Chapter 3

Kessler

A gentle knock on my door heightens my heart rate. She enters, moving with a blend of grace and confidence, her hips swaying elegantly. As she draws nearer, I conceal my emotions.

"Hi, I hope I'm not interrupting," she says.

"Not at all," I replied, my gaze fixed on her. Fuck, I mutter a curse. I can't deny the irresistible pull she has on me.

I stand up, circling the mahogany table, and reach out to take her hands. Leaning in, she kisses me, and my hand finds her waist, drawing her nearer. A soft moan escaped her lips as our mouths met in a passionate kiss. I kiss her with intensity, our lips moving hungrily.

My hand moves upward, cupping her breasts, gently massaging and teasing her nipple. She moans, her hips moving against mine, drawing us closer, and I can feel the heat building as our bodies are pressed together. Breaking the kiss, I start planting kisses along her neck. She wraps her leg around me, and I can't help but moan in pleasure, arching my back. My hand moves lower, cupping her bottom, pulling her even closer as our kisses continue.

She breaks away, desires clouding her eyes, and whispers, "Kessler, I want you."

I lower my head, kissing her again. Moving my hand down to her waist, I begin to remove her jeans and underwear. The scent of her arousal fills my nostrils. A soft knock echoes, and my attention shifts to the door. I sense my beta, Zach, so I mind-link him, "Don't enter."

My eyes darken, my wolf Dolph threatening to surface, still mourning his mate though it's been two years. I gently let her go, earning a gasp from her. "Annie, get dressed this minute," I say, my voice cold and distant.

Shock smears her face, on the verge of tears. With trembling hands, she dresses without making eye contact. In a shaky breath, she mutters, "Fuck you, Kessler. You will regret this," as she storms out of my office.

She has been arranged to be my mate since I don't have an heir yet. The council deemed her fit to be my mate since I have refused to take another mate since Cassie's demise. I could tell that she was angry.

I watch as she slams the door closed behind her. I am angry with myself for letting my desires cloud my judgment. My fist clenches as I feel Dolph's discontent within me. Dolph is restless within me, and whenever I feel like this, the lake has always been my place of solace. I decided to reach out to my beta, Zach, through our mind link. "Prepare to go to the lake with me." Without waiting for his reply, I sever the connection.

Zach is my trusted friend and beta. He has stood by me through thick and thin, and I couldn't wish for a better beta. Within a minute, Zach enters the office, ready to accompany me.

I open the window and jump out. I transform mid-air and land with a big thump. I notice Zach's wolf, Dante, follows suit as we run into the woods, making our way to the lake. "Catch me if you can," I mind-link Zach as I sprint into the woods, my paws echoing through the trees.

Reaching the lake, I take a moment to drink some water and sit down, surrounded by the peacefulness of nature. I don't wish for any mate, but the moon goddess chose to give me one, and she was brutally killed. I can still remember it so well like it was yesterday.

Even after many years, the heaviness of loss hasn't lifted. Everywhere I look, the air still holds onto the scent of her presence. She was one hell of a remarkable woman who took my breath away whenever she entered the room.

Feeling the peace the lake brings, I dive in to swim as the bright moon shines in the sky. However, that peace is disrupted when the distant sound of hurried footsteps reaches my ears.

Despite being far away, my heightened sense of hearing picks it up, sending a ripple of tension through me. I freeze as my senses kick in. The sound gets louder as I prepare for whatever is coming.

Zach, sensing my unease, comes over to the lake as the footsteps draw nearer. "Someone's coming, and they're in a hurry," I mind-link him. "Pay attention." He nods, showing he is ready to focus.

"It's not just running; it feels like someone's fleeing from a threat," I say, my pulse speeding up. I can sense fear from the pursued wolf. Suddenly, the footsteps stop, and a group of wolves gathers around a wounded wolf. She is caught in a trap that someone has cleverly set.

Then I sense a scent—a gentle mix of jasmine, rose, and a hint of citrus, like a sweet memory. Her scent leaves a sense of grace in the air. Dolph purrs in pleasure.

Dolph exclaims, "Mate, our mate is hurting."

A surge of emotions hits me, a blend of anger and determination. I let out a growl that seemed to shake the earth. The others around me shiver in fear, their bodies tensing up. They can feel the authority in my fierce growl.

They quickly recover and launch an attack on me. I let out another loud growl, jumping into the fight to protect my mate. I mind-link Zach. "Tend to the wounded wolf," I growl when I see Zach touching my mate. "Easy, man," Zach tells me, but I know I should allow him to help her if I want her alive.

The first wolf charges at me, but I dodge its attack and swiftly swipe at it. My claws extend, and with a decisive move, I snap its neck, ensuring the threat is neutralized. The second wolf attempts to pounce on me. With a sudden burst of power, I leap, meeting the wolf mid-air. We struggle for dominance, and in the fierce confrontation, I use my claws to poke its eyes. The wolf growls loudly in pain, and with a swift move, I snap its neck.

The third wolf circles cautiously, eyeing me warily. As it lunges forward, I lock eyes with it. Meeting the attack head-on, I swiftly snap the life out of it in an instant. These are young wolves, and they can't match my strength.

Seeing them all dead, my intense energy starts to calm down; my heart races with the excitement of victory. As I rush to check on my injured mate, I growl upon seeing that she has been severely hurt. The effect of the trap is hard on her. I gently place my fingers on her wrist, and sparks of emotions run through me.

Feeling a sense of urgency, I address Zach, "We've got to move fast. Her pulse is weak," as I place her on my back to get her the help she needs. My first mate was a target to my enemy despite my efforts to make her less known. Having another mate is something I don't wish for. Then I ask a simple question. "Moon Goddess, why another mate?”