A Wolf's Claim

CHAPTER 6

*Jace*

I could tell Stella was hesitant, but about what, I wasn't sure. Did she see Solomon or any of his pack shift? Does she know they're werewolves, and so am I? She is my destined mate, the moon goddess must have paired our souls together for a reason... Maybe she will end up accepting it, accepting me.

I sat with her for a few hours, until she fell asleep again. It was around five in the evening, when I finally was able to leave her side. She appeared to have some type of attachment towards me already, which made me happy, but I didn't know how to explain everything to her. I don't want her to feel trapped, like she was before. I want her to naturally want me, the way I want her.

I heard her light mumbles as I left the room, not wanting to leave for long, but knowing I still had a duty to fulfill as Alpha of my pack. The recent attacks on citizens were from Midnight Sun, or rogue wolves. Either way, it had to stop. One of our greatest fears is that humans will see the difference between werewolves and wolves, and grow to hate our kind.

We already have a group of men who hunt werewolves, killing our kind whenever they can. Some of the men are from a local town. I've seen them around before. My pack, the Shadow pack, usually keeps to ourselves, but I know the people in the surrounding cities.

Adam, Sienna, Ford, Blake, and Deker were all sitting around the fireplace in the living room talking. They stopped the second I walked around the corner, and I knew they were talking about Stella. I growled, lightly, but loud enough for them to hear, as I sat down next to Adam.

"She needs clothes of her own," Sienna argued, folding her arms across her chest.

"That's a good idea, go buy her some clothes, but first ask her what she likes." I said, pulling my credit card out of my wallet and handing it over to a delighted Sienna.

"Yes, sir!" She grinned, prancing out of the room.

I waited for Sienna to be far away enough, before turning to the guys with a look of desperation. I need to determine how I'm going to tell Stella the truth, without scaring her away. Right now, she trusts me, maybe even likes me, and I don't want to ruin that.

"I don't know if Stella knows the truth about us... and I don't know how to tell her." I admitted, watching them all look at me in disbelief.

"You're asking us?" Blake asked, chuckling nervously.

"Yes... I need your help." I gulped. I've never felt this indecisive.

"How did she act when you asked?" Ford asked.

"How did you ask?" Adam immediately added, before I could answer Ford.

"Well... I asked if she had seen anything unusual." I confessed, while they all sighed, shaking their heads.

"You need to be blunt, just ask if she saw any wolves at Solomon's." Adam suggested.

"I know... I was going to, normally I don't have this problem, but she makes me weak." I groaned, running my hands through my hair.

"Yeah... get used to that." Adam sighed heavily, staring at where Sienna disappeared.

Sienna returned downstairs, and without a word, Adam joined her at the front door. With Sienna leaving already, that means Stella is awake. I nodded at the others, leaving the room, heading back upstairs towards my bedroom. Our bedroom... If she'll have me. Mates can reject one another, there's a chance of that happening too, especially when she learns my secret.

I pushed through the door and smiled when I saw her eyes connect with mine instantaneously. The way my heart races when I see her face, is unlike anything else. Not even fighting makes me this anxious. I fight my trembling hands, clenching my fists together, and enter the room. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I slowly filled my gaze with her doll-like features. Her wounds are slowly healing, much slower than a wolf's.

"When do I get to go home?" She innocently asked, a question that gutted me.

"I don't know if that's a great idea." I grunted, my voice harsher than I intended.

"Why not?" She asked, disgruntled, as her nose scrunched up.

"Because... Solomon knows who you are now." I vaguely responded, causing her nostrils to flare.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" She asked, becoming defensive.

"He'll want to hurt you..." I stated, knowing I was only going to aggravate her more. Milton was right.

"Why, Jace?! Tell me why!" Stella shouted, a single teardrop falling down her cheek.

I couldn't stand the sight of her crying, and quickly re-positioned myself directly in front of her. Dragging my thumb across her cheek, I clear her tears and heard her take a deep breath. I wanted so badly to kiss her, hold her close, but I knew that wasn't going to help. Not now, anyway.

"Did you see any wolves while you were held captive?" I asked, finally spitting out the question, without sugarcoating it.

Stella stared at me with wide eyes, her mouth slightly dropping open in shock, she knew. I held her stare, as she was searching for something in my eyes. I didn't know what she was looking for, but I let her stare as long as she wanted. Her blue eyes were captivating. They're a dark shade, with a hint of purple to them.

"Yes." Her response was so small, hardly even a whisper.

"Did you see how they became wolves?" I asked again, feeling my own body grow tense.

"Yes." She breathed, biting her bottom lip.

"They're a pack of werewolves, Stella... and Solomon is their leader, their Alpha." I grimly informed her, watching her eyes grow even wider.

"That doesn't explain why they took me, or tortured me." She grumbled.

"Because... He knew you belonged to another pack, and he's enemies with that pack." I don't know what my problem was, why I kept responding vaguely to her questions.

"Huh? Belong to another pack? I'm not a wolf, Jace." Stella scoffed, something that triggered a chuckle from deep within me.

"I'm sorry." I said, trying to reign in my laughter. "I'm just going to come right out and say it..."

Stella waited while I took a deep breath, and I knew there was no way to avoid it. I had to tell her the truth, and hope it doesn't scare the s**t out of her.

"I'm a werewolf too," I cleared my throat, "and you're my mate... Solomon had an inkling that was the case, and that's why he kidn*pped you."