planted. I was transfixed before her.

Dove tilted her head to the side, her dark waves following over her shoulder, "What?"

I pointed a finger at her empty beer, "Would you like another one?"

Her cheeks blazed, "Oh. Sure." She let out a nervous laugh that sent a hot wave of desire surging through my body. I should buy her the beer and get the hell away from her, but I saddled up in the empty stool next to her.

I ordered us both another drink. Dove shifted around beside me. I knew I was making her uncomfortable but I couldn't do much about that. I slid the fresh beer in front of her and she gathered up enough courage to speak again.

"What's your name?"

She blurted out her question. Her eyes went wide and she turned her face away from me. I took a drink of my beer to hide my amusement over her reaction. She cleared her throat – trying to regain some composure.

"I usually don't make a habit of taking things from strangers."

My lips twitched at her comment, stopping short of a smirk. I tilted my head as I met her gaze. I wasn't really the kind of man that partook in small talk but somehow I found myself responding to her, "I'm Rhys and you're Dove. We're not strangers anymore." I picked at the label on my beer, watching her watch me.

Her cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink as she reached out and took a sip of her drink. I was a complete fool. I should've remained in my booth and let her handle her own problems. I was worse off now that I was focused on her full, pink lips wrapped around the rim of the bottle. All I could think about was what it would be like to have them wrapped around my cock. I shifted on the stool, trying to ease the tightness in my jeans.

"What brings you here? Where are you headed?" I wanted to bite my own tongue off as the questions left my mouth. I didn't need to get any closer to her than I was. I didn't want to know anything about her, I reminded myself. She would only bring trouble into my life.

She set her drink down, turning to face me. It gave me a better view of the full breasts peeking through the cleavage of her tight V-neck t-shirt. My eyes lingered on the heavy curve of her hips that tapered off into a set of toned legs. I swallowed back the urge to groan. This female was going to be the death of my control. It wasn't just her body. It was all of her – from the sound of her voice to her sweet smile, all the way down to her courageous demeanor in spite of her fear.

Dove pulled her hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear. "I wanted a taste of freedom. I decided, why not a road trip? Just driving around without any plans...seeing where that took me. And here I am." Her eyes shifted away from mine even as she smiled.

I caught the faint scent of fear as she leaned towards me, instinctively seeking my protection. My wolf pressed his aura outward, cloaking her in his dominance which would ward away weaker predators. She didn't seem to notice what had happened on a conscious level – though she sighed as her shoulders sagged in relief.

"And here you are," I said, catching her gaze.

She stared into my eyes for a moment as if she was searching for something. I didn't look away because I was memorizing every line and dimple on her face, committing it to memory for lonely nights. This was the only thing I would afford myself.

She dropped her face, "This might come out corny but I feel like I've known you my entire life even though we've just met." There was a wariness in her voice.

I took a swig of my beer. "You're right that is corny."

Dove's cheeks tinted a deep shade of pink as she began to pick at the label of her beer. I couldn't stop the small grin this time, and she caught it. Her eyes rolled almost playfully, "You're yanking my chain."

"A bit." I leaned towards her, inhaling her scent – another thing I would commit to memory. She smelled like apples, sweat, and something softer – something that was entirely her. "But who knows. Maybe it was fate that we were supposed to meet...if you believe in all that."

Dove graced me with a smile that shot me straight through the heart. It made me want to clutch at my chest and hold my breath. I wasn't the sentimental type, but damn – the female was worthy of sonnets, flowers, and all that romantic bullshit.

"If you believe in that kind of thing." She tore her eyes from me. "I think these beers are going to my head. I should probably turn in for the night."

I didn't want her to go but I knew that it was probably the safest thing for the both of us. She had already cracked through my control. I watched as she pulled her purse in front of her, searching through it with brows drawn. I reached out and touched her arm, my finger burning.

She sucked in a small breath, turning her face in my direction. I could see the desire swirling in her hazel eyes, "Don't worry. I've got you covered." I pulled my hand back, fisting my beer quickly to cool down my skin.

"Are you sure? I can pay."

"My mother raised me to be a gentleman. Save your money. Who knows? You might need it on your road trip."

Dove gifted me with another gentle smile. "Your mother must be mighty proud. Thanks." She dropped down from her stool, gathering up her purse. I could see her hesitating, shifting back and forth on her feet even though she was ready to leave. It was the mate-pull. Her being full human gave her no defense against it.

I knew it wouldn't let her leave me. With a heavy sigh, I leaned forward. "You can leave, Dove." She met my gaze again, surprised at my words and her reaction to them. I could see she wanted to ask why she had needed that but I shook my head, "You have a safe trip, sweetheart. I'm sure we'll see each other again, fate and all that."

"Take care of yourself, Rhys." She said as she turned away from me, the fear from before growing strong again as she made her way to the door and out of the bar.

"You too." I muttered to myself as I took a long swig from my beer, "You too..."