Tabitha stretched out and her wolf almost purred. It was then, she noticed the tattooed arm comfortably draped over her waist. She breathed out a long sigh: What was he still doing here?

She stretched again, trying to wake him but to her chagrin, the arm around her waist tightened and a forehead nuzzled between her shoulder blades. Yet, it wasn't unpleasant. Tabitha took a deep breath and was hit with the smell of pine trees and warm bread. While her wolf leant into the smell, Tabitha started to move away from the guy who smelled of home.

As soon as she did, Tabitha heard a brief intake of breath and then the arm at her waist pulled her close to Will's body before abruptly letting go. Will lifted his arm off Tabitha and she slunk into the bathroom without saying a word, grabbing an oversized T-shirt on the way. Hopefully he'd get the hint while she was brushing her teeth and her hair. However there he was when she returned to the bedroom; still topless and now smirking.

Something was strange about this human. Tabitha propped herself against the doorframe and looked him up and down, her insides delightfully contracting at the sight of his well-muscled chest and stomach. His skin was perfect and tanned all over.

"You outside a lot?" She finally said; leaning into the situation.

He titled his head to the side before raking his eyes hungrily up her legs and to the hem of the T-shirt that fluttered just below her pants. Desire flared through her.

"Yeah, you could say that."

"Exercise or work?" She slowly stalked back towards the bed.

He reached out and pulled her down so she was straddling him over the covers. Amber eyes searched into green and then his fingers began tracing delicate circles on the back of her T-shirt. "Both."

"Must be a lot of hard work," Tabitha replied, her core fluttering at the feeling of him between her thighs.

"That's one way to put it." Another hand started to trace down the side of Tabitha's ribs to her hips and she couldn't help the low noise that sounded deep in her throat. Immediately, both of his hands clasped her hips and pulled them down drawing Tabitha's attention to what was happening underneath the covers. Tabitha gasped and arched towards him needing to feel more.

"How come you're in Manchester?" She asked, her voice breaking a little.

He smirked. "Gap year, holiday - something along those lines." Finally, his fingers made their way down the hem of her T-shirt to start lazily tracing the line of her pants and drawing sensitive bumps to the surface of her skin. She arched herself into him and ran her fingers through his hair. A low growl fought its way from between his lips and she delighted at the noise.

She stared down into his eyes; desire was molten in their amber centres. Her wolf whimpered. Suddenly Will's lips were on hers as his hands slid onto her skin.

Sensation erupted through Tabitha and she gasped against his mouth. Mate.

She whipped away from him and was off the bed in seconds. "What the fuck was that?"

"You tell me," he barked.

She glared at him. The shock of the moment had rid her system from the last of the alcohol and her senses kicked into overdrive. His smell was all over her, his panting breaths loud and jagged, and his eyes were unmistakably lycan.

"Shit, shit, shit. Why are you here?"

"You were the one who invited me last..."

"Yes, I know that. I meant why are you here, in Manchester?"

"I'm taking a break," he looked her up and down before continuing, "before I take over my pack."

She closed her eyes for a moment and brought a hand to her forehead. "Of all the places to take a gap year," she finally sighed.

"Well Manchester isn't exactly known for its werewolves so I thought it'd be perfect. What are you even doing here? If this is your flat, where are your pack?"

She glared at him. "I left."

Concern flicked across his features but he said nothing. Instead, he ran his fingers through his hair, making the muscles in arms flex and drawing her attention back to the rest of his exposed body. Desire flashed through Tabitha. His eyes were on hers in a second and she smelt or felt, she wasn't sure which, his answering need for her.

He threw back the covers and Tabitha couldn't help but notice the tightness of his boxers as he came towards her. The arm that she held out to stop him from getting too close was somehow tracing the lines of his chest and then lower to his abdomen. He shuddered and his hands were on her; her hair, her jaw, the sides of her breasts. Greedy fingers massaged her body until her core was liquid and needy.

Eventually, he kissed her; his tongue invading her mouth and dominating her senses. She moaned. Arching her back, she pulled her arms up, over his shoulders and instinctively, he lifted her so she could wrap her legs around his waist and push himself against the apex of her thighs.

Mine. Tabitha's wolf growled possessively and it was like a bucket of cold water. She pulled away.

"I don't think I can do this."

Will gently kissed her neck, sending shivers flickering over her skin. "You sure?"

"No," Tabitha groaned as Will began to graze his teeth where he'd just been kissing. Mate. "Yes, I'm sure." She sprung off him and grabbed his T-shirt from the floor and threw it at him - hitting him in the face.

"Well aren't you the rollercoaster ride," Will muttered as he pulled the T-shirt over his head. "Better?" He gestured at his covered torso.

"Maybe." Will smirked and began to remove the T-shirt. "Yes, definitely yes. Keep your clothes on, Sir."

"So, what now?"

Tabitha looked around the room. "Trousers might be a good next step."

"I think I prefer you without," Will replied and Tabitha's mouth hung open.

"Fuck me, that was smooth."

A barking laugh erupted from Will. "I do my best."

"But seriously, what do we do about this?" She pointed between them.

"Well, as my fated mate, I will have to take you back with me to my pack."

Tabitha immediately tensed and a feral growl ripped from her throat. "The fuck you will," she snarled.

Will lifted up his hands. "It was a joke!"

"Not funny. Not even remotely funny." Tabitha grabbed Will's jeans from the foot of the bed and tossed them on the floor near his feet. "Actually, I think it's time you left."

"Look, calm down." Will gulped at the look Tabitha shot his way. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

"It's time to go."

"Okay." Will replied quietly.

Tabitha walked into the living area of her flat, leaving Will alone in the bedroom. Moments later, he emerged, almost fully dressed.

"Your shoes are by the door."

"Look, I really am sorry. Clearly, I screwed up here but I swear it was just a crap joke." Will pulled on his boots compliantly.

"A really crap joke," Tabitha replied and Will finally saw the tension leave her body, although her arms crossed over her chest.

"Again, I am sorry. Truly though, I don't know what we do here. I was just looking for a bit of fun and finding my mate, in this random city, was certainly not on my holiday itinerary." He leaned against the wall.

"Yeah, same. It's kind of why I moved here - not exactly a place known for its wolf population." Tabitha sighed.

"So we agree, the whole mated pair thing; not on the cards?" Will asked.

"Definitely not."

"Awesome."

"Sorted."

"It's a shame though," Will said and Tabitha raised a questioning brow. "Well, the sex was pretty fantastic."

Tabitha snorted. "You're just full of it aren't you?"

"Oh, you've heard nothing yet."

"Yet?"

"Well, I'm here for another month." Will watched Tabitha calculatingly. "I don't want to take you back with me, but it doesn't mean we can't see each other for explorative purposes in the meantime - building intercontinental relations and all that."

"Well," she paused and looked at Will's wrinkled T-shirt; remembering the muscles beneath and how they had felt, how he had felt pressed against her...

"I can sense that. I don't know what you're thinking but I can sense it," Will said, his eyes glowing. Tabitha bit her lip.

"Time for you to go before you get in any more trouble." Tabitha opened the door to her flat.

"Who said I'll get myself in more trouble?" Will replied, walking out into the corridor before turning round.

Tabitha quickly stepped out and caught his mouth in a deep kiss; pulling his body close and running one hand over the band of his jeans. "Who said you'd be the one causing the trouble?" She whispered breathlessly before stepping back into her flat and closing the door.

Alone, Will blew out a long breath before raising his hand and knocking on Tabitha's door. He paused and listened to her doing something  quickly inside. He knocked again. The door opened and Tabitha thrust a piece of paper into his hand.

"Text me if you get lonely."

The door shut.