Standing next to the river I am finishing gathering the fish I have tossed onto the bay, completely naked the air breezes past my bits making a chill go through me. Quickening my pace I gather the fish that I caught onto the rope i put it through their mouths and loop it through the gills of the catfish. Glancing around I feel like something is coming, not dangerous but something is going to happen kind of feeling. Another breeze across the rippling blue river sends another chill down my body, I have better shift into Gypsy before I end up sick. Tying the rope into a tight not i shift back into Gypsy and take the rope into our mouth. The catfish dangling as the rope gets pulled up, swings back and forth slightly, the smell of fish hitting my nose making it crinkle some. As much as I come her to fish I swear the smell of fish will always get to me, but it does make a pretty good meal. Ignoring it like always I trot back towards the path leading to my cabin. Happy with my big catch today tail wagging behind me I make my way to the path the fish swooshing back and forth as I go. As we run closer down that path and about half way down that smell from the shop hits my nose again, my mouth watering. Making me forget about the awful fishy smell that lingers just below my snout. Why did it follow me, wasn’t that smell at the shop?
“Katie” Gypsy mind links me, seeming a little more antsy than usual “it’s mate Katie”
My heart suddenly plummets down through our paws, then straight back up and into my throat, mate? Oh I’m so stupid how did I not realize with all the teachings that Helen had given me.
“Because you wouldn’t listen to me,” she interrupts my thoughts again. Annoyed again that I keep shrinking into my thoughts instead of listening.
“I’m sorry Gypsy, I was just in a rush to leave I wasn’t trying to ignore you..” I tell her, she knows how I feel about going out and the anxiety it gives me to go into town. After so many horrible run ins with townies and just being a pure outcast, I really hate being in crowded places. It’s never been ideal for me to stray to far from my cabin since I’ve made it into a home. The scent is becoming stronger now and we continue to run towards it, my heart is thundering again like that horrible night. Flashbacks threaten to erupt from within. It fills me with terror and something else I can’t quite place. I don’t feel like I’m in danger as I run towards the mouth watering scent of my mate but I’m still scared. What if he doesn’t accept me. Or what if he scented me only to reject me as the rouge mutt I am.. my mind starting to race.
“Stop it,” Gypsy growls “ a mate is a blessing from the Goddess herself, the very half of you only your soul knows you need. He will love every piece of you, even the scars. You have those scars through battles that were fought, and bless the Goddess above that you made it out. Even if we are scarred, we are strong, we have fought battles no young wolves should ever have to face and made it out the other side. You’re mate will love you Katie, just keep fighting.”
“I know” is all I can say as her words give me strength, pushing me to keep going.
“Besides we already know who it is, and you would have know at the shop if you didn’t suppress me.” She says pointedly.
Thinking back there’s only one male I talked to today.. Jax. But he didn’t say anything, shouldn’t he have said something if he had known. But he clearly followed me home somehow, so he must have followed my scent.. but I’ve been to town a million times and this has never happened. He must have been in crowds before too? I have travelled a lot around this area and he surely would’ve picked it up. What even day is today.. thinking I realize something. It’s my birthday. My 18th birthday. That would explain why he wouldn’t have scented me before today.. I was so busy with today that I didn’t even realize what day or month it even was, hell I didn’t even notice my mate.. my mate, the thought sends more chills down my spine and my stomach straight to my throat.
I’m not quite sure what all I am running towards but I know for a change it’s nice to run to something, not away.
“Katie’s POV” Runnning towards that smell my heart is beating faster, my fear is slipping into the back of my mind. The anticipation creeping into me. Then I see him, skidding to a hault paws digging deep into the dirt. I look at him and his wolf form. His wolf twice the size of mine and intimidating. My wolf is a bit bigger than most too, but his is huge. His massive black paws, and his shimmering black coat reminding me of dark nights chilly nights. The sky so dark the stars look like glitter shimmering through its cracks. Bringing a mixture of wonder and curiosity. Two grey eyes, look to me. Shining like polished steel with hints of dull blues, so simple. But so captivating. He lowers his head and ears and takes a step forward, not sure what he’s suppose to do. His head slightly tilting looking at me. I shake out my coat and the trance I was in, and nod my head back down the path to the cabin. The fish in my mouth that I was carrying swaying back and forth. Realizing what I’m get
“Katie’s POV” “We should talk” I say. He looks at me and smiles and my heart flips upside down in my chest. “We definitely should talk, hell I don’t even know your name yet” he teases me. “My names Katie,” I reply sheepishly, resuming my cooking and preparing the potatoes and carrots I’ll make with fish. Feeling heat rise to the back my neck, “I’m sorry,” I go on, “I’m not exactly use to many people actually wanting to talk to me, and I really wasn’t paying much attention earlier..” I mumble, cutting potatoes a little more aggressive than needed. “You know,” I start rambling again, “I didn’t think the Moon Goddess was going to bless me with a mate. Or to even have a mate that would consider talking to me or having me in eye sight, especially after..” I motion up. A frown on my face and my heart feeling crushed at the words. I know it naught not be true but better to prepare myself. Cutting more I don’t know what else to say. Suddenly his hand is on mine, the tingles like electri
“Katies POV” After finishing our plates, I clear them off in my small trash can tucked under my sink. The clinking of the dishes echoing in the silence of the small cabin. Placing the plates into the sink I turn around and look at Jax, he’s staring at me waiting for me to start talking. The silence stretching further into the night like millions of stars that cover the sky. Taking a deep breath and sighing I walk back over to the table and take a seat across from Jax, him watching my every move like I would somehow magically disappear. Scooting in the chair it squeaks across the plain wood floor, anticipation making the air thick and hard to breathe. He reaches his hand across the table and grabs mine, giving it a squeeze and soothingly running his thumb across the top my hand. Tingles shoot up my arm at his touch, like a gun receiving it’s power to shoot. I look him in the face, his stunning stone grey eyes captivating me. Taking a deep breath and letting his touch calm me some I st
“Katie’s POV” His words sink into my bones like a flood overtaking it’s surroundings, submerging me into its coldness. I realize just how much my life will change if I accept him. Everything I’ve worked for and done will be lost in the wind behind me. My breath stops coming and I feel myself get dizzy, my breath catching in my lungs like breeze in a sail. “Hey Katie, hey,” I hear a voice talking to me but My vision is blurry and my surroundings are fogged. I can’t make sense of this right now. Leaving my home.. I cant. “Katie, baby, it’s okay breath.” Jax is now infront of me and looking at me with such concern. Like a little girl who broke her dolly. “Katie you don’t have to come if you don’t want to, but I really really want to start my life with you by my side.” He says softly, staring at my face. His brows are scrunched tight together again, his face holding so much worry and concern that I might just say no. My heart tugs in pain at the thought of letting him walk, but also a
“Jax’s POV” I woke early, rays of sunlight streaming through the light grey curtains, Katie clinging to my side. Her leg is over mine and her arm is draped around my torso, holding me by her side. After everything she has been through I don’t blame her for holding so tightly. To lose everything.. I couldn’t imagine the pain. How could this beautiful girl have such a haunting past. To go from one day being a princess to the next being a rogue, my finger brush long locks of her ashy brown hair from her face. So much she had to endure, and at such a young age. This gorgeous girl has more strength than a thousand warriors could fathom, my hand trails from her long hair letting it fall and slip through my fingers. This all captivating girl has captured my love, I can’t let her slip away. I watch her sleep, her face suddenly scrunching in worry. I can feel fear through our bond, and so much pain.. it’s not strong as when we mate and mark, but I can still feel her. Rubbing my thumb gently a
"Katies POV" Riding on the bike with Jax I have never felt more freed, the wind whistling by us as i grip tightly onto Jax. Piece by tiny piece, this man is filling holes in my heart that I thought would've been empty forever. The walls are slowly coming down the more time we spend together. Up the road from us I see the town house tops. We are entering the center of Red River, a bigger town in the middle of a bunch of smaller towns, houses, and land. As we slow down, we pull closer into town, the trees around us stop blurring past and clear back out. I can already see their packed house in the center of everything, it stands tall and looming. The black brick and red trim give a sophisticated feel. We roll through the outskirts of town, people staring at us as we pass by. i don't understand why some of them look so angry. Soon enough, we slowed down and came to a small restaurant, a small beige-colored brick accented with hints of dark blue. The sign above the door is labeled Wolf De
"Katies POV"Jax called his Beta to bring his car, and so he could report the incident. We are sitting on a bench out on the sidewalk and I have no words. What the hell was that? I have never even been here before and there are already problems starting. Maybe I am not cut out to be their Luna, they seem to not like me already. I looked down at my shirt, the little breeze making me shiver. My shirt is ruined from the juice and the stain is probably never going to come out."Katie, I am so sorry that she did that.." Jax intrudes my thoughts, "If I had known what she would do, I wouldn't have brought you here." He looks so sad."Its fine Jax, I just want to go home right now.." Eyes in my lap, I can't look at him. I am so embarrassed and so angry all at the same time. I don't have the patience to talk about it. "Was she ever someone to you?""No, absolutely not. She has tried but I wanted to wait for my real mate. I have been waiting for you.." he trailed off, leaving us in silence for
After an awkward introduction and some explaining about the issue that happened, I went up to the loft where Tanya gave me spare clothes and I got to take a hot shower to wash off the juice. The upstairs loft was extraordinary. The walls were all white with accents of blood red and gold. A massive king bed, and a full kitchen with a beautiful bathroom. The bathroom was a dream, a massive clawfoot tub and a corner shower surrounded by stained glass. The towels were so soft and the soap smelt amazing. I tried to rush myself but I could not help but be caught by the incredible sight and smells. I haven't had anything this wonderful since that horrible night. My life has been filled with river baths or a cold shower that had no water pressure. I have had the bare minimum for years and I grew to be comfortable with it, but being here makes me miss it. Before I know it, an hour has passed, I feel squeaky clean and refreshed. I make my way back down to the shop floor where Jax and his mom ar