Independent She-wolf novel Chapter 5

My mate didn't feel this, or maybe she did. I didn't know. I mean maybe she was denying the pull, or she just didn't recognize it. She was a loner after all. I stopped once she growled. Then she spoke to me.

Werewolves communicated through their minds when they were in wolf form. They only spoke directly to one another and told them what they wanted the other to hear. True mates were able to do this in human form, too, but I wasn't about to freak her out with that.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded. Wow. Henry was right. She was feisty. Apparently I was too busy taking in her appearance. Her reddish brown fur mesmerized me, as did her silver eyes. Even though she was mad, they still sparkled. When I didn't respond, she pressed on. "Well?"

"Oh, umm, I was just out for a run," I said. Great. I sounded like an idiot. What was I supposed to say to her anyway? Hey, sweetie. I'm your mate. I love you! No. That would definitely freak her out. I didn't want to do that to her.

"I thought I sent you a message telling you and your pack to stay away from me," she said. Okay, she was angry, but I was surprised. Again. I mean how did she know I was the alpha?

"How do you know I'm alpha?" I asked.

She rolled her eyes and slowly got out of her defensive stance. Ha! The pull was working. Subconsciously, the pull was telling her I wasn't a threat. "I'm a smart girl," she said. "I figure things out."

No doubt about that. "May I ask what you are doing?"

"No," she told me. And she started to walk off. My wolf didn't like that. I started to follow her and nudged her with my side to get her to stop. That was a big mistake.

All of the sudden, she was on top of me, pinning me down and snarling at me. God, that was hot. I told myself to focus because she was furious.

"Leave me alone," she said. "Do not follow me. And do not touch me. I promise that I will k*ll you if you bother me again. Whatever spell you've put on me, take it off. I don't play games. Especially with any damn alpha." She got off me then, and started running away.

Spell? I didn't put a spell on her. We were werewolves for God's sake! Not witches.

Oh, wait. She meant the pull. My face lit up. She felt it! It wasn't a complete fail. There was still a chance for us! Wait, she was leaving. I didn't want her to leave.

Once, again she growled at me. "Go away," she told me trying to stare me down. Joke was on her, because I could look into those silver eyes all day. I stepped closer, but she stepped back, snapping her jaws at me in a warning. She was guarded and cautious.

"What's your name?" I asked her. I didn't even know my mate's name. Great start to a relationship, Jace, I told myself sarcastically.

"That's none of your business," she replied quickly. "Now why don't you run on home to your safe little pack, Almighty Alpha." Sassy. I liked that, but I gave in anyway. When I started padding away, my wolf side whined for me to go back.

Before I left, I turned back. "I have a name by the way," I told her. "Though you don't want to tell me yours, I'm willing to tell you mine." She looked at me with a bored expression. Yep, she was strong. Strong enough to resist the pull. For now at least.

"You say that like I'll be seeing you soon," she noted. Observant, I noted about her. So far, she was perfect in every way to me. Stubborn, but charming. Sassy, but cute. Head-strong, but smart. There was something in her eyes that was hallow though. Right now, I felt that she felt her life wasn't what she wanted it to be. I'd never wanted to comfort anyone so badly, but I knew she would rip my head off.

"I'm Jace," I told her and then turned back to bound off into the trees. Soon, I would be near her again. I couldn't resist her, and eventually, she wouldn't be able to resist me either.