Chapter 0003

JACE.

Zero spent a long time running around and playing with Amara’s wolf, whose name we didn’t even know.

Amara and I came from different packs, which means mindlink doesn’t work between us and our wolves. Although Zero could sense her aura and her emotions, like the excitement she felt at the moment, there was no way to communicate with them.

But despite that, our wolves seemed to enjoy each other’s company so much that I didn’t even notice that we had run too far from her dormitory. I wanted to tell her to turn around, but I had no way to communicate with her, so Zero just followed her around.

We had been running for some time now when my mother’s words dug into my head.

‘Jace?’

‘Mom...’

‘It’s dinner time. Your dad will be here soon. Where did you go?’

‘I went for a run. I think I will miss dinner tonight. Can I make it up some other nights?’ I had no idea why I didn’t tell her about Amara’s shifting. Maybe a part of me just wanted to be the only one to know at this point.

‘Are you okay?’ She asked, her voice laced with worry.

‘I am. I just want to be alone for now. Tomorrow night, my mind won’t be mine alone anymore once the whole pack’s mindlinks are passed on to me.’

‘I understand. Be careful, okay? I will set aside food for you.’

‘Thanks, Mom.’

‘I love you, Alpha.’

‘I love you too.’ I smiled at the warmth of her voice before I cut off our mindlink.

My mother, Luna Clair Galhart, had never seen me pass the little boy that clung possessively onto her arms, and although it did suffocate me sometimes, I knew she meant well and had always my best interest at heart.

When Dad finally decided to retire from being an Alpha the moment I turned eighteen, Mom was against it. She thought I was still too young to have the responsibility of an Alpha. Not that she thought I was not capable — she just didn’t want to push and force me into taking responsibility if I didn’t want to. But I wanted this.

And good thing that Dad couldn’t be swayed.

He was banking on me, and it was now all up to me to prove to my mother that I was prepared to be one.

This Alpha title was the reason I spent my whole life trying to excel at everything I needed to do to prepare myself for this day, and I never allowed any females around me to throw me off track.

I have a loving mother and a smart younger sister. For the time being, having them as the only females in my life was enough — until I met my fated mate.

Zero stopped running all of a sudden, his paws firmly gripping the ground so he wouldn’t crash into Amara’s wolf as she was already slowing down.

We let her run in front of us so I could see the whole perimeter and make sure she was secured.

She must be tired as we’ve been running and playing for a long time now.

I immediately shifted back into my human form and walked around her until I ended up in front of her. I didn’t miss her wolf’s eyes as they lingered on my c*ck and I couldn’t help but chuckle before I crouched down to the ground.

"Eyes up here, kitten." I put my hand on her wolf’s jaw and tilted her head. "Are you tired? We’ve been running for a while now. You can rest."

I was not even done with my words when Amara shifted back into her human form.

Her eyes rounded before she slammed her body against mine, and it caught me off guard. Our bodies stumbled backward, but my reflexes were fast enough to secure her in my arms and catch our fall. Our bodies were pressed against each other, with her arms in between our chests.

"I’m naked." Her voice croaked.

She threw herself on me to prevent me from seeing her naked, but the problem was that my d*ck was also naked. And I wasn't sure it could remain flaccid in the position we were in.

I nodded my head before I closed my eyes, while she stayed still, laying on top of me. "I know there are clothes somewhere here. I’ll pick up one but I need to stand up."

She moved her body away from me, and I pushed myself off the ground without opening my eyes. I only had them open when I was already standing and was sure that she was out of my peripheral view.

I had no problem with nakedness. I’d seen females naked — on the few occasions that I’d been in bed with them and during ordinary days, when they had to shift or during training. I was sure it would be the same case for Amara, but I wanted her to be comfortable and not think I was taking advantage.

In time, she would get used to being naked around males as she had shifted already. And if she became an Alpha, it would be an inevitable thing to do.

I hissed at the thought of her being the only female and naked in a swarm of male warriors. She might be a future Alpha, but she was my little kitten. And I couldn’t believe she was growing up already.

I rounded the area until I was able to find a spot where clothes were left. There was only one set. It was a good thing that the shirt was too big for her, enough to cover up to her thighs.

I came back to where she was and found her sitting with her back against the tree and her legs pulled up against her chest. She rested her chin on her knees as she hugged them. It was great that she crossed her ankles, covering her private parts from my view.

"Here," I told her as I handed her the shirt. I was already wearing shorts.

"Thanks, Jace." I heard her mumble while I walked to the other side of the tree and rested under it while she put on her shirt.

"What’s your wolf’s name?" I asked.

"Ice…"

"Beautiful name. And she’s beautiful too."

"Prettier than me?" She inquired as she took a seat beside me.

I chuckled as I snaked an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer to my side. "As pretty as you. No need to be jealous of your wolf."

She laid her head on my shoulder as she let out a soft cackle. "Well, Zero is more mesmerizing than you."

"Aha! Now that’s not fair! I tried to make you feel good, and you couldn’t return the favor." I snickered before my hand slid down to her waist and gently pressed my fingers against her soft skin. I knew she was ticklish on this part.

Her giggles rang in the air as she squirmed beside me. "Stop…"

But it only made me press my fingers harder onto her skin and begin tickling her while my other hand held her shoulder, keeping her from getting away from me as we laughed together.

Her body kept squirming and moving until her ass landed on my lap. My arms automatically wrapped around her waist and pulled her closer.

I stiffened when I realized what I was doing and the position we were in.