What is he?

(Tessa POV)

I felt sunlight hit my face. My eyes batted open. I immediately sucked in a breath as I realized I was not in my own bed. An arm rested around my waist. I gently rolled to my back and gazed upon Rowan. I didn't think it was possible but he looked just as gorgeous asleep as he did awake. His hair was mused. I resisted the urge to brush it off his face.

I felt a peace I had never felt before. Even asleep, this man had my full attention. I rolled fully onto my side, tucking the sheet around my naked body.

I had spent the night.

In a stranger's bed.

Yet he didn't feel like a stranger. In fact, it felt like I'd known him all my life. I squirmed, clamping my thighs together as I remembered all we had done last night. I bit my lip as the need grew in between my legs.

What's gotten into me? I wondered.

The bond. It does this, Dez, my wolf suddenly piped up in my head. And ours is perfect.

I hummed in response until her words truly sunk in, Bond?!

My eyes snapped open, my heart racing out of control. I stared at the beautiful man beside me.

Man.

He was no wolf.

No, no, no Dez, you're wrong. That's not possible. I can't be mated to....

While I cannot sense a wolf in him, I am not wrong and you know it! Dez answered defensively. Our mate is perfect!

Human? Was that possible? Was that....allowed?

I couldn't take my eyes off him. One thing was for sure, I was smitten. I couldn't fight the urge any longer so I lightly brushed my fingers on his face.

His eyes fluttered open, "Hi," he said softly.

"Good morning," I whispered back.

He reached his hand up and brushed his fingers on my face. I shivered from his touch. I had waited 4 long years for my mate. The feeling was everything I had dreamed of. It matched every story I'd heard, except.....

Just tell him, Dez pushed. Tell him you're mates. You can figure this out together!

She was so confident he would be understanding but what if he wasn't? What if he thought I was crazy? What if he panicked and was terrified of me? I didn't think I could take that kind of rejection.

My nerves got the best of me and I pulled away from him and slipped out of his bed, reaching for my clothes. I began to get dressed.

Rowan immediately sat up in the bed. "You don't have to leave." His sweet voice almost sounded pleading. Could he be feeling the bond too? Was that possible?

"I-I've gotta go," I stammered. I found my shoes and quickly slipped them on.

Rowan hurriedly got out of bed and slipped on his jeans, following me quickly to his bedroom door.

I understood it was natural for me to be so attracted to him that I would sleep with him immediately, he was my mate, but if he was a human..... this was not looked at in the same way. I didn't want him to get the wrong impression of me.

"I don't normally do this, I've never done this, I mean..." I stumbled through my words. He was so close to me, his scent was driving me wild.

He smiled gently, bending down to pick up my purse and hand it to me. His fingers brushed mine and I could tell he felt the same rush of tingles I did.

"I hope I can see you again," Rowan said hopefully, his blue-grey eyes searching my face, trying to gauge how I was feeling.

"I'd like that very much," I replied, tucking my hair behind my ear.

"You sure you have to go?" he asked, reaching his hand up to caress my cheek.

No! my wolf screamed in response. Trust the bond. Just ask him what he is!

I felt like I couldn't trust my own mouth so I simply nodded instead, avoiding his eyes for I knew I'd give in to my desires if I stared into his dreamy pools of blue-grey.

Rowan nodded and ushered me to the front door of his apartment. He opened the door for me, like a gentleman. I didn't know how to leave. Saying bye was ridiculous, a wave was just stupid, and a hug was not nearly enough.

Rowan decided for me by gently sneaking his arm around my waist, pulling me close to him. He glanced at my eyes and then to my lips before he gave me a soft but perfect kiss. I eagerly returned his kiss. When we pulled away from each other, it was clear neither wanted to. I forced myself to step back, his hand leaving the small of my back.

"Can I have your number Tessa?" Rowan asked. "I'd like to take you on a proper date." The way a boyish grin spread on his face, his jeans low on his hips, his sculpted bare chest on full display, I had to bite my lip and opted for a nod. He disappeared to go retrieve his phone while I fought with my wolf about leaving.

After Rowan returned, he handed me his phone, where I sent him a text from my number. I didn't typically carry my phone on me. There wasn't a use for it really with the mind link, only used when we were too far away from each other.

"I had a really good time last night," Rowan said as I handed him his phone back.

"Me too," I replied, my body on edge from our brief touch.

I rushed away. If my wolf had had her way, she would've rushed back to him and thrown her arms around his neck. I walked quickly along the sidewalk, the Boston air brushing my hair around. As soon as I got to the clearing of woods, I could shift.

Once deep enough in, I quickly stripped my clothes and tossed them in my bag, along with my shoes. Dez would grab the bag in her mouth as she bounded away.

I allowed Dez to take over fully. She shook her head, casting the bronze fur this way and that. She picked up the bag and went full speed through the trees.

I could feel how upset she was about leaving Rowan, You don't leave your mate, she hissed.

Just get home Dez, we don't know what that was, I sighed in response, clearly in denial that Rowan, a human, could possibly be my mate.

Once I could see Red Wood up ahead I slowed, ready to shift back to my human form before walking into my pack. Dez dropped my bag so I could re-dress. Once I was in my human form, Dez retreated from my mind. I could feel her disappointment. I quickly dressed then walked the familiar path to my small, but perfect cottage that I shared with Ellie.

Red Wood was nestled in a beautiful expanse of woods. We had stayed true to our history and tradition with most of our buildings and homes in similar style. The humans would've called it Spanish style I believe. I say would've because no humans know we exist. Our elders long ago had conjured a spell that cloaked our borders from humans. It had become necessary after our ancestors were cursed.

Long ago a beautiful Luna of our pack found out she was mated to a vampire. They went against nature and every law to be together. Their union cursed all those in the pack and those of her mate's vampire kingdom, to become hybrids. Those who were enemies now burdened with their enemies nature. Thus, becoming one large pack after centuries of conflict.

It was a dark time when the curse first befell. Some were so distraught over being turned into half of their enemy, that they ended their own lives. Many fought one another and died doing so. Those that were left continued on when they had no fight left in them, resigned with the fact that there was nothing they could do to change their future. As the hybrids found their mates, their children were also born half wolf, half vampire.

This is why I knew having a mate with no wolf could never be. It was against nature and law and no one dared to repeat history. Surely I would be killed if someone knew. I was no Luna. My father was a skilled builder and my mother was a doctor. They were important people to the success of the pack but not enough to save me should it be known my fated mate was not hybrid, nor wolf, nor vampire.

It is with all these thoughts rushing through my head that I sighed as I used my key to enter my home. My home coming disturbed Ellie who was sprawled on the couch. She sat up suddenly, stretching and yawning. A smile crept on her face when she saw me.

"So how was he?" she teased.

I felt my cheeks burn. "Oh Goddess stop," I shot back. Ellie giggled and hopped off the couch to follow me as I bee-lined for the bathroom.

"Oh come on, give me something! You've never actually hooked up so quickly before! You must really be smitten," Ellie teased. I tried to push the worried look off my face before Ellie could see it and darted into my room to gather a change of clothes for after my shower.

But Ellie had seen. She grabbed my arm gently, pulling me to sit on the bed with her, "Tess what's wrong?"