Four
Eva had been feeling strange since she woke that morning. A flurry of anxiety had settled in her chest for much of the day like she had drank too much coffee. It wasn't overwhelming but the feeling did grow slowly as the hours ticked by. She eventually chalked it up to needing a good run, something she wouldn't be able to do until after their guests had arrived so she buried herself in making sure everything would be ready for when the Hellhounds rolled in that evening.
When it had been time to meet downstairs, Eva had cleaned herself up in her mother's office. She had wanted to wear her uniform as a sign of her place with the other warriors but Nora had insisted on something a little less military looking so instead she pulled on a pair of black skinny jeans and a long sleeved tee. She didn't see the point in getting dressed up, the main gathering would be tomorrow. Tonight was about welcoming the guests and getting them settled.
The welcome committee was already outside when Eva left the office and she could hear her father's booming voice as she slipped quietly through the lobby and into the dining hall where the other aides were waiting.
It was then a scent hit her. A swirl of cardamom, lavender and vanilla. It was oddly masculine and yet calming all at the same time. The fluttering in her chest increased momentarily before being washed away by the scent that wrapped around her, teasing her, coaxing and wooing her.
It was near impossible to concentrate and she had to shake her head to try and straighten her thoughts.
But any hope of thinking straight went out of the window the moment he walked into the room and her gaze landed on him.
It was as if time slowed down the moment Daniel locked eyes on her. The first thing she noticed was his attire. He was definitely a biker with his heavy biker boots, faded and well worn jeans and a vest with his Pack's patch on it. His eyes were dark blue, stormy and deep like the sea that flanked Silver Moon pack's territory. There was something in the intensity of his eyes that bordered on a darkness that Eva had no desire in being on the wrong end of. His dark brown hair was short on the sides and longer on top but was messed due to the heavy winds blasting through the village. Full soft pink lips were clearly framed by stubble dusted between a sharp jawline and cheekbones.
Before Eva could comprehend what was happening, this mysterious man was latching onto her, staking his claim. She felt the bond solidify and strengthen from their eyes meeting. His eyes dilated and she knew hers had done the same as their primal halves, their wolves accepted the bond.
"You're the one." Daniel muttered in a low voice but was clear as day to anyone with werewolf senses.
Eva felt her wolf wanting to respond. Kalla was pushing for Eva to acknowledge the bond. The she-wolf whimpered and paced feverishly in Eva's mind. The red and grey wolf had never been this restless before.
*Yes. *
The word nearly slipped from her mouth, Eva felt the three-letter word forming on the tip of her tongue and tingling like sour apple sherbet. Her mouth opened, prepared to accept the fate that waited for her by accepting the bond but in that split second Eshe spoke, her voice warm like toffee as it cast out over the crowd.
"Your gift from the goddess herself."
Eva felt herself sober, reality crashing into like a punch to the chest. Daniel was her destined mate. The goddess saw fit that Eva was made for Daniel and Daniel was made for her which meant that Noah was a mistake. Her child that had never been born was a mistake. The goddess had declared her intention with no care for what Eva had wanted or for the love she has nurtured with Noah.
"No." She gasped, ripping herself from Daniel's grasp and backing away, her eyes wide. "I am not your mate!"
She turned on her heel, pushing through her colleagues who wore the same bewildered mask as everyone else. Eva didn't stop when she heard her mother call after her. She didn't stop when Kalla howled and tried to turn Eva back to the man who was supposed to be her mate.
He's not my mate! I chose Noah!
Eva ran through the pack house, avoiding making eye contact. She found the doors to the back of the pack house and burst through them, walking quickly then running as if she was being chased. She ran and ran, taking herself further and further away from the pack house and the events that just unfolded but Daniel's scent clung to her, taunting her, mocking her love for Noah.
She stumbled into the house she shared with her parents and headed for the stairs not caring to turn any lights on. She didn't want people to know where she was, feeling like a fugitive amongst her own people. Once in her room she locked the door and collapsed onto her bed, shuddering as she felt the mating bond roll around inside of her like some living thing. It filled a space that Eva hadn't realised existed but at the same time felt alien and unwelcome.
Her phone buzzed on her pocket and while Eva dreaded looking at the damned thing, she still pulled it from her pocket and stared at the screen.
Missed calls and text messages. Some were from her mum and some from colleagues. Maria had messaged last.
Maria: Eva what the hell is going on? Everyone is freaking out
Mum: Eva, sweetie please pick up!
Whimpering, Eva threw the phone away, the small device clattering to the floor and continuing to buzz and flash as more messages and calls came flooding in.
She couldn't stay here. This was the first place anyone would look and then she'd be dragged back like a naughty child to accept her fate.
Cursing, Eva threw herself off the bed, stumbling to grab her backpack, shoving a few clothes in along with some cash and a waterproof coat. She wasn't sure where she would go but wherever it was she hoped it would keep her hidden long enough until this whole mess blew over and hopefully Daniel went back to wherever the hell he came from.
Changing into something more appropriate and warmer, Eva gave no thought to her phone still on the floor as she ran out of her room and practically flew down the stairs miraculously not breaking an ankle in the process. Her intention was to head out the front door but as she took a step forward the sounds of voices coming up the small garden path forced to freeze. She could make out her mother's pleading voice against others.
"Please just listen to me for a moment…"
"With all sure respect Mrs Larson she might be my mate but I don't appreciate being embarrassed like that!"
Fuck!
Thank goddess for back doors.
Hearing the key fighting with the front door lock, Eva doubled back, practically ripping the back door open and bursting into the cold night. She didn't stop as she ran out of the back garden, silently thankful that Axl still hadn't fixed the broken wooden fence as she slipped through a gap and stumbled onto the border of the Moors. In full health a fence wouldn't have been an issue but Eva wasn't sure if she would have managed the jump now.
Not that it mattered now anyway because she was free, her mind on one thing as she ran into the darkness…
Disappearing.