Chapter 25

Jax

I get it. This looks bad. It is bad. But it’s all in the past. It was a time when I was lonely and it didn’t mean anything to me. But I can see how Hayley might feel about it.

I’d be upset too if she had kissed another guy.

I can tell Hayley isn’t really hearing me. Her breathing is getting faster and I know that’s a sign of an impending panic attack. I pull her closer and whisper, “Breathe.

“I’m here. I’m not going anywhere, mate.”

After a while, Hayley’s breathing starts to slow down. I pull back to look into her eyes. “It was just a few kisses when I was younger. I never mated with her and I never will.

“She was interested in me because I was the Alpha. That’s it. She’s a power-hungry she-wolf and I was lonely. It didn’t mean anything to me. I didn’t think I’d meet my mate because I was already past eighteen.

“I was wrong.

“You’re the only one I care about, Hayley.” She looks away, but I keep talking. “I was stupid and naive. I know that’s not an excuse, but I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.

“I’ll cook for you every day, rub your feet every night, do anything you want. I’ll regret what I did for the rest of my life. Please forgive me,” I plead.

“It won’t happen again?” she asks.

“It won’t. Only with you.” I put her hand over my heart so she can feel that I’m telling the truth.

“Pinky promise?” she asks, her lips forming the cutest pout.

“I pinky promise,” I say, locking my pinky with hers and then kissing it to seal the deal.

“I love you and only you, Hayley. It will always be you,” I tell her sincerely.

“I love you too, Jax,” she says, and then she leans in for a kiss...

Axton

Alpha Jax gave me the morning off since Hayley is with him, meeting the new and returning wolves.

I managed to get a few hours of sleep, but my wolf, Cohen, wakes me up. He’s restless in my mind. When I ask what’s wrong, all I get is a mix of a growl and a purr.

Footsteps echo through the packhouse and I feel more on edge with each passing second. After a few more minutes of tossing and turning, I give up on trying to relax and decide to go for a run.

Maybe that’s what Cohen needs. A good run to tire him out.

I don’t bother changing out of my baggy gray joggers. I’ll strip when I get to the woods. Cohen is howling and urging me to get moving.

I start to leave my room but stop when an amazing smell hits me. Is this it? Am I about to meet my mate? What will she look like? Will she reject me?

Before I can think of any more questions, I grab the door handle and fling it open. But what I see isn’t what I expected.

“Mate?” Cohen howls with joy while I stand there, confused.

In front of me is a man. He’s about six-foot-three and completely naked except for a smile that makes my knees weak.

His toned abs are on display for everyone to see. The thought makes Cohen growl possessively.

His dark brown curly hair and deep black eyes match his rich chocolate skin perfectly. I feel a bit of drool start to form at the corner of my mouth.

I’m gay? What? What do I do now? What do I say? Questions flood my mind and I do the only thing I can think of—I run.

I sprint out of the packhouse, leaving my mate behind, and put some distance between us so I can think.

***

I’m on duty now, sitting next to Hayley in the packhouse living room. Hayley is watching some trashy TV show while I try to get my mind off my newfound mate.

“Can I ask you something?” she asks hesitantly, pulling me back to the present.

“Sure.”

“Do you know a wolf named Samantha?” I nod and she continues, “Jax told me that they used to have... history. Do you think he might still like her?”

“Absolutely not! The way he looks at you, it’s like you’re the answer to all his questions. Now that you’re in his life, he can’t live without you.

“Samantha might be back, but Alpha Jax couldn’t care less. And besides, look at you. Samantha doesn’t hold a candle to you,” I try to reassure her.

Hayley pauses before saying, “Thank you, Ax. I just wanted someone who... isn’t involved to give me their... perspective?

“I’m not sure what the right word is, but thank you.” I can tell she doesn’t fully believe me, but I hope she’ll understand eventually.

“Opinion is the word you’re looking for. And don’t worry about it. I’m always here for you... Speaking of sharing, can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Well, here goes. I met my mate today.”

“Really?... What does she look like?”

“That’s the thing. It’s not a she. It’s a him.”

“Oh, sorry. What does he look like?”

“You’re not... grossed out that I’m gay?”

“No, why... would I be?” she asks.

I hesitate. Why should she be grossed out? Why should I? It’s love, no matter the gender.

“I don’t know...”

“What does he look like?” she asks again.

“He’s really handsome. Even people who aren’t gay would agree. But... I don’t know how to feel about it.

“I never thought I might be gay. I always assumed I was into girls.

“I’ve been so focused on becoming the best warrior, I never made time for relationships. What would my parents think? They’re expecting grand-pups. Hayley, I’m at a loss.”

“Listen to your heart. Who gives a damn about...what others think. Embrace it...embrace true love. You two are meant for each other. Don’t resist it.”

I lean back, mulling over Hayley’s words. The moon goddess has gifted me my mate, and I should be grateful, not question her choices.

I should love them unconditionally, regardless of their gender. We’re destined to be together, and I should follow my fate, which lies with my mate.

***

A few hours have passed since my chat with Hayley about my predicament. Now that I’m off duty, I’ve decided to seek out my mate to clear the air and perhaps erase the incident at the packhouse, starting fresh.

I trace his distinct scent from the packhouse into the forest. What could my mate be doing out here? I quicken my steps, a wave of excitement surging within me.

After a short walk, I spot my mate, engrossed in a book titled “Nineteen Eighty-Four” by George Orwell, leaning against a tree.

~He’s so absorbed in his book, I didn’t think he’d notice me.~ But when he lifts his gaze and meets mine with those stunning eyes, I lose all sense of myself.

After a few moments, I snap out of my daze and approach my mate, anxious about his reaction. What if he rejects me because of my earlier behavior?

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves, but it doesn’t help.

“Hey,” I greet him cautiously as I reach his spot. I rub the back of my neck, a habit I’ve developed when I’m nervous, and lower my gaze to the ground.

When he doesn’t respond, I look up to find my mate staring back at me.

“I’m sorry I freaked out. I just wasn’t prepared to meet...you. Could we possibly start over?” I ask, my heart pounding in my chest.

A tense silence follows before I hear, “I’d like that. My name is Dylan...”