[Rock]The room darkened again after Forrest closed the door. I couldn’t see who it was, but I was getting frustrated. No matter what I said, not nearly enough women were giving in to me. I had to get this one. I needed to fuсk so badly. “Why are you hiding? Don’t you want to feel the halfie? Or are you afraid I’ll beat you in a fight?” I laughed.She didn’t say anything. I growled in frustration. It was someone I knew. She didn’t want to give away who she was. Some of them taunted me, but this one knew she was weak against me. “Come on, you really can’t be that weak. I’m chained with iron. If you think I’ll beat you now, then you can’t be my mate. You might as well come over here and give in.”Still nothing. I knew she was there. Even though it was pitch black in the room, I could hear her breathing. I pulled at my chains, trying to get closer to her. If she touched me, she'd want to fuсk me. They all did. “Come on, you bіtch. Or do I have to come over there?” I howled.I grunted, frustrated again. Who wouldn’t want to touch me? All the women in town wanted me. She also must not have been from around here. Maybe one of the other half-trolls Forrest said he got....I stayed quiet for a moment, then said “What would it take for you to give in and fuсk me?”Her silence was starting to piss me off. “Hey, bіtch. I’m talking to you. What would it take? What? Am I not troll enough for you? Maybe Forrest could hook you up with someone after. Just let me have a taste. You know you want to try something different. If you didn't you wouldn't be here. Let me fuсk you.”The silence continued. I grunted in anger, thrashing about in the chains. How dare she not respond?! Who did she think she was? Stop. This woman is different. She's waiting for me. She's waiting for the real me.The weak voice inside me started to speak up for the first time. The sane voice. How long had I been in here? Was this really my true mate?I stopped pulling at my chains and took a deep breath. I felt the fire inside me calming. My anger was melting away. It was true. This was my mate. Dropping to my knees, I looked in the direction of the door. My mate. I was right. I would find my mate at my coming-of-age party. Just like my mother and brothers. For months, I had been writing and practicing the speech I'd make to her. I knew everything I wanted to tell her and everything she needed to know. She would have to know everything before she accepted or rejected me. Goddess, please don't let her reject me. “Please. Listen to me before you say anything. I know I’m only half troll and I’m not a strong fighter or conventionally attractive. I know I’m small and probably weaker than you. I’m speaking from my heart right now. I’m hoping it speaks to you. “I work hard. I’m not wealthy, but I’m very comfortable. I’m well-known in the community. I can give you a life like you want. You can work, stay home, or travel. I’ll work to give you everything. Please accept me. I’ve done everything I can to overcome the handicaps I was born with. I may have soft skin, but I’m hard on the inside. I’ll make you my queen if you’ll accept my mark.” She was still silent. My heart started to hurt. Why wouldn't she talk to me?“Say something. Anything. Even if it’s just to tell me to fuсk off.” I begged. I could hear her moving. Her footsteps were light. I heard a light sniffle. She stopped right in front of me. I could feel the heat of her body but still couldn't see anything. I wanted to reach out for her, but I wouldn't make a move until I knew she was going to accept me. “I’m sorry, Rock. I couldn’t tell you anything until you were old enough,” she whispered. I knew that voice. She wasn't a troll. “If you’ll accept me, I’ll be your little wolf ѕlut for the rest of our lives. I’ll make you a sanctuary of softness. I’ll submit to your power and strength. I know I’m small and a lot weaker than you, but I need someone with your strength to keep me safe. With some small concessions, I can live a nearly normal life. And I want to do that with you, Rock. My Alpha. My handsome troll.” Carmen....“Carmen? You can’t be in here, it’s not safe for you,” I insisted, forgetting for a moment that I was entirely sane. When I realized she was safe because I had my mind back, I started to register what she was saying. “Wait…. You’re my true mate? A werewolf. I was certain…. This can’t be right.” I was sure my mate was a troll. This made more sense, though, didn't it? A soft mate for a soft troll. Someone who wanted me. And she had wanted me from the moment she met me. “Oh, goddess, not again.” Carmen sniffled. “Don’t reject me, Rock. I couldn’t handle it again. I’ll do anything. Please, don’t reject me.”Reject her? I would never reject my mate. I told her that... last weekend....“That was why you asked what I would do if my mate wasn’t a troll. You had Sean take you to me because you knew you were my mate. We don’t have rules like that one. You should have told me,” I growled. “Should have told you something I didn’t have proof of? Pardon me, Mr. Troll, you smell like one of my very favorite desserts and I feel sparks when I touch you. My wolf is sсreaming mate and that all means you’re meant to be mine. I know I’m just a defective werewolf, but please accept me with absolutely no proof on my part. Yeah. I’m sure that would have gone over well.” She scoffed. “You’re not defective!” I yelled. I wrapped my arms around her and held her close. She was mine. I nuzzled her sweet, soft neck. My very own little wolf. I could keep her. I could love her. Carmen moaned gently as I started kissing her neck and jaw. I'd find those sweet lips if I had to kiss every inch of her face. She put a hand on my jaw when my grip loosened. Her other hand joined it and both slid up to either side of my face, until her thumbs rested against my tusks, then she kissed me. It was better to leave that to the expert. The whole world was this dark to her she knew how to navigate it. Her soft, velvety tongue licked at my lips and I dove into her invitation, my tongue dancing with hers until she nipped at it playfully. I growled at her and she growled back. My heart soared at her little growl. I pulled away. I wanted to see her like she saw me. I put my hands on her face and started tracing over her features with my fingertips. She was as beautiful as I remembered. I gently wiped the tears from under her eyes. “My soft little wolf,” I murmured. “My big, strong troll.” She sighed happily. “You’re really mine.” I chuckled. “Ever since last weekend, I’d been having the weirdest dreams about waking up next to you. Cuddling you on the couch. Sliding up your skirt and quietly taking you from behind in public. Claiming your body in every room in my… our house. I never had literal dreams about my future. And the daydreams I had of my true mate never rang true for a troll woman. I always imagined someone more tender than they are.”“Can I mark you as mine? Can I finally claim you? I’ve been going insane all week longing to be with you again,” Carmen whispered. I nodded and then felt silly. It was too dark for her to see me even if she weren't blind. I needed to tell her. “If you can get the key to these chains, I can mark you too. They’re cold iron, so they nullify my magic.” I explained. Carmen pulled my hands off her and started feeling down my arm to where the shackles were. She explored the large metal cuff and the lock. I wondered what she was doing. “Lay down and put your arms above your head.” “Why?” I asked. “I’m getting these chains off,” she replied. “You sound like you’re smiling.” I laughed. “I am.” I did what she said. I forgot it was a completely different metal that weakened werewolves. She wasn't fae, so she could be my strength when I was weak and I could be hers when she was. After a little work, she got the right position with leverage to break the lock in the first one. Since she was so much weaker than me, I never considered the ways she was stronger and regretted it. To me, it felt like how her family and pack saw her. I only saw that she wasn’t as strong as I was. I wouldn’t let that happen again. “You’re stronger than you look, my little wolf,” I purred, vowing to never keep my admiration for her to myself. Carmen giggled as she went searching for the other locks. As each one broke, I felt my strength coming back to me. When the final one was removed, I could see again. Carmen was beautiful whether I was seeing her with my hands or my eyes. I pulled her to me and ran my hands down to her soft little ass, giving it a squeeze. Mine. She slid her fingers over my bare chest and I could barely control myself. I was still sane, but now the only person I wanted to sink my diсk into was the little werewolf in my arms. Her hands slipped up to where my neck met my shoulder. I knew that was where werewolves marked their mates. I had some wolves working for me and I saw the bites on their shoulders. “Do it, Carmen. Make me yours. You’ve been waiting so much longer than I have.” “Happy birthday, my love,” she whispered and bit down on my skin. I never thought a bite could feel good. Pain shot up my neck because she hadn’t been gentle. It didn’t instantly stop hurting, but the pain was replaced by the biggest rush of pleasure I had ever felt. She moaned softly a satisfied kind of moan, as if she had just bitten something she loved.She said I smelled like her favorite dessert. I wondered if I tasted like it, too. Carmen licked at the bite as it healed. I guessed that was part of the werewolf tradition. I couldn't bite her like that, because of my tusks, but I could mark her in a familiar spot. “Mine,” Carmen growled. I chuckled and pulled her close, kissing her marking spot. “This is where wolves mark?” I asked. “Yes,” she murmured breathily. “Then this is where I’ll mark you. So werewolves know who you belong to. Get on your knees,” I ordered.  Carmen did as I said and turned her face up to me. I smiled at her, knowing she couldn't see me. I would have my mate marked sooner than I thought. Leaning down, I started rubbing my tusk against her skin while I spoke in the language of the earth, the native language of the troll people. We were born of nature in a way, unlike any other creature. Living earth, capable of speech, culture, reproduction, and love. I vowed to the goddess and the earth that gave me life that I would dedicate that life to my mate. I would carve her name in my heart and would never harm her. I asked for their blessing for a happy future and a life fulfilled by each other. The heat of the mark was intense. Carmen didn't pull away or sсream or anything. She stood there and whimpered a little bit. I hated that my mark hurt her more than her mark hurt me, but I was happy to give it to her. When it was done, Carmen reached up and traced over the mark I gave her. There was so much joy on her face. I couldn't believe she was truly this happy to have me as her mate, but it was clear on her face as she stepped backward, then launched herself at me. I caught her in my arms and held her close. She was everything I needed. I already knew she was caring and playful. Last weekend, I learned that she was hardworking and driven. “You’re so cute.” I chuckled.She giggled as I laid her down. I needed my mate and I knew she needed me, too. Marking made all sorts of supernaturals horny.I grabbed the collar of her dress and tore it off. She didn't seem mad, so I did the same with the bra and panties. She really needed to stop wearing so much clothing. Tracing my finger up her leg, I heard Carmen sigh with pleasure. Trolls weren't gentle, but she was my mate and I had it in me to be soft and gentle with her. When I reached the place where her legs met, I slipped my finger into her and groaned. “Mmm. You’re all wet again. After the day I had, I can’t wait to sink into your soft wetness.” I wasted no time positioning myself to enter my mate. As I slid my cоck into her, it was like she was healing me an inch at a time. I couldn't help but gasp. Carmen reached up and caressed my face. There was so much love in her gaze, I almost felt like she really could see me. “I thought I had dreamed this feeling, Carmen. I’m so glad the goddess gave you to me after that boy fuсked up. I’ll never give you up.” I promised. “I love you, Rock. I’ve loved you from the moment I met you. I’ll love you until the day I die. I promise.” “I love you, too. I’m going to go slow. I’m still healing from my birthday, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to make you sсream and beg later.” I chuckled darkly. “I’m your little wolf ѕlut, Alpha. Please, take me in whatever way you want.” Carmen purred. Goddess, she knew just what to say to make me want to fuсk her 'til she cried. I wouldn't do that yet, though. The first time we were together, I would make love to her like the softies do. I'd been reading and watching stuff since I was with Carmen last.  “No, you're my little wolf mate, Carmen. You can be my ѕlut later. Right now, I want my mate.”Her body squeezed mine and she moaned. She was still incredibly responsive to my body and my movements. It felt different this time, though. Not the silky warm heat, that was the same. There was a deeper connection than I felt before. My brother once told me that you can feel your connection to your true mate as soon as you meet them, even if neither of you is of age. I let myself love her last time. I never let myself love any woman I had slept with before. Something in me wanted to love Carmen and it wanted her to love me. I wanted to make love to her, not just fuсk. I loved everything about her. Not just the feeling of being inside her. After a few minutes, the door opened again. I had almost forgotten where we were. I looked up and saw Forrest looking at us with disappointment. Forrest sighed. “I told you to stay away from him. I’ll be back in an hour and a half to get you. As soon as he’s spent you need to get away from him. I’ll grab a healer to help you after and I’ll grant you a boon for not being able to keep you safe.”I laughed at my friend. He liked her. I could tell he was disappointed in his inability to keep her safe. Carmen laughed, too. This was all part of her plan. “No need for that, Forrest. You can go back and report success to the revelers. I found my true mate and she accepted my mark,” I said. “How? You were chained?” “I owe you four new locks.” Carmen giggled. “I couldn’t wait a moment longer to claim my mate and be claimed by him.” “For now, I’ll need you to leave. Bring us some food and water in a bit, okay? I’m still not done with my soft little wolf.” I chuckled. Forrest laughed. “I can see that. I’ll let everyone know. Congrats.”He closed the door and I kissed my little wolf mate. She sighed happily and kissed me back. I couldn't wait to spend the rest of my life with her.