CHAPTER 8

LUCAS

I can't believe he'd dismissed me like that. Dismissed us and our connection .

I put some cash on the table and stomped my way downstairs after him.

"Hey, we're not done!" I growled.

"Yes, we are."

"You need me, whether you like it or not."

"What could I possibly need you for?" Noah asked, staring at his computer screen and barely giving me his attention.

There was so much more that he needed to know and his stubbornness was making this far more difficult that it needed to be. Every other wolf I'd met who had a human mate, said their mate had been dazzled by them, they'd felt the pull just as much and wanted to be around them constantly.

Mine was a sexy yet stubborn little shit, who was dead set on resisting the pull and keeping me at arm's length.

"At the very least, you're going to need me to guide you through your first shift, but you're also going to find yourself needing my touch more and more too," I murmured, looking forward to the day the mating pull got the better of him.

He froze mid typing on the keyboard and his hands started shaking. "My first what?"

Oh fuck.

He was panicking again. I sighed and walked slowly toward him. I desperately wanted to hold him, to kiss him and tell him he was going to be fine and I would carry him through this. I would lend him my strength as his body learnt to accept the change.

"Your first shift," I said gently. "You're going to shift on the next full moon."

"You mean, I'm going to turn into a werewolf?" he asked, looking at me with wide eyes.

"Well, technically, you're already a werewolf. The moment I bit you, our souls were intertwined and your body accepted my wolf gene."

"You t-turned me… you… oh my god!"

"Please don't panic, love," I murmured, unable to resist anymore and reached for him, gently stroking his arms in an attempt to comfort him.

It didn't work. He pushed my arms away and started pacing.

"I'm going to turn into a wolf? My body is going to break and twist and get all furry on the full moon?"

Break and twist? Well, I suppose it does. I'd witnessed first shifts a lot and they're more painful because the body is learning what to do.

I could lie, but it didn't feel right to do that.

"Well, yeah, kind of. But after the first shift, it's seamless and smooth and you'll barely feel it," I said, trying to reassure him.

"So, you're saying the first one is not seamless and smooth?"

I cringed. "No. It takes longer for your body to figure out its new form, but I promise you, once you've shifted you will feel amazing. You'll feel freer than ever, running through the forest with the wind brushing through your fur."

"My fur."

"Mm hm."

"Uh huh," Noah mumbled, staring off into space.

Fuck, I've broken him.

I was completely failing at being a good mate. It hurt me not to hold him, but I knew that wasn't what he wanted or needed. He needed my strength.

"Noah, look at me."

I waited for him to turn his head and look into my eyes.

"You are going to be fine. You are a strong man. Luna wouldn't have chosen you to lead my pack with me if you weren't. You will get through this and you will be a strong and beautiful wolf," I said with complete conviction in my words.

I watched as Noah nodded, taking a deep breath and standing taller. "You're right. I'm strong, I can get through this."

"Yes, you can, baby."

"Wait lead your pack? What does that mean?"

"Well, you cut our chat short, but I planned to tell you that I'm the alpha of my pack. I'm their leader and as my mate, you will be too."

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me. Now I have to lead a pack of wolves? Okay, I think you need to leave now, I need some space to think," he said, pushing me toward the door.

Even though he was making me leave, his fingers on me left tingles in their wake.

"Wait, give me your phone."

"No."

I signed in frustration. "I just want to put my number into it so you can message or call me if you have any questions."

"You're telling me I can't just google them?" he asked sarcastically, reaching into his pocket.

I laughed, taking his phone. "You could but you wouldn't get the right answers," I said as I typed in my number.

"Okay, please call me if you need anything, I won't be far," I smiled, handing his phone back.

"Why am I not surprised," he muttered.

I walked up the stairs and out to the park across the road. Settling in for a long day of keeping watch on his store.

I pulled out my phone to call Drew so I could give him an update on the situation and to check that all was okay with the pack.

"Morning Alpha, how goes things with your mate?"

"Morning Drew, he's proving to be a challenge, that's for sure."

Drew laughed heartily into the phone. "I'd expect no less from an alpha's mate."

"How are things at home?"

"We picked up some unusual scents, other wolves but not ones we recognized. I've added a couple of extra wolves to each perimeter patrol."

"Good thinking, thank you. Anything else to report?"

"Well, the pack are all eager to meet your new mate, that's for sure! It's all anyone has been talking about and I constantly get asked questions I have no answers to. I'm pretty sure everyone thinks you've been giving me all the gossip and they assume I'm just being a secretive bastard and keeping it to myself," he said, sounding slightly outraged.

I burst out laughing. It was so good to talk to Drew. He had such a fun and pleasant personality and it always eased my stress to have a laugh with him.

"Shall I give you some gossip you can share then, so they stop hating on you?"

"Please!"

"Alright. He has beautiful pale skin that glows under the moonlight, ashy blonde hair and gorgeous pale blue eyes. He owns a book store and he's a strong-willed man who will lead the pack well," I said, feeling the pride welling up in me.

"Oh, they're going to love that! That'll put me in everyone's good graces for a little while at least," he laughed.

"Glad to hear it. Keep me posted on the other wolves, if you come across that scent again, let me know."

"Will do, Alpha."