Page 4

Wilder

A fter the thrilling fight, I didn’t want to stay cooped up in my apartment like usual. It has been a while since I’d ventured out of my normal solidarity and to my surprise, I crave it more. I guess the city has been growing on me these past few years. The private elevator doors open to the underground garage, forcing the chill in the air to hit me in the face. I make my way over to my beautiful custom chopper, itching to feel the thrum of the engine beneath me. The adrenaline that courses through me as I ride, rivals the feel of my puma racing through the forest. Being in a large city has its limitations, but at least on the open road I feel free.

I make my way across town, letting the bike lead me. There is no destination in mind but as I pull up to a small dive bar on the outskirts of Manhattan, I decide to park and cut the engine.

The bright pink neon sign, ALLEY KATZ, illuminates the mostly deserted street. I guess I’ll take my chances here. I’ve never heard of it, but if they aren’t shifter friendly then I’ll see myself out.

As I walk up to the front doors, a large bouncer stands to the side. His scent wafts through the air, and I instantly relax. If they have a shifter as a bouncer then there shouldn’t be a problem.

“Evening,” I say as I approach. He looks surprised but then relaxes.

“Trying a new spot out tonight?” he asks, looking me over to see if I’m a threat. I don’t blame him. My looks scream dangerous, but that’s the way I like it. I’d rather people see what I am than hide behind a mask.

“Yeah. Just needed a change of scenery.” He nods, holding his clipboard in place.

“Then, welcome to our little slice of hell.” He laughs, holding the door open for me.

The moment I walk into the dive bar, I can sense her. My animal beats against my chest, wanting me to unleash him. The air is thick with the scent of sweat, whiskey, and something uniquely hers. I take a seat at the bar, my instincts alive and alert, when I see her—a gorgeous young human and something else I can’t place. She stands behind the bar, pouring drinks, and all I can think is, mine.

She’s mine.

“She’s our fated mate,” my inner beast growls, his voice a low rumble in my mind. I barely register the words as my gaze falls on her. Everything feels heightened: every movement, every blink of her lashes. It’s as if I had been half alive before she entered the frame of my reality. I search her face for any signs of recognition—an eye twitch, a scent shift, anything—but she stays neutral, confusion flickering in her vibrant violet eyes, though it lingers just beneath the surface.

“Whiskey, neat,” I finally manage to say. She pours the drink expertly, sliding it toward me with a hint of finesse. The air grows still, everything around us blurring into the background. I stare into her eyes, my heart catching in my chest. Her stunning silver hair cascades over her shoulders in soft waves, and I have to force my hands to remain at my sides, not reaching out to run my fingers through that silky softness.

“What’s your name?” I ask, hating the need to know but unable to suppress it. “It’s not every day I meet someone as intriguing as you ... Starlight.” At that, she hesitates, the air shifting between us, electric and charged. My beast paws at my sanity, willing me to make a move.

Finally, she whispers, “My name is Arwen.”

The moment the name leaves her lips, shock waves rip through me. I repeat it, “Arwen,” committing every syllable to memory. My beast becomes even more agitated now, unwilling to acknowledge the human standing by her side.

“She’s too close to that guy,” he growls, the sound echoing in my psyche. “Make her ours.”

Fucking mine.

I glance past Arwen to the man who had been chatting with her. The cocky bastard leans more toward her than necessary, charm oozing from him. I resist the urge to snarl, to mark my territory in the most primal of ways.

“What’s he to you?” I ask, my tone sharper than I intended.

Arwen raises her brows in surprise, her lips parting slightly, but I can’t read her thoughts. “He’s just a regular, harmless guy,” she replies, yet the edge in her voice states that there’s more beneath the surface.

“Harmless people don’t linger, Arwen,” I say, my voice low but firm. “He’s in your space.”

With a deep breath, she takes a step back, her eyes clouded over in thought. “You seem intense,” she remarks, a hint of humor gracing her lips, but it’s laced with uncertainty. Some other drunk human cozies up beside me, making me want to rip her hands from me. The only person allowed to touch me now is her, Arwen. I see jealousy flash through her eyes briefly before she turns to serve a different customer. For some reason, I love the fact that she didn’t like seeing that woman on me. She may not know it, but subconsciously she can feel the same pull as me.

But then my focus shifts and horror grips my heart as I notice the bruises along her neck, faint but visible under the soft glow of the bar lights. Marks of aggression, remnants of a fool’s cowardice. Anger roars to life within me, igniting a fire that demands justice.

I slam my fist down on the bar, earning a few glances from neighboring tables—a rookie mistake. I can see her flinch, tears threatening to spill as she covers her chest with her hand. The sight shatters my resolve.

“I’m sorry. It’s time for my break,” she murmurs. In a heartbeat, she pulls away, darting outside. Without thinking, my feet move, fueled by the overpowering urge of my beast, demanding possession, a primal instinct that roars louder than any logical thought.

Ours, yes. Arwen is ours to claim.

I follow her into the cold night, the air stirring with tension. I can smell the salt of her tears from a distance, sparking a fury that is as instinctual as it is emotional. She is standing against the brick wall behind the bar, her eyes closed as she sings. As soon as her song fills the air, I feel an immediate change. The melody is hauntingly beautiful, carrying the echoes of the sea and the depth of human emotion. The song is not just beautiful, it is soul-deep, resonating with my very essence. It is as if the universe itself has crafted this song just for me. My heart, which was pounding with the residual adrenaline from her running away from me, begins to slow, each beat synching with the rhythm of her voice.

The turmoil in my heart begins to settle, the grief and anger that have been my constant companions melts away, replaced by a profound sense of peace. My body, still aching from the battle, relaxes as the soothing warmth of her song spreads through me. My puma stirs within, recognizing the connection we share, the bond that goes beyond physical attraction or even emotional connection. This is something deeper, primal, and eternal.

There was something different about her, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on, until now. The realization hits me like a bolt of lightning—Arwen isn’t just human, she’s part siren. She turns her head, hearing me approach, making her song fade away into the night. The loss of the melody brings back the rage I felt when I saw her beautiful, milky flesh marred with another man’s brutal attacks.

She’s telling me something, but I can barely focus on anything other than the perfection in front of me. Arwen has this natural, flawless beauty that would transcend time. Her silver hair sparkles in the moonlight, that’s how Starlight slipped from my lips because she looks like a star on earth. Her beauty is not just in her appearance but in the way she moves, the way she breathes life into every moment.

“Arwen,” I breathe, standing before her. My fingers itch to reach out, to pull her close and protect her from the pain that twists her features.

Her gaze meets mine, filled with fear and uncertainty. “It’s nothing,” she insists, a lie so thin it can shatter with the slightest breath. She bursts into tears and my animal bristles, ready to tear apart the fool who has brought her to this level.

Anger ignites a burning flame within, fueled by her pain. I will do what my beast demands. I will fucking kill the son of a bitch that hurt her, then I’ll make her see that I will cherish and keep her safe forever. The thought should fucking terrify me. I swore never again to get involved after Emily, but gods, never in my life would I have ever believed I would find my true mate. If there was any lingering doubt that she was mine, it was crushed the moment I heard her voice.

The vision of her living with another man, laying down with him every day in bed drives me insane. I won’t let that happen. I have to claim her. The beast is thrashing, demanding release.

Fucking hell.

“Don’t fucking lie to me,” I snap, my voice low and resonant. I step into the encroaching darkness, my shadow swallowing her small frame. Her tears become an electric current surging through me, igniting a burning anger deep within. I feel the primal instinct to protect her surge. The sensation is like a fierce hunger at the bottom of my soul.

“How long?”

“Why do you care?” Her light eyebrows draw together in confusion. The jealousy surges like a dance through my veins. I can feel the beast pushing against my skin, begging to claim her, to mark her, to own her.

“How long, Arwen?” I repeat, the low growl escaping my throat, causing the night to shudder.

“Only a couple of years,” she admits, her voice breaking. The surrender in her tone feels like a dagger through my heart. The image of that pathetic bastard, with his filthy hands on her, is like gasoline to a fire. I clench my fists, fighting the urge to unleash the beast within.

I take a step forward, grabbing her by the arms and pulling her to me, the warmth of her body seeping into mine, momentarily calming the raging storm.

“I’ll kill him!” I growl, unable to contain the turmoil any longer.

“No, it’s my fault,” she lies again, her voice a trembling breeze, shoving the guilt back down my throat. My breath catches as she looks up at me, tears pooling in the corners of her eyes. A swell of protectiveness overwhelms my senses.

“You don’t understand, do you?” I dare, letting the anger edge my words. “How dare you lie to me. How dare he lay a finger on you. You don’t deserve this!” She shrugs out of my grip, tears streaming down her cheeks, and it feels like every drop is a nail driven through my chest.

“I’m not done, Arwen!” My voice rumbles like thunder and I can hardly recognize the fury in me. It is my puma, it resonates through me, echoing every insecurity, every primal instinct I possess.

“It was just an accident! He was mad that the tips were lower than expected. We were slow that night!” Her voice cracks in distress. I know she is trying to make sense of it, trying to justify the unjustifiable.

Something inside me snaps. I step forward again, my focus narrowing on her. “You know what you need? You need to come with me. You need to let me protect you.” Her eyes flare with emotions I can’t decipher—fear, uncertainty.

“I have to get back to work,” she murmurs, turning away, fighting the thread that connects us. I let her go, but my hands twitch with the need to reclaim her warmth, revisit that solace amid the chaos. I feel this overwhelming need to claim her and take her as far away as I can to a safe place so she can never be hurt again.

****

A fter our bathroom encounter, I’ll do whatever it takes to prove to her that we belong together. The night air is thick with tension as I watch her leave the bar, her figure casting a long shadow in the streetlight. I follow her home, sticking to the edges of the darkness, careful to remain unseen. My instincts tell me she can sense me. She continually turns back, glancing over her shoulder, her senses heightened in my presence.

Arwen.

Her name is like a mantra, and soon she’ll understand why I’m so relentless.

I watch as she ascends the creaking stairs to her almost condemned apartment. Anger billows within me, knowing she’s living in such a desperate place, but there’s no time to dwell before a piercing scream slices through the air. Fuck.

I rush through the entrance. In an instant, I spot him—the man in the bedroom. My heart races as I see Arwen bleeding, and the rage takes over, clouding my mind, taking control. I charge at him.

All I see is red.

Nothing compares to this bloodlust, not a damn thing. A formidable mountain of muscle, I throw my fists into his throat, feeling the satisfying crunch against my knuckles as I begin to press down, intent on ending this. He struggles but it’s pathetic, really. I have no doubt he deserves no mercy for the years he’s put his hands on her.

“One... Two... Three...” Each press sends shock waves of vengeance through me, his body flailing against my grip, futile against my strength. This motherfucker has no hope.

And then, silence. He’s dead in a pool of his own blood.

“ Arwen !”

Turning ever so slowly, I see her collapsed on the floor behind me. My focus leaves the dead bastard, and it takes a moment to process the look of horror on her beautiful face.

“Oh, God. You ... killed him?”

“Yes.”

Her alarm stabs into me, a piercing agony I didn’t expect. The fight returns to her as she jumps to her feet to run, panic flooding her face. No. I leap forward. She can’t leave.

“Arwen, he deserved to die for what he did to you!” My voice is low, shaking with desperation. “For all the years he put his hands on you. He could have fucking killed you in the worst ways!”

She drops back to the floor, trembling, clutching the cash that slipped from her bag. She shakes her head back and forth, denying all reality. Different emotions swirl within me as I stride toward her, pulling her into my arms. She pushes at me at first but eventually gives in.

“Pack a bag. You’re coming home with me, Starlight,” I whisper into the shell of her ear.

Her face contorts in disbelief at my words. Her tears stop as if the world has flipped on its axis, and her eyes turn blank, empty.

“I-I don’t even know you! And you’re a-a...”

“Shifter,” I finish for her, the truth crashing between us. She nods, her treasury of emotions spilling into a flash of fear.

She flinches from me, her eyes wide with shock. Fuck. How could I be so stupid? I’m not just a stranger, I’m a beast, a monster. At least that’s what she thinks. She doesn’t know I’d rather die than hurt any part of her.

“I would never hurt you, Arwen.” I clutch her tight to my chest, willing her to understand, but instead she tenses against me. When I loosen my grip, she drops to her knees, breaking out in sobs as the realization sinks in.

“He’s dead. He’s dead. Oh, God, Jarrod’s dead.” Her disjointed words struggle against the weight of her grief.

“Come on. There’s nothing here for you. I’m taking care of you now.” Her sobbing ceases. She narrows her eyes, the steel coming back into her gaze.

“And if I want to stay?”

Anger floods my being, my fingers clamping around her arms, eliciting a pained gasp. “That is not happening.”

Tension fills the air. I’m too intense, and I know it. The moment changes, and dominating the next breath, I loosen my grip, rubbing the red marks along her arms.

“Shit, Arwen, I’m sorry.” I bring her face closer, capturing her trembling lips with my own. Locking onto her, I murmur, “Baby, please come home with me.” In that moment, our fear and pain intermingle as she responds, and she kisses me back. I nip at her plump bottom lip, and she groans in submission.

“There’s something I need to tell you,” I begin as I pull back from her, needing to see into her eyes.

“What is it?” she asks hesitantly, as if I’m about to drop another emotional bomb on her and maybe I am. Who knows how she will react to this news.

I reach out and take her hands in mine, the warmth of her skin igniting something deep within me.

“From the moment we met, I felt an inexplicable connection to you. It was more than just attraction or friendship. It’s a bond that runs deeper, something primal and undeniable.”

Her eyes are wide, confusion and intrigue swirling in those pools of violet. “What do you mean?”

I take a deep breath, feeling the gravity of my words. “I mean that we’re fated mates,” I explain slowly. “In our world, fated mates are destined for one another, bound by a bond that transcends time and space. It’s why I feel such a strong pull toward you, why I can’t imagine my life without you.” Arwen’s eyes widen and she opens her mouth to speak but then closes it again. I can see the questions swirling through her mind.

“Fated mates?” she repeats, disbelief tinged with curiosity. “What do you mean ‘our world’? I’m not a shifter.”

A pang of guilt washes over me. How the hell does this beautiful soul not know what she is? And why of all people do I have to be the one to tell her? On top of everything else, she’s likely to either not believe me or go into shock. Neither are viable options.

“I understand how shocking this must be. You’ve always felt different, right? Like there’s something more beneath the surface?” I pause, watching her closely. “Our world isn’t just about shifters. It’s a world of hidden magic and extraordinary beings. Being a shifter is just one part of it.”

Arwen blinks, her expression a mix of disbelief and curiosity. “But ... I’ve never shifted. I don’t feel like a shifter.”

I nod. “You’re right. You’re not a shifter, but you’re part of this world in your own unique way. Your song, your ability to soothe and heal—it’s your siren heritage. Part siren, part human. It’s a rare and powerful combination.” I let my words sink in before continuing. “Has anyone ever told you they didn’t like your singing? Or has it ever made you feel differently?”

“I guess I’ve had moments where I felt like I could calm someone just by ... you know, singing to them.” She pauses, expression shifting. I can see the memories flashing in her mind like a film reel, piecing together a puzzle she never knew existed. “Jarrod hated it.”

“Your voice carries magic, a gift from your siren lineage. And it’s also why we’re fated mates. Our bond goes beyond being shifters, it’s about our souls finding each other.” Her gasp echoes against the wooden walls, an audible acknowledgment of realization as she inches closer to me.

“So, you’re saying I’m part of this hidden world too?”

“Yes, and it means you have a strength and power you’ve only begun to discover.” Arwen shakes her head slowly.

Her brow furrows. “I don’t have power. If I did, then...” she trails off, clutching her throat, the air almost thick with disbelief. “This can’t be real. I’ve lived my whole life thinking I was ordinary. How could I possibly be part of this world without knowing it? What makes you think I can and will trust you? Do you see what I’ve been through?” She points to the lifeless body on the floor behind us. “And you want me to just automatically trust you?”

“Sometimes, our true nature takes time to reveal itself,” I say gently. “It could be your connection to me has triggered the awakening of your powers. Our bond is strong, and it’s bringing out the best in both of us.”

Her anger flashes, clenched fists shaking. “Why now? Why am I finding out about this only now?”

“Because sometimes the universe works its own timing. Sometimes, even when we don’t believe we’re special, we are meant for greatness. Your affinity for singing, the way your voice soothes the troubled souls around you, it all connects back to your lineage. Your mother must’ve been a siren.”

Tears pool in her eyes, and I rush to comfort her. She shakes her head vehemently. “I wouldn’t know. I never knew my parents!”

My gaze softens as I look at Arwen, understanding her confusion and disbelief. I take a deep breath, searching for the right words to convey the depth of what I feel.

“I know it’s painful, and I know this is a lot to process. But it’s true. The signs were there, waiting for you to uncover them. Think—your voice, the way it carries emotion. It’s a gift!”

As we stand there, the hazy remnants of the past cling to the air like smoke. Arwen takes a deep breath, searching my eyes for anything that will hint at deception. “So, you mean to say that my silence over these past years was just waiting on the other side of this revelation?”

I nod, feeling the bond between us grow, a dance of energies intertwining. “It is entirely possible. Your powers might amplify with time, as our heartbeats draw closer together. When I first saw you, it wasn’t just a passing glance. I felt an inexplicable power. Something inside me recognized something deep within you—a connection that has always existed, even if hidden from your sight.” I brush a strand of her silvery hair behind her ear, feeling a magnetic pull between us.

“Your presence soothes me, your voice heals me, and it’s as if you’ve awakened a part of me I didn’t know was asleep.”

Arwen’s eyes are wide, her breaths shallow as she tries to process my words. “But how can you be so sure?” Her eyebrows draw up in confusion.

“It’s hard to explain, but it’s not just about feelings. There are signs, a sense of completeness when we’re together. My puma reacts to you in ways it never has with anyone else. And your song resonates with my very being. This is more than mere attraction or affection—it’s destiny.”

“So, you’re a puma?” she asks quietly. I nod, a hint of a smile playing on my lips.

“I know it’s a lot to take in, and I understand if you’re scared or uncertain. But I promise, this bond is real, and it’s something we’ll explore and understand together. I’ll be here every step of the way, Arwen. We’re meant to be, and I’ll do everything to prove it to you.” I hold her gaze, never wavering.

“I did feel something when I first met you. It was strange. I can’t explain it,” she admits, an ember of resolve starting to glow within her.

“You’re mine, Starlight.” My voice is filled with unwavering certainty. “If you try to run, I will chase your ass down and drag you to my penthouse.” I growl low, every word a promise, raw and unyielding. A shiver runs through her, though not from fear. I catch the scent of arousal blooming like a flower in the night as she looks up at me, her feet dancing back and forth like she is primed for flight or fight. Her violet eyes glimmer with something new, something hopeful.

She glances around the shabby apartment, eyes flitting to the body lying on the ruined floor, and then finally back to me. She takes a deep breath, and when she speaks, it’s barely above a whisper.

“Okay.”