His mate was crying. Fucking crying. His instinct was tearing him up inside. He wanted to comfort her but he was the reason for her tears. Part of him wanted to just take her home, anything to make her feel better. His more dominant wolf part wanted to furiously keep her with him no matter what. He felt like his insides were tearing apart inside him, worse than any torture he’d endured before.

He’d lost his mind the first time he’d laid eyes on her up on that roof. The way the sunlight had beamed from behind her, he was sure he was looking at an angel. One that was sent down from the heavens just for him. The rays of sun had seemed to dance golden streaks into her chestnut-colored hair. Her olive skin glowed and her emerald eyes shone with promises to be elicited.

And then, he’d lost his ever-loving shit. As soon as she’d run from him on that roof he’d gone crazy. Mine. And she was fleeing him, she should have been running to him. His wolf instinct had gone into overdrive - get mate - and he had lost all control.

The ethereal angel he’d discovered proved to have teeth, claws, and no qualms about using them on him if she needed to. He believed she would have fought him tooth and nail regardless of the chances of her success.

Could he blame her though? He had been too forceful with her, his intense need to mark and claim her raging at the fore. Fuck, he probably traumatized her. Even if she had been a wolf he still shouldn’t have pressed so hard. She was so young and to her, he was a stranger. Now, he could have ruined his chances with her completely.

He turned to look at her in the seat next to him. She had her arm propped up on the door with her head leaning against it, fast asleep. He reached over to wipe the tear marks that ran down her face. She stirred but didn’t wake.

He gently reached his arm around her and pulled her close, resting her head on his chest. He inhaled the fragrant scent of her hair. Nothing in his life had ever felt as good as having his mate in his arms, resting under his protection. Every muscle in his body seemed to relax and turn their attention into safeguarding her. His body was made to comfort and protect hers. Somehow he would have to prove that to her.

Somehow he would gain her trust and make her life everything she could have wanted and more. He began to stroke her hair with his free hand and she responded by burying her head deeper into his chest, sighing closer to him. At least in her sleep, his presence seemed to console her.

When they arrived at the house and the SUV slowly came to stop Ander stepped out of the vehicle with Mara in his arms. Still half asleep she began protesting as he began their way up a massive driveway, “ I can carry myself, thanks.”

“Oh yeah? You can carry yourself?” Ander chuckled.

“You know what I mean, I can walk myself. Put me down.”

“It’s dark, I’ll carry you until we get inside. Besides, it’s a custom in other cultures. Since we don’t know where you come from it’s better to be safe than sorry.” The truth was he wasn’t sure he could put her down. This was the most contact he’d had with her since they’d met. And he was getting addicted to it.

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When they got inside he grudgingly set her down, but only so she could get a good look at her new home. The enormous manor was made with mud from the earth, sculpted in elegant, seamless curves that had to be at least three stories in height. Cedar doors had led them into a luxurious foray that was decorated lavishly with mosaics from the ceilings to the walls outlined in gold. The floor was made of smooth dirt tiles that bore the intricate carvings and symbols of Lycan history. The whole room was lit up with silver torch lights whose glow made the glyphs shimmer in between shadows of the small flames.

She stood in the doorway taking it all in. This had to impress her, surely. She didn’t comment, but he saw her eyebrows raise when she first laid eyes upon the manor. He placed his hand on the small of her back and gently led her to a staircase.

“I’m sure you're tired, it’s been a long day, why don’t I show you to your room. I can give you a tour of your new home tomorrow.” She gave a forced smile and then headed up the stairs with him.

The bedroom was just as lavish as the rest of the house but a tad more reserved. The theme of warm earthy tones was the same, but no glyphs or drapes of gold. It had a sitting room which led to a private sleeping space with a big bed and more furniture. The room had its own television. She wondered if it worked or was just for decoration. There was a huge closet and bathroom. A few ornamental pieces here and there. The wall facing the outside was covered in dark heavy drapes. That either led to a balcony or was covering a really big window.

A man came into the room and placed her bag on the table next to the doorway. Then gave a slight bow and left. She took a few steps further inside and then waited for Ander to leave as well. He didn’t seem to be getting the memo.

“Well, I guess I’m going to wash up and then head to bed,” she informed him and then grabbed her bag and turned towards the bathroom. He still hadn’t left by the time she closed the door behind her. What was he waiting for, a goodnight kiss?

She hopped in the shower to rinse off the day's stress. The hot water in this place was unbelievable. She definitely didn’t mind this part of her “new home”. She was mad at herself for not waking up before they got here. She at least wanted to wake when they got to the Taabe so she could get a lay of the land. As of right now, she'd only seen two rooms in the house - well let's call it like it is- a freaking castle.

She had never seen anything so big or so pretty! Never could have dreamt of anything so nice. She had thought about getting out of her village like a jillion times, but never actually contemplated what the outside world would look like. Did everyone in the Taabe live in a place like this? If so, why did they get all the nice things? Her home looked like shit compared to this. She’d have to file that question away for later.

First thing’s first. Dry off, change into comfy PJs and wrap up in bed. Then sleep like the dead. She stepped out of the shower and looked for her old tank top and Soffe shorts. She picked up the bag and then headed out of the bathroom.

She immediately dropped her bag as she saw Ander sitting on her bed with his shirt and shoes already off leaving his sculpted chest on display. “Um.. what are you doing?” Mara tried to keep her voice from squeaking as her heart began to race with panic.

“Getting ready for bed,” he responded nonchalantly as he got up and headed toward the closet.

“Yeah I can see that… but why are you doing it here. You said this was my room.” He opened the door to the closet and to her horror one side was filled with male clothing and the other a woman’s.

“It is your room. It was my room, though I haven't used it in a while, and now it is our room.” He cannot be serious. Earlier she had decided to appease him, minimally. According to her, she had fulfilled that commitment by not punching him in the face for his ‘carrying over the threshold’ move. Right now he held a pair of boxers and much to her relief walked further back in the closet to change out of her view.

Before she could even contemplate what to do next he’d returned in only his boxers. He strode across the room to where she still stood dumbfounded. The way his muscles flexed with his movement had her mesmerized and she was unable to draw her eyes away.

He noticed. He reached smoothly around her and then down to pick up her bag and toss it on the dresser in the corner. Then turned his attention back to her. “I never agreed to this,” she said clearing her throat, “As a matter of fact I specifically said I am not agreeing to matehood.”

He brushed the tips of his fingers along the side of her temple then down to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear making it twitch. His smoldering gaze made her heart beat even faster. “That’s fine. I have ways to change your mind about that.”