The Designated Mate novel Chapter 24

Luna Caroline, could I occupy one of the guest rooms the next few nights? I'm having some work done on my house and cannot stay there for the time being.

It took a few minutes for her to reply, but she happily agreed. Exiting the bathroom, I found the man sitting on the edge of my bed with my pillow to his nose. I cleared my throat, snapping him out of his daze. I expected him to be embarrassed that I caught him smelling my things, but he wasn't phased one bit.

"I'll be staying in one of the vacant pack rooms for the next few nights, so if your offer still stands then I'd love your help," I spoke politely. He nodded, causing me to conclude that he was truly a man of few words. A few seconds of silence passed by before his eyes averted to his article of clothing I was still wearing, just as everyone else's had earlier today.

"I will get this back to you as soon as I wash it," I rushed out, unsure if he was angry that I hadn't offered to return it already.

"No. Keep it," he insisted, his tone conveying it as an order. I nodded before retreating to my room to grab my things for my stay at the pack house. Just as I was about to leave, I remembered there was something I was still needing to know.

"What's your name?" I asked, turning to look into his eyes. He stood from the bed to his full, towering height causing me to shrink back.

"Knox."

Poppy's POV

It was the next morning and I had awoken bright and early. Well, sort of.

I've never been a morning person, but when Knox mind-linked me at eight the next morning saying he'd be finished with my new drywall in about an hour I was far too excited to even think about sleep. I immediately shot up from my bed and threw on a pair of clothes with Knox's sweater over top and rushed out of the pack house. I was going on day two wearing it, but I couldn't care less. It was warm and comfortable, and I liked it.

Throwing my front door open, I was absolutely shocked at how different the place appeared. It already looked 100 times better than it did the day before. An involuntary giggle of happiness bubbled from my chest as I continued turning in circles to inspect every inch. I was caught off guard when Knox joined me in the living room, looking tired and dirty. I gasped at the bags under his eyes, but blushed furiously when my own traveled downward to take in his naked chest.

How in the world was he not freezing to death??

"Don't do that again," I reprimanded, thinking about his health.

"I'm fine," he replied curtly, brushing off my concern.

"No, you're not. Your body can't function properly without at least some sleep," I shot back, not backing down from the matter. I felt horrible knowing he was probably bone-tired because he was helping me.

"I'm fine!" He snarled, a deep and feral growl reverberating from his chest due to his anger. I backed off instantly, taking an unconscious step back from fear. His eyes had taken an animalistic hue. That combined with the intense waves of power he was giving off was enough to really scare me.

I didn't speak, afraid to anger him further. I kept my head down in a show of submission, hoping he'd calm down enough so I could nicely tell him to leave. When the aura around him didn't change, and instead he took a step closer to me, I had to fight to keep my whimper of fear from escaping. Just from the tension in the room, I could tell that his wolf had taken over his human form and was now in control. I squealed when he grasped my hair in his hand before roughly yanking my head back and to the side to expose my neck. I felt my chest begin to rack from withheld sobs of terror.