Evalyn

I stare into Axel’s eyes. I don’t know what to say. I haven’t seen him since that night almost seven years ago. I never thought I’d see him again.

But damn if I haven’t thought about that night. Many times. I couldn’t forget that night if I tried. And I’ve tried…

***

Seven Years Ago

Hot lips devour mine, hungry growls coming from this enormous man’s throat. I can hardly bear for us to part long enough for him to slide the key card into his hotel lock. Once it’s unlocked, we tumble inside and he slams the door. Then he shoves me up against it, crushing our bodies together. I can feel the wolf in him coming to the surface, that wild desire to possess and mark and claim.

No one has ever kissed me like this. Like they’re starving, like they need my kisses to survive.

Then again, I’ve never done anything like this. This is the first time I’ve ever gone home with a stranger. Or at least someone who was a stranger until a few hours ago. And I’ve definitely never done anything like this with a wolf before. But there’s something different about Axel. He’s…powerful. Magnetic. And so hot I can barely think straight in his presence.

He’s kissing me like he owns me. For a brief moment, I wonder if we’re moving too fast, but then his lips fly like sparks down my neck and every thought I’ve ever had flies out of my head.

“Axel,” I pant.

He growls again and pulls my lips back to his. I decide that I absolutely do not care that we just met. His hands are clutching at my hips, tangling into my hair. I wonder vaguely why I’ve never done something like this before. Is this what I’ve been missing out on this whole time?

Axel ’ s intensity is setting me on fire. Every other person who has ever touched me or kissed me has done so gently, almost politely. Nothing about Axel is polite. He’s claiming what he wants, and what he wants is me. I feel the prick of claws digging into my flesh. He lifts me off my feet and I wrap my legs around him.

I grind my hips against him, almost shocked at how desperate I am for more of him. “Axel,” I moan, my hips rolling against him.

He pulls us away from the door and dumps me on the bed . My blood burns with arousal. Everything in me is straining toward him, wanting him. I look over at him hungrily. “Do you live your whole life working out?” I blurt out, still breathless.

Axel gives me a wolfish grin and h e crawls up my body, his predatory eyes burning into mine, sending another rush of heated longing t hrough me . Axel grips my throat gently, his hands large and powerful. He leans down and kisses me, hard and deep, then lifts himself up.

“Don’t worry,” he whispers. “We’ll fit together. We’re meant to fit together.”

I nod, then run my hands hungrily over his muscular body. Axel dives into my neck, kissing, biting. Every touch is torturous and delicious at once. I moan in pleasure. His answering groan just sends me even higher.

“Axel,” I whisper. “Please.”

He lifts his head and kisses me on my lips again. I feel like I might go insane with lust.

He kiss es me again.

“Evalyn,” Axel whispers hoarsely. Hearing my name in his mouth like that sends shudders through me. My desire is reaching a fever pitch.

“ I need you ,” I whisper.

Axel understands my meaning and pulls me even closer to him in the bed. We are on top of the sheets. He looks at me with hunger in his eyes. He starts to undress, and I do the same, suddenly self conscious. I slip under the sheets and wait for him to join me. I close my eyes, wanting to remember everything we are doing, and imagine everything we will do.

Axel slips in under the sheets with me. His skin is smooth and his arms, as he wraps them around me, are firm. He smells amazing, something about it is driving me absolutely wild. He kisses me again, his hands roaming over my body, exploring me. It feels thrilling and heady and I can’t get enough. I wrap my legs around him, and he moans, his desire for me plain. H is canines are starting to elongate as the wolf comes to the surface. I cling to him .

He growl s with lust. The wolf in him has awoken the animal in me, and I feel wild with desire. I rake my nails over his back, clawing at his arms .

“ I’m ready ” I moan . Axel’s eyes darken with desire and he pulls the sheets over both of our heads. He leans in and kisses me, moving his body into position over mine. I am so ready for this, I can’t wait a second longer. Being with Axel is everything I could have hoped, and somehow more. Our bodies are so in sync, it feels as though no one else could ever make me feel like this. It is ecstasy. It is the most sublime feeling, I can’t even think of how to describe it. When we are finished, h e collapses on top of me, both of us slick with sweat, gasping for breath. After a few moments, he rolls us over so that I’m lying on top of him . I have never felt more satisfied in my life. Like this is what I’ve been looking for, and now I have it.

I feel a sense of belonging.

With my head on his chest, I fall into a dreamless sleep.

When I finally wake the next morning, the bed is empty. I look around the room to find Axel standing by the door, fully dressed, staring at the floor. I notice his overnight bag, packed beside him. I sit up .

“Axel?” I ask. I can’t keep the trepidation out of my voice.

He turns to me. His gray eyes are no longer stormy with passion. Instead, they are cold and hard. He looks at me without expression. When he speaks, his voice is as detached as his gaze.

“I, Axel Hayworth, reject you, Evalyn Torres, as my mate. Now and forever.”

I feel lightheaded, and tears fill my eyes. I try to swipe them away, but I can’t stop more from coming. I stare at Axel. He turns and walks out the door.

Pain explodes in my chest, so strong I can hardly breathe. I collapse forward, agony filling me.

***

Now

Axel stands before me, somehow even more muscular. He’s broader, sexier, and my eyes want nothing more than to watch every single water droplet from his shower cascade over his perfect body. Even after the pain he caused me, his presence stirs something in my body that I can’t control. But we’re surrounded by his teammates, and my new boss is present, so I swallow my emotions and attempt to steer my thoughts into professional territory. If ever there was a time to play it cool, it’s now.

Axel stands there, one eyebrow quirked, clearly waiting for me to answer his question. I cross my arms in front of my chest and raise my own eyebrows. “What am I doing here?” I say. I let my words hang in the air for a moment before I answer my own question. “I’m here to save your fucking lives.”