Chapter 3

　　Sophia

　　My feet froze against the cold stone floor.

　　Inside me, my wolf was practically bouncing, clawing at my chest with excitement. She was louder than she had ever been, practically shouting at me that the stranger in the water belonged to us.

　　"Can you feel it?" a deep, rough voice asked from through the steam. "You feel it too, don't you? We're fated."

　　I didn't know this man. I turned around, intending to rush back to the changing room and run away as fast as I could.

　　But as soon as I took a step, a heavy, hypnotic scent filled the air. It was rich, warm, and entirely intoxicating. It wrapped around me, pulling at something deep within my soul.

　　My body refused to obey my mind. My legs felt heavy, as if I were rooted to the spot. The pull of the mate bond was like a thick rope wrapped around my waist, tugging me backward.

　　The closer he got, the stronger that pull became. I couldn't walk away even if I tried.

　　Heavy footsteps approached from behind. Before I could process what was happening, warm hands settled on my bare waist. A shock of heat rippled across my skin where his palms touched me.

　　"Don't run," he murmured softly near my ear.

　　His voice sent a wave of shivers down my spine. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out.

　　His hands moved slowly, sliding down to my hips and then up along my outer thigh. The touch was firm and possessive. Every instinct in my body screamed at me to surrender to him.

　　My mind told me this was dangerous, that I didn't even know who this man was. But my wolf didn't care.

　　The mate bond completely overwhelmed my logic, filling me with a desperate, burning desire I had never felt before in my life.

　　He pulled my back flush against his broad, solid chest. He was completely bare, his skin burning hot against mine. He turned me slightly, his hands gripping my waist tight as he lifted me onto the edge of the stone bench near the pool.

　　"I want you," he whispered hoarsely against my skin. "My wolf wants you now…"

　　Before I could turn around, his hands moved over my body, touching me with an urgency that made my breath catch. Everything was happening so fast, yet my body welcomed every single touch.

　　He pushed me gently forward against the stone, keeping me facing away from him. When he shoved his length into me, a sharp gasp escaped my lips.

　　"Oh..." I moaned loudly. "W-Wait..."

　　But the overwhelming pleasure and friction cut my words and dissolved into the thin.

　　The feeling was intense, completely consuming my thoughts. He held my waist tightly, banging his hips into me from behind with slow, powerful thrusts that made my knees weak.

　　"Ah…" I whimpered, feeling every inch of him grinding inside me. "Oh...it feels so good..."

　　"Yes…" he whispered back. "You feel so damn good."

　　I reached back, trying again to turn around to catch a glimpse of his face. But as soon as I moved, his breath hitched. He buried his face into the side of my neck, his hot breath fanning across my skin.

　　Then, sharp fangs pierced my neck.

　　Pain flared for a split second, quickly replaced by a wave of pure, explosive pleasure. A loud gasp tore from my throat as his mate mark sank deep into my skin. The mark sealed the bond between us, linking our souls together in an instant. The surge of energy was so powerful my vision blurred.

　　I couldn't turn around. I couldn't see his face. All I could do was cling to the stone as he held me tight, claiming me as his.

　　His teeth kept sank at my back as he shoved his cock even deeper inside me. I was so delirious and my vision has gone blurry.

　　"Oh… I-I'm coming now..." I cried in so much pleasure.

　　When it was over, my body felt heavy and completely exhausted. I leaned forward, resting my forehead against the cool surface of the stone bench as I tried to catch my breath. My heart was still hammering in my chest.

　　Suddenly, the warm hands on my waist pulled away.

　　"Fuck," he muttered in a low, sharp curse as he withdrew himself from me. "Damn."

　　I blinked, still dazed by the aftermath of the bond. I heard the frantic rustle of fabric behind me.

　　"Wait..." I managed to whisper, my voice raspy.

　　I slowly turned around, but by the time I sat up and looked toward the doorway, he was already gone, leaving me alone and naked.

　　A cold feeling settled deep in my stomach, quickly replacing the warmth of the mark on my neck. My mind reeled in shock.

　　He had just marked me. He had just taken my body, bound our souls together, and then walked out without a single word. He didn't even ask for my name. He didn't tell me his.

　　The image of Kael standing over my sister, looking at me with total indifference, flashed vividly in my mind.

　　A bitter, painful realization struck me right in the chest.

　　He was just like Kael.

　　He was just another irresponsible mate who took what he wanted and walked away when he was done. I was just a convenient distraction in a hot spring.

　　Tears prickled at the corners of my eyes. The sudden wave of hope and excitement I had felt just minutes ago completely shattered into pieces. In its place was a heavy wave of disappointment, shame, and deep insecurity.

　　Was there something wrong with me? Was I really that easy to throw away? First Kael chose my sister over me, and now my own Fated Mate couldn't even stay long enough to look me in the eye.

　　I pulled my knees up to my chest and wrapped my arms around myself, trying to stop my body from trembling. The mark on my neck throbbed softly, a constant reminder of what had just happened.

　　For a second, a desperate thought crossed my mind to put my clothes on and run after him. But my pride stopped me.

　　I had already begged Kael for answers, and it had gotten me nowhere except humiliation. I wasn't going to chase after another man who didn't want me.

　　Wiping a stray tear from my cheek, I slowly stood up on shaky legs and reached for my clothes.