Chapter 21
21
J ake
Sleeping next to Alex is both a comfort and a torment. My wolf instincts are in overdrive, urging me to bite her, to claim her as my mate. The urge is almost overwhelming, a primal force that I struggle to keep in check. Every moment spent next to her, feeling her warmth, hearing her soft breathing, only intensifies the desire.
I know I can’t do it. Not now, not like this. She doesn’t know about my true nature or about what it means to be my mate. I can’t spring this on her without her understanding and consent. The thought of her reaction, of possibly scaring her away, is unbearable.
As much as it pains me, I decide I need to leave. I carefully slip out of bed, making sure not to wake her. She stirs slightly but doesn’t wake, and I take a moment to look at her peaceful face, memorizing the sight.
I find some paper and a pen on her coffee table and quickly scribble a note. I place the note where she’ll easily find it, then quietly gather my things and head out. The cool night air hits me as I step outside, a stark contrast to the warmth of Alex’s apartment. I take a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil inside me.
As I walk to my place, I can feel my wolf still restless, still yearning for the bond, but I know I did the right thing. Alex deserves to know the truth about me and to make her own choice.
Once I get home, I try to settle down, but sleep doesn’t come easily. My thoughts are filled with Alex, and the anticipation of seeing her again tonight. I need to find a way to balance my instincts with the reality of our situation.
As the day wears on and I try to prepare for my date with Alex, a knock on my door interrupts my thoughts. I open it to find Eric standing there, his expression serious and a hint of urgency in his eyes.
“Eric, what’s going on?” I ask, stepping aside to let him in.
Eric steps inside, running a hand through his hair. “Jake, things are getting crazy. Cory got attacked last night.”
My heart skips a beat, worry flooding through me. “Is he okay? Was it like the others?”
“He’s hurt, but he’ll be all right. No poison this time, thankfully,” Eric replies, his expression grim. “But this is escalating. We can’t keep pretending everything’s normal.”
I nod, feeling a mix of frustration and concern. “Do we know who did it?”
“Not for sure,” Eric says, pacing the room. “But it’s the same pattern. We’re pretty sure it’s the rival pack trying to stir up trouble.”
I run a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me. “We need to tighten our defenses, make sure everyone’s on alert.”
Eric nods in agreement. “I already talked to Tom and a few others. We’re stepping up patrols and making sure everyone knows to be careful, but we need to be smart about this. We can’t afford to lose anyone.”
“Agreed,” I say, my mind racing with thoughts of strategy and protection. “I’ll make some calls and see what more we can do.”
As Eric turns to leave, he pauses, looking at me with a knowing expression. “And Jake, I heard you have a date tonight. Be careful, okay? The timing of these attacks is too suspicious. Watch your back.”
I nod, appreciating his concern. “Thanks, Eric. I will. And keep me updated on Cory.”
“I will,” he says, giving me a brief nod before heading out.
Once he’s gone, I sit down, the gravity of the situation settling over me. Cory’s attack is a clear sign that the rival pack is getting bolder, and we need to be prepared for whatever comes next. Despite all of this, I can’t ignore the growing connection with Alex and the need to protect her as well.
I take a deep breath, trying to clear my mind and focus on the tasks at hand. Tonight is important, and I need to find a way to balance the dangers we’re facing with the honesty and openness she deserves. It’s not going to be easy, but for her, I’m willing to face whatever challenges come our way.
With a renewed sense of determination, I finish my preparations and get ready for the evening. The pack needs my strength, and Alex needs my honesty. I can only hope that I can provide both and keep everyone safe in the process.
I’m ready early enough that there’s enough time to visit Cory before my date with Alex. I need to see for myself how he’s doing and get a better understanding of the situation. Plus, I’m still worried about Opal and why she was taken in the first place. I have no idea if Opal is connected or not.
I head over to Cory’s place, my mind racing with questions and concerns. When I arrive, I knock on the door, and after a moment, it opens to reveal Cory, looking battered but alive. He’s got a bandage on his arm and a few bruises, but he seems in decent spirits considering what happened.
“Jake,” he says, a tired smile on his face. “Come in.”
“Hey, Cory. How are you holding up?” I ask, stepping inside.
“I’ve been better,” he admits, gesturing for me to sit. “But I’ll live. Thanks for checking on me.”
I take a seat, looking at him seriously. “Eric told me what happened. Do you have any idea who did this?”
Cory shakes his head. “No faces I recognized, but it was definitely a targeted attack. They knew who I was and what they were doing.”
I nod, absorbing the information. “We can’t afford to let our guard down.”
“This isn’t just random violence. They’re trying to send a message.”
“That’s what I’m worried about,” I say, leaning forward. “I don’t know for certain, but it’s possible there’s a human involved—Alex’s friend, Opal. She was taken and threatened. It doesn’t seem like a coincidence.”
Cory’s eyes widen. “A human? Why would they involve a human?”
“I don’t know,” I admit. “But it makes me think there’s something bigger going on. We need to figure out what they’re after and why they’re escalating things now.”
“Agreed,” Cory says, his expression serious. “This is Elias and that pack, right? We need to find out what their endgame is.”
“I’ll talk to Alex tonight,” I say, already planning my conversation with her. “Maybe she has some more information from Opal that can help us piece this together.”
“Be careful,” Cory warns. “If they’re involving humans, it means they’re not playing by the usual rules. And if Alex is important to you, they might target her next.”
“I know,” I say, feeling a protective surge. “I won’t let anything happen to her.”
We talk a bit more about the situation, sharing what little information we have and making plans to gather more intel. As I leave Cory’s place, I feel a renewed sense of urgency. The rival pack is making bold moves, and we need to be ready.