The Unwanted Wolf

JORI

This was the third town I had been to this month alone. It was hard for me to stay in one place these days. Nowhere felt like home. The one place that did, I knew I could never return to. Adira and Mark both told me I would be welcome back on multiple occasions, but they could understand how I felt.

I knew what Xavier did when he took over my body wasn’t my fault in theory, but I couldn’t erase the guilt. I had been so angry at Mark and then at Adira for everything that I was ready to kill them. I almost killed Adira’s unborn children. I still couldn’t believe they were having twins. Twins were considered good luck.

I wished them both the best, but the moment I gave up the pack was the moment I could never return to the pack, at least not permanently. Maybe one day I would be able to visit them, but right now I felt too ashamed.

I walked into the bar and sat down at the counter. I ordered a drink, and when the bartender gave it to me, I quickly downed the drink and ordered another. I didn’t want to think anymore tonight. I was tired of thinking and feeling like a broken man. I didn’t know how to get back to my old self. I didn’t know if that was even possible. Something deep inside of me had broken, and I could try to glue it back together, but I would never be the person I was before.

So for now, I would continue searching from town to town looking for… something. I still didn’t know what I was searching for. A reason to stay, I supposed. I downed another drink and paid my bill. I didn’t want to end up as one of those guys who got drunk at bars every night.

I walked out onto the street, and it was dark outside. I breathed in the moonlight, feeling its energy fill me to my core. It made me want to go for a run and stretch my wolf legs. I started making my way to the forest where I could shift in secrecy, but then the most decadent scent filled my nose.

My legs carried me before I knew what I was doing, and I started walking in the completely opposite direction. I stumbled forward, the smell making me feel drunker than the alcohol in my system. The smell filled my nose to the brim, and my mouth was watering. Everything blurred around me, and I only cared about finding the source of the wonderful scent.

I turned the corner, and then suddenly I was pushed against the brick wall in an alley. I looked at my assailant. Red hair framed her face, and her sharp, black makeup emphasized her beautiful eyes. Her lips were painted red, and her face was fierce. The wonder scent that filled my nose was pouring out of her every pore. Instantly, I knew this was my mate.

“Why were you following me?” she snapped.

“I think I’m in love,” I muttered like an i***t.

This was not the response she was expecting, and she furrowed her eyebrows. Every little move she made enraptured me.

She let go of me and scoffed. “Just because we’re fated mates, doesn’t mean you love me. It doesn’t give you a right to follow me like a creep either.” She straightened her leather jacket and fixed her hair. She was a tiny little thing, but she was fierce, and I knew I would do anything for this girl.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know what I was doing. You just smell delightful, and I lost myself for a moment.” I chuckled nervously, unsure how to handle her energy.

She smacked her hand across my face, making my cheek sting. She pointed her finger in my face. “Don’t be so gross. I’m not into that lovey dovey stuff.”

I rubbed my cheek, and I was pretty sure I was even more turned on from this girl. She was perfect, and I knew I just found my reason to stay in town.

She turned and started walking away, her heels clicking against the concrete. I watched her walk away, afraid to weird her out by following her. She paused several feet away from me and glanced back.

“Are you coming, dummy?”

I blinked a few times, wondering if I heard what she had said correctly. “Wait, really?”

She rolled her eyes. “I just found my mate. I’m not just going to brush that off because you’re a weirdo. So come on. Let’s at least get to know each other. Drinks are on you.”

I jumped up, my heart beating with joy. For the first time in a long time, I was excited for what was to come next.