Claws and code

Jack's POV

I had to walk out. She'd been working, fingers flying over the keys, cursing, yelling, mumbling and conferring with the Alpha blood for almost seventeen hours. I had tried to see what they were up to but I didn't understand a single thing they were doing. So, I simply fed her, topped up her coffee and enjoyed sitting beside my mate. The bond was obviously working on her for her to protect my presence like she had, against not one but two Alphas.

My fierce, little mate. I was pretty sure that all the others in the room had noticed how arousing I found her defiant attitude as she argued to keep me close, yet she hadn't even sniffed my way. She made no indication that she knew we were mates even as she fought to keep me near. I still hadn't felt the presence of her wolf. She simply smelled like her family, her brother and that unidentifiable sweet smell that was solely hers.

I loved everything about her already. My wolf didn't care that he couldn't feel her wolf. It felt like he knew something that I didn't but communication between us wasn't like humans thought. My wolf just wanted her close, he blatantly refused to explain his desires. It was images and feelings, no words. His feelings were only that he wanted to mark and mate as she was. Obviously, I agreed with that need, but I was in no position to do so because she had not acknowledged our bond. That, and she needed sleep. If I didn't walk out of her room, I would make her mine. Consequences be damned. 

When I got to the area that had been assigned to us everyone was already waiting for me. My brother sat, smirking, beside our Alpha and the others from our pack. They all remained silent and I refused to speak first. As I expected, my sibling couldn't keep his mouth shut too long.

'It seems like you might be enjoying your new job just a bit too much, little brother.'

'Piss off, Erik.' I snarled.

'Is she your mate?' Our friend and Alpha asked.

Xavier was our friend growing up and I trusted him, respected him as a man. He was my Alpha and he had asked me a direct question, I had to answer. Being able to finally tell my pack that the girl, Cloe also known as Mowgli, was my mate. It felt like I was sharing my burden. 'Yes, but something is wrong. She doesn't seem to know that I am her mate. I can't feel her wolf. She ignores all the obvious signs that I am giving, even my words. It's like... I don't know...'

Erik looked sympathetic. 'When they said that Mowgli had to be protected because she hadn't been taken care of by her parents... They must have meant something horrible happened. Her wolf is so damaged that she can't even recognise her mate. Did you tell her you are mates?'

'No. If I do that, she might feel pushed into the situation she might not want. And if she had a traumatic upbringing, she might run. I want her to choose me, not because of a bond she doesn't seem to feel. I need her to want me.'

'Hey, she argued to keep you close against more than one Alpha, that must mean she feels something.'

I grinned. 'She did, didn't she. She's quite feisty.'

'Argumentative you mean.' Erik grinned back.

'My mate is strong and determined.' I growled at my brother.

'More like, stubborn and disrespectful.' He taunted.

'She was smart and fierce enough to stand up to you, Erik!' Jasper said, trying to help me. He probably wanted to get back in my good books.

'She is part of the Beta family here and Jack's mate, she should be able to hold her own against any Beta blood.' My brother grinned at Jasper. 'I wonder what she'll think of the rest of our family! Mum and the aunties will love her, she's so tiny though.'

Tiny, she was indeed on the small side for a Lycan but she fit with me perfectly. My mind started thinking of all the time we had together and then slowly drifted to what I still wanted to do together with her.

Xavier pulled me out of my thoughts. 'It has been decided that the girl, Mowgli, will come to the location. She is the best chance we have at getting past any security they will have. Will you manage to have her there, so close to danger?'

Jasper spoke through my growls. 'You mean that the other packs will know her identity as well?'

'No. It seems Jack's tiny female is a fierce, deadly and fast fighter. She is joining the assault team with her father and brother. If she is needed, she will be there with the Alpha's son. The other packs will be told, only if they ask, that she is his backup geek.'

'And how are they expected to believe that when she hasn't set foot in the systems rooms since we arrived?' Jasper asked.

'They will be told that she is first and foremost a pack fighter. Their pack has several female warriors, as we have all seen these past days, she isn't an exception.'

'Like hell she will. We have no idea what we'll be up against. They can't let her go in there to fight.'

'Calm down, Jack. Their Beta and his son, her brother and father, seem to think that you will be a good choice as her protector. They actually suggested it. You won't be asked to leave her side.'

Xavier glared at Jasper and continued. 'They also demanded that you be left behind. They are quite upset that you have uncovered the true identity of Mowgli. You are not allowed near her.'

Jasper cursed but quickly hung his head when Xavier made his displeasure clear with a low growl. 'The truth was that they could have chosen to kill us all, to protect her secret. We were lucky, despite the problems you caused, Jasper. She is obviously treasured for more than just her skills at a keyboard.'

I smiled wickedly at Jasper. 'I look forward to when this is over. I'm sure my mate will remember to show you who is boss in that cyber jungle you love so much.'

Jasper paled at my words and the rest of us laughed. He was truly scared of her and what she could do to his beloved computer systems.

I went to bed and passed out with the image of my fierce mate firmly in mind and woke to the most divine smell of her just as someone touched my shoulder. I grabbed the offending hand and flipped the person over. My claw was out to strike before I opened my eyes. There was laughter from under me and from the doorway where I saw my brother clutching his waist.

'I told her that you would attack if she touched you.'

My mate was laying under me laughing equally hard. 'When you said that he was always ready, I didn't think you meant with the claws. I feel like you misled me here, Erik.'

My stupid brother laughed harder and the mischievous twinkle in her eyes as they turned to mine told me that she had expected some sort of attack. It also told me that she wasn't afraid. I growled lowly and pushed my hips firmly against her to let her feel my rapidly growing frustration.

'I think that's my cue to let you turn his frown upside down.' Erik chuckled, turning around and shutting the door behind himself.

Her hand came up and she slowly touched my hand, looking awed that it had returned to a normal human one. Then, like in a trance, she traced my arm up and softly ran her hand over my shoulder. She didn't have to apply much pressure for me to descend and claim her lips.