A Wolf's Claim

CHAPTER 34

*Stella*

Jace was busy with the construction, he had been held up in his office for hours. Adam was nowhere to be found either, so it made my idea a lot easier to achieve. I changed into a black hoodie and jeans, with boots that had good tread. I met Sienna at the bottom of the stairs, and we left the packhouse without a word. No one even paid any attention to us, as they were all consumed with their anger about the cramped space.

Sienna lead me towards a small truck that was parked on the side of the house. She got into the driver's seat and started the engine, as I was climbing into the passenger seat. We left and went down the dirt road, disappearing into the forest. I was hoping Jace wouldn't even notice my absence, that would make this much easier. Though, I know the odds of that happening aren't great.

Sienna maneuvered her way through the dozens of trees in our path, and soon we found the road. I was nervous, because it wasn't the smartest idea, but it was the best one I had. There was only one person who could Jace, and that was Zara, his mom. Even though she doesn't like me, I still wanted to try and fix the relationship. It was worth a shot.

Soon, we were pulling up to Zara's house, and anxiety started to riddle my body. My hands were trembling at my sides, and Sienna noticed. She grabbed one of my hands and smiled at me. It was a sweet gesture, but did nothing to help calm me. I took a few deep breaths, preparing myself for the possible chance of attack. This meeting could backfire, and I'd be in a heap load of trouble.

We got out of the car and approached Zara's house. Sienna knocked on the front door, while we waited for her to answer. After a minute, Zara cracked open the door. When she saw me, she tried slamming the door shut, but Sienna stuck her foot in the open space between the door and its frame.

"Zara, wait! Please, just hear us out." Sienna begged, and Zara squinted her eyes.

Zara contemplated her options, then with a curt nod, she opened the door and motioned both of us inside. I held my breath as I walked past, afraid she would attack me at any moment. I could feel the anger coming off her aura, she was hating the fact that I was there.

"What do you want?" Zara snapped, abruptly spinning around to face us in the entrance of her home.

"We'd like to talk, if you'd give us the chance..." Sienna said, so diplomatic and charismatic.

"I've been banished from my pack because of some little human b***h! What more do you have to say?" Zara sarcastically chuckled, bemused.

"I never wanted you to be banished, but I am Jace's mate, and we want to be together. I love your son, Zara, and only want the best for the Shadow pack. I may be human, but I care about you and the pack." I honestly announced, watching Zara's eyebrows furrow.

"Why are you here?" Zara demanded, looking away from me.

"I'd like to ask for your help." I said, loud and clear for her to hear.

"Ha!" She roars, "That's comical."

Before the argument could continue, there was a loud noise from outside. The three of us look towards the window, and notice a group of people surrounding Zara's home. I notice someone in particular... Solomon. My heart drops to my stomach, and I gulp, stumbling backwards.

"Solomon..." I murmur.

"What the hell is he doing here?!" Sienna shrieked, backing away from the window.

"Get away from the window," Zara instructed in a firm voice, "Get upstairs, now!"

The three of us sprinted up the stairs, just as the front door was busted open. Zara guides us into her bedroom, shutting and locking the door behind her. She stared at us for a moment, before turning to face the closed door. We listen to the men walk around downstairs, until their footsteps become louder, and we know they're walking up the stairs.

"Zara?" Solomon called out in a menacing but playful tone, "I can smell your company... and it's exactly who I've been searching for."

Within a few seconds, Zara's bedroom door flies open and reveals Solomon standing on the other side with a wicked smirk. He walked into the room, followed by a few other men. His eyes trailed across Zara and Sienna, sticking on me, and I felt my stomach tangle in knots.

"This was easier than I thought it was going to be," Solomon snickered, "I never expected you to be here, Stella. You've made my job much easier."

"Get the hell out of my house, Solomon!" Zara snarled, pushing him back.

"Don't touch me," Solomon pushed Zara so hard that she hit the opposite wall, "Stupid b***h. Now, Stella, come here. Don't make this difficult."

"No." I shook my head and stumbled backwards, just as Sienna stepped in front of me.

"You won't touch her." Sienna growled, her skin growing clammy.

"Get the hell out of my way!" Solomon swung his arm and knocked Sienna out of the way, effortlessly.

It left the two of us standing face to face, and I knew I didn't stand a chance, but I wasn't going to go down without a fight. I waited for him to make the first move, and instantly evaded his grasp. I rolled across the floor, straight towards Zara. She braced herself, throwing her hands out to stop me from rolling into her. Zara clasped my arms and everything stopped. Time itself froze, while Zara and I left for the past.

I couldn't seem to control this new ability, and I couldn't understand why it was happening. I didn't want people to see what I've lived through, and I don't want their sympathy for it, but yet here we are. Zara gets to see for herself what I had endured with Solomon and Ziggy. It seems like every time I think about Solomon, or see him, these memories flood my brain. If someone is close enough, they'll learn about my past.

I opened my eyes and saw Zara staring straight into my eyes, her mouth slightly ajar, in shock. She gently grazed my cheek with her palm, before looking over at Solomon. He quickly approached us and Zara stood in front of me. Was she protecting me? Solomon snickered, shoving Zara out of the way, as she shifted in the air before landing on all four feet.

"I love the fact he hasn't marked you yet," Solomon grinned broadly, and I shuddered, "That means I can."

Solomon lunged toward me, and I managed to dodge him once again. I threw myself to the left, falling flat on my stomach against the floor. It stole the breath from my lungs, gasping and attempting to crawl away from him. Sienna was still knocked out in the corner of the room, but Zara was lunging for Solomon. She was shifted into her beautiful silver wolf, and all it took was Solomon blocking her with his forearm. She fell back, and soon the guards were restraining her.

I felt Solomon grab my ankles, yanking me across the floor, back toward him. He lifted me off the ground by my neck, holding me out in front of him. I squirmed in his grasp, and he chuckled, grabbing both of my shoulders with his hands and pulling me closer. I tried to get away, but he was too strong. Solomon leaned in with a crooked smile, and I tucked my head down, so he couldn't reach my neck.

I felt him shove my face out of the way, a small gasp left my lips, and soon his breath was hot against my neck. I shuddered, as he pulled me closer and his lips connected against my skin. I clenched my eyes shut, feeling the tears trickle down my cheeks. This was it. Once he marked me as his mate, I belonged to him.