Chapter 12
Jesse pov
It's been just over a year since Mr. Greene locked me away in a cave. Father and I both think that he was going to use me as a way to gain the alphahood for himself. Tonight I shift for the first time. I could already feel my wolf inside of me. Mary shifted a few months ago into a beautiful brown wolf with a white chest. She's a big wolf strong and graceful.
I finished school last week and will be working on the farm full time. Mary will continue going to school she wants to become a teacher so that she can teach here on the farm instead of taking all the pups into town. Father loved the idea and soon had plans to have a few of the wolves train in the many trades that could help us and keep us out of the human world.
Edith has become more and more clingy towards me and I can't understand why I have never given any signs I was interested in her. I have to ask Mary to set her straight last thing I need is for her to start showing up here trying to woo me. She has grown into a nice girl to look at and I have no questions if she will not find an audible partner it just won't be me. Mary on the other hand just keeps getting prettier and prettier. I had never thought of Mary in any way other than friends. That was until she shifted and became a woman. Now I both love and hate spending time with her. So I make myself so busy there is no time for just sitting around like there used to be.
“Mary, I need you to do something for me please?” “what's that?” “can you explain mates to Edith because I know she's, not my cause well she's not a wolf and I don’t want to hurt her feelings by telling her? And having her think I am rejecting her advances for another reason other than she's not my mate.” sighing she nods and I swear I hear “chicken” whispered under her breath. With that, I took off the round-up of the calves for sorting.
Mary pov
When Jesse asked me to explain mates to Edith I was happy he didn’t want to be with anyone other than his mate. On the other hand, I was sad cause he only wants to be with his mate. I know I shouldn't be thinking as a salon girl does. But I have feelings for him that I know I shouldn’t. walking away from him after calling him a chicken I head to round up the pups.
At midday I pull Edith aside “hey edi we need to talk I should have said something before but it's important.” looking at me confused she nods and follows me to a big willow tree. “how much do you know about shifters?” I ask wanting to know how much I really have to tell her. Thinking for a few minutes she finally answers “I know there are many different types some rarer than others. I know that their blood can strengthen a spell. They are good people who just want to be left alone and live in peace.” she tells me. So far nothing about mates great well here goes nothing.
“Okay, so when we hit the age of 18 we can find our mates.”
“What is a mate?”
“it's like your soul mates your other half. Shifters are meant to be with someone and when we find them they are our everything. We are raised to only be with our mates. We give our everything to them. Once we find them a bond forms with them. We then mark each other and seal the bond. After that, if we were to stay it would cause them so much pain. Just as if they were to stray.”
“sounds controlling.”
“it's not. You have been over many times. And you have said many times you want, want my parents have. Well, they are that close because they are mates. Wolves only have wolves as mates.” hoping she gets what I mean.
“so how do you know you found your mate?” she looks at me really wanting to know the answers but before I can answer she asks “are you sure wolves only mate with wolves? Or is that all you know so that's what you believe?”
Thinking about it she's right we don’t know for sure as it has never happened. “well it has not happened yet to my knowledge. And we smell out mates.”
“gross,” she says wrinkling her nose. “no-no not in a bad way its ascent we smell. From what my mother tells me it's the best smell you have ever smelled. Your wolf is drawn to it going crazy to find the source. Already in love with our mate before we even see them.” Edith sits and thinks for a while. “sounds kinda romantic. So when you're 18 huh. So in two years, you will find yours?” I nod and shake my head. “I will be able to find him but that's if he's close to me. Otherwise, It could take a while to find him. Sadly I have heard of the rare wolf who never finds its mate. Or lost their mate before they were 18. in those cases a wolf will choose a mate. But it's rare.” “can they choose anyone as their mate?” I nod though rare it has happened a time or two. And most wolves who have lost their mate have taken a mate who has lost theirs or a human. Taking someone's mate is horrible and leaves at least one wolf broken in the end.
After finishing the day and heading back to the farm I have high hopes that my talk with her went well. Getting home I link mother that I will be in after I find Jesse. This mind linking is amazing I love it. I can't wait to be able to link Jesse. Tonight he shifts for the first time I will be there for him like he was for me. It was so painful that first time. The whole pack gathered around me to help me through it. I felt a stronger bond with them all after that.
“Hey, birthday boy. How was your day?” “busy. Did you talk to Edith? Please say yes?” I just nod “I did and it seems she understood so everything is all good.” I can see the relief in him right away. He pats my shoulder thanking me before heading back to the barn with a young bull in tow
