Chapter 23

The next morning, Jacob didn't speak to his parents. He got up early, even though it was a Saturday morning. He left the house before his parents had the chance to wake up.

Jacob had been walking for almost an hour with his head stuck in his thoughts. He needed to see Hunter who had been on his mind all night. Jacob even had pleasant dreams about sleeping next to him and once again found himself disappointed that he was alone.

He had realised that he was accepting his feeling more and more with each passing day. Jacob found out who Hunter really was on Wednesday. He never thought he'd come to terms with it so fast. Those feelings he felt were powerful; almost giving him no choice.

"Jacob, where are you?"

Hunter's voice made him jump. Up until now, the werewolf had been asleep. Jacob looked up to see himself surrounded by trees. He hadn't been keeping track of where he was going. "Um... I don't know."

"Why are you up and outside so early?"

"Because I wanted to be," he mumbled and looked around again. Jacob really had no idea where he was.

"Are you making your way to my house?"

"Yes."

Hunter sat up in his bed and stretched. "And are you now lost?"

"Yes."

Hunter reached over and picked up his phone. He dialled Sam's number, and he picked up almost immediately.

"Yes Alpha?" Sam questioned.

"Go and find Jacob, he got lost on the way to my house. He's in the woods."

"Yes, right away-"

Hunter hung up and climbed out of bed. "Sam's coming to get you." Jacob wasn't sure how he'd be able to find him in the woods. It was huge. "He knows your scent; he'll be able to smell you from at least a mile away."

Jacob sat on a log, assuming that he'd have to stay in the same place. It was no surprise to him that he got lost; he was a daydreamer. Jacob needed to be more careful. It wasn't safe to wander the woods, not now that he knew werewolves existed.

"That's interesting," a woman's voice said, startling Jacob. Standing behind him was a woman who looked to be in her late twenties. She had long brown hair that flowed freely in the wind. Her jeans and grey vest hugged her curvy figure. "You're sharing a mind link with someone." Jacob scrambled to his feet and backed away. "And you have Hunter Rayson's scent on you."

How did she know Hunter? Was she another werewolf?

"What's going on?" Hunter asked and received no reply.

"But you're a human. Don't tell me he is mates with you," she chuckled. It wasn't with humour.

"W-Who are you?" Jacob stuttered.

"There's no way an alpha mated with you, that would be so embarrassing," she grinned with eyes as emotionless as a corpse.

"Jacob, who's with you?" Hunter had started getting dressed. He didn't like what his mate was thinking.

"I don't know. It's a woman who knows about you."

"Wait until my pack finds out about this. We've been looking for a way to get back at Hunter after he crossed into our territory," the woman's smile turned into an odd expression of anger like she was baring her teeth.

Hunter stopped and stared with intense concentration. His mate was in danger, so he had no other choice. He blocked Jacob's mind link and connected with his whole pack.

"Get up everyone! Jacob has run into the path of a rival pack member, get to him NOW!" he roared in his head before turning his mate's link back on and running out of his room.

Sam was in his wolf form and running through the woods. He picked up his pace, knowing that he needed to get to him and quickly.

Anthony and Margo were sitting on the wooden steps outside when Hunter almost tripped over them as he dashed out of the door. He looked distressed, and they knew something was wrong.

"What's going on?" Anthony asked, but his son changed into his wolf form and sprinted across the field. His parents didn't waste more time on questions that wouldn't be answered. They shifted into wolves and followed him.

Jacob could feel Hunter's panic and understood that he was in a lot of danger. He remembered him saying that the rival packs were aggressive and it was dangerous for them to find out he was the mate of an alpha.

"Who knew that Hunter was gay. He'll soon be the laughing stock of our town," the woman snorted.

Jacob frowned and took a step back. The branches were snapping under his feet, and he suddenly felt very alone.

"Hold on Jacob; I'll be with you soon." Hunter was galloping through the woods with his parents close behind.

"I always had the hots for him, but he's too controlling, and we'd probably end up killing each other. I guess you enjoy being bossed around by a big werewolf," the woman smirked, eyeing Jacob. She could smell his fear.

"H-He's not bossy," Jacob said quietly.

"Aw, feeling defensive? cute."

Suddenly, there was crashing of paws on crunchy leaves. Jacob turn and his heart thumped. It happened so fast. Jacob barely had time to relax when six huge wolves came running up behind him. Two were black and four were brown. They were all as big as Hunter.

Jacob almost forgot to breathe until they all changed into their human form. The woman behind him had taken a step back out of fear of being so quickly outnumbered.

"Sam," Jacob whispered with relief, very glad to see a familiar face.

Sam jogged over and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Jacob, are you okay? She hasn't hurt you has she?"

Jacob shook his head and eyed the other five men. One of them was Brad who, for once, looked concerned for him.

"Good," Sam patted Jacob's back before standing in front of him. The rest of Hunter's pack growled.

"Well, well, well," she grinned. "I see Hunter has his mate on a short leash."

"Shut it, Alisha," Sam grumbled. "What are you doing in our territory?"

"I'm only repaying the visit. I can't wait to tell Alpha Vic about this."

"If you don't leave now, you can say goodbye to that nice long hair of yours."

"Are you threatening me?"

Suddenly, there were more loud thumping of paws as everyone glanced to their right. Through the trees, they could make out three magnificent white wolves who were getting close at a phenomenal speed.

Jacob knew it was Hunter and Sam stood proudly and waited for his alpha.

Hunter was glad to see his pack surrounding Jacob, protecting him from harm. As soon as he was close enough, he changed into his human form and didn't stop moving until he was at his mate's side.

Margo and Anthony changed too, and Alisha knew she was in trouble. It was bad enough that she got caught by the main alpha's son, let alone the big boss himself.

Hunter wrapped an arm around Jacob's waist and held him firmly against his body. Jacob didn't protest, his chest hurt, and he needed to feel his comfort.

A low and dominating growl escaped Hunter's lips. For some reason, it sent a shiver down Jacob's spine.

"How dare you speak to him," Hunter said coldly.

"We were just having a friendly chit chat," Alisha smiled and stepped back when Anthony glared at her.

"You have one minute to get out of our territory before I tear your home down." Anthony was angry. She had firstly trespassed, and secondly, Alisha felt like she had the right to freak out his son's mate.

"It was nice to meet your mate Hunter," she said and started walking backwards. "He'll be hearing from us soon I'm sure."

Hunter's anger exploded from him like a popped balloon full of water. He let go of his mate and ran towards her. She wasn't quick enough to get out of his reach before he grabbed her hair and gripped her throat hard.

"Making threats towards my mate is not wise," Hunter growled. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't hurt you?"

Jacob watched with wide eyes.

"Let go of me!" Alisha struggled in his grip, but he only held on tighter. Sam saw a raging fire in his eyes, and nothing could persuade Hunter to back down when he was that angry, not even his parents.

"You picked the wrong day to adventure too far," He pulled her hair a little tighter, making her gasp. Hunter's pack watched with satisfied smiles. They loved the power of their alpha, and his dominance made them feel proud to be part of his pack.

"I'm leaving now; my pack know what you're doing to me." Alisha was on the verge of gasping for air. If he gripped any tighter, he would crush her airwaves.

"Do you really think I care?" Hunter was seething. Nobody was allowed to talk to his mate the way she did. "You're going to pay-"

"H-Hunter," a quiet voice interrupted him. Hunter's pack glanced at Jacob who had taken a tiny step forward and was fidgeting with his fingers. "Please stop," Jacob thought in his head.

Hunter observed him from the corner of his eyes. "She threatened you."

"I know, but this isn't right."

Hunter saw the way Jacob was looking at him. He didn't want to look like a monster. "Fine."

Hunter glanced back at Alisha with a sigh before pushing her back with a lot of force. "You're lucky my mate stopped me. Next time, I won't hold back!" Hunter yelled while she scrambled to her feet and changed into a black wolf.

Alisha ran away with a tail between her legs and Hunter returned to Jacob's side. Hunter didn't stop until their chests touched. He reached up and cupped his chin with his fingers. "Are you okay?"

Jacob was shaken up, but he nodded in confirmation. Hunter didn't ask for permission this time when he leaned close and kissed Jacob's cheek.

Jacob melted instantly. He wasn't sure why he suddenly accepted his touch. The feel of his face being so close was what his body wanted.

Hunter then wrapped his arms around Jacob's shoulders and forced his face against his shoulder. Once again, Jacob found himself accepting it as he loosely gripped his waist. He never thought he'd ever crave hugs, especially from Hunter.

When Jacob first met him, Hunter was just his brother's friend who was a part of their project. Not even in his wildest dreams would he have imagined that this would happen to him. Why him? Out of all the people who could have been Hunter's mate and he got an airhead plagued with problems.

"Be nice to yourself. You're perfect for me. Otherwise, the bond wouldn't exist," Hunter thought and glared at Brad when he crossed his arms with a quiet huff.

"It's true. I'm broken-"

"I can fix you." Hunter pulled his head back with a big smile.

Jacob's cheeks flushed red, though he didn't step away. When he broke their eye contact, he noticed Hunter's pack staring at him, judging him.

"They're not judging you. They wouldn't dare." Hunter stood proudly with his mate. He remembered when he had to tell his pack about his mate being male. Hunter was nervous, and their reactions were prolonged. Sam was the first one to get up and congratulate him. Sam didn't care about his alpha's mate being male; he was just happy that Hunter found love.

"For those of you who haven't been introduced, this is my mate, Jacob Jones."

The nerves stabbed Jacob right in the stomach. Hunter put his arm around him, and it settled him. Jacob was confused by his feelings. He still barely knew Hunter, though his body accepted his comfort.

"You're warming up to me, aren't you?" Hunter thought.

Jacob could almost hear his satisfied tone. He glanced up, and his face was close enough for him to feel his breath. "I think so."

"Wow, impossible things can become possible." Hunter grinned like an idiot and squeezed Jacob's side. He watched Jacob attempt to stop himself from squirming away. "Does this mean I can kiss you properly now?"