Five Years a Virgin

I've been mated to Alpha Alaric Goremane for five years, and I'm still a virgin.

On the night he claims me, I stand before him, naked. With my heart pounding against my chest, I muster the courage to step forward and wrap my arms around him.

But he pulls away, and then comes the words that lingered in my head for years like a devil's whisper.

"I'm sorry, Kyna. I have severe germaphobia and can't handle physical intimacy. Please give me some time."

In that moment, my heart plunges into the abyss. But when I see the torment in his eyes, I convince myself that he doesn't love me any less. He's just sick, and all I have to do is wait.

So, I wait for five long years.

On our fifth mating anniversary, I cross thousands of miles in a raging storm just to see the look of delight on his face when I surprise him.

Sure enough, I see the warmth in his eyes and gentleness in his expression. But what a pity… it isn't for me.

The Alpha, who claims to be an obsessive clean freak, is on one knee before his childhood sweetheart. He gently slips off her rain-soaked heels, dries her feet, and warms her cold toes with the heat of his palm.

It's as if that's the most natural thing in the world, and as if his world holds no one else.

He sighs. "Serene, how many times have I told you that you'll catch a cold? What would you do without me?"

In that instant, the last of my delusions shatters. I finally realize that his germaphobia is selective, and I'm simply the one he can't bear to touch.

Instead of making a fuss, I slip off the ring I've worn for five years and walk into the storm without looking back.

Later, I hear he tries to win me back with the most expensive roses in the city. But the Kyna Lupen who loves him is long gone.

Alaric Goremane was in the shower as the muffled sound of running water drifted from the steamy bathroom.

The air was heavy with the scent of the aromatherapy oil I'd chosen, supposedly one that stirred the most primal desires in wolves.

I'd slipped into the lace slip I'd saved for tonight, and its sheer fabric hugged my curves perfectly.

When Alaric stepped out, I steadied my pounding heart and slid my arms around his solid waist from behind. Then, I pressed my cheek against his muscled back.

"Honey, I'm ready…"

His body froze. With a sudden, sharp shove, he threw me off as though I were filth, and my fingers burned him.

Meeting my stunned gaze, he gritted his teeth and hissed, "Who said you could touch me?"

…

I jolted awake and felt my heart racing against my chest as cold sweat covered my forehead. So, it turned out that this was just another cruel, pathetic dream.

As I panted heavily, my eyes