Xander's POV:

I was pacing back and forth at the park with Tess and Kaden close by, watching my every move. I growled in annoyance and glared in their direction.

"It's for your own good," Tess said firmly.

"He had his hands on her!" I snapped.

"They clearly knew each other, Xander," Tess said, narrowing her eyes. "You can't just attack any guy that touches her. You're lucky we were there to hold you back."

"She's mine," I growled.

"She's a human, Xander. Get a grip," Tess said, crossing her arms.

"He hurt her," I pointed out.

"Neither of them understand what happened. You can't hate him for not knowing what was happening. She doesn't even know what's happening. Besides, after we left, Gina said he was comforting her and it didn't hurt her. Means he's capable of being there for her without sexual intent so maybe that's a good thing. She does have a lot going on," Tess pointed out.

"We really need to explain the mate thing to her," Kaden said, frowning.

"Well if I could get her alone it might not be so difficult but now this idiot is following her around!" I growled.

"Xander, if you can't handle waiting for an opportunity to talk to her then you need to go home. You can't do this. These are humans we're dealing with," Tess said. "We can't be rule-breakers regarding humans, it's too risky."

I growled again, running my hand through my hair and stopping. I almost had her. On the patio. She didn't run. She even took a step towards me. It would've been perfect if that idiot hadn't stepped in.

"I'll be fine," I sighed.

"He's going to be touching her. They seem really close," Tess warned.

Touching her. Touching my mate. Fucking bastard.

"I'll be fine," I repeated, clenching my fists.

"Wow, I didn't even almost believe that," Tess said, shaking her head.

"He'll be fine," Kaden defended, walking towards me and looking at me seriously. "You'll be fine because this is your mate and if you are going to treat her like your mate, that means you respect her. Respecting her means respecting who she spends her time with and who she allows to touch her. Right?"

Dammit, Kaden.

I took a deep breath and nodded. Kaden smiled and patted me on the back before we started walking back to the club. I didn't last long inside. He was with her and touching her way too often for comfort so Tess and Kaden suggested I wait outside. Kaden suggested, Tess demanded.

So I stayed outside and clenched and unclenched my fists as Kaden and Tess linked me regular updates. I decided working might not be the worst idea since I was just standing around and checked my emails. I'd sent a message to the elders, asking questions about human/werewolf mates and was surprised to see they already answered.

The beginning didn't surprise me, instead of answering my questions it was another scolding for not showing up to the annual meeting and not getting paperwork in on time and all other kinds of bullshit. Once I got past that they did actually answer some of my questions: yes, she'll feel the bond but not as intensely as you do. Yes, she'll be connected to the pack much the same as you are once she's marked and initiated in; she won't be able to speak to them like you do but they'll recognize her call and the emotion tied to it. Yes, she'll feel the pull to complete the bond as well, you'll be drawn to each other intensely until it's at least partially completed.

Complete the bond. That's a question I forgot to ask. Normally we would both mark each other but she didn't have lengthening canines and unless she was into some seriously kinky shit she probably wouldn't want to mark me anyway. I'd have to send another email and endure the scolding.

I was going through more emails when Tess linked me.

She's coming outside. He's with her. Breathe.

I inhaled and exhaled slowly, keeping my eyes shut because I could easily smell her getting closer. I wasn't about to forget that scent anytime soon. I cautiously opened my eyes and saw Addie almost trip and Travis catch her, her pink-haired friend I'd learned was named Tasha started laughing, looking unsteady herself.

"Okay, there's no way you're making it back to my car," Travis said, leaning her back against the wall. "Tasha, can you wait until I get back?"

He asked Tasha but Tasha was distracted, talking to another girl and dancing around, giggling.

"Psst," Addie said, tapping his shoulder.

"What?" He chuckled.

"Do you believe in soulmates?" Addie asked.

My heart started racing and I forced myself to look away from her. I could practically hear Tess in my head saying "eavesdropping on your mate isn't cool". It's not like I could help it. She was so close...

"Of course I do," Travis said, still trying to get Tasha's attention.

"The whole thing sounds like a trap," Addie said.

Ouch. That hurt.

"A trap? God, you have a negative outlook on everything," Travis sighed.

"I do not!" Addie pouted. "How is it not a trap? It's basically like, oh, look, something decided you have to be with this person whether you like it or not. Like, how is that fair? You can't just tell someone they have to be with somebody even if they do have the prettiest green eyes you've ever seen."

Although the statement stung the last comment had me looking over at her. She had such a concentrated frown, like she was trying to figure something out.

"You're bastardizing soulmates. It's not saying you have to be with someone. You could still be happy with someone else. But if you're lucky enough to meet your soulmate it's magic. You don't have to be with them, it's just who the universe recognizes as the person that will complete you in every way and- wait... Wait" Travis said, refocusing his attention on her instead of trying to get Tasha's attention. "That was oddly specific. Who has the prettiest green eyes you've ever seen and is he why you don't want to have sex with me anymore?"

Don't want to have sex anymore? Thank Goddess.

"No one. I was just saying," Addie said.

"You are such a terrible fucking liar, Adira Louise," Travis said, rolling his eyes.

"Stop using my middle name in public!" Addie said, trying to smack his arm but almost losing her balance and falling over. He caught her again. I tried to tell myself that was a good thing.

"Adira, tell me," Travis insisted.

"There's nothing to tell," Addie defended.

"Addie, come on!" Travis pleaded.

"What are you two arguing about now?" Tasha asked, stumbling over, leaning heavily on Travis' shoulder.

"The guy Addie's been hung up on all night," Travis said.

"Guy?? What guy?" Tasha squealed.

"There's no guy!" Addie said, covering her face. "Leave me alone, you gremlins."

"I'm not done talking about this but can you just watch her or should I even trust you?" Travis asked, looking at Tasha skeptically.

"You can't trust either of them but you can trust me," someone said, setting a hand on Travis shoulder.

Tasha squealed and threw her arms around the guy who caught her in a kiss.

"Okay, I'll leave you with the love birds," Travis said, stepping away and holding his hands out like Addie could fall at any moment. "Just stay and don't move around a lot, okay?"

"Stop treating me like a child, I'm fine," Addie said, waving her hand dismissively.

Travis watched her skeptically for a moment before heading down the street.

Gina, bring a car. We're going to need to follow one, I linked.

Addie scooted away from Tasha and the guy as they entered a heavy make-out session against the wall next to her.

"For fuck's sake get a room," Addie muttered, scooting further from them. Further from them and closer to me.

I stiffened slightly but she didn't seem to notice. She was completely drunk but it didn't make her less adorable. Her eyes kept sliding shut and then she'd opened them wide, blink, and start over. I couldn't help the smile.

Vamps, Katie warned.

My heart started racing and I looked around, trying to spot them, trying to catch the scent. Where? I asked.

One block East. It almost seems like they're just waiting, she said.

They could've realized our numbers and backed out of whatever plan they had, Tess interjected.

I was going to respond but I felt a strange pull. I looked over and Addie was looking right at me. Her eyes widened when my eyes met hers. Goddess, she was beautiful.

"You," she said quietly, her brows furrowing.

I stepped towards her and she stepped towards me. She was still drunk so her step was more like a stumble and I reached out to steady her, setting my hands on her waist. That little contact with her sent fire through me. She looked up at me and I could just tell she felt it too.

"How did you find me?" Addie asked.

"You're mine, Adira. I'll always be able to find you," I said. "I had to make sure you were okay."

"You're not mad at me?" She asked, leaning more against me.

Mad at her? Even if I was at first it wasn't going to last. I was concerned more than anything else. If she thought I was mad then I had to do better for her.

"No," I said, nuzzling her nose. "I could never be mad at you."

"I'm confused," Addie said, a tired look in her eyes.

"Then come home with me and let me explain it," I said. I desperately wanted her somewhere safe. Not a place vamps are waiting one block over.

Addie didn't respond, she just looked into my eyes like she was searching for something. That eye contact was going to be the death of me. I wanted to kiss her, be close to her. My mate.

Since she ran away however many hours ago that was now, there was an awful ache in my chest. It felt like a rejection. But now she was here in my arms and that ache was gone, replaced with a fullness the likes of which I'd never felt.

"Addie!"

Our moment broke and Addie stepped away from me, shaking her head lightly. A girl came up and asked about getting riding to which Addie gave a half-hearted yes to. We weren't touching anymore but she was still looking at me. It would be so much easier if she wasn't human, if I could just get her alone. But Tess was right, the counsel may let me slide on other laws but regarding humans there was a hard line even I couldn't cross without gross punishment. So I had to be patient.

I thought I might get another chance but then fucking Travis returned and got both Addie and this girl into his car. Gina pulled up in his spot after he left and I slid into the passenger seat, Kaden and Tess following quickly after in the backseat.

"Follow that yellow car," I said, leaning back in my seat. "We are not going to lose her again."

A/N:

Hiiii! I hope you all are doing awesome and had an awesome week :D I'm so very excited about the number of reads and votes I got this week, thank you guys so much! It really motivates me and makes me happy you like it enough to read and vote :D And because you guys are awesome and keep voting, I'm going to try to do a bonus chapter before next Friday! Thanks for reading :)

Let me know what you thought of this chapter!

How did you like Xander and Addie's little moment?