A Wolf's Claim

CHAPTER 19

*Stella*

"Zara--" Sienna attempted to speak, but Zara held up a hand and silenced her.

"Leave us, Sienna. I'd like a word alone with my son's new mate." Zara grunted, her teeth clenched at the word mate.

Sienna briefly glanced at me with a nervous expression, before reluctantly leaving the room. Zara shut the door behind her, locking it, before she walked closer toward me. I remained on the edge of the bed, my feet curling inside my shoes with anxiety the closer she got. It didn't take a werewolf to feel the hatred that leaked from her pores, as she sniffed the air and gagged in front of me. I winced, knowing she was going to be a battle of her own.

"I think you know why I'm here." She simply stated, her hazel eyes burning a hole in the center of my head.

"I'm guessing you want me gone." I shrugged, igniting the fuse to her fury.

"Huh. You're smarter than you look." She scowled, "I don't want my son mating with a weak human like you. I want you to reject him."

"Reject him?!" I roared, and I found her hand clamped over my mouth before I could blink.

"Shut up!" She hissed, "Yes, reject him. Leave his life, never return."

"And why would I do that?" I sneered, pulling away from her.

"Because if you don't, I'll kill you myself." She crassly threatened.

"Jace is Alpha, he'd never allow it." I argued, but there was a sense of doubt eating at my gut.

"He'd never find out." She shrugged with a wicked smile, and I soon realized what I was faced with.

I was being blackmailed by my mate's mother, chased by my best friend and his father, as well as chased by another pack of werewolves that were once my captors. All of that, within just a couple of weeks. I started to slouch, folding into myself, overwhelmed by the colossal wave of destruction that's destroying my newly built life.

"Don't even think about telling anyone about this, either. I'll find out, and then you won't have a decision to make anymore. I'll be making it for you." She warned, keeping her head held high.

"Why?" I asked, hopelessness finding its way to my heart.

"Because Jace needs someone strong, like him. He needs a shewolf. There's another mate out there, waiting for him to claim her, and she is better suited for our Luna." Zara said, glaring at me, as her words cut through me like a machete.

Zara appeared fulfilled, as she stepped out of the room, leaving me speechless and dumbfounded. I was trapped, tossed into a decision that was going to ruin everything. I had every intention of accepting Jace as my mate, becoming part of his world, becoming Luna. Until now, instead, I'm drowning in guilt and remorse. The thought of rejecting Jace filled my heart with sorrow, a heavy sensation that I couldn't overcome.

Tears started falling from my eyes, as I collapsed against the mattress below me. Soon I was releasing loud sobs, and the harder I tried to stop, the louder they became. It didn't take long for Jace to come sprinting through the door, rushing to my side and pulling me into his arms. Soothing my pain instantly, even my emotional pain. I hear a light grunt from him, but I don't know if it's because he could sense my pain or if my screams were too loud.

"Hey, hey-- look at me." Jace calmly pleaded, holding my face between his giant hands.

"Oh- Jace..." I softly murmured, more tears flooding my eyes and down my cheeks.

"Tell me, Stella, what happened?" Jace asked, his voice soothing my anxiety, and all I wanted to do was tell him the truth.

"I... I... have to--" I growled, groaning and pulling away from his glorious grasp.

The minute his skin left mine, the pain came surging back, and I was desperately sprinting out of Sienna's room. I ran down the hall and toward the only other bedroom I knew, trying to escape Jace's perfect touch. I want nothing more than to accept him as my mate, but I'm afraid Zara will find out and kill me faster than I could blink.

I locked myself inside my bedroom, hearing Jace's heavy footsteps trailing behind me. He gently knocks on the door, the one I'm currently leaning against. With my back to the door, I turned my head and took a deep breath for what I was about to say. If I can even bring myself to say the words.

"Jace, I need to be alone..." I grumbled, feeling my chest buckle with despair.

"What happened, Stella?" Jace asked, his voice more stern this time.

"I can't tell you!" I barked through heavy sobs.

"Why not?" He asked, his voice softer.

"Ugh! I just can't!" I screamed, soon hearing him shuffle away.

After about ten minutes, I finally caught my breath and started to calm down. I wasn't going to reject him right away, I needed to think this through first. Determine why Zara is so hell-bent on Jace mating with another werewolf, and not a human. What's so bad about being human? I feel pretty confident that I've connected with these people well so far. Is that the problem? I can't bond on the same level as the rest of them?

"Stella?" Sienna's voice chimed from the other side of the door.

"I want to be alone!" I shouted, gritting my teeth with the lie that was slipping out of my lips.

"I can tell you're lying..." Sienna murmured.

I sighed and threw open the door, staring at her with what felt like an angry expression. Sienna winced, but didn't budge from her place, instead she reached out for me. I stepped out of reach, shaking my head, and shut the door in her face. My heart ached with a tremendous pain that was almost unbearable, and the only thing I could do was cry.

I locked the door, turning and throwing myself back onto the bed. A wave of tears came over me, as I continued sobbing. I wouldn't allow anyone inside the room, and I didn't bother coming out. I lost any appetite I had, so eating wasn't a concern at the moment, and I have my own bathroom. I don't have to leave, not until I'm ready.

Hours later, another gentle knock sounds from the door. I glanced over, but I didn't respond. I already knew it was Jace. I can sense his presence when he's nearby, and it simultaneously soothes yet riles up my nerves. I want so desperately to confide in him, tell him what's bothering me, but I know it won't end well. Not for anyone, especially me. I'm afraid to ruffle any feathers, so maybe it is just best for me to leave?