Cullen had no intention of visiting the club that night but Degar had insisted that they come and hang out a bit since he was done with the work that they had both set out here to do in the human world.
It took a lot of persuading and convincing on Degar’s part to actually bring him to Strawberry Island because Cullen hated humans.
He doesn’t like being around them and the only reason he so much as tolerates them was because he had chains of businesses scattered across the country and had to be involved whether he likes it or not.
But even Degar knew that he needed a break. He knew that Cullen was stressed even though the latter would never admit to it.
He saw how busy he had worked himself these past few weeks after his wife’s death and decided to make him let off some steam no matter who goes short and that’s how they found themselves here.
"Velez is calling, My Lord." Degar spoke up the minute they entered the club.
The music from the speakers was so loud that Cullen had to tune in his Cougar ears so that he would hear him properly.
"It must be important." He answered. "Take the call and meet me inside when you’re done."
"Yes, My Lord." Degar quickly placed the phone to his ears and exited the club. Cullen located a free spot on the VIP section and got in to sit down.
It was at this moment, he smelled her. The pheromones were too thick in the air that it blinded his nostrils, almost suffocating him. Just then, he felt his wolf stir inside him, becoming restless.
Damn! He got pissed because he knew what it meant. After thirty long years of waiting, he couldn’t believe that he had finally found her.
But this is such an unlikely place to find his mate. This is why he never wanted to come here in the first place. This is why he never should have listened to Degar.
Cullen knew the exact moment she rushed outside the club and he also knew the exact moment when she was ambushed and attacked.
Due to the fact that he possessed two wild animals that raged at constant war inside him, he had the ability to pick up distinct sounds that couldn’t be heard by a human or a mere wolf and he was also able to communicate telepathically.
Not all werewolves can do that. It depends on how strong and powerful you are and he was of a different breed that is known to be rare.
Cullen tried to tune off his ears. He wanted nothing more than to ignore the woman who he had just found out was his mate minutes ago.
He wanted nothing to do with her but when he heard the sound of their corked gun and her high-pitched scream that unsettled his nerves, he felt his wolf awaken and at the same time, it bared its teeth in alert.
He had always thought that he would be able to control himself should a time come when he meets his mate but it is proving to be the complete opposite of what he had hoped for. It’s almost like he is being drawn by an invisible pull.
Although he still tried his best to ignore it, he was still able to hear her strangled scream that wouldn’t stop haunting him.
They were hurting her. The realization made his wolf restless which also made him restless.
So, he stood up from his table and made his way towards the direction of her screams, all the while, battling with his inner wolf and trying to protest the action of going to help which he knew was futile.
He walked through the back door that led to the exit outside the bar only to meet an unforgiving sight.
His mate was being dragged into a car by a group of armed men who he suspected to be wolf-hunters.
His wolf growled inside him as he felt himself getting agitated and ready to pounce on them. The bloody bastards!
"They dare to touch my mate?" His wolf growled in anger. He doesn’t like the fact that the wolf is taken in with this strange woman. He’s not even interested in the slightest so why is it?
He thought that he had already made a pact with his wolf and cougar that he doesn’t want a mate so just how was she able to stir them awake? He doesn’t like this at all.
Die! They will all die!!!
Was the only statement his wolf was chanting repeatedly as he stared as his mate getting dragged forcefully into the car.
His wolf was acting on basic instincts now and Cullen took deep breaths in an attempt to still his anger and control his emotions from spiralling out of control.
He walked up to the men dressed in black and for some reason, they smelt familiar. This is definitely a smell that he has come across but he is too scattered to think about where he had smelt it.
"Let her go." He spoke in an uninterested manner. "I do not like repeating myself so save me the time and trouble of doing so." The men turned to look at the huge man who had very much dominated their space.
"Get out or we’ll make you." one of the men said as he corked his gun and pointed it at Cullen. He rolled his eyes at their feeble attempt to apprehend him.
Humans and their stupidity.
"Let me go!" Adria snorted as she tried to force herself away from their grip.
The scorn edged on Cullen’s face would’ve been funny if it was someone else in her position but then again, she isn’t just anyone. She is his mate.
Adria bit deep into the hands of the man that held her captive as she made her escape to hide behind the back of her rescuer.
The man in question who was bitten cried out in pain as blood oozed out from the place where he had just been bitten.
"You slutty bitch!" The other man roared in anger and tried to raise his hands at Cullen but he caught it midway through the air and snapped his fingers which cracked his bones.
He cried out in pain from the impact as he stared at his hands that had gotten a new shape thanks to this annoying looking man.
The other guy who saw this fired his gun at Cullen but was left speechless if he didn’t budge or fall to the ground. The bullet hit him alright but how is he not on the ground?
"Fuck!" he groaned when he realized that he was now in deep shit.
He tried to run away but Cullen picked him up with one hand and threw him away.
Adria gasped loudly from behind him. The hell!
Words couldn’t describe what she had just seen. He just picked him up like he weighed nothing and threw him away like garbage thrown into the dumpster. He crashed and hit his head on the bonnet of the car.
Adria’s jaw went slack at the sight in front of her. Her jaw was not the only one hanging but the guy that crashed his head on the car as well.
Even his eyes were popping out of their sockets. On a good day, Cullen would’ve let them go but they touched his mate. They laid their filthy hands on her.
The thought of it stirred his wolf again and he angrily walked up to the other guy.
"I told you to let her go because I do not like repeating myself but you chose to defy me." He finished his statement with a growl and snapped the head of the guy that was already lying half dead on the bonnet of the car.
"Let this be a warning to anyone who dares to come after her or anyone else." The guy quickly rushed into his car and sped off in an instant.
Adria’s wolf purred in content at how strong her mate is. Is he also a wolf too? Well, he had to be because it was impossible for a mere mortal to possess such strength. If he was a werewolf then who is he and where is his pack?
She burped loudly. She should’ve known that Aria would try to do something stupid. She shouldn’t have taken that drink when her sister offered it to her.
She would’ve been dead meat if it wasn’t for her knight in shining armor that had just saved her ass from being brutally murdered.
Cullen turned to look at the woman who had caused all this ruckus in the first place, his hands wrapped around her waist tightly; holding her protectively in place so that she doesn’t fall.
"You are a careless woman, do you know that?" He growled in anger as his eyes stared at the wounded woman in contempt.
Gosh! He hated this place. This is why he never lets Degar talk him into doing anything. He had the mind of a child and it always seemed to put him in compromising situations.
He wanted to have a peaceful weekend before leaving for his hometown but now his night has been spent fighting wolf-hunters to rescue a drunk, foolish and wounded woman.
"Let me go." Adria groaned trying to push herself away from this giant hulk of a man. Damn it. She’s drunk out of her mind.
Why did she sneak off with Aria to come here in the first place? And the useless girl left her for dead.
Adria raised her head to look at the face of her rescuer. Her eyes were blurry so she couldn’t make out his facial features but for some reason, her wolf was delighted.
Was he the man from earlier? And why is she so drawn to him in this strange manner?