A Wolf's Claim

CHAPTER 7

*Stella*

I could feel my mouth hanging open, staring with wide eyes at Jace. Did he just say what I think he said? Werewolf and... Mate? I blinked my eyes, still at a loss for words. He watched me carefully, and I quickly concealed the look of shock, but not fast enough. I heard him sigh, glancing out the window.

"Werewolves... are real?" I asked, my voice a light whisper.

"Yeah." He chuckled, something that riles up my heart.

"I'm your... Mate?" I asked, my heart drumming even harder at my own question.

"Yes." Jace firmly responded, nodding.

"How do you know?" I asked, gulping.

"I can feel the bond..." He said, his voice much softer now.

"That's why you were able to take my pain away?" I murmured, a question more to myself than to him.

"We calm each other down." He offered, still in a gentle tone.

"But... I'm not a wolf." I muttered, hanging my head low.

"That doesn't matter, love." Jace muttered, smirking.

"Do you want me as your mate?" I asked, partially embarrassed at the word.

"I do." He grinned, the biggest smile I've seen him display.

I smiled in return, but thought about my home for a moment. I don't want to just leave everything behind, I still want to say goodbye to the few people that did know me. Especially Tex, I didn't want him to worry about me. He was the only friend I had. I didn't want to just disappear from his life.

"What about you, Stella? What do you want?" Jace asked, his words carrying so much weight.

Honestly, I want to stay here with him. There is a connection between us, or a bond as Jace calls it, but I feel it too. My heart desires him, and I can't deny that, but I also want to gather my belongings and tell people that I'm moving out of town. At least that way, no one questions anything.

"I want to stay here with you." I smiled, and he grinned broadly again. "But... I want to say goodbye to my friend, Tex, and gather my things--"

"Who is Tex?" Jace asked, his voice laced with jealousy and anger.

"He's my friend." I responded, raising an eyebrow at him.

"He? Your friend is male?" Jace asked, his nostrils flaring, and his breathing became erratic.

"Yeah..." I muttered, "He's the only friend I have, so I want to say--"

"I'm coming with you." Jace growled, a menacing sound, one that startled me.

"It's okay, Jace... He's just my friend, I promise." I shrugged, downplaying it.

Jace doesn't have to know that I had a slight crush on Tex, but it wasn't anything like I felt towards Jace. Tex became a crush because there was no one else around my age that was single. With Jace, the attraction was instantaneous and undeniable. That's why I'm glad I kept it that way, too. Even now, Jace doesn't seem to like the idea of me saying goodbye to Tex.

"I'm still coming with you." Jace growled again, and I smirked.

"That's fine, but no scaring him." I warned, earning a chuckle.

"I promise, I won't, unless I have to." Jace shrugged, "First, you'll rest."

"That's a deal. I'm still in a good amount of pain, but I don't want Tex to worry." I said, realizing how stupid I was after the fact.

"Do you have feelings for this guy?" Jace snarled, and I reared my head back in shock.

"Not romantic feelings..." I murmured, staring at him with a disgruntled expression.

He took a deep breath, sighing heavily, before leaving the room. Well, that was unexpected... why is he acting so possessive? I mean, I just learned that I was his mate. Does that have anything to do with it? What's the difference between being someone's mate, and being someone's girlfriend?

A couple of hours later, Sienna returned with several shopping bags. The brunette helped her carry more in, before she shoved him out of the room and shut the door. She beamed a smile at me, before plopping all the bags on the bed. I could tell she was excited, which made me thankful. Maybe I'll find my first friend here.

"Okay, I kind of went crazy, but Jace didn't give me a limit... so... we'll start with the basics." Sienna grinned broadly, retrieving the first bag.

She pulled out several plain colored tank tops, as well as colorful ones. Socks, bras, underwear, those types of essentials. Sienna really covered the bases, as she got me several outfits for different occasions. Plenty of comfortable and casual clothes, but also some elegant dresses. I was so thankful for everything, tears started forming in the back of my eyes, as I glanced around at all the new clothes that must have cost a fortune.

"Why are you crying?! Did I do that badly?" Sienna exclaimed, biting her cheek.

"No, not at all, this is all wonderful! Your taste is amazing! It's just so kind of you... I'm very grateful, thank you so much." I rambled, giggling at myself.

"Okay, phew!" She giggled, sitting on the edge of the bed. "I wanted you to be more comfortable. It's sad that the guys don't think about that kind of stuff, but luckily you have me."

"I am lucky..." I softly murmured, "Is that guy that came in with you, your boyfriend?"

"Adam, yeah he's my mate." She smiled proudly.

"Are you both werewolves?" I asked, hoping I wasn't prying.

"Yup." She smiled again, her confidence never wavering.

"Isn't it weird that Jace has me... a human mate?" I asked, feeling insecure.

"It's definitely not very common, but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened before." Sienna grinned, her smile making me feel relaxed.

"What if the others don't accept me?" I fearfully asked.

"They don't really have much of a choice, Stella." She giggled, "You're the Luna, their queen, their leader."

"What?" I asked, feeling my jaw hanging open wide.

"You weren't aware that Jace is the Aplha?" She asked, tilting her head in confusion.

"No..." I shook my head, feeling my heart vibrate against my sternum.

Before we could continue our conversation, Jace and Adam returned to the room with stoic expressions. Sienna joined Adam in the doorway, waving to me before the two of them left. Jace entered the room, leaving the door open, and sat at the edge of the bed.

The minute he glanced at me, I felt my heart flip around inside my chest, sending some sort of electric current through my body. My legs were fidgeting with excitement, but I remained calm. His eyes scanned me from head to toe, almost skeptically, and I felt myself shudder under his gaze. What if he's starting to think I'm not good enough for him?

I almost sound bothered by the thought... am I? The question to myself caused a heavy sensation to weigh me down, and suddenly I felt troubled. I don't know Jace at all, yet I feel afraid of losing him. The mere thought has me shaking uncontrollably, and I find myself more confused than I was when I woke up.

"Your friend is looking for you back home," he grumbles without making eye contact, "You're considered a missing person."

"That's why I wanted to at least let him know I was safe... he's nothing more than a friend, Jace." I responded, my voice sounded so small compared to his.

"I understand. Once you're healed, I'll take you there." He nodded, and with that he was gone again.

Did I do something to upset him? He's acting so differently than he was earlier, but I don't know what could have changed. It doesn't help that I don't even know him, I don't know what's typical of his character and what isn't. I feel like an outsider, and suddenly I'm petrified that he's going to reject me as his mate... he said that could happen. What if I accepted him, and he decided to reject me?