She was sitting alone at a table for two, and checked her phone repeatedly during several hours while sighing and looking around the bar, which was almost empty.
Finally, she picked up her phone and dialed a number, yet no one answered. She hung up and tried again, repeating this process a few more times, but still got no response.
"This is what I get for trying to believe in dates. Fucking blind date!" she muttered with a heavy breath and drank the glass of water in one gulp, then she put the glass down fiercely, as if to smash the glass to pieces.
She screeched the stool to stand and dropped crisp notes beneath the glass cup, signalling for the bartender.
"Keep the change."
He nodded in response and she made her way to the exit, trying to put one last call through to her so-called perfect match when she suddenly bumped into someone. Her phone fell and she crouched to pick it up.
She was so in a terrible mood after what she had gone through today.
She glared at the phone that had a chip of paint missing and was ready to curse the person who made her drop it.
"You..."
However, her words paused in her mouth at the sight of the man in front of her. The man standing before her was a vision of perfection, an Adonis among men. Unlike other men that tried wooing her at the main bar, he was a rarity too handsome to be ignored.
His thick, curly hair reminded her of the rugged terrains of a rocky mountain. His blue eyes were piercing and held the depths of the blue sea and his face, was so symmetrical, right from a fashion magazine. He was over six feet tall, even in her heels he was still very much taller than her.
"I'm so sorry," he helped her up. "It's my fault."
His scent filled her nostrils and she revelled in its sweetness.
"Don't worry," her cheeks flushed red. "It's okay."
"Are you okay? You look flushed. Have you had too much to drink? Do you want me to get you a cab?"
However, she gazed into the man's eyes, mesmerized by his handsome features. She didn't register what he said.
He smiled at her response and repeated his words gently, and that's when she snapped out of it. She felt her cheeks burn even hotter, and then she quickly shook her head to assure him that she was sober.
He bounced his head and gave her a faint smile before making his way into the bar. Her eyes couldn't stop staring as she almost stumbled in her heels.
Standing by the road, she was on the verge of stopping a taxi when a warm palm rested on her shoulder.
"Elyssa?" He called out her name and she turned around to face a mediocre man in a wrinkled burgundy suit and a plain white t-shirt. He was the one who had matched with her online and promised to meet her hours ago...
He was shorter than he had claimed. She towered over him in her three-inch heels, looking down at his thinning hair. He was far from her ideal partner.
"You're so beautiful," he said, his eyes scanning her body.
"Keep your flattery to yourself, I'm no longer interested." She snapped at him.
Her heels clomped as she quickened away from him but he caught up with her and held her arm, apologizing like he meant, but her heart had been so damaged it turned to stone.
"Elyssa, I'm sorry. I had to stay back at the office to finish some important work."
"Why don't you go back and continue your important work?" Fury dimmed in her deep-brown eyes. "You chose the time and place. I waited for two hours…two fucking hours!! "
"But you don't have anything urgent tonight, do you? You know, you women can always live a easier life than men. We have to work hard to support your bags, makeups, and whatever. So stop complaining and go to my place. I will make up for the two hours that you had waited for me...babe" While saying, the man took hold of her hand and rubbed it continuously.
She felt disgusted at his words and glared at him. "You think you can treat me like this because I'm a woman? You chauvinist pig, Get away from me!" She jerked her arm free from his grip, but he wouldn't let her go.
He pulled her closer and tried to kiss her. "Come on, Elyssa, don't be like that. Let me take you home. You're too hot to resist." He whispered in her ear.
She was violated by his words and actions. Struggling, she freed from his grip but he was relentless. He dragged her and grabbed her trimmed waist as she struggled. Before he could make a move, a hand restrained him.
"Leave her alone, you jerk!" A strong voice came from behind and she turned to see the handsome man she had bumped into earlier. He looked like a Greek god in his leather jacket and jeans. He was her savior from the nightmare that had trapped her.
"Who are you to interfere with my date?" The mediocre man snapped, his face contorted with anger.
"She's not your date. She's a lady who deserves respect." The Adonis said, his voice calm but firm.
"She's drunk. I'm just trying to take her home." The man lied, hoping to get rid of the intruder.
"She's sober. I had just talked to her, so stop your bullshit." The Adonis said, exposing his lie.
"You're lying. You're just jealous of me. You want her for yourself." The mediocre man accused, his voice rising.
"I don't want her. I respect her."
"Then why are you here? Why are you defending her?" The man challenged.
"Because I can't stand men like you. Men who think they can do whatever they want with women. Men who have no honor or decency." His voice was cold.
"Are you going to fight me for her?" The man asked, his fists clenched.
"If I have to."
"Elyssa, come here. Don't listen to him. He's a liar." The mediocre man said, reaching for her arm.
"I'm not going anywhere with you." Elyssa said, pulling away from him. She moved behind the Adonis, feeling safer with him.
The Adonis turned to her and nodded, telling her to get away from the scene and walking towards the mediocre man, his steps confident and steady. He towered over him, making him look small and weak.
The mediocre man glanced at Elyssa, hoping she would change her mind and come back to him. But she only glared at him with hatred in her eyes. He looked back at the Adonis, who was staring at him with disdain in his eyes. He felt fear creeping into his heart.
He realized he had no chance against him. Maybe he had to get out of there fast. So he turned around and ran back into the bar, hoping to escape from the wrath of the Adonis. He hoped he would never see him again.
Elyssa's heart was pounding in her chest. "Thank you for saving me," she said, looking into his eyes with gratitude.
"It was nothing," he said, smiling warmly. "He was a coward."
"What's your name?" She asked, wanting to know more about him.
"I'm Edric...Edric Miles."
"Elyssa Hardwell," she said, without waiting for him to ask and reached her hand.
Edric smiled politely and also reached his hand. However, at the very moment their hands met, something flashed in his eyes. Something that made him feel a surge of emotion he had never felt before. Something that made his wolf stir inside him and scream "Mate!"
He tried to hide it from her, but he couldn't deny it to himself. He had found his mate...and she was human. It was...unbelievable. He had never heard of such a thing in his pack.