A Wolf's Claim

CHAPTER 24

*Stella*

Tex and I sat in his truck for a couple of minutes, silently debating whether to invite him in. I'm still mad at him, but he's acting like his normal self again. I'd like to get some answers, but I don't know that he'll give any. I'm partial to Tex right now, because I'm lonely and heart broken, but also because he tried to kill my mate. Tex was my only friend before Jace showed up, and during that time he was a good friend. Maybe we can go back to that?

"Stella?" Tex asked, his voice a soft whisper.

"Yeah?" I asked, turning to look at him.

His light blue eyes were glossy, and he bit the inside of his cheek with a clenched jaw. I can feel my own eyebrows knitting together, knowing something is about to come out of his mouth that I might not be prepared for. I gulp, nodding to urge him to continue.

"I'm sorry..." Tex mumbled, keeping his head down, looking at his lap.

"Sorry for what, Tex? Trying to kill my mate or trying to kidnap me?" I snapped.

"Both... everything." He muttered, shaking his head, ashamed of himself.

I noticed how distraught he was and realized his apology was sincere, he truly felt bad for his actions. I briefly smiled, sighing, resting my hand on his shoulder. He glanced toward me with an indescribable expression. His facial features softened, as he leaned in for a hug. I accepted his hug. Hell I actually enjoyed it, I needed a hug myself. I'll admit, I probably enjoyed it a little too much. As I kept my arms wrapped around Tex's broad shoulders, sighing to myself.

Tex pulled away, just enough to where our faces were in front of each other. With his arms wrapped around my waist, he started leaning his face closer to mine. I wasn't sure what to do, or what I wanted to do. Did I want to kiss Tex? So soon after losing Jace? The thought alone made me sick to my stomach, which told me my answer. I find Tex attractive, who wouldn't, but I'm not over Jace. In fact, I'm still very attached to him, if I'm being honest. I don't think I truly rejected him as my mate...

"I'm sorry." I muttered, pulling out of his arms and leaning against the door of his truck.

"No-- I'm sorry, that was stupid." Tex shook his head.

"I... It just felt nice to be hugged, I guess." I said, trying to explain it to myself more than anything.

"Yeah, I get it." Tex nodded, pursing his lips.

"Tex, I'm sorry but--" I started to explain myself, until the ground began to rumble.

The car slightly shook around, like a small earthquake was happening, though I now know that's not the case. Something else was coming, someone. The question is, who?

Soon a large gray wolf lunges out from the nearby trees, scaring the s**t out of both of us. I screamed, as the wolf dove on top of the windshield. I threw my hands up over my face, just as I felt small shards of glass shred through my palms. A loud noise erupted through my ears and I panicked, scrambling out of the truck. I heard Tex yelling, and I ran around to the other side, to find him pinned against his seat.

The wolf jammed his seat belt into the seat, strapping Tex tightly in place. He struggled against it, but it was too strong. The wolf leaped around the front of his truck and growled. I backed up, looking at its hazel eyes... Within seconds, I know who I'm looking at, and now I'm not surprised in the least bit. Zara.

"I don't know why you're here. I did what you asked." I grunted, knowing she couldn't respond to me in that state, but I still had a lot to say.

She shook her head and snorted, followed by another vicious growl, one that showed her teeth. She doesn't believe me. Clearly, that explains why she's here. She's here to kill me, because I didn't completely reject Jace. I couldn't... I didn't want to reject him, even if that meant facing death. I wanted nothing more than to be with Jace, be his Luna, and help lead his pack.

Zara lunged towards me, and I somehow managed to dodge her attack, rolling under Tex's lifted truck. I crawled to the other side, scrambling to my feet. I searched all around myself and didn't see her, until she landed on me from above. I fell to the ground, while she turned around to come back for more. I quickly rolled back under the truck, away from her reach. I knew I couldn't stay here forever, though.

I was going to owe Tex for something expensive, I'm sure, but right now it's going to help save our lives. I noticed a piece of metal was sticking out ever so slightly. I tried yanking it off, but I wasn't strong enough to break it. Desperately pulling and pushing on the loose metal, I felt something sharp grip my ankle and yank me out from under the truck. I heard a loud snap, and soon the truck was leaking fluid, but I had a metal shard in my left hand.

Zara pulled me across the ground by my ankle, and hurled me across the parking lot like a chew toy. I landed on the ground with a loud thump, groaning and rolling around in pain. There wasn't enough time to gather my bearings, before Zara was attacking me again. This time she grabbed me by the center of my torso, her long teeth digging through my flesh and into my muscles. Agony consumed me, as a debilitating scream left my lips.

With the metal shard still in hand, I turned and dug it through the center of her beautiful left hazel eye. She roared loudly, dropping me to the ground hastily. I watched Zara thrash around like an animal with rabies, until her one good eye connected with me. I could barely move, but when she started sprinting towards me, I knew I didn't stand a chance. Instead, I prepared for impact, and clenched my eyes shut.

A thundering noise sounded from in front of me, and when I opened my eyes I was shocked to see a black wolf colliding with Zara. They were attacking each other viciously, biting and tearing the other to pieces, both equally strong. Three more wolves approached, one of which joined the fight, while the other two stayed with me.

Jace and his mother fought each other with ferocious bites, growls and howls. I watched in horror, as Jace was mangling his own mother, and something in me snapped. I didn't want to be the reason his family separated. I stand back on my feet and throw myself between them like an i***t.

Just as they're lunging towards each other, I'm wedged between them like a ragdoll. Zara reaches forward with an open mouth, while Jace pushes me to the side with a low growl. They collide once again, but this time Jace bites down hard on Zara's neck and she yelps. The sound is enough to shatter my heart, and again I rush toward them.

"Stop! Please! Don't hurt each other!" I shrieked, as they both stopped to stare at me.

Both wolves were breathing hard, but I managed to hold their attention. I can't let that go to waste. I had no idea what I was going to say, all I could do was stare at them dumbfounded. Before I could say anything, I noticed both wolves staring at each other intently, like they were having a conversation inside their heads. In fact, it looked like everyone was privy to this conversation, but me and Tex. Speaking of which, Tex is still trapped in his truck!