Chapter 10

I could feel eyes on me as I dangled my feet in the water. I didn't want to give whoever it was the satisfaction that I knew right away. Instead, I sniffed the air and could smell her sweet scent. My mate.

I looked up and stared in the direction that I could feel she was standing. I couldn't see anything. Her wolf must be a tracker and a good one at that. I stared and started to slowly get up, but that's when she took off.

Her emotions are raw and uncontrolled right now. She needs to listen to her wolf right now for guidance. I can't push too hard, or I will scare her away. That would be the worst thing I could do.

So I stood and stretched before taking my pants off and jumping into the cold water for a swim. I needed to relax my mind.

I couldn't believe it when she asked me to come watch her practice or even when she asked me to come back to her place. When I got into her room and her scent hit me as hard as it did, I wanted to jump her, mark her, make her mine. Then she asked me to go to her practice. She wanted to hang out with me, and I was ecstatic.

The way she moved at practice was so precise and smooth. She must have been cheering for a long time. Her body was perfect. I couldn't help but smile every so often as I watched her.

I also couldn't believe that I got to be there for her during her first shift. She needed the help, and I was happy to do whatever I could.

Then I saw him running over to her once she was done. The jerk who would break her heart from his cheating ways. I wonder if she knew about it? I wonder why she allowed it or was even with him? So I took off to grab some water from a fountain to give her some space. I didn't want to see her with him. She's supposed to be mine. I got jealous just at the thought of them kissing and touching each other. I was wrong, though. I didn't just feel jealous, I felt angry. When I saw her kissing that other guy, I felt angry at myself because it wasn't me. I felt angry she had been pushed emotionally to feel the need to do that. I felt angry that I was jealous while I had a girlfriend of my own. I felt angry that I would have been a cheater if I did anything with her.

I wouldn't be that guy. I had to break up with Shy when I got back to the pack. I had found my mate, and I needed to respect what the Moon Goddess gave me.

"Hey, lover boy!"

I spun around, and there was Shy. What was she doing here? Max and Elizabeth stood next to her. I glared at them, but they just gave me a confused look back.

"Not happy to see me?" Shiloh laughed.

"No, I mean yes. Sorry, I'm just really surprised to see you. I thought it was just going to be Max and Liz."

"I saw them leaving the pack house with a bag each, so I asked where they were going, and they invited me along!"

"Surprise!" Elizabeth said.

"Best surprise ever," I said with a fake smile plastered on my face.

"Why are you being so weird, dude?" Max asked.

"Maybe because I'm swimming naked here and don't want my best friends to catch a glimpse of me," I said, sending a splash their way and laughing.

"Hey!" Both girls exclaimed and laughed as they ran off back to the lake house.

"See you soon, babe!" Shy called out.

"So what's really bugging you? Cause living in a pack, nudity has never been something we've shyed away from."

"I just wasn't expecting Shiloh to be here."

"Aren't you guys going to mate? I think you've been given permission from your family."

"Yea, they like her, and I'm sure they would approve of her being my chosen mate. However, I've been reconsidering it and have thought to give a real effort in finding my fated mate. It would make me stronger and the pack stronger if I did."

"You think you have a real shot this time?"

"Dude, I'm only 18. I still have tons of time. I shouldn't rush anything."

"That's true. Well, if Shy doesn't work out as Luna, can I have her? She's such a babe."

I splashed water towards him again.

"Now grab me my towel!"

I pulled myself out of the water and back onto the deck and wrapped the towel Max held out for me around my waist. We then headed back inside to catch up with the girls.

With Shy here, it would make it more difficult to sneak out. Hopefully, the other two could occupy her time while I did. I would say I'm working on some Alpha training or something. I feel like I might have to break the news to Max sooner than I would have liked, though. He won't buy the Alpha training story for long. He will know right away something is up.

"Hey, Max!?"

Max turned around to look at me, "Yeah?"

"Thanks for coming. I'm happy I get to spend a week here with you guys."

"Cut the crap Krewe. There's no need to be so sappy."

I laughed and patted him on the back.

"I'm just happy to be hanging with my friends for the week."

"Well, let's get inside before those girls get the party started without us."

"Sure. Just give me a minute."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, man, I'll see you inside."

Max continued walking towards the lake house while I stood out on the back deck watching the sunset and picturing what Sawyer might be up to. My mind and heart were with her now. Hopefully, she would feel the same soon.