My body comes alive with Brodie in such close proximity. He immediately finds my eyes, and we stay locked.

Like before, he's stunning in his own way. I'm lost to his pools of green. Fighting against how delighted I am to see him.

Casey coughs and then throws a glare at Brodie. Breaking the trance.

I almost chuckle. This she-wolf is fiery and clearly has my back.

With his attention on her, I finally take a needed breath, realizing I was holding it. I follow his gaze to her as he makes his way over to us.

Every step he takes nearer to me feels like it reverberates through my nerve endings, settling in my core.

Holy crap, he's literally sex on legs.

You can say that again, Amber coos.

Casey avoids eye contact with Brodie, and I can't blame her. The man is intense to look at. He radiates authority and dominance.

Guess that's an Alpha thing?

Maybe not sure. It's part of the job, I guess. Amber muses with me.

"Everything alright, Casey," Brodie calls her out on her apparent frosty behavior towards him.

"No, it's not. You allowed those barbarians to retrain our Lu...Stella!" she shoots me an apologetic look for almost calling me Luna again.

"Regrettably, it was necessary," Brodie replies, not looking at me.

Casey's anger is palpable in the room. She reaches out, grabbing my left arm pulling the sleeve up to reveal my welted wrist.

I hiss with pain. The welts actually look worse, not better, which is odd. I thought I was meant to heal faster now?

"Necessary to hurt her! You should be ashamed." Casey spits.

Brodie's face pales as he watches me cradle my now burning wrist. It's my own doing, not his. I caused the injuries trying to get the handcuff off. I should stop her verbal assault, but it feels nice for someone else to feel annoyed about it with me.

"Leave," Brodie commands Casey, making me jump with his authoritative tone. She lets out a dramatic huff and starts to gather her things. My stomach rolls on itself at the thought of her going. Leaving me alone with Mr broody.

The first aid kit is slammed into the Alphas chest.

"It's infected and not healing. I saw it before, and now it's worse." Casey replies coldly. She has some balls. I can't imagine Brodie wouldn't usually let pack members act this way. Still, he doesn't discipline her further for whatever reason.

Does he feel bad?

Mate left us. Amber huffs, clearly unsympathetic like Casey.

Casey walks past and out of the room. Sending me a worried look over her shoulder.

The door clicks shut, and I shuffle on my seat, suddenly full of nervous energy. I pull at my sleeve, attempting to cover up my injured wrist and cause for all the drama.

A gentle but firm hand stops me, grasping my forearm. Sparks of energy dance up my arm, and the burning sensation in my wrist appears to ease. Replaced with delicious swirls of filtering energy from Brodie's touch.

"I'm sorry your hurt" I feel his gaze on me, but I avoid getting lost in his emerald orbs and look at his hand on my arm instead.

"The mate bond causes the sparks," he comments, and I nod. Why am I suddenly so shy?

"You don't need to be sorry. I did this to myself, trying to get out." I admit. He starts to rub little circles into my arm with his thumb.

"I know, but I left you and for too long." I stare at his face, shocked at his admission. I see regret written all over his face. He does feel bad then.

"I had to go, Stella. I wouldn't have left you unless I had no choice." I nod again, turning away. My hurt feelings ease slightly. It's ridiculous that I'm feeling betrayed at all. We're not even a couple.

You're mates Stella.

I know it is going to take me a while to get used to it, I guess.

Without removing his hand from mine, which seems silly, but like me, he doesn't want to let go.

Brodie uses his free hand and teeth to open the first aid kit. He pulls out several cleaning swabs, antiseptic lotion, and bandaging materials.

I watch his every movement, how every muscle contracts and bulges in his arms as he proceeds to care for me.

He flinches with me as he cleans and medicates my welts. Apologizing profusely when the antiseptic burns my open sores.

It's so intimate, and I love it. Brodie's gentle touch and skilled hands have me all cleaned and wrapped up too soon for my liking. It's nice seeing his softer side. His affection towards me is evident for a change.

"Why can't Casey look at you?" I blurt, desperate for him not to walk away now he's finished with his task.

"Because I am her Alpha. It's uncomfortable for her and other pack members to challenge my gaze unless they have Alpha blood themselves." he removes his hand and, to my dismay. He gets up, but only to pour himself a drink.

Honestly, I feel pathetic. I basically just want to crawl all over my wolf-man constantly. It's driving me nuts!

It must be the Mate bond. I'm sure it is similar for him. Amber reasons.

He does a good job hiding it. I huff through our mental exchange.

As are you, Stella. Amber responds dryly. She's right; I am fighting against these foreign feelings, and I haven't precisely been inviting to this whole thing.

When he settles himself by me, the pungent smell of whiskey wafting from his glass. I take a breath and decide to be a little more forthcoming. Slowly trying not to tremble, I grasp Brodie's chin with my hand. He lets me tilt his face and eyes to mine.

Staring directly in the eyes. I wait, not feeling physical discomfort, only internal emotions. I have such strong feelings towards a man who I barely know.

He chuckles, removing my hand from his chin and holding onto it, gently caressing it. He does feel the same. The way he's looking and touching me confirms he, too, is fighting strong emotions, like me. I almost sag with relief that I'm not the only one battling this.

"You have Alpha blood Stella," Brodie's voice sharpens. Taking me by surprise. That's right, the whole point of staring at his beautiful face was to confirm I could do it. I felt nothing but good things when I look in his eyes, meaning I must have Alpha blood.

He's watching me expectantly while my brain just goes numb.

"Who are your parents, Stella?" Brodie's voice Is firm, commanding like it was with Casey earlier.

I scowl, pissed. What the hell is his problem all of a sudden? Who does he think he is barking orders at me.

Alpha or not, I won't be bossed around.

"Was that meant to work?" I ask, narrowing my gaze at him and moving away in my seat.

He tilts his head, smiling at me in awe. I relax. He was joking?

"I used my Alpha command on you and nothing." he chuckles, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Alpha command" I raise my eyebrows. Honestly, how is this not a dream?

"Yes, I used it on Casey before to get her to leave." That makes sense.

"Huh, so that's why she left so quickly."

"Yes, and not as willingly as she should have. She cares for you already" Brodie smiles, almost proudly.

"I don't know who my biological parents are," I answer with the truth. "I was abandoned as an infant, on my now adopted parents' doorstep." I shrug, having no more information about that for him.

It's not something I dwell on, but I have often thought about finding my real parents.

If that's even possible. I have always had a gut feeling. That I would be visiting my parents' graves rather than an alive sibling. Having given up their child so abruptly. I can't imagine they were okay or safe.

With all this new information about my potential heritage, I dread to think about what happened to them. What forced my biological parents to abandon me on a stranger's doorstep at 6 months old? Did they dislike me that much? The familiar pang of hurt and betrayal surfaces, but I stuff it down with another swig of my gin, finishing it.

"How old are you?" Brodie asks.

"Twenty-Eight," I reply mono-tone. Still lost in thought.

Brodie stands, taking my empty gin glass, and re-fills it in silence. I just watch brain buzzing with all the mixed feeling and revelations.

"Come," he hands me. My drink and offers a hand to me. His head flicks in the direction of the balcony. I obey, taking his hand and following him out onto the balcony.

We walk out, and the third-story view of the village lights and darkness of the forest beyond is breathtaking. A familiar feeling of nostalgia settles, and I'm reminded of my home once again.

"How are you doing?" He asks genuine concern etched on his features. I feel the weight of his gaze studying me.

"I've been worse, but also better if that makes any sense?" My voice is small. He smiles and nods knowingly.

"It does. I can imagine this is all very intense. For werewolves, finding your mate is meant to be one of the best times of your life." He looks at me, and I can't read the emotions crossing his face.

He's said this to me before in the hospital. Is he trying to make a point? That I should be happier? A guilty feeling settles over me. What's meant to be a special moment has been tarnished by me, but it's not my fault. So I press the guilt aside as best I can.

"I've ruined that for you?" I ask, wanting to know why he's brought it up again.

"Not at all," he interrupts me immediately. My shocked eyes land on him once again. That wasn't what I was expecting.

"I just wanted to explain my reactions to first meeting you and why pack members are a little confused by our circumstances. They will call you their Luna and welcome you warmly. As that is how this normally works." He takes a swig of his drink, not taking his assessing eyes off me.

"I see." That is all I can reply with as my mind races and Brodie continues.

"Things normally progress fast. The Mate bond takes away the need for dating and initial complications. We both feel strongly for each other from the moment we meet." He states, still watching and assessing my reactions. Is he worried I'll run again?

Running would be easy, even on the third story. I already have at least 3 ways to escape this apartment. If I wanted. I just haven't wanted to yet.

"That being said, we still need to get to know each other, and our situation is a little more complicated" he moves his hand to brush some hair from my face. My body goes on high alert from his touch, but I don't flinch. Am I getting used to how he makes me feel already?

"The Amber flecks in your eyes are stunning," he mumbles absentminded, not realizing how much the notion means to me. My heart skips a beat at the words Derek would never say to me. At the trait I always admired, and my ex-husband saw as a flaw.

"Thank you," I mumble, looking away, suddenly shy again.

"Your beautiful Stella. I hope that is not too forward, but I have been waiting to find my mate for a long time, and you are more than what I hoped for."

My chest tightens, and my legs go to jelly. Lord help me. He's good at this.

"You don't know me," I mumble and mentally slap myself. Brodie gives me a jaw-dropping compliment, and that's what I reply with.

"I hope that you will let me get to know you?" He replies warily. I open my mouth to say something, anything, and Instead, I look at my hands. Uselessly fiddling with my top, I struggle for words. Is he asking me to stay and give this a go? He sighs, and I look up to see him leaning against the balcony staring into the forest below.

"I know you're capable of running away again, but I'd like it If you'll consider staying. You belong in this world, but It's your choice, Stella. I will never force you to live a life you don't want. All I ask is that you try and at least give me a chance." I see his grip on the balcony ledge tighten.

Tears prick at my eyes; he didn't ask for any of this to be so complicated. I can imagine a mate or luna walking away from their destined Alpha would bring him great shame.

Can I do this? Do I want this?

"Yes," I whisper, surprising myself, Brodie, and Amber, who purrs happily in my head. Brodie turns, eyes filled with hope and a small smile creeping onto his face. He's pleased, and it's adorable. I feel my own returning smile grow.

"The last few weeks have been crazy," I laugh. "But, I want answers. I want to figure this out. Running away without at least trying doesn't feel right." I shrug realizing, I need a change in my life. I don't want to go back to my lonely existence, and by fate, I have what might be my second chance at happiness standing right in front of me.

"I'm not saying I'll stay, but I have plenty of holidays accumulated from my job. I can arrange to take a few weeks of leave."

"All I ask is that you give us a chance." He beams, clearly happy with my decision.

"You have to promise never to retrain me again."

"Not unless you ask me to." He winks and finishes his whiskey. I resist the urge to gasp, clenching my thighs together at the images of him restraining me for other reasons.

"Let's go in the winds changing. You'll get cold," Brodie announces, walking back inside with a smug smile on his face.

We could do with a cool breeze after that, Amber chuckles, and I roll my eyes.

Sitting on the couch, we start a much more open exchange of information. I learn Brodie has twin sisters who live in the packhouse along with his mother and father.

I tell him about my adopted parents and job back in Cleardale. I don't bring up Derek not ready to share the painful memories of my broken marriage. I know I should, but for whatever reason, I want to keep this moment positive. Bringing Derek into it feels like it would tarnish the night.

I yawn, exhausted. Even though I was comered out for well over a day. My body is demanding sleep.

"Time for bed." Brodie gets up, taking our glasses back to the kitchen. I stand and make my way to what will now be my bedroom for at least the next little while.

"Goodnight," I say, feeling a little awkward about the night ending for some reason.

"Sleep well," Brodie smiles from the dishwasher. I enter my room, closing the door and heaving a breath. Finding a simple set of black silk pajamas, I turn in the mirror, liking how the expensive material hugs my body. Deciding I should get a glass of water. I quietly open the door to find the lights dimmed, and Brodie's door closed.

Filling a glass full, I drain it and re-fill it, not wanting a hangover from my indulgence of gin tonight. In fact, I drank more than enough to make myself feel drunk, yet I don't feel anything at all? Do I handle alcohol better now, too, that I've connected to my super-natural side?

Deep in thought, I head back to the bedroom, surprised when I collide with a solid chest. Luckily I manage not to spill or drop my glass of water.

"Shit, sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going!" I blurt, then quickly realize how close I am to Brodie's naked torso. I suck in a breath, suddenly very aware of my braless state. I look up, trying not to ogle his muscular abdomen further, and find dark green eyes smoldering down at me.

I swallow my mouth dry even though I just drank a glass of water. Brodie brings a hand to my face, tucking my loose hair behind my ear. Sparks dance, and I pray my hard nipples aren't too noticeable.

"How's your wrist."

"Much better," I whisper. My eyes land on Brodie's lips, and that's all the invitation my wolf-man needed. His lips meet mine, and the glass of water is removed from my hand. Pressed against the wall and our kiss escalates, deepening, both giving into the bond for a moment.

Tongues intertwined my body arches into his. Gripping his biceps, unable to stop my nails from digging into his skin. Brodie moans, pressing into me. Suddenly he breaks the kiss placing both hands on the wall. On either side of my head, our foreheads connected.

We both pant, catching our breaths, and I can see how hard Brodies trying to stop himself from taking this further. Hell, even I'm struggling not to pull him back down and snap the little control my wolf-man has.

"Goodnight, Stella," Brodie strains through gritted teeth and turns, walking straight back into his bedroom, slamming his bedroom door shut.

I stay staring at the door for a few minutes. Fighting with the urge to go to Brodie and demand he claim me tonight. Instead, I turn to collect my water from the shelf Brodie placed it on and move back into my bedroom.

This bond thing is only going to get harder to resist. If he does more of that. Amber chuckles.

I know how am I going to sleep now? After staring at the ceiling for what feels like an eternity, I finally drift off exhausted.