Page 5 of Fated To The Wolf (Bay Harbor Wolves #10)

I saiah couldn’t resist it any longer and pulled Aidan in for another sensual, exploratory kiss. His lips were soft yet firm and inviting, moving against his with familiarity and longing. Aidan’s hands moved over Isaiah’s arms. The touch was exhilarating even as it was tentative and shy.

They'd shared quite a bit, but still, they weren't even halfway to a proper understanding. Isaiah was planning to suggest they go to his place following lunch and continue to get to know one another.

Aidan was open, and their connection was growing. He broke off the kiss, pulling back slightly to look down into Aidan’s expressive stare. Isaiah was shocked by how much and how deeply he was affected by this man. His presence left him trembling with want.

All of Isaiah’s plans were cut short when Jake came rushing to them from across the vast lawn.

He looked panicked and breathless, and Aidan immediately stood ready to give him whatever assistance he required.

Isaiah felt forgotten in that moment, and he took a step back.

Jake launched himself at Aidan, who caught him and held him.

“What’s wrong, what happened?” He searched Jake's face and then looked around, trying to find what it was that upset him.

"Was it that bastard Hayes?" He yelled, and Jake immediately calmed down and vigorously shook his head.

"No, no, Hayes is wonderful. I was just worried about you." Isaiah listened closely, confused by this sudden outburst of fear and distrust from someone who was fully vested in the wolf culture and had completed their own mate bond. Jake’s behavior was odd, to say the least.

"Come back to the main house with me. I need to make sure you're okay and that no one is taking advantage of you." With that statement, Jake gave a pointed glance at Isaiah, who took immediate offense.

“He’s quite safe, I assure you," Isaiah said, his tone dripping with contempt.

“I want Hayes to explain to you the meaning of mates and how to recognize your Fated mate.” Jake was obviously suspicious of Isaiah’s claim and his motives. Then Aidan, still holding onto Jake, turned to Isaiah, and his comment was quietly devastating.

"I'll catch you later, Isaiah.” He then walked away with his arm around Jake, comforting and reassuring.

Isaiah watched them until they disappeared inside the main house, but neither Aidan nor Jake looked back at him.

His mate shut him down and walked away, leaving him with nothing but a glib, catch you later; it was the worst feeling in the world.

He sat back down on the bench and leaned his elbows on his thighs while resting his chin on his hands.

Closing his eyes, he tried to understand where and how things had gone so wrong.

He had been sitting there for quite some time when he felt someone sit down beside him, and he glanced over to see who it was.

“Derek told us that Aidan was your mate.” Zayn began soft and supportive.

“Jake is fearful that his brother is being deceived.

It's crazy, but he's making himself believe it.

This is just the beginning, Isaiah, not the end.

He will come back, and your bond will grow stronger.

The pull is fierce with humans. He will not be able to stay away from you for long. "

“Why does Jake distrust me. Doesn’t he know how sacred the bond is and that it would never be used as a tool to deceive?" Isaiah was feeling desperation rising within him the longer he was apart from his newly discovered mate.

"Try to take it easy. Hayes will talk with Jake, and I’m sure he will back off.” Zayn was giving him hope, but he desired so much more. "I know this is painful. Trust me, I've been there. Just give him time.”

"I will. It would seem that I have no other choice."

"Jake is scared. It all seems too fast and convenient to him.”

"I understand." He really didn't, but it was the expected response, so he gave it.

“Henrik said to take a couple weeks off so you can focus on your mate.” Zayn gave him a pained expression, which did not fill him with confidence. Then he patted his knee before standing and, after a deep sigh, headed back to the main house.

Isaiah remained there for a few more minutes before heading home.

They hadn't made plans to meet again, and that was riding him hard.

'Catch you later,' God, he hated those words.

He shook himself and took a deep breath.

He needed to grow up. He was nearly a hundred years old.

He wasn't a child, and he could handle this.

He kept telling himself that as he walked home.

“How do we know that Isaiah is telling the truth?

Maybe he just wants to use Aidan and is pretending to be his mate.

" Jake opened with that, and Hayes was not impressed. Aidan had calmed Jake and assured him he wouldn’t do anything rash or hasty, and then he went to the kitchen with one of the enforcers named Seamus for a bite to eat.

He heard Jake and Hayes discussing him, his situation, and Isaiah.

The way Jake was speaking of Isaiah disturbed him, and he was glad to get out of the room and away from them before he said something he regretted.

He loved his brother dearly, but he did not get a say in his private life, and he certainly did not get a say in his relationship with Isaiah LeBlanc.

Seamus made him a ham sandwich and poured him a cup of coffee before sitting down with him at the large table in the kitchen located near the glass doors, which afforded a lovely view of the bay. They sat in silence for a few minutes, and then Seamus broke that silence.

"Isaiah is your mate. There is no doubt about it.

" He offered and then glanced out to the bay.

"He's one of our best security people. That's why the Alpha sent him to the Coven to be trained in the new systems. He catches on quick, and he has a mind that is always working. He’s also a damn good soldier.”

He didn’t need Seamus to sell him Isaiah's attributes. He knew for himself that he was a good man. The connection they shared gave him an inside view of just who Isaiah was, and he was attracted to every part of him.

“I know he’s my mate. I felt the connection, and Jake had already explained the basics of what to expect.

” He finished his sandwich and then set the plate aside, taking his coffee and drinking a few sips.

“It was more powerful than I would have expected, which just makes it clear to me that he is the one.

It's kind of bonkers actually to think that yesterday I wanted to burn this place down, and now here I am having lunch and apparently planning my wedding.”

Seamus laughed hard, and Aidan joined. "Feels good, doesn't it.”

"Yes, it does. I know I have a lot to learn, and life is going to be awkward for me for a while, but I am excited to get to know Isaiah. I just met him, and within hours, I was ready to move in without hesitation. Will it always feel like this so desperate and overwhelming?” Aidan discovered that the longer he was apart from Isaiah, the more he longed to be with him.

“The pull, as Isaiah called it, is fierce.”

“I've been mated for a few years, and I've found that it just gets better, broader, and more intense. That’s the power of a Fated bond. There is nothing like it in the world, and it is fierce.” Seamus stated.

“I look forward to it. Now I just have to get Jake on board.”

“Hayes is taking care of that.”

Isaiah remained at home, wondering what Aidan was thinking and when he would see him again. He knew he was being pathetic, but he believed he had a right to his feelings, considering his mate had walked away from him without a backward glance and had not contacted him since.

Travis had stopped by, but Isaiah was not fit company for anyone. He let him know that Hayes had worked things out with Jake, and Aidan was asking questions. “He’s understanding what's happening, and he knows that you're his mate."

"Then where is he? Why is he not at my side.

" Isaiah was losing his cool the longer he had to wait.

His wolf was pushing to shift and just bring the man home, but as good as that idea sounded, it wouldn't work out in the end.

Aidan had to come to him of his own free will; he could not be forced or coerced.

"Give him time, Isaiah. It's only been a day.” Isaiah apologized for his abruptness and thanked Travis for keeping him informed.

“Also, the Alpha has given Sasha permission to set up a border on the bay side similar to what his grandfather gave the Coven.

He's already on it, so we will find out if mage magic is the answer.

" As much as that should have been satisfying for Isaiah, all he could do was nod.

The absence of his mate was making everything dark and lifeless, and excitement was out of reach.

“I hope it works for us as well as it works for the Coven.” Finally, Travis had his fill and forced Isaiah out of his house and down to the dining hall for dinner.

It helped a little, very little, but it did get his mind off things for a bit.

He could see the main house from where they were seated, and it gave him comfort to know he was close to his mate.

“He won't stay away for long," Travis assured.

Everyone was telling him the same thing, and yet Aidan had yet to seek him out.

It had been several hours, and the waiting was excruciating.

It was dusk when they left the dining hall, and Travis left him to get ready for work.

Isaiah decided to take a walk on the beach to clear his head before heading home.