His Mate’s Secret

Chapter 11

(Jace’s POV)

I slammed the car door harder than necessary, the metal rattling from the force.

The moment I sat down, frustration boiled through me again.

“You’re lying to yourself.”

My wolf’s voice echoed through my head.

“She is our mate.”

I clenched my jaw.

“I know.”

“She’s beautiful. Kind. Strong. Everything a Luna should be.”

I scoffed.

“I couldn’t care less.”

The words came out harsher than I intended.

“Liar.”

My wolf growled low in my mind.

“You felt the bond the second you saw her.”

I squeezed my eyes shut and pinched the bridge of my nose.

“No.”

“You’re rejecting her.”

“My pack comes first.”

“Your mate comes first.”

“No,” I snapped. “My future comes first.”

Silence settled between us before my wolf spoke again.

“You’re making a mistake.”

I didn’t answer.

Because I already knew he was right.

Katherine was everything a Luna should be.

Beautiful.

Compassionate.

Loyal.

She would make any Alpha happy.

Just…

Not me.

Before my wolf could argue again, I cut off the mind-link between us.

The silence that followed should have brought relief.

Instead, it only left me feeling irritated.

I released a long breath and rubbed my temples.

A second later, a familiar floral perfume invaded my senses.

I stiffened.

Then I felt Katherine’s hand slide across my arm.

“Jacey-poo,” she said with a bright smile.

I nearly grimaced.

“Katherine.”

She pouted immediately.

“What?”

“Get off me.”

Her smile slowly faded.

“Don’t you like it when I touch you?”

“No.”

The answer came instantly.

Her eyes widened.

“…No, I don’t.”

Tears immediately filled her eyes.

Great.

Just great.

I’d barely met my mate, and I’d already made her cry.

“B-but Jacey-poo…” she whispered.

I sighed before forcing a smile onto my face.

“Kat, baby… I’m sorry.”

The words tasted bitter.

“It’s been a rough day.”

She sniffled.

“What happened?”

I leaned back in my seat.

“Darren nearly killed one of the maids.”

I paused.

“She’s indebted to me for the rest of her life. If something happens to her…” I shook my head. “That debt dies with her.”

That wasn’t exactly the full truth.

But it was close enough.

Katherine’s expression softened.

“I’m sorry.”

I nodded once.

“Yeah.”

She leaned toward me, clearly expecting comfort.

Or a kiss.

I shifted away before she could get any closer.

Confusion flashed across her face.

“Jacey-poo?”

“Not right now.”

My tone came out colder than I intended.

Her smile disappeared.

For a brief moment, guilt tugged at my chest.

Then it vanished.

I stared out the window.

Why did I ever agree to go with Kolton to that pack?

Just a few days ago, everything had been simple.

Then I found my mate.

Then everything became complicated.

If I hadn’t gone…

None of this would’ve happened.

I wouldn’t be expected to play the devoted mate.

I wouldn’t have another distraction pulling at my attention.

My wolf wouldn’t constantly be reminding me of what fate wanted.

My thoughts drifted back to Ivy.

Eight years.

I’d waited eight years for her to reach this point.

She was only months away from turning twenty.

Only months away from her wolf fully awakening.

Only months away from becoming everything I’d been waiting for.

Her bloodline was unlike any other.

If the stories were true…

The Alpha who controlled the Silver Moon bloodline wouldn’t just lead a powerful pack.

He’d command the respect—and fear—of every Alpha in the country.

Power.

Influence.

Territory.

Everything I had spent years building was finally within reach.

A slow smile crossed my face.

I had waited eight years.

Waiting a few more months…

Didn’t matter.