Chapter 3 The Pull I Can’t Fight
~ Bellamy's POV ~
I moved through the living room for the third time that morning with my eyes scanning every corner.
The staff had already cleaned the place until it sparkled but I wasn’t satisfied.
A vase needed to sit exactly two inches to the left and the flowers had to look fresh.. not like they’d been sitting there all night. Everything had to be perfect.
Because today was the day.
Red was coming.
From the second I saw Lina in that noisy club, something inside me clicked into place.
Those soft brown eyes, the way her long dark wavy hair fell over her shoulders and that slim figure in the simple red dress… I knew. She was the one I’d been waiting for all these years.
The pull was instant and strong, even if she clearly wanted nothing to do with me.
“Sir, the car just pulled up,” one of the maids said quietly behind me.
My heart gave a hard thud and I quickly ran a hand through my dark hair, straightening my black shirt even though it was already perfect. I rolled my shoulders once and headed outside.
The car I’d sent rolled to a stop in the driveway and Lina stepped out, looking around the massive house and perfectly trimmed lawn with wide eyes. She looked small against the big buildings but damn, she still took my breath away.
I signaled the servants with a quick nod. They moved fast, grabbing her few bags and boxes from the trunk and carrying them inside without a word.
“Welcome home, Red,” I said, walking up to her with an easy grin. “Miss me already?”
Lina turned, her soft brown eyes narrowing at me.
“This isn’t my home and that line isn’t going to work on me. Not even a little.”
I chuckled. Most girls would’ve blushed or giggled by now but not her. She just stood there looking stubborn and beautiful while doing so and it only made me like her more. No one had ever pushed back at me like this.
“Feisty as always,” I teased. “I like that. Come on, let me show you around.”
She followed me inside but her steps were careful like she was ready to bolt any second.
I pointed out the big living room, the kitchen that could feed an army and the huge windows that looked out over the backyard and the woods beyond.
We were halfway down the hall when a familiar voice called from the stairs.
“So you’re the girl my brother’s all worked up about?”
My brother, Emmett came jogging down with his sandy brown hair messy and hazel eyes sparkling with that playful look he always wore.
He stopped in front of Lina and gave her a warm smile.
“I’m Emmett. The better-looking Middleton brother,” he said, offering his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Lina shook it, raising an eyebrow.
“Worked up? What does that mean?”
Emmett laughed.
“Oh, you should’ve seen him this morning. Had the maids running around like horses. ‘Move that couch. No, not there. The flowers need to be fresher.’ I thought he was planning a wedding or something.”
I shot him a quick glare.
“I wasn’t that bad.”
Lina turned to me.
“You had them cleaning for me?”
Heat crept up my neck.
“It’s nothing. Just wanted the place nice.”
She didn’t look convinced. She took a deep breath and looked me straight in the eyes.
“We need to get something straight right now. I’m only here because I have nowhere else to go and I’m out of money. This is not me agreeing to date you or be one of your girls. If that’s what you think this is, I’ll grab my stuff and leave right now.”
Her words hit hard but I respected her for saying them straight. Most people danced around what they meant but not Lina.
“It’s not like that,” I said quickly, raising my hands. “No pressure. Stay as long as you need. Maria will show you to your room.”
A maid appeared right on cue and led Lina upstairs. The moment she was out of sight, Emmett turned to me with raised eyebrows.
“Damn,” he said, whistling low. “I’ve never seen a girl talk to you like that before. She basically told you to keep your hands to yourself. She's got balls, brother.”
I rubbed the back of my neck and grinned.
“I know, right? She’s different. I’ve got this feeling, Emmett… she’s the one for me. I can feel it. Right here.” I tapped my chest.
Emmett stared at me for a second then burst out laughing.
“Bro, you’re just infatuated. It’ll pass. Give it a week. You’ve said that about three different girls this year alone.”
“This is different,” I muttered but he was already walking away, still chuckling.
It was Sunday so no classes. I kicked the cooks out of the kitchen and decided to make dinner myself.
I wanted to do something nice for her. Nothing fancy, just good food. Grilled chicken, roasted vegetables and rice. Simple but solid.
When it was ready, I put everything on a tray and headed upstairs to her room.
I didn’t knock though.. I just pushed the door open with my shoulder.
Big mistake.
Lina had just stepped out of the bathroom with her long dark hair wet and dripping with only a loose white towel wrapped around her slim body. She froze when she saw me.
For one second, everything stopped.. then the towel slipped.
My eyes caught everything before I could look away... her soft curves, perfect breasts and the smooth line of her waist.
Heat shot through me like fire.
She screamed.
“Oh my God! Get out!”
I spun around so fast the tray almost tipped.
“Shit... sorry! I didn’t... I wasn’t...”
I set the food down on the nearest table with shaky hands and practically ran out, slamming the door behind me.
My heart was pounding as blood rushed hot through my veins.
I tried to shake it off but the image of her standing there wouldn’t leave my head.
That quick look at her body had me feeling things I shouldn’t be feeling this strongly. This horny. This out of control.
My senses were sharpening with every sound in the house suddenly too loud and every smell too strong. The pull toward her was getting worse by the hour.
I needed to get out. Now..!
I hurried downstairs and slipped out the back door without telling anyone. My feet carried me straight toward the forest behind the house and the moment the trees closed around me, I started running.
Faster.
My legs moved at a speed no normal man could match.
The wind whipped past my face and my muscles burned but it wasn’t enough. The feelings inside me kept growing, twisting and demanding release.
Clothes tore as I ripped them off mid-stride. My skin felt like it was on fire as bones shifted and cracked while my flesh stretched and changed.
I dropped to all fours as a deep powerful howl ripped out of my throat, echoing through the
dark trees and into the night sky.
My wolf was free and he was losing control because of one simple chilling truth.
Lina was my fated mate…!
