Alpha Raven | #1 in the Trueblood Series

Azraiel dragged the chair near her bed. She really looked like a broken angel. He took her hand in his and started tracing small circles at the back of her hand. His wolf immediately relaxed at the touch of his mate. Although there was a lot on his mind, the thought of holding her in his arms made him forget all his worries at that moment.

Azraiel sighed audibly. He had no idea how he would manage this. His wolf was already so excited, would he be able to control himself and stay away from his mate? How would she react to the news of being surrounded by werewolves? Will she leave him after learning that he is a werewolf? Will his wolf allow her to leave? All these questions flashed in a bright neon color in his mind. The scariest one was his mate's reaction to him being a werewolf. He didn't know why she smelled like a supernatural but he couldn't sense a wolf in her. Even now, holding her hand, all he could feel was the strong sparks; courtesy of the mate bond.

He knew he should have started investigating her, but he couldn't bring himself to do so while she lay here unconscious. It just felt so wrong. His wolf wanted to know everything about his mate but from her. Only her. He wanted to give her the benefit of doubt that she wasn't like other humans that wanted to hurt them. He was scared of what he would find out about her.

There were so many things to be considered, so many things to take care of. But right now, all he could focus on was this fuzzy feeling spreading in his veins. The unconscious girl lying in front of him was the reason for his disheveled state. He leaned forward and put his head on the bed and pushed her hand on his cheek. He was grateful for this fuzzy feeling. He slept peacefully after a long time.

********

Azraiel was dreaming about his happy place when something brushed across his cheek. That something left tingles wherever it touched. Unwillingly, a low moan escaped his mouth. The sound was followed by a quiet gasp, but that didn't come from him. Azraiel jerked his head up, his eyes open wide like saucers.

On the bed, lay his mate. Only now, she wasn't unconscious anymore. Azraiel's breath hitched in his throat when his eyes met hers.

She was wide awake. Her eyes were the prettiest he has ever seen. Her black obsidian eyes sucked him into the never ending abyss. He was used to seeing dark eyes on wolves and yet he felt that the colour of her eyes is truly like no other.

Her face was flushed, making her clear skin turn into a light pink hue. She didn't break eye contact with him and neither did he. He was so wrong to think that the sparks were the ultimate sign of mate bond. The deep magnetic pull he was feeling right now while looking into her eyes left him breathless. Although there were questions swarming his head, there was no doubt left on one matter.

He was hers, for now and ever even if she couldn't be his.

**********

Charlotte opened her eyes slowly. Her eyes felt heavy like they would when she slept for long. Above her was a white ceiling in contrast to the light purple one in her room. But that wasn't the first thing she noticed. Her right hand was touching something smooth and that something was the source of tingles spreading in her vein. She turned her head slightly to come face to face with a man whose head rested on her bed and her hand rested on his cheek. She couldn't see his face clearly since it was angled away from her but she could tell his skin was smooth. His dark brown hair looked almost black. She could bet his hair was as smooth as his skin. But most importantly where was she? Who was this man?

She moved her hand slightly to pull it back but while doing so heard the man moan. A gasp left her mouth unwillingly. Upon hearing her, the man jerked his head up and sat up straight.

Charlotte had heard about the phrase "breathtakingly beautiful" but never witnessed it before now.

Surely, this is a joke….she doesn’t encounter good looking people in real life. Never once in her lifetime did she see a man so freaking handsome in reality, it was always on television or social media. He looked too breathtaking to be in her presence.

Dark brown hair framed his face, a few strands falling just above his eyes making her want to get them out of the way so she could see his eyes properly. Oh...his eyes...his dark blue eyes shone like diamonds...or is it not blue...ughh...she couldn’t clearly tell the colour...but his eyes were the prettiest she has ever seen, dark but filled with light. She could have seen his crooked nose and sharp jaw and her ever so delicious full pink lips but her eyes refused to leave his. He was looking at her with so much hope and adoration that it left her more confused than scared.

With a lot of effort she pulled her eyes away and glanced around her. An IV was attached to her left hand and some sorts of machines were placed on her left side. She was in the hospital. Her right leg was covered in bandages and she was now slowly becoming aware of the pain in her lower body. She closed her eyes briefly to try to remember what happened and

it came back all in a flash. The wild trees, a lot of blood and him.

She opened her eyes gasping for air when a hand gently covered her right palm instantly making her calmer.

"Hey...hey...hey...relax...you are safe here." The handsome man spoke up in a deep voice.

His voice had an instant effect on her. She looked up to see his eyes brimming with concern. Her eyes scanned his face for any trace of possible threat. She opened her mouth to ask him where she was but all that came out was a squeak. He immediately filled the glass on her bedside table with water and held it to her mouth. She looked into his eyes once again and then gulped down the entire glass.

"Thanks." Her voice was clear now.

"Where am I?" She sounded unsure, confused and afraid, rightfully so.

He opened his mouth to say something but at the very moment the door barged open and two women wearing white coats entered the room. This must be the doctor, she thought.

The older looking woman started examining her. She was also saying something to her but she couldn't focus on the words. Her focus was on the palm sitting right on hers, shooting sparks like hell. He hadn't taken off his palm yet. And he was still looking at her. That handsome man was still looking at HER.

The man was now talking to her and for the first time since she was awake, she focused on something else other than his face. "Hey, how do you feel?"

His voice was smooth but deep and yet it took her a moment to register his words in her brain and when they did, she had no idea how to answer him.

HOW DID SHE FEEL?

Confused, scared, hurt or like a fool?

She had let someone manipulate her again. She got betrayed again. She got hurt again. Yet she answered his question with a small "I am fine."

"Do you remember your name?" It was the doctor that spoke this time.

She quietly nodded and said "Charlotte". She could see the expectant look on her face, so she added, "just Charlotte".

Charlotte could sense that the handsome man was still looking at her. He was hanging on every word she uttered, not that she had said much. The doctor asked a few more questions to check her for injuries & pain and then she just nodded at the handsome man and left the room. Just like that. She left Charlotte and that man ALONE in the room.

DAMN IT.