Chapter 2

I woke up to the sun seeping in through the window. I didn’t want to get up. Despite sleeping all night, my body was still exhausted. I blamed it on the worry of being away from home.

I finally got up and walked to the sliding door that led to a balcony. The view, which showed the back of the hotel, was the beautiful forest that covered most of the area.

I thought about what my parents would be doing just then. I had brought shame to my family and to my pack. I had no idea whether Alpha Nicolas already knew that I ran away. I was worried about the repercussions my family would have to face, but I was convincing myself that this was the right decision.

After asking Marie for directions to the best place to have breakfast in, she led me to the diner I had seen after arriving in town. She offered to make me breakfast, which was complimentary of the hotel, but I wanted some fresh air.

I was sitting alone in one of the booths towards the back. It was around ten in the morning, but things seemed to be running slow in town.

“Mind if I take a seat with you?” A brown haired guy asked me, as he took a seat in my booth.

“Go ahead,” I said, more to myself than him.

He was already sitting down. It didn’t take much to figure out he was a Werewolf, and a strong one at that.

When the girl came to take his order, he asked for some coffee and pancakes.

I noticed she gave him a lasting look. I understood why. He was attractive- with hazel eyes, a nice tan, and strong build.

The girl left soon after and didn’t take long to return with his meal. During that time, the guy stared at me but he didn’t break the silence. I didn’t say anything either. I only acknowledged his stare, but I kept reading my book.

“You do know that you’re trespassing, right?” He asked me, after taking a bite from his pancakes.

“I wasn’t aware that there was a pack here. I’m just passing through,” I responded while looking directly at him.

“I’m Jace, Beta of Midnight Moon Pack,” the guy said, out-stretching his hand for me to shake.

“Leila,” I answered, shaking his hand.

“You know, you give off an air of power. Yet you’re running around another packs territory, alone,” Jace said to me, with a questioning look.

“Like I said, I’m passing through. I’m not going to disturb the pack and I’ll make sure to keep out of the woods,” I dryly replied.

“It doesn’t make you less of a threat.”

He cocked an eyebrow and gave me a look I had seen my own dad give to Rogues who he thought would be trouble.

“So what would assure you that your pack is safe with my presence?” I asked him.

“Most of the Rogues who cross our territory don’t leave alive,” he said, with a threatening tone.

He was trying to intimidate me, but it wasn’t working. He was a powerful Wolf in his pack, but I could tell he wasn’t the Alpha. His tone had no effect on me whatsoever. The fact that I was no longer part of a pack didn’t help the intimidation he was aiming for.

“Are you implying I should watch myself from your pack?”

“It depends on your intentions. When do you plan to leave?” Jace continued eating calmly, like if we weren’t discussing my possible elimination.

“I’ll be gone by the end of the week,” I told him with a steady voice.

He was a few years older than me. I was sure of that.

“That’s plenty of time for an attack, which only leaves one option.”

“What option?” My appetite was long gone and I only continued to drink my soda.

I ran away from a controlling pack to be at the mercy of another one. Rogues had been treated roughly in my pack and it didn’t seem to be any different in others.

“You need to plea the Alpha for permission to stay the week,” Jace responded, with a smirk on his face.

“I’ll be gone by tomorrow,” I quickly added.

I didn’t want to confront any Alphas. Most of them knew each other. I didn’t know whether the Alpha of Midnight Moon knew Alpha Nicolas or the Alpha Jackson- my former Alpha.

“Why are you so nervous all of a sudden? Committed a crime you’re trying to hide?”

Jace looked amused and curious. I wasn’t sure what was best. Confide in him and ask that he kept my presence a secret or run before he had a chance to take me to his Alpha.

“I’m not nervous, I just don’t respond well to authority,” I replied, breathing a sigh of relief.

Jace raised an eye brow and smirked once again.

“What is it with Rogues hating rules? I will never understand that,” Jace said, shaking his head.

“It’s the reason you all don’t last out in the open. There is no pack to back you up.”

I didn’t say anything to his thoughts about Rogues. I had never experienced Rogue life before, but what I had seen- it was difficult.

“Sometimes it’s easier to just count on yourself,” I replied, after silence had fallen between us.

“You look young, are you even eighteen yet?” Jace questioned.

“I’m eighteen. You?” I asked him, now curious about the Wolf in front of me.

“I am freshly turned twenty-one,” Jace said, looking proud of himself.

“So, what’s the verdict? Can I stay for today without your Alpha finding out? I’ll make sure to leave early tomorrow morning?” I asked him, trying to sound flirty.

He was being overly friendly with me, so it was likely he was mate-less.

“If a Wolf from a pack can supervise you all day, then I can let your presence slip,” he said, leaning closer to me and rubbing his thumb on my hand.

“And who would the Wolf be?” He grinned and I considered leaving right after I was out of the diner.

Jace was a good looking guy, that wasn’t the problem. I just feared his intentions or what he thought might happen between us.

After paying, Jace walked me to his gray sleek car. It was parked right in front of the diner.

“Where are we off too?” I asked him as he drove off.

I didn’t know the town very well, but I needed to know where I was. I didn’t want to make myself vulnerable to Jace or anyone else.

“There’s about forty miles of free land for running between our pack and the one next to us. No Wolf hangs out in the outskirts of the land so it gives us more space,” Jace replied.

I was amazed by the beauty of the woods where Jace took me. I shifted into my white Wolf behind a tree, while Jace shifted some trees away.

I was a pure white Wolf, my four paws tainted with black. It was a trait that ran in our family and my father was proud of it.

With his teeth, Jace was carrying the clothes he’d been wearing. He was a light brown Wolf, similar to the color of his hair. It didn’t go unnoticed by me that his Wolf was significantly bigger than mine. He looked strong.

I followed Jace as he led me to a lake. I knew I shouldn’t have trusted him so easily. After all, he had my life in his hands. Against my better judgment, I followed him to the so called beautiful clearing he kept bringing up.

In no time, we made it to our desired location. Jace went behind a big tree and changed. I went the opposite direction and put my clothes back on.

“It’s just a few more trees ahead,” Jace said when we were both together.

I was frozen in place once I saw it. The huge lake stood next to where the trees cleared out. It was breathtaking. Jace seemed satisfied with my expression and led me closer to the lake.

We sat down side by side near the shallow waters of the lake.

I took off my sandals and folded the bottom part of my jeans, so that I could dip my feet in the water.

“You are a very beautiful girl, you know that?” Jace told me, as he caressed my cheek and moved a few strands of hair that had fallen over my face.

“Thank you,” I replied, feeling a light blush falling over my face.

“I hardly see any Rogues who are girls, much less have them traveling alone.”

I wasn’t looking at him. So far, he hadn’t tried anything, but my best shot of taking him on was running. Yes, it had been a very bad idea to be with him alone.

“Yeah?”

“Dylan, the Alpha, is not a very forgiving or generous person. But he’s my best friend. I’m sure if you ask permission to be part of the pack and with my influence, you could stay here permanently.”

I turned to look at Jace. He was being serious.

“What would the price for that be?” I asked, knowing I wouldn’t like his answer.

“I really like you. We could give us a try and see if it works out,” Jace replied, shrugging.

“Thank you, but I’m not interested.” I smiled and tried to look friendly.

I didn’t want to rile him up or get him angry. 

“You might become interested later. Maybe you could stay a few more days and give the town a chance.”

I searched his face trying to find answers to my questions. He was being nice about it and giving me an option.

“I’m not looking for a relationship at the moment. Besides, didn’t you say your Alpha had to approve if I stayed longer?”

“All we have to do is ask for permission to let you stay. I know he’ll say yes,” Jace told me.

“That’s a rule breaker for me. I don’t want to meet your Alpha.”

I put my hands on the ground behind me and rested my weight on them- trying to absorb the sun that fell over the lake.

“We could hold it off until you’re ready then. As long as you keep out of the forest and out of sight from the pack, we should be safe.”

I looked at Jace, trying to think of the possibility of staying.

I was three states away from home but it didn’t feel far enough. I felt like at any moment they could come after me and take me back. I had considered the pack wanting my death for treason. I ran away like a coward. I was sure that made no one happy.

“I’ll stay- for now,” I said while Jace grinned and nodded.

When Jace noticed that I got hungry, he left to get us food. He was back thirty minutes later with a brown bag and some drinks.

About two hours later, I was tempted to go for a swim. It was warm out and the water looked really enticing. The fact that I didn’t have extra clothes or a bathing suit was stopping me from taking a dip in the water.

After a lot of convincing from Jace, I got in with my bra and panties. When that still felt too exposed, Jace let me burrow his shirt to throw over. He didn’t mind scampering around in his boxers.

I didn’t want to trust Jace at first but after spending the day with him, it was hard to resist his charm.

I learned that Jace had been the Beta of Midnight Moon Pack for four years now. His best friend was the Alpha, he enjoyed pack life, and he lived on his own. His family was part of the pack but he wanted to enjoy the “bachelor life”.

Jace tried to ask me questions. Every time he did, I placed the attention on something else. Either he let it go, or my distractions had been really good.

We stayed at the lake until late in the afternoon. The sun was setting and a chilly air was settling around us.

“We should probably run back already,” Jace said, looking at me worriedly. Shivers were running through my body and they hadn’t gone unnoticed by him.

I nodded my head and went to remove my clothes behind a tree.

It wasn’t long before we made it back to the car. I told Jace where I was staying and he drove me to the hotel, claiming he was good friends with Marie.

“Long time, no see Marie,” Jace excitedly told the lady behind the desk.

“I know, Jace. You need to make time to visit us more often,” Marie replied, walking from behind the counter and embracing Jace in a hug.

“Sure will, now take care of my friend here. She’s new in town and hopefully, she’ll stay with us for a while.” Jace wrapped his arm around my shoulder and smiled down at me.

Marie looked surprised, but brightly offered us a grin.

“I see you got to meet Leila,” Marie said to Jace.

“Sure did,” Jace replied, without taking his gaze off me.

“I’ll see you tomorrow Marie. Thank you for everything,” I told the lady.

“Sure thing hun! Just call me if you need anything,” Marie said and then I was off to my room, with Jace still by my side.

“Will you be okay on your own?” Jace asked me after we reached my room. I was hesitant to let him in, fearing he would assume it was an invitation for a sleepover.

“I was alone last night. Tonight shouldn’t be any different.”

“Do you have a pen?”

I wasn’t carrying my purse so I was forced to go inside my room to get one.

After searching through my bag, I found a black pen and quickly handed it to him. Jace wasted no time in scribbling down his number on a pad that was over the bedside table.

He asked for my number as well but I didn’t have my phone. I had left my cell phone at home, fearing my dad or Alpha Jackson would use it to track me down.

“I’ll come by tomorrow, okay?” Jace told me as he stood outside my opened door.

I nodded my head at him in response.

His hand softly caressed my check and down my neck. Being about 6’1 in height, compared to my 5’4, he had to lean down to reach me. As he did, I feared he would kiss me but didn’t dare move away.

He softly brushed his lips against mine, pressing longer than necessary.

“Have a good night,” he said, before walking away.  

I breathed a sigh of relief when I closed the door and rested my back on it.

I didn’t know what to do.

Jace had a point. It was better to be part of a pack. I only hated that I’d become part of Midnight Moon because Jace had shown an interest in me.  

It didn’t matter how much he claimed to be attracted to me in that moment. If he ever found his mate, he would leave me without a second thought. That was something I was not willing to put myself through.

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