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.Tonight, as I sit on my bed with my parents in front of me and see the fear in their eyes... that strength Sara once believed in 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, my 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 und

~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."His footsteps thudded up the stairs like a second heartbeat. Every strike of his boots against the wood sent a new wave of panic through me. I tried to hold on- tried to stay strong like Sara always told me I could- but the strength I'd been clinging to was slipping away. The voice inside me, the one that had spoken to me just minutes ago, had gone silent. Fear wrapped tight around my limbs, paralyzing me as his shadow crossed the crack beneath my door.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. However, before that, I have a lot planned for you. One way or another- you're coming with me.""Jane! You need to leave!

~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 Zander- ready if he so much as twitched. But instead of striking again, Zander staggered upright, blood dripping from his jaw, fury burning in his eyes. You might think you've won this," he spat, his voice rough and venomous, "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 have her. She will be mine. So enjoy your precious time with her... because it won't last." His words hit like shards of ice. The air between us felt charged, a dark promise hanging heavy. With a final, bitter glare, Zander staggered into the shadows of the forest, swallowed by the night. Koa snarled low in our chest, restless, wanting to chase. But I held him back. Not this time. Zander could wait. We had someone far more important to care about. Turning, we saw her. Still curled on the ground, trembling, her knees tucke

~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 a 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 swallowed me whole. Footsteps. I froze, my chest tightening. 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 in on myself. But the hand didn't force- it waited. Offered. Electricity surged through me. Not fear. Not pain.Something... wild.And for the first time since the nightmare began, I could breathe."Are you okay?"The voice was