Run! The Black Wolf's prey.

Chapter 13 - The grocery store

John had barely slept when he finally got out of bed. His mind had been obsessing about Isabel McKay the whole night, as it had every single night since they first met. He was craving her, in a way he never had craved anyone before! Neither human nor wolf. How was this possible? It was very inappropriate, and most of all, the timing was the worst- he was supposed to go searching for his mate, not to be caught up in some irrational emotions about a human... It must be her distinct and unique scent that made him this fascinated, he thought. But it didn’t really matter, he had promised himself that he shouldn't, and wouldn't, ever see her again.

His wolf started rumbling, objecting to his avowal - the predator in him was intrigued and was not interested in stopping its pursuit. These last days at work, most of his attention had been on Isabel - he wanted to find out everything about her; her roster at work, who her friends were, where she lived... As soon as he had arrived at work he had sought for her scent, feeling like a stalker, but he couldn’t help himself. He was longing to see her, even if it was just a glimpse.

He found himself thinking about her, over and over and over again. The way she had looked that night in the emergency room, and how their eyes had constantly been drawn to each other as they had been working together. And he had admired how she so confidently had managed those injured patients, even though she wasn't used to trauma victims. But what lingered with him the most was the look on her face when he had gone away to operate; her eyes wide and innocent as a deer’s...

He shook his head, pounding his forehead with his fist. He had to stop thinking like this, there was no point! It only distracted him from what he was supposed to be doing now - planning his trips to the other packs in the country and thinking of the future of his own pack. A human could not stand in the way of this, no matter how attractive and enticing she was.

The rain was pouring outside, and his mood was as grey as the weather. He went for a quick shower before going to the kitchen, looking for something to eat. Nothing. He sighed. He had to go to the grocery store. And he really hated grocery shopping. At least this was something he wouldn’t have to worry about once back with the pack! He grabbed his car keys and an apple that was hiding behind the coffee machine, looking at his phone. Five missed calls from Warren.

"Hi John!" Warren replied to the call immediately.

"Father. It's unusual to have any missed calls from you," John chuckled. "I figured it was something important."

"Well, you know I hate talking over the phone... But it's too far to mindlink."

"Undoubtly!" John found his father so old-fashioned.

"Anyhow, I just have one thing to check with you."

"Shoot," he took a bite of the green apple, the sweet and sour juice rubbing his tastebuds.

"Do you remember my old friend Ralph, the Alpha of the Pine Ridge Pack?" Warren sounded excited.

"Of course. Why?"

"Well, he has a daughter. Apparently, a real beauty! Blonde hair, blue eyes. Have you met her?" Warren rushed the words.

"Not that I can recall..." John frowned.

"She and Chloe are good friends. They met at the Luna training camp this summer. And Chloe tells us that Joanna still hasn't found her true mate."

"It seems like most don't nowadays though..." John sighed, knowing where Warren was going with this.

"I have a good feeling about this, John. I think she could be your mate! She's a few years older than Chloe as well, so it should suit your preferences better than the Emerald Pack girl... It makes perfect sense - she's Ralph's only child, so they will need her mate to be a strong alpha male. And me and Ralph fought side by side during the Northern Pack Wars. Making Joanna your mate would tie up all those loose ends. I'm sure this is what the Moon Goddess has planned for you."

"It sounds like wishful thinking to me," John snickered. "But sure, I'll meet her."

"Good! I'll put Pine Ridge as the first stop on your trip. Who knows, maybe you won't need to travel any further," Warren was in an obvious good mood when they hung up. John didn't know what to believe, but he guessed it didn't matter - he would find out soon enough.

The rain was settling as he parked his car and went inside the grocery store - he would just do a quick shopping tour, grabbing the most necessary. He had just thrown a couple of frozen lazagnas into his shopping cart when he unexpectedly sensed a familiar scent...

Isabel? First, it was so faint that he thought he was just imagining it, but as he was walking towards the produce section it got stronger and then… he saw her.

She was standing by the fruit, carefully choosing among a big pile of red apples, wearing a runner’s outfit; black tights and a deep purple coloured t-shirt, as well as a pair of running shoes. He stopped, spellbound by her appearance. Her toned legs, her perfectly shaped bottom and curvy hips were easy to perceive in her tights, and her nip.ples were slightly showing through the soft fabric of her t-shirt.

She had her long blond hair tied up into a high ponytail that bounced every time she leaned forward to grab another apple, exposing her long and tender neck. His mind started spinning. All he could think of was that he wished to tug that ponytail of hers and kiss her delicate neck.

He found himself staring at her as she suddenly looked up and their eyes met. Her rosy lips parted, and she blinked with surprise, her eyes looking like dazzling green amber against her purple top. His wolf immediately started to howl with excitement and as all his instincts told him to go grab her and do... very inappropriate things...

Mine! his wolf barked again.

No, she wasn't. She couldn't be. There was no doubt, this woman was human.

Human or not, she's ours, his wolf scoffed. Why can't you see it?

His wolf was very persuasive, and John briefly considered just turning on his heel and to leave as fast as possible... It was too risky to stay.

But then she lit up with a sweet smile on her face and he simply lost his breath, unable to move.