Your Man IS NOT My Mate
I Hate Him

Standing at the door is an unexpected familiar face, suited in a camo uniform, paired with black combat boots and an army green service cap perched on top of his head, completed with his signature dark shades. This is the first time I've seen him up close and gotten the chance to take a good look at him, it's also a first seeing him in something other than all black.

I can’t help but gape shamelessly at his chiseled jawline, broad shoulders, and the hard lines of his body accentuated by the thick fabric of the uniform that seems, specially tailored for him. He looks dangerously intriguing, even with a scowl fixed across his face. I know I shouldn't be staring; but damn, he looks devilishly handsome.

My heart involuntarily skips a beat and I internally curse myself for it, desperately trying to avert my gaze, but my eyes refuse to obey, giving rise to a sudden and deep desire to see the eyes hidden behind those shades.

I soon replace myself faced with an unknown urge to reach out and.... touch him?

He clears his throat, abruptly breaking me from my trance. “Are you going to invite me in or what?” His deep voice is gruff and I blink owlishly, trying to process what just happened. Oh gosh!

Embarrassed, I cast my eyes down but a small irritated grunt leaves his lips and my eyes immediately snap back to him. He raises one eyebrow, clearly irritated with my lack of response.

I quickly nod, swallowing the knot in my throat as I step aside. “S-sorry, please come in!” Forcing a smile, I extend my hand for him to shake, but he simply ignores it, not even spearing me so much as a second glance as he walks straight past me. Confused, appalled, and hurt, my eyes follow him as he makes his way to the couch. With a huff, I shut the door and without a word to that unruly.... handsome as hell devil, I march up the stairs, slamming my room door behind me.

I flop unto the bed, fuming, calling to mind what just transpired. I knew he appeared dark and mysterious, but rude too? Ugh, I don't know him well, but I know enough to know that I hate him already.

Surprisingly, Stella remains silent through the whole ordeal as if she has retired into the deep recesses of my mind. I figured her absence had something to do with our plight earlier or might I say, a possible near-death experience. After all, she hasn't spoken since then.

I decide to leave her be, knowing when she's ready, she'll return.

In the meantime, I'm left to my upset and unsettled thoughts, tossing and turning until my movements become sluggish and soon they cease altogether and sleep takes over.

_____

A loud bang against my bedroom door startles me and I jump up, heart pounding out of my chest; and before I could fully process it all, the door flies open and there stands Officer DéSilver.

"Why didn't you answer me? I have been forever calling you." he scolds. "I was worried scared that something might have happened to you and here it is, you are safe and sound causing me to worry for nothing." His voice carries anger, yet his countenance seems less aggressive.

"Worry?" I scoff, "like you are actually worried about me." I roll my eyes getting off the bed. "You're probably more worried about losing your job than about me."

"Yes, I take this job seriously because it's you I'm protecting, so of course, I'd be worried about both my job and you, because you are my....." He retorts but abruptly stops, his eyes widening as if he's just said too much.

"I am your what?" My brows knit together as I narrow my gaze on him.

"Forget it." He shakes his head, turning to walk away, making me even more curious.

"I am your what?" I press.

"My responsibility. OK?" He snaps, throwing his words over his shoulder as he side glances me.

Ugh. I can't help but remind myself, I hate him.

"By the way, I was calling you to let you know your father is on the phone to you." And with that, he walks away.

I'm left enraged and sickened by his behavior towards me, especially since I did nothing to him to deserve it. I march out, noticing him sitting on the couch again, but I pass him straight, acting as if he doesn't exist.

I make my way to the phone. "Hi, good night." My voice is calm in contrast to the raging tempest inside of me.

"Hey, sweetie." Dad's voice floats from the other line. "I see you still haven't charged your phone... I have no idea why you even have one." He chuckles. "Anyway, how's everything so far?"

Knowing both dad and mom are on an important mission, the last thing I want to do is worry them, so for their sake, I choose not to make a big deal out of the current situation. "Everything is fine."

"And how are you and Officer DéSilver getting along?"

I grit my teeth forcing a smile, making sure to tactfully tackle this question, without exposing my true emotions. "Perfect, just perfect."

"Good, good. Glad to hear... Don't forget there're snacks and drinks in the pantry, replace out if he wants anything because due to his training, I doubt he would openly ask?"

"Ok, dad." I reluctantly agree.

"Alright sweetie, take care, gotta go."

"Wait, when will you be back?" I ask quickly before the call ends.

"There's no telling, but we are hoping it'll be before tomorrow evening, but if we're not back by then, Officer DéSilver will stay with you in our absence."

What? So long? That's practically way too many hours with this rude, arrogant jerk.

I sigh.

"Are you ok, sweetie?" Dad questions worriedly having heard the emotional sigh.

"Yeah." I lie, trying to sound more energetic. "Just missing you guys a lot." At least I ended with the truth.

"Don't worry, we'll work quickly to be back soon." I can't see his smile but I know he is. "I love you kiddo."

"Ok. I love you too, dad. Tell mom hi for me." I try to hide the dejection in my voice as I tell him bye and the call ends.

I turn to look over at Officer DéSilver, still sitting in the same position I last saw him, and I have ten good minds about leaving him there to suffer, but my kind-hearted nature decides to cut him some slack. "Can I get you something to eat or drink?"

His head snaps up at me, probably taken back by my harsh tone. Of course, my voice box made sure my tone was first dipped in vexation before the words left my lips.

Yup, it takes two to tango.

He stares at me for a while behind the cover of his dark shades and though I have no idea what is going on in his head, he finally speaks, his voice a huge contrast to his earlier behavior. "I'll take a water, thanks." He cracks a faint... Smile? And my heart flutters. Gosh, what is wrong with me?

Scurrying off to the kitchen to hide the heat rising in my cheeks, I grab a cup, filling it with water as per his request, willing my traitor heart to behave. Standing at the sink's edge, I take several deep breaths trying to regain my composure.

I try to remind myself, I am angry with him... I hate him, but my heart abandons me, leaving me to chant my mantra alone, while it fluttered each time at the thought of him and all it took was a half smile from Mr. Rude Guy.

A defeated sigh leaves my lips before I finally decide to leave the kitchen. Little did I expect my voice to betray me too, my tone becomes soft and mellow. "Here's your water."

He stands to take it, and due to his towering stature, I crane my neck slightly. I freeze. His shades are off and a wave of warmth washes over my skin as our eyes make four. His hazel orbs swirl with an unknown emotion but all I can study is the heat emanating from his gaze. I try to swallow against the dryness in my throat, my brain suddenly incapable of producing anything resembling words.

"Thank you." He whispers, taking the cup from me, but his eyes never leave mine. It's like a magnetic force is pulling us closer and closer with each passing moment. My body involuntarily tilts forward and he slowly begins leaning down. His eyes momentarily flick down to my lips as his right eye faintly flickers blue, something I've never seen happen to any wolf before, but I'm too caught up in the moment to let it fully register.

With only about an inch separating us, my eyes flutter close in anticipation.

Suddenly, his cell rings. My eyes snap open and he takes several steps backward as if I had burned him. He clears his throat and looks anywhere but at me, avoiding eye contact. "I should take this." Placing the cup on the table, his eyes briefly meet mine before darting away once again, as if in shame. And without another word, he quickly rushes past me towards the front door.

I stand frozen in place watching after his retreating form, the only sounds now left in the room are that of my own heavy breathing and the ticking clock as I try to make sense of, what in the world just happened?