Chapter 1
-Kenzo-
The weather was growing warmer as summer approached. Perhaps that’s what prompted my drive, or maybe it was the sight of happy couples around me. While I was genuinely happy for my friends, it also reminded me of what I could never have.
I stopped the car, facing a large harbor in the distance. Turning off the engine, I stepped out and inhaled the slightly warm night air, relishing its freshness. I locked the car and walked towards the harbor, not having a specific destination in mind.
I simply walked until I felt compelled to stop and look at the dark water. I was far from home, but I needed the space. I often sought solitude, finding peace in the quiet.
Let’s go hunt.
I sighed, closing my eyes, trying to block out my wolf’s constant demands. I could satisfy the bloodlust with animals, but I wasn’t in the mood, much to his annoyance.
LET’S GO HUNT!
I groaned as my wolf’s voice echoed in my head. I knew I had to comply with his request to keep him calm and prevent myself from harming anyone. But just as I was about to give in, I heard a loud splash. Confused, I scanned the area, searching for the source of the disturbance among the small boathouses nearby. Ripples in the water caught my attention further away.
Without thinking, I removed my jacket and weapon, leaving them on the wooden bridge, and ran towards the ripples before leaping into the water. I wasn’t even sure if it was a person I was chasing, but the splash and the size of the ripples suggested it might be. I couldn’t take any chances. I swam swiftly, spotting a figure in the water.
As I got closer, I realized it was a young woman. The water wasn’t deep in that area, so I reached her quickly. Her eyes were closed, and she didn’t struggle much. I wondered if she was already dead, but her body still twitched. I tried pulling her to the surface, but I found myself being dragged down instead. That’s when I noticed her foot was tied to a rock.
I swam down and untied her. The knot was loose, making it easy to free her. I grabbed her arm and swam back to the surface, taking a deep breath as we emerged. Holding her close, I used one arm to swim towards the shore. I gently laid her on the rocky surface, turning her over, causing her to cough up water.
As she rested, I stared at her, in shock, unsure of what to do. I had never dived into the water to save someone before, but I had acted on instinct. Why?
Her eyes suddenly opened, locking onto mine—deep brown orbs that froze my heart. For the first time, my wolf demanded something other than blood. He was excited, his need to claim roaring in my mind.
MATE! That’s our MATE! Claim her, claim her now!
I sat stunned as the woman glared at me. She seemed furious. Why? Slowly, she sat up, wet brown hair sticking to her face.
“Why did you save me?” she asked.
“I—” I began, but she cut me off.
“I didn’t want to be saved!” she snapped.
I could barely comprehend her words, my focus consumed by what my wolf was howling in my head. A human? My mate was a human? I couldn’t believe it. A wolf might handle me, but a human? I would break her with a mere touch. How could this be? I tried to convince myself I was mistaken, but as she pushed back some wet hair, her scent filled my senses—fresh soap, a refreshing aroma that made me want to lean in and bury my nose in her neck.
“Next time, ask if they want to be saved,” she scolded.
Her words snapped me out of my trance.
“Oh, sorry. While I was saving you, I was a bit preoccupied with holding my breath. Should I ask for consent next time?” I retorted.
She glared at me, then stood. I noticed her strange attire—hospital-like clothing. She walked away, and I quickly stood up.
“Now I have to find a new rock!” she exclaimed.
I watched, astonished, as she searched for another rock to use for drowning herself. Shaking my head, I gathered my belongings. Once I retrieved them, I returned to her. She was still scanning the shore.
“What’s your name?” I inquired.
She stopped and turned to face me.
“Leave me alone,” she replied.
She is a feisty little human, isn’t she? I mused internally.
I like her! Let’s claim her right now! Lay her on your jacket and take her!
I shook my head, trying to suppress my wolf’s desires. He had never been this insistent before. But now, our mate was awakening his deeper, more carnal instincts. I shouldn’t entertain thoughts of claiming her or asking her name. I should reject her. Yes, I should just say it...
“What’s your name?” I repeated.
She stopped searching and turned, annoyance flickering in her eyes, before offering a half-angry smile—the kind given to stubborn customers who won’t take a hint.
“Pineapple,” she said.
“Pineapple?” I fought back a laugh but then noticed something on her wrist. I stepped closer, reaching for her wrist before she could pull away.
“Do they call you Pineapple in the mental hospital too, Gwen?” I asked.
She yanked her hand away, hiding the wristband from my view.
“Right, so now you know I’m crazy,” she replied. “You’d better run before I attack you.”
I smiled, amused. “And what could someone as small as you do to me?”
She was thin—almost alarmingly so. Maybe she was recovering from not eating properly.
“I could hurt you,” she said with confidence.
“With what?”
She stretched out her arms. “There are plenty of rocks around here.”
“Could you lift a rock big enough to hurt me?” I challenged.
“Why don’t you just leave so we don’t have to find out?” she snapped.
“No, I think I will stay.”
She didn’t like to hear that. I could tell from her sour expression. “Listen, you had your chance to play hero. Now I’d prefer to die in peace.”
“But why do you want to die?” I asked, genuinely concerned.
“Why does it matter to you?” she shot back.
“Perhaps because I just saved your life.”
She seemed to freeze for a moment, thinking about my words, before letting out a long sigh. “Because life is exhausting.”
I nodded, understanding her sentiment. “That I can agree with. But isn’t death too easy?”
“Easy?” she repeated.
I nodded again. “What if there’s nothing on the other side?”
“I’m not a believer. Nothingness sounds like heaven.”
“Really?” I asked, surprised.
“When you’re constantly sad, in pain, and hate life, then yes.”
“I see where you’re coming from,” I said, watching as she resumed her search for a rock.
My mate wanted to die, but I couldn’t accept it. I was made to protect her. Letting her die would be going against every natural instinct in my body. So I promised myself I would reject her, but first I had to save her.
“Do you think death can wait?” I asked.
