Zane's Point of View
I make my way over to Dan's office quickly. As soon as I enter the unfamiliar female talking to Megan looks at me. She squints her eyes at me for a second before she schools her face into a neutral expression. I frown but turn away from her, looking for Dan.
I head over to him and shake his hand.
"Good morning, sorry for showing up a little earlier than arranged. I'm just a little on edge."
Dan nods his head at me.
"Oh I imagine you are. It's fine we were up anyway. I want to introduce you to someone."
He motions the unfamiliar female over and she immediately comes up to his side, wrapping her arms around him.
"This is my mate, Ashley. Ashley this is.."
"Oh I know who he is. I'm a friend of Shay."
She says coldy, the tone of her voice clearly showing she knows who I am and she doesn't like me.
I give her a polite smile.
"It's nice to meet you Ashley. Megan told me you found your mate last night. Congratulations to the both of you."
Ashley only gives me a nod but Dan gives me a smile.
"Thank you. Shall we start? Would you mind if Ashley sits in?"
I shake my head.
"No it's fine, she can sit in, maybe that would help Shay feel more comfortable as well when she sees both of her friends in here."
Dan nods and his eyes glaze over mindlinking someone.
I head over to the window and look out onto the playground.
Suddenly my heart starts to pound like crazy, my gaze zeroing in on the two people playing. Even from this distance I know it's her. Shay and our son. I can't see them clearly but I can't seem to tear my eyes from them.
I see someone else approach, taking our son before Shay turns around, probably sensing someone watching them. Her eyes fall on the office window almost immediately and it's like my heart tries to jump out of my chest. We look at each other over the distance for quite a while before she turns back around to our son.
Soon I see her walking away from the duo outside and heading in the direction of the packhouse and I know she's on her way to Dan's office.
"You know, she loves that little boy more than anything. She makes sure that everyday he knows he's loved and wanted. I don't know exactly what your plan regarding your son is but she's very protective of him. You should be careful how you approach this, if she feels like your attacking or threatening her or him she'll react very badly to you."
Ashley suddenly says next to me.
"Why are you telling me this? You don't like me."
"No I don't. I don't think you deserve either of them But this is Shay's decision and I want what's best for them, what makes them happy. But just know, if you hurt either of them you'll regret it."
Before I can answer there's a knock on the door and it opens, my wolf starts to pace around in my head as a smell I hoped to smell again fills the room.
"Mate!"
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Shay's Point of View
I make my way to Dan's office slowly, trying to delay seeing him but the closer I get to the door the more restless my wolf gets, and I'm not sure if I like what's happening with her. I take a deep breath and knock before opening the office door.
An very intoxicating smell hits me as soon as the door opens, a smell I remember very well and I stumble backwards.
No. How. Why. We rejected each other. I tell myself confused, thinking maybe I'm hallucinating until I hear him growl.
"Mate!"
My heart jumps into my throat and I turn and run away. Not sure where I'm heading but I just know I need to get away.
How the hell is this happening, why is this happening to me. My wolf whines and scratches in my head wanting to go back to her mate but I block her out.
"Shay!"
I hear him calling my name and a shiver runs down my spine at the way my name sounds from his mouth. And then I hear footsteps running after me. And I push myself to go faster. I run out the kitchen door, heading for the forest line, but just as I reach it arms lock around me and we tumble to the forest floor.
With the sparks running through me I know exactly who it is. He pulls me close to him and tries to block my fall. Once we stop rolling I realize that I'm laying on his chest. I push myself up quickly, my hand on his chest and I feel the sparks buzzing around us. I try to push off him but he tightens his arms around me and growls again.
"Mine!"
My eyes snap down to him and I snarl.
"Let me go!"
I struggle to get out of his hold and he smirks at me, those molten eyes sparkling.
"Wiggle all you want little mate. I'm quite enjoying our position and the view."
As soon as the nickname leaves his mouth it feels like he pierced my heart. A nickname I once thought was really cute now just hurt hearing it.
I let my claws out and dig them into his chest a little until I start to see blood.
"Don't. Don't you call me that. And I told you never to touch me again so let me go! Now!"
I see the amusement leave his face as he sits us up slowly.
"I'm sorry, I was just kidding. I didn't mean to upset you."
He says apologetically as he lets me go.
I jump away from him as far as I can my heart pounding loudly.
He slowly gets up and tries to approach me but I step back ready to bolt again and he raises his hands in surrender.
"I won't touch you again without your permission. I'm sorry."
I just look at him through squinted eyes and he gives me a small smile.
"It's really good to see you Shay. I've been waiting for this day for five years."
"Yeah well, I haven't. If it wasn't for this attack I would've never had to seen your face again and now clearly the mood goddess is punishing me for hiding Zayde."
I say coldly crossing my arms over my chest.
"What do you mean?"
He asks me with a frown
"This."
I say gesturing between us.
"You mean the matebond?"
"Of course I mean this stupid bond. As if it wasn't bad enough I had to go through this five years ago."
"Is it really that bad to be mated to me?"
I give him a cold look.
"After the last time, why would I want to have you as my mate?"
"Shay, I know I screwed up back then. But there's a reason we were mated in the first place. Clearly we're meant to be together."
I shake my head vehemently.
"No. No, I can't. I, Shay O'Connell.."