Run With Me

Chapter Thirteen

Terri wanted to throw herself at Kirk and sob. She had been so scared that he would push and force the mating the way so many male wolves would with a reluctant female. They would all cave eventually, the pull of the mating bond being more than any could resist. But Terri wouldn't take anything less than equality and respect. And she couldn't be in a pack that would disrespect her mate because she couldn't shift. She couldn't be what any wolf shifter needed, especially an alpha, latent wolves were often treated worse than human mates.

But when he said that he ran because she loved it, her resolve wavered. No one had every done anything with her because it was something she enjoyed. Not since her parents had died. Kirk had played in the snow with her. He ran with her. And he was kneeling before her respecting her demand for permission. When his hand came up to her face, she had been prepared to slap it away. But he had stopped. It occurred to Terri that she could set boundaries and he would respect them.

"You need to stop coming to my school," she said abruptly, it was the first thought that came to her mind. She watched as he nodded.

"I have one more lecture scheduled, but I will cancel it," she watched as his hands balled into fists with that agreement.

"No, you have made a commitment and need to honor it. I will skip the lecture," the atmosphere had changed from the apology to negotiations, "sit on the furniture. The floor is not comfortable." Kirk gave her a broad smile.

"Does that mean you accept my apology?" Kirk held his breath while he waited. When Terri gave the most minuscule of nods, he picked up his tea and moved to the chair across from her.

"This is not me saying I accept whatever courtship you think this might be, but I am exhausted trying to avoid you," she leveled a glare at him, "You could give lectures in stalking." Kirk had the grace to blush at that.

"It was never my intention for you to feel that way," he sipped his tea, "It was hard for me to find a way to get to know you, meeting you at the park was the only safe option."

"I am not interested in being mated," the second the words left her lips, she could feel her wolf snarl and snap in response. Her heart and her wolf let their emotions lead, but her brain had been in charge for so long, she wasn't going to back down.

"How about a compromise?" Kirk responded, leaning back in the chair, "I will back off what makes you uncomfortable. I will leave you alone at school. But you need to grant me two requests." He met Terri's eyes and she felt the warmth of desire she had been denying since he had started his pursuit of her.

"Within reason," Terri stated, sipping her tea, "you have boundary issues as it is, stalking me and ignoring my request to be left alone." Kirk had the grace to blush.

"Think about it from my perspective for a moment," Kirk spoke with caution "I had met a mate that publicly declared she would never accept a mate. Meeting with you in the park was the only safe way to approach you." Kirk took a swig of his tea and place the mug down, "You're driving me insane. I want to be with you constantly. To hold you. To kiss you. I screwed up yesterday and I can't begin to tell you how much that I regret that. But I will never, ever give up on you." He looked at her and Terri could see that his grey eyes were black. His wolf was so close to the surface that she could see it clear as day.

Terri thought for a moment before responding. "What are your conditions?" She was trying so hard to shove her emotions back into a box and let logic rule the moment.

"Meet me for a run and a meal every day," Kirk leaned forward, his nostrils flaring as he did nothing to hide his scenting of her, "and come back to Edgewood for the festival." Terri's breath hissed through her teeth. As far as requests went, they were minor, but going back to her brother's pack was a bit of a stetch for her.