A Wolf's Claim

CHAPTER 28

*Jace*

Adam and I returned home around three in the afternoon. The house was swarming with the pack, who all appeared irritable. I nodded to them, walking past and inside the house, where a fragrance stopped me dead in my tracks. The scent curled up my nostrils and I felt my heart explode with excitement. Stella smells heavenly. I didn't realize my feet were carrying me towards her room, but by the time I did, I was already standing in her doorway.

Freshly bathed with rose soap and jasmine lotion that lathered her glistening skin. Stella was on the bed, propped up against the pillows, wearing a silk robe that was partially open in the front. Her right leg was out in front of her, knee barely bent, as she applied lotion from her ankle to her hip. I stared and watched, trapped in a daze of delight, as the silk robe fell off her leg as she traveled upward. Was she naked underneath that robe?

"Welcome back, Jace." Sienna remarked, casually strutting past the door and stifling a snicker.

I cleared my throat and entered the room, while Stella pulled her robe together, covering her glistening body. She smiled coyly at me, which only caused a wave of arousal to pass through my veins. I smiled, but quickly focused my gaze on Sienna. I wanted some time alone with my mate.

"Thank you." I nodded at Sienna, who got the hint and left the room without another word.

Sienna left, and I focused on Stella, still sitting there in her sexy as sin robe. It was violet with teal leaves and white flowers, and silk. The fact it was silk was the problem, it outlined every single detail of her nearly perfect curves. I had to pry my eyes away from her body, before she realized I was admiring her physique.

"I met with a contractor today, and invited him over for dinner. Do you think you'll feel up to sitting at the dining table?" I asked, clearing my throat again.

"Oh, definitely." Stella smiled, a smile I hadn't seen yet.

"You look like you're in a good mood." I smirked, moving to sit at the end of the bed.

"I'm doing much better," She smiled and blushed, "Taking a hot bubble bath helped."

"I thought I smelled roses." I chuckled, sniffing again to confirm my suspicions.

"Is it that strong?" Stella asked, pressing her chin to her chest to smell herself.

"No, it's not strong at all. It's just one of my many talents," I said, winking.

"You do seem to excel at a lot of things." She giggled with a teasing smirk.

"You have no idea." I winked again, but quickly after reigned in the horny beast. "I'm glad you'll be up for dinner tonight. I want to get your thoughts on the contractor. With everything that's going on, I have to make sure he's trustworthy to have around."

"Oh... and you want my opinion?" Stella asked with confusion, pointing to herself like there was someone else in the room.

"Of course I do, you're my mate." I smiled, watching her lips twitch into a grin of her own.

"Okay." She nodded, her smile growing increasingly larger.

"I've got to go prepare some things for his visit, but I'll be back later to check on you." I said, walking towards the door.

"I'd like to get your opinion on what to wear, if you have the time." Stella's small voice caught my attention, and I turned around smiling broadly.

"I have all the time in the world for you, Stella." I winked, leaving the room.

Our dynamic is interesting right now. We both know we're mated, but we haven't had much time to get close to each other. The s****l attraction and chemistry are there, but I want to know her better before we complete the bond. Call me old-fashioned, but she's more than just a one-night stand. She is my fated mate by the moon goddess, therefore I'll be taking extra care of our relationship. I don't want to move too fast, but the inner wolf in me wants to claim his mate.

I went downstairs where the rest of the pack was waiting, still irate and ready to shift at any minute. I know this isn't ideal, and I can't make them live like this for long, otherwise I'd be no better than Solomon. I want my pack to be comfortable and happy, but I also want to keep everyone together. We still have enemies out there, looking to attack us. Solomon is high on the list, considering he'll track our scent. I need the pack together for when that happens.

"Listen up everyone," I started to announce, "We're meeting the contractor tonight at dinner. If everything goes well, we'll hire him and the building will start as soon as next week. I know this is uncomfortable and inconvenient, but I need your patience. I can't afford to separate the pack right now, not with the Midnight Sun pack and The Silbermen hot on our trail. I know this is asking a lot, and I apologize, but I need your help."

The pack looked around at each other, nodding in agreement, which brought a broad smile to my face. I was relieved they understood our precarious situation. I don't have a lot of options. Sometimes you do the best with what you're given, even if it isn't all that great.

"We'll prepare dinner, he's coming over tonight. Adam, Sienna, Stella, and myself will sit with him. I want the rest of you to keep to yourselves. He isn't aware of werewolves, and I'd like to keep it that way." I added.

"Then how are you going to explain... everyone else?" Vince asked, pointing to the large pack that stood around him.

"You're my employees." I shrugged, hearing a couple of people chuckle.

"We'll see you all soon, and let you know how it goes." Adam added.

Everyone disbursed and Adam left to speak to the chef. I found Vince and asked him to set the dining table, as well as removing anything that implied we were werewolves. Everyone began preparing for Francisco's arrival, which was in two hours. I sent a couple of men to stand near the street where Francisco would be looking for our house. They can guide him toward the house, without giving actual directions.

Once everything was completed, I walked back upstairs to Stella's bedroom. Sienna was standing in the closet, pulling out dress after dress, laying each one on the bed. Stella was laughing, something I hadn't heard very much of, but I found myself smiling instantly at the sound.

"Alright, there are four to choose from." Sienna proudly remarked, as Stella continued giggling.

"Thanks, Sienna." Stella smiled, slightly blushing.

"I'll leave you two to it, then." Sienna smirked, winking at me, before exiting the room.

"Will you shut the door, please?" Stella asked, swinging her legs over the side of the bed.

I nodded, closing the door, and turning around to find her shuffling through the dresses. I walked up beside her, looking down at the elegant dresses that were sprawled out on the bed. She shuffled through them and grabbed the black one first, stifling a smile that desperately tugged at her lips. She stepped into the closet, leaving the door open, but I looked in the other direction.

"Can you tie the back for me, please?" Stella asked, her voice light and delicate, as she walked out of the closet with the dress held against the front of her.

"Of course." I nodded, taking a deep breath when she turned around.

The black dress was silk, a material I'd grown to love Stella wearing. It had a completely open back, other than the silk tie that I was supposed to be fastening. I saw scars that weren't all that old, stretched across her entire back. They were large and left her skin raised. Gritting my teeth, I bury the anger that wants to surface. I grabbed the ties on either side of her hips, lightly grazing her with my fingers, before tying the knot against her petite frame.

Stella turned around, and I sucked in another deep breath. She looked phenomenal. Black was a good color on her, and silk was a good material, that dress hugged her body perfectly. She did a little spin for me, and my eyes fell on her plump round ass. Every part of me wanted to claim her here and now.

"What do you think?" Stella asked, tearing me away from my dirty thoughts.

"You look breathtaking." I admitted, letting my eyes rake over her.

"Thank you." She smiled, grabbing the next dress and walking back into the closet.

The rest of the dresses were nice, and she looked amazing in every single one, but the black one was the one that captivated me the most. Luckily for me, it was her favorite too. She didn't seem to notice that the open back revealed her scars, but I wasn't going to point it out. She looked amazing regardless.