𝖍𝖊𝖆𝖛𝖊𝖓

I froze in place, unable to move from my crouched position on the floor.

I could tell that the man towering over me was undeniably handsome, with a chiseled face, high cheekbones, and silky, slightly curled, dark hair that fell haphazardly across his forehead. But even through all of his godlike features, I couldn't help but to stare at his eyes.

The golden irises stared back at me, and his eyes widened slightly.

My breathing hitched, and a strange feeling began to spread throughout my chest, pressing down on me like an invisible weight.

Antonio, the other man that was crouched before me noticed the strange staring contest that the other man and I seemed to be locked into. He glanced back and forth between the two of us, but even his questioning gaze could not draw me away from the mysterious stranger.

Antonio seemed to come to a revelation after seeing the other man's reaction, and his eyes grew large, his mouth opening in shock.

"Oh, shit," he muttered out, his words finally effective in yanking my gaze away from the golden-eyed man.

I shook my head quickly, trying to rid myself of the strange foggy feeling that had come over me.

My common sense flooded back to me, and I staggered quickly to my feet. The faint pounding in my head came back in full force at the sudden movement, causing me to stumble ungracefully, leaning my hand onto the nearest wall for support.

Antonio rose up after me, a shocked look on his face as he continued to read the expression of the other man.

"If you don't mind me asking," I spoke, ignoring the painful echos of my voice that sounded throughout my head. And at the sound of my voice, I could've sworn that the honey-eyed man's eyes became wider. "But where exactly am I?"

Antonio looked over to the other man, obviously indicating for him to explain the odd situation, but it seemed as if words would not leave his mouth.

His eyes were still on me, and butterflies began to flutter in my stomach at the intensity of his gaze.

Antonio sighed, turning back towards me.

"I'm sorry," he started out, "This must all be so confusing for you."

He paused, and I nodded for him to continue.

"We live in this house, which is close to where you and your friends were camping, and I was on a walk when I saw you laying on the ground. I had no idea if your friends would be able to help you in the state that they were in, so I decided to bring you here."

I nodded once at him; his story had made sense.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed the other man had come closer to me, nearly shoving Antonio out of the way.

Antonio has noticed too, and began to back towards the door.

"Well, I see that I'm not needed at the moment," he said, awkwardly wringing his hands, before stepping back into the hallway.

As his steps faded into the distance, I turned to face the gorgeous man. He truly was my definition of perfection; each feature was flawless and sculpted.

"Hello," I stuttered our meekly, slightly intimidated by his unnatural beauty.

He took a few more steps towards me, and soon enough he was towering in front of me.

"I can't believe it," he muttered to himself.

I cocked my head to the side, my forehead scrunching as I wondered what he had meant by that. Shaking off the man's strange behavior, I stuck out my hand in greeting.

"Well, thank you and Antonio for helping me. I'm sorry, but I don't believe you told me your name."

He smiled at this, reaching out to grab my small hand in his much larger one. Tingles spread from where we touched, and a shiver ran up my spine.

"My name's August," he finally spoke, his velvety voice smooth as he introduced himself. "And what's your name, beautiful?"

I hid my blush at his comment, working to keep my face calm.

"I'm Heaven." I answered.

"Heaven," he breathed, my name rolling off his tongue so beautifully, "Such a suiting name."

This time my blush spread throughout my cheeks, and I gave him a small smile.

Perhaps my head injury had some positives, if that's what led me here.

✧ ✧ ✧

𝖆𝖚𝖌𝖚𝖘𝖙

I can't believe I've finally found her.

My mate.

Heaven.

I smiled at the name; it truly suited her perfectly.

I took another moment to look down at her. Her ebony hair fell like a waterfall down her back, and the midnight-blue of her eyes was positively hypnotizing. She was much shorter than me, barely reaching my shoulders. Her face was absolutely gorgeous, with a smattering of freckles stretching across the bridge of her button nose. Her lips were full and soft-looking, and I was nearly dying to have a taste.

And if her features weren't enough, she had the most delicious scent surrounding her. She smelled of lavender and the smell of fresh rain after it's stormed.

My eyes widen slightly as I remember something. I had been so intoxicated by Heaven that I had forgotten the reason why she had been brought here in the first place. She was hurt.

I became slightly frantic, terrified that my mate was in pain.

I reached out a hand, placing it softly on the side of her head. Her blush spread further, and I felt my lips curve into a smile.

"How are you feeling," I asked softly, becoming serious again as I worried for her health.

She shrugged.

"I'm ok," she answered, "It hurts a little bit and I'm sort of dizzy, but it's probably nothing more than a minor concussion."

I suppressed a growl that was beginning at the back of my throat. How could she be so nonchalant about being injured? In the back of my mind, I knew that she was right, it was just a minor injury. But I couldn't help but to fear otherwise.

"You probably shouldn't be standing," I rushed out, noticing that I was probably sounding like an overprotective mom, "You should get more rest."

She giggled at my frantic words, and her laugh instantly became my favorite sound.

"I'm fine," she answered, "Besides, I've survived much worse than this."

My face scrunched up at her last sentence, a frown making its way to my face. What did she mean by that?

I brushed it aside for later, focusing my attention back to her.

"How did you get hurt in the first place?" I asked, curious.

She shrugged. "One of the assholes that I was camping with had way too much to drink. When he stumbled, he grabbed me and took me down with him."

I couldn't help it when a growl escaped my lips. I hated the thought of another man touching her, let alone hurting her.

I reigned in my raging emotions, taking deep breaths of her intoxicating scent to calm myself down.

I returned my thoughts solely onto her, trying to put the thought of the idiot that tripped her into the back of my mind.

I brushed my hands along her shoulders, down her arms. I couldn't help but to always want to touch her.

"Whenever you feel well enough, I can bring you back home. Your friends and family are probably beginning to wonder where you are."

I cringed at the thought of her leaving me for the time being, but I knew it would be for the best. No matter how much I wanted to keep her here forever, I knew that she had a life that she had to get back to.

Heaven seemed to ponder my words for a moment, before shaking her head.

"No," she laughed humorlessly, "I doubt my friends had even noticed that I had left. As for my family, I highly doubt that my mom would be home to see that I'm gone."

I frowned at her revelation, but couldn't help but to be selfishly excited.

Perhaps if she didn't have anything to go home to, she would consider staying with me, at least for a while longer.

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