Once again, I thought I was going to die. My heart clamored against my chest. But to my surprise....

He suddenly smiled, revealing a perfect set of teeth.

“I knew it the moment you touched me. I know you're a hybrid," he said calmly, his eyes burning into mine. “It doesn’t change what you are to me.”

I swallowed hard, utterly confused. Wasn't he going to kill me? Where was the anger, the hate, the disgust? Weren't werewolves supposed to hate vampires? Weren't they supposed to be ruthless when they encountered them? Rip them apart without any hesitation?

“And what am I to you?” I asked carefully, even though some part of me already knew.

He didn’t blink.

“My mate.”

I stared at him. His mate? I couldn't understand. Yes, I had heard the strange voice whisper inside of me and....Yes, I could feel some strange connection, but I still couldn't comprehend how I was his mate. Plus, I had a very vague understanding of the word.

My mother had never told me much about werewolves. I had always assumed she hated or feared them greatly.

"I don't know what that means," I muttered.

He stepped closer. And closer. Until only inches separated us. I tried to focus only on his face, but it was nearly impossible when he was completely and utterly naked before me.

"Mate simply means that you’re mine," he explained softly.

I frowned. "Yours?"

"Yes. Mine," he repeated as his hand slowly rose up to my lips. He brushed his thumb over them, the single act sending a tingle across my body.

"I... I don't even know who you are."

"I'll show you," he said, taking my hand. His hand completely covered mine.

Gently, he guided it to his face, letting me trace his skin. It was warm and soft. Then he lowered it, slowly, down from his jaw to his strong shoulders then slowly across his chest.

My breath caught as my fingers traced every hard muscle on his chest. I thought, hoped, he would stop at his torso. But he didn’t. His gaze locked on mine as he lowered my hand.

Lower and lower my hand went, my breathing suddenly becoming increasingly labored. I wanted to pull away, but his grip tightened as my hand descended.

Just before my hand could slip any lower, I managed to force it away and, before I could stop myself, I slapped him across the face. I shocked myself and quickly stepped back.

His hair fell across his face. For a heartbeat, I thought he would attack. Kill me where I stood.

Instead, he smiled again.

"Not very strong, I see," he teased.

"You're disgusting," I spat, but immediately regretted it as his eyes darkened.

I took two careful steps back before turning and trying to run, but I didn’t even make it five steps before he grabbed me from behind.

"You can't run from me, darling," he whispered in my hair.

I tried kicking him off and fighting him, but he didn’t even flinch. It was obvious he was absolutely stronger than me.

"Put me down," I screamed, trying to yank myself free.

"I can't do that. You'll try to run away again," He whispered. His voice maddeningly calm as he shifted me into one arm, carrying me as though I weighed nothing.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked, afraid, as he began walking down deeper into the woods.

"To my home."

Fear gripped me. "No. Put me down!!"

I screamed, my voice breaking but he didn’t so much as pause.

"I said put me down!!"

He didn’t.

He carried me for what felt like forever, still kicking and screaming, until we finally arrived at a small weathered cabin. It looked abandoned.

Was this really his home?

Before I could ask, the door slammed open. A man stepped out, visibly upset.

“I hate hunting in these parts,” he growled. He was a werewolf too. That much was obvious.

His cobalt blue eyes finally looked up, meeting mine and Maverick’s, and they widened instantly. I didn’t know if it was from the fact Maverick was naked or that I was in his arms.

"Bloodsucker," he growled under his breath, his eyes darkening. I instinctively folded into Maverick's arms.

"It's alright, Nicholai. She's harmless," Maverick said evenly.

Nicholai—the name echoed in my head. He looked almost identical to Maverick. They could be brothers.

"Harmless!" he growled. "She's a—" He stopped mid-sentence, then sniffed the air. His expression shifting. "What the hell is she?" he asked, clearly confused.

He must have smelled the trace of my werewolf blood.

"She's a hybrid," Maverick answered simply.

"A What!?" Nicholai asked, shocked. "What kind of freak of nature is that?" Nicholai growled, clearly very irritated. "So you’re telling me one of us mated with one of them and made that?” He gagged, clutching his stomach. “By the moon, I’m going to be sick.”

I stared at him, stunned. I couldn’t believe he had said all that so easily, like I wasn’t right there.

"What are you planning to do with it?" He demanded.

"Her,” Maverick corrected sharply. “Her name is Diana.”

“It talks.”

“Of course I talk!” I snapped. Nicholai shot me a glare before turning back to Maverick.

“Please tell me you plan on killing it, brother.”

Brother. The word confirmed what I already suspected.

“And why on earth would I kill my mate?” Maverick’s voice was low. I watched the color drain from Nicholai’s face.

“Please tell me this is some kind of cruel joke,” Nicholai said with a dry laugh.

“No. It isn’t. The moon goddess chose her for me. And I trust her judgment,” Maverick said firmly, his gaze steady on mine.

“You can’t be serious,” Nicholai snarled. “Just kill her and claim Barbara as your mate and Luna. She’s the rightful choice. Hell, I’ll kill this abomination for you right now.”

“Don’t you dare speak those words again,” Maverick growled, his entire body tensing.

I didn’t understand everything, but one thing was clear. Nicholai hated me enough to want me dead. And Maverick... I guess wanted the exact opposite.

But what I wanted was to just run away from both of them the moment I got the chance.