Chapter 11: Jace

Jace

By the time I got the chance to go see her again, to try and talk to her she was already gone. The staff was just starting to clean the kitchen, when I hired her, she had said she stayed and help other staff with cleaning. But I guess in light of everything she been through tonight I can’t really blame her from leaving as soon as she could. Her food to night was exquisite, and not only in my opinion, but that of others many asking who the chef was and for her contact information to hire her for other jobs. My chest was puffed up with pride all night long.

I sat with Jamie and Charlie, and the other wolves of the neighboring packs, I couldn't help but feel relieved that they were finally putting their years-old feud to rest. I had been trying to convince them for years to work towards peace between their packs, and now it seemed like they were finally beginning to listen.

"It's about time you two buried the hatchet," I said, taking a sip of my drink. "We can't keep living like this, constantly fighting and causing chaos in our territory."

Jamie let out a heavy sigh and nodded in agreement. "I know, I know. But it's been so ingrained in us to hate each other. It's hard to just let that go."

Charlie's expression softened as he looked at Jamie. "I understand, but I think it's time we start focusing on the future instead of dwelling on the past. We can't change what happened, but we can choose how we move forward."

I couldn't help but smile at their progress. It had been a long and difficult journey, but I was hopeful that we were finally on the right track. They kept talking and I slipped into my own thoughts while giving the head nod or responds when needed but otherwise I was thinking about my mate. I thought about how cute she was when she was explaining something and how completely different she was from any other, she-wolf I had ever met. I loved it, she was perfect. But she didn't see it that way. The things I learned in a very all to brief encounter drew me in, yet she thought they would push me away. She was so sure I would reject her. I had to figure out how to prove that is not what I planned to do. I planned to love her, cherish her, and make her my Luna.

Just then, my phone vibrated in my pocket. It was a text from Max. He had been tasked with following Renee, my mate, and making sure she made it home safely.

"Excuse me for a moment," I said, standing up and excusing myself. I stepped outside to take the call.

"Hey, Max. Did Renee make it home?" I asked, hoping for good news.

"Yeah, she's back at an apartment above a garage not far from the venue. But she's not in the best state of mind. And she thinks she was followed. She is smart, drove around the city till I fell far enough back even though she never saw me, even had her keys ready before she got out of the car," Max replied.

I let out a frustrated sigh. "I am glad she knew how to be safe. But I am not happy she thought she needed to. I need to know more about her. Where you able to get anywhere near the place to see inside?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line before Max spoke again. "Yea, just a peak. She was in bed holding a stuffed owl."

"You looked into her bedroom?" I growl.

"It was her bedroom, kitchen, living, and dining room all in one. It's a studio apartment." That explains why he paused, because he knew I wouldn't like that, and he was right I don't she deserves more than that.

"Send me the address." I had to see this myself. I had to know how she was living. The need to take care of her, to provide for her was too strong to ignore.

"Yes, Alpha." He said. "Do you want me to stay? I don't like the idea of leaving the Luna when that asshole could still be around."

I couldn't help but smile. He was the first to call her Luna and the gamma in him was already claiming her as his Luna to protect.

"Yes. I will be along soon. Call me if anything happens."

"Yes, Alpha."

I thanked Max for his advice and hung up, deep in thought. I needed to make Renee understand that I would never reject her, no matter what. I needed to show her that our bond was unbreakable.

As I re-entered the party, I found myself wishing it would end soon so I could go Renee's house and at least make sure it was safe until I could convince her to move somewhere better. I was determined to make her see that our bond was stronger than her first mate's. That we were truly meant to be.

The night went on, with Jamie and Charlie continuing to discuss their plans for peace and the other werewolves enjoying the festivities. But my mind was elsewhere, thinking of ways I could show her what she meant. But to be honest I wasn't with her long enough to learn enough about her. I needed to think hard about what I did know. But that was impossible here with all the noise around me and having to take part in conversations.

Finally, the party came to an end, and everyone began to make their way home. I made my way to the address Max had provided me.

I arrived at the address that Max had given me, I drove past the house and parked down the street. I could feel the tension building up inside me as I prepared to see where my mate lay her head. Taking a deep breath, I got out of my car and started walking towards the house.

The air was thick with the smell of freshly cut grass and I could sense Max's scent in the air. Following it, I reached a row of tall bushes just on the neighbor's side of the property line. From there, I could see the garage of the house, but anyone looking out the small window wouldn't be able to see me.

"Max, are you there?" I whispered, trying to keep my voice low.

"Yeah, I'm here," came the response from behind the bushes.

"Do you have anything to report?" I asked, my heart racing in anticipation.

Max's jaw clenched as he spoke, "I heard whimpering coming from inside the house. It took everything in me to not burst in the door."

My mind immediately went to the worst-case scenario. Was someone in there with her against her will inside?

"What did you see?" I prodded, needing to know more.

"I got to the same window from earlier and saw her still asleep but tossing and turning. When she went to kick off her sheet. I left, not knowing what was under it," Max explained.

"So, a nightmare?" I say what I'm thinking out loud.

"Yeah, and a bad one." It was probably almost as hard for him as it would have been for me to hear. The whole job of a gamma is to protect their Luna. They are pretty much their best friend and will be whatever they need. He would be the only male who wouldn't set the urge to kill off in me for holding her to comfort her.

I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins as I tried to come up with something I could do. But nothing came to mind. I needed to leave to go home. I couldn't stay without risking going to her.

"Do you think you can stay hidden?"

"Yes. If it means me staying to keep her safe over someone else. Yes, I can stay." I nod and head back to my car.