The Mute Wolf

Chapter 25

It took me a while to wrap my head around it, but I pulled myself together, somehow, and realised what I needed to do. The pack mattered most and that is what I needed to focus on.

My father was spending more time with Zak now, teaching him whatever he could. It was like James had been made redundant or something. I decided if Zak was learning, then so was I. Whatever task my father would set him to do, I would do it too. Both were pleasantly surprised when I started helping out and even more so when I didn't make a fuss.
Zak didn't know it but I thought to make things interesting, I'll turn it into a game. Whatever we were doing, I challenged myself to finish first. If he had to bring back 10 logs for firewood, I would bring back 20. Or if he had to carry something, I would carry more. It was probably childish but that was my way of getting through it. I think he soon caught on, feeling a little emasculated and outdone but he wasn't going to let me be a better alpha than he was. He'd never admit defeat to me. He's far too fucking proud for that. We were competitors now.

Only 2 weeks to go before Zak turns 18. Or 2 weeks to go before I have to marry that fuckwit. Plus I'll have to let him mark me and mate me in front of my Dad and a member of the council as witnesses to our bond or whatever. Makes me sick.
I played as nice as I possibly could, I didn't tell him to get lost every time he came near and I didn't yell at him and call him names, at least not to his face. But I wouldn't let him touch me. Not in any sense of the word.
For Valentine's Day, he insisted on taking me out to dinner, but I wasn't sure if it was to show off his new car or to show off me as his date. Probably both. He'd just passed his test and his father brought him a red Mini Cooper as an early birthday present. I think my father had to chip in for him to get something as nice as that. Not like he'd ever buy me a mini...
"You look absolutely stunning." He smiled at me as he opened up the car door. I was only wearing a simple black dress with black plimsole shoes and zero make up on. I didn't think I looked anything special in particular.

He drove us to a Chinese restaurant called Imperial China in Lyndhurst, just down the road from the place I brought my dress to wear at the mating ceremony. I felt awkward at first, not knowing what to say that didn't include swear words or telling him to get lost. We haven't had that many normal conversations, if any at all and now I was supposed to sit down in a restaurant with him and make polite conversation.

At first he just spoke about the food, then about stuff that needed doing back home that we would now be doing together seeing as I had made us competitors. Although he would never refer to us as that because that would imply he could lose and he had no intention of losing anything. Ever.
"I know you probably don't want to hear this but I can't wait to mark you and make love to you you know." Zak whispered, inching his fingers across the table closer to mine.
"Mhm, I know." I replied, staring at my hands not wanting to look him in the eyes.
"I know your dad will be watching us which sucks but I promise when we're alone I'll make sure you enjoy every second." His tone turning seductive. He leaned back against his chair and looked around the room as he fumbled around with his jeans under the table. The idiot can't even contain himself for 5 minutes.
"Okay." I acknowledged, watching the familiar dirty look spread across his face.
The waiter handed us the bill and Zak paid in cash, leaving behind a generous tip.

On the drive home, he fidgeted in his seat an annoying amount, his trousers probably cutting off his blood supply. Wouldn't be the worst thing to happen...
"Stop wriggling around you're driving me mad." I huffed as he let out a chuckle in response.
"It's your fault you know. You know what you do to me. Spending more time with you lately is driving my wolf insane!" He admitted and I rolled my eyes. He undone the button on his jeans and pulled down his zipper, releasing a gasp of relief. "Damn that's better." He muttered, the car groaning as he almost forgot to change gears.
"Really?" I said annoyed, noting the scent of his arousal filling the car from having his jeans wide open showing part of the bulge in his boxers. My wolfs ears pricked up and she put her snout in the air taking in the delicious scent of the gorgeous male. Stupid wolf is at it again! I sighed inwardly.
"My jeans are too tight, especially sitting down!" He turned to me and even in the darkness of the car, I could see the green in his eyes turn pitch black.