CAROLINE POV

I woke up first.

I gaze at him as he slept, lightly snoring with his arms around me. A smile creeping on my lips at the thought of yesterday. It was truly wonderful.
I lightly kissed his jawline and he shudders while sleeping. I like what my touch does and he always has the same impact on me too.

Slowly, unwrapping his arms from around me, I got up and decided to make breakfast for us.

As I cooked the eggs, the doorbell rang. It was still early.
I went to open the door and saw Claude through the glass. He said bluntly"The Alpha King has requested to see you alone and he has strictly ordered to meet you right away. I'll be waiting for you in the woods"
Before I could say anything, he just left.

I went back to the kitchen and made breakfast for Jaxon, setting the plate and warming the fresh pot of coffee in the coffee maker, leaving the plate on the island and the coffee mug too.
I changed into a pair of jeans and a sweater because it was cold outside.

Before I walked out, I lightly kissed his cheek and left.

X

I walked for a good five minutes from the cabin to the woods and saw Claude waiting for me with three warriors behind him.

A lot of guards for little old me, that's suspicious.

I asked, "Why does he wanna see me?" Claude replied, "The King did not say."

Being the older brother, Claude never called Kane by his real name. Mostly called him Alpha King, King, Alpha, my liege. Which was weird for some reason. He didn't even let the name of his little brother roll out of his tongue at all.

I walked beside Claude and I catch him watching me every time, and he doesn't even try to hide that fact and I was not gonna back down either. I think it was the fact that I was walking side by side with him. Jaxon did tell me that Alphas and Betas, hold the power in their hands. And being a male werewolf, they hated women beside them.

I asked"So... Claude... Are you Kane's brother?"

Dumb question, I know. But I wanted to get in his head somehow.
He held his hands behind his back and said without looking at me"Yes, I'm the King's brother."

See, again King.

I again asked, "So are you a beta first or a brother?" He looked at me in confusion but then answered"I'm the beta first." Rank is superior to family.

I didn't mean to even ask him another question when he instantly stood in front of me, stopping me in my tracks. I looked up at him, in his eyes as he looks down at me. We were standing close but I know that he did that on purpose to try and intimidate me. He warned "You can't use your psycho mind tricks on me, Dr. Quinn. You practiced them on humans... not wolves." I asked a simple "Well, aren't you part human, Beta Claude? Underneath that human skin, you have a heart same as mine as well as a brain. What makes us different?" He replies "Easy. You don't contain the spirit of a wolf."

"No, but I do contain the spirit of humanity."

He doesn't reply this time. He just turns around on his heel and walks away.

X

We walked for 10 minutes straight in awkward silence. Well, his vibe was more like angry silence.

When we reached the territory, every child, every man, and woman stopped what they were doing and stared at us. I was new and a human, I understood why they did that but that doesn't mean it was getting easier every day. It wasn't.

Right in the middle of the territory, stood this white mansion. And by the royalty of its construction, I knew this is where the hierarchy starts.
We walked inside the mansion and there was this long narrow royalty-red corridor with pictures that looked more like paintings.

I think it was a symbol of the ten generations of the Moon Men. Beneath their painting named on a gold plate and beneath that gold plate was a silver plate with the written names of their Betas. It did disappoint me with the lack of the name of their mates. Patriarchy at its finest.
I saw the painting of Kane, his eyes silver as he posed with pride on his nose. And then there was a free space that had only the name Jaxon Moon but no painting. And under that plate said in silver William Moon.

Claude leads me into this shiny golden elevator and waits till I get in. He presses the 7th-floor button and I ask "You're not coming?" He just ignores my question and steps back as the doors slide close.

Okay, Caroline. Focus. You can't be intimated by them. You can't show them that you're a pathetic human like Kane thinks.

When the door finally slides open, I got out and there was a sign that said 'Alpha King Office ' and there was an arrow directing it to my right.

I took a right turn and ran into these giant dark black doors that had pure golden round knobs on them. I touched the knob and a wolf was howling on it. And before I could even knock, I heard"Come in, Caroline." Which startled me a little.

I went inside to what looked like his office and it was huge. A combination of cream, brown, and gold was the theme and I find myself liking it.

In the middle of this gigantic office, there he sat in his chair. Kane Moon, the king, and Alpha of all the packs in Maple Town. I could tell by his body language that he was confident in everything he does. No smile or a little grin on his lips. The similarity between Jax and him was uncanny. The same brown eyes, the same features of their face as well. If Jaxon was older, I know this is what he would've looked like but the only difference between the father and the son is the lack of love in his eyes. The love I swear on my life I see in Jaxon's eyes, I can't see in his. No vulnerability either.

I just stood straight as he says without looking up "You can sit." I sat in the cold black leather chair, one leg over the other because I knew he meant business. I waited for him as he signs over some papers but deep down I know it was a ruse. I knew all too well the satisfaction he wanted of making me crumble by his gaze. He'd destroy me in a heartbeat but it was clear that he was holding back because of his son. Any blind person could notice that.

I gave him a simple nod"Alpha King." He looks up from his files and closes them without moving his gaze from mine. He was waiting patiently for me to back down or crawl into a corner somewhere. He gives me the same nod" Dr. Quinn."

I ask directly "Can I please know why I'm here?"

"I have a proposal for you."

He slides a brick red leather file towards me and leans back in his seat, waiting for me to open it. I grab the file and did as he wanted me to. I was a little taken back at what it was but it didn't let him know at all. I tried my best. It was my whole life achievement. From the day I was born, my adoptive mother, my high school, my high school records, college degree, diplomas, Ph.D. degree, my old New York home location, my Maple Town location, even my freaking car plate number as well as the model number.

Was I angry? Yes, I was. But I stayed cool and waited for him to speak. He got up from his seat and said"This... is your whole life, in this very thin little red file. Every littlest record of yours."

"I see that. But why?"

"To make you a deal, Dr. Quinn."

"What kind?"

"You reject my son."

Reject his son? Never, but I was still curious "In return for?"

"I'll give you everything you want. Everything you need till your human life ends. But only under the condition that you keep away from him forever."

"And why would I do that?"

He walks back to his desk and grabs a white little envelope from his draw, sliding it down the table to me "Because I can tell you who your real parents are." I stay still, not making a sound or moving at all because there were parts in this conversation that I was enjoying. He says "Reject Jaxon, for this envelope and everything else you want."

Now, I was ready to play fire with fire.

I leaned back in my chair comfortably which almost got a growl out from his lips. I said"2002" He furrowed his brows "Excuse me?" My smile grew wider "2002 is when Darla Campbell died due to the last stage of colon cancer. Which she was fighting with for almost 6 years. And Andrew Campbell, her husband, killed himself in 2006 due to severe depression because of his wife's death. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell... also known as my birth parents. They had a baby in 1992, a girl named Kayla Campbell. Gave her up for adoption in 1994 due to extreme financial problems. Me, now legally known as Dr. Caroline Kayla Quinn."

I loved the way he stayed quiet because he never thought his plan would backfire.

When I saw that Kane wasn't speaking for a whole 3 seconds, I got up and walked, wishing him with a taunt "Have a good day, Alpha King. Hope this is all you wanted to bribe me with."

But before I could hold the doorknob, he spoke"You don't love him." I stopped and put my hand down, slowly turning around. He straightened his back and pushed his hands down in his grey slacks pockets and said"I know you don't love him, Dr. Quinn."

"And why would you think that?"

"Because you don't bear his mark."

I smiled "That doesn't prove anything."

He smiled wider because he was cooking up something in his mind "Oh, yes it does. You know, Caroline, When a wolf finds its mate, they mate in just 2 weeks. But only after when the female wolf feels the heat, then she's ready to be marked. But you.... how long has it been? 3 months? And yet, you don't bear the mark at all. And I also don't think that you've gone through the heat yet."

I hated the way he stood there all confidently, and I hated the fact I couldn't say anything because he wasn't wrong.

He walks slowly closer, ready to stab me with his words "You're not his real mate, because if you were, you would've submitted yourself, bowed your head down to him instead of making him submit to you. You want control over him and his wolf. And if that's what you call true love, then we wolves don't know the meaning of a true mate at all." I said, "But I'm not a wolf."

"That, you're not. But can you be certain that the feelings you feel towards him aren't just because of the magical bond? What if it is only because of the bond and without that bond, you feel nothing for him. And even if you do, you need to stop being selfish and think of him. A wolf cannot be without his pack. He needs his family. Are you ready for him to live alone for all his life without a family? Die without a family."

"Yeah, a family who made him go just because he saved 50 children in a war."

He admitted "That was my mistake and it is something that can be long forgotten. But what about you? Even if you get married, do you think you can give him a pup? What if it's human? What if he doesn't want a human kid, what would you do then? We don't have mates so we can leave them when things get hard like you humans. We have mates so we can be together even in the afterlife." I couldn't say anything because I didn't have anything left to say. He said"For a human like you, Caroline... it is best if you reject him and go back to where you came from. I'm not against happiness but I'm certainly against heartbreak. You'd move on maybe in a year or two. But the cracks you leave in his heart will be the remainder of this constant pain that he loved too easily. And slowly, that pain will steal Tanner away from him until he's nothing but a body without a soul. Do you want that for him?"

I stared at him for a long minute, lost in my fear until he said "Think about it, Dr. Quinn. My son is a fool in love but I know you're the smart one. Good day." And he just walks past me and out of his office leaving me behind with a heart beating so fast to the point even I could hear it.

X

I walked out of the Mansion all alone and let my legs do the walking while I thought about what he said.

I don't blame him for anything. He's right. He may sound harsh but he did hold up the mirror in front of me that I was too afraid to look at. There was a time when I wanted to be left alone but since Jaxon came into my life, I don't want to. I don't. I'm afraid of loneliness, afraid of the dark now. But is it fair to him if I pull him in this fear with me? It's not. It's not fair to him or Tanner. Jaxon once told me that the Moon Goddess doesn't only make mates for the human part but the wolf part as well. I don't have a wolf and Tanner is all alone. And I won't deny being attached to both of them. They're so special in their unique way.

I didn't have the heart to go to the cabin so I sat near the tree as the sunsets. My phone ringing constantly but I don't pay any mind to it because I knew who it was. Tears fell down my cheeks because I was ignoring his calls.

What if Kane is right? What if I feel what I feel is because of the bond? What if it's just the bond? I'm selfish, aren't I?

I take out my phone from my pocket as I see twelve miss calls from him, only five minutes apart. I knew he even tried to mind link me but I block him with how he taught me to.

Maybe this is better. Maybe this is a mistake. Maybe I'm the mistake. Yes, I am. Our feelings aren't real. It's just the magical bond forcing him to love me, that's all. There's nothing real about it. And I had to tell him that. Better to rip off the bandage than slowly pull it where it hurts the most.

I had made this stupid pattern in my mind. A memorized pattern that consists of me getting inside the cabin, saying goodbye, and then leaving.

I finally got up from the ground as it was getting dark out and made my way to the cabin with a brain that couldn't stop overthinking.

I don't think I was in my senses as I walked in the woods and heard my name from far "Caroline!" I know that voice. I looked up in confusion and I see him bare chest with a pair of shorts on. His face was muddy as well as his sweaty chest. His eyes glowed neon red as his chest heaves up and down harshly.

The next thing I know, my face was held between his hands as he softly plants his lips on mine. Kissing me softly.

No, no, no, this was not the pattern.

He pulls back and scolds me "Where the hell were you, Caroline? I wake up and you're gone. I try to call you, but you're not picking up your damn phone. I try mind linking but I'm blocked. Do you even know for how long you've been gone? I searched for you everywhere. I went to ask Will, Patty, and even Clara and they didn't know where you were." I looked at him blankly like I was still confused at what just happened. He curves his finger under my chin and lifts my head at him and asks softly "What's wrong?" I lie "I- I don't feel good."

Wasn't a lie when I think about it.

He puts his palm against my forehead and says "You're burning up a little. Let's get you to the cabin." He wraps his arm around my waist and makes me lean my weight against his side as he helps me to the cabin like I'm sick.

I am of myself

X

We finally get to the cabin and walk inside.

He makes sure that I'm gently placed on the couch as he runs to the kitchen and comes back with a glass of water.

He kneels on the floor in front of me passing me the glass as I drink from it. His hands were on my thighs, rubbing soothing circles to comfort me. It made me guilty for some reason.

I finished the last sip and he takes the glass and keeps it on the table behind him and looks up at me with worry in his brown eyes. An affection that I didn't deserve for some reason. He asks "Where were you? I was really worried." He tried to hold my face but I back away from his touch and say "We need to talk."

His hands rubbing on my thighs didn't let me concentrate at all and it certainly didn't help when he asks with concern in his voice "What's wrong, baby?" My head hung low because my tongue was paralyzed. I couldn't do this. I was selfish. If I said goodbye right now, I won't come back no matter how much it kills me. I won't. He rests his forehead against mine and lifts his head, lifting mine with him as well. Then he rests his forehead against my temple, slowly rubbing his nose against my cheek and lowering down to my neck, trying to comfort me. I clench my eyes and my lips, my breathing harsh.

I can't get comfortable. I can't let him make me comfortable.

I suddenly put my hands on his that was rubbing my thighs, stopping him. He pulls back and looks at me as I blurt it out "What if it's just the bond? What if it's not real?" His brows furrowed as he asks "What are you saying? What's not real?" I pointed between us "This... us... everything."

"Us? You think we're not real?"

He didn't look hurt, it looked like he was trying to understand what I was saying because I knew I was making no literal sense. I took off the ring he gave me and held it up to him "What if this isn't real? This ring, your love for me. What if it's all this magical bond? And when you lift that magic, there isn't anything left. Nothing but two empty strangers." I look down at his hands still on my thigh as tears fall down my cheek but I don't make a sound at all.

I hear him say with strictness in his tone "Look at me." I ignore him because I didn't have the strength to lift my head when he's in front of me. Kane was right, he wasn't supposed to submit to me. He says with that same tone again "Lift your head and look at me, Caroline." I sniff and look up at him and saw his eyes glow red and anger written all over his face "You think we're not real? Do you think my love for you isn't real? Caroline, Tanner, and I love you so much. How can you say that we're not real?" He grabs my hand and places my palm against his chest, against his heart "Feel that? That's you." He puts his warm palm against my heart "And that's Tanner and me. This is as real as it gets, Caroline. I love you so much." My voice cracked but I do not break down "How can you love me, Jax?" I gulp, making sure not to break down. "How can you love someone that doesn't give you want you to want?"

"And what is that?"

I stayed quiet because I didn't have it in me to say it out loud. But as soon as he got up with anger in his eyes, I knew he had read my mind as his voice raises "You think none of this is real because we haven't mated yet?" I get up as he paces back and forth with clenched fists, trying to calm himself down. I say "But it's true, Jaxon. Even you admit it!" He grabs me by my shoulders and says "Yes, I admit that I've been dying to touch you for a very long time but that doesn't mean that I will mark and mate you without your consent. I'm not those other wolves that will take their mate when they want to or mark them when they think the time is right." He takes a deep breath, calming himself down, his eyes turning brown again. He wipes my tears and held my face between his hands "I respect your choices, Care because I love you. I wanna take you when you want me to. I wanna mark you when you ask me to. I wanna marry you when you tell me that you're ready to change your last name. I don't care how long it takes, even if it's 10 or 100 or never, I don't care because I'd still wanna be with you even in the afterlife. But..." he places my hair strand behind my ear "But don't you dare think for one second that this, between us, isn't real." I still said, "Are you sure?"

"Don't you think it is? Don't you feel anything for me? I'm not asking for a lot of love. Just a little bit in return from all of mine." He smiles as he leans closer to me "I'm all yours, Caroline Quinn. Till the end of the world." And gently places his lips on mine. Kissing me softly yet tenderly. I let out a breath and whisper against his lips "Take me." He pulls back in confusion "What?" I again whisper "Mark me." His smile grew wider, he grabs the nape of my neck and places his forehead against my temple "I would take you and mark you when you want or need me to. Not because you have to." I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him into a harsh kiss until we're both left breathless. He whispers trying to catch his breath "Have mercy, Caroline." Making me smile at him.

•••••