Chapter 29
I lay beside her on my back, staring up at the ceiling, lost in a storm of emotions I couldn’t quite understand. I wasn’t surprised that my wolf had taken over, marking our mate. Deep down, I knew it was only a matter of time before something like this happened. But what angered me was that I had allowed it, that I couldn’t stop myself from wanting her. And even more terrifying than that, I had enjoyed every second of it. The pleasure I felt when I touched her, kissed her, was dangerously addicting. I wanted more. That thought alone sent a chill down my spine.
With a deep sigh, I shifted onto my side, my eyes taking in every curve of her body. She was beautiful—an hourglass figure, soft skin, and thick, silky black hair that spread out across the pillow. I reached out, brushing a lock of it from her face before gently pulling the blanket over her to keep her warm. I couldn't help but feel protective of her. Ever since she arrived, I hadn’t only been losing control of my wolf—I’d been losing control of myself.
When I found her earlier, sitting alone in the dark, crying… I snapped. It was too much. Seeing my mate in pain like that was unbearable. I should’ve known better than to kiss her, to let myself get lost in her lips. But I did it anyway. And that one kiss led to this, to marking her, claiming her. There was no going back now.
“Great job, you idiot,” I muttered under my breath, running my fingers through her hair. My wolf purred in contentment, satisfied with what we had done. But I wasn’t. My father had warned me about losing control like this. He said it was a sign of weakness, and I couldn’t afford to be weak. Not with a pack to lead. Yet, here I was, letting my feelings for my mate mess with my head.
I wanted her—there was no denying that. It had taken every ounce of self-control not to completely lose myself and take her right then and there. And the worst part? I knew I would have enjoyed it. Every single moment.
My chest tightened as I thought about it. What was happening to me? The loss of control I experienced tonight wasn’t like anything I’d felt before. It wasn’t just my wolf taking over. There was something else, something darker, that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. I needed answers, and I knew there was only one person who might have them—my uncle.
A knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts. I sniffed the air. Chris.
Careful not to wake her, I slipped out of bed and made my way to the door, opening it quietly. Chris stood there with a smug grin plastered across his face.
“What the hell are you smiling about?” I grumbled, walking over to the couch and flopping down lazily.
Chris followed, plopping down on the opposite couch, his feet up on the oak table between us. “You finally did it, didn’t you? I knew you would. All that ‘mates are a weakness’ crap you spout—yeah, right.”
I rolled my eyes, already regretting letting him in. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t play dumb. You reek of her, man. You marked her, didn’t you? Maybe even had a little fun while you were at it?” He waggled his eyebrows like a teenager.
I shot him a glare. “I didn’t sleep with her. But yes, I marked her.” My voice grew cold. “I didn’t have a choice.”
Chris’s smile faded. “Your wolf took over, huh?”
I nodded, running a hand through my hair. “Yeah, but… this time, it was different. I could feel my wolf, sure, but there was something else. Something stronger. I’ve never felt anything like it before. And after I marked her, she passed out.”
Chris leaned forward, suddenly serious. “Passed out? That’s not normal.”
“I know.” I sat up, my mind still racing from the memory. “It’s like my hunger was only half satisfied. But…” I hesitated. I wasn’t ready to admit the full truth, not even to my best friend.
“But what?” Chris pressed.
“But nothing,” I lied, shaking my head. “It’s just strange, that’s all. Now, why did you come here? I assume you didn’t just pop in for a chat.”
Chris sighed, leaning back against the couch. “The King’s been in touch. He wants Catherine brought to his territory as soon as possible. He’s demanding you sign her over tomorrow.”
I clenched my jaw. “Of course he is. The bastard’s always been a spoiled brat.” Zavieric Alexander, the King of the Northern Territories—and my cousin. We grew up together, but despite the family bond, the guy was an entitled pain in the ass. Catherine was in for a rough time with him, that much was clear. “I’ll see him in the morning. He knows better than to make demands of me.”
Chris stood, stretching his arms. “Well, that’s all I came to tell you. I’ll be off to bed now.”
I waved him off. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t forget to stop by my office tomorrow before you head out.”
He gave me a mock salute before heading for the door. As soon as he left, the house fell quiet again, and I was alone with my thoughts.
I leaned back into the couch, closing my eyes. I couldn’t stop thinking about her, about how she felt in my arms, how perfect she seemed for me despite all the chaos. But was I weak for wanting her? My father would say yes. He’d call me foolish for letting my emotions get in the way of duty. But something about her felt different. She wasn’t just any mate.
I stood, glancing toward the bedroom door where she lay sleeping, unaware of the war raging inside me. I needed to talk to my uncle, to understand why I was losing control like this. And I needed to decide what I was going to do about Catherine—and about my mate.
Before I could make up my mind, my wolf stirred again, reminding me of the mark I’d left on her. A wave of satisfaction rolled through me, but it was quickly followed by the same, gnawing hunger. The desire for more.
I groaned, running a hand through my hair again. This wasn’t going to be easy.
Suddenly, I heard a soft rustling behind me. I turned around to see her standing in the doorway, her eyes half-open, still sleepy. Her skin was pale, and she looked exhausted, no doubt from the effects of the mark.
“Jake?” she whispered, her voice hoarse.
I stood, crossing the room to her in an instant. “You should be resting.”
She shook her head weakly. “What… what happened?”
I sighed, guiding her back toward the bed. “You’re safe. That’s all that matters right now.”
Her eyes fluttered closed as she sank back into the pillows, her breathing already evening out. I stood there for a moment, watching her sleep, the weight of what I had done pressing heavily on my chest.
There was no turning back now. I had marked her, claimed her as mine. But what did that mean for the future? For the pack? And for her?
I turned away, my mind spinning as I tried to make sense of it all. There were so many questions, and no clear answers. But one thing was certain: everything had changed.
And there was no escaping the consequences.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
