Chapter 23: Wolf

**Mateo**

I told John about Nat's dreams and the fact that she was hearing a howl in her head. He was excited about it. He asked me to take a blood sample from her.

The question was: how was I going to do that?

Nat woke up early and went to her class. After that, she would go to work. We are going to have dinner together and I chose a very romantic place.

Luckily, today is Friday, so we will have the whole weekend together. On Monday afternoon, I would have to go to Tokyo.

But now I have decided to commit to my relationship with her. While we are free. I don't want to think about the future, I want to live in the now with her.

I am thinking of a way to take a blood sample from her, but I will have to do it in Russia, there I will talk to the team doctor or take the pack doctor to do the DNA test to see if she has werewolf ancestors or not.

I bought her a gold ring. Well, I was in love. That was it.

**Nat**

We have a legend here in Japan that says that wolves are sacred beings that live in the mountains, but are friends of men. We call them ookami, the great god. They were considered guardians who looked after and watched over men and villages, helping them cross the forest.

Mateo was my guardian wolf. Without him, I didn't know what my life would be like.

I wanted to give him a gift. So I went to the jewelry store and saw a gold pendant in the shape of a wolf. I decided to take it to him. I arrived at the bookstore and my boss came straight to talk to me.

" I need you to help the American customer."

I looked where he pointed and saw Mat making a mess on the bookshelf. What was he doing?

"Good afternoon, sir! How can I help you?"

He smiled:

" I was very anxious and needed to be near books, I'm addicted to their smell."

"Oh, really? Because we salespeople have to organize the entire bookshelf in alphabetical order before we leave work and I think your mess will make me late, since they consider you my customer."

"Well, I'll put everything back, then, I promise. Just come closer so I can smell you and calm down, please."

I went with him to a more distant section of books. When he realized we were alone, he hugged me and buried his nose in my hair.

" What happened?"

" We'll talk later. I just need to calm down."

" It's okay. Mat, it's going to be okay."

"He sniffed and licked my neck. In that place where he always did."

" I'm better now. I'm going to go organize the books. Is there anything you want for yourself, I think it's better to buy something to disguise it."

" Buy ​​some children's books. I want to donate to an orphanage."

" Okay, and I'm sorry about that."

**Mateo**

I was nervous because I had received a call from my mother. My father was furious because he found out I hadn't gone to Canada. She was worried that I had done something wrong, but she wanted to know if everything was okay so she could calm him down.

But I couldn't lie to my mother. And she assumed there was a woman in the story. So I had to tell her part of the truth, that yes, I had come looking for someone. But that I would only tell her who it was later when I got there.

I got a huge lecture about not lying and being responsible. But I knew the worst thing would be to talk to my father later. I hung up the phone and had to see Nat to steady myself.

Now, I wasn't going to let this ruin our dinner. I texted Lian and John that I had been found out so they could try to find alibis, that I wouldn't compromised and we decided to say that I changed the flight and went after a girl I met at the airport.

A little before the store closed I went out and got in the car. I smelled her perfume and got out to wait for her on the street. That's when I saw an older boy calling her. She went to him. I was jealous, very jealous, my fists clenched. She talked to him and pointed at me. The two of them walked by. I had to control my wolf.

" Mat, I want you to meet Yuki's older brother, my best friend. This is Haruto. He's the one who taught me English."

"Nice to meet you, Haruto. I'm Mateo."

"Nice to meet you, Mateo. He said a little angry."

"Well, Nat, if you're okay. I'll be going. Yoko sends her regards."

"Thank you, Haruto, for taking care of me."

He nodded and walked away. I opened the door for her to get in the car. I sat down next to her and played with a lock of her hair.

" I'm sorry about today."

"Can you tell me what happened?"

" I lied to my parents so I could be here and they found out."

" Oh, no. You won't have to leave now, will you? "— She hugged me with tears in her eyes.

" No, Little One, no. Nothing would make me leave now. Don't cry. Oh, Nat, what do I do with you. What do I do with what I feel for you? It's all so complicated. Our worlds are so different…"

"I don't know. Mat, but we'll find a way."

"Let's go. But it's okay now. I'll sort it out with my parents later. Come on, we have a dinner reservation tonight, we can't be late."

We left there. We went to the hotel to shower and change. The restaurant was formal. So, she put on the cream dress, high heels and tied her hair in a messy bun. She put on some makeup and looked very elegant. Her green eyes looked even more beautiful with the highlight of the black contour.

Our reservation was for a private, discreet place. I let her order the food and I ordered the drinks. I needed something strong.

When we finished, we stood there looking at each other and caressing each other until we finished our drinks. I ran my hand along the contour of her lips and pulled her onto my lap. I was already kissing her neck and my hands were holding her body tightly.

“Mine!” my wolf said. I could barely understand what he meant by that. I sent him back to the back of my mind. If he showed up there I would scare her.

I then took the ring box out of my pocket and handed it to her. I want this ring to remind you that what I feel for you is real. I put it on her finger and kissed her hand. Even if one day you find someone else, I want you to know that I will be happy if you are happy.

She looked into my eyes and their green was even brighter. She took a velvet bag out of her purse and handed it to me.

I want you to accept this gift as a symbol of what you mean to me. We believe that wolves are sacred beings who protect humans. You are my wolf.

I was shocked. I was really her wolf and she didn't even know how true that was. I kissed her and asked her to take my chain off my neck so she could put my pendant on it.

I asked for the bill and carried her in my arms to the car. We went to the hotel where we made love until dawn.