The Wolf's Claim

CHAPTER 3

“Lukas is here to see you.” Amelia burst into my room with the news.

I stiffened.

“ I don't want to see him.” I turned away from Amelia, facing the wall.

“Why not?” I thought I detected a flash of irritation in her voice but it was quickly wiped away. “This is the third time he's been here and you're turning him away without even hearing him out.”

“That's what he deserves for being a liar,” I mumbled, curling into a ball.

Amelia says nothing for several minutes and if not for her harsh breathing permeating the room, I would have thought she left in anger. “You know I always knew you were a homebody but I never thought you were a coward.”

Is she blaming me?

I moved away from the wall in anger to face Amelia who looked triumphant at evoking a reaction out of me.

Before I could even say anything, she started to walk away.

“He's in the living room waiting for you.” She tells me over her shoulder. “I'll be out of you guy's hair.”

I wanted to yell at her but the sly minx moved pretty fast.

I groaned, placing my head in my hands.

I had no choice but to talk to me now. I scanned my outfit before berating myself for caring about how he saw me.

I walked towards the living room, my flip-flops moving soundlessly across the hardwood floor.

I saw him first.

He looked even more devastatingly handsome in a turtleneck cashmere sweater, faded jeans, and a leather jacket.

Sensing me he turned around, his eyes softening. “Quinn…”

“Hold it,” I held up my hand, my tone stern. “Whatever bullshit you want to spew, I guess you reconsider because I'm this close to kicking you out.”

His face fell, but I wasn't falling for it. “Can we sit? Please?” He tacked on when I didn't budge.

Lukas chose the loveseat sofa, but I took the single chair far away from him and his touch.

“Look, I'm sorry I lied to you.” His eyes were imploring me to believe him. “It was just…you were the first girl I met that wasn't fawning over me because you didn't recognize me and it felt good, so I lied.” He moved to the edge of the seat. “I lied because I wanted to get to know you more without that barrier between us.

I guess that sort of made sense.

I searched his face for the truth. “For how long?” I finally asked.

“What?”

“If Amelia didn't tell me who you were, how long would you have lied about it?” I wasn't sure I wanted to hear the truth.

“I swear I would have told you immediately.” He stood up and against my better judgment, I sat down waiting for him to come to me. “I know it sounds crazy but that night,” he touched my cheek and my eyes fluttered closed. I've missed him! “I know you felt what I did too. It's crazy but I think I've fallen in love with you. I want you to be my mate, share the rest of my life with you.” He declared, his eyes shining with love.

My eyes flew open in shock. “Don't you think that's too fast?”

His response was to place their entwined hands on his chest. “No. Do you feel this?”

I fell into his eyes, which reflected the desire and affection I felt. “I do.”

“Then I don't think it's too fast.”

I pulled away, my heart beating fast while I paced.

My heart was in agreement with his thoughts and decision but my head?

It brought up various reasons why we needed to take things slow.

I felt Lukas's presence behind me and as I turned to face him, I was slammed against the wall and kissed to an inch of my life.

Not that I was complaining.

Having his lips on mine catapulted me to another world where our souls melded to form one.

I felt safe and secure with him.

Holding onto him, he hoisted me up making me wind my legs around his waist. “Still have any doubts?”

With a smile, I shook my head. “No.” Staring into his eye, I confessed the reason why I shied away from him. “I want you too but I'm scared,” I looked down at his chest. “I've never felt this way before.”

“Me too.” He placed a hand under my chin, tilting my head up to meet his eyes. “But we'll figure it out together, I promise.”

And from then on, the best months of life followed.

I was living on cloud nine.

I woke up with loving and heartfelt messages from Lukas, random gifts and flowers were sent my way but the best of all was…the man himself.

Lukas Blackburn was the first son of our current Alpha, and he was being groomed to take over from his father.

That meant- according to him- countless meetings, training, and going to strange places but despite his annoyance at all these tasks, it was obvious that Lukas loved the pack, and in return, he was loved.

We spent hours talking during the night when he was less busy, plotting our future together while we both confided in each other buried secrets.

For Lukas, it was how he wished he had control over his life, not following the mapped-out route they had already created for him.

For me, it was how I wanted a family. One that would fight for and with me.

I blamed my naivety and yearning for love…to be loved but I fell hopelessly in love with Lukas.

I couldn't visit his home or his family- because he said, he wanted to do it properly as mates- so we hung out at either my house or the space away from the Square at night, which became our spot.

It was where we had our first kiss, so it became special to me.

And it was where we kissed and did other things multiple times, much to Lukas's deli

ght.

Only I didn't know that we were being watched.