The Rogue's Panther

Chapter 5

EBONY

It took me ages to fall asleep when Drew left the room.

It took every ounce of fiber for me not to follow him and drag him back to bed. Cleo was purring all evening, even telling me what she wanted to do to him.

I stared at the ceiling, but my eyes wandered to the door. Knowing Drew was out on the couch was hard, as I wanted to go to him.

At one point in the night, I nearly opened the door but stopped myself.

I told Drew I wanted to take it slow; even if it was a lie, I had my reasons.

It wasn’t wrong that we only met each other last night.

I have heard many stories about werewolves claiming their mates when they find them. “It took a lot for a mate to leave,” Cleo murmured.

I looked back at her as a yawn slipped past her lips.

We slept a little. If I had to guess, we only got a few hours in.

Drew’s bed smelt of him, which helped as I snuggled into one of his pillows. His scent wafted through me, sending my core into a fiery mess.

It took every ounce of me not to play.

I sighed.

“I want to do all the stuff mates do,” I said to Cleo as I stared back at the ceiling. “I don’t want to leave again and hurt him.”

Cleo grunted.

“We won’t leave,” she said. “Mate will look after us. This is our home now.”

I looked back at her.

There was something in her eyes, determination.

We have been running for so long, and I don’t even know if we know how to stay in one place.

“Do you think we...” I said, but Cleo cut me off. “Don’t think like that. We have to tell mate all about the hunters and why they are after us. They will keep us safe.”

I stared at her.

I hope so.

I know I had to tell Drew everything, but I couldn’t drop it all on him after meeting him last night. It wouldn’t have been fair.

“Can we wait a few days?” I asked.

Cleo looked at me and nodded.

“We will,” she said. “But we don’t know if they followed us.”

I stared at her.

That’s true.

I smelt them and knew I had to run.

I didn’t return home to get my things.

I always kept the important things on me, mainly money and my phone.

I looked toward the door.

I wanted to see Drew.

I moved up and got up from the bed. I walked over to the door, but as I stepped closer, I smelled something.

I sniffed the air.

Bacon.

Sausages.

I was hungry. Last night’s toast didn’t touch the sides, but I was grateful for something to eat. I opened the door and stepped outside.

I looked around, but my eyes landed on Drew, who wasn’t wearing a top.

I felt Cleo move close to the surface, staring at Drew. She purred.

I stepped closer, then my eyes skimmed over his bare back and traveled down to his ass. f**k, it was firm.

“As much as I want you to eye f**k me, gorgeous,” he blurted, making me stop and look up. He still had his back to me, but I looked out the window, and there, staring back at me through the reflection, his green eyes and a smirk itching the corners of his mouth.

Cleo burst out laughing.

I felt my cheeks burn.

Fuck, he caught me checking him out.

“Sit,” he said. “I’m nearly done making food.”

I said nothing but moved toward the chairs and sat down.

Drew turned around, and I kept my eyes on his face, even though it took every fiber of my being not to look down.

Drew dished out some food and sat opposite me.

I smiled.

“Thanks,” I muttered, placing some food onto my fork.

I felt Cleo move back in my head.

We ate in silence.

After a few moments, after the last piece of bacon was eaten. I looked at Drew, leaning back in his chair, staring at me.

“We will leave soon,” he said. “I have arranged for our date to be in the bar.” I c****d my eyebrow up at him.

“Date?” I murmured. “In the bar?”

Drew nodded and leaned forward, placing his hand in mine.

“I told you we are having a date to get to know one another,” he said, moving my hand to his mouth as he kissed my knuckles, sending tingles through me.

I cleared my throat.

“Okay,” I said, liking the thought of getting to know my mate.

I glanced down at what I was wearing.

I couldn’t go like this.

I looked up at him and frowned.

“How do you expect me to dress for this date?” I said.

Drew grinned.

“I see you forgot about our conversation last night,” he said, his thumb rubbing over my knuckles. “I’m taking you shopping to get clothes and essentials. You can buy something for tonight there.”

I stared at him.

I didn’t know what to make of it.

One thing about essentials and clothes, I had little fashion sense. Simple, easy to pack.

The dress I was wearing when I arrived last night was something I wore to get a job, but when the scent of a hunter came, I knew I had to leave.

“I don’t think I have enough...” I said, but Drew cut me off. “You not buying anything, sweetheart,” he said. “This is all on me.”

I stared at him, and my mouth fell open.

I have had no one buy me anything, not even a man.

“You don’t...” I said, but Drew shook his head.

“I want to,” he said. “Your my mate, and I want to look after you.”

I said nothing, but he carried on.

“Now,” he said, moving out of the chair. “I have someone coming to lend you some clothes so we can go shopping; she will be...” but before he could finish his sentence, there was a knock at the door.

I looked to the front door as I heard Drew move away and walk over to it.

He opened the door and spoke to whoever it was, but I couldn’t tell who it was. After a few seconds, Drew returned to the flat and walked over to me with a pile of clothes. Drew smiled.

“Bess had some leggings for you to wear,” he said. “You can wear one of my tops to walk around in till we get you some new clothes.”

I nodded but c****d my head to the side.

“Bess?” I asked. “Whose Bess?”

Drew stepped closer, blocking me, placing his hand on the table and chair.

I felt my breath hitch in my throat as his scent overpowered me.

It took me all my strength not to jump him.

Cleo was awake, but she didn’t move.

“You jealous, sweetheart?” he asked, his green eyes searching mine.

He was enjoying this, I could tell.

“No,” I murmured.

Drew stared at me, trying to believe me.

I admit, I was slightly jealous that he would have another woman’s name come out of his mouth other than mine, but he has a life here. All she could be was a friend.

“You have nothing to worry about,” he said. “You already know her.”

I stared at him, confused.

I didn’t meet anyone last night, only the bartender and Drew.

I racked my brains till Cleo spoke.

“She was being f****d by her mate on the bar,” she grumbled.

I stared back at him as an image of last night’s little porn show happened.

“Oh,” I said, making Drew chuckle and move back slightly.

“Bess isn’t usually like that,” she said. “Wilson gets frisky when he has tequila and rum. He wants everyone to know she belongs to him and no one else.”

I stared at Drew and cleared my throat.

“I think I need to get ready,” I said, creeping up from the chair and standing before him. I grabbed the pile of clothes and stepped around him.

I knew he watched me as I left, but I needed to get ready for shopping.

I needed to get some clothes of my own.

I walked back into the bedroom and closed the door behind me.

Cleo sighed, making me look back at her. Her head was resting on her front paws. “You okay?” I asked.

Cleo said nothing, but I continued.

“I know we have to tell him everything, and we will,” I said as I placed a pair of legging over the boxers. I needed new panties, too.

They fitted, but I carried on talking to Cleo.

“Let’s see how this date goes,” I said, making Cleo stare at me. “Maybe we will have fun. We can also find out more about Drew and his wolf.”

Cleo was quiet for a moment, but she nodded.

“Okay,” she said. “We can wait for a few days and tell them. I want to know more about his wolf.” I smiled.

I did too.

I quickly tried on a few other items, but none of the tops fit. I looked like I was going to a yoga retreat with a few.

I placed Drew’s top back on with a sports bra underneath.

I wanted his top. It might have been baggy on me, but it was his.

I opened the door, only to find Drew leaning on the table, staring at me.

His lips itched into a smile as his eyes scanned my outfit.

“Perfect,” he said, pushing off the table and walking toward me.

“Come on,” he said. “The sooner we go, the sooner we get back.”

I nodded and stepped out of the bedroom door.

Drew placed his hand in mine and led me straight down the steps out of the front door. I heard someone in the bar, but Drew didn’t even bother checking.

There must have been someone opening up for him.

We walked outside and straight to a blue truck.

I walked past that one last night.

I felt uneasy as Drew let go of my head and approached the driver’s side.

I stood rooted to the spot for a moment.

Cleo was up and came up close.

There was something in the forest, but I didn’t know what.

“Sweetheart,” Drew called out, making me look into the car. His eyes bore into mine as concern itched his face.

I needed to stop being so paranoid.

I opened the door to the truck and climbed in.

“You okay?” Drew asked as I placed my seatbelt on.

I nodded.

“I was looking around,” I lied. “I saw little of this place, as it was dark when I arrived.” Drew said nothing, and I could feel his eyes on me.

I looked over at him.

“I’m okay,” I said, smiling and placing my hand into his. “Shall we go?”

We stared at each other until Drew turned his head and released my hand. He started the engine and drove away.

I looked out the window and took everything in.