Chapter 2: Clint

I turned 18 over the weekend. I had really hoped to meet my mate on my actual birthday, but that didn’t happen. Anders and I had gone out both Friday and Saturday nights, hoping that I would find her. Since it didn’t happen, I had settled on the idea that Anders and I would have to travel around to find her. He turns 18 in a couple of months but he’s already feeling a pull to Calista Johns. He thinks she is his mate. He’s been pursuing her but she’s completely uninterested.

It’s frustrating him because he’s never had to pursue a love interest. Women usually fall at our feet. It doesn’t even matter how old they are, we’ve both had women old enough to be our mother that have found their way into our beds.

I found the entire situation hilarious until Monday morning, when I showed up at training and smelled the most delicious scent of orange blossoms and ginger. I followed the scent and found Lily Raines sparring with Lucas, Anders future Lead Warrior. He’s already decided that Lucas will take that position, and I agree. Next to me, he’s the strongest warrior in the pack. At least I thought he was until Lily pinned him.  

Seeing Lily sprawled on top of Lucas, even if his face was to the ground had Donovan snarling in my head. He didn’t like seeing her touching another male, much less straddling one. Her long, curly brown hair was up in a ponytail, and when she looked up in triumph, I could see her eyes are a stunning azure blue.

I knew she was good, Anders and I have been training her for years, but I didn’t realize she was that good. Maybe I just wasn’t paying attention, but I am now. Both Donovan and I are proud that our mate is strong.

What I wasn’t expecting was for her to give me the same cold shoulder that Calista was giving Anders. Now it’s not nearly so funny. What’s worse, it’s pretty apparent that she doesn’t even like me.

Donovan needs to be closer to her, so I switch partners with hers in Chemistry. I realize quickly that she’s not just beautiful and strong, she’s intelligent. And thankfully, I take Chemistry seriously. It’s something that, as a Guardian, I feel I need to have knowledge of, whether it is to save my life or Anders, you never know what type of concoction other supernaturals or worse, hunters will try to inject in you.

When she tells me she thinks I’m after her only to sleep with her, I know I’ve got my work cut out for me. Yeah, I’ve been pretty indiscriminate with my bed partners, but I’ve never given any of them any reason to think that they were anything more than a short-term good time. I’ve always wanted my mate, I just didn’t really think about the need to wait for her, or how she might feel about me given my extensive history.  Honestly, none of the other women I’ve been with cared that I’d slept around. I guess that’s why Lily is my mate, she does care and now I need to do some damage control.

First and foremost, I need to figure out when she turns 18. Then, I need to woo her until then so she’s willing to accept our mate bond when she finally feels it.

Two classes later, I’m sitting in Literature. I could care less about books written hundreds of years ago. It will do nothing to make me a better Guardian, but it’s required to graduate, so I’m here. I’m lounging in my chair, my eyes closed and contemplating a nap, when I smell her scent. My eyes snap open as she walks past my desk and sits three seats in front of me. How have I never realized that she was in my class?

‘Because you’re an idiot.’ Donovan says to me. ‘Move closer to her, change seats with that girl behind her.’

I stand, grabbing my bag. “Hey Anna.”

“Hey Clint.” She looks up at me and practically purrs. Damn, I didn’t think this through. I’ve slept with Anna and unlike Lily, she doesn’t seem to mind being my bedwarmer.

“I was hoping I could get you to switch seats with me.” I give her my best smile. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Lily’s body go rigid.

I watch Anna’s face go from excited to confused before she looks at the back of Lily’s head. “Oh, uh, sure.”

She grabs her things and goes to move past me, placing her hand on my waist and sliding it across my abs. What would have once had me going hard and making plans for tonight, now is just aggravating me. I don’t want Lily getting the wrong idea. “Maybe I’ll see you later?” She asks, her hand sliding to the edge of my jeans.

“Uh, yeah, maybe.” I say getting more and more uncomfortable.

Our teacher comes in and Anna moves to my seat, while I sit in hers. I look at Lily, her back is ramrod straight.

The teacher begins discussing whatever novel we’re supposed to be reading. I lean forward when the teacher’s back is turned. “Hey Lily.” I whisper quietly. The teacher is a werewolf just like everyone else in the class.

She ignores me, so I reach out and begin to tug on her hair. It’s really soft and all I can think about is wrapping my fingers in it while kissing her.

Lily reaches back and pulls her hair out of my hand, glaring at me over her shoulder. I smirk at her and do it again.

“Mr. Nelson, perhaps you can focus more on the class and less on Miss Raines’ hair.” The teacher calls me out. I hear the class snicker, but I don’t care.

“Sorry Mr. Roberts, but Lily’s hair is like silk. It’s hard to resist.”

“You’re a Guardian Mr. Nelson, I’m sure you’ll find a way.” He says before turning back around.

Lily grabs her hair, pulling it over one shoulder and glaring at me before turning back around. I’m lost in her scent and have no idea what the teacher is saying. Lily on the other hand, seems to be totally unaffected by my presence and is asking and answering questions.

When class is done, Lily grabs her bag and tries to move past me, but I stand up and get in her way. “What are you doing after school?” I ask her.

“Going home.” She tells me, her head tilted up so she can glare at me, as I'm nearly a foot taller than her. I get lost for a moment in the blue of her eyes.

She goes to push past me, when I remember my point. “Anders and I can drive you and Calista home.”

She steps back and looks up at me again. “No thanks, now move out of my way.”

I lean in toward her. “And if I don’t?”

In one second, I went from feeling in total control of the situation to the next where I am completely at her mercy. Without a care in the world, she reached up and grabbed my balls in her hand, twisting it just to the point of pain. “If you don’t, I’ll make sure that you and Anna can’t have any fun tonight. MOVE!” She demands, and I step out of her way.

I watch her walk out of class without a backward glance.

‘Smooth move idiot. You pissed off our mate. Fix it!’ Donovan growls in my head.

‘Do you have any bright ideas?’ I ask my snide wolf.

‘Yeah, stop trying to coerce her and get her to like you.’

Easier said than done.