Storm had commanded that I should have dinner before I walk out again from his pack. Supposedly, I didn't refuse him and obliged even though Claude is there. I accepted Storm's offer because I knew it will be too long before I'll be back again in his pack. And besides, I want to bid goodbye to everyone that became a part of me.

"There! You are now a goddess in your new form, Rachelle!" Casey said as she clapped her hands, glaring at me in the mirror.

I smiled widely as I couldn't take my eyes off from my reflection. She tied my hair into a messy bun. She ordered me to wear one of the dresses that don't fit her off. I found it hard to believe. She has a nice, curve-shaped body that really fits for the off-shoulder blue dress that is under the knee I was wearing. I forgot to say that it is a formal dinner made by my brother. I wore this dress for the sake of Casey. She hasn't seen me dress like the way I was now. I did her a favor. I found her amusing because she was giggling like a kid seeing me how successful insist me to wear this and wore a pair of 6-inch stiletto heels.

"I wonder what my brother's reaction when he sees you. Damn! I will see him head over heels with you again!"

I rolled my eyes and stood up from my sit. I scanned her from head to toe. She never fails me to amaze in her beauty. She wore a green halter dress and six-inch stiletto heels. She pushed up her hair into a tight ponytail. "I'm sure, Storm will have drooled over you. I wonder what he will do to you tonight." I teased. She blushed, lowering her gaze. I chuckled from her reaction which she just frowned at me.

We went downstairs and met all the men who were waiting for us. I want to huff. Why would they even wait for us?

I got an awed expression from all the men in our pack and mostly, to Claude. I felt a hot sensation crawling down in me because of his intense glare. I looked away and walked towards Claude. He has this proud expression on his face.

"Why hell, you are all beautiful!" He declared.

I just rolled my eyes. "As if I have a choice with this formal gathering." I masked my voice with sarcastic. Storm just grinned. "I thought this is just a simple dinner you prepare. But it wasn't!" I said, frowning about this event.

"You'll thank us after this." He chuckled and draped his arm over Casey's shoulder. Then he kissed her on her forehead. "Let's go, Casey. Let's serve the dinner for all of us." With that, all of the people are here left me with... I sighed.

With Claude.

I sat on the couch and crossed my arms and legs as I leaned in. I took an effort to wear this dress just I thought they would be mad if I haven't participated in this. Generally, I'm not used to this formal event. I used to wear combat suits and guard people around the territory. I'm a bit uncomfortable right now. I don't know how long I would endure this. If patience cuts from me, I'll transform into my wolf form. Yeah, better idea!

"I apologize if what I acted yesterday, Rachelle."

My senses lit when I felt the presence of Claude. He was standing not too far from my position. I could strongly smell his manly scent and the scent I'd smell when I found him in the woods—after rain and mint. He looks so dashing wearing a tuxedo and my wolf jumped in joy seeing how handsome and hot he is. I scolded her and tell her to shut up. He tastes so hot and spicy. I felt my cheeks heat from the whisper of my wolf. Goodness! Graciousness!

"Are you still mad at me?"

My heart pounded as he spoke softly and gently. He sat across me and gave me his intense glare again. I couldn't help but to curse in my mind and agreed to my wolf that he is really so handsome and hot in that position.

I smiled weakly. "No. I wasn't. I'm not used to someone who does that. It's part of my training."

"Yeah." He nodded his head. "Storm told me so. He explained it to me yesterday."

"Good thing he does." I nodded. "So that I won't explain myself to you if rather you are a close-minded mate of mine." I was thinking that I am having a high standard who should be my mate. What Claude's feature isn't my type. Not for my liking, more directly. "But that doesn't mean that I accepted you as my mate. I tell you don't assume." I retorted.

Claude silenced for a moment. "My wolf and I believe that you will accept us as your mate. I could tell your wolf already accepted us. Now, it is only you that we should need to coax with. From the first time, I saw and smell you, we knew by then that we have found what is lost from our life. We have found our mate. And that is you."

I averted my gaze as I felt my cheeks reddened from his statements. It was a sugar-coated statement but it shivers the inside of me. I didn't expect him to say that. Additionally, I didn't expect myself that I was fall over from it.

I stood up from my sit. I couldn't take it! I am not prepared for his confession. I am not ready to accept my mate yet!

I was about to leave when he caught off my arm. "What is bothering you as to not accept us on your own will, Rachelle?" His whisper from my ear sent shivers down to my spine and heat pooled in my feminine part.

I felt my rugged breath with his hand on my arm, sending shudder on my body. I submissively closed my eyes when his lips were on my right shoulder. It sent more shivers to me when his tongue ran on my skin. My breath hitched from the contact of his tongue to my skin. It was deliciously amazing! I could hear Claude's deep breath in my ear as he encircled his arms on my waist.

My heart beats so fast at the contact of our skin. I was electrified with his touch. I couldn't stop myself to face him and touch his face. A low rumble escaped from his chest at his sudden touch. My wolf told me what to do with my mate. I couldn't take more breath as how beautiful he is now that I'd seen him too close for my own good. I could see the shape of his eyes, his nose, his lips, and his face. I traced them with my fingers while his eyes closed. I don't know what is happening to me. I was in a deep hypnotized by my own wolf.

Claude opened his eyes. I knew by then that I was meeting his wolf. His massive, strong, and amazing wolf. He was looking at me intently. I could feel pulled back inside. My breath hitched when we stared at each other's eyes. It was pretty amazing seeing her red orbs. It was so beautiful and I so loved to stare on it.

"You're making me crazy." He tugged the strands of my hair on my ear. I found it so sweet. I know by this time, I should have stayed away from Claude. But my body did the opposite. Instead, I stayed in his arms. I swear it feels so great. Claude took my hand with his and brought it to his lips without breaking our eye contact. I couldn't help my heart thumps in a way that it sends shivers in me.

Claude turned me around like we were dancing then locked his arms on my waist, put his chin on my shoulder, and hugged me tightly. "You're so beautiful, Rachelle." He murmurs and sways us like there was music. I closed my eyes in submission and felt him. Why do I love this kind of feeling?

"Dinner's ready! Brother, Rach—"

I snapped my eyes open because of Casey's voice echoed in the room. I removed Claude's arms on me and stepped back. I saw the disappointment registered in his eyes.

"Oh! I seemed to interrupt a romantic moment."

I instantly glared to Casey from the door where the way of the kitchen is there. She was smiling from ear to ear. I immediately shook my head like I didn't do something wrong.

"I-It's not what y-you think it is, Casey," I said defensively. I felt my cheeks heat because of embarrassment. Goodness! Graciousness! This is not good! Why did I let myself drowning from Claude's touch? It was as if I am hypnotized.

Casey raised her hands as if surrendering. "Okay. Okay," she said, grinning. "Brother, if you are done with your moment with Rachelle, go to the dining area because dinner's ready, okay?"

"Sure, Case. We'll be off."

"Okay," said Casey and left us while giggling. "Honey! I need to tell you something!" We heard her. Her voice echoed.

"Better if we should go or do you want us to do something more." Claude teased and I gave him a glare. I shook my head and passed by at him but he caught off my arm as he made me turn to him. "What?" I snapped.

I was surprised when he pulled me closer to his body and hugged me. Claude sniffed me in my neck and I shivered from the contact of his nose to my skin. What made me shiver more is when he grazed the soft spot of my neck. "This is where I'm going to mark you as mine." He whispered.

I pushed him away from me. "No! That will never have happened!" I snapped again and stepped back.

"Then accept me as your mate. That would be too easy." An eerie atmosphere circled in us. I just frowned to him and measured his said.

"You know I am not ready for that."

"Wanna bet?"

"Shut up, Claude!"

"C'mon! That wouldn't be too hard to bet with me." He sounds like a sulking child.

I spun around and faced Claude. "I couldn't accept you because I'm still not ready to be with you. I'm still confused to have you. And that I'm used to be on my own. This kind of sort of thing, mate, is the last thing I wanted to experience. And..."

"What cause you to hesitate not to accept me?" Claude's face gloomed and I swallowed of seeing him mad again.

I wet my lips and averted my gaze. Why do I feel so sad about saying the truth? This is easy for me to say. But because of him, I don't know what to tell. Does he know I work for the palace? Does he know that I am a battlefield commander?

"Rachelle..."

I stepped back when he tries to touch me again. I shook my head and I saw how hurt he was of what my action did. If it hurts him, it hurts mine more. Why did I feel this way?

Is this the connection they say feeling by the mates? If so, I am already hurt to see Claude's reaction.

'Why don't you just accept him?' My wolf whispered.

I shook my head more causing Claude to misinterpret my action.

"You don't want me." He finalized.

"Not just that. I'm leaving my pack." I turned my back again so that I couldn't see his painful expression in his eyes and decided to walk out of his sight.

I sighed with a heavy feeling. Why it is hard to say goodbye to him?

We haven't created much of memories, because Claude stayed here for few days and I did staying away from him, or a deep bond with each other but it is like we have been together for so long that it is hard to leave.

That is why I don't need my mate for now. I still have a lot of things to do more to myself and more to the palace I served my life on.