You were marked

Amelie met his piercing gaze and bit her bottom lip. "I–I thought you want to sleep," she murmured and furrowed her brows together. Her response didn't make any sense. 

Gabriel walked to her with slow steps and stood before her. Lifting her chin, he made her look at him. 

Amelie knew her hesitation could ruin everything. Steeling herself, she tiptoed and shut her eyes tightly before pressing her lips to his. The contact was brief, almost like a brush. The moment their lips met, she pulled away immediately while her heart hammered against her ribs.

Gabriel smirked, amusement flashing in his violet eyes as he ran a hand through his dark hair.

"Don't you know how to kiss?" he asked, his voice laced with teasing as he darted his tongue out to lick his lips.

"I do," Amelie replied quickly. She hesitated before adding, "You're just so tall… I can't reach it properly."

At her words, Gabriel moved without warning, lowering himself instantly.

Amelie's eyes widened in surprise. Her breath hitched as he now stood at her level, their faces mere inches apart. 

"Who were you running from?" Gabriel asked. 

"N-no one," Amelie replied. She felt trusting anyone with her truth could be fatal for her. To prevent him from asking any questions, she cradled his neck with her cold hands and kissed him fiercely this time. 

'It's not like I haven't slept with a man before,' she reminded herself, sinking her teeth lightly into his lower lip. The rich scent of his cologne surrounded her, which was intoxicating and dangerously inviting.

Gabriel tensed under her touch. A warmth spread through his body, his wolf stirring restlessly inside him, growling in desire. His grip on her tightened as he wrapped his arms around her lower back, drawing her closer until their bodies were flush against each other.

A low, satisfied hum rumbled in his throat as he parted his lips, his tongue darting out to claim hers. 

'She is different,' Gabriel thought to himself as he moved his hand to her thigh before pulling her up in his arms. Her legs wrapped around his torso and her fingers tangled in his smooth hair locks. 

'How can he be so good at kissing?' Amelie thought. She felt inexperienced before him. The way his tongue would touch her lips, the roof of her mouth and her tongue, it would send tingles throughout her body. 

Amelie moaned against his mouth when Gabriel's fingers tightened around her thighs, a smirk playing on his lips at her reaction. 

Without breaking their kiss, he guided her toward the bed, letting her fall onto the soft mattress. She gasped, drawing in much-needed air the moment their lips parted, only for him to hover over her again, caging her beneath his body.

His lips found hers once more, coaxing her into another breathless kiss as his fingers worked at the knot of her bathrobe, loosening it with deliberate slowness. The fabric parted slightly, teasing the warmth of his touch against her skin.

Just as she thought he would claim her again, he suddenly pulled away. His darkened gaze roamed over her before he spoke.

"What's your name?" His voice was a husky whisper, his fingers slipping beneath the open robe, teasing the bare skin of her waist.

"Amelie," she breathed, feeling her pulse quickened because of his touch.

"Amelie," Gabriel echoed, her name rolling off his tongue like a whispered prayer. 

But then, his expression shifted—his smirk faded into something more intense.

His fingers trailed up to her neck, the light caress sending shivers down her spine. His gaze hardened as he traced an invisible line over her skin.

"I can smell a wolf on you," he murmured. Then, without warning, he pushed the robe open further, exposing her bare chest to the cool air. His eyes darkened as they locked onto a single spot—her neck.

Amelie quickly brought her hands to her chest to cover it from his predatory gaze. She felt shy and even weird.

"You were marked, weren't you?" His voice dropped, edged with something dangerously close to possession as his gaze met hers, demanding the truth. 

The question left Amelie in a dilemma. She didn't wish to tell him the truth. But what confused her was how he could smell Alex's scent on her. He had rejected her and she too, had accepted his rejection. 

"I am not an ordinary wolf, Amelie. Who the fuck marked you before me?" Gabriel voiced in a possessive yet intimidating tone.