The Truth

Leon’s POV


“It’s been a long ass day dude.” I sigh to Derek, our band’s drummer as I carry my guitar case through the back door of the bar. He flops onto the far side of the couch, whipping out his phone.

“I feel that bro,” he laughs, shaking his head and rubbing his shoulder. Then he returns to his screen, tapping away. “It’s a relief to have this gig tonight. It will help us blow off some steam.”

“Definitely.” I grin, taking a seat on the large blue sofa in the employee lounge and checking the time on my phone. *’Its eight fifty five?’* I think to myself, sinking back into the comfortable leather around me.

*’I have a few minutes.’* I think as I walk out to the stage and begin getting the mics and amps set up with Alex.

I think back to everything that happened with my mate, the fact that I haven’t looked for her since has made my wolf hide. He's angry with me for not ‘trying harder’ to look for her again.

The pain in my chest has been tearing me up inside, even when it seems to go away for awhile *it somehow continues to grow*.

After what happened in the forest… I feel *afraid* of what could happen if I find her. So I have avoided looking at all, for her protection.

As 8pm hits I plug my guitar and mic in, creating some loud feedback in the speakers. My face flushes a little from embarrassment as many heads turn towards me, but I shake it off and continue getting our first song rolling.

*’Can’t have stage fright if I want to do this forever.’* I think to myself with a soft chuckle. I move myself to the correct place on the stage, looking down at my guitar briefly.

I ram a couple of hard strums from my guitar, and then I begin singing.

*”If you loved me,”* I felt the pit of my stomach turn as I was blinded by the stage lights, unable to see the faces in the crowd before me. *”you would be right here, you wouldn’t make me **plead.**”*

I continue to sing, as a strange uneasy feeling slowly builds deep in my gut. Every word slips from my lips like muscle memory, as my mind just wanders. My eyes watching the crowd.

“Stop it!! Let go of me!!” I suddenly hear from the most beautiful voice, ripping me away from my momentum. I look around, aiming for who the words came from.

“Get. OFF!!” A young woman yelps, attempting to pull her arm away from the man attempting to drag her outside.

*’Hmm.. her hair looks so familiar-‘* I begin to think, but suddenly my wolf growls deeply abruptly interrupting the verse. *’It’s **MATE.**’* He lurches forward, slipping my guitar off in one swift swing and placing it on the stage.

“What the *hell* are you doing bro?!” Derek snaps at me, but Jasper completely ignores him and strides towards the scene unfolding in the center of the floor.

*’Wait! We can’t make a scene! Jasper! Damnit!!’* I frantically attempt to take my body back, but its too late. Before I can stop him, he right-hooks our mate's assailant right in the jaw.

I feel him flex our back and shoulders, just before growling lightly. “She said *No.*” My face contorts angrily with Jasper’s swelling emotions, as I continue attempting to take back control of my body.

Briefly I am able to come forward, revealing the green in my eyes and looking down at my beautiful mate. Concern floods my mind, as I examine her. *She looks so scared.*

*’Is she afraid of me?..’* A pang takes over my chest, and Jasper takes over once more. My eyes glaze, becoming black again with Jasper He swiftly bends over, and sweeps her up bridal style as he makes his way out the back door.

When we cross the doorway he gently places her feet to the ground, allowing her to find her own balance once more before allowing me to take over completely.

“Are you alright?” I ask, gently holding her arm where the man had grabbed her. A hand shaped bruise was already staining her beautiful skin, healing remarkably fast.

She sheepishly looks up at me with wide eyes, and tucks some of her mousey brown hair behind her ear. “Yes…. Thank you.” She blushes bright red, from her cheeks to the tip of her ears.

I chuckle softly, rubbing the back of my neck and placing my other hand on my hip. “So… we are mates?” I smile at her, as if anything that happened before didn’t matter.

“Yeah…” her face drops a little, looking sad. My heart skips droopily, and I follow her eyes trying to get her to make eye contact. “Does that… not make you *happy*?” I asked softly. Trying not to sound hurt over her reaction.

“Well… yes. I mean no. I mean… ugh.” She stumbles over herself, blushing impossibly harder than before and facepalming. I chuckle, watching her cute interactions intently. My chest heats up, and her scent swirls around me in the breeze.

*’She seems confused.’* Jasper speaks in my head, and I can feel his confusion. *’what should we do?’*

“Yes. It makes me happy. It’s just that… I thought you would outright *reject me.*” She covers her face, hiding her eyes and expression. The heaviness in my chest becomes painful, *what did she mean I would **reject** her?*

*’She is so beautiful…’* I think to Jasper, watching the breeze carry some of her mousey brown hair away from the large messily placed bun on her head.

At this point we are both looking at our feet, my hands are in my pockets and neither Jasper or I have any idea of what to do next. *This silence… is killing me.*

*’Make her **ours.**’* Jasper growls gently, pushing me to do something. *Anything.*

So I look up, and slowly lean against the wall behind her. As I look down at her I softly guide her chin up so she can see my eyes.

“What makes you think I would reject such a… *beautiful* person?” I blush tenderly, anxiously waiting for her to say something or react.

She fiddles with her hands, picking at her fingernails. “I.. I thought you *ran away*.. in the hallway, um… before.” She bumbles her words, bashfully attempting to look away again.

*’What is going on in that pretty little head?’* I think as a small smile teases my lips.

She looks up at me, crossing her arms like a baby and furrowing her brows. “Don’t *laugh* at me! It’s a fair assumption.”

“I didn’t run away…. The hallway was just crowded. I got lost.” I lean closer to her face instinctively, the smile that teased my lips earlier still tugging at the corner of my mouth.

I can feel her breath, and I watch her lips part and her brows rise as she grows surprised at my actions. Her eyes shimmer, brimming with tears.

*’Her eyes…’* I think, examining them. Now that I can see them again, they are absolutely *gorgeous.*

Her right eye was light blue, resembling the morning sky.

Her left.. was Gold, with flecks of yellow and orange. Making it seemingly sparkle in the sunlight as she watched me.

I melted. *I can’t hold back.*

*I want her.*

I slowly, gently touch her cheek, some of her loose curls tangling with my fingers. She freezes at first, then immediately melts into my hand.

Touching her skin *feels so good.* A satisfying electric sensation goes up my arm, and warmth pools in my chest and core.

For once in my life, my wolf and I sync up. As we both think to *kiss her.*

She watches me, expectantly. Her hand reaches up to meet with my leather Jacket.

Before I can consciously react, we both simultaneously crash our lips together. My hand that caressed her cheek before, slides behind her head to support this *hot and passionate* kiss.

She sighs softly, audibly satisfied to be this close, while I play with her lips in mine. My mind spins as I take in her scent from this vicinity, making me feel hungry for more.

Her hands pull on my leather jacket.. trying to keep me there and driving me crazy in the process. *As if I don’t already have her pinned against a wall.*

I move my hand from the wall, to the top of her back, down to her small waist. I squeeze slightly, gently pressing our hips together.

I deepen the kiss, opening her lips and pressing my tongue into her mouth. Our tongues meet, but hers seems confused, timid… and new. I guide her, teaching her how to dance in our mouths.

*’She must be a virgin…’* I think to myself, Jasper still replies unnessesarily. *’more fun for us..’*

I can feel his excitement as a low growl resonates in my throat, she pulls away and when our eyes meet I notice hers have become a dark shade of blue. No longer monochromatic, but… *both the same color?*

A small excited growl sneaks out of her throat, behind her smile, and that's when I notice it. Her scent is deeper, more pronounced.

Her wolf came forward.