Chapter 3
Pyra wanted to roar. The moment she spoke, something inside of him came to life. A heat so intense filled him he was barely able to hold back his gasp. It wasn’t acceptable. This measly human was not his mate. She was tiny. There was no way she’d be able to handle all seven feet, and three inches of him.
He wasn’t ready to be shackled down by the all-consuming love he’d feel for her. His body already was going through the change, and they hadn’t even touched. He had this feeling for days. He was edgier than normal, though for him that wasn’t saying much. He flew off the handle more than once and fought five of his brethren. Now he understood why.
He stalked to the main house, not looking back. He couldn’t look at her, not yet. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep his hands to himself if he really saw her. From what he’d seen she was perfect. Fairly tall for a human woman, pale skin, fiery red hair, that he knew would match the glint in her bright green eyes. He noticed every tiny freckle that dusted her skin. He hadn’t missed the slight gap between her two front teeth when she spoke. He also didn’t miss the way she averted her eyes or didn’t offer her hand like most of the others did. She didn’t want to be there, he could tell right off.
She did well to keep up with him. She kept space between them, and it was only her heavy breathing that let him know that his pace was too fast. His mind automatically went to helping his mate and he slowed—too much because she slammed right into him and flew back from the force of hitting him.
She yelped and skidded on the soft grass. “Hey fucker,” she yelled.
He spun around surprised by the vulgar word coming from her sweet looking lips.
“You nearly killed me!” She stood and wiped her hands on her jeans. Her face was flushed from anger. When she realized all the warriors nearby stopped and she turned brighter and looked at the ground nibbling her lip.
Pyra wanted to brush her hair from her face, wanted to suck that lip, but instead he bowed his head. “I apologize.”
She glared up at him as if she thought he wasn’t serious, but she nodded and started walking again. He turned back around and turned to the path to the Great House.
He could hear the loud thump of her heart but kept his eyes forward. She was a spitfire, but now she was embarrassed. He could sense it. “You know, you sound much like us when we get pissed. You have a formidable temper.” he called over his shoulder.
“So I’ve heard,” she grumbled and he chuckled.
“Here that’s normal, don’t feel embarrassed by your outburst. My brothers were all just surprised to see a human act like us so much.”
“I usually have better control.”
“I doubt it. I think you react without thinking 90 percent of the time.”
“If that was the case I’d have lost my job the first time my boss touched my ass. So no, I think I’m good with control.”
He liked her snarky attitude, but what she said pissed him the hell off. He spun and again she ran into him apparently not paying attention and this time before she flew back he gripped her shoulders and held her up. She gasped and looked at him with wide eyes. She felt it too. The touch of the mate, he closed his eyes and bit his lips trying to gain control. All it took was the one touch and he wanted to throw her on the ground and ravage her until she knew who she belonged to. He rubbed his thumbs in circles on each shoulder and then the pain hit.
The little woman brought her knee up a second time when the first wasn’t enough. She kneed him hard and shoved him back. Dammit she was tough. He buckled over and groaned. When he lifted his eyes he knew there was fire in them because she backed away fearfully.
“That fuckin’ hurt!”
“Well don’t touch me asshole!”
Oh yes, she was his. As much as his nuts hurt, his dick was still harder. Her hands were fisted in defense and her chest heaved. More strands of her hair fell from the tie and surrounded her face. Her pouty lips puckered up and her nose scrunched adorably.
When he could stand normally again, because he wasn’t lying, it had hurt like a bitch. She was one tough human. “You are amazing,” he breathed.
She froze and he could see her body shaking in rage. Someone had hurt her because she learned very quickly that she did not like to be touched.
She stood tall and waited, for what he wasn’t sure, but he knew she wasn’t going to be easy. His mate would challenge him. He smiled thinking his life just got a hell of a lot more interesting. “I won’t touch you, but this time I was trying to keep you from getting hurt.”
She glared. “Fine, but let’s get a move on please. I need to talk to your King and Queen.”
“Very well.” He wasn’t happy that she didn’t seem to like him; not even a little bit. He was the type that grew on others over time. Yeah that was it. He led the way and met his parents. They’d heard the commotion and were about to send his brothers for him. He shook his head.
“It’s okay she doesn’t like being touched.” He told them with a shrug. She was behind him so she didn’t see the look that passed between him and his parents. His father smirked and his mother, though leery, smiled wide. That was all they needed to know, and no harm would come of her. Ever.
She stood beside him after she had composed herself and gasped. His parents made an impression. Father with his foot tall Mohawk, much like his own with his pure orange eyes signifying his mating. He was even taller than Pyra at seven and a half feet tall. He had jagged scars from the battles he had survived. They were a badge of honor for their kind. His mother had knee length white hair and her eyes were also orange but lighter. She was tall, thin, and at nearly seven feet her frame was willowy.
“Dr. Baines meet Queen Thiea and King Criea.”
She bowed and stepped in front of him. “It’s very nice to meet you. Sorry about the—commotion.”
His father chuckled. “That’s nothing dear. It’s common for stifles here. You are Eden correct? I do not like all these—formalities you humans use.”
“Yes, I’m Eden.”
“Very well, come in dear.”
She seemed surprised by how accepting their kind could be. As long as the humans followed their damn rules, and there weren’t many. Don’t hurt any of them. Don’t lie to them, and don’t try to steal their blood. Simple, yet so many humans broke those rules. Pyra hoped his human would be the exception. He’d hate to have to protect someone he didn’t trust.