Alpha Wolf's Fated Mate

JAKE

It’s been a week since I had coffee with Julia. I’ve been trying to keep my distance because I don’t want her to think I’m a stalker, but I think that’s what I’ve become.

My wolf is getting harder to control. He needs to be near her, and so do I.

I followed her home after coffee last week. It was important to know she was safe.

She lives in a little two-bedroom rental home at the edge of town that the pack owns. We use it as a rental property for extra income. Everyone in the pack has a place to live, so Dad decided it would be a good idea to rent it out.

I’m glad he did. It brought my mate to Rapid Falls.

I’ve been shifting every night and patrolling the area around her house. It’s not ideal, but it has been keeping my wolf somewhat sated.

MATE.

I know. I want her, too.

There isn’t a doubt in my mind now about who she is to me.

She smells of honey and vanilla, and her scent blooms when we are near each other.

I can’t help but growl with impatience. She is coming in today after she gets off her shift to work on filling in the lines of her tat with color. The lines we did last week have had plenty of time to heal.

I’m ready for her. I’ve had her ink tray set up on the bench, waiting for her for the last hour.

“Bro, you need to relax.” Nate slaps me on the shoulder. “She’ll be here soon. Didn’t Haylee just call you?”

I asked Haylee to keep tabs on Julia at work. I can’t let anything happen to her. Haylee is more than capable of protecting my mate, and she agreed to do it.

Yeah, I know. It may seem over the top, but I need to know she’s okay. Mine to protect.

Ours to protect, my wolf adds.

“Yes. Haylee called ten minutes ago to let me know she was leaving the hospital,” I tell my brother.

“Then chill. She’ll be here.”

We both are leaning against the counter looking out the window to the parking lot. “I need to tell you something, and you may not be happy about it,” Nate says.

I knit my brows together. “What did you do, Nate?”

“It wasn’t intentional. I was talking to Haylee on the phone this morning.” He grimaces.

“Yeah, so. You talk to her every day.”

“We were talking about Julia and how baffling it is your mate showed up right when Dad is about to step down.”

I push myself off the counter and stand, crossing my arms. “And?”

“Mom overheard me talking to Haylee.”

“Nate. Tell me Mom doesn’t know about Julia. Not yet.” I scrub my face with the palms of my hands.

“You know how Mom is. She was so excited you found your mate. I couldn’t lie to her, bro. She was so happy.”

“So everyone in the pack will know. That’s fantastic.”

Before I can grasp what the outcome of my mother finding out about Julia might be, Julia drives into the parking lot. And she’s followed by a black Mercedes.

“Jake, she’s here.”

“I see her.” I move to the door and watch as a tall man exits the black car and heads over to Julia. She seems surprised to see whoever this guy is, and she looks toward the shop window. Julia needs help.

I push open the glass door and head toward my target when I hear her ask, “What are you doing here, Adam? I have nothing left to say to you.”

“You won’t take my calls, Julia. How are we supposed to work through this?”

“There is nothing to work through. I divorced you. That means we are no longer together. We’re over Adam.”

“No. You know we should never have divorced. We can work through this. You just need to do your part.”

“My part? Adam, I did my part. I didn’t stray. You had an affair with my best friend. You did that! There is nothing left to discuss. We are over.”

I reach her, wrap my hand around her waist, and pull her close to me, kissing the top of her head. “Hey baby, is everything okay?”

I look at the man standing in front of us. My wolf growls at me. End him.

Julia flinches, but I don’t let her pull away from me. “Hi. Yes. Everything is fine. Adam was just leaving.”

“I’m not going anywhere until we talk this out.” The Adam guy pulls his aviator glasses down his nose, then asks, “And who are you?”

“I’m your ex-wife’s boyfriend. It doesn’t sound like there’s anything left for you two to talk about.” I look at Julia and give her a little squeeze. “Are you done here, baby?”

I smell honey and vanilla, and my wolf wants out. Mine to protect.

Her scent is intoxicating, and I lean in to smell just under her ear.

“I have nothing left to say to him.” She wraps her arms around my waist and leans into me. “Can we go, Jake?”

“We can do anything you want.” I look at the piece of crap that cheated on Julia. “I guess she’s done with you. Take off, man.”

“This isn’t over, Julia.” He takes a step closer to my mate.

I push her behind me and hold my ground. “Time to go,” I snarl. The pretty boy flinches but gets back into his car.

Julia and I watch him drive away.

“Thanks, Jake. You didn’t have to do that, but I am glad you did,” Julia says.

“Come on. Let’s get you inside.” I take her hand and lead her through the doors of our shop and into the back work area to get her alone.