A Wolf's Claim

CHAPTER 15

*Stella*

I watched Jace walk out of the bedroom, shutting the door behind him. I wanted to ask him to stay, but my mouth wouldn't form the sentence. I was so afraid of what had happened, I felt like I'd been thrown into a whirlwind of madness and confusion. My once normal life is anything but now, and I have only one option but to accept it. It's a lot to digest all at once, but I'm trying. I could see the hurt look in Jace's eyes before he left. I don't want to cause that.

I'm angry at Tex, enraged with his moral compass. My hopes and dreams for him and Jace becoming friends are shot to s**t now! I never imagined his family being involved with The Silbermen werewolf hunters. Then again, I never imagined werewolves were real either.

It was still early, and I wasn't tired, so I decided to try and look for Jace. I wanted to apologize for clamming up. I just felt lost for a second. I mean, I still do, but I don't want him to feel lost too. That wasn't fair to him, plus, I have a lot of questions about all of this Alpha stuff. Does that always mean he'll be at the center of every battle?

I tiptoed out of the bedroom, glancing down the hall and toward the stairs. I made my way, slowly, and just as I was about to descend the stairs, I heard Jace talking to someone. I focused a little harder, scooting closer to the edge of the balcony near the staircase.

"Jace, I'm thinking of what's best for this pack!" Zara howled, her voice strong and dominant.

"I'm the Alpha, don't you think I'm already doing that?" Jace spit back, his voice equally powerful.

"Not when you bring a human home to become the Luna of the pack!" Zara growled.

"She fought off Solomon, by herself, with no actual weapons. She managed to stab him with some kind of gardening tool, rendering him motionless enough for her to escape. Only, she was caught by Ziggy. You remember him, don't you ma?" Jace stated, his voice icy cold.

His mom didn't speak, all I heard were a couple of growls, followed by a heavy sigh. I didn't know if she had walked away, or if she was contemplating on responding, but the silence was deafening. The tension was suffocating, and I thought about retreating back to my room, but I wanted to hear her response. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested in seeing how she knew Ziggy.

"Don't patronize me!" Zara seethed, her voice low and menacing.

"Give her a chance, or I'll keep us far away from you too." Jace stated, and I heard his footsteps coming closer.

I scrambled back towards the bedroom, scurrying onto the bed seconds before he walked in the room. Hiding my panting, I smiled at him and waited for him to start the conversation. I need to catch my breath.

"Are you tired?" Jace asked, though his voice was rigid, his eyes were inviting.

"Not really." I shrugged.

"Come with me." He said, his voice so low it was barely audible.

I followed him out of the bedroom, downstairs, and outside to the backyard again. We passed the pool, where a cute stone path stretches for at least twenty feet, until it stops. There's a long stretch of bright green grass, with rows of trees on either side. Jace led me far away from the house, until it was out of sight, and we were surrounded by nothing but forest. The trees on either side opened up to a large clearing, where the stars shimmered down across a small lake.

Jace grabbed my hand, and we sat on the grass, just a few feet away from the lake. It was a gorgeous view, also peaceful, something both of us probably needed. I knew I wasn't the only one who was stressed. I can't imagine how Jace must feel. His entire home was just destroyed, people were injured, and some maybe even died... That's something I don't have the guts to ask.

"I found a new packland, I'd like to show you tomorrow and get your opinion." Jace stated, his face stoic and voice monotone.

"My opinion?" I repeated, perplexed about why my opinion would matter, it's his home.

"Yes." He cracked half a smile, "You'll be living there too."

"You still want me around?" I asked in disbelief, my eyebrows shot sky-high.

"Of course I do, why wouldn't I?" Jace asked, disgruntled.

"Because I brought The Silbermen to you, worsened your reputation with Solomon, and... I'm human..." I rambled. The last part, though, was more of a whisper.

"Both those idiots were already my enemies, Stella, I told you it's not your fault. As far as being human, I'm glad you're human. I may be a werewolf, but I'm half human too. Sometimes I like that side better." Jace grunted, his eyes boring into the side of my head.

"Why do you say that?" I asked, turning to meet his intense gaze.

"Because being an animal is exactly that, an animal. My mother is like seventy percent wolf and thirty percent human. She's unreasonable and hard-headed. Something my dad always fought with..." Jace muttered, shaking his head in defeat.

"I know your mom doesn't like me because I'm human..." I said, noticing his body became rigid.

"She's being ignorant." Jace growled, clenching his teeth.

"I'll prove her wrong," I boldly announced, waiting for him to growl or snap at me.

"Good," he flashed a broad grin, "because I've already accepted you as my mate, in my head anyway."

"Really?" I asked, almost too quickly, too desperate.

"Yeah," he chuckled, "It was instantaneous."

"It was for me too." I smiled, staring at the side of his finely chiseled face.

"You accepted me?" Jace asked, his voice more shocked than I was expecting.

"Yes..." I softly nodded, as his eyes lit up and my heart released a slew of butterflies.

Our eyes were dancing around each other, slowly both of us leaned toward each other, closing the gap between us. I could feel the heat radiating off his skin and onto mine, until finally his face was directly in front of mine. I could feel his warm breath against my lips while he contemplated kissing me. I wanted him to, so badly, we were so close. Closing my eyes, I felt the soft touch of his lips graze across mine for a mere second before he was gone.

Jace jolted back, his eyes wide and his mouth slightly ajar. He had an indescribable expression, before he suddenly shook his head and smiled lightly. Standing on his feet, he offered me a hand and helped me off the ground. What the hell happened? We barely even kissed! That certainly doesn't count in my book, I barely touched my lips to his before he was desperately pulling away! Did my breath stink? Was I too easy? What was the problem?

"It's getting late, come on." Jace growled, dragging me along behind him.

He was hard to keep up with, I could barely stay by his side. Jace was acting weird, like something I did or said ignited a reason for him to panic. I don't understand what happened, but it's starting to worry me. Is there something wrong with me? He said he accepted me, but things can always change, can't they? I hope not... I thought tonight was nice.