MATE !!
1037 Words
The sky was still a dull gray as Jade hurried through the quiet hallways of Snowpost Academy. Her bag slung over one shoulder, she clutched a few textbooks, mentally preparing herself for another long day. The scholarship announcement was just around the corner, and she had dedicated every free moment to studying. Today was no different; she’d arrived early, hoping to avoid distractions and dive straight into her work.
The hallways were empty. She welcomed the silence, a brief respite before the noise and chaos of the day began. As Jade reached her locker, the metal door clanged open, and she started arranging her books.
Suddenly, she felt it—the heavy, unshakeable sensation of someone’s gaze. Turning, she locked eyes with Kieran, who was leaning against the wall, his dark hair tousled and his expression unreadable. It was a moment suspended in time, both of them frozen in place.
“Jade,” he said, and his voice was low, almost reverent.
Before she could respond, something shifted in the air between them. Their eyes flickered, a flash of gold igniting the moment. In that heartbeat, a word echoed between them, unspoken yet profoundly felt: Mate.
Both of them staggered backward, the weight of their realization crashing over them like a tidal wave. Jade’s heart raced, confusion flooding her senses. She barely had time to process what was happening before the room spun around her. With a gasp, she fainted, the world fading to black.
Jade woke up hours later, the warm scent of wood and the faint sound of crackling fire surrounding her. She blinked against the soft glow of the cabin, her body tingling with unfamiliar energy. Confused and still groggy, she looked around, panic setting in as she realized she wasn’t in school anymore.
She stirred slightly, realizing she was nestled in someone’s arms. Her heart skipped a beat as she glanced up and saw Kieran lying beside her, his arms wrapped protectively around her, his expression calm in his sleep. This has to be a dream, she thought, staring at his face—sharp jawline, dark lashes, and a look of peace she had never seen before.
The reality of the moment hit her, and she remained frozen, not wanting to disturb him. Here she was, in the arms of the most admired guy in the both the school and the pack , the one who seemed unreachable to everyone... yet here he was, lying next to her.
Kieran stirred slightly, his eyes opening slowly. As his gaze met hers, he looked startled, pulling back slightly, though his arms remained around her, holding her close. Jade couldn’t look away, caught in the intense warmth of his gaze as he admired the piercing blue of her eyes.
They lingered in that unspoken moment, their faces inches apart, the atmosphere charged. Kieran’s gaze softened, drifting to her lips, and he leaned in slightly, their breath mingling as their lips brushed...
Suddenly, Jade snapped back to reality, her cheeks flushed as she backed away, sitting up in the bed. "What... what happened?" she stammered, her mind reeling.
Kieran sat up, scratching the back of his neck, looking a bit sheepish. "You fainted in the hallway this morning," he explained, glancing down at the bed as if gathering his thoughts. "I didn’t want to leave you alone, so I brought you here. School was empty, so no one else saw us." His gaze softened. "I thought it would be better for you to rest."
Jade’s eyes widened in surprise. "You mean… I missed school? The entire day?"
Kieran nodded, looking slightly amused by her shock. "Yes, by now, school’s already out. I was going to take you home later, but you needed the rest." His tone was gentle, though there was a hint of something else in his expression—something protective.
Jade took a deep breath, processing everything. She had spent the whole day here, with him. Her stomach flipped at the thought. She looked at him, opening her mouth to argue about returning to school, but he cut her off.
"It’s too late now. Besides, the pack house is expecting us soon." Kieran said, his tone final but not unkind.
Flashback: Kieran and Amara
As Jade lay unconscious that morning, Kieran had quickly carried her to his car, his mind reeling from the sudden revelation. He drove into the forest, where he felt they’d be safe and secluded. When he arrived at the cabin, he gently placed Jade on the bed, checking her pulse and steady breathing. Relief washed over him, but it was short-lived.
A voice sounded in his mind—a powerful, feminine voice that felt both familiar and foreign. "Thank you for bringing her here, Kieran."
Kieran blinked in surprise, realizing it was Jade’s wolf, Amara, who had surfaced. She looked through Jade’s eyes with calm intelligence, her presence a stark contrast to Jade’s gentler nature.
"You ... you're her wolf ?" he murmured, recognizing her instantly.
"Yes, My name is Amara," she replied. "Jade isn’t aware of me yet. This connection with you awakened something deep within her, but she’s still unprepared for the truth."
Kieran nodded, absorbing her words. "I understand. But... when did she shift?"
Amara’s eyes softened. " That's not important. We can't let her know that she had her first shift but she will know soon enough, but for now, she needs time. I only came forward to keep her protected, to let her rest. Until she is ready, you must keep this a secret."
Kieran felt a pang of protectiveness. "I’ll protect her, Amara. I promise."
They spent the day together, Amara and Kieran talking about Jade, her strengths, her dreams, and the world that she was slowly beginning to uncover. As the hours passed, Kieran found himself in awe of Jade, realizing just how much he cared for her. By the time evening fell, he felt a bond with her stronger than anything he’d known.
Eventually, as the day grew late, Kieran lay down beside her. Amara faded, allowing Jade’s gentle presence to take over once more, and he found himself drifting to sleep, holding her close, waiting until she was ready to wake up.
- Writer
