My Chosen Mate

Chapter 9: Her Name

(Owen’s P.O.V.)

Aubrey had given me directions to her house about 3 hours after our run in at the mall. I shot her a quick text when I made it into her backyard. I stuck to the shadows so that her parents wouldn’t see me. She told me that she didn’t want them to know about me because it would cause more issues.

Not even a minute later, bright red hair came bounding down the steps of the back porch. I saw her head looking around frantically trying to see me in the dark. I had a fun thought and stuck to the shadows. I slowly made my way around until I was almost behind her.

I gave out a small growl and got ready to pounce on Aubrey. As I was in the air, I saw her hand shoot up and I was flung backwards against the privacy fence. Damn, that girl really liked that trick.

“Are you crazy?? What if my parents heard or saw you! I told you they can’t know about you!”

“Uh, Aubrey. Think you can let me go so that we can talk without Apollo trying to rip off your face?”

“Who’s Apollo?”

I let out a frustrated sigh since she still had me pinned against the fence.

“Oh. Sorry!”

She let me go and I rolled my shoulders. “Apollo is my wolf.”

“Your wolves have names?”

I look at her confused. “Is this what you wanted to talk about?”

“No. Sorry. I wanted to continue our conversation from earlier and explain why you can’t be here. Why you need to leave.”

I suppressed a growl. “What do you mean I have to leave? You’re trying to keep me away from her! Well I won’t let you!” I spat at her.

Aubrey backed up a few steps. “You don’t understand, Oliver! You don’t know everything.”

“I think I know enough.” I couldn’t contain my growl that time. I could feel Apollo trying to take over and my eyes going black.

Just then, the back door slammed open making both of us jump. I quickly pushed Apollo back down and cleared my throat.

“Aubrey. Come inside. Now.” The man said.

Aubrey looked terrified. “Dad. Wait.”

“I said now!”

“But dad!”

I tried to intercede. “Sir, if I could explain.”

“Young man, I suggest you leave before I call the cops for trespassing.”

“Dad! Listen to me.” Aubrey looked at the ground. “He’s her mate.” She said quietly.

Suddenly a woman came out and spoke. “Jack, that’s enough. Well, it seems like we need to have a talk. Let’s all come inside. That includes you, son.” She turned around and went back inside without seeing if any of us were following her.

Aubrey looked over at me and nodded her head before walking to her back door. I reluctantly followed while Jack gave me the death stare the entire time.

*            *            *            *

After getting formalities out of the way, I discovered that Aubrey’s mom was also a witch and her dad was human. They’ve spent the last half an hour trying to convince me to leave and never see my mate again. At this point, I started to get angry. Why was this family trying to come in between me and my love?

Love? Do I love her? I’ve only seen her the one time.

One time is all it takes, man. She’s our mate. Of course we love her!

Apollo has been pacing this whole time while I’ve been holding him back to not come out for the things that they’ve been saying to us.

“I just don’t understand.” I exasperated one more time. “She’s meant to be with me. The Moon Goddess made us for each other. Why are you so hell bent on keeping her in the dark??”

Aubrey’s mom, Amanda, sighed and sat down next to me on their couch.

“You have to trust that we’re keeping her in the dark for her own good. She’s had a hard life and she doesn’t need more stress added on top of it. Tell me. What do you know about her? About her past?”

“Nothing. I only talked to her for a minute in the mall before your daughter dragged me away. I didn’t even get her name.” I shot daggers at Aubrey with my eyes.

She shot them right back at me.

“Well I’ll tell you a little bit then. She grew up in the foster system. In the past 17 years, she’s been in and out of 13 different foster homes. My husband became a social worker so that we could always keep her in this area, and we could watch out for her.”

13 foster homes? Damn that’s a lot. I understand now why they said she’s had a tough life.

“So why didn’t you just adopt her?”

“We wanted to but that’s not on her path of life.”

I look at Amanda confused. Path of life?

Aubrey cleared her throat to get my attention. “My mom has the gift of foresight. She can see the future.”

I nodded my head slowly trying to wrap my head around that.

“Well can’t I just-” I was caught off by the sound of her voice.

“Hey Aubrey! It’s me!”

Aubrey jumped up from her seat and started pushing me towards the back door. “You need to go before she sees you here!”

I stand firm, not letting her move me. “I’ll leave under one circumstance.”

“Is it cool if I spend the night? Clarise is driving me crazy today!” My mates voice called out.

Aubrey looked back and forth from me to the door. “What?!”

“Her name.”

Aubrey looked at her mom who thought for a second and then gave a small nod. She whipped her head to me.

“Her name is Clara. Now go!”

The biggest smile spread across my face as I used my wolf speed to run out the back door right before Clara walked into the room. I snuck around the back yard until I came to a window that looked into the living room.

Clara. My beautiful mate.