Dedicated to AyshaKhatun for the brand new cover for Oh, So Now You Want Me? You're a sweetheart.

Chapter 20

Mason's POV

"That's all you got?" I baited her. Her face was bright red and drops of sweat ran down her temples. I could hear by her heavy panting and see by the quick rise and fall of her chest that she was absolutely exhausted. "Christ Rain, I thought you'd come at me with more than that." I never thought teasing her would be so amusing, but here, standing in front of her bent over frame I couldn't help but smirk.

"Shut up!" She straightened up, folded her arms tightly over her chest and glared at me for all she's worth. "You're trying to kill me." She growled at me, the perfect picture of a ruffled kitten.

Taking a step forward I caught the hesitation in her eyes, she didn't know what to do and a small mischievous grin appeared on my lips. "You're not," I narrowed my eyes, pretending to fumble around for the word, but instead having fun dragging the torture out, "scared, are you sweetheart?"

Huffing a breath out, her bangs blew from her eyes, she wasn't as red as she was, but her cheeks were still tainted pink. "Scared of you?" She giggled and I'd swear I had never heard anything more beautiful or melodic in my life. "You're an overgrown dog, why would you scare me?"

I stared back at her, my lips pressed together fighting back my laughter. "You do realise that would make you a dog as well?" Cocking my head to the side I watched as that little button nose of hers scrunched up in that adorable way and her lips puckered, she was thinking about what I had said.

Licking her lips she pulled her hair from her face and tied it back. "You're only a dog when you act like one," she stated, "and as I don't act like one and you do, that makes you the only dog here." The cheeky little smile that sat on her lips was triumphant.

Ignoring the snap from my wolf - he was not only basking in the sight of his mate's smile, but also at her feistiness - I easily let my lips relax into a one sided smirk. "Instead of running your mouth, why don't you show me what you've got, sweet cheeks."

It was her turn to smirk at me and within seconds an ash grey wolf appeared before me. I had only ever seen Rain once in her wolf form, she seemed a little bigger than I remembered and I knew it was probably thanks to all the training she was enduring. Her tail wagged behind her flashing the black tip and her ears were spiked, ready. My wolf almost burst through my skin at the sight of her, but I held him back enough to gain control.

When I found out that Rain had been attacked, I went into full battle mode. He was just a stupid rogue who thought he could push his luck on someone else's territory, so I knew he wouldn't be missed by anyone, not that I had been thinking that at the time. I wasn't after a conversation, I was after his blood. My wolf had completely taken over, the thought of someone hurting his mate was just too much for him and in all honesty I didn't even bother trying to stop him. 

A rage that I had never felt before washed over me and all I could think about at sight of her body trapped underneath him as he pinned her to the dirt with his weight, was to go at him and not stop until he was dead. 

The sound of his neck snapping between my teeth had my wolf reeling in both victory and dominance, but it was quickly replaced by worry as the heavy beat of Rain's heart pulsated through my ears and had my wolf instantly pull back wanting to tend to his mate. Killing other wolves wasn't something that was done day to day, but rogues were different. Never had I met a rogue that was good, they were all after something or someone from a pack and because of that they ended up dead. 

If my wolf hadn't already have had complete control over me, the sight of his mate's little body curled up with her head buried in her hands would have thrown him over the edge. In that minute she looked so fragile and innocent I wasn't sure whether me going to her was a good idea, but my wolf wouldn't have it any other way. He wanted to be near her, to touch her and to make sure she was safe. 

That's when I found out about all this mating stuff. I mean, yeah I already knew it would happen I just didn't know how soon it would be. Once Rain was safe in her house with Bella and Nicky, I went home only to be met with a waiting Jude. He told me what happened and even though my wolf wanted to rip his throat out, first for being anywhere near Rain and then for leaving her to get hurt, I was more than aware of how stubborn she could be. No matter who told her to stay where she was, she never would.

He told me about the way she had been acting and how guys around her had acted. I wasn't stupid, I could smell she was in heat, but I had no idea how quickly she would move through the phase.

After what had happened at the party and from what Jude had told me, there was no way I was leaving her unprotected. That's why I asked Jude to take and pick her up from school. He was way too close to her for my wolf's liking, but she trusted him and I knew deep down he would never hurt her. Still, I couldn't help the jealous rage the burned in the pit of my stomach and I quickly came to realise that no matter how much I didn't want to be Rain's mate, my wolf would be unconditionally be in love with her.

Love.

That's exactly what my wolf felt. An unconditional, irrevocable, complete love for Rainie Harper and I couldn't deny him it.

I had never had two completely different feelings constantly running through my body before; I was used to being on the same page as my wolf. Now it was different, where he was concerned, Rain was it for him. She was everything and would always be. For me, the human side - the Mason side - I wasn't ready for it. I wasn't ready for a mate, for a girl who I would devote myself to.

I didn't not like Rain, she was a sweet girl, but I just didn't want it. I didn't want this, but no matter how hard I tried to push feelings and my wolf aside, I couldn't fight the constant battle I had every day and it didn't help to have Jude constantly biting my ass about her. Any guy getting close to Rain was too close for my wolf's liking, but the fact it was Jude was too much for both is us.  He had no business being here, but whatever the reason, my dad just wouldn't get rid of him or his mom.

The rumble of laughter that surrounded me brought my eyes and thoughts back to the wolf in front of me. Standing on all fours, she bent her front leg and lowered her head. "You want a battle?" I asked amused. I didn't bother trying to hide the excitement in my voice.

Dipping her head again, she gave me her answer. My wolf loved that she wanted to play and in all honesty so did I. For the last couple of years, training changed into something it never used to be. It was about young wolves joking around, play fighting, but now it was all about skills and technique. Who was stronger, better and who could defeat their opponent with least effort. It was about times and statistics, not having fun.

Don't tell me you're too scared to fight me, Mason. Her taunting words floated through my mind causing the tiny hairs on the back of my neck to stand on end and in a split second she had my wolf pining for her touch. It was a feeling I didn't want, but one I couldn't fight. Even the sound of my name slipping through her lips caused my jeans to tighten.

It was hard to believe that this feisty little thing in front of me was known as nothing but a nerd in school. Hell, even I thought that was all she was. Stubborn, playful, strong, they were never words I thought I would use to describe Rainie Harper. But she was, she was all of those things and more. She was absolutely beautiful.

Even more so standing in front of me in her natural form. Her wolf form. I knew just from looking at her that her fur would be silky smooth to touch and my wolf wanted nothing else but to do that right now. People may call me crazy for being with her alone when we are both going through heat, but I knew our wolves would just be happy being close to each other for now. 

Her scent was stronger than before because of her being in heat, but my wolf was content with just being with her. Seeing her vulnerable, frightened and shaking that night wouldn't be an image he wouldn't forget and even though I could feel him and his need to be with her, to mate with her, stirring inside of me, his main concern was her feeling happy and safe with us. "Are you sure you want to fight me, sweetheart?" 

Without an answer or a second hesitation, she dug her back paws into the dry grass and pushed herself off, hurling her body towards me, running at top speed. Within seconds my own wolf burst through my skin, shredding the clothes I had on and stood firm, ready for what she had.

* * *

Her speed slowed, but not by much and so far we were three for three. Training had definitely improved her ability and her hearing was second to none. She had some powerful little ears on her. Every slight movement I made, she had me caught.

My head dipped out from behind the tree and my eyes stayed glued to her form as she treaded quietly and occasionally tilted her head to the side listening out, trying to catch a sound.

My heart pounded against my chest, I could barely keep still with the excitement that ran through me. Shaking my head I tried to regain some calmness. In the second I had closed my eyes I lost sight of her. Where the hell she went, I had no idea. My eyes darted around, but I couldn't see her anywhere. She just disappeared. 

All excitement had drained from my body and was replaced by apprehension. We were on my packs training ground so I knew we were safe. Everyone was either in school or back in the pack house. We didn't have training today so there wouldn't be any reason for anyone to be out here.

Unless it was a rogue.

That thought made every hair on my body stand on end and a menacing growl to rumble in the back of my throat. Flashing images of that night came to me, but before I could do anything, a weight of someone came crashing down on me causing both of us to tumble down the grassy verge.

Uncovering my paws from my snout, I dug my claws into the fur of the other wolf. Our bodies, the wolf clinging to my back, rolled down the hill at a speed that caused me to screw my eyes tight shut until we both ended up in a pile on the flat ground.

Baring my teeth, I jumped up landing on all fours. I was pissed that whoever it was had been able to take me down and if it was a rogue, I was happily ready to rip their throat out. Then suddenly the sound of a trickling laughter filling up my thoughts had me stop still and instantly washed away any anger that bubbled inside of me.

There she was. Beautiful grey fur dirtied with brown mud and grass stains, lying flat out on her back with her paws in the air, giving a hearty, wolfy chuckle.

My heart stopped still in my chest.

You attacked me. I accused, fighting to hide both the shock and exhilaration in my voice.

Coming back to reality, her head turned towards me and those big, emerald green eyes focused on me with such as intensity I barely managed to stay upright. The gold specks were vibrant as she continued to stare with an unreadable expression. I hated not knowing what she was thinking, but I promised myself I wouldn't do that to her. Yeah, sure I did sometimes use our bond to listen to what she was thinking, but only when it wasn't about important stuff. Anything about her feelings was her secret to keep, even if it did take all of my strength not to do it.

You just weren't good enough for the great future Beta of The Shadow Pack. Pride and confidence dripped from her voice. It definitely wasn't something I had heard before. Normally she was quiet and reserved, but lately she had completely changed. I liked it. Padding over to where she lay, I lowered myself and rested my head on my paws.

We just stayed like that. Rain still lying on her back looking up at the bright blue sky and me gazing at her form. The warm sun beat down on us, but there was a cool breeze that swept over our fur every once in a while. Her sweet scent, stronger now that she was in wolf form, washed over me and a feeling of contentment surrounded me. I wondered whether this was what it was like all the time. Would this always be a feeling I would get when I was with her? It wasn't necessarily a bad thing; it just wasn't something I was used to. It wasn't something I think I could ever get used to. Inhaling her incredible scent, I could hear the faint purr not only coming from my wolf, but also coming from hers.

Do you feel it? I blurted out without thinking. I wasn't sure whether she would know what I meant, but I'm sure even if she wanted to admit it or not, she would feel whatever it was between us.  

Waiting for her answer, I watched as her snout wrinkled a little and I couldn't help but smile. Yes. She whispered. She didn't say any more and I didn't push it. Instead we just returned to the silence of her watching the clouds and me watching her, not being able to pull my eyes away.

I wondered, after everything that had happened, if we could ever be normal. Maybe we could talk about things, be friends. As the racing thoughts slowed in my mind, I could feel my eyelids slowly close as I tried to fight the feeling of wanting to sleep. 

Rain's voice broke through the silence. Tired? She linked, as she rolled over and repositioned herself so that she was lying on her side. I couldn't help but notice that her paw was inches from touching my own. Would she pull back if I touched her?

Choosing not to allow my wolf to push it with her, I changed the subject. You're better than I thought, I said looking straight into her eyes. It was true. When I first found out she was my mate I was quick to shoot her down. It didn't matter if she or any other wolf wasn't of Alpha blood, that didn't mean they couldn't make a great fighter. Rain had proved that endlessly today. I didn't give you enough credit. I told her after a moment's thought.

After what happened to her I wanted to see how she was with defending herself and give her a few tips if I needed to, but from today I knew Richard was doing one hell of a job training her. Even if she was rough around the edges, she was a hell of a lot better than I thought.

Damn right you didn't. She laughed and I immediately knew the serious mood we had been in for the past hour had gone and playful Rain was back. Come on, jumping to her feet, she pushed her snout against the top of my head. Want to play, dog?

Jokingly snapping at her, my wolf relished in hearing her sweet laughter fill our mind as she jumped backwards. I stood, but instead of moving away I did the opposite, I slowly leaned my head down, closer to hers and for a second she tensed. Screw it, Rain may not love it, but I knew her wolf would readily accept my next move.

Slowly I touched the tip of my nose to hers.

Her eyes widened and I caught the slight shudder of her body which had me chuckling. I didn't want to move, but I could feel the stir of my wolf. Come on sweetheart. I slowly back away from her, keeping our eyes locked. We've worked hard, now we play. With that I turned and took off, knowing from the melodic giggle that followed me, that she was hot on my heels.