The Hybrid Alpha's Mate

Chapter 10: Fated Mates

“How did you know my name?”

He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes for a few seconds.

“Jasmine,” he says, reopening his eyes and looking at me. “Do you know what fated mates are?”

I stare at him. “What?”

“In the werewolf world,” he continues, “we don't just pick someone to be with. Our souls are destined to be together, chosen by the Moon Goddess herself.”

“I didn’t even know werewolves existed until they were chasing me,” I say. “So no. I still have no idea what you're talking about.”

He nods once, like he expected that.

“Fated mates,” he says, “are two souls tied together. They’re drawn to each other. Recognize each other. Protect each other. It’s instinct. It’s… unavoidable.”

I blink at him, stunned. “That sounds like a fairy tale.”

“It isn’t.”

“So what does that have to do with me?”

He hesitates. Just for a second. But I see it. The crack in his armor.

“When I saw you,” he says quietly, “I knew.”

“Knew what?”

“That you were mine.”

My breath catches. “Y-yours…?”

He sighs, then leads me to the bed where he sits down. I stay standing, between his legs while he holds my hand softly.

“I didn’t expect to bring you back here,” he says. “Not yet. Not like this.”

My heart pounds in my chest. “But how did you know my name?”

He exhales slowly, like he’s bracing himself.

“I saw you two months ago,” he says. “In the human lands.”

My stomach flips. “Where?”

“The coffee shop you worked at.”

I freeze.

He continues, voice steady. “I was passing through with Talon, my brother. We were handling business with a human contact. You were behind the counter. You were laughing with a customer. You had your hair tied up and you were wearing that apron with the little heart painted on the pocket.”

My mouth falls open. “You… remember that?”

“I remember everything,” he says.

I sit down on the edge of the bed, legs suddenly weak. “You saw me. Two months ago. And you… what? Just knew?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because you were human,” he says. “And I didn’t want to drag you into my world yet. As you can see, I’m not handling it well.”

I shake my head, trying to process it. “So you just… watched me?”

“Not like that,” he says quickly. “I didn’t follow you that day, but I had some of my pack spies keep tabs on you to make sure you stayed safe.”

“Then why bring me here now?”

His jaw tightens. “Because you were in danger. And I wasn’t going to let you die.”

I swallow hard, my mind spinning.

Fated mates.

Destiny.

He saw me months ago.

He knew my name.

He knew me before I ever knew him.

It’s too much.

Too fast.

Too unreal.

I look up at him, stunned. “So… that’s why you don’t want me to leave?”

“Yes. I’m trying… very hard to give you space. Normally when wolves find their mates it’s immediate affection and acceptance. I’m trying not to push you because you’re human and I know you don’t understand my world yet.” he replies. “but if I let you go, it will destroy me.”

“Do I… feel that stuff too…?

“I don’t know, do you?”

“Maybe.” My heart flutters just a little.

“Do you trust me?”

“Almost.”

He lowers his gaze to my lips, his fingers underneath my chin lifting my face upwards.

Then he kisses me, soft, slow, and gentle.

I’m stunned. I kiss him back timidly, my heart racing.

Is he going to try to do more? I'm not ready for anything like that! Especially with my kidnapper stalker!

Sensing my sudden fear, he pulls back and smiles at me.

“Come on,” he says. “I’m taking you out of the room.”

I stand slowly, still reeling.

Because nothing in my life has ever made less sense.

And nothing has ever felt more terrifying.