DARIUS GENTLY TOOK her hands in his.

"I'm sorry this is happening to you, Ophelia. If I had known you would have the heat, I would have better prepared you for it."

His words reeked of sincerity but for some reason, Ophelia looked doubtful.

"Don't you want me?" she asked, her voice low and uncertain.

Darius almost burst out in laughter but held himself back. The raging hard-on he had since he saw her in that little top was enough evidence.

The Alpha King knew she-wolves were extremely emotional during their heat so he had to be careful how he would respond to her questions, especially ones as sensitive as the one she just asked.

He understood that even the slightest delay in response could be misinterpreted.

To soothe her first, he kissed her forehead, letting his lips stay on her head for a few seconds. When he pulled away, he caressed her cheeks, giving her the fondest look he had ever given anyone.

"I've never wanted anything more in my life."

But his soft look and gentle touch didn't sway her at all.

"Then you will help me get rid of this heat or so help me God, I will find someone who can!"

The Alpha King went still, watching his mate with narrowed eyes. The little female had a mischievous glint in her eyes. She knew she had him where she wanted him.

Darius was aware that she was teasing him but he couldn't stop himself from imagining another male getting his hands on his mate.

His resting wolf arose in anger intending to claim what was his. Darius fought for control, knowing that if Hunter were to take over, he would end up hurting Ophelia.

His body trembled as his wolf fought harder, Darius shut his eyes and tightly gripped the edge of the bathtub. He knew his eyes were probably switching from green to black and back again.

Then his eyes opened and they were fully green.

"Okay, you asked for it, mate."

THE REFLECTION STARING back at her through the mirror was totally different from the dull and lifeless version that existed a few days ago when all she wanted to do was move out and start a new life.

This reflection had wide excited eyes, and flushed cheeks and was wearing a smile that almost reached her ears.

The old Ophelia took life as it came without looking forward to the future while the new her cherished every moment. The old Ophelia did not have two red bite marks on the right side of her neck.

It didn't hurt as much as she thought it did. Samuel was right, it was indeed more pleasurable than painful. Ophelia never imagined that pain could be that enjoyable.

She touched her newly marked neck, shivering slightly at the sparks that went through her body with the contact. Just then, another figure emerged from behind her, wrapping his arms around her.

"You should really stop touching it, unless you want me to take you back to my bed and-"

"Hey!" Ophelia scolded as her face flushed a deeper red.

Darius smirked. "Shy? You weren't shy last night when you-"

Ophelia cut him off with her right hand covering his mouth. Flashes of when she practically begged Darius to sleep with her, flashed through her mind.

"You have no shame!" she chided with wide embarrassed eyes.

"Completely, and utterly shameless," she fired at him and walked out of the bathroom, knowing he would follow.

"I can be even more shameless for you, mate!" he called out from behind her, causing her to quicken her footsteps till she reached the bed where most of the activities happened.

Avoiding the bed totally, she went over to sit on the couch. Suddenly, her stomach growled, reminding her that besides having breakfast the day before, she ate nothing else till that morning.

Right then, Darius came out, fully dressed in a pair of grey sweatpants and a black t-shirt. The t-shirt hugged his arms and chest, accenting the well-defined muscles he didn't bother hiding.

Ophelia's mouth went dry as she openly gawked at him as he moved about grabbing things. He noticed her staring while putting on his wristwatch.

"Like what you see?" he asked with a teasing smile playing on his lips.

"I'm hungry," Ophelia blurted out the first thing that came to her mind.

"For food or..." Darius drew out and as if on cue, her stomach growled loudly.

"Oh," Darius said. "I'll tell the restaurant to have some food sent up to you. Any allergies to note?"

Ophelia shook her head.

"Alright. I have to get going now. I am taking Samuel with me but I have left three guards with you, along with Keano, who Samuel left in charge. Inform Keano if you ever need to go out, then they'll all go with you."

"Okay, I will," she said as Darius reached out and lifted her, pulling her in for a kiss that made her dizzy.

After the previous night, Ophelia would never get used to how good his kisses felt.

"Take care on your way," she said with a smile as he pulled away.

He smiled back, giving her one more look before leaving the room. With a sigh, Ophelia fell back into the couch as soon as the door closed.

Not in the mood to stand up and get the day started, she decided to just lay there. Thanks to Darius who tired her out, Ophelia was far too exhausted to do anything else but rest.

But after a few minutes of doing nothing she was already missing Darius. She would much rather prefer Darius to stay in with her but he had work to do.

According to him, he found a lead on a case he was following and wanted to solve the case before returning to Montana, hopefully in time for his birthday.

Though it did puzzle Ophelia how quickly a stranger became the centre of her world, she was already in too deep.

She could see clearly now just how much Darius loved and cared for her, so she didn't care that their relationship progressed too quickly.

{•}

Thank you for reading.