JC's Mom above !

Officially hit 1K followers ! Thank you and I love you guys so much! If you haven't checked out my other books please do! Don't forget to vote, comment, and follow me ! ❤

"So first and foremost, I would like to give a toast to Jerica and her mate Ivan. We are so delighted to have Jerica join our pack and Ivan to find his beautiful mate. Cheers!"

Our Alpha toasts the newly mated couple that just found each other today ironically. They were both acting so much in love already. Ivan leans over and whispers something in Jerica's ear, causing her to giggle and then kiss his cheek. I felt my heart sink down in my chest watching the couple.

We are currently having our pack dinner we have each week. The toast is just something nice our Alpha decided to do. After, we have a bonfire that everyone attends, but I'm feeling so uneasy. I think I may skip it.

I placed the napkin on my lap as some men in the pack placed food on everyone's table. I was starving, I hadn't ate well in a few days. I'd been feeling anxious and hadn't developed much of an appetite.

Tonight however, I'm hungry. I'm hungry for much more than just food. I feel parts of myself awaken as it did when I first transitioned to a wolf. She's begging to be let loose and run.

"Everyone-" The Alpha got all of our attention yet again in the recreation hall. I looked up to the front slightly annoyed with the thought of another couple announcement. Instead, my eyes grow wide and my cheeks flush a bright red.

"I would like to introduce Theo Hale. He has come from Hills Grove Pack to find his mate. Since everyone is already here, why don't we extend his welcome?"

"Hello." Many voices from the pack said, while I discretely try to sink lower and lower in my seat.

My mother looked at me curiously as if she was about to scold me. I mumbled a sorry and I gave her a look of help. She glanced at my father and around at the other pack members, who are focused on Theo.

She nodded at me, just in time many people stood and went to shake Theo's hand and greet him.

Mom grabs mine and she pulls me to the exit, as if she read my mind.

I'm hit with a breath of fresh air, but a sick feeling in my stomach. I look at my surroundings frantically, I honestly feel like I could have a panic attack.

"What's wrong with you? Do you know him?" Mom asks puzzled. I didn't know what to say.

Instead, I take her hand back and speed walk to the pack house. With every step I feel my heart sink in sorrow. Mom tries to keep up with me but fails since I'm basically sprinting.

"What are you doing?" She asks hysterically as she tries to speed walk to the house with me.

"Jacqueline" She softly says my name as we stepped through the door. I turn and stare at a blank wall which accurately was exactly how I felt in the moment.

"What's wrong baby?" She asks walking up behind me, spinning me around and grabbing my face in her hands, kinda calming me. She could always calm me down, but this time the emotions crept in too fast. I'm too overwhelmed.

She wipes some tears I didn't even know I had. I laid my head on her shoulder sobbing more. I didn't know what to say to her.

How do you say, that that man in there is your mate and you don't want him to find you?

"Oh Jacqueline." She sighs and runs her fingers through my hair. I need to get a grip, I never cry. I can't let my emotions trigger me.

I lean up, wiping my face with the sleeve of my shirt. What do I say? Maybe she will understand but how do I explain it to her? She wouldn't possibly understand.

Maybe I could make something up to explain why I needed out of there.

"That's your mate isn't it?" She asked before I could make up a good logical excuse.

I felt my knees tremble and before I could think, I said "Yes."

Saying the word and actually admitting to my mother that the man in the recreation hall was my mate struck me hard. I don't want to lie anymore.

Mom let out a sigh and led me to my room silently. It's time for the truth to come out. I mean, did I really think I could hide from him? If he had saw me in the hall then it was game over. It would be done.

Mom closed the door to my room softly and I went to my vanity to look for the makeup. I was wearing waterproof concealer but since I wiped with my shirt I know it had to be smuggled.

Mom stands beside me as I fumbled through my drawers to find it.

Just play it cool JC.

I look in the mirror to see my birthmark clearly visible and let out a shaky breath.

"JC, what on earth are you doing?" My mom asked putting her hand on her hip looking at me with the most dumbfounded look. I almost forgot she was there.

"I need to keep this covered and keep away from my mate." I say, sucking back sobs as best as I could.

"Why?" She questioned pulling the tube out of my hand aggressively. I knew I was about to get a lecture once she became irritated.

And I don't blame her entirely.

I let out a longer sigh and turned to my mother, revealing my mark.

"Oh my God it has changed so much in these last years! I never understood why you kept it covered. So you need to explain to me right now and not brush it off this time." She said sternly pulling up a chair for the interrogation.

"I don't know how to explain it mom." I felt at a loss. My mate was finally here, ready to claim me. I should be happy, excited even.

"Okay I'll ask the questions then." She replied and crossed her arms, still holding the concealer.

I pushed my hair behind my ears, there was no point in hiding my mark now.

"Why cover it up?" She began, pointed at my birthmark.

"Because I don't want to be found." Which was the shortened version behind my reasoning.

"By your mate? He would know that you two were to be destined as soon as he lays eyes on you. The mark just confirms it sweetie." She still sounded confused, but seemed to sympathize with me as well.

"I had a plan for that." I said, trying to pull myself together. I rolled my head around, trying to dull the ache. I didn't know if was because my mate was just in the other building or if this whole scenario was stressing me out.

Most likely both.

"And your plan was to see him first and avoid him until he leaves?"

"I guess."

"I just don't understand Jacqueline. Why don't you want a mate? You talked all about it when you were a little girl." My mom asked flabbergasted to say in the least.

"It's different now." I know I was giving her short answers and she deserved much more than that. But if I told her the reason it would become more real.

"If you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to. But you are meeting your mate. He looks like a decent man, and I heard he's the next Alpha." She said smugly as if it would peak my interest.

"Oh that makes it so much better!" I stood up and said sarcastically. An Alpha mate is the last thing I wanted.

"Help me understand Jacqueline! I'm your mama, you can tell me anything. I have always let you know that and you have continued to push me away ever since you've been covering your mark. For years Jacqueline Claire!"

I felt my emotions seep through again and felt the tears fall down. I can't let this happen, not here not now.

I can hide from him. I'll leave the pack for a while until he's gone. I can do this. My wolf thought the same. She and I have thought on the same thing for a while. She accepted what I told her was inevitable.

I turned around and looked at my mother who looked so concerned. Seeing her look so defeated drove me to tell her even more.

Instead I said, "I'm sorry that I hurt you mom."

She stood up, wiping some tears away herself.

"You can't run from him Jacqueline. He's an Alpha. Sooner or later, he will catch your scent when there isn't so many people around." I looked at her and she looked back at me.

"You have no control over that." She finished quietly.

I couldn't bring myself to tell the truth, as much as I wanted to. I couldn't break her heart even more than I just did. And with that she left my room.

I thought I could conceal this burden that I carry. I thought I would be safe and the only worry to have would be getting more waterproof makeup.

I thought I would be smart about this. I didn't think I would be a mess and hurt the only woman who loves me unconditionally.

The only option I had now.

The only option I have left.

Is to run.

I loved writing this chapter! What do you guys think? Why doesn't JC want to be found?

Makayla ❤