"Well, welcome home, my love." He said with a grin, while we made our way up the wooden steps. They weren't creaky, though I could easily hear our bare feet pattering on up. My hand gently ran along the stripped wood railing, as I breathed in the honey-like scent of linden. "I'm excited to introduce you to Callie, the other little lady who warms my bed at night." He chuckled.

The very second those words fell from his lips, the most ridiculous and absurd pang of jealousy punched me right in the gut. "Oh, figures..." I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms, confused as to why that news had upset me so much. "I should have known that you were some sleazy-ass manwhore, forcefully adding me to your collection of bimbos to fuck." I growled, as he opened one of the french doors and pulled me inside with a cocky smirk. "Well guess what, dick-for-brains, I will certainly not be 'warming your bed' along with some filthy werewolf trollop! I have self-respect!" 

My eyes immediately grazed over the rather beautiful open floor plan living room and kitchen area. The whole place was built from stripped logs, with elegant beams extending across the double-height ceiling, and adding texture to the walls. To my right, a built-in bookcase stretched up beside a wooden stairwell made from halved logs, leading up to an L-shaped wrap-around balcony. On the far wall, a second set of paned french doors led out to what seemed to be a rather large back porch. All the rustic furnishings appeared to be skillfully handmade, with houseplants peppered all around to give it an inviting log cabin charm. 

The kitchen was to my left and had intricately carved wooden cabinets with polished black stone countertops. Silken sage green curtains lined a large window by the old-fashioned sink, while an island with three wooden stools separated the kitchen from the living room.

A gorgeous hand-woven circular rug stretched across the wooden floor, adding floral shades of lavender-blue, beige, emerald green, crimson, and a fair amount of black to the room. There was a huge stone fireplace with a cute wood basket beside it. Cozy-looking black fur pelts were laid out in front of it, sort of like a dog bed. Rustic wooden frames lined with sage green pillows made up a comfy-looking couch, adorned with another black pelt, and also a matching side chair. They circled around a short round coffee table... And on the chair was a fluffy little calico cat, peacefully sleeping all curled up. 

"I wasn't sure what you'd like, so I haven't done too much decorating just yet." Haiden said, while nervously scratching the back of his head, and hopingly searching for any slight sign of approval from me. I could tell that he really wanted me to like the place.

"It's disgusting in here." I sneered even though the room was downright beautiful. But I was downright furious about having to stay here with Callie... Or at all, for that matter.

The cat popped its adorable little head up upon hearing his voice, then stretched to a stand and excitedly pitter-pattered on over to us. "Ah, there she is!" She stood right next to Haiden's feet, lovingly gazing up at him with a tiny mew that sounded more like a squeak. "This is Callie!" He swooped the happy little ball of fluff up into his huge arms with a wide grin.

"Oh..." I drawled with realization, while lifting a finger up, then slowly lowering it back down. "Callie is a calico?" 

"Yes, Callie is a calico... And you were jealous." He mocked with a cocky smirk. Callie softly mewed again, then playfully reached up to swat at a lock of his dark hair. 

I angrily clenched my jaw while shooting his dumb smug face a death glare. "Well, not only is it disgusting in here, but I also hate cats!" I lied, blatantly ignoring his taunting. In all truth though, I fucking loved cats. And it was taking every single ounce of my willpower not to smother the cute little thing with snuggles and kisses. 

"I know you're lying." He excitedly held Callie up to me, balancing her on one hand with her paws limply hanging down on either side.

Googly green feline eyes dopily started over at me, while she curiously tilted her head. Her face was mostly white, with a tiny pink nose and long wispy whiskers. She had one black ear and the other was orange, merging to make a triangle pattern on her forehead. Patches of those colors swirled together down her back, turning into her fluffy black feather duster of a tail. Dainty little marshmallow paws with rosy jellybean toes happily curled as they dangled, and a motorboat purr vibrated out of her loud enough to shake the house. 

I felt my hand slowly rising on its own with a strong urge to pet her... Shit, what am I doing!? I quickly snatched it back, then folded my arms so the traitorous thing wouldn't betray me again. "Nope, I stand by what I said. I hate cats." My voice was firm and my chin was proudly lifted.

He huffed in frustration through his nose. "Alright fine, but I'm sure that she'll grow on you. She's a really sweet and snuggly cat." His arm muscles flexed as he gently placed her down onto the floor. She scampered back up onto the chair, then began kneading the cushion. "Come, let's get you cleaned up."

His large hand very gently grabbed mine, as he began to lead me up the stairs. I followed with silent acquiescence since there was literally no chance of escaping just yet. "If you honestly don't like the place, then I have no problem refurnishing and completely redecorating. I just really want you to feel at home and comfortable here." He turned slightly to look at me, with an upturned palm and a shrug.

"I want hot pink walls, mustard yellow furnishings, and a throw rug that looks like a steamrolled christmas tree." I spoke in a dead-serious tone. "Oh, and if you want me to feel more comfortable, then put on some damn pants while you're at it." My eyes dropped to his remarkably shaped rump and bobbing erection, causing my lower belly to quiver.

Deep laughter suddenly came from him, as we traversed the top of the stairs. "You see, now I'm certain that you're lying to me." 

The top of the balcony led to a charmingly rustic study area, with a cute little bay window book nook, decorated with forest green and black pillows. We walked over to a plain wooden door, where he wrapped his hand around a pewter lever door handle, creaking it open to reveal a beautiful master bedroom. 

The room matched the rest of the house, with handmade furniture and house plants. Draping ivory curtains were pulled back revealing large paned windows, letting in lots of sunlight. There was also a single glass door, leading out to a balcony. The four-poster giant king-sized bed had a hand sown patch quilt, and bedside tables with old-fashioned candle lanterns on either side. I wiggled my toes on the olive green and white fretwork carpet, while Haiden went over and grabbed a pair of black drawstring trousers from a tall dresser.

"So, obviously this is our bedroom." He said while trying to stuff his cock into his pants, struggling to fit the massive size of his raging boner. "There are two more, but this one's the biggest, and has a balcony. The others are currently empty because I've been reserving them for when our, um..." He nervously scratched the back of his head. "...pups come along."

I stared at him blankly for a second, then silently turned around and tried to walk out of the room... Pups!? I haven't even known the guy for a measly twenty four fucking hours, and he seriously just said PUPS!?... 

"Isabelle, wait!" He rushed over and grabbed my hand, then began leading me into the bathroom. 

"Listen up, and listen well, Bucko! I am in no frickin' way having any 'pups,' and especially not with you!" I hissed as we entered a very rustic-looking bathroom, with a shower that looked like it was made from flat stacked stones in the corner. 

He effortlessly picked me up and placed my bum on the wooden sink counter. "Alright, alright, I might be getting a bit ahead of myself." He chuckled while grabbing a forest green cloth, then started running it under the sink. "Maybe we can discuss that in a week or two?" He curiously tilted his head as he began to wipe the crusty dried blood from my shoulder.

I can't fucking believe this guy...

After a few heated tug-of-war sessions with the cloth, and him burning himself on my blood a few times, I was finally all clean. He then picked me up bridal style and carried me over to the bed, laying me gently on top of it like a fragile china doll. I angrily glared up at him, while he stared adoringly down at me.

"I'm so glad that you're finally here, my love." He gently caressed my temple. "Would you like me to get you something to eat?"

"No, and fuck you." I harshly sneered while swatting his hand away. "I fucking hate this awful cabin. I hate cats. And I especially hate you!"

The immense agony which flashed in his eyes was sharp enough to cut. He silently opened his mouth a few times, as if unsure how to respond. "Alright, well, at least try to rest. You didn't get much sleep last night." He reluctantly turned around and started walking out of the room.

"Gee, I wonder why!" I hissed and sat up, angrily throwing a pillow at him as he made his exit. It gently bounced off the door while he gently clicked it shut behind him. 

I realized just how incredibly bitchy I was being, but he was a werewolf kidnapper, and I had just been downright traumatized the night before. I was angry and lashing out. Not just at him, but mentally at myself too. After listening to what Haiden had told the others around the firepit, it only confirmed my crushing guilt. If I hadn't wanted to sneak out and hadn't asked Becca to flicker those stupid lights, then that other lycan would have never broken in. I indirectly killed Bunica, and possibly Becca too. Now I was being held hostage by one of those apparently cursed things, and possibly never going to see my family again.  

I lifelessly flopped my head back down onto the pillow and began to cry like a pathetic little sap. Not caring that he was most likely secretly lurking right outside the door, and could probably hear my every sniffle.

~Haiden~

My heart felt like it had shattered, and then those broken shards were shattering even further, as I secretly lurked right outside the door, listening to my mate's every sniffle. I desperately wanted to comfort her and knowing that my presence would only make it worse pained my very soul. I gripped my head in agony, trying to calm the violent whirlwind of pain, rage, grief, and lust swirling inside of me. 

I slowly walked over to the little reading nook, spinning around once before sitting down. My hands trembled as I covered my face, reliving the terror of last night. Never in all my life had I ever been more horrified than when I first caught her scent. She smelt heavenly, like lilacs and summer rain, but I immediately knew that she was human. And I was terrified that I was going to kill and devour her while under the influence of the curse, helpless to stop myself. 

Luckily the mate bond was apparently stronger than the bloodlust of the curse. I would have ended my life this morning if it hadn't been. There was nothing more painful for a lycan than losing their mate. And I couldn't even imagine the immense misery of losing her by my own hand. The very thought of it made me sick to my stomach.

I sucked in a deep breath through my nose, taking in all that I could of her wonderful scent to help calm my nerves. My eyes fluttered closed as I imagined her luscious chocolatey hair and sparkling dravite eyes. Her perfect smile, and lissome frame with voluptuous curves. I reopened my eyes and lustfully growled just thinking about that ass. 

Mates always instantly fell madly in love with one another, and I was certainly no exception. I already loved her more than anything in this world. More than the drops of diamond tears glittering within the heavens, and the emerald forests beneath them in which I roamed. The well of my affections was already deeper than the ocean's whirling depths, and as unmovable as the mightiest of snow-kissed peaks. 

...And yet, my mate doesn't love me back?

That thought made me want to whimper in pain like a sorrowful dejected puppy, but also go out and violently rip something to shreds with my teeth. Isabelle was perfect, and I wouldn't ever want anyone else as my beautiful mate, but I didn't understand why the goddess would choose to do this to us. Why torture me with an unloving mate who didn't want to stay? And why torture her by making her my mate in the first place?

Has the goddess forsaken me?

I abruptly stood up and began pacing back and forth in agitation, returning to the door. She wanted to leave me, even tried to reject me... Thankfully that wasn't actually a real thing. And I wanted to go in there and fuck her into submission. Show her who the dominant one in this relationship was, until she repeatedly cried out my name in pleasure, baring her neck to my fangs. 

Yet, at the same time, I also wanted to cry at her feet and beg for forgiveness for taking her. I wanted to make her happy by bringing her back to the town and letting her go. But I was a lycan, an instinctually possessive and protective beast. And she was my mate. I growled to myself as my hair fell wildly into my face, my eyes turning blood red. Even the mere thought of letting her go made me want to shift in my beast form and go brutally kill something.

...No, I will never let her go. She's mine and belongs with me.

Having her in the other room was suddenly beginning to feel more like being oceans apart. I could hardly take it. I hated being separated from my mate while she cried. I loudly snarled, pacing even quicker outside the door. I could feel my claws extending and canines lengthening. It was as if I was going crazy, unable to handle the crushing torment of not being in there to comfort her.

...Curse this abominable slab of hinged wood which separates us!

My hands fisted into balls, digging my claws into my palms. I pressed them against the door, then slowly slid to my knees, allowing my blood to stream down my forearms in thin rivulets. I sucked in deep breaths and whimpered like dog while trying to calm the madness that she stirred within me. Although I desperately wanted to break down the damn door, and go cuddle all her worries away and lick her tears clean, I would give her the space that she needed for now. 

I'll just have to pray to the moon that she comes around. May the Goddess help her if she doesn't, because I will never be able to let her go...