His Warm-Blooded Mate novel Chapter 5

LILITH

I gritted my teeth against the pain, clenching my hands into white fists while resting them on the cold tiles that lined the wall. The sweltering heat of the shower couldn't even lull the pain inside of me. No matter how long I stood under the hot spray, it's was no use. A growl threatened to spill from my lips but I swallowed it, tampering it down.

I had my good days and I had my bad days. Tonight was part of one of those bad days. Luckily, I didn't have the main performance tonight. Maybe I could get out of dancing to wait on tables. That would be more bearable. I nodded to myself, I would switch shifts with someone for the night. No one would say no because dancing always offered more money anyway. We were lucky enough to have girls willing to rotate and do whatever needed to be done.

I stepped out of the shower with a wince, my arms, and legs a jittery mess. My head felt heavy from the constant howling of my beast. It was difficult to ignore something that lived inside you, that stirred continuously even when you just wanted it to sit still for a second so you could think. Excitement filled me but it was paired with anguish. I was going to tell Julian about the mate bond between us. It had to be done tonight. I could already feel his rejection wash over me.

I groaned, pushing the thought away so I could get ready. Tonight I wore black lingerie with a black choker and fishnet stalkings. I threw a trench coat over and slipped into a pair of black pumps. My hair was up in a pin-straight high ponytail and I kept my makeup minimal. Before leaving, I made sure to pop in my purple eye lenses.

It didn't even take me ten minutes to get from my apartment building to the club. That probably had a lot to do with the fact that I was a pro-speed walker. I wasn't scared of humans because I could take them easily but it was the other creatures in the night that scared me. As a wolf with no pack, I was weak. Wolves didn't just have strength in numbers, being in a pack also meant that they were physically stronger as individuals.

Being an introvert automatically became a sin when you paired it with the werewolf species.

I entered through the back entrance, making my way straight to the change room. All I had to do was undo my trench coat, touch up my hair, and trade my pumps in for platforms.

"Beatrix," I called, looking at her through the mirror.

She had a rainbow wig on with bright red lingerie that accentuated her already large tits. With a bright, sugary smile she chirped, "That's my name, what can I do you for?"

I shuddered, knowing exactly what the question meant, "Take my performance today and I'll take your shift waiting on tables."

Her eyes widened as expected, excitement setting them ablaze, "Seriously, are you sure?"

"Yeah," I shrugged, turning to meet her gaze, "show off those juicy watermelons to those thirsty fucks," I winked teasingly and watched as she bounced on the balls of her feet. Her tits went up and down and my eyes followed the action even though I didn't want to.

She squealed, pulling me into her so that her boobs were pressed to mine. Suddenly I felt as if I needed to go to church to confess my sins. However, I was just happy I didn't have to dance tonight. I'd be back on my A-game tomorrow, though, so Beatrix better not get too comfortable.

"You're awesome, girl," her words were lost in a giggle, "anything you need, just let me know." She finally pulled away and I sighed in relief.

Beatrix didn't realize she was doing me a favor but whatever. If she thought she owed me one then I knew who to call if I needed something in the near future.

"I'll get out there and start your shift while you prepare a routine," I made sure to plaster a smile on my face as I said the words even when another jolt of pain rippled through my body.

"I think I'm just going to wing it," she mused, spraying perfume into the air before walking into it.

"You do you. Just have fun and good luck," giving her air kisses, I scurried to the front and made a beeline for the bar.

I couldn't see Julian anywhere and a pang of disappointment settled over my heart. If I didn't watch myself the mate bond would urge me to search for him. It would make me pine for him until he and I were together.

"Hey, Beatrix and I switched shifts," I announced when I reached the bar.

Tam, one of the three bartenders, propped her elbows on the counter, "Bet she was so excited to take the limelight."

"I don't have the main performance tonight," I shrugged, "either way, it was my idea. I just hope no one's too disappointed with the switch."

Tam's smile dropped, she pressed her lips into a thin line. She was Asian, Vietnamese from what I knew. Her long black hair was shaved on one side, while the rest was tied in a top knot. She had cute almond-shaped eyes that were the color of almonds.

"It's not like you to drop a performance. Are you okay?" She stepped back and I noticed the black tube top and leather skirt she wore.

"I'm fine," the lie left my lips so easily, "Don't worry about it. I should get to work before I find myself out of a job though."

Tam handed me a notepad and a pen from behind the counter before gesturing over to a group of men around a table. With a nod, I went to them. They were so caught up in business that they barely cast a glance at me. They muttered their drink orders to me and less than five minutes later I was on to another table.

I stifled every stab of pain I felt and tried to hide my little flinches and winces. It didn't help that most of the men wanted to grope my ass. If I could take their hands out and beat them with them it I would have. I was so close to doing it but I knew better. This job was important to me. Once I had enough money I'd enroll in med school. That was the dream at least.

I made my way to the bar with another drink order when another sharp spin captured my body, slithering down my spine. Gasping in pure horror, I ran to the back where the dancers were getting ready. They didn't notice me and I didn't care. I rushed into the restroom and locked the door behind me. My body was becoming hot. Too hot. I closed my eyes, taking in deep breathes but I knew what was happening and I wouldn't be able to stop it.

"Fuck. Fuck. FUCK!" I cried in pain, clutching the edge of the ceramic sink.

The door burst open not even a second later. Julian's eyes were wide with what looked like panic. I watched his jaw snap shut and then clench. It took him all but two seconds to figure out what he wanted to do. He crouched in front of me, picking me up bridal style. Sparks instantly shot through my limbs.

"Close your eyes," he ordered in a tone that left no room for argument.

I wouldn't have argued with him either way. Just having him near me eased me, his sweet scent surrounding me with that hint of something earthy. My eyelids fluttered close and I felt a kiss of cold air rush over my skin. Locks of my hair whipped around, tickling my face in the process. I tucked my face into the crook of his neck. Every part of him was hard but every part of me fitted the mould his body created.

We stopped a minute or two later but he didn't even seem out of breath, "Open your eyes," he murmured but his voice still echoed.

I peeled my eyelids open and waited for my eyes to adjust to their surroundings. We were in the middle of a dark forest. I wasn't sure where we were exactly but I could tell it was unclaimed lands. Julian wouldn't have brought me here if there was a pack that claimed it around.

He set me down onto my feet but I was unbalanced thanks to my platforms on the lumpy dirt floor. That meant I had to clutch his arm for dear life if I didn't want to suffer from a sprained ankle or something worse.

"Shift," he ordered, pulling his hand away gently and backing up several paces.

"Huh?" I wasn't confused by his words, only confused that he knew what was happening to me.

"For how long have you been suppressing your wolf?" I could see his dark eyebrows furrow as if he didn't like the idea of me doing something like that.

I couldn't stand the scrutiny in his gaze so I cast my eyes down, "That has nothing to do with you."

"You're right it doesn't," he growled, "but you're not leaving here until you shift, so the choice is yours. You're not going to be able to suppress your wolf much longer. It's already fighting for control and, by the looks of it, winning. Do you want to be out there and have a giant wolf bursting from your flesh in front of everyone?"

"That's never happened before and I'm not going to let it happen now," my voice trailed off in a deep, animalistic growl.