Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Knox's POV

I blew out a cloud of smoke, watching it curl against the night sky. Where the fuck were they? I checked my watch again, tapping my foot impatiently against the gravel. The warehouse was too quiet, making my skin itch.

"Goddamn it," I muttered, pulling my leather jacket tighter against the chill.

My fingers ruffled through my hair, messing it up in that way the girls loved. Not that I gave a shit. I had bigger problems than looking pretty tonight.

All we had to do was leave school, handle this business, and get back before anyone noticed we were gone. But trusting those Summer West Academy punks was clearly a mistake. The little bastards had the balls to break into our warehouse and steal the bikes we needed for next week's racing competition.

"Fucking disaster," I growled to myself.

This race brought in more cash than anything else we did. Everyone placed bets, just like they did with our fights. And now some punk-ass kids had stolen our bikes and left their fucking footprints everywhere like amateur hour.

I took another drag of my cigarette, feeling the nicotine calm my nerves slightly. I also needed to get to Moon Crest Pack for that wolf display celebration. It was a massive Pack compared to mine, and my father, the great Alpha Steele wanted me to "maintain good relationships" with their Alpha.

Fucking Politics. Always fucking politics.

The rumble of motorcycles cut through my thoughts and I can breathe finally. The boys rolled into our cabin hideout, engines purring like satisfied predators.

My wolf suddenly growled inside me, my hackles were raised and that was Blood. I could smell it.

Jaxon stepped off his bike first, that familiar smirk playing on his lips. "We handled it."

"What the fuck?" I exploded, throwing my cigarette down. "You went on a mission without me?"

Ryder's massive frame blocked the moonlight as he dismounted. "Chill, Razor. We didn't need a bloody mess like you. We handled it clean."

"Don't ever fucking make decisions without me again," I snarled, getting in his face. "We all control the association. Not just you two."

Jaxon, my adopted brother, tilted his head. "Do you smell that?"

I paused, inhaling deeply….Holy…Fucking…Hell.

A scent hit me like a freight train….sweet, intoxicating, and so goddamn perfect it went straight to my cock. My wolf howled inside me, clawing to get out.

Ryder walked around, his nostrils flaring. "What the fuck is that?"

An excited thought kicked in. "What if it's my mate?" I whispered, almost afraid to say it aloud.

"But the full moon isn't out yet," Jaxon said, his amber eyes wide. "How's that possible?"

I'd been running home each full moon, desperate to find my mate. Dad if I don't find her, I'll get married to Cora…we were betrothed from birth but she wasn’t my mate. I wanted someone who was mine, someone fierce and strong who could handle me and become my old lady in the association and he my Luna in the Pack.

"I don't know, but I'm finding out," I growled.

We were going crazy, our wolves spiraling out of control. The scent was fucking everywhere, pulling us like a drug we couldn't resist.

Ryder suddenly jumped on his bike. "I'm out of here."

We followed him, racing through the streets. The scent guided us like a compass and if we took a wrong turn, our wolves would howl in protest until we circled back.

We ended up outside a fancy bungalow I recognized as belonging to Axel's best friend. The scent stopped right there, becoming stronger than before.

"Fuck me," I whispered, parking my bike. "She's here."

My heart pounded against my ribs. Was my mate inside? I swore I'd kill any motherfucker who was touching her.

But all I saw was Axel standing outside, looking frustrated as hell. His shirt was hiked up, showing that perfect waist that always made me gulp. I made sure he saw me approaching.

Then something happened that I couldn't control. My wolf scratched my insides, moving without permission. I found myself standing before a girl with tears streaming down her fat face.

Jaxon and Ryder were right beside me, and before I could stop myself, that forbidden word fell from my lips in perfect unison with theirs.

"Mate."

The Moon Goddess had to be fucking kidding me.

"I'm gonna vomit," I said, backing away. "Please tell me this isn't her."

Ryder stepped back too, disgust written all over his face. "This is fucked up."

"Why are you here?" Jaxon asked Axel, who looked as horrified as we felt.

Axel licked his lips, making me lose focus for a second. "She's my mate too."

"That's not going to happen!" I yelled, finally taking in her features properly.

She was... everything I didn't want. Fat…..Ugly… Weak. The school's biggest joke.

"I can't do this," I told them, panic rising in my chest.

Before I knew what I was doing, I had her pinned against the wall, my hand around her throat. "What the fuck did you do?" I snarled. "Undo whatever shit spell this is, or I'll fucking kill you."

She choked and cried, her violet eyes wide with fear. "I don't know what's happening!"

"Stop it, Knox!" Axel yelled, pulling me off her.

I shoved him away. "I won't share my fucking woman! Not with any of you!" I was breathing hard, rage making my vision blur. "Someone would rather die. I'm going to my Pack to find my real mate. My wolf is confused."

I jumped on my bike, the engine roaring to life beneath me. This couldn't be happening. Not her please, anyone but her.

Back at the Pack, I ignored my annoying sister and went straight for a run with my wolf. I needed to clear my head, to pick up a different scent, any scent that would prove this was all a mistake.

But nothing happened….no new scent called to me. Because the only scent sticking in my goddamn mind was the one connected to that little tank.