Run! The Black Wolf's prey.

Chapter 42 - Nothing but a heartache

John had spent the whole night brooding, trying to find a solution to his problems.

Leaving Isabel again was out of the question. She wouldn’t be safe, and her safety was one of his top priorities right now. He didn’t know what it was exactly that made all these male wolves go so crazy about her, even if he guessed it was her scent. It was what had caught himself in the first place… But the others didn’t know her the way he did.

While her scent still held a captivation over him, his feelings for her had evolved way beyond mere physical attraction and desire.

Both John and his wolf had come to know – they needed her. In some inexplicable way, she filled a void that he didn’t even know he had! Somehow, she belonged to be with him... Just the thought of her being with someone else made him wild of jealousy.

But if the situation had been complicated one week before, it was even more now.

He had already promised his parents he would forget about Isabel, and had come to terms with his destiny as the pack Alpha. However, there he was, sitting in his car, having spent the entire night monitoring her building, keeping track of every person who entered or left. If any werewolf would try to break in, he would snap his neck! Nicholas included. So much for being a responsible Alpha...

The night had remained calm and quiet, and no one had shown up. John he had almost drifted off to sleep in his seat when he suddenly noticed some activity near the main entrance of Isabel's building. He squinted his eyes, trying to see… Was it...?

Yes, it was. Isabel.

Despite the early hour, Isabel looked like she was going for a run, dressed in shorts and running shoes... That was odd?

The sun had just started to rise, and yet there she was, already crossing the street, wearing a hoodie to keep herself warm. Her honey blonde hair swayed in a high ponytail with her every step, and John had to quickly compose himself to avoid losing sight of her.

As soon as she turned a corner, he jumped out of his car and discreetly began to track her. He made sure to stay out of her sight. He didn’t want to freak her out, thinking he was stalking her.

However, somewhere by the river, he lost track of her. One moment she was there, the next she was gone! At first, he tried to find her by her scent, but as that failed, he ended up running back and forth along the river, looking for her. Where the hell had she gone? How could she just disappear into thin air?

He was just about to go back to the Outdoor gym when, suddenly, he caught a whiff of her. She was still around... But where? Her scent led him to a small passage underneath a bridge. The traces of her scent were stronger there, but she wasn’t anywhere to be seen. However, there was also another scent highly present. Nicholas'.

John let out a frustrated growl. Where was that bastard? What had he done to Isabel?

JJust as he was about to head straight down the pathway, he heard a muffled sound coming from his left. Without hesitation, he turned in that direction, running as fast as he could towards the source of the noise. He crashed into the thickets, barreling through the dense foliage, only to see Nicholas in hot pursuit of Isabel, who was screaming for help!

The sound of fear in her voice made his heart shatter. He had failed her… again.

Seething with anger, on the verge of exploding with fury, he saw Nicholas push Isabel to the ground and pin her down with the weight of his body.

Within a split second, John lunged at Nicholas, grabbing him by the waist and hurling him aside. As Nicholas’ fangs and claws started protruding, and John knew that he needed to act fast, before he shifted completely. John tackled him, pushing his face down into the grass, and secured a firm grip on his arms to prevent him from moving, holding him down to the ground.

“You i***t!” John snarled. “What did I tell you? You were supposed to leave her alone. How many times do I need to say it? I should snap your f*****g neck!”

“John!” Nicholas squealed. “She’s mine! It’s not fair,” he whimpered.

“Go home and pack your bags,” John growled. “I don’t want to see you. Go before I do something I might regret.”

John released him. As Nicholas got to his feet, he cast a glance at Isabel, who was sitting on the grass, her eyes filled with terror. Looking back at John, seeing the intense fury in his eyes, he got to his feet and ran off.

“Isabel!” John rushed to Isabel's side and knelt down beside her. "Isabel, I'm so sorry. Are you OK?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

Isabel nodded, still in shock, but then her body began to shake uncontrollably. She opened her mouth and tried to speak, but no words came out.

“I…. I…” she stuttered.

“Shhhh…” John pulled Isabel into a tight embrace, holding her close to his chest while he gently stroked her hair, trying to comfort her.

“It’s going to be OK,” he kissed her on the forehead, rocking her gently from side to side. “I’m so sorry this happened to you. I’m so sorry,” he mumbled into her hair.

As Isabel leaned into his embrace, the shivering slowly subsided. She snuggled her nose into his chest, gradually relaxing her shoulders with every breath she took, inhaling his scent. She had forgotten how comforting his scent was, making her feel safe. Loved. At home.

“Please, let’s go home,” she finally managed to say.

“Of course,” John gently helped her standing up, and he held her steady as they started to walk back. “Are you hurt?” he asked worriedly.

“Not so bad,” she groaned, walking with a limp.

“But you are,” he frowned. “Come here,” he swept her up and started to carry her.

“I’m too heavy,” she smiled timidly, “You cannot carry me all the way.”

“Watch me,” he chuckled and kissed her cheek as he continued walking. “You’re light as a feather,” he winked.

“I’m really not,” she objected, but as he really did seem to carry her with ease, she relaxed and curled up at his chest, letting him have his way.

When they eventually left the park and entered the street, Isabel slid down.

“It’s better now,” she tried walking. “We don’t need to cause a scene,” she added, seeing the cars and people who were out in the street. She let him hold is arm around her, though, for support, as they walked back to her building. They stopped outside of the main entrance, and she turned around, resting her cheek on his chest, her arms around his waist.

“I don’t want to be alone right now. But my mother is coming back today, she could be here any minute… She might even already be here. I think it’s too much for me to handle her now as well, she will worry sick. And you…” Isabel paused. “Well, she isn’t really your biggest fan right now,” she blushed.

“I’m not leaving you,” John stated firmly.

“Can we go to your place instead?” she held on to him, not wanting to let go.

“Of course,” he breathed into her hair. Taking her home with him was the only possible thing to do.

“I just have to go up and pack a bag… Where is your car?”

“It’s over there,” he cleared his throat and nodded towards his car parked a few cars down in the street.

“What? Did you…”

It was as if she looked at him for the first time this morning. Not until now had she noticed that he was still wearing his dark business pants and the white shirt from last night. The three top buttons were undone, and she could perceive a little of his lightly hairy chest. She felt an urge to kiss him on the pit of his throat and slide her hand inside his shirt, unbuttoning the rest, and...

She quickly shook her head. What was she thinking? She had to restrain herself!

“Did you sleep in the car? Here, in the street?” she finally managed to say, her mind still wandering back to his chest and her longing for undressing him.

“I did,” he said quietly, waiting for her reaction.

“OK,” she said and bit her lip.

As their eyes locked, John was taken aback by the intensity of the emotion he saw in her eyes. He had expected to see anger, fear, or perhaps even confusion after what had just happened, but instead, he saw something completely unexpected. Her eyes were full of desire! For a moment, the sounds of the city faded away, and all that was left was the beating of their hearts.

“Wait for me in the car,” she breathed, and then she left him out in the street at she ran up to the apartment.

John went back to his car and sat down behind the wheel, taking a deep breath before he reached for his phone. The screen was cluttered with missed calls, mainly from Warren and Rebecca.

Letting out a heavy sigh, he pressed his father's contact. Better just take the bull by the horns immediately! He might as well do it now, before Isabel came back.

“John, where the hell are you?” Warren replied with frustration in his voice. “I spoke with Luke this morning and he told me you left yesterday.”

“Father… I had to go to the city.”

“You were supposed to lead their trainings, and then come back here! Don’t tell me you’re back with that human now again?”

“Well, you failed to tell me Nick had left,” John snarled. “Thankfully, someone else told me, so I could stir him away from a total disaster.”

“As far as I’ve heard there was a total disaster last night, John. One of the night clubs were rallied by the police, there was a big fight, and witnesses said they had seen men with gleaming eyes and fangs, growling and barking like wild dogs. Luckily a lot of those people were so intoxicated by drugs and alcohol, the police didn’t take them seriously, and thanks to my man on the inside, those testimonies are now gone. But I was deeply disappointed to hear that you had been there, John.”

“I wouldn’t have been if Nick had been under control. I only went there because of him,” John sneered. “He was harassing Isabel. Again. And he did it even once more, this very morning. He attacked her out in the park. This is totally unacceptable.”

“Isabel, you call her,” Warren spat. “Well, it doesn’t matter. John, I’ve heard rumours and got several reports about that woman. You must stay away from her. Several wolves have told us she has a very distinct scent that drives them crazy. She cannot be an ordinary human. She must be a witch.”

“She is no such thing!” John objected, “Have you lost your mind? There are no witches anymore.”

“Can’t you see you have been spellbound by her? You’ve never cared about humans before, not like this. You have to leave her,” Warren continued. “And yes, there are witches, even if there are only a few of them left. They’re very hard to find. But this one is clearly after something, John.”

“This is nonsense,” John frowned. “She’s not a witch. You don’t know her! She’s innocent. It’s not her fault all male wolves are crazy about her. And no, I will not leave her. Not a chance. Not with all these wolves coming after her. I have to protect her.”

“John!” Warren exclaimed, “don’t you…”

John ended the call; he didn’t want to hear any more.

Isabel, a witch? No, definitely not... There was, however, one thing that bothered him. What was the nature of Isabel’s relationship with Marcus? Had she slept with him?

ince Isabel hadn't come out yet, he decided to contact Lucas for answers.

“John? What time is it?” Lucas yawned when he picked up.

“It’s time to get up,” John couldn't help to smile. “Or did you have too much fun last night?”

“Yes, I had the time of my life!” Lucas laughed. “I haven't had so much fun since high school, actually, beating the s**t out of other wolves.”

“I knew it,” John chuckled. “You should come back to the pack, we need all the fighters we can get…“

“Naah… I mean, we’ll see. But I kind of like it here in the city. But if you need me, of course I’ll come back.”

“Speaking of,” John furrowed his brows. “Why is that Marcus still in town? Shouldn’t he be back up north with his pack?”

“Warren didn’t tell you? As part of their deal, since you rejected to mate with Freya, Marcus is going to work here at the company for some time, learning how to do business with humans.”

“I see…” John stared blankly in front of him. “And what about his… affections… towards Isabel?”

“Honestly? I think they’re sincere,” Lucas said quietly. “He’s not just after her booty… But he respects you, and her, so he will not cause any trouble. He’s not a fanatic, like Nick. Or those other wolves last night, jeez,” he chuckled. “They were really a handful.”

“Yeah, thank you for that…” John paused, not knowing if he dared ask his next question. But he had to know!

“Lucas… Has he slept with her?”

“Marcus? With Isabel?” Lucas sounded surprised. “I… I don’t know. I don’t think so. But they did leave together the other night...”

“OK. That’s all I need to know,” John felt tired. “Thank you, Lucas. Talk to you soon.”

“Sure. But hey, John?”

“Yeah?”

“No matter what, I think she’s really into you. Like, really into you. She couldn’t stop asking about you when I met her. But she was also obviously very hurt by the way you left.”

“I know…” John sighed. “Bye, Lucas.”

John hung up, not knowing what to think or feel about it all. What if he was the one falling in love with her, while she was only trying to get over her ex? After all, it had only been a few weeks since her breakup with her fiancé.

For him, the stakes were high. But for her? It might be nothing but a passing heartache.