~ Ethan ~

I sighed. It hurt me to hear Helena sobbing. So I pulled Helena into my lap and hugged her. "Poor girl. You don't need such a wimp beside you. Trust me! You'll be better without him." I patted her back. "You're such a beautiful girl. Any man will be lucky to have you."

Helena then stared at me while still crying. "Including you?"

"Not me."

Then she sobbed again. "Even my savior rejected me."

"It's just …."

"What?" She glanced at me again.

"Forget it! You'll be better without me either. Trust me!"

"No! You saved me. Then you talked sweetly with me. Then, you finally wanted to help me tend my wound." She smiled in the middle of her tears. "You're a good man. But you don't want me."

"It's not true!"

"Really?" She widened her eyes. "So you want me. But then, why do you push me away?"

"I wish I could explain it to you."

"Try me. I'll listen."

I scratched my head. It was so frustrating in this situation. "I wish I could have you. There's nothing I want rather than to have my mate beside me."

"Mate? What do you mean?"

I shook my head. "Forget it."

"Mate? What do you mean by mate?" Helena stared at me with her big blue eyes. "I don't understand why you repeatedly send on and off signals. Is it because you don't like me? Is it because I'm too skinny for your liking?"

"No, you're perfect."

She blushed and smiled a little. But then, she frowned. "But you don't want me. Tell me why? At least, I need to know. If it's something I can change—"

I interjected immediately, "I have told you. In my eyes, you're perfect."

"Then why?"

"Oh, for goodness sake, leave it, Helena! Okay?"

"No, it's not okay! How can I be okay when anyone rejects me?" Helena sobbed again. "No, not anyone but you. I feel it. I feel something I can't explain inside. But now, it hurts so much!"

"Gosh!" I pulled her into my embrace. Then I stroked her hair. "I wish it didn't have to be this way. I wish it could be different." I sighed. "There's nothing I want more than meeting my mate and spending the rest of my life with her."

Helena sniffed; her eyes showed a deep confusion. "Mate? What do you mean?"

I sighed, refusing to reply her questions. "But I can't, and I can't tell you why. It's better this way for you. If you know more, you'll be hurt more." Then I kissed her hair. "The last thing I want is to hurt you."

"You have already hurt me. The question is, why don't you tell me the reason?"

I took a deep breath. "We can go on and on and on, but I'll not tell you anyway." Then I took Helena's feet. "Let me give balm to your feet and your waist. After that, you should rest."

She was finally quiet and let me take care of her. She winced when I touched her feet. "Does it hurt badly?"

"Yes."

"Don't worry. I'll be more gentle."

I placed some balm on Helena's feet and started rubbing a little.

"Argh!"

"Hold the pain. You'll feel better later."

I touched the feet and rubbed them again. "At least, no bone fractures. It may be only sprained muscles. You'll be alright after resting for a few hours." Then I massaged Helena's feet more.

Helena bit her lower lip.

After a while, I glanced at her. "Open your dress."

"Why?" She blushed.

"Because I need to give the balm to your waist. Also, your dress is wet. It will make you ill to keep wearing it."

"Oh, I thought—"

"Trust me, having you for myself is crossing my mind too. But I'm not a barbarian like that. You are hurt right now. So, if I want to take you for myself, it must be when you are healthy."

Helena's face, ears, and neck were all red. "You're teasing me."

"No, I'm not. I'm merely stating the fact."

Helena sighed. She peeled her wet bolero and placed it on the table next to the bed. Helena tried to reach her zip on the back, but then, she let out a frustrated voice.

"Helena? What's wrong?"

Helena sighed. She turned her body, so her back faced me now. "Could you help me with the zip? My arms feel weak. It's difficult for me to open it."

I lowered the zip slowly. I gulped when I looked at how glowing and soft Helena's white skin on my hands. It was a huge temptation to have her, so I took a deep breath to calm myself. But unfortunately, it was a big mistake. Her sweet rose fragrance immediately filled my nose, and the wolf inside me wanted to grab and have Helena instantly.

With all the remaining self-control I had, I clenched my teeth. Then, finally, I finished opening the zip completely. "Done! Undress now. You can wrap yourself with a blanket while I dry your clothes."

Helena undressed and turned her back so I could only look at her bare body from behind. I took her dress, walked outside the room, and gave the dress to my maid.

Afterward, I returned to my room. Helena had already covered herself with the blanket. Then I approached her and touched her waist.

She squealed. "Aw!"

"Does it hurt so bad?"

"Yes." She grimaced and bit her lower lip.

"Poor girl." Then I peeled the blanket, caressed Helena's waist, and kissed it tenderly.

"E-Ethan, what are you doing?"

"Easing your pain."

"It's ticklish when you kiss my waist."

"Ah, you're sensitive on your waist. I see." I grinned. This piece of information was important.

"What?"

"Nothing." I smiled. Then I started rubbing the balm on Helena's waist. After finishing with the back waist, I said, "Turn your body."

"Uh, can you just reach my waist from behind?"

"I need to check if there are any bruises."

Helena gulped, then she turned her body with a crimson face. I glanced at her body and took a deep breath. Helena looked like an angel—a tempting angel. Her body, though skinny, was in good shape. I gulped again since I wanted to feel her body.

"You're flawless." My voice was hoarse. "You're perfect. Do you realize that?"

Helena's face was getting redder. "But it's useless if you don't want me either," she muttered and didn't want to look at my eyes.

I pretended not to hear that and rubbed Helena's stomach. "If you feel ache, tell me."

Helena nodded. She didn't winch again, so I was relieved since there was no pain other than Helena's waist and feet.

"I'll leave you now so you can rest for a while. I will send your dress back when it is dried."

"Thank you."

Then without glancing at Helena again, I walked outside of my room. Being close to my half-naked mate wasn't easy, especially since the wolf inside me urged to claim her. After half an hour, my maid brought Helena's dress to me. So, I finally returned to my room.

"You can wear your dress again." I gave Helena's dress.

Helena then took her dress. Blushing since I still stared at her, she muttered, "Don't look at me."

I let out a long sigh, then turned my body.

Helena immediately wore her dress. But then, she whispered, "Help with the zip, please?"

I held my breath again since I was tempted when I saw Helena's white and spotless back. I pulled the zip slowly and kissed her back.

"Ethan?"

"I wish things were different." I kissed her back again. "I wish I could have you."

***

~ Helena ~

I couldn't explain an urge inside me, but I said, "Yes, you can." I gasped afterward since I had never been so bold like this, even with Kenneth.

"No, I can't." Then in a fast move, Ethan pulled the zip. "Done. Rest for an hour or two until your feet and waist recover. Then I'll send you home."

A loud voice suddenly came from my stomach when I laid my head on the pillow. My face blushed immediately.

He laughed out loud. "When was the last time you ate?"

"Uh, in the morning."

"No wonder. Wait here! I'll bring some meals for you." Ethan left the room, but this time he didn't rush.

Later he brought a tray filled with five plates of meals and a glass of orange juice. "Now, eat it. You'll need a lot of energy."

"Do you cook it yourself?"

"Of course not. I have a cook and a maid who helps me here."

I nodded. "You can pay a cook and a maid. Then you must be a rich man."

Ethan shrugged. "Well, I'm a leader. My people call me Alpha King. So, it's normal, I guess."

"Oh! Is that the reason you don't want me? Because I'm just a nobody?"

Ethan didn't answer. "You should eat now." He pushed the tray closer to me.

Since I was too hungry, I didn't go after Ethan for an answer. There was roasted chicken with honey sauce, beef with black pepper sauce, fried fish, spaghetti carbonara, and broccoli sauteed with mushroom sauce on the tray. So, I ate and then licked my lips and hummed. "It's delicious!"

He smiled as he watched me chew the meals. Next, he sat in front of me, wiped sauce on the corner of my lips, and licked it. I blushed and stopped eating because his gesture was too intimate.

"Why do you stop?"

"You are distracting me. Why don't you eat together with me?" I looked at the table, too shy to stare at him.

"I already ate my lunch. Don't worry. I'll leave you now so you can eat peacefully."

"No!" Then I blushed again. "I mean, please stay."

"Then you should continue eating." Ethan picked up a spoon. "Open your mouth."

I followed what he said and opened my mouth. When Ethan fed me, I smiled. Then he continued providing meals for me, touched my cheek once or twice, and wiped my lips when the sauce covered them. As if he seduced me without words but only with gestures.

Since the meals were too much, I couldn't finish them all. I rubbed my stomach and shook my head. "I'm full already. Thank you."

"Drink your orange juice then."

Obediently, I did as Ethan asked.

"Good girl. Now, take a nap. After sleeping, you will feel better."

I bit my lower lip. "Will you accompany me?"

Ethan groaned and sighed. "You don't know what you asked, girl."

"No, I know what I want." I stopped for a while. Then, I blushed after thinking for a few seconds since what I said was so bold. "I want you to be with me. I want you," I said, without staring at Ethan.

Again, Ethan groaned and shook his head. "You're playing with fire. It will burn you alive."

"Then burn me. I'm not afraid."

He said nothing and reached his hand to my shoulder, but he stopped in the middle. "You don't know what you said."

I looked away. Why did I suddenly become so bold? It was weird. Before, I felt hurt because of Kenneth's betrayal. I thought I loved him. But I was unsure anymore. Since how could I feel something so strong with Ethan if I loved Kenneth? Then I glanced at Ethan's bare chest. Uh, his chest was broad and comfortable. I wanted to lay my head there.

"What?" His black eyes stared at me.

I shook my head. "Nothing."

Ethan startled me as he gently caught me above my waist, then he pulled and placed me on his lap as he sat and brought me with him. My heartbeat was so fast now. What would he do? He looked into my eyes and stroked my hair. I licked my dry lips.

When Ethan saw that, as if it was an encouragement he couldn't resist. He pulled my body toward him, inhaled deeply, and growled, "Mine! My mate!" Then he crushed my lips, coaxing my tender lips to open with his tongue. At the same time, his hand touched my sensitive upper body.

I moaned and opened my mouth a bit. That was when Ethan invaded my mouth with passionate and vigorous tongue strokes.

"E-Ethan?"

"Sssh, don't talk, my lovely one. Let me taste you." Ethan caressed my neck with his fingers while his tongue played inside my mouth.

I moaned again and tilted my head to the side. It was overwhelming, and I had never felt like this before. It was as if fire rose within my body, burning me alive.

Ethan bit my neck and then whispered, "Now, you are completely mine. My mate!"

~ Ethan ~

I slowly pushed Helena until she laid on her back while I was on top of her. I touched her neck and then went lower, but she shook her head.

"E-Ethan? W-what are you doing?"

That was when I stopped. Then, as if a flashlight lighted on me, I moved back a little and looked at Helena's swollen lips and disarrayed clothes in horror. But it wasn't as much as when I stared at the bite mark on her neck. Later, I immediately released Helena's body.

"What have I done?!" I held my head with both of my hands.

"Ethan?"

I immediately opened the cupboard, took a shirt, and wore it. Then I returned and scooped Helena into my arms. "You should go home now!"

"B-but, what did I do wrong?"

"Nothing!"

"But then, why do you want to get rid of me?" Helena bit her lower lip, and her tears fell one by one to her cheeks. "I know I'm inexperienced, but …." She couldn't continue her words.

I sighed. Regret always came later, but I couldn't undo what had happened. Then I hugged Helena. "Are you a virgin?"

Helena was too shy to answer. She lowered her head and didn't want to meet my eyes. But after a while, she sighed since I was staring at her and waiting for her answer.

"Yes …."

I smiled tenderly, then touched her lower lip with my finger. "Don't bite your lower lip again. It's mine. Only I'm allowed to bite it." Then I kissed her lips again, but softly this time.

Helena circled her hands on my neck. "Oh, Ethan …."

"I love that you are still a virgin. If things were different, I would take you here and now."

She blushed again. She was so pretty. Then I kissed Helena again until we were out of breath and should gasp for air.

"Never doubt that you are so precious to me, my lovely Helena. But the problem is me, not you."

"But why?"

"Why did I stop and not take you here and now?"

Helena nodded; her cheeks were red as if she were too shy to say a word.

"I truly want it, my enchantress one, but it will harm you."

"Oh!"

I took a deep breath. I could read Helena's mind now and be relieved that she concluded it wrongly. She thought I wouldn't want to take her virginity. "Let me fetch you home. I promise I will take care of you."

"Thank you."

Then I carried Helena in my arms again. After kissing her forehead, I brought her to my silver Lamborghini. Later, I placed Helena on the seat, entered the car, and switched it on. However, there was a movement outside, and I stopped.

"Please wait. I won't be long." I got out of the vehicle. A man walked toward me.

"Alpha, what are you doing?"

"Red, not a word!"

The man, Red Sutton, was my Beta and also my best friend. He looked at my car, at Helena precisely. After smelling Helena's fragrance from afar, Red grimaced. "A human? Are you mad?"

"Red, it's not your place to say that. I have marked her already. Helena is mine, my mate."

"But she's a human!"

"What can I say if our God chose her as my mate?"

"Are you sure that the Highest One chose the woman as your mate?"

"Yes. No doubt about that. Helena's intoxicating smells I recognized it after seeing her. I'm sure she's my mate. My wolf also confirmed it."

Red shook his head. "Is it possible? It's the first time I see a human as our mate." He glanced at me again. "She will be our Luna. Are you sure she's ready?"

"No, she needs more time. Don't tell her about Luna, mate, or even our pack."

Red squinted his eyes. "Don't tell me she didn't know you're a werewolf."

"She doesn't know about it."

"What?! You can't do this! She will be overwhelmed if she knows."

"There's no way back now."

"What do you mean?"

I closed my eyes for a while. When I opened them again, Red crossed his arms in front of his chest, waiting for me to explain further.

So, I told him, "I have marked her."

"But …."

"I won't claim her. I won't mate with her at all."

"It's impossible! After marking her, your urge will be so wild to have her completely."

"I know! I have already felt it. I only bedded her a few minutes ago." I shook my head. "Fortunately, I can stop."

"Are you sure it's the best?"

"I can't leave her if it is what you meant, Red."

"No, I don't ask you to do that. But for her sake, you're better off." Red tapped his upper arm. "It's unlike you at all. Usually, you're so calm and collected."

"I know. It was just the moment when I smelled Helena's fragrance; I immediately recognized her as my mate and couldn't control myself. I want her around me, to protect and have her."

"But if you are around her, it may lead to you mate her …."

I closed my eyes again. "You're right. I'll take Helena home. Then I will take my distance. But I need your help."

Red stood straight. "Name it."

"I want you to monitor and guard her. She is your Luna, after all. If I cannot be around her, at least I'll feel better with you guarding her."

"Don't worry, Alpha. Your word is my command."

"Thank you, Red. I know I can count on you."

"Always, my Alpha King."

Then I nodded and walked back to the car. Red also left.

Helena watched what had happened. But then, she screamed, "Argh! What's wrong?"

I frowned. "Helena?"

"It hurts!"

"Where?"

Helena placed her hand on her chest. "Here. I feel burnt. Help!"

I immediately unbuckled the seat belt and ran to Helena's side. Next, I opened the door and brought her outside. Then, I sat on the ground with Helena on my lap.

"Ethan! I can't bear it anymore." Helena's sweat poured heavily onto her forehead and neck.

Then I stood and ran back to the villa with Helena in my arms. I opened my room and laid her on my bed. Hastily, I opened her dress. The bite mark was burning. There was a new red mark too on her cleavage.

I touched the mark with my pointed finger, and Helena gasped. Then I stared at her. "Does it hurt here?"