Chapter 3 - You're My Mate

JACOB

I knew it right away.

As soon as the scent of blueberry mixed with vanilla came into my nose, I knew I had to turn my head and pay attention to the doorway. And there was I found her, taking steps carefully towards the ballroom. She was exquisite in her midi black dress. No. She would be magnificent in anything.

She had shoulder-length hair, which made her look more lively and adorable. And despite wearing no bold makeup on her face, except her lips in orange-brown, which would stand out no matter what, she looked alluring.

She was my mate.

My only mate.

Finally, she showed up.

I rushed my strides to her and stopped a step behind to inhale her intoxicating yet calming scent. It filled my nose, which went through my lungs, then flowed throughout my body. I could feel my muscle loosen and bring ease to my mind. It also woke my wolf, Thunder, from his deep slumber, and he growled in joy with me to celebrate our finding. And as soon as I grabbed her hand and looked at her beautiful grey eyes, I made up my mind that I must have her.

“Alpha, you need to remember that she is a human. She doesn’t know about these mate bond things.”

I growled annoyingly at my Beta’s words. I knew that, but I hated the idea of separating from her. I wanted her always within my reach.

But as strong as my desire to own her came, his words were correct. She—human—didn’t know about mate bond, maybe about werewolves at all. So she wouldn’t feel all my feelings for her right now and might think I was an asshole if I continued my actions. It was the least I wanted to have from her. I wanted her to love me, not the way around.

“Are you serious, Jake? She’s your mate?” Flynn asked after she left, dragged by his sister to meet his mate. And in the meantime, I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

“I won’t let her go.” Instead of answering, I stated my decision without looking at him.

“Well, if it’s your decision, I’ll always support you. But you may need more effort to win her heart.”

Confused by his words, I snapped my head at him. A frown formed on my forehead. “What did you mean?”

“She’s already put her heart somewhere. She has a boyfriend.”

I felt my jaw tighten as I clenched my hands into fists. Was I too late?

No. After a long search and waiting, it was never too late. My Beta and I were patient enough to wait for our mates to show up, which he had gotten in twenty-six. It was pretty rare to see a male unmated at that age. So we agreed to cut all dramas as soon as we found our mates.

“You’ll have my back. But be respectful to her. She’s like our family.” James, Flynn’s father and the former Beta, said while placing his hand on my shoulder, encouraging me to go with whatever plans were in my head.

I would.

However, it was so hard when she stood a meter away from me, a distance that I specifically created to let her out of my reach. Still, I could be near her, watch her and smell her scent. I felt the urge to hold and cage her in my arms, as the male did with their female. I wanted us to be inseparable.

I watched her, slightly taken aback, and turned her head to the right only to find a similar sight. There was kissing everywhere, and it was normal for us to show affection toward our mates anytime and anywhere.

But maybe it didn’t sit well with humans. I saw a red tint on her cheeks after realizing she couldn’t look straight without finding one. And I chuckled at that. She was too adorable in her reaction.

The next thing I did was take a step forward so I could be standing by her side with arms almost touching each other. “Do you want to dance?” I said while staring at her left side. Even from this angle, she still looked beautiful.

I knew she was aware of my doing. But she didn’t turn to look back at me and replied to me curtly and coldly. “No.”

--

I didn’t give up, of course.

After the first rejection, when I had no choice but to let go of her hand, and the second for dancing, I was here, sitting next to her to drive her home safely. She almost rejected me when I voiced the idea. And I growled at her pleading eyes to James as if she wanted him to be her savior again. I knew he treated her like a daughter, but I couldn’t help my jealousy to surge out of my body. I wanted those gazes only for me!

But here we were. James kept his promise to help me by leaving no choice except to go with me. She almost rejected me again by saying she would better order a taxi. But Goddess knew it would never happen. It had to be me to drive her home. And my mother did the ultimate job of coaxing her.

I glanced at her, who seemed lost in her thought while looking outside the window. But I knew it was only her excuse not to look at me. She found me doing this and decided not to give me access to see her face by turning it away.

“Don’t you have something to say?” She suddenly asked, breaking the silence since our leaving.

“What?” I tried to focus only on the road but failed. She was more attractive than the dark, long road in front of us.

“I don’t know. Maybe an apology.” She answered, still not turning her face away from I didn’t know what really engrossed her than me. There were only forest and darkness because we were still in my territory. Soon, we would reach the border, and the city would be seen.

“What for?”

“Don’t you think your action earlier needs an apology?” Carlene asked again in a slightly higher tone. She sounded annoyed, but strangely, it was cute for me. She was exquisite in every way.

“No.”

And my brief reply resulted in a soft sigh from her. I knew I pissed her off even more, but somehow, I still wanted to do that.

“Forget of what I said.”

I chuckled, enjoying the moment. This was better than our previous interactions. At least it stayed longer. “If what you meant for grabbing your hand, I don’t think I need to apologize. I did nothing wrong.” I could hear a grunt before I continued, “But if it piques you, then I’m sorry.”

“I don’t need a sorry like that.”

“You said I need to apologize.” I pointed out. I only did what she asked for.

“I also said forget it.”

Was it what males said about females? Females were confusing in their words, yet we couldn’t stay away from them. And I just experienced that.

She fell silent, and so did I. It remained like that for a few minutes before I broke the silence.

“I want you to be mine, Carlene Shire. And I will do everything to own you.” I started my confession. I wanted her to be aware of my future actions.

“Own me? It sounded like I’m a thing, not a human being.” I still heard the annoyance in her voice.

“Of course not. You’re not a thing, but my mate. The one that only designates for me.”