Chapter 3

ANDREA’S POV I was burning. I was burning from the inside out, and the heat of the male with his arms wrapped tightly around me wasn’t helping. I turned in Kade’s arms to face him, and the sight of his strong chest and sleeping face, brought a wide smile to mine. ‘Explosive’ was the only word that came close to describing the passion of our mating last night. I’d never been…loved so thoroughly before. Kade had been dominant yet tender, passionate yet sweet. It had been incomparable to anything else I’d ever experienced, and I was so glad I hadn’t shared last night with Beck, my cheating ex. The connection had felt raw, intense, and all-consuming, as if we were not just sharing our bodies but intertwining the very essence of our souls. Now, I wanted to lay in this moment forever, just staring at the gorgeous face of my mate while he slept. I stared and stared and stared, memorizing how his long lashes cast shadows on his high cheekbones and the way his full lips parted every time he exhaled. Watching him, a warm feeling spread through me. It was too much; I felt like I was being scorched. A strange electric sensation spread from the mark he left on my neck to my entire body and deep inside me, something was different. What was happening? Was this what it was like after mating? Sex with Beck had never felt like this; was it different if it was with your mate? Gently, trying not to wake Kade, I lifted his arms off me and sat up. A cool breeze blew in through the open window, but the feeling was still there. It was not an illusion. I looked back at Kade. He didn’t seem to be in any discomfort. I pushed off the bed and stumbled into the en-suite bathroom, grabbing the sink to support myself when I suddenly felt dizzy. I turned on the tap and splashed cold water on my face. I looked into the mirror—and froze. I was glowing. It was faint, and someone might have suspected it was a reflection of the morning sun, but my sharp werewolf eyes caught the subtle glow emanating from every pore in my skin. But— My eyes were never this sharp. I blinked, suddenly aware that my surroundings were different. Everything felt…sharper and more intense, like I was seeing the world in 4 K. This wasn’t a mating thing, I realized, as my heart started beating wildly in my chest. This was a me thing. Something was happening—specifically to me. I felt something building up inside me, and instinctively, I bared my teeth at the mirror and felt my wolf growl. My eyes widened further as my fangs elongated. They were longer and sharper than normal. Not the fangs of a lowly Omega who never stood a chance on the hunting grounds. These canines looked like they could rip through anything, and my body… Omegas were weak—the weakest members of their packs. It was a fate I’d come to terms with a long time ago. I was weak, I was frail, I was insignificant. But now, even as I thought those things, Emrae growled, chafing at the derision. And I didn’t feel weak, not like I usually did. I felt strong. Powerful. I felt like I could run a hundred miles without breaking a sweat. Through my eyes in the mirror, I could see my wolf; I could feel her awakening with a strange new power. "What is happening?" I whispered at my reflection, shaking. 'You are,' Emrae answered back, her usually small voice steady and firm, unlike I’d ever heard it. 'You feel it, don’t you?' “Omegas don’t feel like this.” I felt my lips pull back into a fierce grin, those fangs glinting viciously. The shrill sound of my phone ringing cut through my thoughts, and I rushed back into the room. I grabbed the phone and answered the call before it could wake Kade up. “Hello?” I whispered into the phone, checking to make sure Kade was still sleeping. He stirred a little but settled down again, that blissful smile still on his lips. “Drea?” my friend Zayne’s voice came through, tinged with alarm. “Where are you?” “On the boat,” I whispered, backing away from Kade. “The hunting festival, remember?” “Weren’t you there with Beck?” I sighed. “Don’t even get me started.” “Well, you better get here ASAP; that bastard’s throwing all your things out of your apartment.” “What?!” I whisper-yelled. “I’m serious, Drea; get here.” “That fucker!” I hissed. “I’m on my way.” My dress was still at the foot of the bed, and I grabbed it, hurriedly slipping into it while putting my shoes on simultaneously. I couldn’t believe the cheating bastard. As if his infidelity hadn’t been enough. I couldn't help but glance back when I was about to open the door. Kade was still asleep. I put a soft kiss on his lips quickly and my heart was full of sweetness. Thank the Goddess for giving me such a perfect man. "I'll be back soon," I whispered yet my feet were reluctant to leave my mate, until my phone buzzed. [How long will you arrive?] Sent from Zayne. I lamented, knowing I shouldn't delay more. I had to focus solely on the crisis at hand if I wanted enough space and time with my mate instead of being disturbed. I had so many questions to ask, about our bond, about my wolf's changing, and...about our future. I hope Kade will not fail me like Beck. But if I had known what chaos that morning would lead us to, I definitely would have made a different choice.