Chapter 5 Over With

I was still trying to gather my thoughts on this proposition. I was not going to go down without letting myself be heard. I walked forward so I was next to him so he could hear me loud and clear.

"Sir, I have my business here. My mate has failed to come to this pack for years and I am old enough to decide what I want, don't you think? I am a grown woman who is very capable of making her own decisions. Don't shut me out because I am just some woman who works on a pole."

"Sir, I was battling a war trying to keep the peace between my siblings and others who find something wrong with the monopoly. If I wanted to come, I couldn't. I didn't have the choice of the matter but I want my mate even if she denies the bond that the goddess has granted us." The council man stood up and approached us.

"Vincent, first off I'd like to say thank you for keeping our packs safe. Bylaw we favor the mate bond. Rejection doesn't exist, but severing the bond with a mark does exist. Athena, we are accepting his proposal. You are to report to your mate's pack immediately ."

My mouth had dropped. I looked back to Jack who had his head down. I had no affairs in order and it was happening all too fast for me to grasp. This felt like torture.

"You cannot take that choice from me! I will mate with Jack right here and now."

I had a lot of nerve speaking this way after an order had been made. I looked at Jack and he looked hopeful, but Vin on the other hand was pissed I suggested it. If that's what I had to do then I will put my morals aside so that no man could make a choice for me. The council man looked mad while he turned around to face me.

"Miss Sadar, I've made my decision. I know you opening up this strip club is your way to prove you're better without a man, but you're not. Be lucky that an honorable man like Vincent wants a woman who makes women look bad. Now do as I say."

I was hurt. I hate when a man thinks she can talk a woman down because he doesn't agree with her actions. My mouth was bound to get me in trouble so I just sneered and let my legs storm out the door without being excused. Anger was radiating off me. I took my clothes off and swiftly shifted into my mixed colored wolf, before dashing into the forest. I weaved in and out of the trees until my body couldn't handle it anymore. I stopped at a creek just a few miles out to get something to drink. Being a strong independent woman, means that you can't be here. Being forced to love a man you never met.

"Hey, are you okay?

I quickly turned around to see Jack's wolf standing there. Letting my guard down, I shifted back to my human form as he did.

"No, I am not okay. I am so tired of being spoken to like that too. Jack, I don't want to go. I don't want to be forced to entertain the mate bond. When you admitted how you felt about me, I let myself feel again. I didn't know that my mate would show randomly. You have to believe I undoubtedly want you.."

Jack had walked over wrapping me in his embrace. I let his now dirty woodsy smell calm my nerves.

"I know. But there is nothing we can do but wait until the 6 months is over. If then you don't feel anything for my brother, I will happily mate with you. Maybe this is what we need."

Who would know that he would be the one to calm the situation.

"Do you mean that?" I asked him

. His hand rested on my cheek to lift my head up. His soft lips laid on mine for confirmation.

"I do mean that. I just want you to be happy, okay?"

I know if I have to suffer these next 6 months alone that I want to taste him. I jumped to wrap my legs around his waist and buried my tongue deep in his mouth so I never forget what he tastes like. Our bodies were both bare as he took the chance to hold me against a tree before sliding his aching member into my core. I think he knew exactly what I was thinking as he thrusted in and out of me. Wolves were very territorial. They mark what's theirs and that's exactly what he did as he left hickeys all over my neck to piss his brother off. But it didn't stop me from doing the same.

"I am going to miss you," I whispered in his ear which caused him to hold onto me harder.

The tears welled up in my eyes knowing this may be the last time I can touch him before the mate bond takes over. Even though I was here. I was longing to be with Vin as he wasn't so far away. I hate the cliche facts about the bond. That you can't refuse each other even if you fight it off. What was so great about it? I knew we both had already finished but I didn't want it to end. I wanted to stay here with him.

"You need to go, Athena."

I got down from him and just stood there looking at him.

"I will see you in 6 months, I hope." He displayed a half-smile that killed me.

"Can you run my club until I get back? I can just call you to tell you what to do?" I asked him.

"Yeah, don't worry about it. I'll keep your heels warm." I returned the smile before I shifted and headed back.

I reached my apartment so I can start packing. I don't even know what I want to bring. A bag of clothes so I can just prepare my getaway pack. I looked at the time wondering when he would get here and we'd have to depart from my pack. I felt how anxious I was and how betrayed my wolf felt for the sins I committed just hours before. I took this opportunity to drink away my sorrows when the door sounded and I knew it was him. Vin had slowly opened the door and his eyes darted over to me. The door banged as it closed behind him.

"You smell like him." Vin was struggling with not flipping out on me but it was hard for him.

"Can we just go and get this over with?" Vin had walked over to me and pulled me up by my arm.

"You are very defiant and I have tried to be nice to you. Why won't you give me the chance as your mate?" He lashed out at me.

"You call that trying? And don't ever put your hands on me like that again or I will raise hell."

He dropped my arm from his hands before grabbing my bags and walking downstairs. This was definitely going to be a fun drive.