19.

**Michael**

I was trying my best to focus on what my parents were asking but I was thinking of ways to get closer to Emma. My heart ached to have her touch again, to hear her voice and to just have one smile directed at me.

I messed up. I messed up big time.

As Mother (moon goddess) said I have to let go of the past and strengthen my bond with my mate. I didn't know how much time I have but I can't lose her. My stubbornness and pride blinded me as to whom she blessed me with.

Emma didn't forsake me after I outwardly rejected her. She selfishly stayed strong for both of us, believing that our bond is true. I was the one who wanted nothing to do of our special connection.

The week away from her was painful. Zane was weak and was cross with me plus her calls to me was killing me slowly. Leaving her was cowardly of me and when I came to terms with that, I was too embarrassed to come back to her. What a pathetic mate I am.

"Michael!!" I heard my mother shouted. My head snapped to her position.

"I'm sorry. What were you saying?" I asked. They were speaking to me?

My father grunted in annoyance but my mother shook her head and played with my hair, distractedly. It calmed me a bit but my emotions were still high.

"What happened? How did you get hurt?" She asked softly.

Letting go a deep sigh I told them of what happened by the cabin.

“I went hunting behind the cabin, as I did for the past few days. That day was different, I was weaker and in pain, Zane was out of it. We both felt the calls of our mate but I... I was too stubborn and confused. I know I should have returned but....... I-I.... I was embarrassed yet felt unworthy of her.

“I picked up a few human scents during my hunt. I brushed it off as campers till they shot at me. There were five of them but only four attacked me. I easily killed off two but by the time I was to attack, the others Zane got tired which allowed one to stab me with a silver knife. I didn't stop, all I was focused on was the pain and Emma.

“I couldn't let her know I was hurt. I couldn't let her go through what I felt. I heard a few howls calling to me. It distracted the hunters for a moment, giving me an open to attack and kill one of the hunters. The silver caused me to shift back to human form. At that time, Jonah and the warriors stepped in.”

When I was finished, mom was in tears, holding my hand as dad paced the floor by my side.

"Something is brewing. Hunters and rogue attacks are multiplying. I got word yesterday of four neighboring packs of Moon Dust were attacked. They killed few omegas but captured the high-ranking families. They are looking for someone," dad said.

"Moon Dust was attacked?" I asked confused.

"That's Emma's home pack, son. That's what brought her here. The three of them have been here a month before you arrived," mom answered sombrely.

*'They want our mate. The only white wolf,'* Zane said defensively.

"Someone knew of her being the white wolf?" I asked even though I knew the answer.

Dad nodded but his face showed he was deep in thought.

"Her brothers seems much more protective of her than she being a white wolf with special gifts. There's something else but we have to protect them," he finally said.

I nodded my head in agreement. The thought of anyone bringing harm to her didn't settle well with Zane and me.

"You've accepted her. Haven't you?" mom asked with a sad smile.

"I've been a fool. My past shouldn't be hers. I fucked up with the human hunter and I'm sorry. I don't know what happened but it cost me my best friend and family. She made me kill my own best friend. Every day since the attack, I tried to remember how I fell under her spell and how did she get Zane to submit," I said, wiping my eyes. I didn't realize I was crying till then.

Oh, joy I've become a sap.

*'A big strong sap, thank you very much,'* Zane said in a snobby voice. I snorted at his silly comment. Someone is strong enough to poke fun I see.

"We will cross that bridge when the time comes. But now I have to be on the lookout for refugees and you have a mate to make up to. She's a great girl, son. After your mother, she will be a wonderful Luna. The pack loves her and your siblings simply adore her. It pained us to see her so distraught after you left but she was determined to get you back home," dad said with pride in his eyes.

I looked at my mother she wore the same look. It seems like my mate was chosen rightfully by the goddess.

My mate. I like the sound of that.

"How long have I been in here?" I asked after feeling the scruffiness of a beard.

"Three days. Emma's blood helped you heal faster. We didn't think it would work but she insisted. The doctor himself was amazed," dad said with a grin.

"He doesn't know she's a white wolf," mom whispered to me with a giggle.

I had to laugh. My mother was still a playful teenager at times but we love her all the same.

"Come now Anna. Let's leave the boy to get some rest. We'll have him up at the house soon then you can smother him," dad said, rolling his eyes as mom gave him a pout.

A pang of jealousy hit me as I saw the interaction of my parents. I wanted that someday.

"Oh poo, Angie, He's my eldest. Can't I just stay a while?!" I heard my mother begged as dad pushes her out the door.

"Sweetheart no," he said with little force which caused a rhythm of stamping feet down the hall.

Dad was still by the door, watching his mate go down the hall with an amused smile on his face.

He turned to me and his face got serious. The alpha face, my siblings and I called it.

"Michael. I'm sorry for blaming you so much on the attack. I've sat down and thought over the events and understood it wasn't entirely your fault. Finding a mate is every wolf's dream. Some may have it easy and some don't. I know you were willing to find your mate since you were 16 and that hunter crushed your spirit in finding your true mate," He started to say.

I laid back in my bed waiting for him to go on.

"Now you have your real mate given to you by the goddess. A gift at least to be mated to a white wolf. Things may be rocky at first but it will take hard work to win over Emma. She cares for you deeply maybe even love within the bond but work on the relationship outside of it. That's where you come in, treat her right, protect her. Most of all, be there for her. Friend, Mate then alpha. Those three positions are what I live by with your mother. I hope it can help you too," he finished squeezing my shoulder affectionately.

"Thank you, dad. I won't let you down again," I said honestly.

*'We won't let down our mate either,'* Zane said strongly.

"I know you won't son," he said proudly and left.

I need to see her.

It was five minutes after dad left an urge of being near her came strongly. Getting out of bed was a task by its self, I think I did more movements than a normal workout. My body was drenched in sweat as I stood next to the bed.

Now to walk. I reminded myself.

After a few steps to the door and back, I got back feeling in my legs. I was headed to the bathroom when the door opened. A feminine gasp was heard and I turned to see who it was. A nurse stood a few feet into the room with clothes in her hand and a heavy blush on her face.

"I ..... Ur..... Luna asked me to b-bring you these," she stuttered inching her way towards me with the clothes in front of her. Her head turned away but I can see her blushing cheeks. I was confused as to why until I looked down.

"Shit," I muttered. "So sorry," I said quickly as I grab the clothes covering my nakedness and rushed into the bathroom. I heard her giggle and said through the door, "No harm. No foul."

Zane was laughing his ass off with my embarrassment.

*'You're my comedic relief, human,'* he said sobering up.

“Keep that up and I won't let you out to be with Alia,” I threatened him smugly.

He grumbled and backed off. It was my turn to laugh at his predicament before taking a quick shower. I got dressed as fast as my sore muscles can go then made my way to the house.

The first person to greet me as I stepped in was Madison. My beautiful baby sister. "So happy to see you, Mikey. I've missed you so much. I'm glad you're back home for good," she rambled on.

I missed her cute ramblings and her hand gestures as she talks about what happened while I left. It was nice to see her again but not when I'm extremely impatient to find Emma.

"Maddie, where's Emma?" I asked interrupting her story of Maxwell being caught with a she-wolf in his room.

"She's in her room. She said she wanted to rest before lunch....." and that was all I heard as I made my way up to the guest rooms. Finding her room was easy as her scent was strong up here.

I paused when I was about to knock but froze.

What was I to say?

Do I just tell her everything that's on my mind and heart?

Or do I apologize ... again?

Maybe I should just kiss her.

Actions speak louder than words right.

Where is your fricking fairy godmother when you need one? I need help with this... love thing.

Do I love Emma already?

No no, it isn't love, it’s... What is it?

The door opened to reveal an amused looking Emma.

"Hi," she said, biting her lips.

A low growl escaped my lips as I saw the action. I've lost all train of thought by it for only dirty scenarios of her and me to enter my mind. This beauty will be the death of me.

I couldn't move an inch. My arm froze in its knocking position as I think of something to say. Having her in front of me made me weak and so exposed. My heart was thundering in my chest. I didn't want to mess this up, I needed her to give me another chance. Say something smart. Funny. SOMETHING!

"Hi," I blurted out.

*'Nice,'* Zane laughed.

Emma coughed over a laugh. Her eyes filled with so much amusement I know my cheeks were red with embarrassment.

"Hi, Michael. What can I do for you?" she said, tucking her hair behind her ear.

**You can let me run my fingers through your hair as I kiss you senselessly. Let me feel how smooth your creamy skin is and get lost in those jeweled eyes of yours.**

I coughed and cleared my mind after that thought.

"I .... Ur..... Ummmmm" I stuttered.

*'Smooth. This coming from the guy who was able to talk his way out of a speeding ticket,'* Zane teased.

“Not helping,” I grounded out.

"Michael?" she called out with that melodic voice. I visibly relaxed as she said my name, my heart lifted, I had to touch her, hold her.....

"Hell and blazes," I muttered before I stepped towards her and crushed my lips on hers.

I released a sated moan as I felt her lips respond to my kisses. I meant to be gentle but not when her lips taste as sweet as honey and soft as cotton candy.

My body felt calmer and lighter with this kiss and being so close to her. The darkness that has always been in my mind faded away, only she was on my mind. My mate was truly undeniable.

Her arms were placed around my neck as I lifted her onto my waist, slamming the door behind me. She groaned and pressed her body closer to mine, so soft her breasts felt against my chest. I trailed kisses down her neck and ran my fingers through her hair. It reminded me of silk ribbons falling through your fingers.

"Michael," she moaned in my ear as I walked us to the bed.

"Yes baby," I breathed out against the mark I gave her. Her body shivered against mine as I kissed it. Goddess, what is she doing to me I asked, as I felt my little friend strained against my jeans.

"We..... Oh my god" she moaned again.

Her fingers were running wild in my hair as I let my lips play on her mark pushing her against my arousal.

"We what? My love," I whispered going back to her lips.

She forgot what she was about to say as she took over in the kisses, trailing her hands across my back.

"Fuck," I groaned against her lips as her touch felt like fire kissing my skin in a trail on their own accord.

Her wolf was calling out to Zane he was in a frenzy to something she asked.

"What is it?" I asked him caressing one of Emma's small soft breasts in my hand. I pinched the nipple. She pushed her body closer to mine.

*'They want to claim us.'* Zane said in all of his glee.

This is what I want also. Be hers and only hers. Show the world that I belong to this beautiful addictive strong wolf that I'm proud to call my mate. I was cursing myself for being so caught up in my turmoil and bitterness to not see my only hope before me. She didn't give up on me and I pray to the moon above that I will cherish her till my last breath.

"Yes. You're already mine. You can make me yours," I said softly in her ear.

I heard her gasp when she inhaled my scent. "Mine, only mine" she groaned as I felt her sharp canines pierce through my flesh.

I held her tighter as the pain turns to pleasure and the passing of her tongue over the mark sent shivers down my spine. I didn't expect all of this to happen so fast. Happiness surged through me along with self-doubt. I still felt unworthy of her yet pleased that she accepted me with all my faults.

My Emma. She pulled back slightly and looked me in the eye. Her green eyes were now black with lust, sending me wild again as I grind against her.

"Now you're a part of me," she whispered.

"Now and forever I will always be yours," I said to her. Making sure she heard the honesty, the passion, and the inkling of love I had for her in my words.

Tears escaped her eyes as they turned back to the lovely color of green, I kissed away the tears, giving her my apologies of hurting her and leaving her but she simply held on to me and said, "that was then. We have to move on."

*'Our chosen,'* Zane said being soothed by her words.

If it takes an eternity, I would make it up to her.

I will never forget how I hurt her.

She's now my only reason for living.