Page 2 of Willing
Chapter 2: Paul
Just her touch sent my wolf into a frenzy. He whined in the recess of my mind – begging to claim her as ours. But I couldn’t… I needed her to live her life and finish college.
I knew she would willingly quit school to be mine and I couldn’t allow – no I wouldn’t allow her to do that. I loved her too much to let her throw her life away for me…I leaned against the basement door, closing my eyes, attempting to regain my senses.
“You ok man?”
Cracking open my eyes, I found Carter staring at me from the bottom of the stairs. Pushing away from my spot against the door, I stalked down the steps and brushed passed him.
“Yep, perfect.”
Lies, every word. I knew I wasn’t ok, hell the whole house knew I wasn’t ok. I was starting to go crazy – my wolf fighting to take control completely and claim our mate.
“Right – that’s a lie, Paul… I don’t get it, why are you fighting the pull?” Carters eyebrow quirked as he asked me.
“Same reason you are” I stopped, pinning him to his spot with a pointed glare.
“Whoa… now wait a second. I’m not fighting a damn thing. I know my destined mate, but much like you – she’s stubborn as hell. I’m giving her the time to come to terms she’s mine.”
He was right – she and I were a lot alike. We both fought against destiny. I wasn’t sure what her reason was for denying her mate, but I knew what mine was.
I was older than Carly by eight years, she hadn’t really lived yet. I wanted her to experience all that life had to offer first – even if it killed me and my wolf thinking about her with other people, men particularly.
“I just want her to live a little Carter. Is that so wrong?”
“No – but she’s human. And if you keep pushing her away… well, you know the consequence. You could very well lose her forever.”
Carter was right, she didn’t feel the connection quite as deeply as wolfen did. For a shifter, the recognition of a destined mate was instant. The pull was painful to resist – which is why I avoided her at all costs.
“Yeah – that’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
“Damn, I don’t know if you're the dumbest man I know, or the most honorable. Paul, I’ll support you as long as I can – but if you start to lose it, well, we will have to intervene. I can’t let your wolf do anything that could harm the pack.”
“Yeah – know. I think she’s gone now. I'm going out for a run.”
I headed back upstairs, leaving Carter in the basement. My wolf needed out and I needed some time to think. Walking through the living room, I found Kai in the kitchen.
“What’s up, Kai?”
“Nothing – where are you going?” She shot me a questioning look.
“Out for a run. My wolf needs some free time.”
“Want some company?”
“No offense… But I don’t want to tangle with Carter again. You know what happened last time you ran with one of us. I think it took Chris a week to heal from that encounter with Carter.”
“FUCK. Why does he get to say who I run with?”
“Kai, you know as well as I do he’s your mate. Maybe you should just stop fighting the pull.”
“Well, aren’t you the pot calling the kettle black. Maybe you should take your own advice, Paul. Fine – have fun running by yourself.”
Kai stormed off. She was right, I was being hypocritical – but it was for the best. Carly deserved so much more than I could give her.
Stepping out of the back door, I pulled my shirt over my head. While my clothes would remain intact, I didn’t like the feeling – it made me feel restricted somehow. As I reached the edge of the woods, I let my wolf take over.
His senses were keener than mine, it was like seeing the world through a different pair of eyes. Setting off, I ran into the thicket, my mind calling out to Carly. I was worried about how much longer I could fight the pull before my wolf left me with no choice.
Carly knew about our kind. Dylan, being her best friend, told her all about us after the fight with Dante. That day, when I came to help them after they’d won… well, my life changed. I knew instantly she was my destined mate. My wolf recognized her immediately.
Losing myself in my thoughts, I ran through the trees for what felt like hours. I found myself at the edge of the woods near the college. My wolf was smart, he wanted to see Carly.
Sitting at the edge of the thicket, hidden behind the greenery, I waited and watched. Hoping to catch a glimpse of the girl who was slowly breaking down my barriers.
