A Wolf's Claim

CHAPTER 37

*Stella*

I woke up, stretching my limbs, running them into something beside me. Upon looking over, I find Jace asleep next to me! Quickly retracting my arms, I felt him stir and turn over. Now he's facing me. His face is so peaceful, and I'm able to study his features closely. He's an incredibly attractive man.

After a minute, his eyes started moving from behind his eyelids, and soon they opened. A smile crept onto his lips, as he sat up and stretched. I watched the sheets fall off his upper torso, revealing his perfectly chiseled muscles. As he stretched, so did the taught muscles in his back, and I felt myself drooling.

I wanted to ask why he slept in the same bed as me, but decided not to, because I really liked waking up to him. He's my mate. I should probably get used to this, right? It still feels weird to call someone my mate, but then again, Jace isn't just anyone. He's the Alpha of a werewolf pack, just a little out of the ordinary.

Jace disappeared into the closet, so I decided to grab clean clothes as well, from my dresser. Jace was still in the closet, so I entered the bathroom. After going to pee, I set up a couple of towels next to my clean clothes, and started running the water to the shower. I stripped out of my clothes and stepped inside, shutting the frosted shower door behind me.

I dipped my head back underneath the water, soaking my hair, before shampooing it. While I was showering, I heard the door to the bathroom open, and my heart dropped. I froze in the shower, listening closely. I heard the faucet running, and a drawer close, which piqued my curiosity. I slid open the frosted door just enough to poke my head out, and found Jace standing at the sink with a toothbrush sticking out of his mouth.

He looked at me in the mirror, winking, before bending down to spit out his toothpaste. I stared at him in awe, I couldn't believe he went into the bathroom, even knowing I was in there showering! He started chuckling, a low husky, freaking sexy chuckle. I felt my lips scrunching up into an angry pout, which only caused him to laugh harder. I slammed the door shut, finishing up my shower.

Once I was done, I grabbed a towel from the stand next to me, and wrapped it around my body, before stepping out. However, I stepped out into an empty bathroom. I'm not going to lie, I was disappointed he was already gone. I sighed, brushing my teeth as well. I also brushed through my freshly cleaned wet hair, drying it with a towel, before putting my shirt on.

I wore a black tank top, with white jean shorts. It was a hot day today, and I wanted to be comfortable. I walked out into the bedroom, surprised to find Zara sitting on the edge of the bed. She smiled at me, something I hadn't seen from her until now. I smiled, but realized I was frozen in place. I wasn't sure how she felt about me, but her smile was real. I know that much.

"Don't worry, sweetheart, I won't hurt you. Come, sit." She asked, her voice different from before.

"Zara... I'm sorry Solomon attacked you--" I started to say, anxiety riddling my bones.

"No, no. Please, don't apologize. I'm here to apologize to you!" She exclaimed with a light chuckle, "I am sorry for judging you, Stella... especially because I couldn't have been more wrong."

"Thank you, Zara." I smiled, sitting beside her.

"When you fell into me, you showed me part of your past... I couldn't believe how strong you were. I was amazed that a small human was able to survive the torture of a sadistic werewolf like Solomon. Not only survive, but fight to escape. There is an incredible fire in your soul, Stella, one I somehow missed the first time we met." Zara remarked, grabbing my hands in hers.

"I'm glad it worked," I sighed and watched her eyes widen, "Well, I had planned to talk to you because Jace was struggling... I knew he needed you, and hated destroying your relationship. So, I set out to try and make amends with you."

"It worked." She smiled softly, "I know the pack is unhappy, I can sense it, especially now that I'm back. I want to take some of them with me, to my house, to accommodate the living space. I know Jace doesn't want to split people up, but he doesn't have many other options."

"I think that's a good idea, for now. The remodel will take at least another couple of months though," I hesitantly said, "Jace won't want to keep the pack separated for that long."

"I know..." She sighed, looking at me with a crooked smile, "I'm glad he has you."

"Thank you, Zara. I'm glad I have him too." I grinned, and a knock on the door interrupted us.

"Come in." I hollered, finding Sienna standing in the doorway.

She smiled, walking inside, as Zara stood back to her feet. Zara nodded at Sienna, before leaving the room. I'm glad she came to talk to me, and I'm thrilled that we're on the same page now! That's one less person to fight against.

Sienna walked up with a wavering grin, and I knew something was on her mind. I invited her in the room and shut the door behind us, as we sat on the edge of the bed.

"I think you should let Jace mark you." Sienna blatantly stated.

"Oh-" I gasped with wide eyes, "I... I guess we should, huh?"

"I mean, you're accepting him, right?" She asked, her eyes filled with hope.

"Yes," I giggled, "I want to be his mate."

"Then what are you waiting for?" She asked, chuckling.

"Well... I imagine it's going to be different with a werewolf than a human." I muttered, blushing profusely.

"So... you're nervous?" She asked again, and I couldn't help but wonder why she cared so much.

"Sienna, what does this have to do with you?" I asked, sounding crass, but I didn't intend to.

"Well... once you're mated, you become Luna of the pack. I'm just... excited, I guess." She shrugged.

"Oh, Sienna." I sighed, smirking, pulling her in for a hug.

She giggled, and we left the room, walking downstairs to find the kitchen torn to pieces. The refrigerator was moved into the living room, as well as all the other food. We each grabbed a bowl of cereal, something quick and easy. As we were sitting down on the couch eating breakfast, Jace and Zara came bursting through the front door. They were in a heated discussion, and I knew it was about separating the pack. Zara might need some help with this one, but Jace already looks upset.

They walk upstairs and disappear from my sight, but it looks like Sienna can still hear what they're saying. I noticed her head was slightly tilted up toward the ceiling, she paused to eat her cereal, and listened carefully. I waited to find out what she heard, but I had already guessed what it was about.