Chapter 7 CHAPTER
During the last two days, I waited for her to embrace me, but she always escaped my grasp while her brother remained by her side.
"Take it slow, Alpha. Lucas told me, "You'll see her tomorrow."
Easy for him to say. The inability to claim my mate while standing right next to her caused an unbearable pain that he could not comprehend.
Lucas informed me that Julie wanted to teach at Juncasa Academy. The idea of her spending time with children caused an unexpected pain to grip my heart. I longed to see our home become a bustling place with children running under our care as she watched them with joy. I established the estate as a school because of my desire to keep her there. She would find no reason to depart from her current situation.
The children of the pack would receive their education from her under her new role as teacher. This estate would stay her protected sanctuary until she acknowledged my place in the pack and her position within it. I spent each night outside her balcony as a wolf to let Raz feel her presence. The thought of losing her felt like an unbearable weight.
She would enter our home the following day.
I had previously instructed my pack members to avoid the area. The pack members' enthusiasm to meet their Luna was intense, yet I needed to proceed with caution. My parents displayed different reactions to her arrival. The family members showed their joy through various preparations for her arrival. The estate's atmosphere glowed with fresh vitality, which demonstrated how important she was to everyone even though she had not yet joined our world.
The Next Morning
I wanted to create an outstanding initial encounter with her. I wore a black suit while tucking my hair behind my ears because Raz paced inside me with an intense desire to meet her.
"Stay calm," I warned him.
Easier said than done. Since we first detected her presence, he has been unable to stay still.
Lucas sent a mind link. She’s here.
My heartbeat kicked up. Finally.
I walked down the majestic staircase when she entered through the front door. Her breathing stopped when she saw me. The sight of her left her motionless because this reaction was typical for mates who meet for the first time.
The bond had taken hold.
She dropped to the floor when I approached her because her legs failed to support her weight. A wave of panic hit me, so I hurried to help her.
"Are you alright?" My voice maintained a calmer tone than my inner state.
Her dark eyes fixed on mine as she raised her head to meet my gaze. The moment I looked at her, I realized I was falling in love with her once more. She was breathtaking. And she was mine.
She jerked away from my reaching hand because the touch startled her. Her eyes displayed a mix of bewilderment. She had felt it—the spark. The undeniable connection between mates. It was natural, expected even. Her body would eventually adapt to the bond, but at this moment, she remained unaware of what was happening.
Her face turned red with shame as she kept apologizing without reason. I wanted to comfort her with my arms, but I kept myself from doing so.
My parents stood on the upper balcony watching me while they used their eyes to encourage me to take action. I required her to experience security before anything else.
A tiny voice cut into my words before I could start speaking.
"Papa!"
No. No. No.
Tudor sprinted toward me to hold onto my leg.
The entire way Julie presented herself changed at that moment. Her thoughts were clear to me without needing to see her face.
Misunderstanding.
Her lips opened as she showed both shock and disappointment through her face.
She spoke with a sharp tone when she asked, "I didn't know you had a child."
She shook her head before I could speak, and her disappointment turned into apparent frustration.
"You—how could you?" she demanded. You flirt with another woman even though your wife and child stay at home waiting for you? Does your current behavior create what kind of example for others to follow? I thought you were different!"
She was furious.
The situation failed to anger me because I was smiling instead.
Raz purred inside me. Our mate has fire.
I could see our future unfolding before me as she would eventually scold me for stealing a kiss while she prepared breakfast.
But I had to fix this.
A soft mental connection from my mother brought back the awareness of the upcoming test. The time had come to put an end to her suffering.
I spoke with Julie in a steady voice to explain that these situations were part of the interview assessment.
She froze.
"What?"
"It was a test. The school has previously experienced problems when teachers violated their professional boundaries with parents. The interview team needed to understand which matters were most important to you. You passed."
Her mouth opened. Then closed. Then, it opened again.
She looked mortified.
She stood motionless with her mouth open as she struggled to accept what I had just told her.
She nodded gradually as her fury transformed into complete humiliation.
Lucas approached her with the contract in his hands. I required an agreement to prevent her from disappearing.
She paused when she noticed the amount written on the paper.
"Is this a mistake?" She pointed at the salary amount while asking me that question.
I responded with a calm tone, "We can talk about additional compensation."
Her eyes widened in alarm. "No! The amount of money exceeded her expectations for someone who taught kindergarten.
She was so adorably clueless.
I escorted her through the iron wrought gate after completing all the necessary paperwork. I needed to spend every additional moment with her.
We talked—casual things, small jokes. The moment she started laughing, everything around me changed.
The honking of her brother's truck shattered the romantic mood she had been enjoying. She shifted her gaze toward the noise before making her departure.
Raz howled inside me.
I grabbed her without thinking and held her tightly against my body.
She resisted by pushing against my chest, but I refused to release her. I needed this, just for a moment.
Her heartbeat was erratic. She was affected by me.
Our faces were inches apart when I finally released her.
Her dark eyes moved across my entire face as she studied me.
Max spoke through the bond. She’s mesmerized by us.
I smirked. Your eyes are drawn to the sight in front of you.
Julie pulled away from me, her face becoming flushed.
She whispered "arrogant" to herself.
Then she ran off.
The distance between us caused my entire body to ache as I watched her drive away in the truck.
Lucas gave me a knowing look. "She’ll come around."
The void in my heart refused to disappear even after my simple nod.
I spent that night sitting on the balcony outside her house while she slept peacefully.
She was snoring softly.
My heart clenched.
I wanted to be next to her. I longed to hold her in my arms when she awoke.
I had patiently waited for twenty six years to see her again.
Does she ever plan to love me with the same intensity that I love her?