A Wolf's Claim

CHAPTER 5

*Stella*

My eyes fluttered open, and I found myself in another unfamiliar room. Glancing around, I noticed the room was well furnished. I'm lying in a plush bed, with fresh clean sheets and tons of blankets. I was warm, comfortable, and didn't have the urge to run like I did before. Though I didn't recognize where I was, I didn't feel afraid, I felt oddly relieved.

The door opened and in walked a tall man with black hair. His biceps were large and muscular, illustrated with all kinds of tattoos. I could tell the rest of his muscles wanted to burst through his tight T-shirt as he moved. When I met his gaze, my heart fluttered, his hazel eyes were incredible! He had short stubble that covered his square jaw, and a sexy broad smile. I didn't realize I was gawking, until he broke into a husky chuckle.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, his voice rugged.

"Who... are you?" I stuttered, feeling lost in his eyes.

"My name is Jace." He responded with a faint smirk, one that made my knees weak.

"Where am I?" I asked, breaking my stare from him to briefly glance around the room.

"You're safe. I brought you back to my house, away from Solomon." Jace replied.

"Solomon..." I repeated the name, and the memories flooded back into my brain.

Solomon is the asshole that kidn*pped me! He tortured me, enslaved me, and degraded me! I want revenge! I could feel my blood starting to boil, as my skin became clammy, and my nostrils started to flare. Anger was starting to consume me, until Jace rested his hand on my arm. His skin against mine felt like a direct connection to the world's greatest drug. I felt calm, instantly, and looked at him in confusion.

"It's okay, you actually caused some damage to their pa-- uh... their crew." Jace stuttered, and I raised an eyebrow.

I sat there for a minute, recalling what I could, although my memory was fuzzy. I was captured by Solomon, and fought to get away-- that's right! I watched Ziggy transform into a freaking wolf! But... Jace is going to think I'm crazy if I say that... Then again, what do I care? I don't even know Jace, I don't know any of these people! I just want to go home!

"What's your name?" Jace asked, though his voice was naturally gruff, he sounded gentle.

"Why?" I asked, pulling away from his soft touch.

"So I can call you by name." Jace smirked, stifling a chuckle.

"Stella..." I murmured, and watched his small smirk develop into a broad grin.

"Stella..." Jace softly repeated, "It's nice to meet you."

Why is my heart bouncing around inside my chest like that? I gulp, no no no. I can't have a crush on this giant gorgeous beast standing in front of me, that will only end in heartache. He could have any woman he wanted, and I mean anyone, so it definitely won't be me.

"Are you hungry, Stella?" Jace asked.

"I could eat something." I nodded, briefly smiling.

"I'll be right back." He smiled, leaving the room.

Okay... it's weird, because Jace is a complete stranger, but I feel so comfortable around him. I want to go home, but I also don't want to leave him. That's odd. No, I'm just a temporary guest at his house. Once I'm healed, I'll be on my way, and he'll be nothing but a mere memory in my head. I sighed, stretching out on the bed.

I was jolted by a severe pain in my back, rendered speechless. Instead, I released a small yelp, one I thought for sure would go unheard. However, a minute later, Jace rushed into the room with wide eyes. I'm sprawled out on the bed, lying on my side, stuck because of the shooting pain. Tears rolled down my face, across my nose, and onto the sheet below.

Jace gently lifted me up, positioning me back against the pillows. I don't know what happened, but the minute he made contact with me again, the pain vanished. After he set me down, the second his hands left my skin, the agony returned, and I was crying all over again. Jace winced, and crawled into the bed next to me, pulling me into his arms. Once again, the pain disappeared, and I was able to breathe a sigh of relief.

I don't understand... how would it even be possible? People don't have that kind of power, right? I question it, but I can't help but feel like Jace is a personal painkiller.

Another tall muscular brunette was standing in the doorway, watching the two of us with a knowing smirk on his face. He stepped in the room, making way for a woman I hadn't met yet. She held a tray of food in her hands, smiling at me, while she set it on the bed next to me. I smiled at her, and her eyes glistened like she was staring at the sun.

"Sienna!" The brunette hissed, and Sienna slightly bowed her head towards me.

The man sighed heavily, before the two of them scurried out of the room. My eyebrows were furrowing, but before I could make anything of it, Jace stole my attention away. His voice was sexy, I can't lie. Deep and husky, a low rumble that caused my breath to hitch in my throat.

"Does any of this look good?" Jace asked, and I turned to find an array of food displayed on the tray.

"Wow..." I muttered, looking between the perfectly grilled steak and the oven-baked chicken.

"Yeah... Sienna wanted to go all out." Jace shrugged.

"I'll say!" I giggled, taking a few different pieces of each to try.

There were also different sides to choose from. It felt like a buffet was brought to my bedside, and I won't lie, it was kind of nice. Especially after what I experienced during my k********g. That's something I haven't talked about, but my wounds were bandaged when I woke up. Jace must know to some extent that I was tortured by Solomon. Maybe he knows why?

"This is really yummy, tell Sienna I said thank you." I said with a mouth full of food.

"I'm glad you like it." Jace lightly chuckled, keeping his arm around my waist.

"Jace... can I ask you something?" I asked, peering up at his perfectly sculpted face.

"Anything, Stella." He grinned, his beautiful hazel eyes searching mine for an answer.

"Do you know why Solomon tortured me?" I asked, biting my bottom lip, afraid I'd make things awkward.

Jace heaved a sigh, breaking our eye contact, glancing away. I felt his body become stiff, his muscles were rigid against my skin, and though it was hot, I knew he felt something. Jace knows something I don't, and I'm going to figure out what.

I waited for his eyes to return to mine, and when they did, I made sure to pout my lips and give him the puppy dog eyes. Jace actually chuckled, shaking his head.

"I think I have an idea as to why he wanted to do that, but he wouldn't have known at the time, so it was him going off a hunch. I'm sorry you were involved with him, Stella, that shouldn't have happened..." Jace responded.

I knew he was being genuine, but he was also being vague. I could tell he was hiding something, but I wasn't sure what. I never knew Solomon before he kidn*pped me, so his response doesn't even make that much sense.

"Are you going to tell me?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.

Jace was silent for a moment, which disturbed the anxiety was becoming settled. He's definitely hiding something. I sense shame, guilt, but why on earth would he feel any of that? He was the one who rescued me from that treacherous place...

"Do you recall seeing anything... abnormal, while you were held captive?" Jace returned with a question of his own.

Now I was the one to remain silent, because the first thing that I thought of, fought against what I knew to be reality. If I tell Jace that I saw a man turn into a wolf, he's going to think I've lost my mind. Then again, why is he asking that question to begin with?

"What do you mean?" I asked, tilting my head like I didn't understand.

"Anything out of the ordinary or unusual?" Jace clarified and I gulped.

"I saw a lot of things that were out of the ordinary..." I softly murmured, recalling the nightmarish memories.

Jace didn't push any further, and I was glad about that, because I was too afraid to tell him the truth. Even though he's a complete stranger, I enjoy my time with him. There's something about his touch that soothes my wrecked nerves, and I don't want that to go away yet. I know the second I open my mouth about seeing a man transform into a wolf, he's going to run for the hills.