Mate bond

Chapter 9

Isaac.

I walked into the forest clearing, the crisp air brushing against my skin, my heart was beating faster than it should. And then I saw her. Camryn. She was already there, sitting on the blanket I’d laid out, the gentle light of the setting sun on her.

“Shit, I’m sorry I’m late,” I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck awkwardly. Normally, I could control my nerves but around her, I was a mess. My wolf stirred at the sight of her, alert, protective, and impossibly drawn to her.

This was the pull I’d heard about, the mate bond. I could feel it deep in my chest, warm and insistent ever since that day in the hallway when I first set my eyes on her. I couldn't help but wonder, if she felt it too.

Camryn looked up at me, smiling. “Oh no, I’m early,” she said casually. That smile, God, it did things to me I couldn’t name. My wolf shifted in agitation, my instincts craving to be closer, to mark her as mine, yet I forced myself to step lightly, careful not to overwhelm her.

“The picnic is ruined, and you look… amazing,” I said before I could stop myself, voice a little rough with nerves. My wolf growled softly, a low hum of possessiveness and I cursed myself under my breath. Control, Isaac, control.

She laughed, a warm sound that made my chest tighten. “Thank you. And it’s not ruined. We could just walk and talk.”

I nodded, unable to tear my eyes away from her as we walked slowly along the tree line. The quiet was comfortable but I could feel the constant pull in my senses, the scent of her shampoo, the way her heartbeat fluttered just slightly faster when she laughed. Every step was a battle between my wolf wanting to claim and protect her and my human side, reminding me to stay calm, stay patient.

We talked about simple things, the kind of conversation that felt easy but left me wanting more. I learned she had lived with her parents before arriving at Lupinemere, that she didn’t have any siblings and that some part of her still clung to normalcy, despite the supernatural chaos surrounding her.

She was careful, still guarded about why she had been sent here and I didn’t push. My wolf growled low in frustration, wanting answers, wanting to claim what it knew was mine but my human side understood, she would tell me when she was ready.

The sun dipped further, painting the clearing in shades of gold and deep purple, reminding me of the approaching curfew. I glanced at Camryn. She seemed almost serene, leaning back on her hands, eyes following the way the wind danced through the trees. My wolf stirred again.

“Looks like it’s almost curfew,” I said.

Camryn nodded, a small smile on her lips. “I had a good time. Thank you for this,” she said. She stood, brushing off her skirt and looked up at me.

I held my gaze on her, feeling the primal pull. I wanted to step closer, to draw her into my arms, to mark the connection I already felt deep inside but I waited. Patience. Control.

She hugged me briefly, just for a moment, soft and warm. The contact sent a surge through me, my wolf stirring violently, claws unsheathed in instinct, heart pounding. I had to take a breath, forcing myself to release the tension and step back gently.

“Bye,” she said softly, pulling away. “I had a good time.”

As she walked toward her dorms, I watched her go, the scent of her clinging faintly in the air. My wolf whined low in frustration, wanting to follow, to protect, to claim. But I stayed rooted, letting her go, promising silently that I would always be there, even if she didn’t know it yet.

Alone now, the clearing was quiet except for the rustling of leaves and my own ragged breathing. The bond was undeniable, the pull undeniable. I could feel it in every nerve ending, every heartbeat.

After so long of waiting, the rejections, I finally found her. Camryn was my mate, my connection, and my wolf would never let anyone harm her. I just had to learn to wait, wait for her to trust me and to accept me.

----

I stepped into the pack house, trying to act normal, but the moment I walked through the door, the others zeroed in like hawks. The lounge smelled like coffee and leather, and the usual teasing energy hit me full force.

Hey, Issac,” Aiden called the second I walked in. “So… how did it go?” His eyes sparkled with mischief.

I froze, the heat rising in my cheeks. I hadn’t expected them to pounce so quickly.

“It was fine,” I said curtly, walking past the lounge and heading toward the kitchen to grab a bottle of water.

“So… Did you hold hands? Did she taste… I dunno, how do I put it... nice?” Aiden asked grinning like a maniac.

I froze, my water bottle halfway to my mouth. “What?” I said, trying to sound calm.

Jax chuckled from the sofa, clearly entertained. “Yeah, man, come on. You can’t just say ‘fine’ and leave us hanging. Did you kiss her yet? Did she...” He made a weird face, “you know, do the thing?”

“Jax!” I groaned, burying my face in my hands. My wolf hissed low in my chest, embarrassed by their words.

Kian, as usual, was quiet, perched in the corner with his book but even he raised an eyebrow at the nonsense.

“I swear you’re all insane,” I muttered, trying to sip my water without drawing attention.

“Insane?!” Aiden practically shouted. “We’re just curious! I mean, golden boy Isaac finally gets a girl, and we need details! Like… does she make you laugh? Does she look cute when she’s mad at you? And the big question…” He leaned in, grinning. “Does she like your wolf side?”

Jax chuckled, leaning back in his chair, arms crossed. “Easy, Aiden. Let the boy speak for himself. He’s got a good reason to be shy.”

“I’m not shy,” I muttered, though my own words sounded weaker than I felt.

Aiden groaned dramatically, slapping the arm of the sofa. “Coward. But fine. I guess we’ll have to use our imaginations.”

The teasing didn't stop so I just stopped talking and left while they continued but at least I knew something for sure, no one else in the pack would ever make me feel this way. Not like her.