Chapter 5

Jake

I drew my eyes to the stunning figure of Evelyn at soon she got out of the car. She wore blue jeans and a tank top that swayed in the breeze, highlighting her loose locks, which carried her sweet fragrance in my direction. My body tensed with anticipation as my gaze followed her every move. I was aware of Jacob's presence beside me, as he was trying to pull me back from the brink of what I knew he saw as ill-advised behavior.

My brothers were entranced with her presence, as was I, but my admiration came from a different place. She had an aura of power that was infectious, and I knew she was going to be an essential part of our pack. Everyone at the school had their eyes on her as she gracefully glided towards the entrance of our school.

But I could not take my eyes off her. She was the most beautiful woman on Earth, and I doubted she even realized it - or did she? She was the embodiment of perfection - graceful and elegant in every way. Her skin glowed with health, and her smile lit up her entire face. My heart pounding in my ears as I continued to observe her.

A small voice in the back of my mind reminded me of the consequences, but I was too far gone to care. All I could think about was how badly I wanted her. I wanted to be close to her and experience the electricity that danced between us whenever we were in the same room. She had captivated my heart and soul, and I was determined to make her mine, no matter the cost.

My hoodie still carried the same scent from when she had borrowed it at the diner, unaware that it was mine. Its mix of strawberry and wildflowers was like a narcotic to me. She completely captivated me.

Huddled in the mass of my fellow wolves, I could only observe her from afar. Mr. Black had clarified that I wasn't allowed to pursue her yet; Her father was a dominant man, and even though I’m highly ranked, being the future Alpha, I had nothing on him. He was also an important link between humans and wolves, so I couldn’t be selfish and risk everything for myself.

Not yet, at least.

But I would continue to watch her, fantasize about her, and breathe in the delightful aroma that lingered around her. The scent was intoxicatingly sweet and yet delicate. It was as if every emotion she felt carried along with it a hint of its own aroma. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, savoring the moment.

Her glossy blonde hair cascaded down her back, her tanned skin glowed. She was undeniably beautiful, and yet there was something else, something deeper and more complex in her beauty, something that drew me in. I didn't understand it and for now I didn't try. All I knew was that I wanted to be near her and to never let her out of my sight.

My heart rate increase and my palms sweat as I watch her every move. She moved with an elegance and grace that looked effortless, and yet he could sense the intensity of her emotions.

I was told Evelyn was only visiting our college to enlist and finish some exams. That meant that she would only be here today. I couldn’t let that happen. Hell no. I needed to see her every day until I could figure something out.

I rushed down the hall, my heart pounding in my chest, as I searched desperately for her whereabouts, until I finally spotted her standing outside the door to the library, her expression thoughtful.

My thoughts raced as I tried to think of something that would keep Evelyn around for a few more days. Finally, an idea occurred to me: I looked at my youngest brother, Nicolas. Even though he was only 17 years old, he was large and muscular because of his high school football team.

“Do you reckon Chloe could befriend her? Your girlfriend is one of the nicest girls I know. She always appears to include new people and make them feel at ease.” Chloe was also Nicolas’s human girlfriend and not his destined mate.

A long time ago, something happened, making it harder to find your mate. The likelihood of finding your mate has dropped even more since then, and no one knows why.

Every day, the pack ran together through the forests, through valleys and plains, searching for something to give them answers.

It had been a long time since any of the packs had found their destined mate, a heartache for their kind. Though they still clung to hope, the odds seemed to be against them, shrinking further with each passing day. Without their mate, the pack would never be complete.

Their leader, Alpha Gareth, Jake’s father, had become increasingly concerned with the pack's plight, determined to find an answer. He called several emergency gatherings, imploring his wolves to reconsider their search for wider territories.

But now it had finally happened. And it was him, Jake, that was the lucky guy to meet his mate, under less than favorable circumstances but still.

This made the fact that Evelyn was my destined mate a source of hope for everyone in the pack. It was a sign that perhaps the old ways weren't completely lost, and if one of us could find his mate, then maybe it was possible for the rest of us.

The pack was abuzz with a tense anticipation. It filled the air with the electric hum of expectation, each breath a swelling of excitement and possibility. Even the sun shimmered with a newfound intensity. Even though no one approached Evelyn, they still observed her at a distance, giving me clues about her whereabouts or other things they thought I wanted to know. I was thankful for the insight in her life, but I wanted to get inside of her heart, her mind and to find out what made her smile, or what she liked. But mostly I wanted to touch her, kiss her, and embrace her and never let go.

I hadn't known what it meant to have a destined mate until a few days ago when I met Evelyn, and it filled me with a sense of exhilaration that she was mine. For the first time in my life, I was fated to be with someone, that this would be a bond stronger than any I had ever known. It was unreal.

There was a lot at stake here. My father was over the moon as soon as he saw my eyes changing to golden at the diner and my wolf chanting mate. I, of course, wanted to claim Evelyn on the spot. As soon as Mr. Black, a previous ally, entered the restaurant, I knew I had to be patient.

And I had been for a few long days.

I wanted to get to know her but didn’t want it to make it obvious to her father that I was not withholding our agreement. So, the plan was to befriend her with my pack mates. The pack consisted of around 500 pack members, and they all had taken a liking to Evelyn. It wasn’t hard, considering her ethereal beauty and kind demeanor.

I was fortunate to get Chloe to approach Evelyn on the first day. Thank the moon goddess that I have four unforgettable brothers. Chloe, Nicolas’ human girlfriend, was a ray of sunshine in the dark. She wore dark clothing and had black hair, but her joyful personality made her stand out like a beacon. Her dark appearance only made her light within seem even brighter. Her positivity could light up even the darkest of rooms.

She approached Evelyn with a smile, and a confidence that I could never have owned.

Nicolas and I watched quietly from the corner of the library as Chloe approached the figure in the chair. Evelyn sat alone, her blonde hair spilling around her shoulders, her eyes distant and dreamy. Her casual posture told us that she was lost in a world of her own, and it was easy to understand why Chloe paused before her, hesitant to disturb her.

The library was a magnificent sight to behold. Its tall oak wooden doors gleamed in the brilliant morning sun, and leading up to the entrance was a beautiful cobblestone path. It was much larger than the outside of the building gave way. They lined the walls with hundreds of books, each one unique and with its own story to tell. It was easy to understand that Evelyn had found its peace within these walls.

Finally, Chloe stepped forward and placed her hand lightly on Evelyn's shoulder. Her expression changed almost immediately, and a warmth spread through her features as Evelyn looked up and saw Chloe standing in front of her.

"Hello," Chloe whispered.

"Oh, hello," Evelyn said, her voice gentle and melodic. "I’m Evelyn. It's nice to meet you."

The two of them chatted for a few moments, and then Evelyn rose from her chair and left the library. Chloe returned to us, a subtle smile playing across her lips. She seemed pleased by their exchange, and yet, as soon as she was gone, we were left with the firm sense that we had left something unsaid. Something that, if spoken aloud, might have changed the course of the conversation entirely.

"Well," she said, "It looks like I have a friend." She smiled as she uttered the words. Pleased to know that Evelyn was indeed a kind person.

I couldn't help but smile. I was wolfishly grinning from ear to ear. It was fantastic to see Chloe connecting with someone so effortlessly.

“You’ve got a real catch there, Jake. Don’t ruin this, okay? No more playboy antics. You better not hurt her. Something’s not right with her. She seems sad, almost like her soul is fleeting on the brink of sorrow.”

Jake stood up straighter, confused. “I have no intention of hurting her. Our connection is absolutely perfect. I don’t even look at anyone else. What do you mean, something’s not right?” He would do nothing to hurt her. She was his fated mated for God’s sake.

Jake didn't press the issue for the fallowing minutes, but he couldn't shake the feeling of dread that planted itself in his heart. His mind raced with questions. Who had hurt my love? The more I thought about it, the more my blood boiled with rage.

“Tell me more.” I demanded. I was breathing heavy of anger and frustration.

"Her phone kept buzzing, and she didn't reply. It was lying there, turned in silent but vibrating on. I glanced at it when she didn't see, and she had 45 missed calls from some unknown number."

What. The. Hell.

My inner wolf was demanding to be set free so that he could chase the threat away. He was furious, but I was concerned. Who hurt my girl? I wanted to protect her from whatever was coming, but I also had to respect her privacy. She knew nothing about me, us, and the werewolf world. I couldn’t just barge into her life and demand answers. I needed to thread carefully. But the wolf in me was still growling.

Evelyn is mine. And only mine.