Mine by Destiny

CHAPTER 003

CHAPTER 003

Zero was a very active lad, and he ran through the woods to play with and hunt the wolf belonging to Isabella Hartwell. Her wolf was elegant, fast, and wild, unlike the constant power of Zero. Edward Blackthorne had not yet learned the name of her wolf, but that was all the same—Zero clearly was pleased at her presence more than Edward had imagined.

They belonged to different packs, and this fact implied that no mindlink united them. Their wolves were not able to share words, but it was only feelings. Yet, Zero could feel her excitement and her good nature, and it was sufficient to make him chase her.

Edward had been so busy staring at them that he paid little attention to the distance they had covered since leaving the dormitories. Her wolf ran forward, dashing in and out of the shadows, and Zero pounded right behind her.

Then the voice of someonestartled his thoughts—the voice of his mother, forcing itself into his head.

Edward?

Mom.

It is dinner time. Your father will be home soon. Where are you?

I went for a run. I may not come back to eat dinner. Can I eat later?

He was pricked by guilt momentarily. He might have informed her of the change, but there was something within him that bade him leave this night to himself, at least at first.

Are you alright? The note of worry was in her voice.

I am fine. I would like to be left to myself a bit. Everything will be different tomorrow as the mindlink of the pack opens to me. Tonight, I must have my own.

I understand. Be careful. I will keep food for you.

Thank you, Mom.

I love you, Alpha.

I love you too.

Her voice died, and they were quiet, and it oppressed his heart. There was a faint smile on his lips, though there was heaviness. His mother had never lost the boy whom she used to hold in her arms. To her, he was still that child. Her treatment would choke him sometimes, but Edward understood it was out of love.

His mother had been the first to counterargue when his father declared he would be stepping down as Alpha. She believed that Edward was not mature enough to be put under the leadership burden. Not that she did not trust his strength, but because she wished to spare him the burden. This Edward had awaited. He had trained and lived it. He was trusted by his father, and Edward could not be a failure.

This was not merely an honor but the end itself. He had been denuding himself of distractions for years. He maintained distanced relationships with women and put all his heart and his soul in the work and training. The only women he permitted to get close to him were his mother and younger sister. That was enough. Or had it been until his fate brought his mate in his way?

Zero stopped and scraped his way out. The wolf of Isabella throbbed, heaving his sides and snorting out deep sighs. Edward came out, becoming a human being. Her golden eyes were focused on him, and he saw them linger down below them where they were not meant to linger. A quiet laugh escaped him.

"Up here, kitten, eyes up here," he pawed the ground in front of her. She felt his hand going over her jaw. “Are you tired? We are longtime runners. You can rest.”

Her body turned before he could complete it. The bones broke, the fur disappeared, and Isabella was in human shape in his face. She realized with a start and leaped at him.

The blow threw them both over, but Edward held her up until they toiled. She pressed herself against him with her arms pinned between their chests.

"I am naked, I am naked," she told herself and quailed.

She had flung herself in his arms to protect herself, and he was as naked as she was. The contact gave him an electric jolt of heat, and he made his jaw close as he forced his eyes to close.

"I know there are clothes around," said he in an even tone. “I will get them. But I need to stand up.”

Instead, she changed direction and gave him room. Edward continued to close his eyes until he was certain that she was out of his view. Nudity was nothing to him; he had already encountered it in the course of training, in shifts, and in beds; the passion had been transient. But with her, it was different. Instead, he wanted her to feel safe, not vulnerable.

Nevertheless, he was aware that she would have to learn to live with it. Should Isabella have claimed the Alpha role, she would be in charge of warriors, the majority of whom were men. She would not hesitate to stand before them even naked. The picture caused a guttural growl to be felt building up in his chest. The thought of other men looking at her so is torturously painful to him. She was not just any wolf. She was his.

He pushed it out of his mind and looked around the clearing. There was a heap of clothes close to the trees. Only one set remained. The shirt was loose enough to reach down to her thighs. That would be enough.

As he came back, she sat at the foot of a tree, with her knees curled up close to her bosom, her chin on the top, and her ankles crossed to defend herself. Her gaze went up to him, then flew away.

"This is where," he said, giving him the shirt. His shorts were already pulled up.

"Thanks, Eddie," she grumbled in a small voice.

He moved aside and leaned over the other tree as she dressed. The slightest movement of the fabric made him know when she was in readiness.

"And what is the name of your wolf?" he said.

“Ice.”

He nodded. “Beautiful name. And she is beautiful too.”

“Prettier than me?” Her tone carried a flicker of playfulness.

A laugh escaped him. He slid an arm around her shoulders as she sat beside him. “As pretty as you. No need to be jealous of your wolf.”

She chuckled softly, resting her head against his shoulder. “Well, Zero is more mesmerizing than you.”

Edward gasped dramatically. “That is not fair. I tried to make you feel good, and you cannot return the favor?” His hand slipped down to her waist, fingers brushing her side.

She squirmed instantly, laughter bubbling from her lips. “Stop!”

But her plea only encouraged him. He pressed harder, tickling her as her giggles rang out into the night. She twisted, writhing to escape, but his other hand pinned her firmly in place.

Then everything shifted.

In her attempt to free herself, Isabella tumbled forward, landing squarely in his lap. Edward’s arms instinctively tightened around her waist, pulling her closer.

The world fell silent. His body stiffened. Her breath came shallow, brushing his skin. His heart pounded, each thud echoing like a drumbeat.

What had he done?

Would she push him away?

Or had everything between them already changed forever?