Chased (The Graysen Pack Series) (14 page)

             
“It’s okay. I’m fine.” I used the back of my hand to wipe my face, hoping there was no drool. The Alpha was the last person I expected to see. I combed my fingers through my hair, a nervous habit.

             
A strong jaw line and straight nose made his face appear hard. He always seemed angry. Even the way he stood was scary; so straight and tall. I was fidgeting and I knew it.

             
“Honestly, I didn’t expect to see anyone in here,” he spoke lightly, unlike his usual stern voice.

             
“I am sorry. I wanted to read about our history but.…” I was ashamed, ashamed that I had fallen asleep while reading the family book. I couldn’t help feeling like I had let him down.

             
“You have had an exhausting couple of days.” He sat down on the couch and patted the spot next to him. “If you have questions about our pack history or our way of living, I’d be glad to help you understand.”

             
“Actually….” I felt the nerves. My face was warming up. I wasn’t sure if mating was an appropriate topic to talk to Zen’s father about. It didn’t bother me that he was the Alpha. I was more bothered that he was my mate’s father.

             
He must have understood the long pause. “You have mating concerns.” I shook my head. “Do you doubt my son’s love for you?”

             
“No, I mean….” I was searching for the right words. “It has all happened so fast. We met. Then I was told that I was part wolf, and that Zee and I are mates. Now some random wolf girl wants to kill me. It has been overwhelming. I have known about my feelings for Zee since the second day we were together, but it was just days ago. How do you fall in love so quickly, and what is expected of us as mates?”

             
He looked at me with a slight smile. “I know I talk a lot,” I said.

             
“Yes, I see.” He still had a smile on his face. He sat further back on the couch; getting more comfortable. So, I joined him. I pulled my legs up on the couch. I pulled my knees up close to me and rested my arms across them.

             
He let out a small laugh. Either I was amusing him or Laney was in his thoughts.

He coughed to clear his throat. “I will answer your questions as best I can. I believe you first asked how we fall in love so quickly. That is simple. Our souls are bound together. No matter how many years you tra
ce back in that book, you will find the same thing. There is only one mate for each wolf and they stay together forever. We call each other mates because we are in fact soul mates. Once the two of you have bonded, you will have the power to heal each other. Your love will be strongest then.”

             
“Bonded?” I asked confused.

             
“This is part of your second question about what is expected of you as mates. You will be married. Once you are married, you will recite to each other the bonding oath in private. Then you will consummate, making each of you become your strongest. You will be as one body, mind, and soul, soul mates forever.”

             
“Married,” I spoke loudly. “I am only eighteen.”

             
“Our pack takes this very seriously. We always marry quickly. Of course, it is a rare occurrence that we have someone half wolf, half human. Don’t get me wrong. We love that you are here, but it is necessary that you marry once you become mated. Our wolves deep down inside love our mates as well. They want to claim their mates immediately. If the wolf has met his mate and does not bond quickly, it becomes restless and uncontrollable. The wolf will take over the man. He will become wolf and stay wolf. Nothing can undo it.

             
“He is my son. He loves you very much. I can tell. I know that you are young, but it would be no different than if you were ten years older. He will love you this much no matter how many years you are together. I promise you.”

             
“I understand. I had no idea that things would be happening this fast. It gives me a lot to think about. Thank you. I promise that I won’t hurt him.”

             
“I know that you won’t. We are family now. I have never had a daughter. I’m not quite sure how to handle these one on one talks. I may appear somewhat mean sometimes. I am so used to speaking to the boys.”

             
“I don’t know what it is like to speak to a father, but if I had to guess, I would say you did just fine. You answered my questions and you didn’t even blush when you said consummate. It was a little awkward though.”

             
He laughed, “Awkward indeed. I’d like to refrain from any more of those talks. They will be better suited for the wife.”

             
I laughed with him, enjoying our bonding time. I loved how every time he smiled I saw a little piece of Zen. Even though he had deep lines along his forehead from frowning, I knew that he still had a soft side. At times his looks were scary. Those dark eyes could stare holes into your skull. He wore his short gray hair shaved almost to the scalp. And from what I could tell, he worked out. His muscle tone was nice to look at.
Hope the apple doesn’t fall to far from the tree.

             
“Having fun you two?” Zen asked when he came into the library.

             
“Actually yes,” Zorin was quick to answer. “She has been a delight.” I smiled at him proudly. I had made a good impression.
Two points for me.

             
“Thank you for the chat. It helped a lot.”

             
“I am here anytime, my dear. I better get upstairs. Your mother has been yelling at me for fifteen minutes,” he spoke to Zen.

             
“Is everything okay Father?”

             
“O’ yes, she just wants to be filled in on our little chat here.” He pointed back and forth between me and him. “She is feeling left out of the girl talk. Her words not mine.” We all laughed.

             
“Goodnight Father.”

             
“Goodnight sir.”

             
“Goodnight. Ava, you will come back soon to see us?” he asked.

             
“Yes. I will.”

             
“Okay then. I will see you soon.” He said as he left us there in the library.

             
As soon as the door closed, Zen wrapped his arms around my waist. He held me so close that I could feel his breath on my neck. I let out a soft sigh as his body pressed up against mine. His chest rumbled in response.

             
I couldn’t hold back. I kissed him. His warm lips devoured mine, and his hands ran down my back and stopped once they reached my behind. Our breathing became heavier, and the temperature in the room went from seventy degrees to one hundred. I wound my hands tightly in his hair.

             
He pulled his shirt over his head. The sight of his bare chest took my breath away. I wanted every part of him. He pulled me to him tightly and kissed my lips again. This time he lightly lifted my feet off the ground. I smiled in delight.

             
He started kissing my neck. I could feel the hair on his face rub against my skin. I shivered, wrapping my legs completely around his waist. I felt all of him touching me. We backed up and he lowered us onto the couch. I straddled him, kissing his neck. His hands felt rough as they gripped my thighs. I loved it.

             
It wasn’t until his hands unbuttoned my jeans that I became nervous. My heart sped up. 

             
Should I be doing this?
I thought.
I don’t know if I am ready. But it feels right. I feel like I have fallen in love with him. But it has only been a few days. I’m not that kind of girl. He smells so good. Stop it.
I yelled in my head to myself.

             
“I’m sorry Baby. I have a hard time controlling myself with you.” He picked me up off his lap and set me beside him.

             
“I’m sorry too.” I said while buttoning my pants back up. “I don’t know what has gotten into me.” I was still breathless.

             
“I am looking awfully hot today. It’s no wonder you can’t keep your hands off me.”

             
I smacked his arm. “Whatever, hot stuff,” he made me feel comfortable. The moment wasn’t awkward at all.

             
“So, what were you and my father talking about before I interrupted?”

             
“Consummating,” I said matter of fact.

             
“What?” he laughed. “You were having a sex talk with my father? No way. He would never discuss sex.”

             
“Well, we didn’t open up a playbook or anything. He just happened to mention that by having sex, the two of us would be stronger. Of course we will be married first, which someone forgot to mention. I’m not pointing fingers or anything.” I said sarcastically, pointing my finger into his chest. I hated learning this info from his father and not him.

             
“I was going to tell you.”

             
“Of course you were.”

             
“Honest. I was. I was just waiting for the right time, and it looks like the Alpha beat me to it. Is marriage going to be a problem? You don’t sound thrilled with the idea. I know that this is a different way than what you were picturing.”

             
“I wasn’t sure at first. I freaked out a little; a lot actually. But after talking to your dad, it is all starting to make sense.”

             
“We don’t have to talk about this tonight. Come on. Let’s get you to bed.” He kissed my cheek.

             
He led the way to his room and left me to sleep. Tomorrow I would go back to school, and I was ready.

             
I had just dozed off when my phone buzzed on the night stand. I had a new text message.

             
This is not over. You don’t get to walk in and be handed my life. You had better keep watching over your shoulder. I’m still going to be there, wherever you are. Are you afraid? You should be. –Yours Truly, Paige. P.S How is your mom???

Ava: Why r u doing this to me?

Paige: U know Y?

Ava: He and I are mates. Really!

Paige: Not possible. He is my mate.

Ava: We hear each other’s thoughts.

Paige: Not worried. I have nothing to prove. C u soon!!!

             
I dropped the phone onto my lap. I wanted to cry and scream. She so easily got to me. I felt a connection in my heart to Zen, but she was making me have doubts, scary doubts.

             
Maybe she isn’t crazy. She obviously loves him. Maybe hearing each other’s thoughts isn’t enough.

             
I wanted to run and tell Zen everything that she texted me, but I couldn’t. If I told him he would keep me under lock and key. There would be no way he would let me return to school. Keeping a secret shouldn’t be too hard; a little “Mary had a Little Lamb” ought to do the trick. It would only be for a little while. Nothing will happen to me while under the watchful eye of my new entourage.
I can only imagine how bad this is going to be.

             
I lay back down on the pillow, after putting my phone on silent. I was expecting to see daylight as much as I tossed and turned. It was the most comfortable bed I had ever been in. I should have slept peacefully, but I couldn’t. The sheets were soft as silk, but they were no match for my restless thoughts. Finally my mind shut down and I fell asleep.

             
I stood in the darkness. The room was cold and made me shiver. I felt Zen’s warm hands make their way around my waist from behind. His breath lingered on my neck. I kept my eyes shut and savored his touch and his warmth. He leaned into the back of my neck. I waited for a kiss that didn’t come. His hands became tighter around my waist. His fingers became claws. I instinctively wanted to turn and face him, but he had such a strong hold on me.

             
He spoke. His voice was firm, almost a growl. “You have to run, Ava. She is after you. Get up and run now. Go as far as you can. I’ll find you. I promise. Go! Run, Ava.”

             
I ran as fast as I could. I never looked back. I ran out of the house and into the woods. Someone followed me closely. I was panting and sweating but couldn’t stop. Fear washed over me intensely.

             
“You can’t outrun me. Quit trying. I will catch you.” She spoke softly, but drew out her words. I felt the evilness. It echoed off the trees and straight into my ears.

             
My legs were going numb. I knew they were moving, but I wasn’t sure how. The muscles burned all the way to the bone. I would have to surrender. A turtle could out run me. She would catch me for sure.