claimd and

(Side story)

JAN’S POV

There was a time when anyone could try to tell me true love was real, and I’d fall for it; and all the more, having a fated mate was unheard of, a love was so strong like my parents who died in each other’s arms during the war 20 years ago.

I couldn’t fathom what kind of love would bring someone to their knees and, all the more, die for their partner. I and my best friends have always joked about never falling in love so desperately for anyone, yet my best friend Hayden was an exception none of us ever expected.

He was a goner for Elise the moment he met her. I could see why he loved her, though it took time for her to trust us. I could see the ease in her eyes, and the walls crumbled when Hayden was there. But it was never as intense as what my friend felt.

Hayden, who loved El with all his heart and died for that said love, broke me beyond words when I heard the news of his death from Holden; none of us could believe it, not until we had carried his corpse and dressed him up for his burial

I thought Elise would never love again, or hoped she wouldn’t; little did I know that her fated mate was the greatest kind of love anyone could have, and to be honest, I felt angry-no, more like jealous of her. I was jealous of the fact that I had never experienced that kind of love and desire for someone, and I thought I never would feel something like that.

Yet they all changed when I set my eyes on her. It felt like all the questions and doubts that I’d been desperately searching for my whole life were answered when I saw her. I didn’t know her name, but the bottle of strawberry red hair did so little to hide her beauty.

I watched her talk with my Luna, giving all her gratitude towards her and thanking Nora. That’s when I realized who she was -this was Nora’s elder sister, Lorraine.

I could not take my eyes off her. I watched as I saw her shiver from the thin see-through clothes; she was more than uncomfortable. I don’t know what pushed out the courage in me, making me walk forward.

My wolf pried to get closer and pushed forward in interest to the female before us. I cleared my throat, watching while she whirled slowly around to face me. If I thought from afar she was a beauty, I was far more awe-stricken and frozen in place when she faced me.

My eyes trailed around her tall, goddess-like, yet lean figure, who hugged around her curves. Her hands wrapped Chest to keep herself warm as she peered at me with those innocent eyes from under her lashes and moons; this was dangerous. F**k.

“Hello,” her quiet yet breathy voice spoke, her eyes gleaming in question as she watched me, waiting for me to respond. It took a few seconds before I recalled what I was standing here for.

I quickly pull off the cloak around my body and cover her quivering frame; I could see a slight look of apprehension, then, surprise, I slowly wrap it around her, fastening the ropes before I take a step back.

“Here, you will need this for the journey,” I muttered to her; it was barely audible. Hear a quiet thank you’ before I faced the call of my Luna, who asked for me, a call I quickly appreciated.

After Elise had given instructions to me and Michale before she lived with her mate in his pack, we both got started in directing the captives into rows and rows of comfortable carriages before we assigned our shadow wolves to watch over the night pack, then we started the journey.

Even as we did, I caught myself looking at the widow of the closed car, where Lorraine sar light punch to my shoulder and turned to see Michale with a smug and knowing look o

stare: d**n it, he knows.

I continued staring till I felt a is face, he’d caught on to my

“Never have I seen you be enthralled by one female Jax, d**n, she is really beautiful,” he whispered in my ears. I don’t know whether he meant it or was trying to tease me. And from the corner of my eyes, I feel her watching us.

I answer him back with a grunt. “Get off me, a b**d,” I mutter, hearing Michale snicker before he finally backs off. Moons, how could a woman I just met hours ago have such a hold on me? I shake my head, pushing back away the thought to focus on the journey back to the pack.

We used the main bridge for our travels, cutting the journey short as we arrived almost at midnight, with Abby the pack ready to give us a warm welcome since Brady made it home first with the Silverlight refugees he came with. He had relayed the plan to Abby.

The reunion for the small pack was bittersweet as they hugged each other; some cried for their losses while others were intrigued about the new place they would call home.

We directed the wounded into the clinic to get fixed up while we assigned the Silver Night Wolves temporary resident, which Michales handled, while I and Brady headed to the clinic.

Yet again I found my gaze trailing after Lorraine, who met Abby, watched as they walked into Nora’s room, and a few minutes later they came out. I was close enough to hear her concerns about her sister, one that Abby answered with kindness, explaining Nora’s extreme fatigue and how she was asleep.

I had no idea what possessed me to walk up to her, not caring for Brady’s questioning gaze at the back of my head. I just knew I couldn’t bring myself to touch her, not yet, especially when my wolf was eager to be so close. I couldn’t let him lose control. “I can stay with her all night, Elder Abby, please.” Lorraine pleads.

Her honey-sweet voice sounded so desperate that it did something to me: “You need to rest, child; the journey has been long, and I don’t want you passing out too. I will be here, and your sister will be safe,” she assured.

“You can trust Abby, I assure you.” I tell her, I can see the gratitude in her gaze as her shoulders sag down in relief from my words before Brady calls me back, his brows raised in question.

“What is this I see?”

“Nothing, you a***,” I mutter, but I know both my best friends were onto me; I couldn’t hide it if I tried my hardest too. “It’s very obvious; it’s more than nothing.”

“That’s what I said.” Michael dropped in as the three of us talked in a small circle. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at the fact that they were onto me.

“It is nothing.”

“-um, Jax dear?” I hear Abby’s voice interrupt as we all turn to the sweet elder, my gaze already alert to whatever she needs. “Well, this isn’t about me; I know the girls have been through a lot, and there are no more vacant houses, especially since I’m taking care of the more wounded girls. I asked Lorraine who shed stay with, and she… asked for you,” she explains, shocking

me.

“What?” I mutter; the moment I looked up, my gaze locked with Lorraine’s, who immediately turned away, clearly shy ofThis content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .

C

70%

I could hear the snickering and taunts of my friends get louder with Brady nudging me with a smirk on both their faces. “Nothing huh?” He teased me. But I had no comeback because I was far too deep with her before I already knew it. And hell, my patience is being tested to be alone with her.

How much temptation could my wolf take? F**k