BYRON

Standing next to the lake, all soaked and confused, I looked at the car leaving. Boris was starting to get anxious at the sight of our mate leaving. Curious about where he was going, I shifted and followed the vehicle through the woods. 

The road was long and somewhat difficult. I had to go through the streets with caution, not all the people living in Bramville knew about us, the supernatural. About to give up and go back home, I saw the car go through a fancy fence, leading to a large mansion. I recognized the place, it was the merfolk household. 

I've heard my dad talk about them, several times he tried to sign a treaty, but he’s always rejected. Jumping over the fence and hiding in some bushes, I saw from afar as Julien got out of the car. He was smiling and looking at the full moon slowly fading away in the sky, giving way for the sun to shine and start a new day. 

When they got in the house, I came out from the bushes, walking carefully around the building. I noticed an open window on the second floor of the mansion.

‘Mate.’

Boris said impatiently. There was a big tree nearby and one of its branches faced the window. Not to scare him, I tossed a pebble at the closed part of the window, Julien’s head peaked out of it and glanced in my direction. I climbed the tree to get closer to his window and turned, looking at him with a smile.

“Hello beautiful, tell me. Why did you throw me into the water like that?” I asked but didn’t get an answer back. “Well, if you don’t want to talk about that let’s leave it aside. I want to know more about you.” 

No answer, again. He was just looking at me biting his lips. I saw Julien move his hands a bit, but then he stayed put. I was starting to lose my patience and Boris’s voice constantly telling me to mark our mate wasn’t helping.

“Julien, I ran all the way here to know more about you and you’re just looking at me? Do you not want me to be here? Do you hate me or something? I need an answer. I came from so far to see your beautiful face and hear that lovely voice you have.” I said somewhat angrily not realizing the last sentence I said, causing Julien to blush. I saw him get something and come back, then he wrote something on a notepad and showed it to me. His handwriting was so beautiful and delicate. 

“Do you really think I’m beautiful?” I coughed, a little flustered, as I realized what I said before.

“Yes, you are beautiful,” I answered smiling at him. The corner of his lips curved up a bit forming a shy smile. ‘God/dess, he is so beautiful.’

“I’m sorry for throwing you in the lake earlier, but if my mom saw you, it would have been bad” 

“What would she have done to me?”

“I don’t know, maybe kill you”

“I don’t think she would want a war between the wolves and the merfolk.” I chuckled and a faint pinkish color appeared on his cheeks again. “You look so cute when you are blushing.” Embarrassed, he covered his face with his hands.

‘Hug mate. Now.’

Boris said. ‘I’m not gonna do that…yet.’ I said to my wolf and looked at Julien again.

“So part of the local pack?”

“Yeah, soon-to-be alpha,” I responded, proudly. “Do you go to the lake often?” 

“Just on full moons” He responded, giving me a gloomy smile. “What about you?”

“I go once in a while, it’s part of our territory” 

“Sorry for entering your territory without your permission” He gave me a small nod, and I felt his guilt.

“It’s okay, you can use the lake as much as you want.” I smiled at him. Excited, he smiled back and hugged me. 

Julien’s hug strength made me lose my balance and I fell on top of him. Both of my hands touched the floor at the sides of his head and my knee was between Julien's thighs slightly grazing his crotch. He was trapped underneath my body. Our faces were close, I could smell his strong scent and it was making me dizzy. Julien was blushing, looking at me. Well not exactly at me, he was looking at my lips. And I looked at his, they were asking to be kissed, licked, bitten, and turned into a mess.

‘Kiss our mate. Mark him. Now.’

Boris was trying to get control, but I didn’t let him. As much as I wanted to, it was too soon to mark Julien. 'But maybe a kiss wouldn’t be that bad…'

Our lips were starting to get closer. Julien closed his eyes, waiting for me to kiss him. I got closer and closer to his lips almost feeling them touch mine. A knock on the door startled us both. Boris growled.

“Son, can I come in?” Said a woman outside the room, Julien pushed me and took the notepad, writing something fast on it.

“You need to go, my mom can’t see you here.” 

“Okay, fine I’ll go. But I will be back tomorrow” Whispering I said, standing up and going to the window. I looked at him one last time and then jumped outside the window. I turned and started walking to the forest, cursing a little. I want to kiss him so badly, maybe tomorrow I’ll get to do it.

JULIEN

He almost kissed me. Almost. I’m so angry at my mom right now, she better have a good reason to interrupt us like that. I sighed and walked to the door but when I opened it, she wasn’t there anymore. Perfect. She interrupted us for nothing. 

Laying in my bed, I was lost in my thoughts. Reviewing everything that happened tonight: 

I met this handsome man, Byron. Then, I threw him to the lake and left. He followed me home, standing outside my window, just like Romeo did to Juliet. He said I was beautiful and my voice was gorgeous. We talked for a bit and then he almost kissed me. 

I touched my lips, that would have been my first kiss. If only my mom didn’t show up at the door. I sighed. ‘God/dess, he is all I wanted in a man.’ “I will come back tomorrow” his words sounded in my mind. Excited for tomorrow to come, I got ready to sleep and snuggled in my bed. Tired, I closed my eyes and let myself be carried away by the arms of Morpheus, wishing to dream of that man, that handsome werewolf, Byron.