They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.-William Wordsworth

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Korali's Pov.

His eyes narrowed at me from across the field. He didn't look too pleased with me but his friends' cheery disposition caused me to smile. One had a bright smile, willing you to be in a good mood and the other had a small smirk on his face. When he noticed where my eye contact went he let out a low growl causing every werewolf in the vicinity to stare at him and lower their heads—even Kaliko.

I looked around at everyone else and their lowered heads before doing the same not wanting to seem the odd one out. I heard another growl, which caused me to abruptly lift my head to meet his eyes. He was already sending a warning growl to anyone else in the field to get away and Kaliko had to follow his command even if she didn't want to.

Although he wasn't our Alpha you could tell by his aura that he was powerful. He gave off that vibe, and there was no mistaking his strength. The wind seemed to pick up carrying his scent of oranges to me in a huge gust that almost knocked me off my feet. The further away we were the more of a headache I had.

We stood there for a good three minutes his penetrable stare on me and because he was my mate my wolf was practically howling in delight, but if I were to see him give that look to anyone else I bet they'd want to get out of his presence quickly—yeah the look wasn't really a good one. It was more of a blank stare his green eyes seeming to rip off my skin. When he saw me his eyes softened for a second but it was so brief that even I barely caught it.

When he finally reached me I expected the regular mate stuff. Ya know, kiss, hug, and talk about their journeys meeting each other. But I got the opposite because that was always the hand I was dealt in the cards of life.

He grabbed my wrist roughly tugging me towards the forest and I merely followed along. We haven't spoken to each other once in this whole five minute journey into the forest either. When we finally reached a small clearing he stopped and let go of my hand like it was painful for him to even think about touching me.

He didn't speak he just stared at me with his forest eyes narrowed at me in a calculating manner. I didn't know what he was looking for so I decided to be the first to speak.

"I'm Korali," I whispered knowing that with our advanced hearing he heard me loud and clear. His eyes snapped back up to my face and he simply nodded at me. He sat on a nearby rock and concentrated on me again. I didn't know how to feel about this.

Was he not going to tell me his name?

I would've felt insecure under his heavy scrutiny if it weren't for the fact that mates were meant for each other and he should like me the way I am.

His lips were pulled into a straight line and although he didn't look unhappy, he didn't look chipper.

I focused on the surrounding forest instead of him; cursing myself for not fixing myself up today. But how was I to know I would meet my mate? Besides I was in pain.

When I looked back at him again I couldn't see any super noticeable signs of fatigue or pain. Why was I the only one affected? Or was this from something else. I was tempted to ask, but he intimidated me.

Our staring game was interrupted by a chuckling male voice breaking through the barrier of trees surrounding us.

"Aye, Jordan. We have a problem with a she-wolf name Kaliko fighting Cailo about a girl name Korali?" The boy was speaking was attractive in his own light-although my mate looked much better. He had light brown hair pulled into a faux-hawk and a joking smile on his face at all the times I've seen him. He seemed like the type to make you smile even if he was talking about poop. He was the one beaming back on the college campus.

My mate or at least his name was known for me now; Jordan. He seemed to see me listening to his friend attentively and grabbed my wrist pulling me closer but not close enough to touch him after he dropped my wrist.

The guy gave a small knowing smile and continued "Uh, yeah so what do you want me to do?"

"You handle her," Jordan ground out uncaringly, flipping his hair out of his face a little. I gasped running over and grasped the guy's hand pleading.

"Don't hurt her! She's only looking out for my well being!"

Jordan's hand wrapped around my center and effectively pulled me from the guy growling. "We're not going to kill her. I was just telling him to settle her down."

"I can go with him! She needs to see that I'm alright." I affirmed grabbing Jordan's hand and tugging him in the direction of our dorms. He barely budged and I'm sure he could have stayed still but he was humoring me.

"She has no idea who you are, does she?" The boy asked and I turned to Jordan who just shrugged. I gave him another look over. He looked like he would be an Alpha that much is for sure. He had the nice build for it and everything. His face was beautiful that of a Greek god and he had only slight stubble like he didn't really grow too much facial hair but he grew some.  His hair placed shaggily over his head looked like it was as soft as wind but thick and luscious and I just wanted to run my fingers through it.

As much as I tugged on his hand to go faster—which I was enjoying because of the warm tingles and shots of tiny sparks dancing up my skin from our contact, he would not move any faster and I knew he wouldn't let me out of his sights. After a couple of seconds of walking he literally pried my hand off of his. So I just skipped beside him picking up daffodils on the way back to the dorms.

"So what's your name?" I asked turning to the guy who delivered the news and seemed like the Beta.

Jordan sent a low growl but the guy ignored it and smiled at me. "I'm Max, the beta of the Blue Ash pack." He stuck his hand out to shake and when I reached for it, I was pulled back. I looked up at Jordan who's lip was curled up in a snarl.

Then I thought about something. The Blue Ash Pack. My eyes got wide and I abruptly let go of Jordan's hand although he didn't seem to mind. His passive eyes seemed to know what was about to happen.

"Alpha Gage?" I whispered and he let out a breath. I took that moment to start running as fast as I could back to the dorms. I knew he wasn't chasing me and I also knew that he would eventually get me.

***

"Kaliko?" I called frantically through the dorm room. When she popped out of my room I was pleasantly surprised. But when I saw the tears I stopped in my tracks. "Kaliko, what's wrong?"

"You're growing up!" I should've known the drama queen would bring out the waterworks and cry about something that should be magical but isn't.

"Listen Ko, he's the Alpha of The Blue Ash pack. A warrior fighting pack, he hasn't spoken to me directly since I met him, and he growls at me anytime I talk to anyone else. Now, I don't know what he has in mind, but please don't let him take me." I was lying but serious at the same time. He was my mate rather I wanted him to be or not. I couldn't be away from him unless he rejected me or something.

"Kore, perhaps he's not all the rumors we hear about him. You ever think about that? He's your mate. You don't feel any incentive to try at least? You don't already feel connected to him? He's not the dictator Kore, his dad was. Just because he's mean, doesn't mean he'll be that way to you."

She was right I was giving up on something that was borderline impossible. Even if I ran now, I'd be in his arms by the end of the night. Or not necessarily his arms because he didn't seem to like to be touched. Or at least not by me?

"Besides, he already contacted me and told me to pack your things. So, I might not see you for a while." The waterworks started again and they made me cry too.

When he finally showed up—I'm sure he spent the amount of time he was away talking to my Alpha. But no one was going to say no to him, that much was obvious.

"Come on," he murmured but everyone in the room heard him loud and clear. He spoke as if we were supposed to listen and do whatever he said without command.

"Don't you think we should take this slower? You know get to know each other, date, before any of this?"

He just looked at me like he was irritated—which seemed like it's been that way for a while. He stared at me piercingly but when I saw his eyes glaze over I knew he was talking in his mind link.

Jordan let out a breath, "Tomorrow. When does your class end?" His deep voice resonated through the room even though he spoke lowly. In the rumors I heard about him—he didn't speak very often at all.

"At 3," I muttered looking at his shoes and not in his eyes. When I heard the door open and his feet move I assumed he left but he actually moved closer to me and lifted my head up, the sparks shooting from his fingers on my chin to my body. He didn't do anything other than look me in the eye. His eyes switched from green to one eye being blue and the other brown. I stepped back startled at the sudden change and it caused his eyes to go back to their original color.

He let go of me and walked out the room. "Bye Korali!" Max waved shooting Kaliko and I a smile before closing the door behind him.

After a couple of hours of Kaliko trying to cheer me up I was left in my room with my thoughts.

Jordan Gage was my mate. All I've heard were rumors about him and stories, but those all hold some sort of truth if not all.

They say that he took the pack over by killing his Dad—who was a dictator and made that pack known for its prisoners, even innocent ones, never coming out alive. He was ruthless in his security and showed no remorse at the Alpha meetings.

They say that Jordan was much like his father and held no emotion except where his father taunted people, he didn't speak at all. I've heard that he was evil and killed thousands of people and werewolves alike and that he was hung by his legs as kid to be taught self-reliance.

It's unknown if his mom is still alive but rumor has it was that she ran away and abandoned her duties as Luna because she couldn't take the evilness.

Could I?

Jordan seemed to want me at least a little, I mean he did tell me he was picking me up tomorrow and he did stare at me for 10 minutes. I would assume that was a good sign.

I didn't sleep that night. I was overrun with thoughts of my mate and why he wasn't in bed with me. I tossed and turned my wolf antsy wanting to be released so that she could run to him. We didn't even know where he was, so that was illogical.

My alarm finally went off and I got up and threw on a sweater, jeans, and a pair of combat boots because it was easy and I was lazy. After washing my face and brushing my teeth—I didn't even bother looking at my face while doing it either. I walked out to the kitchen hoping that Kaliko made me breakfast seeing as it is my last day here and all.

I was pleasantly surprised to see she has made a whole buffet and had it sitting on the kitchen island. I steadily walked over my boots making a clomping sound as I sat at the island.

When Kaliko finally looked up she gasped, "Korali are you okay?" She rushed over her dark brown hair swaying.

"What are you talking about? I mean I might have bags under my eyes but I didn't sleep?" My eyes hurt so I closed them rested my head against my arm.

"No, Korali your eyes are literally your wolf's color."

"Well I don't feel my wolf trying to come out so I don't know what going on."

"Well, maybe when she sees your mate you'll be fine."

"That won't be happening till the end of the day so," I laughed glad that I won't be seeing my brooding mate for a good while. I looked at him as if I wanted to have sex with him right on the grass in front of everyone; he looked at me as if I was something he had to deal with unwillingly.

"Oh, I invited him, Cailo, and Max up for breakfast!"

"You did what?" I hurried out of my chair grabbing a plate and filling it up with everything I could.

"What are you doing?"

"I have to leave before he gets here. I'll see you after class." I quickly made my way out the door sending her a salute.

I sat at my English class early eating my breakfast not worrying about if my mate showed up to my dorm or not because with how he acted yesterday. I doubted it.

I snorted to myself and continued to eat my breakfast; Kaliko sure could cook. Students started to pour in the room as it came to be closer to class time and that's when the whispers started. I don't know why they didn't think I couldn't hear them seeing that we have advanced ears.

"Did you hear? I heard that because he's like his father that his eyes didn't even soften when he found out that she was his mate."

"I heard that she was the first mate ever to be abused by her mate when he found her."

"I heard that he made her have sex with him in the woods right then and there."

"I would love to be with him."

"Me too! I could deal with the evil just to be with someone so hot."

"You think because he can physically hurt her that he can cheat?'Cause I'd gladly be—"

"ENOUGH!" I turned to the group of she-wolves who were gossiping about me and my ma—Jordan. "He doesn't abuse me, his eyes did soften, I didn't sleep with him, and if I did it'd be none of your business. Oh and if he could cheat I doubt he'd cheat down."

I picked up my things and left the class it was pointless, I knew the information. I didn't even want to be there anymore, even if I was escaping from my problems.

When I walked out the door Jordan was there. I jumped surprised I didn't sense him sooner; his aura wasn't exactly easy to miss.

"Oh, Jordan! I didn't see you there." I muttered walking past him towards the common area. He didn't speak but he did follow me to the concrete rounding students used as seats.

"You know that there are already rumors about us?" I laughed looking up at him trying not feel awkward by his stare. "Did you enjoy Kaliko's breakfast? She's a really great cook." I continued but he never let up. He just stared at me.

"You're upset." He didn't ask it, it was a statement. His thick eyebrows were bent in a serious stare, his crisp white shirt painted over his broad shoulders.

"No I'm fine. I'm over it."

"I've learned that you can't stop words about you. It's better to ignore."

"But they're saying you're evil, will cheat on me, and will abuse me." And sadly I was afraid they were right.

"I will never lay a hand on you or be with another woman." Were the only words he spoke while we spent our 20 minute here. He never said anything about the evil part. But I was too afraid to ask.

Mostly a lot of staring or me speaking because he wasn't. I didn't' talk about anything important. I thought we should save the talk about each other when we reach his pack. So I spoke about the people at my school. I didn't bother him with my major or anything because most people thought it to be boring.

About time class was about to end I was tired of speaking so I just brought out my history book and started to study. My hair was already pulled up so at the point I was sitting cross-legged on the cement platform with a blue highlighter in my mouth.

"Let's go. Your next class is in another couple of hours."

How did he know that?

"Uh, yeah. Sure." I mumbled fumbling with my book to put it back in my bag but completely failing and having it fall to the ground.

Jordan and both reached for it only to have our hands brush causing me to lift my hand back quickly. He picked up the book and looked up at me; his wolf surfacing. I could tell because he had Heterochromia iridium—well his wolf did. It was when one eye color was different from the other.

I smiled bashfully and his lips tilt a little and when our eyes locked I couldn't feel the gentle wind around me or the people that were now starting to file from different buildings.

"Korali," Nicole chirped with a smile on her face. I had no reason to dislike her; she was just a gossiper that's all. I didn't reply but merely looked up at her after my mate tensed and stood at my side, my book in his hand. Bear in mind he towered me because he was tall, but also because I was still seated on the concrete slab.

"Mr. Blair wanted me to let you know that the there's a paper due next Wednesday night and that he's not accepting any lateness." I nodded and was about to thank her till she turned and tried to make her glance at Jordan look like it was coincidental. But I knew she just wanted the latest news. "Oh I didn't know we were in the presence of an Alpha, sorry." She did a slight curtsy and looked at me expectantly.

"Nicole this is my mate Jordan, Jordan this is an acquaintance Nicole." I'm glad didn't see my struggle on the mate word. I wasn't even sure Jordan was okay with me saying it. We never really discussed how this would work or anything really. My eyes darted towards his but his face stayed pretty much stoic, so there was nothing to read after I said it.

He just nodded his head at her not bothering to shake her hand or anything. I doubt he would have even acknowledged her presence if it weren't for me introducing them.

"I try to get her to hang but she's always in the books," she laughed nervously before waving a quick goodbye and scurrying off; probably to go gossip no less.

When we arrived back to my dorm room I already felt much better than I had for the past couple of days.

On our couch eating our food, was Max and Cailo and Kaliko was nowhere to be found so I assume she went to class. I placed my keys on the counter mumbling to Jordan to make himself at home. I went to the bathroom to use it and then headed to my room to take a short nap only to find Jordan in my bed, with his eyes closed.

Almost instantly sensing my presence his eyes opened and looked at me. I thought this was a perfect opportunity to at least touch or cuddle but he didn't see it that way. Again with the no touching thing, which was odd because wolves—especially males love to assert their dominance or in this case apply their scent to their mate if they weren't going to mate right away. I assumed he would want his smell on me and the easiest way to transfer that—without going all prehistoric primal pee on it way—was to cuddle or rub against.

"Well then move over, I need a nap before the next class." But he got up completely and sat towards the end of my bed. I sighed and climbed in anyway. He wasn't going to stop my daily nap and besides the beds weren't very big anyways, I guess.

I waited for him to leave but he didn't.

"You sleep; I'll wake you when it's time for your class."

I tossed and turned trying to get a good sleeping position then I picked the perfect one with one leg hiked up and the other straight lying across my mate my body slightly twisted. It was only comfortable because I was touching him and he was actually letting me.

I fell asleep thinking about the fact that he's only said like 7 short sentences to me since I've met him.

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