Tame the beast

Jackson was in a fierce battle with Aries, his primal instincts threatening to overpower him. The wolf within him was desperate to track down the man who had harmed their mate and exact his own form of justice. The rage that surged through their shared consciousness was almost unbearable, especially knowing that someone had dared to harm what was theirs to protect. Their wolf was pushing the limits of their self-restraint, demanding retribution and thirsting for blood.

He attempted to use her enchanting scent and presence to soothe Aries, which worked marginally. However, the last thing he desired was to shift before her and add to her fear. Her sweet floral fragrance typically calmed both his human and wolf sides. Still, tonight, Aries was beyond reasoning, consumed by protective fury. Jackson had to accept that the only way to pacify his wolf was to release him into the forest. He felt like the greatest fool alive, possibly the worst mate in werewolf history. She had just opened her heart to him, making herself utterly vulnerable, and his response was to flee. The shame of it burned in his chest.

His sole desire was for her to understand that his departure was not a result of her revelations. Her past did not alter his feelings for her - if anything, it strengthened his resolve to protect and cherish her. As he ran, he realized with dismay that they had missed dinner. His mate needed nourishment, especially after such an emotionally draining conversation. He immediately reached out to his beta.

"Cole," he called out mentally, trying to suppress the lingering anger from his thoughts.

"Yes, Alpha," Cole responded immediately, his mental voice unwavering and dependable.

"Take Zoe a plate of food; she's in my room. Ensure there's plenty - she needs to maintain her strength."

"Of course, Alpha, are you alright?" Cole asked, his tone laced with worry.

"No, but I will be. Zoe shared some news that enraged Aries terribly. I need to run off this anger before I do something rash."

"Cole, please tell her I apologize and will return shortly. Ensure she knows I'm not avoiding her."

"Understood, Alpha, I'm heading there with food now. Don't worry, I'll look after her."

He severed the mind link and ran harder, pushing his body to its limits. Having Aries away from his mate for this duration had finally begun to calm him. The physical exertion and distance helped clear their mind, and he was gradually becoming more rational, willing to behave just to return to his beloved mate.

When he returned to the pack house, Jackson shifted before leaving the woods, his bones cracking and reforming as he returned to human form. He retrieved a pair of shorts stashed in a hollow tree - one of many emergency clothing spots scattered throughout the territory and pulled them on, not bothering with anything else in his haste to return to Zoe.

He walked directly through the kitchen, his bare feet silent on the cool tiles, and headed toward the elevator, focused solely on returning to his mate.

"Hi, Alpha," a familiar voice called behind him, halting his determined stride.

He turned to see Zoe's sister, Katelynn, walking from the dining room. She held the hand of an adorable little blonde girl who gazed at him with curious, fearless eyes. The sight made him envision future possibilities with Zoe, which he quickly pushed aside—one step at a time.

"Who is this?" he asked, smiling at the little girl.

The tiny spitfire placed her hands on her hips in a commanding and utterly charming pose, declaring, "I am Piper!" Her tone suggested he should absolutely know who she was, making him suppress a chuckle.

Her mother immediately scolded her about her manners, but Jackson couldn't help being amused by her spunk.

He chuckled warmly and said, "It's okay; she's cute. She reminds me of someone I know who is unafraid to speak her mind."

"Alpha," Katelynn's voice turned serious and protective. "My sister is a lovely girl. She has been hurt a lot, but she wants to be loved and wanted. Please do not hurt her. She's more fragile than she lets on."

Jackson's expression hardened with conviction as he replied, "I would rather die than ever hurt your sister. She means everything to me."

Katelynn's eyes widened with sudden understanding. "Are you her…?" she trailed off meaningfully.

His silence gave her the answer she sought; she started jumping up and down excitedly. Jackson explained that Zoe had just learned about it. He clarified that the bond was weak for Zoe and took her longer to feel it because she didn't fully control her Fey magic. Katelynn expressed her understanding and excitement for them both. She then told him to tell her sister to come talk to her, adding a playful wink before walking away.

He continued to the elevator, mentally noting to chat with her brothers tomorrow. He wanted—no, needed—to know who this boyfriend who had hurt his mate was. Aries growled in agreement, but Jackson pushed down the rising anger. That was tomorrow's problem.

He knocked on the door, feeling oddly nervous - it was weird to knock on his own door, but he hadn't told her that part yet. Another conversation for another time.

"Come in," her soft voice carried through the door, a hint of vulnerability lingering in her tone that made both his human side and Aries want to protect her forever.

He turned the knob and stepped inside, his heart faltering at the sight before him. He froze in place, breath caught in his throat. She sat curled on the couch watching television, wrapped in his robe, looking more at home than he could have imagined. He must have left it in the bathroom earlier. Aries rumbled with satisfaction through their bond, a primal pleasure coursing through them at seeing her wearing something of theirs.

"May I sit?" he asked quietly, careful not to disturb the tranquil atmosphere or startle her.

"Yes," she replied, her voice barely audible, uncertainty threading through her words.

He settled beside her, maintaining a respectful distance while still close enough to catch her intoxicating scent. "I am so sorry I left like that," he began, emotion thick in his voice. "I need you to understand that it had nothing to do with you or what you shared. Nothing you told me changes how I feel about you—if anything, it only increases my admiration for your strength." He gently tilted her chin up, his heart constricting at the sight of unshed tears in her mesmerizing emerald-green eyes. They sparkled like precious gems in the light.

"You are perfect, Zoe," he continued earnestly, infusing every word with sincerity. "What happened to you was not your fault, not in any way. It doesn't make you broken or damaged—it makes you a survivor. I will never push you to do anything you're not comfortable with. Whether it takes days, months, or years, I will wait until you're ready. You control the pace, always." He pulled her close within the robe's folds, savoring how perfectly she fit against him.

"I found it in the bathroom," she said shyly, gesturing to the robe, her fingers playing with the soft material. "I don't know who owns it, but I will wash it and return it."

He shook his head, a smile playing on his lips. "It belongs to me," he told her, watching her eyes widen at this revelation. "And you should keep it; it looks infinitely better on you than ever on me." This was undeniably true—seeing her in his clothing stirred something profound in his human and wolf nature that defied explanation.

Her cheeks bloomed with the most enchanting shade of pink he had ever seen, and he felt even more profound for this captivating woman who could transition from fierce to adorably shy in mere moments.

The television droned on in the background, its content lost on him as his entire focus remained fixed on the precious woman sleeping soundly against his chest. Her breathing was deep and even, a rhythmic melody that filled him with peace. Unwilling to disturb her serene slumber, he remained perfectly still, occupying himself by checking his emails and conversing with Gamma Max about the new warriors' training.

Zoe's brothers Tyler and Ryker, Chris and Danny from her group, joined his guard. He was particularly invested in their progress.

Max: What's up, lover boy 😏

Alpha: Enough, Max. Report on the training.

Max: Training is progressing well. Zoe's brother Tyler stands out remarkably. While all recruits show strength and capability, none can best Tyler—not even our seasoned guards.

His eyebrows lifted at this revelation, impressed. He underestimated Tyler, but this information suggested he would be an exceptional guard. It also explained Zoe's impressive combat abilities—clearly, fighting prowess ran in their bloodline.

Alpha: Keep me informed of their progress, Max.

Max: Shouldn't you be admiring your sleeping mate? 😴

Alpha: When you find your mate, Max, I will thoroughly enjoy returning this teasing. And yes, she's asleep on me, hence my stillness.

Max: I see how it is—you're just using me for entertainment. I'm wounded, Alpha, indeed injured.

Alpha: Goodnight, Max… 🙄

His gaze softened as he looked down at Zoe's sleeping form, marveling at how perfectly she fit against him and how right this felt. Who would have imagined that the formidable Alpha would willingly serve as a pillow, content to remain motionless for hours to ensure his mate's peaceful rest? Yet he wouldn't have it any other way.

With a quiet sigh, he set his phone aside, unwilling to engage with Max's playful taunts any longer. The teasing could wait until tomorrow. Right now, only the precious woman sleeping peacefully against him mattered. He carefully gathered his sleeping mate into his arms, cradling her close to his chest as he carried her to bed. Gently, he tucked her beneath the covers, his heart overflowing with tenderness.