Lara I follow Ashton out of the bathroom, staring at his wide back and beautiful muscles. Are we really about to share a bed? I know it’s not the most intimate thing we have done - he has given me head - yet this feels like the most romantic setting we have been in. “Do your friends know that we are mates?” Ashton asks as he opens a drawer on the side of the bed to take out a pair of gray boxers. I try not to stare at his butt when he takes off the towel wrapped around his slim waist. It’s hard, yet I somehow manage to focus my eyes on the window. “No, I…I haven’t told anyone.” Will that anger him? I look up at Ashton when he turns around. His face is expressionless. “I don’t blame you. If I were you, I wouldn’t want my friends to know I was your fated mate, either. I’m probably not popular in their eyes.” “N-no, that’s not it,” I breathe a laugh. “I’m just a bit concerned about…” I trail off, but Ashton isn’t an idiot. He gives a slow nod. “You’re worried that Sally is going to

Lara Hours later, I wake up to my alarm blasting music from Ashton’s bedside table. It’s daylight, and I oink like a pig before my breathing returns to normal after snoring all night. Gosh, how embarrassing. Did I bother Ashton? I look at him, sleeping peacefully, his face relaxed. His strong arms are still wrapped around me, holding me tightly to his chest. A soft snore escapes his lips, and I can’t help but giggle softly. He is so cute—a total catch. I wonder if Ashton was popular back in high school. Probably. He was presumably involved with some sport since he is built like an Alpha. His face is also incredibly beautiful, almost feminine, since his eyelashes are so long. I keep daydreaming about him until I realize that I should be getting dressed. My alarm goes off at eight—I have to hurry and wake up Ashton so we aren’t late for the early combat training he holds every morning. “Hey!” I shake him awake, or at least I try. “We must get up, or we will be late for the combat t

Lara As much as I want to bang Ashton, I am aware that I must be the one to bring reason into this situation. He is on the verge of crossing a line, and it is up to me to prevent it from happening. “Ashton—” I try to sound strict as I push at his chest, but my voice betrays me when he kisses my neck. A whimper slips out, and I curse the good-looking Alpha for being so skillful with his lips. If he gets any better at finding my weak spots, I will die one day. “Mmm?” Ashton hums while pressing small kisses to my collarbone, his hand sliding up my back to rest on the nape of my neck. His touch is hot and rough - a stark reminder of the primal strength hidden beneath his polished exterior. He is incredibly alluring, yet I have to fight my slutty, inner desires. “We shouldn’t have sex,” I tell him. He stops what he is doing to stare down at me. “What do you mean?” “What I mean is that there needs to be more to this relationship than just sex.” He grins. “But sex with you is so wond

AshtonMy heart melts when I wake up and find Lara sleeping on my back in her human form, nestled into my fur. Her breathing is slow, and I decide not to move since I don’t want to wake her.Geez, am I falling in love already?We haven’t spent much time together, but the mate bond is sizzling hot, and I know I will eventually grow addicted to this woman. Never in a billion years did I think a woman like Lara could make me soft and affectionate, but with her by my side, I’m reverting back to the kind man I was before my father shaped me into the cruel Alpha he thought I needed to be. And I don’t hate it.I’m tired of my cold and intimidating facade when, in reality, I know that I can be...kind. Or maybe it’s too late for me? I’ve made so many mistakes—terrible ones, like choosing abortion and rejecting my first mate. But maybe there are second chances given to everyone?I believe I can be good. I just need a little help...I think?Okay, I don’t know if I can be a better man yet. For now

LaraAnother hiss leaves the vampire’s mouth, but before it can sink its teeth into my flesh, there is a thundering growl. Ashton, still in his beastly form, lunges at the creature with his fangs bared. He snarls and snaps at the vampire, who recoils in fear and drops me to fight the massive wolf.I scramble away from them, pressing my back against a tree as I watch the ferocious battle unfold. The vampire is fast, but Ashton is stronger. With a bitter growl, he bites down hard on the vampire’s arm. Its ripped off with ease and the creature howls in pain and recoils.But there’s no time to celebrate this small victory. More vampires are barreling towards us, fangs bared. I can’t stay frozen anymore; I know what to do.Summoning all my courage and energy, I let out a guttural cry and shape-shift into my wolf form. The transformation takes a heartbeat - one moment, I am standing human, and the next, I am on fours with fur bristling and sharp fangs.Even though I’ve never fought vampires