The Dark Wolf

The Meeting (Gage)

It was my last class of the day. As much as I enjoyed coaching there were definitely days where I just felt like I wasn't getting anywhere in life. I had a girlfriend but half the time she drove me insane and being a werewolf, I knew she wasn't my mate. She knew this too, but she didn't care. I was the alpha of the Lithien Pack, she was with me for the most part to have the popularity. I was always alone, and I'd decided along the way that I was never going to find my mate. I was past 30 and most every male in our pack had already found his mate. It wasn't in my lot to have one. So, I settled for Lila. She wasn't a bad woman. She was a fierce warrior and loved by all. And mostly we worked well together. There wasn't any fiery connection or incredible bond like the mating bond but still, we got along and decided we would stay together until we found our mates, if we ever did. Lila could be very.... persuasive. What she wanted she always got. Sometimes it was exhausting but what choice did I have? I couldn't run the whole pack by myself even with my beta Aaron by my side.

I thought at one time that I had found my mate, she was beautiful and smart, and I was smitten. I was also young and stupid and couldn't see that she was playing me. My father was an esteemed warrior and Alpha of the pack. He showed me no mercy as a child. One mistake and he would throw me into a wall. I grew up always trying to be perfect and accepting my punishments with as much dignity as I could. Until one day when I was 14, I realized I was big enough to hold my own and I told my father no. He wasn't as strong as he used to be and I had been training every chance I got, so when the time came, he didn't stand a chance and I took over the Lithien Pack after defeating him. I allowed him to stay in the pack, but I hated him and what he had done to my mother and I. So, when Aria showed an interest in me, I completely trusted her and was drawn into her pleasures and beauty she offered to me freely. She gained my trust and then she stole everything of value from me and ran with all she could take with her. Shortly after that I started going out with Lila, she was refreshingly honest, and we quickly built a relationship on that. Maybe it was naive, but I had known her all my life. I also knew she was an honest woman, despite her commanding and at times demanding personality. I was content knowing that at least I wouldn't be lied to. I knew I could trust her to make wise choices with my pack in my absence.

My mind drifted back to earlier that evening and the green eyed blonde that I couldn't stop thinking about. I just couldn't get her mistrusting green eyes off of my mind. The moment she walked in I knew she was my mate. I also knew she was human. A human mate was supposed to be forbidden. How was this even possible? But I knew instantly that it was her. It was her intoxicating warm vanilla scent that hit me first. I tried to ignore it but found myself daring to look up at her. I was instantly met with wide green eyes. She could feel it to. Well s**t. All I could do was stare at her. I couldn't think of what to say, I could barely breath. I was so afraid she would look away. She was perfect. Creamy freckled skin, soft natural blonde hair. A strong forehead tapering into a well-defined nose, a delicate chin and small naturally red lips. I let my eyes travel down her neck to her beautiful shoulders, full soft breasts, and then into her slender waist. I couldn't stop the image that came to mind of pulling that waist to me while kissing those soft lips.

From there her waist flowed into her well set hips and a butt imagined grabbing with both hands. Then into her perfect thighs which instantly made me think of how they would feel wrapped around me. I started to imagine her around my waist with me inside of her, her head thrown back in pleasure and listening to her moan my name as we both came. I quickly pulled myself out of the fantasy that flashed through my mind. I couldn't believe I was feeling this way with one look from her! I've always been careful to never stare at women, and sure I'd seen my fair share of beauties and even been with some of them, but nothing compared to her. I couldn't look away. It was frustrating in a way. I felt like I had no control over myself or my desires. And it didn't help at all that I could see and smell that she liked what she saw. I couldn't help the look of amusement that crossed my face. Then in a flash her eyes snapped back to reality and the moment was gone. She quickly hid every emotion I had seen flicking across her face. She rushed away looking totally embarrassed and leaving me fully aroused and now I had to teach the whole class and look normal. Crap. I had to get myself under control. When she returned and the class started, I could barely keep my eyes off of her. The way her face flushed with exertion, the way her thighs moved. The loose hairs that fell around her face. The way her face lit up when Ania said something that made her laugh. I wanted to make her laugh like that. I growled under my breath at Ania, I should be the one laughing with her, protecting her. It was all I could do to stand there and watch and not run over and grab her in my arms. But I couldn't even get her to look at me again. I saw the look in her eyes. I could see the way her body tensed when I walked by. She felt it to.

I wanted to ask Ania who was also a werewolf and one of my pack, about her, but she was a human. I couldn't tell anyone that my mate was a human. This could never be. Ever. It was wrong in every way according to our laws.

As the class continued, I found myself struggling to focus. It was infuriating. I needed to do my job not be staring at her. In a way I was mad at her, mad that she was tempting me. But as I looked at her, that anger melted away. I could see that she had been broken. I saw it in the way she forced herself to laugh, the way she watched everyone cautiously when they were looking the other way. The way she dropped her eyes instead of holding eye contact. Her shy and easily embarrassed spirit. But I also noticed something else, hiding just beneath the surface, begging to be seen. I saw a determination, a strong will, a fighter. But that will to fight was hidden behind defeat. I could see that she didn't think she was special or beautiful and it pained me to see her that way. My face darkened in anger again as I thought of who had done this to her. I wished I could rip them all to pieces. Who would do this to such a precious soul?

Instead of dwelling on my dark thoughts, I walked over to introduce myself and to get her set up for her workout. As Ania introduced me, I repeated her name in my head. Embry. It was perfect. She was perfect. When she blurted out that she couldn't do sit-ups I decided to test her and see what would happen if I pushed her and let her figure it out. I watched as she struggled. I wanted to see if she would quit and tell me that she couldn't do it or if she would keep trying until I told her to stop. I wanted to see that fighter spirit come out. She didn't disappoint. I finally helped her scale the movement, but I'd seen what I was looking for. She refused to quit. I knew from that moment on what I wanted. I wanted to help her be the best she could be. I wanted to see her brimming with confidence. I wanted to see her believe in herself and find out what she was really capable of. I wanted to be the reason for her confidence.