6 Protect!

SEPTEMBER

Sike noticed him carrying Mika, " Are you two on better terms? " he asked a smirk playing on his lips. It was a welcomed sight. Much better than Sike himself having to dodge dishes flying at his head because he mentioned Jayce. That... Was one hell of a day.

" Not really. She was asleep downstairs. I was just taking her to her room... " he frowned, " Looks like she has to wake up though. She has to be around for judgement on rouges now being Luna.. I haven't let her do as much as I should have. It'll be good for everyone to see her I guess. " he said softly.

Jayce didn't want to wake his sleeping beauty, but if he didn't Sike would. He suddenly didn't want Sike to be around. At least not right now. Not while she was peacefully, finally in his arms. The moment was gone though, and business had to be carried out.

" Mika.. wake up. We have to take care of something. " he shook her gently so she wouldn't be startled. He figured she still would be. Obviously she would be. He was holding her.

Mika's eye fluttered open a little. What time was it? It felt late. Did she fall asleep somewhere she shouldn't have? " What...? " She felt herself in strong arms, and blushed deeply. He held her rather close and tight. Like she might vanish if he let her go. It certainly wasn't uncomfortable, but it was a little embarrassing.

She wanted to stay in his arms..

Tingles made her feel light headed, and butterflies erupted through her stomach. She wanted to stay. He'd never held her like this, or for so long before in general. Mika was painfully aware of his beta in the room though. Not to mention the soft, and heated stare she felt from Jayce himself. She scurried down out of his arms, "What time is it? And what do we have to do? You never do anything with me. " She crossed her arms over her chest.

He gave her a questioning look before it was replaced with a smoldering one. Her blush had done that. So pretty, and tempting. . Just waiting for him, and wanting. He pushed away his tempting thoughts for now. Again, it just wasn't the time.

Or place.

He wanted her in his bed. Not in the living room of the house.

" A rogue has been caught. We have to decide what we should do about it. You are Luna, you have to be there at least. It's late, but we'll be done soon enough. " He paused letting her take in what he said. Then he tapped her wrist, and pointed to her neck. " Waiting on you. "

She frowned, and quickly put the stupid thing on. Mika made sure not to put it on tightly. It would be optimal in case she had to shift. The last thing she needed was to get choked mid shift or run. Of course she was just happy to be leaving the house. In a way, she had regretted not going with him sometimes at least. Not insisting that he take her or show her things. In reality their misunderstandings were both of their faults. Not just his. Not that she was going to admit that right now.

She felt that this chipped choker, just like around his door, would this help him know where she was while she wore it. Oddly enough she didn't mind. It was still unnecessary, and stupid. She was going to make sure he felt her annoyance from having to wear it too, but she understood the safety aspect of it.

" Yes, it will. " He answered, holding his hand out to her. Jayce had heard everything going through her mind. Of course she hated it, but it was the only way he'd cared to keep an eye on her so far. She hadn't once left the house without him bringing her back for some stupid reason. Maybe he was selfish? It made him a little sad. She loved being outside before he dragged her home again.

He realized it probably wasn't the best option. Keeping her inside was cruel. He knew little to nothing about her, and hadn't tried to learn anything else. Honestly, She probably loved to be outside. He could feel how much she hated it. Not him strangely enough, but just the choker. And, She hated being locked away inside. He still felt so confused. Nothing made sense. She cooked for him, cleaned for him, even made a point to check on him through Sike or the Chef. Who she oddly enough nicknamed Chef. " Let's go Little Runaway. "

"Seriously, stop calling me that. "

" Stop running. " he teased playfully as he pulled her up, and carried her on his back with ease.

" I can walk.. "

" No need. We'll be there soon. " he simply answered. His mind elsewhere.

Sike had been watching like the hawk he was. He chuckled. These two were definitely made for each other. Her temper was strange. She was childish. She was calm and feisty. Mika was certainly caring. She wouldn't have learned to cook better if she didn't care. She wouldn't have bothered with the kids or doctor either..

Granted Jayce had stopped her from doing so. It seemed like it did Jayce good to be slapped around a little as well. At first he fought it with everything in his being, and yet he saw Jayce begin to give more and more. She was pushing him to a breaking point for change, and he was glad to see that.

Sike sighed as he followed them. It wouldn't be long before the pack had a proper Luna. He smiled happily. That was going to be a very good night. He couldn't wait. Something was bound to happen. He could feel it in his bones.

~~~~~

The pack was gathered, and Jayce sat Mika down next to him. He gave her a look, and pretty much told her to stay put. It was the first time she would see people from the pack. An interesting way to introduce her.. And the pack was interested in her for sure. Still, he didn't want her to be overwhelmed.

She'd been here for a little over a month, and this was the first time meeting almost anyone. He felt suddenly bad about it. She should have been able to see them sooner. Jayce realized she had tried, and he stopped her every time. Thinking she was either running or being stupid. Trying to get herself hurt.

No wonder Sike had been in such a good mood. He was watching him dig a hole and jump in it too. He glanced at Sike who in turn smirked at his best friend and Alpha.

"That little runt.. he could have warned us!" Koy snapped.

Jayce had to agree, but it was only himself he could really get mad at. He was the one who was being hard headed. Okay, so Mika was very stubborn as well, but he was the one who hadn't paid attention where attention was due.

Mika waited where she was told to, and watched as he went about business. Jayce was a born leader. He was strong, admired by his people, and very confident. He answered any questions, redirecting questions to her onto himself. She was grateful for it right now. She didn't know how to address anyone. Let alone tell them she was their Luna. She hadn't had any kind of ceremony, or anything like it. His behavior was admirable.

People seemed curious about her though. She was honestly still half asleep, and found herself sway a little every now and then. He never once moved from her side, and actually kept his hand on the small of her back to steady her. It was comforting. She smiled at him a few times, and he actually smiled back once! He smiled! Not smirked, but smiled! It was enough to leave her high on happiness again, and it only took a month.

~~~~~~

Jayce came to the conclusion that the rouge would be dealt with in the morning. It would be killed for entering the land, poaching, and attempting to attack guards. She didn't like it, but she knew they had laws in place that protected them. It had kept them together for years, and you simply had to enforce what kept your people safe. Even if it seemed barbaric at best.

Plus the rouges here were supposedly worse than around other areas. So she understood very well that it had to be done. She just didn't like how it was going to be handled...

She shuddered. Something seemed off. Wrong. Nina was restless. No.. This just wasn't right. At all.

She watched the creature be walked off towards an abandoned looking building. She didn't want to let her guard down right now. She was suddenly wide awake, and ridged. Where was the danger? She wasn't taking her eyes off of that thing. Mika made a mental note to either explore around it or ask someone about the building later. She needed to know if she was supposed to help in situations like this. It was probably the so-called, " dungeon" for the pack.

A place for traitors and rouges caught on the lands to be kept until trial, or the Alpha could deal with them. The rumors were true about the power of this pack. Jayce's rumors seemed to be mainly true as well. She could only imagine what hell waited down there in that building, but she had a feeling that the rouge wasn't going down there.

Nina started to give her a headache with her urgency.

Then, it happened.

She heard a harsh snap.. Another loud snap, and in the building's direction this time. She had a heavy weight in the pit of her stomach. No. Oh no. She spun around to look at Jayce so fast it made her dizzy.

The rouge werewolf had gotten loose, and was charging right for him. The guards behind it were flung a good ten feet or more, and laying on the ground. They had gotten the wind knocked out of them when the beast shifted. This rouge was strong enough to do that?! This wasn't good. It was running for Jayce quicker now. His back was turned. He was talking to an elderly lady about something completely unrelated to this.

They were going to get hurt. There was absolutely no one in between Jayce and that wolf, but her.

This rouge was fast, "I'm faster.. " Mika felt determination build up in her like a fire.

"Get it!" Nina growled loudly, waking her from her thoughts as soon as it met her side.

She didn't think much, and didn't think her thoughts would get to him without a strong mind link. Not being fully mated left them in a disadvantage. Just one word flew through her mind, and straight into his. One strong thought.

Protect.

Protect?

He turned in time to see her grab this rouge wolf by its neck with both arms. She was bear hugging a rogue by its neck. She threw it off balance. Mika's added weight threw it off and they both crashed to the ground violently. Both she and the rouge landed in a pile on the ground. Both shocked about what happened. Both trying to recover, so they could each get at the other's neck.

It happened quickly, and just as quickly he was up, ready to snap her neck. She was roughed up a bit from the landing, and had hit her head dazing her a little. A trickle of blood came from an already healing cut to her cheek. She felt dazed, seeing double for a moment. Mika opened her eyes to see him, more clearly, stalking towards her. That was nothing though. This bastard wanted to hurt her mate. That was a no no.

She growled, and shifted quickly to her wolf form leaving behind clothes half tattered. He snarled and lunged at her as she struggled to get to her feet. She lunged at it, her teeth bared, and bit down on its neck. The rouge shook her off, and snarled at her. Both circled each other. Each daring the other to back down, or do something. But, Mika was crazy, and wasn't about to back down now. This was going to end in one of two ways. Either he was going to die, or she was.

She snarled once more. Taunting him to attack, and it seemed to piss the beast off. It lunged for her once more. He had her pinned to the ground, snapping at her while she fought him hard, clawing at the bite wound on his neck. He howled with pain when she caught it just right, and backed off shaking his head, and howling in pain.

Jayce was frozen in shock. "What the hell is happening?"

She jumped on it's back, and bit down again, this time hard. The wolf shook violently, trying to shake her off. Mika bit down harder, and harder until she felt bone. She cringed. It never got easier.. Hunting was something she didn't do because she couldn't handle the actual kill.

All she had to do was twist. Just twist. This would all be over if she could just stop freezing up!

"Do it. It is him or your pack! Him or Jayce. " Nina encouraged.

"Him."

 Mika heard a chilling, and sickening snap. She panted, bleeding a little from the rouge scratches and bites. Mika climbed off of him, and backed away from the wolf. She couldn't believe she'd done it, and in front of everyone at that. She killed a rogue.. She really did it. She continued to back away slowly. From everyone.

This wasn't a bad dream, there really was a dead rouge in front of her. It was laying at Jayce's feet now, as if it were a gift. She had protected Jayce. That's all she was thinking about when she tackled it. He was surprised to say the least. She could see it in his eyes. They all were. Though she misinterpreted it as more of a rejecting look. Disapproval. Her mind was really fucking with her right now.

Mika took off, running without stopping, scared of what he thought about her showing him up. Scared that she had ruined having a chance with him, or even his pack liking her. She thought she had truly broken whatever relationship they were beginning to finally have. More than anything Mika was scared of what she would do for him. Mika just killed for the person she was made to love, and she liked that she did it. Nina praised her for helping him, but she felt too upset and scared to listen.

" Stop! Mika! " He called. " Get rid of this thing!" He commanded looking at the dead wolf on the ground, " Your Luna has decided his fate, and taken care of it as well as protected your Alpha. No one speaks to her before me. Find her. "

He went back to the main house. His mind was reeling. His head hurt. His chest swelled with pride.

Protect.

That was all he heard before he turned to see the only Luna his pack had ever really had lunge at a rogue intent on killing him in human form! She grabbed the thing with her bare hands. She threw it off, and in an instant, killed it. For him. It happened so fast. He couldn't even react to it. He should have though. What kind of mate wouldn't help in a situation like that?

She was just as fast as the rouge itself. Jayce knew she was fast, he had watched her at the run, but she was faster than he gave her credit for. Obviously she wasn't showing her true potential at The Run either. She saved his life possibly, and some of her pack members lives as well. Well the rouge would have hurt him pretty bad, but he would have survived most likely. The others would have been hurt probably at the most.

He wasn't hurt.

"She is though. " Koy said softly.

He growled at his wolf's thought. He hated that. Why had she done that? He was an ass to her, and she still jumped on a rouge like a champion fucking fighter. She took it down in a matter of minutes. Just to keep him from getting hurt. " That was so damn dangerous. So stupid. "

" That is the way she is. "

" Then she's stupid! Who the hell jumps on a rogue in human form?!"

" She does when she thinks she will lose us. " His wolf answered confidently. " I knew I liked her.. " Jayce could hear the smirk in Koy's voice.

He shook his head, "You've been trying to get me to see I can trust her haven't you, and I've been an ass.."

"Congratulations you aren't as dense anymore! You can always make up for it. . The only thing on her mind was you. Even after it was dead. She was scared you would be mad at her for showing you up as Alpha. "

" Shit.. really? I wouldn't be mad at her for that. She protected me. I can't get mad at that. " He sighed softly, and to let his anger out he punched the wall, and left an indention.

It hurt like hell, and he deserved that.

He didn't smell her yet. They hadn't brought her back. She was scared. He could feel it, and she would stop sooner rather than later. She was probably going on fumes by now since he had to wake her before. Her adrenaline would wear off quickly after a fight like that.

Jayce went over to the couch she'd slept on earlier. He laid on it, and held the throw pillow she slept on. Who cares if someone saw? He wanted his mate. He wanted to hold her, and thank her, and so much more.

Without her, he would be alone again. That thought scared him more than anything.

~~~~~~

Sike had parties of people scanning the territory for her. They combed the woods for what felt like hours. She shouldn't be hard to find, and yet she was. She seemed to be good at playing hide and seek. Mika was an whiteish cream colored wolf, so her pelt should be easily spotted against the darkness. At least once the moon shined on her. All he had to do was wait for a scout to come back with good news. Some kind of sighting.

She was fast, so it could take a while to catch up. The collar should help her feel the territory lines, and Sike hoped she wouldn't leave them if she felt them. The last thing they needed was for her to end up on enemy turf or lost in roguelands. Not after all of this.

Taking out a rogue for her mate.. She was something special. Not many could do that. Even if they really wanted to. She didn't think. She reacted on instinct to it. Ruthlessly. Just like the rogue trying to kill her mate. Sike was proud to call her his Luna. She fit better than she thought she did.

Someone called him through the pack link about an hour later. Finally. He sighed loudly. She was apparently very good at hiding.

"A light colored wolf has been spotted! We believe it's her. "

"Good. Thanks. I'll go get her. Do not approach. Do not talk to her. Just leave her alone. " He answered dismissing them all. Imagine his surprise when a little kid started talking.

"Why is she so upset?"

"Because she isnt from here. She has never had to kill before. It upset her. It's best for her to get back to the Alpha, so he can help her feel better. "

"Oh.. okay! "

"Now go to bed, little one. "

"Night Beta Sike!"

" Goodnight little night owl. "

He smirked and shook his head. Silly kids. They were too smart.. They knew how to get into things too easily.

Sike went out to the area she was reported to be in. A sad howl escaped to the moon. He approached her slowly. She was in boundary lines, but only just. She was sitting on a hill under some trees, an open target honestly. But, at least still in the pack territory.

He shook his head, and kept an eye on her. She was scared, probably felt alone, and cold no doubt. She wasn't from here after all. She was from a southern climate. It got cold here at night. Much colder than a southern girl would be used to. He would hate having to get used to a different temperature so quickly, and at night as well.

He sat next to her. She was a breathtaking wolf, and a brave unbelievable girl. No one sane would take on a rogue like that. Except maybe Jayce. He would. Both of his leaders were crazy as hell. They fit together so well it was scary. Once again he could see them together. Balancing each other.

He sighed, and nudged her playfully. She glanced at him, and huffed. He wanted to talk to her, and tell her it was alright. Yet Sike knew better than to go against Jayce's direct orders. More than he already had. Especially now, involving his mate. He'd been right though. Tonight was an epic, truly unbelievable night.

He took his jacket off, and draped it around the creamy wolf. She glanced up at him with scared, sad eyes. Thankful, but still emotional. Sike couldn't disobey the command of his Alpha, so he didn't speak. There was an unspoken understanding that seemed to go between them. She must have heard him give the commands as she ran.

Mika shifted, and he picked her up taking extra care not to touch her skin at all. Mika was exhausted. Her eyes fluttered closed as he carried her. He had a feeling Jayce might be getting ready to accept her for real. This night was going to be something special for them. He was already setting up perimeters, and boundaries for the night so Jayce and Mika would be alone. Together, and safe as their bond grew.

Jayce always liked to be prepared. Something Sike took to learning quickly as his best friend.

Something like this would be enough to make a change in the house of Mai. The coyote king was going to gain a queen, and hopefully the people would gain a queen's touch along with it. God knows it was needed to smooth out the roughness they had long acquired.

~~~~~~

The walk back was decently long. She had run quite a few miles away from the pack house. Sike sat her on the porch steps, and she pulled the jacket closer around her. Sike waved her on inside, and turned to leave with a soft smile.

Prying eyes peered from around the fence, and he shooed them all away. He went about making sure kids were in bed, and people were going to leave the pack house alone for the night. Sike had often thought he would make a good alpha, but he wouldn't take it if Jayce gave it to him.

Why? Because he didn't want it. Even Jayce had said he would be better. Sike always dismissed it. No, Jayce was a much better leader. He just had to figure that out as well.

__

Mika held her breath, slipped inside, and shut the door. She stood there frozen in place. Was he angry? Annoyed? Was he going to reject her for going over his authority? She hadn't meant to.. Mika shivered, cold from the run." J-jayce?" She whispered so low she didn't think he heard.

He was already waiting for her leaning against the mantle of the fireplace in the main room. He opened his eyes, amber and pitch black seemed to dance through them. She thought of flames licking at her. A fire seeming to ignite in him, and spreading to her all the way by the front door.

Mika no longer felt cold. He closed the distance between them with what seemed like a few strides. Jayce ripped the jacket away already hating its scent around her. It wasn't Sike's fault nor Mika's. He was generous enough to cover her, and Jayce appreciated it.

She jumped, and gasped. Her gasp sent chills through him. He eyed her body for scratches and made sure his gaze lingered on her beauty before he was satisfied. She was scratched up, and might have a bruise or two, but otherwise she was fine. " That asshole bit you. " he growled softly bending down, and touching her leg.

She blushed trying to cover herself a little. Yes, she was his mate, but she was still very much shy. Not to mention innocent. She whimpered when he touched her leg. " P-please don't. It's tender. " she whined softly pleading for him to stop.

His eyes snapped up at her, " You don't get to decide if I do or don't make sure my mate is okay. " he semi snapped. She flinched hard, and looked down. " Why did you do that? It was so stupid! " He stood, and pinned her against the door.

She gasped softly again, still covering herself. " I.. I reacted on instinct. " she whispered.

His eyes seemed to glow brighter than Amber. His fear of having a mate seemed to be coming true. Just false feelings dictating what she would do...

Mika's fingertips touched his cheek, " He was going to hurt my mate. All that I wanted to do was protect... you." Her breath quivered at his closeness, and her legs felt weak. " I'm.. sorry. " she whispered looking down again. She was submitting herself to his mercy, and tried to dismiss herself to her room. She wanted to clean up, and crawl in bed. Her leg needed tending to. Sleep wanted to overcome her. " I'm tired. I'm sorry... I didn't mean to go against you in front of everyone. "

Jayce felt shock ripple through him as soon as she touched him. He realized she really wouldn't have a reason to save him from the rouge if she didn't really feel something. Something genuine. She loved him? This girl hadn't asked for one thing since she had been here.

She didn't ask for perks for being Luna. She had started to at least attempt to follow his rules. She was still wearing that collar. Around her neck.. His eyes went very dark again, resting there. God, he wanted to mark her. She shattered his trance by trying to ease away.

" No. " was all he could get out. Her breath quivered again, sending chills straight through him in the best possible way. " Not a chance in hell.. You aren't getting away again." His voice was rough, but soft. He pulled her back, and close to his chest. " Stay here. " He whispered against her ear. His voice almost pleading with her to remain in his arms.

She heard a soft sigh escape her own lips at the sound of his voice. She shivered. This boy had to have some kind of issues. Bi-polar? Maybe. " What are you doing? This isn't like you." She said trying to hold her mind together, and resist the urge to dive into him.

" We've been waiting for this. Just give in. " Nina was so not helping.

" But, I am myself. I just don't show this to people. " He kept her where they were for a while longer in silence. His eyes remained closed, his hands intertwined in her soft, brown hair. Everything felt right. He felt at ease. Peaceful. " I've changed my mind. " he announced quietly.

She felt her heart sink a little. Most of the time, people rejected each other with that sentence. Didn't they?

" You are moving from that room. You'll be staying in my room after all. Our room.." He finished clearly messing with her by pausing. He felt her both tense up and relax again. A smile sat on his face and he looked like a goofy boy playing a stupid prank.

Mika smacked the back of his head when she saw him. " You stupid jerk. I've heard of people rejecting each other all my life that way." She pouted before wiggling free of him. " I'm going to get dressed." She started to stomp off to her room.

He caught her in his arms again. " One, I would be careful of how much wiggling you do in front of me.. especially like this." He gestured to her for a moment taking her in again. " Two, you won't make it upstairs on that leg. He bit you too deep. It's going to hurt like hell to walk a lot. Especially upstairs. " He picked her up cradling her like before. " Just hush. You won't need clothes tonight. "

"Excuse me?! Who are you to decide that all on your own?"

" Who said I did? I can tell already.. I can smell too." He answered simply.

" Glad you can. Because from where I am, I'm thinking no-"

Jayce rolled his eyes, and stopped at the top of the stairs. He pulled her in for a passionate kiss to silence her. " Don't knock it before you try it. I'm marking you tonight. " he said his words final.

" You are?! " He expected to see fear or sadness. Instead, she was nervous and happy? She was happy for the pain to come out of his mark? Because it was going to hurt her.

" Yes. Why aren't you scared?" He was clearly confused, and not understanding why she was so being weird.

" Because, I don't want to be rejected. I want to help. That's all I've been trying to do. I didn't know you had such a dangerous territory, but I've tried to respect it. It hasn't been easy, and I didn't know the lines. " she was still clearly trying to hide herself from him. " But, i could have asked.. Been more persistent.. "

He huffed, " Stop fidgeting. I'm not looking right now. " he paused, " I guess that was indeed my fault. I should have explained things better. I was just taught that the mate bond was something that messed with you. If I didn't find a mate I didn't need one to carry my family on. As long as the females are strong they will be protected... so on and so on. "

" That's backwards. To have a mate is wonderful. It gave me someone to talk to. And apparently fight with. What I feel isn't just something telling me what to do or say. It's a lot more. "

" I'm beginning to see that. " He had let his feet carry them to his room, and with a touch opened his door. It swung shut behind them securely. Once again, she did not have an exit. She didn't really want one either.

Jayce sat her down on his bed gently. He draped a spare blanket around her bare shoulders. She must have been getting cold, or still was cold one. He sat next to her, his mind racing still. She was visibly nervous. Honestly so was he.

He smiled. It had to be real for her to be so fidgety. Right? He leaned over, pulled her to him, and caught her lips in a soft kiss. Jayce worked it into a longing one full of passion, and promise as he proceeded to run his hand through her hair as well before stopping.

" Thank you My Luna, Mika, for saving my stubborn ass. " he paused looking into what she probably felt was her soul, " I will never hurt you on purpose.. I didn't mean to when I did. " His eyes fell on her neck again. Now he was itching for that necklace to be off. Gone. 

Mika was shocked. Utterly shocked. It wasn't unwelcomed though. He was opening up for her, but did she want to be marked so suddenly? It didn't matter she guessed, because he was accepting her. Not to mention she had been trying to do this. Work her way into his heart. Be his Luna. Hopefully be the love of his life.

The mark came with it, and so did the responsibility of being Luna. Hadn't she already accepted that? Plus it wasn't really sudden. She had been here for a while now. She did want to know him as well. Everything about him really. Her inner wolf pounced around in her mind all but ready to accept the Luna title fully. She chewed on her lip gently after his kiss listening to him. " I know. I haven't held it against you when you did. "

He kind of smiled, " Good. Because I was am an ass by nature. It's going to happen even if I try not to. " he shrugged softly. The tension between them was thick, but not bad. He could feel her lean into him, practically smell her excitement getting stronger. His breathing went a little rough, " I'm not going to hold back tonight. Virgin or not, you will be mine by the end of the night. " His wolf agreed in full.

His hand trailed from her cheek down her body leaving a trail of heat in its place. Her breath caught and she blushed. " So blunt.. " she shook her head a little. Mika knew he was right however.

She was locked in with him, and she couldn't open his door. Not yet. To even do that he would have to help her. She would need to be marked. Plus, Mika wasn't so sure she wanted to escape tonight. She took a breath, and looked him straight in his eyes, " I, Mika Shanandoah, accept you as my mate Jayce Mia. Just so you're not confused. " she smirked softly.

He smirked, his eyes very dark smoldering embers, " Good to know Little Star, but I wasn't giving you an option. " He caressed her cheek, lifted her face, and pulled her in for the most blissful kiss he could give. Deep inside he had waited so long for this.