The Alpha And The Angel

3_I'm Trying To Help

Ariella POV

My saviour is gorgeous, and he wants me to go with him.

His hair is as black as his wolf’s fur and his blue eyes are bright and kind. My eyes follow the straight line of his nose, the curve of his mouth, full lips, and strong jawline. His shoulders are broad enough to help Atlas carry the world. The muscles in his arm and chest playfully move when he holds a hand out to me.

For a moment I stare at his outstretched hand. Strong, big and rough. The hand of a man who does not shy away from labour. My eyes glide from his hand, up his arm, over the intricate tattoo on his bicep and chiselled chest.

My eyes continue their journey downwards but when I reach his … his thing, I quickly lower my gaze to his thighs and calves. Man, this guy did not miss leg day. With those legs, he could kick a bull to death.

I want to go with him, I realise. Not of how he looks, but because of his kind eyes. Something about him makes me feel safe. Plus, he saved me from the vampire. If he meant me harm, he could have done it already.

A deep chuckle grumbles from his chest and I quickly look up. There is a twinkle in his eyes, and he smiles amused at me.

“Now my turn,” his voice is smooth like melted chocolate and my heart flutters.

“Excuse me?” I frown when his words finally register in my mind.

“You took your time checking me out,” he shrugs nonchalantly. “It’s only fair that I’m allowed the same courtesy.”

“In your dreams, pervert,” I snap and lean closer to the tree. The fear and confusion of the last hour have worn off and white-hot embarrassment is surging through me. To think I considered going with him.

“I’m the pervert?” He raises his eyebrows and crosses his arms in front of his chest. “I’m not the one foraging naked in the woods.”

“Foraging?” I gape at him. “Does it look like I’m carrying a basket and collecting berries? If anybody were foraging it would be that … that bloodsucker.”

“I’m sorry,” his face turns sombre, and I look suspiciously at him when he kneels next to me. “Did he hurt you?”

“No,” I shake my head and avoid eye contact. He is way too gorgeous for my well-being. The less I look at him, the better my chances of not losing my cognitive abilities.

“Are you sure?” He asks softly and touches the back of my head. “Because you’re bleeding.”

“I didn’t know,” stunned I look at his bloody fingers. It must have happened when I was tossed into a tree.

“Where’s your clothes?” He asks and stands up.

“I don’t know,” I mutter and stare at my dirty toes.

“Did the vampire …”

“No,” I cut him off sharply when I understand his insinuation and look him in the eyes. “He wasn’t interested in anything other than my blood.”

“So, is naked nature walks a habit of yours?” The laughter is back in his voice, and I am instantly irritated.

“No, smart ass,” I snap. “But what I do and don’t do, is none of your business.”

I ignore the urge to keep my dignity and stand up. If he wants to look at a dirty, naked girl, let him watch.

“Thanks for saving me,” I remember my manners as I turn my back on him. “And goodbye.”

Cole POV

Her words hit me hard as she turned around and left.

She does not feel the mate bond! She is willing to walk away, and it hurts more than I would like to admit. Everything I thought I knew evaporates.

“Hey,” I call after her. “Wait.”

No way in hell am I allowing her to walk out of my life. Not without a fight. How am I supposed to live with myself knowing that I allowed my only chance of true love to walk away?

“Go away,” she shouts over her shoulder and increases her speed.

I feast my eyes on her perfectly rounded ass and her long, brown hair curling down her back as she walks in front of me. Damn, she is hot.

“I want to help,” I say patiently as I follow her. “You’re bleeding and need medical attention.”

“Did you see any brain matter?” She scoffs.

“Well, no, but …”

“Then it’s not so bad and I will heal,” she cuts me off.

“That’s irrational and stupid and you know it,” I say with a little irritation. How dare she risk her health just to prove a point? Does she not know it will break my heart if something terrible happens to her? Of course, she does not, I answer myself. For some odd reason, she does not recognise the mate-bond.

“Fine, I’m stubborn and stupid,” she sighs. “Still doesn’t mean I want your help.”

“Are you aware that you’re trespassing?” I change my tactic from nice to threatening. “I’m within my rights to detain you.”

“Then do it,” she stops, turns around and smiles sweetly at me. Having her looking at me like that is a punch in the gut and I can only stare at her beauty. Every line and every curve of her body is flawless. From her perky breasts hiding behind her hair, to her slender hips and long legs. “Then you can drop me off by the road and I won’t be lost anymore.”

“Fine,” I finally find my voice.

Unceremoniously, I pick her up and toss her over my shoulder like a bag of sand.

“What are you doing?” She gasps indignantly and beats my back with her tiny fists.

“Detaining you,” I reply and grind my teeth. She hits damn hard for a human. It feels like a training session with my Beta.

“Put me down this instant,” she demands.

“Can I trust you to walk on your own?” I ask.

“Yes,” she grunts. “Now, put me down.”

Without a word, I gently put her down. Honestly, I am glad she demanded me to do it. I do not know how much more of her beatings I could have taken without losing my sh!t.

“Preston,” I mind-link my best friend and Beta. “Please place a shirt and pants by the tree and then get out of here.”

“Is everything okay?” He links back.

“Just do it, man,” I sigh inwardly.

“What’s your name?” I look at her, but she avoids contact and wraps her arms over her chest.

“Fine, don’t tell me,” I exhale deeply. “Follow me.”

I start walking and am relieved when I hear her following. I truly am happy I found my mate, but why is the Goddess punishing me with such a stubborn little vixen?

Ever since my hormones kicked in during adolescence, I have been waiting for this moment. I always envisioned us making eye contact and running into each other’s arms. Not this hostile silence.

“Listen, sweet cheeks, I …”

“Sweet cheeks?” She stops dead in her tracks and turns to face me.

“Do you think you have the right to objectify me because you saved my life?” Her eyes are blazing into mine as she walks closer to me.

“Objectify?” I frown dumbstruck.

“Don’t be obtuse,” she snaps.

“Then stop being stubborn,” I argue, slightly flabbergasted by how heated the conversation has become within seconds. “You don’t want to tell me your name and all I’m trying to do is help.”

“I don’t need your help,” she insists but she sounds less sure than a moment ago.

“Oh, yeah,” I cross my arms in front of my chest. “If I didn’t intervene, you would’ve been that vamp’s dinner.”

“Okay, just … it’s complicated,” she closes her eyes briefly and takes a deep breath. “I don’t know how I got here and I … I can’t remember my name. Happy now?”

Without waiting for a reply, she starts walking again.

“What do you mean with you can’t remember?” I ask. The happiness I felt slowly makes way for concern. She has a nasty cut on her head and now claims she has amnesia. But still, she refuses help. And how did she manage to get past border control and end up within our borders? Is she that good or are my people slacking?

“Exactly that,” she grunts.

“I’m sorry,” I mumble as I pick up the clothes that Preston left for us. I lack the right words. What do you say to a person who cannot remember who they are?

“Put this on,” I hand her the shirt and put on the pants.

“Thank you,” she sounds relieved.

“It’s not too far home,” I look at her. “But if you get tired, I’ll carry you.”

“I’ll walk,” she mumbles.

With a sigh, I turn around and lead the way home.