Mated To The Mafia Werewolves

Sandro winced as he emerged from the blue convertible car. He tucked his hands into the pockets of his blue denim jeans and then withdrew them to caress the three-day-old beard on his chin. Inhaling deeply, he exhaled slowly, his nostrils flaring as a floral fragrance drifted into his nose. He turned around, narrowing his eyes as they settled on a curvaceous, leggy brunette. She was clad in a burnt orange metallic miniskirt that hitched up every time she moved.

His gaze traveled down to the belly ring, barely covered by the floral crochet crop top she was wearing. A bright smile graced her oval face, and she pushed the aviator sunglasses down her sharp, straight nose.

“Well, isn’t this a surprise,” she purred. Her voice carried the husky quality he remembered from the last time he was with her.

“Alessandro,” she added, drawing out his name in a way that sent a shiver down his spine. He still had a reaction to her, and he wondered if that would ever change.

“Thalia,” Sandro mumbled as she approached him. Her arms enveloped him, and a soft sigh escaped her lips as her chest pressed against his.

“It’s been quite some time,” she remarked, releasing the embrace but remaining close.

As she assessed him, she noted that he looked remarkably similar to the way he did five years ago-just taller and more muscular. Thalia couldn’t help but wonder if he had aged at all, considering how much she herself had changed since they last met.

Sandro discreetly checked out her perfectly proportioned backside, accentuated by the skirt. He realized that few of the women he had encountered managed to look even more attractive upon reuniting.

Thalia, he believed, was in a category of her own, standing out from the rest.

“Do you reside in the neighborhood?” Sandro inquired.

“Oh, no,” Thalia replied. “I’m just here for a visit.”

“Visiting one of your many clients, I presume?” he quipped.

Thalia rolled her eyes. “I’m not a prostitute, Sandro. Our history doesn’t mean I’ve been intimate with every man I’ve crossed paths with.”

Sandro scowled.

“Then enlighten me about why you left me if not for being with older men? You seemed to be open to anything that came your way,” he spat out, his pent-up emotions from five years ago resurfacing unexpectedly.

In that moment, Sandro realized he hadn’t truly moved on from the events that had transpired between them all those years ago. He had convinced himself that he was over it, but this encounter shattered that illusion.

Thalia sighed, suppressing her anger as best she could. Meeting Sandro had proven to be a mistake, as he was prone to hurling hurtful accusations at her. No matter how she explained herself regarding the circumstances of their breakup, he remained skeptical.

“I didn’t come here for any of that, and I had no idea you’d be here. If I had known, I wouldn’t have even shown up!” Thalia retorted.

Sandro’s grip tightened as he pulled her back when she tried to move past him.

“Let go of me!” Thalia yelled, struggling to break free, but his hold was unyielding.

Drawing closer, Sandro’s face was inches from hers, his voice softer this time. “Where have you been?”

“Why does it matter where I’ve been? What business is it of yours?” Thalia shot back.

“Where the hell have you disappeared to? You smell just like Arabella!” Sandro’s voice took on a harsh edge.

“Who is Arabella?” Thalia stammered, taken aback by his sudden intensity.

Sandro’s gaze remained locked on her for a few tense seconds, glaring. Thalia felt as if he could tear her heart out with a single pull.

“You’re hurting me,” Thalia managed, her eyes welling up with tears.

Sandro blinked, his demeanor shifting as he registered the tremor in her voice. Clearing his throat, he wiped away his anger and noticed the unshed tears glistening in her eyes.

Thalia wasn’t Arabella. She couldn’t be. But then why did they share a similar scent up close? The confusion gnawed at Sandro, who struggled to find a satisfactory explanation.

Reluctantly, he released Thalia’s hand and ran his fingers through his hair. “I apologize.”

Silence hung in the air for a moment before she broke it. “What was that all about, and who is Arabella?” Thalia questioned.

“She’s nobody,” Sandro muttered, not offering any more information. And she didn’t press him further. Instinctively, she realized that delving deeper could jeopardize not only herself but also her brother.

It was safer to feign ignorance than to risk getting entangled in a dangerous situation she didn’t fully understand.

***************

Arabella rolled her eyes, tossing the remote control onto the leather couch in front of her before pushing herself up and stretching her limbs. She walked over to the door and peered out of the window.

“Not back yet,” she muttered in frustration.

Her phone vibrated almost immediately, and she glanced at the screen.

“Thalia.” Despite their strained friendship, at least they were in a state of tolerance now. Thalia had become less harsh compared to the first two days Arabella had been in the house. Arabella figured that Thalia had accepted her presence, at least temporarily.

Putting the phone to her ear, Arabella spoke. “You won’t be coming home tonight?”

“No,” Thalia’s voice came through. “But I need you to grab something for me.”

Arabella furrowed her brows. “What is it?”Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

“Just a few groceries I bought. It’s right around the corner from the house.”

Arabella peered from the window again, noticing the moon in the sky. She pondered whether leaving the house was a good idea. Blaze had issued strict warnings against it, and Arabella wasn’t keen on disobeying him. However, she didn’t want to decline Thalia’s request either.

Thalia had a volatile temper, and Arabella believed that a misstep on her part could trigger an adverse reaction.

“Are you still there?” Thalia’s voice snapped Arabella out of her thoughts.

“Yeah, I am. But there’s an issue. I promised Blaze not to-”

“Blaze, my so-called brother. He won’t do anything to you.”

Arabella nodded, even though Thalia couldn’t see her. “Okay, I’ll be there in three minutes. It’s pretty chilly out, so I’ll grab a jacket.”

After the call ended, Arabella reached for the pink fleece jacket that Blaze had given her. She slipped it on and pulled the hood up as well.

Arabella grimaced as she stepped out of her cozy room, thankful for the jacket’s warmth. Lately, the nighttime temperatures had been colder than usual, precisely when Thalia tended to head out. Blaze, on the other hand, rarely stayed in the house, and when he did, it was only during the day-never at night when Arabella could use his help.

Arabella’s ears twitched at the distant howl. She scanned her surroundings-behind, in front, to the left, and to the right-as she walked through the dimly lit alley toward Thalia’s designated meeting spot. An unsettling sensation prickled her skin as though she were being observed. She nibbled on her lower lip, her hand retreating into her jacket pocket. Her pace quickened, heart pounding when she heard a sudden footfall. The eerie ambiance outside could have been playing tricks on her senses, but she remained wary.

Despite the eerie atmosphere, Arabella was convinced she wasn’t imagining things. “Help me, sweet Jesus,” she whispered, continuing her journey until she reached the location Thalia had specified. She furrowed her brow, standing alone in the desolate street. Thalia was nowhere to be seen, and there was no grocery in sight.

Retrieving her phone from her jacket pocket, Arabella watched as Thalia’s name flashed on the screen. “Were you trying to prank me? It’s freezing out here!”

Thalia’s retort came without hesitation. “Well, you deserve it, and I won’t apologize if you freeze your ass off.”

Confusion crept over Arabella. “What do you mean?”

“I didn’t realize you were so gullible. Now I know, and I’m amused you fell for it.”

“Thalia!” Arabella’s exclamation held a mix of realization and frustration.

Thalia had no intention of coming, nor had she gathered any groceries for Arabella. The cunning witch had manipulated her into venturing out for some unknown purpose.

Arabella’s anger simmered. “What’s your damn pro-”

“You’re my problem, bitch. Stay away from my brother. Sweet dreams.” Thalia’s voice dripped with malice before abruptly ending the call, punctuated by a taunting, kissy sound.

“That witch!” Arabella seethed, whirling around just as a low growl rumbled behind her.

“What now?!” Arabella’s frustration was cut short as her gaze met the fierce eyes of a predatory beast. Unlike the friendly dog she had encountered before, this creature exuded a terrifying and immense presence. The longer she stared, the more she realized her predicament.

“Stay back!” Arabella’s hands instinctively pushed forward as she fought to regain her composure.

Her phone clattered to the ground as she instinctively moved backward, attempting to increase the distance between herself and the advancing creature.

“Please, don’t!” She choked out the plea, her heart racing, and she gasped as her backward momentum abruptly ceased when her body collided with someone.

Startled, she turned to identify her unexpected savior, but before she could focus, a cloth was pressed over her nose. Panic surged as the scent of the cloth overwhelmed her senses, and her vision began to blur at the edges. She struggled against the encroaching darkness, stumbling backward, only to find herself caught by the firm grip of the stranger’s hand.