I couldn't resist you!

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice shaking with anger and fear.

Arthur looks at me with his intense gaze, and I feel my knees weaken. "I had to see you again," he whispers. "I couldn't resist the pull."

I took a step back, trying to keep my distance. "You can't just come here like this," I said, my voice firm. "You violated my personal space last night."

Arthur's expression softens. "I didn't mean to scare you," he says. "I just couldn't help it. The connection between us is too strong."

"What do you want from me?" I asked, my voice trembling.

Arthur steps closer, and I can feel his breath on my face. "I want you," he whispers, his voice low and husky. "I want to be with you, in every way possible."

I try to resist, but I can feel myself giving in to his intense gaze. "I don't know if I can trust you," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

Arthur takes my hand, and I feel a jolt of electricity shoot through me. "Trust me," he says, his eyes locked on mine. "I would never hurt you. I just want to love you."

I feel myself melting under his touch, and before I know it, we're kissing passionately. In that moment, all of my fears and doubts melt away, and I surrender myself to him completely.

My heart was pounding in my chest as I stood in front of Arthur; my eyes locked onto his intense gaze. I couldn't believe he had come back to me after the terrifying encounter we had shared in the woods.

"Arthur, what are you doing here?" I asked, attempting to maintain composure in my voice.

He replied, "I had to see you again." As he took a step closer to me.

I took a step back, feeling the wall behind me. "Why? After what you did to me, why would you come back?"

Arthur's expression softened, and he reached out to touch my arm. "I'm sorry, Arlyn. I didn't mean to scare you. I just couldn't stay away from you. I need you."

I shook my head, pulling away from his touch. "I don't understand," I said. "Why do you need me?"

Arthur took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving mine. "Because you're my mate, Arlyn," he said. "I felt it the moment I saw you. I know it sounds crazy, but I can't deny what I feel."

My mind was spinning. I had heard of the concept of mates before, but I never thought it could happen to me. And now, standing in front of Arthur, I couldn't deny the intense attraction I felt toward him.

"But why did you have to mark me? Why did you have to scare me like that?" I asked, my voice trembling.

Arthur's expression turned pained. "I didn't mean to scare you, Arlyn. I just couldn't control myself. The desire to mark you was too strong. I promise I'll never hurt you again."

I took a deep breath, trying to process everything Arthur was telling me. "I don't know, Arthur," I said. "This is all so overwhelming. I need some time to think."

"I understand," Arthur replied, his eyes pleading with mine. "But please, don't push me away. I love you, Arlyn. I need you in my life."

My heart ached at his words. I couldn't deny the attraction and connection I felt toward Arthur, but I also couldn't ignore the fear and uncertainty that came with it.

"I need some time," I whispered.

Arthur nodded, his eyes still fixed on mine. "I'll give you all the time you need, Arlyn," he said. "Just know that I'll always be here for you. I'll never give up on us."

"I don't love you. I could never love a werewolf," the words taste bitter on my tongue, but I force them out.

He took a step closer, saying, "Arlyn, please?"

I stepped back, revulsion rising within me. "Don't touch me! Stay away from all of you!"

Arthur raised his hands in a placating gesture. "I know we got off on the wrong foot, but I'm not like the others; I would never hurt you."

"All werewolves are the same," I snap. "Monsters." The word pains me even as I say it, a small part of me longing to believe him.

He looked hurt but continued, "Give me a chance to prove myself. I care about you."

My bitterness takes over. "You don't care about me. You just want to possess and control me. It won't happen. I'll never be with a werewolf." My voice breaks as old wounds are ripped open.

"Your kind killed my mother. Broke my father. I've seen the destruction you cause." Tears spill down my cheeks now. "I hate werewolves. I hate you."

Arthur's face fell and he turned to leave without a word.

The door slams behind him, and I crumple to the floor in tears. The harsh words continue to ring in my ears, even as I wish, just for a moment, I could have believed him. But I know better. Werewolves only bring pain. All I want is for Arthur to be gone from my life forever.

I watched as the hurt and betrayal flashed across Arthur's face. My heart sank as I saw the pain in his eyes.

He whispered, "How could you?" as he struggled to maintain his composure.

I took a deep breath. "Arthur, I never meant to hurt you. But I had to protect myself."

"Protect yourself?" he scoffed. "By lying to me? By sneaking around behind my back?" His voice rose in anger.

Tears pricked my eyes as I spoke. "I'm sorry. I never wanted things to go this far. But I was scared."

"Scared of what?" Arthur demanded.

I looked down, unable to meet his gaze. "Scared of what we might become?"

Arthur remained silent for a long moment. When he spoke again, his voice was softer. "Do you truly not trust me at all?"

I hesitate. "It's not that I don't trust you, Arthur. It's that I don't trust this...situation we're in. I like you, I do. But we both know this wasn't ever supposed to last."

Arthur closed his eyes briefly. "You're right," he said. "I was a fool to think otherwise." He opened his eyes and stared directly at me. "This ends now. I won't bother you again."

I felt a surge of regret as I saw the defeat in his stance, the slump of his shoulders. But I knew this was for the best. "For what it's worth, Arthur...I am sorry."

He gave a shallow nod. "So am I," he said, turning and walking away, leaving me standing alone, feeling strangely more alone than I ever had before.