On Hayley's back, a delicate tattoo shone with an ethereal light. A crescent moon, adorned with mystical patterns, cradled a slender witch's wand, tipped with starlight. Intertwined, they pulsated with a soft, lunar glow, embodying ancient magic and power. He stared at it in awe and wonder.
As he gazed at the tattoo, memories flooded his mind. His late mother had told him stories of his one true mate, a hybrid of two different races. Werewolves and witches were sworn enemies, making the idea seem unbelievable. Yet, his mother had the gift of foresight, and he couldn't shake off the feeling that there was truth to her words.
The tattoo on Hayley's back sent shivers down his spine. It was ancient, a symbol he had never seen before. And to make matters more confusing, Hayley smelled human. He couldn't brush off the feeling that there was something more to her, something mysterious. He made a mental note to research the tattoo when he returned to New York.
The day of the seminar arrived, and they attended, listening intently to the speaker's words on how to outrun competitors in the business world. Hayley took diligent notes, her eyes lighting up with excitement as she learned new strategies.
As the seminar drew to a close, Hayley yawned, her eyelids drooping as they drove back to the hotel. She excused herself and returned to their hotel room, where she collapsed onto the bed, fast asleep.
Ryan sat on the chair, watching her sleep. He couldn't help but feel drawn to her, despite the confusion surrounding her tattoo and her scent.
Hayley woke up to the sound of Ryan's phone ringing. She checked her own phone and saw that it was only 9 pm. Feeling restless, she decided to go for a swim in the hotel pool.
The cool water enveloped her like a soothing balm, calming her mind and relaxing her muscles. She swam lap after lap, losing herself in the rhythmic motion.
Thirty minutes passed, and Hayley floated on her back, gazing up at the starry sky. Suddenly, she felt a presence behind her. She turned to see Ryan standing at the edge of the pool, his eyes fixed intently on her.
As he slipped into the water, Hayley felt a jolt of self-awareness. Her bikini seemed to shrink, exposing her fleshy breasts to Ryan's gaze. She felt a flush rise to her cheeks as he stared deeply into her shiny grey eyes.
The air seemed to vibrate with tension as Ryan drew closer. Hayley's heart pounded in her chest, her pulse racing with anticipation. It was as if they were both in a trance, drawn to each other by an unseen force.
Ryan's face leaned in, his lips inches from Hayley's. She felt her lips parting, ready to receive his kiss. But just as their lips were about to touch, Ryan jerked back, a look of disgust twisting his face.
Hayley felt a deep pang of pain in her heart as if she wasn't worth anything. She wondered if the disgust was directed at her or himself, but Ryan's muttered apology and hasty departure left her with more questions than answers.
The rejection stung, and Hayley felt a surge of anger at herself. She had known Ryan was engaged, and yet she had allowed herself to get caught up in the moment.
Determined to give Ryan space, Hayley stayed in the pool for another two hours, her mind reeling with thoughts and emotions. Finally, she emerged from the water, wrapped herself in a towel, and returned to the hotel room.
She found Ryan lying on the right side of the bed she didn't know if he was asleep or not, but Hayley didn't care. She slipped into bed, feeling a mix of sadness and relief wash over her. Little did she know that he was awake listening to her every movement.