All Chapters of Mate : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

~Jane~It wasn't long before Nathan pulled into the school's parking lot. My hold on Nathan's hand tightened a little. He seemed to have noticed and tightened his grip a little, trying to assure me that everything was going to be okay—the building ahead- rows of tall brick walls, wide glass windows glinting in the early light. Students filled the courtyard, their laughter carrying through the crisp air. They all looked like they belonged here. I swallowed hard. Everything about this place screamed new, and I was scared. This is all new to me. I was the new girl. Nathan eased the car into a parking spot near the front entrance, turning off the engine with the quiet click of a button. Jay pulled into the space beside us and stepped out, standing tall and watchful next to Nathan's car. Inside, Nathan turned toward me, his hand reaching across the console to take mine. The warmth of his fingers against mine grounded me instantly, like an anchor. No matter how many times he touches me, t

~Jane~"Hey there, Jane," Riley said, waving at me with a bright smile. "Hi," I replied, walking toward her. "How was your lunch?" "It was good. Yours?" I returned the smile, though my mind drifted back to the moment I had just shared with Nathan in the car. The way his lips brushed mine - soft, hesitant at first, then deepening - the warmth that bloomed between us. It had ignited something inside me, something I couldn't quite no matter how hard I tried. Even now, just the memory made my pulse quicken, my skin beneath my clothes.Riley cleared her throat. "You okay, Jane? You seemed a little... lost there."I blinked and forced a small smile, my cheeks heating up, "Yeah, sorry. I'm fine.""Before I forget," she said, gesturing to the group behind her, "these are my friends. Guys, this is Jane Foster. She's new." "Nice to meet you all," I said, lifting my hand in a small wave. They all smiled and offered friendly greetings in return. For a moment, I almost forgot the weight press

~Jane~I started to move off his lap and took a seat back in the passenger seat, my chest still heaving from the kiss we'd just shared. My skin tingled where his hands had touched me, and I pressed my thighs together to soothe the ache pulsing deep within me. Nathan ran a hand through his hair and turned off the engine, his eyes lingering on mine a little longer than before. There was something in the way he looked at me-something raw, barely retrained-like he was holding himself together by the thinnest thread. The heat between us buzzed in the air like a second heartbeat. "Are you okay?" he asked gently, brushing his knuckles along my jaw. That one small touch made my breath hitch, my body tightening in a way I didn't understand. "Yeah," I whispered. "Just... I didn't want it to stop." His eyes softened. He leaned over and pressed a kiss to my temple. "I don't either, Jane." My stomach fluttered at his words-soft and warm and terrifying all at once. He got out and came around t

~Jane~Hearing the words he just spoke to me, I felt tears sting the corners of my eyes. I wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with this man. The way he makes me feel- it's like nothing I've ever known. And I never want this feeling to end. I don't think I could ever love anyone else the way I love him. Even the idea of finding my true mate someday doesn't seem to compare. If my wolf were to feel that pull toward someone else, I can't imagine it being stronger than what I feel for Nathan. I don't think I could accept anyone else because my love for Nathan consumes every part of me. Being with him feels like where I belong- as if this, between us, is meant to be. I might not know what the future holds, but I do know one thing: I want no other kind of future than the one that includes Nathan. I want to be mated to him. I want his love. There is nothing in life I want than to grow old with him. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Nathan. I can't even think

~Jane~"Oh, Nathan," I breathed, trying to hold back the tears welling in my eyes as the flickering glow ahead came into focus. My heart swelled with surprise. I didn't know what to say- what could I say?Candlelight danced along the sand, forming a glowing pathway that led us toward a soft blanket nestled between pools of gold flame. More candles surrounding the blanket their gentle light flickering like stars, grounding the earth. It was beautiful. Magical. He did this... for me. I was overwhelmed, wrapped in a warmth that had nothing to do with the summer night. Nathan had created something so perfect, so intimate, that it made my chest ache. I felt loved- completely, impossibly, utterly loved. Maybe he was right. Maybe we really were meant for each other. Maybe I could finally accept that. Accept that Nathan was my future... that this connection between us wasn't just a coincidence or fleeting desire. Maybe I was the one he had been waiting for all along. Maybe he's always know