Falling for My Shifter Enemy (Wild & Forbidden Mates #4)

Chapter 2

Theo

I can't believe it. Chloé, a submissive wolf from Whispering Pines—a pack I’ve spent years at odds with—is my fated mate.

My wolf is still prowling inside me, restless and agitated. I can feel him pacing, claws scraping at the edges of my mind, all because of her. Chloé. She stands there, small and fragile on the outside, but I can tell there’s more to her than what meets the eye. There’s a quiet strength in her, something that draws me in despite my every instinct screaming at me to resist it.

Not to mention, she looks... irresistible . I shouldn’t be thinking this, not after everything she’s just been through. She’s standing there, disheveled from the kidnapping, her light brown hair cascading out of the messy bun it had been trapped in. Her glasses are askew, one lens slightly fogged from the cold air. Her petite frame is swallowed by those shapeless clothes she hides behind, yet there’s something about the curve of her hips peeking beneath that oversized shirt that pulls my attention despite myself.

It’s not that I never expected to meet my fated mate—I knew, one day, it was bound to happen. But never in a million years did I think it would be someone from Whispering Pines . My teeth grind together at the thought. Rivals. That’s what her pack is. And yet here she is, standing in front of me. The irrational part of my brain—the human, calculating part—screams that this is a cosmic mistake, that nothing good can come from this bond.

But my wolf? My wolf doesn’t give a damn about rivalries.

He’s already clawing at the surface, his sharp pull toward her undeniable, primal. His certainty burns in me. He knows she’s ours. That she needs to be claimed, protected . It’s like he’s been waiting all this time, watching from the shadows of my mind, for the day he’d find her—and now that day is here, and he’s not about to let anything stand in the way.

“Mine,” my wolf growls inside me, a low, possessive sound.

Ryan and I stand a few feet away, his arms crossed as we discuss the next steps. My attention keeps drifting back to her—Chloé. My mate. She hasn’t stopped watching me since I shifted back into human form, and I can feel the weight of her gaze like a physical touch. The mate bond hums between us, a constant reminder of what I now have to protect, whether I like it or not.

“We need to secure the area,” Ryan says, cutting through my thoughts. His voice is sharp, but there’s a thread of worry running beneath it. “Make sure there aren’t any other threats.”

I nod, forcing myself to focus. “My team is already sweeping the perimeter. There’s no sign of anyone else, but we’ll do a second check just to be sure.” My voice comes out rougher than I intend, the tension in my body still simmering from the fight.

Ryan’s eyes narrow slightly, but he doesn’t argue. He knows I run my pack like a machine, efficient and precise. “Good. And what about Chloé and Zoe?” His tone softens when he says their names. I don’t miss the protectiveness in his voice, especially when it comes to Chloé.

Marcus steps forward, his expression unreadable but resolute. "I'll take care of Zoe," he says, his voice steady. His eyes flick to Zoe, and for a moment, I catch a glimpse of something more—something deeper between them. "She'll be safe with me."

Ryan nods, a satisfied look crossing his face before he turns his attention back to me. "And Chloé?"

My wolf snarls at the thought of anyone else being responsible for her safety. The bond between us flares, an almost painful reminder that she’s mine to protect. I clench my fists, fighting the overwhelming possessiveness that surges through me. "I'll take her back with me," I say, my voice low and final. "To Howling Pines."

Ryan’s brow furrows, his lips pressing into a thin line. "Are you sure that’s wise, Theo? She’s a Whispering Pines wolf, not one of yours."

I meet his gaze head-on, my wolf pushing to the surface. "She’s safer with me than anywhere else."

I can tell from Ryan's expression that he knows there's more to my request than just concern for her safety. The way his eyes narrow, studying my face—he must sense the mate bond forming. He's not stupid; he knows I wouldn't insist on taking a rival pack member unless something significant was at play. The tension in his jaw tells me he's already piecing it together, and he's not happy about it.

"She's been through enough trauma today, Theo," Ryan says carefully, his words measured. "I don't want to subject her to more stress by sending her into unfamiliar territory with..." He pauses, choosing his words deliberately, "...someone she barely knows."

My wolf bristles at the implication. We might be strangers now, but she's ours . The possessiveness that courses through me is almost painful in its intensity. I know Ryan would fight me on this if he had to—he's always been protective of his pack members, especially Chloé. But I also know he can sense the shift in dynamics between us, can probably smell my wolf's claim on her already. Fighting me on this would only lead to conflict neither of us wants.

"Two days," I say, my voice leaving no room for negotiation. "Just until we're sure there's no lingering threat. Then she can decide what she wants to do."

The look Ryan gives me speaks volumes. He knows as well as I do that two days with a fated mate could change everything. But he also knows he doesn't have much choice—not unless he wants to challenge an Alpha protecting his mate.

Ryan holds my stare for a long moment, the tension thick between us. But then, finally, he nods, though I can tell he’s not entirely convinced. "Fine. But we’ll be in contact. I expect regular updates."

I nod curtly. "Agreed."

Without another word, I turn and walk toward Chloé. Her eyes widen slightly as I approach, and I can see the uncertainty swirling in them. She’s still processing everything that’s happened—everything that’s changed. And I can’t blame her. Hell, I’m still trying to wrap my head around it too.

"You’re coming with me," I say, my voice gruff. It’s not a request. It’s a fact.

Her lips part, as if she’s about to argue, but then she hesitates, her eyes searching mine. I can see the conflict warring inside her —the fear, the confusion, the pull of the mate bond. She doesn’t fully understand it yet, but she feels it. Just like I do.

After a long moment, she nods, her voice quiet but steady. "Okay."

I gesture for her to follow, and together, we make our way toward my truck. My wolf settles slightly, knowing she’s with me, but the tension between us is far from gone. This bond, this mate connection, complicates everything. But for now, all that matters is keeping her safe.

As we drive through the darkened forest, the silence stretches between us, heavy and charged. The moonlight filters through the trees, casting long shadows across the road. I grip the steering wheel tightly, my thoughts racing. What the hell am I supposed to do with this? With her?

Chloé sits quietly beside me, her hands resting on her lap. I can feel the weight of her presence, the mate bond humming between us like a live wire. It’s almost too much, the way it pulls me toward her, demands that I protect her, claim her. But I can’t. Not yet. Not like this.

I glance at her out of the corner of my eye, watching the way the moonlight plays across her face. There’s a vulnerability in her that tugs at something deep inside me, something I’ve spent years burying. She’s not what I expected. Not what I thought my mate would be. But there’s a strength in her too, a quiet resilience that I can’t ignore.

The truck slows as we approach the Howling Pines pack house, a renovated industrial building that looms large in the distance. It’s a symbol of my power, of everything I’ve built. And now, I’m bringing Chloé into it. Into my world.

I park the car and turn to Chloé, watching as her eyes widen at the sight of the building. “This is where you’ll be staying,” I say, my voice gruff.

She nods slowly, her gaze still fixed on the pack house. “It’s… different.”

I grunt in response. It is different. Howling Pines isn’t like other packs, and neither am I. This is my world, and now she’s a part of it, whether either of us is ready or not.

I step out of the car and circle around to her side, opening the door for her. As she steps out, her hand brushes against mine, and the bond flares again, a surge of heat pulsing between us. My wolf stirs, satisfied, but I push the feeling down. I can’t afford to let it control me. Not now.

Inside, the pack house is buzzing with activity, but the moment we walk through the doors, all eyes are on us. I can feel the curiosity, the confusion, as my pack members glance between me and Chloé. They’re wondering why I’ve brought a Whispering Pines wolf into our territory, and the questions are already forming in their minds.

“Hey, Theo. Who’s the new girl? She doesn’t look like she’s from around here.”

The voice, dripping with casual arrogance, cuts through the low hum of the pack house. I freeze mid-step, the mate bond flaring hot and possessive inside me. My body tenses instinctively, the primal urge to protect Chloé roaring to life before I can even process it.

I turn slowly, locking eyes with Jackson—a tall, cocky wolf with a perpetual smirk etched on his face. His gaze flickers over Chloé, sizing her up with far too much interest for my liking. My wolf is snarling inside me, pushing against my control, demanding action.

“She’s not your concern,” I growl, my voice low and dangerous. The words slip out before I can stop them, cold and final.

Jackson raises his hands in mock surrender, his grin widening with amusement. “Easy, Alpha. I was just saying hello.”

The tension in the room thickens, and I can feel Chloé stiffen beside me. She’s trying to keep her composure, but the weight of the attention—the stares from my pack—must be getting to her. My wolf snarls again, louder this time, the mate bond thrumming in my veins. I need to get her out of here, away from their curious eyes, away from the possibility of anyone else approaching her.

I step closer to Chloé, instinctively shielding her with my body. My voice drops even lower, the threat unmistakable. “Back. Off.”

The amusement in Jackson’s eyes flickers, replaced by a flash of something more serious. He nods, backing away slowly, but his smile doesn’t fade completely. “Alright, alright. Message received.”

I don’t spare him another glance. My attention snaps back to Chloé, who’s staring up at me with wide eyes, her breath coming in shallow bursts. The mate bond pulses between us, stronger now, more insistent. My hand twitches at my side, and before I can stop myself, I reach out and grab her hand—rougher than I mean to—but I can’t help it.

“We’re leaving,” I mutter, more to myself than to her.

Without waiting for a response, I pull her toward the elevator at the far end of the room. My grip on her hand is firm, but I can feel her fingers trembling slightly. I don’t look back, don’t acknowledge the stares or the whispers that follow us as we cross the communal space. All that matters now is getting her away from them, from him, from anyone who might think they can lay a claim to her.

The elevator doors slide open, and I usher her inside, the tension rolling off me in waves. The moment the doors close behind us, the silence in the small space becomes deafening. I release her hand, realizing belatedly how tightly I’d been holding it. My jaw clenches as I try to keep my wolf in check, the possessiveness still simmering just beneath the surface.

Chloé takes a step back, her eyes never leaving me. Her breathing is still shallow, but there’s something else there too—something I can’t quite place. Confusion? Fear? No, it’s subtler than that. A wariness. A tension that mirrors my own.

I press the button for the top floor, the elevator lurching into motion.

I should apologize for being rough with her. I should say something, anything to ease the tension between us. But the words won’t come. All I can think about is how close she was to Jackson, how his gaze lingered on her for just a second too long. My wolf growls low in my chest, and I grip the railing of the elevator, trying to keep myself steady.

“I’m sorry,” Chloé’s voice is soft, tentative, breaking the silence. “I didn’t mean to... cause trouble.”

Her apology catches me off guard. I turn to look at her, my brow furrowing. “You didn’t,” I snap, harsher than I intend. Seeing the startled look in her eyes, I take a breath, forcing my voice to soften. “It’s not your fault.”

She nods, but her expression remains uncertain. The bond between us hums again, the electric connection thrumming just beneath the surface.

I know I should leave her in one of the guest rooms, give her space, give myself space to think. But the thought of her being anywhere but close to me sends a surge of protectiveness through me. My wolf demands that she stay near, that I keep her within reach, where I can protect her, where no one else can touch her.

The elevator slows to a stop, and the doors slide open, revealing the top floor—my personal space. Without thinking, I grab her hand again, gentler this time, and lead her out of the elevator.

The top floor of the pack house is a stark contrast to the industrial feel of the rest of the building. The space is open and modern, with large windows that stretch from floor to ceiling, offering a panoramic view of the moonlit forest that surrounds Howling Pines. The floors are polished concrete, cool underfoot, and the furniture is minimalist—sharp lines and muted tones that scream efficiency over comfort.

A large leather sofa sits in the center of the room, facing a stone fireplace that’s currently unlit. The walls, mostly bare except for a few pieces of abstract art, add to the sense of controlled detachment. It’s not a home, not really. It’s more of a fortress, a place to retreat when the weight of being Alpha becomes too much.

I lead Chloé through the space, my hand still wrapped around hers. Her eyes dart around, taking in the surroundings, but she doesn’t say a word. I can feel her tension, the way she’s trying to process everything that’s happened in the last few hours. Hell, I’m still trying to process it myself.

We stop in front of a door down the hallway, just a few steps from my own room. I open it and gesture for her to enter. “This is where you’ll sleep,” I tell her, my voice still rough around the edges. “It’s safe. You’re right next to me.”

The room is simple—a queen-sized bed with crisp white sheets, a single nightstand, and a large window overlooking the forest. There’s a closet in the corner and a door that leads to an en-suite bathroom. It’s not fancy, but it’s clean and private. And more importantly, it’s close to me.

Chloé steps inside, her movements slow and cautious. She runs her fingers along the edge of the bed, her back still to me. “Thank you,” she says quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

I nod, even though she can’t see me. “I’ll be just down the hall if you need anything.” The words come out gruffer than I intend, but my wolf is still on edge, pacing in my mind, demanding to be near her.

She stands so close—too close, really—her wide eyes searching mine for something, anything, that makes sense of what’s happening. But there’s no sense to be found here. Not in this. Not in us.

“I can take care of myself, you know,” she says again, her voice steady despite the tremble I can see in her fingers. She’s brave, I’ll give her that. Braver than I expected.

I should back away, give her space, but I don’t. Instead, I take another step toward her, closing the already narrow gap between us. Her scent hits me—earthy, warm, with a hint of something sweet. My wolf growls low inside me, pushing me to claim her, to protect her from everything, including herself.

“Not while you’re here,” I say, my voice rougher than I intend. “Not in my territory.”