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?"

~ Helena ~

I gasped. The ache was no more. What happened to me? Realizing that Ethan was waiting for me to answer his question, I said, "Strange, when you touch it, the ache is gone."

Ethan removed his finger. "Thank goodness. Maybe you should rest more. Go to sleep. After dinner, I will bring you home."

The relief lived shortly. I screamed since the pain came again, "Ethan, argh! It hurts!"

Ethan grabbed my body and held me in his arms. He kissed the mark. "Does it still hurt?"

"No …."

"How about this?" He touched my cleavage with his finger again.

"The ache is gone." I glanced at Ethan. It was the first time a man touched me intimately. My face was hot. "What happened to me?"

Ethan sighed. "I think I know what happened." He opened my bra and panties and started touching me.

"E-Ethan?" What was he doing to me? But I didn't want him to stop. It was amazing. I felt burning inside, and his touches torched the flame bigger.

"Trust me, mate. I won't hurt you."

"I-I trust you." However, I trembled since it was my first time with a man. Would it hurt, like a lot of people said?

Then Ethan kissed my lips again. I moaned, and the fire rose within my chest and spread to my body, especially my lower private part. I closed my thighs to ease the burning, but it worsened. "Ethan …."

"Yes, darling, hold on. I will help you." He caressed my neck, right on the bite mark, then kissed and licked it. "Do you like it?"

It was ticklish, but it was also burning my desire higher. "Uh-huh. It's good."

"How about this?" Ethan grabbed my mound and massaged it.

"Oh! It's…." I was sure my face was crimson right now.

"Do you like it?"

"Yes …." It felt good.

Ethan smiled. "Then I think you will love this." He sucked the top, and I screamed.

"Ethan!

He didn't stop and kept sucking it. I was panting. It was like a rush of fire invading my body. So I grabbed Ethan's shoulders and scratched them with my nails.

Ethan stopped and looked into my eyes. "Do you want me to stop?"

I said nothing; I couldn't! But then I grabbed Ethan's head and directed it to my other mound. I wanted him to do the same as before.

Ethan lifted his head and then grinned. "Yes, madam. I know you will love it." Next, he gave the same sensual torture to my left peak. He sucked it hard and toyed with it using his tongue.

I grabbed Ethan's head and stroked his hair. "Ethan … don't stop …."

"I won't." He caressed the first mound while he kept sucking the second. Then, the fire spread to my other orb and my lower body.

I squealed. It was so good but tortured me too. I wanted Ethan to end the torture, but I moved restlessly when he stopped.

"Calm down. I won't leave you unsatisfied, my lady."

He kept teasing me with his tongue and fingers. Then somehow, my body tensed. I was afraid that something terrible would happen to me. But then, after a while, I came to my release. It was amazing! My body was exhausted, but I wanted to hum joyfully.

He smiled. "How are your feelings right now?"

"I'm good, more than good …." My voice was hoarse because of too much screaming. "I feel sleepy." I closed my eyes, too tired to even open them.

"Good. Sleep then, my mate."

He picked a blanket, covered my nakedness, and kissed my forehead.

Feeling Ethan go away from me, there was a pang of loss I couldn't explain. It was cold and lonely. So, I called him, "Ethan?"

"Yes, darling?"

"Can you stay here with me?"

Ethan sighed. He sat beside me, then grabbed my hand and held it. "Yes. Sleep now. I'll accompany you."

It was the reassurance I needed. Having Ethan's warm hand hold mine, I drifted to sleep only after a few minutes.

***

~ Ethan ~

Helena's breath was calm. Finally, she was asleep. I went to the bathroom, showered with icy water, and let out a long sigh. Helena's state of burning was because I had marked her. In the werewolves' world, usually, the ritual must follow the sequence: marking, then mating. However, with my situation, I couldn't ultimately mate Helena. What we could do was only outercourse. It satisfied the demand after the marking but did not genuinely satisfy the mating process.

I cursed silently under the heavy, cold shower. My lack of control caused suffering for Helena. Typically, it was only she-wolves who would experience things like Helena did. However, Helena was a human. So why did she experience stuff like that too?

I shook my head again. "Yeah, I know I screwed up! But I couldn't undo what had happened. I have marked her. So, I will care for her for the rest of my life, even without mating her."

After a few minutes in the cold shower, it helped release the tension in my body. The wolf inside me kept urging me to take Helena and mate her ultimately, but I knew I couldn't do it. I didn't want to regret it for the rest of my life, just like what happened to Lynnette.

I sighed and shook my head. "No more! I won't be responsible for more guilt because of my foolishness!"

Then I turned off the shower, dried my body, and wore my clothes again. I walked back to my room, but Helena was still asleep. She was smiling in her sleep, and I couldn't stop myself. I approached her and kissed her lips tenderly.

"You are my lovely mate. I will protect you with all my strength, even from myself." I caressed Helena's hair.

I let out a long sigh since her fragrance filled my nose as if calling me to claim her. Next, I picked Helena's scattered underwear and dress on the floor, folded and placed them on the table next to the bed. Then I left the room with long steps.