The She-Wolf’s Mate (Book 2 She-Wolf Series)

Samantha

I needed space.

I hurried to the kitchen to catch my breath. Where Rankor’s size and obvious power had been intimidating, in the time I spent with him on the porch he had made me feel safe and comforted. Ivar offered only a coldness that chilled me to my core.

And the thing was, I still wanted him.

I felt my phone start buzzing and dug it out of my pocket. I took a deep breath to steady myself before answering.

“Hi Cassie,” I tried to sound cheerful.

“Sammy? Is everything okay, girl?” Cassie asked, a worried tone in her voice. “I just... had a bad feeling.”

Over the past year, Cassie had explained that while many believed her to be a true psychic, she didn’t have visions or anything. Rather she just got “feelings”. As we grew closer, she shared more of them with me. I was honored to be trusted with her secret, but sometimes it meant she had more insight into my life than I might have liked.

“Everything is… fine,” I lied as I made my way to the back door.

I didn’t want Ivar to hear my conversation. It seemed like he would rather keep his being here a secret, but I knew Cassie would not let up until I told her what was going on. Plus, I needed someone to talk to, and Cassie was my closest friend.

As I closed the door behind me, I quickly caught her up on the events of the day. She listened quietly.

“What do I do, Cass?” I asked. “I need to get him out of my house, but he made it pretty clear that’s not going to happen. He constantly looks at me like some bug he can’t seem to squash. Obviously he’s not happy about our bond.”

“Are you sure he’s unhappy?” she asked. “More likely, I think he’s not used to being told no.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Well, he’s the werewolf king,” she explained. “Everyone does what he says, and certainly no woman has ever denied him. I know you’re relatively new to the werewolf scene, but every she-wolf has dreamt of being his mate at some point or another.”

I bristled at the thought of another woman touching Ivar. My mind flashed back to the female photographed on his arm a few months prior, and Ayisha let out a low growl.

“I’m not just going to do what he says, Cassie,” I snapped. “That’s no way to live.”

“Sweetie, I’m not saying you should,” she said, gently. “I’m just giving you some perspective.”

She paused for a moment before continuing, “You know, I’ve thought a lot about fated mates over the years - why some people find theirs and others don’t. I think the Moon Goddess sends them to people who really need them. Maybe people who wouldn’t be able to carry on otherwise, but have something important they are supposed to do”

Her words made me reflect on her and Michael’s relationship. They were opposite in every way. Cassie was bubbly and bright. Michael was quiet and brooding.

It led one to wonder how they made such a good match, but I knew that Michael had been in a desperately dark place when he met Cassie. He credited her for bringing him back to the light. It made sense for their relationship, but I wasn’t sure that meant it applied to Ivar and I.

“And Sam,” Cassie interrupted my thought. “I know Michael tells everyone I saved him, but that’s not the case. He came into my life when I needed him.”

I realized at that moment I didn’t know a whole lot about Cassie’s life before she mated Michael. I had asked, but she really only gave surface level answers.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

She sighed, “It’s a long story and I promise one day, I’ll tell you about it. We have bigger problems right now.”

“Okay,” I agreed. “How do I get the caveman to leave?”

“Are you sure you want him gone?” she asked.

I hesitated. The truth was, I didn’t. But I wanted him to want stay, and clearly that wasn’t going to happen. I turned to look through the window behind me as I thought about my answer.

The curtains were open and I saw Ivar back on my couch, the blanket draped carelessly around his waist. One of his hands was splayed out across his chiseled abdomen and the other was tucked behind his head, highlighting the cut of his biceps. He was a glorious sight to be had.

When my stare reached his eyes, his icy gaze pierced through me as he glared contemptuously. The color drained from my face as I realized a werewolf as powerful as he was might have heard everything I said.

“Cass, I gotta go,” I muttered before hanging up.

I pulled my shoulders back and took a deep breath before walking in the back door and to the living room. Might as well get this over with sooner rather than later.

“What did you hear?” I asked when he didn’t say anything.

“Everything you said,” he said, nonchalantly, but there was a danger in his tone. “Some of what Miss Cassandra Stevens had to say.”

I looked away, embarrassed and fearing his wrath.

“I thought I made it clear I didn’t want anyone to know about my current state,” he stated, his tone again calm.

I felt like I was in the eye of a hurricane.

“Cassie won’t tell anyone,” I insisted. “She’s my best friend.”

He chuckled darkly.

“She was right about one thing,” he said, quietly. “Nobody defies me, Samantha. I’ve given you some grace considering our relationship. That ends now. I am your king, little wolf. You are my mate.”

I met his gaze, confused by what he was saying. What grace had he given me? I found his face serious, his eyes burning.

“I told you when we met I had waited my whole life for you, Samantha. I’m done waiting. We will mate and you will be my queen.”

“You would force me to mate you?” I asked, disbelieving.

“I will do what I have to to keep my people safe,” he said firmly. “My weakness puts all werewolf-kind in danger.”

“How dare you,” I spat.

“What? Is that ‘cavemen’ enough for you, mate?” He threw my word back in my face.

Anger surged through me, and with it the power of the alpha I knew myself to be. No one threatened me. Ayisha growled in my mind and I let her eyes shine through my own.

“Listen to me, Your Highness. You might be used to meek she-wolves who give you what you want,” I growled. “But I am a warrior and an alpha. If you want to take something from me, you should expect the fight of your fucking life.”

He narrowed his eyes at me and power all but crackled around him. Even in his weakened state, I feared I was no match for the thousand year old king. That didn’t mean I couldn’t or wouldn’t fight him to the bitter end.

Finally he smirked, but it lacked any humor. “We’ll see,” he said and then turned to look back up at the ceiling before closing his eyes, seemingly asleep.

I stormed from the room and stomped up the stairs, slamming my bedroom door behind me.