Chapter 53

Chapter 53
Jared’s POV
“I need to go!” Without a second thought, I growled at Roxane, ordering her to get out of the way. I immediately turned to face Damien, nodding silently—a respectful, wordless exchange. I knew Damien would protect my sister now. She rushed toward me,hugging tightly and whispering in my ear.
"Go. Find her and tell her everything’s okay."
Andrea had felt every emotion that passed through Kat when the tiger locked eyes with her. All of Kat’s fears screamed in her mind, and Andrea just wanted her friend to know that nothing had changed between them.
I shifted quickly into my enormous wolf form, chasing the bird that kept flying away from me. I called out to Kat mentally, a little worried when she didn’t respond. We had trained for this exact situation over the past few hours together. Deep down, it was surreal—both beautiful and terrifying.
"Kat!" I called again, still getting no reply. I took a deep breath and pushed my speed further. I’d lost her scent in the wind, but i was betting she was heading to the one place she felt safe. "Kat… answer me!" I ordered, but still nothing. Without hesitation, I ran as fast as I could toward her house—the place that, very soon, would become our home.

Kat’s POV
I was flying back and forth in a frenzy, not knowing what to do or where to go. Everyone looked at me in shock. Guilt tore at me for revealing myself like that—so suddenly, all because of a provocation. I had left his house without even explaining to Andrea why I’d never told her about this part of me. She was probably hurt. With Damien, I had an excuse—he wasn’t around when I discovered my shapeshifting, so I couldn’t have told him even if I wanted to. But with Jared’s sister, it was different. I heard Jared’s mental call. My wolf howled inside, wanting to answer him—but I couldn’t. Not now. I couldn’t bring myself to respond. I’d disappointed him. Without thinking, I headed home. I needed to breathe. I needed to calm down.

Jared’s POV
"Please… answer me!" My voice echoed in Kat’s mind. I knew she was probably shaken after everything that had happened. I didn’t think she was weak for losing control with Roxane—in fact, if Kat hadn’t acted, I might have committed murder myself.
"Just tell me you’re okay!" Suddenly, a dark thought struck me—what if a hunter had gotten to her? Or worse, a vampire? What if she was hurt?
Fear burned through my chest, and I sprinted even faster toward her house. I was close now, but the distance felt endless. I slammed open the front door—it was unlocked.
Her scent hit me immediately, heavy and comforting, in every corner of the space. Looking around, I knew she was closer than I thought. I moved toward the kitchen. There she was, standing with her back to me, facing the sink.
"Damn it, Kat! Are you trying to drive me insane?" I growled in her mind, testing her reaction.
Kat’s POV
The second I felt Jared’s scent, my wolf stirred restlessly. I shook my head, feeling my body heat up with desire. How could he affect me like this—even when I was emotionally on edge? His voice in my mind, his scent in my lungs—everything about him made me tremble. I bit my lip. Jared was my mate. Nothing made me happier than belonging to him. And he had me—completely. No conditions, no barriers. That alone terrified me because it meant I could disappoint him.
"Jared… maybe you should leave me alone.: I tried to push him away, using the coldest tone I could muster.

Jared’s POV her voice, firm in my mind, only made me want to be closer. Instead of pulling back, I stepped in slowly, brushing her hair off her shoulder. I kissed her mating mark through the thin strap of her simple dress. “Sorry, my female... but leaving you alone is no longer an option. You’re MINE—for eternity.” Her skin shivered at my touch. I smirked at her reaction, my hands sliding up to her breasts.

Kat’s POV
"But I don’t want to see anyone,know,"I moaned involuntarily. Even as I tried to act distant, my body knew who it belonged to.
Jared’s POV
“Me neither?” I dragged my tongue up her neck, my scent enveloping her skin. My erection throbbed instantly, pressing against her from behind. I pinned her between my body and the counter. “Kat, forget everything around us.”

Kat’s POV
Jared stood there naked, his body slick from the run, a sculpture of muscle and temptation. My hunger for him never faded—it only grew. His touch made me melt. When his mouth brushed over my mark, I couldn’t help but moan again.
"You know I love you very much," I bit my lip. "But I can’t just ignore what happened." I turned around to face him seriously. "I lost control,"

Jared’s POV
“If you want to talk, I’m here,” I stared into her lupine eyes. “But baby, you’re the only one making such a big deal about this.”

Kat’s POV
“Maybe,” I sighed. His voice was low, and his lupine gaze proved he was barely holding himself back. I stepped back and nearly shouted, “I was ready to kill her ”
Pacing back and forth, frustrated and regretful, I added, “Did you see how Andrea and Damien looked at me?” I stopped, pain written all over my face. “I almost killed someone today,in front of everyone I love.”

Jared’s POV
“Roxane got what she deserved.” I stepped closer again, my hand caressing her cheek, my thumb brushing her bottom lip. “And Andrea accepts you completely—her words.” My other hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her tight against my body. “Just relax, baby.”

Kat’s POV
“Are you serious?” Relief flooded through me. “Andrea told you that?”

Jared’s POV
“Have I ever lied to you?” I growled against her lips. I wanted a kiss but would wait for her to make the move—it would be more thrilling that way. “I told you, only you are making a big deal about this.”

Kat’s POV
“Maybe,” I sighed, my eyes drifting to his bare chest as my arms wrapped naturally around his neck. “But Roxane saw me.”

Jared’s POV
“So what?” I tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet my gaze. “Forget Roxane. Tomorrow, I’ll have a private, final talk with her.”

Kat’s POV
“No!” My voice came out louder than I intended. “I’m coming with you!”

Jared’s POV
“Why?” I smirked as our eyes locked. Her possessiveness only stoked my fire. With a teasing smile, I asked, “Don’t you trust me?”

Kat’s POV
“This isn’t about trust,” I crossed my arms, trying to look defiant—even though every part of me wanted him to throw me on the table. “It’s about protection.”

Jared’s POV
“Protection?” My eyes drifted over her body, then back to her face.

Kat’s POV
“I’m your mate.” I pushed up my chest in challenge. “If there’s even a chance you’ll be in danger, I have to be there.”

Jared’s POV
“I’ve been your Alpha for how long?” I growled, looking at her short dress. “That’s my responsibility.” Nothing about this situation was helping me to stay calm. “I’m the one who’s supposed to protect you. Not the other way around.”

Kat’s POV
“I know how to protect myself,” I said as his hands landed on either side of my hips, his breath brushing my face. “I’ve been doing it since childhood.” Our eyes locked as he stepped closer again, pinning me against the counter.

Jared’s POV
“I know that,” I sighed, brushing my lips against hers. “But can you let me do it now, please?”

Kat’s POV
How could I not melt under that gaze? His eyes burned into mine, radiating every emotion I longed to see—love, passion, protectiveness. My hands caressed his face as I pressed against his heated, irresistible body.
“Yes, I can.” Without restraint, my lips claimed his in a kiss that unleashed all my pent-up desire.