~Ella~

"Marcus, what should I do?" I asked nervously.


Marcus drove like a madman. I sat in the back seat, my hand firmly gripped by Caden.

"We need to get back to the estate now. The Alpha needs his mate's comfort. Stay close to him—your scent can soothe him."

Caden leaned back against the seat, brow furrowed in pain, fighting for control.


Following Marcus's instructions, I tried to move closer, but Caden's strong arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me onto his lap.

His deep, hormone-laden breath washed over me as he opened his eyes, looking at me with barely contained desire.


I was mesmerized. Caden was the most handsome man I'd ever seen—his taut body, powerful hands, those captivating amber eyes.

When angry, those eyes turned molten gold.

"The only way for an Alpha to recover is to mark his mate," Marcus sighed as he drove. "But the Alpha is too stubborn."

My heart skipped. I am Caden's mate. "Is it because... I'm human?"

Is that why he won't mark me?

"Of course not," Marcus quickly replied.

I sat trapped between Caden's arms and chest. His nose traced along my neck, his lips sucking at my skin. I fought to stay silent, though my body trembled uncontrollably.

Soon, we reached the estate. Marcus helped Caden to his room. Before leaving, he said, "Miss Ella, only you can help the Alpha now. Please."

"How can I help?"

"Just... like that night five years ago."

The door closed behind us.

On the bed, Caden clutched his head in agony, his body flickering between wolf and human form. I approached cautiously.

Suddenly he pounced, pinning me beneath him. "I'm sorry," he gasped. "I'm losing control."

Caden had helped me so much. I needed to help him in return. I shook my head and hugged him tightly. "Alpha Caden, mark me."

This way, you won't suffer anymore.

His bestial gaze fixed on me, the eye contact between us electric. Before I realized what was happening, his lips crushed against mine.

His tongue was eager and burning hot, no longer gentle as it swept every corner of my mouth. His wolf-like paw held my nape as he licked and kissed from my neck to collarbone, marking me.

"Relax..." he growled, while my body remained tense.

Moving downward, I felt cool air on my chest as he pushed up my bra with his nose. My breast sprang free, and his rough tongue laved my nipple, causing both pain and pleasure.

"Ah..."

Almost instantly, I grew wet. My cheeks burning, I tried to press my legs together, but his strong thighs forced them apart, sending heat coursing through my body.

Perhaps my cry brought him back to his senses. The aggression in his eyes faded, his heavy breathing warm against my neck, but he stopped advancing.

After a while, he helped fix my clothes and held me tight. "Sorry, Ella. I scared you."

"I won't mark you now."

Like being doused with ice water, I huddled in his arms, feeling colder than ever.

Why? Did he still despise humans?

He seemed to have returned to normal. I felt awkward and tried to push away, but couldn't move him an inch.

Just then, a gentle kiss fell on my forehead. "I don't want to mark you when I'm not clear-headed, Ella."

"What do you mean?"

"At least not like a beast."

I froze as he continued, "And I don't want you to accept me out of gratitude or pity. I want you to willingly accept me. To love me."

"You said we needed to build an emotional foundation."

His amber eyes were like warm honey, and I was drowning in them.

My heart ached sweetly. For the first time, I knew what it felt like to be truly cared for.

"So, Miss Ella, may I have a chance to court you properly?"

This feeling was so strange. My hands curled into fists as I hesitantly nodded.

He smiled.