All Chapters of Mate : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

~Jane~ ~Present Day~Over the past two years, I've tried to be brave. I've tried to hold onto the strength Sara told me I had- the strength she believed in, even when I didn't.But tonight, as I sit on my bed with my parents in front of me and see the fear in their eyes... that strength feels like it's slipping away."Dad," I whispered, trying to keep my voice from shaking, "Please... What's going on?"He hesitated, holding my hand a little tighter before taking my other one. "Jane... Something's happening."The weight in my chest tightened."What do you mean?" I asked.He glanced at mom before continuing. "Earlier today, your mother and I got a visit from Beta Oliver. He came to warn us.""Warn you about what?" I asked, heart pounding."It's Zander," Dad said, his voice strained. "He's chosen his next mate." Dad's voice broke. "It's you." My world froze. "What?" I breathed. "Me? No- no, I don't understand. I'm only six

~Jane~"Good," Zander growled from downstairs. "She's still in her room. Must be waiting for me to come for her. My kind of game. Just wait until she sees what I do to her for making me come after her. There's a punishment waiting, and I'm going to enjoy every second of it."I could hear his footsteps on the stairs.I tried to hold on- tried to stay strong like Sara always said I could- but the strength I'd been clinging to was fading fast. The voice inside me, the one that had spoken to me just minutes ago, had gone silent. Fear gripped me again, paralyzing me as the sound of his boots drew closer.Please, voice... come back. Tell me what to do. "I'm coming for you, Jane," Zander called, his tone cold and vicious. "Soon, you'll be my mate. But before that, I have so much planned for you. One one or another- you're coming with me.""Jane! You need to leave!" Dad shouted from below."You can't hide forever," Zander hissed. "Come out, little girl. You're only making it worse."I saw his

~Jane~With my mind drifting. Not out of surrender, but into something I'd clung to for so long. A dream of the night my wolf would awaken- my seventeenth birthday, the moment everything would change. I imagined it all so vividly: the rush of energy pulsing through me, the powerful connection forming between my soul and another. My mate would find me that very night, as if guided by fate itself.He'd cross the space between us, gentle and sure, and pull me in his arms, like he'd searched the ends of earth and finally-finally-found me. His eyes would meet mine, filled with love and passion, and the bond would click into place. I would feel it in every heartbeat, every breath. I'd melt into his touch- gentle, reverent, everything I ever dreamed of. A fire would rise in me, but it wouldn't be fear. It would be desire. Love. A warmth I'd never known.He would caress my cheek, and in the moonlight he'd whisper the words I've longed to hear: "You are mine, and I will protect you for the rest

~Nathan~ Koa remained still for a moment, watching him- ready if he so much as twitched. Zander then took a stand from where he laid, Koa got himself ready just in case Zander tried to come at us again. "You might think you've won this," Zander spat, blood dripping from hs jaw, "but I assure you, this is nothing compared to what's to come. Mark my words, Prince of the Moonlight Pack- this is only the beginning. There will be war. And when that day comes, I will tear you two apart from your mate. She will be mine. I will not allow her to escape me. So enjoy your precious time with her... because it won't last." With those final venom-laced words, Zander turned and staggered toward the trees. His form disappeared into the shadows of the forest, and silence fell in his wake. Koa snarled low in our chest, but didn't chase. Not this time. We had someone far more important to protect. Turning, we saw her. Still curled on the ground, trembling, her knees tucked to her chest, arms wrapp

~Jane~I didn't want to move.The grass beneath me was damp, the air still thick with fear. The sounds I'd heard just moments ago had stopped, replaced by an heavy, eerie silence. Every part of me ached, terror still clinging to my bones.My heartbeat thundered in my ears. A voice- unfamiliar, yet strangely comforting- echoed faintly in the back of my mind. I couldn't remember exactly what it said.. only that I needed to trust it. To give in.And then- darkness had swallowed me whole.Footsteps. I tensed, heart pounding against my ribs. Was it him?Zander?I couldn't survive him a second time.But then I felt it.A hand- warm, steady- brushed against my arm. It wasn't Zander's cold, possessive grip. This touch was strong, careful. Grounded.I flinched, instinctively curling inward.But the hand didn't force- it offered.Electricity surged though me. Not fear. Not pain.Something... wild.And for the first time since the nightmare began... I could breathe."Are you okay?"The voice wa