In the night.

Alessia laid on the bed as her thoughts drifted back to the night before, when her gaze met with that weird man. Why does she feel so affected by him?! It seems an unknown force keeps drawing her to him even though they had just met a day ago. She was sure not going to get enough of this because another scary man was also staring at her intently, which scared the hell out of her but didn't allow her expression to be visible enough to create any suspicions from Zelda.

Her head began to form worry lines as she thought about it, then the ringtone of her phone interrupted her thoughts, she sat up from her bed and picked her phone from the mini-table beside her bed.

The caller ID was her mum and she smiled, she really needed to hear the voice of her mother. It has been a long time since she last visited the house of her mother.

"Hey hun, you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm good, thanks, you?"

"Yes, thanks. Are you eating enough? Do you need anything?"

"I don't need anything, mum. How's Martin?"

"He's doing well and he also says hi. What about Zelda, how's she doing?"

"She's also doing great."

"When are you going to come visit us?!"

"I don't know mum but very soon. I just got a new job."

"Oh my goodness! I'm so happy for you. I knew you were gonna make me proud."

"Yes, thanks mum."

"Alessia. I really miss you. I would love to see you again, but I know you're busy so make sure you take good care of yourself."

"I miss you too, mum but I don't think I can come back to that house." She said in a sincere voice.

"Martin has really changed and he would..."

"I'm feeling sleepy, mum." Alessia cut her mother short and noticing the displeasure in her daughter's tone she decided to bid her a goodnight and ended the call.

Alessia stared at the phone blankly deep in thought about the conversation she'd just had with her mother and all the weird things that had happened that day.

She became tired and shook her head, snapping her out of her thoughts as she lay back on her bed and went to sleep. All the drama of the day had worn her out, but it had also made it certain she would sleep that night.

The next morning.

When Alessia got into the company, she greeted the receptionist and the others she met with a smile as she walked towards the elevator that was coming down. She didn't get to see the person in the elevator as she kept searching for her ID card, but couldn't find it. She could feel a very cold gaze behind her but she was too distracted to notice as her bag slipped from her hands and the things in her bag fell to the floor, she bent to pick up what had fallen from her bag.

While picking up, she could feel her butt brush against something hard before a hand touches her exposed skin under her shirt, she stiffened as her bones quivered due to the unexpected touch and it was then she realized someone was in the elevator with her and he/she was standing behind her but the feel of the person's rough skin made her realize it was a man and her face flushed in embarrassment.

" Sorry.... " She swallowed back her words as she came face to face with the man of the club and yesterday, he dropped his hands holding her butt and clenched them tightly at his sides. Her heart jolted when she saw him.

" Mate! " She thought she heard him mutter again, but decided against thinking of it. She fiddled with her fingers nervously as the tension in the elevator became even hotter.

" I'm sorry, I didn't know you were behind me. " She stuttered as she made a wide gap between them. His gaze still remained on her, sensing her every move, hearing her heart beating faster, being intoxicated by him and feeling deeply nervous and ashamed, but he liked the feeling of his hand on her butt and it seems he couldn't get enough of it because although it was just a brief touch, it had awakened his beast. He never thought he would be so drawn to a mere human.

Alessia's heart gave a flutter when he swiftly walked towards her and grabbed her, pinning her two hands over her head against the elevator wall.

He brought his nose closer to her neck as he exhaled in her perfume, loving the way she smelt.

" What are you doing?! " She asked hazily.

" What do you think I'm doing?! " He brought his mouth even closer to her ear as his body pressed against hers. He had a wicked glint in his eyes which made Alessia's legs tremble.

" You're far way too close, " She breathed out, his hand went to her hip, holding her steady while his other hand caged her two hands above her head, as his body loomed over hers.

" Are you affected by my touch?! You smell so good. " he brought his nose closer to her hair, sniffing in her scent. She smells extremely good, so much so that Marcus couldn't seem to get enough of it. She was his! His mate! He was unable to stay away from her, he was confused and also affected by her at the same time.

" Let me go! What the heck do you think you're doing?! Who the hell are you?! " She snorted contemptuously, trying to break free from his hold. The man appeared to be so strange. Only an animal comes to someone and starts sniffing the person's body but this man was... unpredictable? He appeared strange but powerful, she felt the presence of authority and dominance around him.

The elevator dinged open, and two other ladies walked in, but their eyes widened in shock at what they saw. They were flabbergasted to see their Boss and the new interior designer, everyone has been talking about, in an intimate position.

Alessia felt deeply embarrassed as she hid her face away, but it didn't stop there because the man still held her waist tightly. He moved his lips to her collarbone and gently placed a kiss just between her shoulder and neck, where he would mark her and it caused a pleasurable shiver to go through her whole body.

Alessia moaned slightly, this man was also a pervert. She was deeply affected by his touch, she had never felt so vulnerable not until now and with this strange man.

All this was witnessed by the two ladies in the elevator, but as Marcus left her, he turned and gave them a scary glare which made them screech in fear.

Alessia exhaled deeply, rubbing her wrists that had been held for long and was now hurting her.

....

Marcus walked into his office, he hadn't expected himself to behave the way he did earlier but her scent drove him crazy and there's only one explanation to it and it's because she was his mate.

He had to find a way to reject her as soon as possible because the more she remains his mate, the more his wolf gets crazy.

He doesn't want a weak human to be his mate because they only bring nothing but disaster and he doesn't want that for himself or his pack.

He had to reject her as his mate as soon as possible and by doing that, he has to say the words to her face that he rejects her as his mate and also the future Luna of his pack but the only problem is, would she be able to accept the bond to be broken because she's a human and wouldn't know anything about this or even what he is?

Thinking about this just made everything more confusing for him and hard.

Could the bond ever be broken?!

To be continued...

The morning goes by quickly with Alessia ordering and placing the designs where it was supposed to be. Her mind was occupied with work but that didn't stop her from thinking about that strange man, she was fond of calling him strange since she didn't know his name.

Alessia was talking to one of the workers appointed to her when Collins, one of her colleagues, walked up to her with a charming smile.

" You're such a hard-working and beautiful lady, Alessia " he complimented and Alessia smiled in return. She knew that Collins had an eye for her since she started working here but she doesn't feel anything for him because he wasn't her type, or maybe she has no specific type in a man.

" Thank you, Collins. You're not too bad yourself. You appear so charming. " She replied and that made his smile widen. He appeared to be handsome but she felt nothing for him.

" I just wanted to ask, if we could go out tonight for dinner. " He said.

" I... "

" Please don't reject my offer. It's just a friendly offer and nothing else, I promise. " He persuaded and Alessia couldn't help but accept his offer since he said it was nothing but a friendly dinner.

" Thank you so much, Alessia. You won't regret it. "

In the night.

" Wait! What did you just say? You're going out on a dinner date with a guy. I'm so happy for you. Finally, you may have met your life partner. " Zelda ranted, pacing to and fro as she talked about Alessia's date, but Alessia couldn't help tiredly shaking her head. She had tried explaining to her best friend that it wasn't a date but just a mere friendly dinner and nothing else but it seems she misquoted her.

" It isn't a date. " Alessia snapped.

Alessia walked into the restaurant dressed in a black silk dress which stopped just above her knee and had one side strap on her shoulder while the other side looked like a wrapping design which made her look extremely elegant. Even though this wasn't a date she still wanted to look right, especially in a place like this that had a certain dress code.

She looked around the restaurant and knew it was solely for upper-class patrons, not for people like her. She let out a sigh, she thought Collins had said this was a friendly dinner then why did he tell her to come to such a high-class restaurant.

A waiter walked towards her and showed her to the table where Collins was already seated. He was dressed in a white suit that had a red bow on it. She couldn't understand why he was dressed like that or why he had everything arranged as if this was a date, but she decided against thinking so because she wouldn't like it if she got to know he tricked her into coming to have dinner with him thinking it was just a friendly dinner.

" You look absolutely beautiful, Alessia. " He said and gestured for her to sit down, by pulling out her chair for her like a gentleman.

She sat down and smiled at him, " You don't look too bad yourself, but why would you bring me to such an expensive restaurant?! " She threw the question at him.

" You deserve all the best, Alessia or do you expect me to bring you to a high-end restaurant in the streets. " He replied and they both chuckled.

" I never knew you were such a funny guy. " She flushed, as the same waiter earlier walked towards them to take their order.

" I would like some sushi and a white wine. Thank you! "

" So, tell me about yourself? " Collins asked, after the waiter left.

" Well, there's nothing to say about me except that my name is Alessia. " She stated and he chuckled and placed his right hand on hers, her inner muscles jolted up, but not at his touch but at the feeling of being watched.

She could feel a penetrating gaze behind her, watching her closely, she could feel it and was extremely uncomfortable.

The waiter walked up to them with their order and served it on the decorated table.

" I would like to know a lot more about you. " Collins said, which made Alessia frown but it wasn't obvious.

" Why would you want to know more about me? "

" Why do I feel like you're being secretive about yourself?! I would like us to be more than just friends. " He muttered, taking her hand in his, bringing them closer to his lips and placed a kiss on the back of her hand, all this was witnessed by Marcus, who sat on a chair five feet away from theirs.

" Friends?! And who told you we were friends. " The deliberate cruelty of her words cut deep through him like a knife but he decided to giggle it away.

Seeing his mate having fun with another man, Marcus's wolf couldn't help but become restless and angry, there was an internal struggle between him and his wolf, as it tried to fight for control over his body.

" You have to stop, Draven."

" Mate! Mate is with another man. I want my mate. She's mine, only! " His wolf, Draven roared in rage.

" Sir, we have been talking about the contract. When can we get your signature on it?! " His inner thoughts were distracted by the man who he had come to the restaurant with, for a business deal.

Throughout the dinner, Alessia felt uncomfortable and she finally glanced behind her to take a peek at who was looking at her, then her eyes met with his. She felt a little creeped out with him being there, but she was also glad in case Collins makes a move on her.

He had been acting strangely and she didn't like that, she was even regretting ever accepting his offer.

" Where would you like to go after this dinner?! " He smiled.

" Where else could I go, except from my house. "

" You could follow me to mine. I have a lot of comfortable rooms. " He winked at her,

" What are you insinuating?! I came here to have a friendly dinner with you but I didn't expect you to be nothing but a douchebag. " She scoffed, her patience almost reaching its limits.

" You don't have to shout. My offer isn't a big deal, I like you and I would love to screw you." He said, while licking the side of his lips.

" You... " Her words were cut short as she felt a familiar presence looming over her from the back. Collins's face went as white as a sheet upon seeing the tall, muscular and imposing man standing behind Alessia, glaring daggers at him.

He didn't recognize Marcus as his boss. Marcus is the owner and CEO of Walter's Enterprise but only a handful of staff had seen him.

" And, who the hell do you think you are to touch mine! "

To be continued...

Marcus didn't understand why he reacted like that but he had to. He doesn't want her but he also doesn't want her to be with anyone else, it's like a game of tug of war going on in his head.

" And, who are you to her?! " Collins asked nervously, as he stared at Alessia for an explanation.

" You wouldn't want to find out who I am, because if you try to, you will only end up digging your own grave. "

The deliberate solemn in his voice made Collins shiver all over in fear as his eyes were wide with terror. Who could this man be to Alessia?! Could this impulsive man be her boyfriend?! For him to threaten him and claim possession of her the way he did earlier, it all made sense to him that this man must either be Alessia's lover or boyfriend.

" I'm sorry, I didn't know she was already taken. " He faked a giggle as he stood up to take his leave, his hands trembling due to the intense gaze of Marcus, he tried not to look into his eyes as he quickly walked away. Alessia just sat still, watching the scenario take place before her with a bewildered expression. This unknown man had just scared her colleague away and even dared referring to her as "his"

" What are you doing here? Why would you refer to me as yours, like you own me?! Who exactly are you and why are you following me?! This is the fifth time, this week I keep seeing you wherever I am. " She tried not to yell so as not to draw attention from the others at the restaurant but by the time she was done talking, her shoulders were heaving up and down as she became breathless. She became pretty tired with all the questions she had thrown at him and the ones in her mind because she couldn't help but feel left in a mystery that she couldn't unfold, with this man, always showing up everywhere she is. She keeps asking herself, Could it be a coincidence?

But Marcus only looks amused by her outburst rather than shocked or upset, he walks towards her and sits on the chair opposite her, but that makes Alessia even more furious.

" I'm Marcus. " He simply said.

He was mysterious, but Alessia wouldn't deny the fact that she was glad that he said his name.

" You haven't answered my questions. Why are you following me?! "

"Because of course I have nothing better to do with my time than to follow you around like a lost puppy." He said, rolling his eyes and smirking. He couldn't believe he had just uttered funny remarks and even referred to himself as a puppy when he's a werewolf.

Alessia muffled in a chuckle, trying not to get distracted at his funny but sarcastic remark.

" Then, could you explain what you were doing in my place of work? And, also showing up in the same restaurant? Could all this be a coincidence or you're actually stalking me?! "

" You seem like the type of lady that likes getting her questions answered. "

" Yes. Because I can't help but feel unsafe. "

"Are you sure it's me that's causing you to feel unsafe or could it be something else, maybe even another feeling other than unsafe?"

She couldn't help but shift nervously on her chair, she hadn't expected him to say such a thing.

" I have to go. " She muttered under her breath, as she got up from her chair then remembered that Collins had left in a hurry without bothering to pay for what he had ordered. She frowned and the expression on her face told Marcus there was something wrong.

" You don't have to worry. I will take care of your payments. " He said, with a smirk.

" You don't have to. " She rolled her eyeballs.

" Why?! Do you think I'm gonna ask you to pay me back my money?! " His smirk grew even more wider as he observed her expression.

" I don't want to feel like I owe someone, especially you. "

" Then, have it your way. " The coldness in his tone caught her off guard.

She watched him take his leave and couldn't understand his sudden change of behaviour. First he was flirty and the next he was indifferent. She walked to the waiter who had served them earlier and paid for both hers and Collins's order, then she left, but not without thinking about all the events in the restaurant and the name of the strange man came into her head and she mouthed, " Marcus..."

***

In the dark street opposite the flashy restaurant, a dark figure stood lurking as he watched two people who were engaged in a conversation. His veins couldn't help but flare up as his red eyes became even redder as he watched the scenario unfold before him.

He had an expressionless look on his face as his hands turned to fists in the pocket of the hoodie he was wearing.

Seeing his long-term-so called best friend and enemy, talking to his beloved, he couldn't help but boil in anger as he watched them closer.

He gave one last longing glance at them before walking away. He walked into another street further down from the restaurant, where he met some other people, who looked almost like him, with sharp, long teeth, like that of a vampire.

A tall, bald-headed dark skinned man walked up to him. He also appeared huge but also had the same sharp teeth as the others.

" Were you able to get to talk to her?! " He asked, curiously. He and a few select others were the only ones trusted to know about Kane's beloved being a human because the others might not take it lightly. Not like the way these ones did, not everyone was able to control their bloodlust and some of them still feed on humans.

" I wasn't able to. That bastard beat me to it. " He scoffed, annoyed

" Remember the curse won't break if you don't get to mate with her and feed on her blood. She's your beloved and only your beloved can rebuke the curse. "

" You don't have to remind me about it, for I still remember. I would make sure I get a hold of her before Marcus does. "

" It's easier said than done. You wouldn't want to be locked in the coffin for another 10 years, would you?! "

To be continued...