7.Mine to touch, mine to please.

Eve pursed her lips, staring back at the girl in the mirror. Dark circles under her eyes made the vibrant, forest green color of her pupils pop out. Even though she had become apathetic, more tired, and slightly depressed over the past few days,

Eve had to find something positive in her life to look upon. It was hard enough to accept that one of those monsters had chosen her as a mate. And now, Eve had to learn their ways, until the dreaded day when he would come to collect her.

Each day dragged her deeper in despair, especially when she thought about the stranger, who still hadn't bothered to give any hints as to when Eve had to leave her family house. Eve brushed her hair, putting it up in a simple ponytail. She bit her lip until she could taste blood in her mouth.

"Calm down; everything is going to be alright, Eve," she encouraged herself before leaving her bedroom. The house seemed cold and empty; most of her belongings were already packed in boxes, ready to be shipped off to her new home.

"Good morning Evangeline," her mother greeted her with a tight, almost forced, smile on her lips.

"Morning, Mother. You look ghastly, something happened?" Eve sat down, eyeing her mother suspiciously.

"Matter of fact, yes, something did happen." Angelina took a deep breath; she seemed to become more distant, deep in thoughts.

"Hello? Earth to Mom! What's wrong?" Eve waved her hand in front of her mother's face, laughing at her own actions.

"I'm sorry, but there are things I have no power to change or protect you from. He's coming over today. I'm not sure if he is taking you with him yet; all he said was that he's giving us a visit today." She averted her eyes away from her daughter, afraid to break down in tears.

"Wait. You mean the man who chose me, right? The big, bad weirdo who bit me like a stray dog," Despite Eve's hectic heartbeat, she acted rather calm, dropping some amusing remarks.

"The one and only. Here, eat your breakfast and get changed. Please, remember everything we spoke about. Maybe he's not as bad as you think he is," her mother didn't get to finish whatever was on her mind when Eve cut her off.

"Of course, he's not! All he has done is bite me painfully enough to pass out. No biggie," Eve spoke sarcastically, gluing a fake smile on her lips.

"Evangeline, you can't go around and talk about such things in an offensive manner. We spoke about this- the biting part is a huge deal for them. By leaving their mark, werewolves make sure that they have claimed their mate, and nobody else would ever dare to approach them.

Please, just give him a chance, even your father seems to be fond of Eros," Angelina turned her back to Eve, afraid to show how worried she felt. This was the first time, in her lifetime, she had seen a wolf claiming a human. And it was her daughter.

"Eros, so that's his name, huh?" Eve questioned, enjoying the feel of his name on her lips.

"Yes, that is his name. Speaking of the Devil, he will arrive within the next fifteen minutes. You go, I will clean up and wait for you here."

Eve did feel the need to say something but chose to keep quiet. They didn't need unnecessary arguments within the family, especially now. She ran upstairs and changed into a comfortable sweater and pants, dropping her pyjamas in the laundry basket. Eve didn't feel ready to face him, but she had no choice.

Instead of running downstairs and waiting for the doorbell to ring, she grabbed the first book from her bookshelf, as a distraction, and dropped onto the bed. Time went by, and she didn't hear anything unusual, no rushed movements or the doorbell.

Maybe he wasn't coming, after all. She closed her eyes and sighed, just to be startled by the sudden sound of her bedroom door opening.

"Five more minutes, Mom," Eve groaned, holding her eyes shut, hoping that whoever entered her bedroom would leave and let her rest.

"I've been called a lot of names, mom being first for me," a deep, husky voice spoke up. Eve flew off the bed like a bullet, clenching the book in her hand.

"You..." Eve whispered, her eyes traveling over his body, from head to toes.

"Me." He simply stated, a chuckle of amusement leaving his lush lips. Eve almost gawked like a child over a candy. As much as she wanted to deny it- she found the mysterious shifter attractive.

"That's one big book you're holding there, be careful, don't hurt yourself," Eros smiled at Eve, he couldn't take his eyes from her tiny frame.

"Maybe I need it for protection purposes? Who knows, I might be attacked, and this book is heavy enough." Now it was her time to smile.

A spark of amusement danced in her eyes. Eros laughed out loud, amazed by the spirit this seemingly weak human had. Ares kept howling in the pits of his mind, bubbling about their mates fighting spirit. Eros took a few steps towards her, making Eve step back.

"And what are you going to do with that book? Smack someone with knowledge?" Eros sounded way too arrogant for his own good, but the frown on Eve's face proved every word has been worth it. He already loved the weird facial expressions she made.

"Yep, and I'll start with you," she grabbed the book with both hands and extended it in front of her chest, using it as a shield to keep the shifter away. Eros grinned and stepped a bit closer.

"No, don't do this. You're way too close. Think twice about whatever you're thinking to do; you know nothing about me."

"Is that so? I beg to differ," Eros stood still, enjoying their little game of chase.

"Hah, as if. You've spoken to me once, never asked for my name, not to mention all the other, pretty important facts about me," Eve frowned again. She couldn't deny being attracted to the male, yet could never let him touch her, even hug her, if he's a total stranger.

"Alright, then. You know, Evangeline, you're a definition of a silver fox, at its finest," Eros grinned at her shocked facial expression and sat down on her bed. He liked how comfortable it felt, but even more- Eros enjoyed each breath of her scent, he took.

Eve was left speechless, so he used his chance and kept talking.
"Your name is Evangeline; you hate it and prefer being called Eve. Your last name is Dyer, not for long, though, if I may add. You're twenty-one years old, born and raised in this city. Never left the pack, straight-A student, managed to graduate university, which was a big surprise to the community.

You have one friend- the woman who slapped you. The only child, parent's pride and joy. In your free time, you enjoy..." Eve cut him off in the middle of the sentence.

"How?" she whispered.

"How what? I was about to tell you what you enjoy, not how. That's something I'd like to find out in the nearest future." Eros winked at Eve playfully, whatever emotion she gave out made his heart skip a beat. And, oh Lord, did Eros enjoy the feeling of being alive.

"No, I mean, how do you know that? Who told you?" Eve bit her lip, letting go of the book and watching it fall, almost in slow-motion.

"I did some research. You're my mate; I have to know things, Eve. I need to know what makes you sad or happy. It's my job now. I got you some wild daisies, a bit challenging to find those at this time, but I managed.

Your mother placed them in the vase and, when you didn't appear in the living room, I decided to check on you." A gentle smile grew on his lips; Eve was sure that the beast was happy with his actions. At this point, she was confused as to how to feel. Still angered about the mark he left yet pleased about him trying to make her smile.

"Eros, thank you," she shyly said, unable to find any other words.

"What did you just say?" He suddenly stood up, walking closer to Eve. She kept stepping backward, until her back hit the wall.

"I- I said thank you," she repeated with a shaking voice.

"No, before that. You said my name, didn't you?" He was much closer by now, trapping her like prey. Eve's throat felt dry, heartbeat racing. She nodded her head and averted her gaze.

"Repeat it," he demanded.

"W-what?"

"My name. Repeat it," Eros placed both of his arms on her sides, she was trapped.

"Eros," Eve whispered. He grabbed her chin and lifted her head; Eve was forced to meet his eyes. He leaned closer to the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent deeply. Her body shivered, butterflies dancing in the pit of her stomach.

"Your body- every inch, each curve of it is mine. Your moans, your screams, your pleasure, and pain- it's all mine. Dare to defy me and, darling; I'll have to show you how to find pleasure in pain."