His Guardian (MxM)

Chapter 1

Jackson

Honey.

Honey and... oak? That was the smell that woke me. Drawing me in so strongly, I had no choice but to follow it. So here I am. Weaving through the Sylvan Ash forest, the orange sun just starting to show itself in the distance.

As the fallen leaves crunch under my every footstep, I could feel Atlas' eagerness growing.

"Mate," I could hear him quietly chanting in the back of my mind.

Could it be?

I quickened my pace, until I reached a large clearing. I've been here before. A lush, emerald field, embellished with a small, sparkling pond centered in the middle of it. It was beautiful. But something increased it's beauty during this particular visit.

My previous question was quickly answered when I spotted a small figure sat at the water's edge. Though he was facing away from me, I could still see his smooth, porcelain skin around his sweater. His warm, chestnut brown, unruly curls blew freely in the breeze. He was thin enough that part of me worried he would fly away in the wind like the leaves around us. His small hands gently gripped and twirled the grass at his sides. I felt a strong urge to protect this ethereal being.

I stepped forward, clearing the tree line. His scent was so strong to me now, how had he not noticed me? Was he human? Definitely not. My wolf's reaction to him was enough to answer that question. Maybe... an omega?

I continued taking slow, small steps toward my mate when he finally noticed my presence. His head whipped around to face me, revealing the most angelic features. Rounded, feminine features that complimented each other perfectly. Striking, cerulean eyes surrounded by long, wispy eyelashes. His thin eyebrows were graced by the curls that fell naturally on his forehead. High, Norse cheekbones; plump, pink lips; a rounded chin; and an adorable little button nose.

I was so taken aback by his alluring features that it took me several moments to realize the emotion they were portraying.

Fear.

I had startled him.

"It's okay," I spoke first as I continued taking small steps toward him.

Then, surprise crossed his face, followed by confusion.

He was finally piecing it together.

"My name is Jackson," I said softly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you."

His eyes studied me. Almost similarly to how mine had studied him moments previous. After a few moments, he began to speak.

"Jackson... Ward?" he asked quietly.

I hesitated before answering. Of course he would have heard my name. Everyone in the pack knew of every member of the Ward family. The few that were left, anyway.

"Yes," I replied.

An unrecognizable look crossed his face when my response reached his ears.

"Your name?" I asked.

"Oh.. It's Benjamin. But I go by Ben," he whispered.

I sat in the grass a few feet from Ben, and smiled at him.

"It's very nice to meet you, Ben."

"We're... mates?" he asked.

"It would seem so," I replied with a chuckle.

He fidgeted his fingers nervously.

"How is this possible? You will be Alpha soon, and I'm just an omega. You will need a strong mate to be your Luna, I'm just-"

"Perfect," I interrupted. "You're perfect. Ben, I can't think of anyone better to be my mate. I've never seen anyone as gorgeous as you, nor have I ever wanted to protect anyone more than I want to protect you right now. From anything that might try to hurt you in your life."

"Jackson..." he whispered. I moved closer to him , and took his face in my hands.

"My perfect little mate." I was in awe of his beauty once more as I got to experience it so closely now. He blushed, and looked away.

"No one will accept this. It's not too late to reject me, Jackson. It would be easier for you that way," he muttered.

"No," I replied, "I want no one else. I want to be close to you as long as I live. I want my every breath I breathe to smell like you. I want every drink that quenches my thirst to taste like you. I want every sound I hear to be your voice. I want everything I touch to be as soft as your fair skin," I ran my thumb across his cheek as he leaned into my touch. "I just want you."

Tears brimmed his beautiful eyes as he looked up at me.

"I want you too," he whispered.

I leaned my forehead against Ben's. This natural connection between mates that I had only ever heard about before was much stronger and euphoric than I expected it to be.

"So, who cares? Who cares whether they like it or not? As long as I have my little mate, that's all that matters." I grinned.

I only wish I had been more prepared for what was going to happen next.