A Wolf's Claim

CHAPTER 25

*Jace*

"Leave, now, or I will kill you." I mindlinked with Ma, while Stella stood beside us.

"You're throwing away everything--" Ma attempted to respond, but I denied her.

"No, actually I'm saving everything. You are the one who threw it all away." I scoffed, standing firm.

"What are you doing, Jace?" Ma asked.

"I'm saving my mate from you." With those last words, she reared her head back in shock.

Ma snorted, turning around and disappearing off into the forest without another word. I turned towards Stella, but she was gone! For a split second, I started to panic, until I saw her standing beside a truck. She was talking to someone, and as I approached, I knew who it was. Was I shocked that she was with Tex? Yes and no. He was her only friend in town, but he was also working with a group that wanted to kill me. I guess Ma's stunt didn't help her decision process, so it's not really her fault.

I shifted, encouraging the others to do the same, before the authorities arrived. Surely someone reported the commotion, if they didn't peep out their window and see the scene with their own eyes. If Ma wasn't an enemy right now, I'd be raging at her for her stupidity!

As I approached Stella from behind, I could see the side of Tex's face, he looked like he was in pain. Stella turned over her shoulder and briefly smiled at me, before looking back at Tex. She stepped away from him, and walked towards me. I fought the urge to wrap my arms around her waist and pull her flush against my body, because I'm not sure where we stand right now, but the Alpha in me wants to claim my mate.

"Tex is trapped in his truck by the seat belt." Stella mutters, her eyes pleading for my mercy.

"Tex, huh?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"He's not as bad as you think," Stella softly argued, "He was influenced by his dad, I don't think he even knew what he was doing."

"You want me to help the guy who tried to kill me?" I repeated, just for clarity.

"Please?" She begged, her eyes becoming round like saucers, while her lips formed into the perfect pout.

"Not the puppy dog eyes!" I cried out with a light chuckle, "That should be my secret weapon, not yours."

"I never wanted any of this to happen, Jace..." Stella said, turning the mood serious.

"Me neither, especially with my own mother." I responded, my voice raspy.

"By the way, I never truly rejected you." Stella said, a petite smirk playing at her lips for a mere second.

"Hmm... I know." I chuckled, watching her squint at me with a tilted head.

I kissed her cheek, and walked around to the other side of the truck. Tex stared at me with an indescribable expression, but I ignored him for now. Instead, I tore apart the seat belt, freeing Tex from his restraints. He climbed out of the truck, brushing glass shards and other debris off his shirt. Tex glanced at me for a brief moment, before his eyes fell on Stella. I didn't know how to react when he rushed toward her, his hand running along her cheek, checking her for injuries.

I felt a low growl rumble from deep within, but I kept it to myself. I watched as Stella smiled at Tex, they shared a moment together, before she finally pulled away. Her eyes found mine again, and to my surprise she walked back towards me. Standing in front of me, with eyes that shine brighter than the moon, and skin softer than sand. I reached my hand toward her, tucking a stray hair behind her ear.

"Thanks for helping us." Tex said, his voice a small echo in the background.

"I know Ma threatened you... I want you to know that I banished her from the pack. There's nothing to be afraid of, Stella." I said, staring into her beautiful eyes.

"I don't want to be the reason you had to banish your own mother..." She whimpered, and a flicker of doubt was visible in her eyes.

"You weren't the problem, Stella, my mother was. Everyone agreed." I responded, cupping the side of her face, and she leaned into my touch.

"I've missed you..." She softly murmurs, and I pull her small frame into my giant one.

"Then come back with me." I muttered in a low rumble.

Stella smiled, but sighed soon after and glanced back at Tex. He was watching us with an envious, yet disappointed expression. I felt bad for him, somewhat, but not bad enough that I'd let him have my mate. I'll at least let her explain it to him. She'll let him down a lot easier than I would.

"Tex--" was all he would let her say, before he interrupted her.

"It's okay, Stella. You don't have to explain anything to me," Tex nodded knowingly, "I just want you to be happy."

"I want you to be happy too, Tex." Stella sweetly commented, and I could tell she was about to cry.

"Don't worry, I will." He gave her an artificial smile, one that I could read if it were written on his forehead.

His heart was breaking, and I actually felt sympathy for this man. He cares for Stella, deeply, it's obvious from the way he looks at her. It was going to be one of us, it was a fifty-fifty chance. We both knew the odds, both knew she would make a choice sooner or later.

After they said goodbye, I steered Stella in the direction of my truck. Adam, Sienna, and Ford all climbed in the bed of the truck. I think they were trying to give me and Stella privacy. I got Stella situated in the passenger seat, and turned around to walk towards Tex. He was still standing in the same place, staring past me at Stella. What I was about to do wasn't going to make up for anything. I knew that, but I at least wanted to help where I could.

"This is for the windshield." I said, handing him a wad of more than enough cash.

"I don't want your money." Tex grunted, swatting the money away.

"No, but you need it." I firmly retorted, shoving the money into his hands and walking back toward the truck.

Stella had a disgruntled expression, as I climbed into the driver's seat. She stared at Tex a little while longer, until we pulled out of the parking lot, and she couldn't see him anymore. Her gaze shifted forward, still with furrowed eyebrows. I wasn't trying to be a d**k to Tex, I really wasn't, I just wanted to pay for the damages. I guess I can see how it'd be taken the wrong way, but there's nothing to dwell on. It is what it is.

Soon we were out of town, driving along a deserted road, as the sun started setting behind the mountain we were headed towards. I heard a small sigh slip past Stella's lips, and I had to wonder about the context. Was it a sigh of relief, or regret? I wanted so badly to ask, but decided against it. Instead, I asked her something else.

"Are you injured?" My voice sounded rugged, low and dark.

"No." She stated, curling into herself.

"Then why is your head bleeding?" I asked, noticing a small cut starting to leak blood down the center of her forehead.

"It is?" She asked, wiping her hand across her forehead, smearing blood from one side to the other.

"Here, press this against your head." I said, handing her a napkin from the center compartment.

"Thanks." She muttered, doing as I said.

"I'm sorry for everything, Stella. I had no idea my mother would take things that far... I just thought she didn't approve of you being human, thought it would blow over after a while. I am sorry for being so naive." I apologized, noticing her steal a glance at me.

"I'm sorry for leaving you." Stella's response caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but glance at her.

"Are you sure you want to come back?" I asked, just trying to be certain.

"Like I said, I never rejected you, Jace." She winked, causing me to chuckle.

"I'm thankful... don't know that I would have survived that one." I winked in return, watching her smirk and blush.

Little does she know, it was an honest statement. I don't think I would have survived her rejection, because I've already fallen in love with Stella. There's something about our bond, something about her, that I'm already head over heels for. I will do anything for her.