Werewolf and Vampire Mate [Book 1 Complete]

chapter one.

April

Charcoal lines the edge of my hand as I absent-mindedly sketch out an A-line dress on paper. In my mind, the bodice has an intricate design, with delicate lace appliqués and a corset back. It has cap sleeves with pretty ribbons that hold them closed and drape down the wearer's arms. But none of that is translating to paper. My sketch is messy and uneven.

Footsteps coming down the hall make me quickly screw up the paper and throw it into the trashcan beneath Reed's desk.

He steps into the bedroom just as I am using a tissue to wipe off my hands.

"Hey, there you are."

It is addicting, the way his face lights up the moment I am in his sights.

"Here I am," I smile. He leans over me, planting his hands on the desk behind me, and kisses me.

It is sweet and soft and yet it sends heat rocketing through me till I am gripping his shirt and all but begging for more. My hands travel across his shoulders as our tongues touch.

"April," he breathes. "The pack is waiting for us outside at the bonfire."

I groan, chasing his mouth with my own. He cups the back of my head, his lips pressing more insistently, our mouths opening wider.

After another minute or so, he reluctantly breaks away from me and stands up straight, running his hands through his dark brown hair.

His eyes momentarily flash amber, the only sign that he's fighting for control to not throw me on the bed and refuse to let me leave.

The thought makes my stomach twist in equal parts anticipation and anxiety. The full moon, and our mating ceremony, is only five days away. And this time, I intend to go through with it. No more hesitating, no more backing out. I am ready to be Reed's entirely, just as I know he is ready to be mine.

There are still issues to be solved—the treaty with the vampires isn't signed yet and Reed's pack has lost some faith in our partnership since I ran out on him before our mating ceremony—but I have him. And with him, I feel as though we could conquer the world if need be.

He takes an auburn curl and wraps it around his finger, pushing it out of my face.

"What were you doing?" he asks, nodding toward his desk.

"Just studying," I say quickly. Which, to be fair, is partly true. I was studying and doing my online classes before I got distracted by sketching dresses that I will probably never actually make.

"Come on." He holds his hand out for me and pulls me up, into his waiting arms. Tangled together, his lips brushing my cheek, we begin to walk out of his room and down the hallway. "Did you talk to Harper?"

"I did, briefly. I'm going to go down and speak to her in a few days. Then, after the truce is finalized...I guess North will have to tell her," I sigh, resigned to the fact that my best friend is inevitably going to be pulled into all of this supernatural drama.

I just wish there was a way I could protect her from it all.

"It'll be ok, I promise," Reed says. "Nothing bad will happen to her...or to you." He squeezes me tight.

But I think we both know that promise is not one that will be easily kept.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm trying out shorter chapters--maybe that will work better? It is the suggestion given by Wattpad. 

Anyway, thank you as always for reading.