Chapter Four- Letdown

Jack strolled down the human side a week later with Akiza beside him and a few other werewolves behind them. He saw the human looking at him with suspicion. He hadn't been seen for a week when he was usually seen every day. This made it clear to people that he had been turned, but not to which side. So when he appeared in daylight that was when they knew he was a werewolf.

Jack wasn't concerned; being a werewolf was a great way of life. Yes, becoming a wolf every night could be seen as inconvenient but he felt closer to nature that way and he knew he would be even closer when he thought as a wolf next month.

His eyes flicked over to Akiza. He had continued to respect her personality and do his job as protector. He had done so discreetly, watching out for her more than the rest of the unit. He was sure no one had noticed and he felt proud at how casual he was being at keeping Akiza company. His nose flared and he picked up the smells of food and humans as well as his fellow pack members, but the enticing smell from a week ago was absent. That concerned him. The Mating Moon was a week away so the mating scent should be stronger, but he wasn't getting it from Akiza. But, I caught it as we left the house this morning, it was so clear. Why is it absent now? Could it be that she's not my mate? No, she has to be!

Akiza was lost in thought. All week, she had felt as if Jack was constantly around her. It was a bit smothering to her. At the same time, she noticed Yusei constantly looking at Jack and his nose flaring. These actions caused her to consider the possibility that Jack could be Yusei's destined mate; they would make a good couple in her opinion. Yet, Jack hangs around me. Surely, he smells Yusei's scent and should be getting to know our beta instead of getting to know me. Wait…Yusei said that Goodwin suspects that Jack allowed himself to be bitten. He had a reason to be a werewolf and his constant companionship with me…could he be in love with me, found I was a wifewolf, and decided to be bitten? I need to ask him and, if it's true, I will need to let him down gently; harshly if gentle doesn't work.

It was mid-afternoon when the pair and the other companions decided to relax in the park. Jack and Akiza sat on a bench, the former's eyes closed and head tilted to the sun. It was a pleasant day and the warm sun was making him sleepy. He almost dozed off when Akiza said, "Jack?"

"Yes?" he asked, eyes still closed and head still tilted.

"Are you looking forward to next week?"

"Definitely. And you?"

"Yes, of course. You know, I feel like we haven't really gotten to know each other."

That got Jack to look at her. "I do believe you're right. Why don't you start?"

"All right. I was born a wifewolf. My parents were loving and taught me all I needed to know. They left to establish a territory in another city and for a time, I was part of another unit until three years ago when Yusei was bitten."

"So, he was bitten three years ago. Any idea why he crossed the line?"

"No. When the twins and I first met him, he seemed resentful and bitter about becoming a werewolf. He actually snarled at us a couple of times, he was so angry. One of those times was when I asked how he had been bitten. Obviously he calmed down and grew comfortable with his role as beta and being one of us. I never asked him about the circumstances that led to getting bitten for fear that he would become resentful and bitter again."

"Surely he won't now as it was three years ago."

"Some memories are painful and a person can react in the same way he or she did back then. Yusei is happy living in the present and future. He doesn't like looking back."

Jack nodded. He had just learned how his unit got started and a little about his beta. "What about Blister?"

"Oh, he was bitten two years ago and joined our unit. His story was he got lost and hadn't realized he had crossed the line. He had been depressed at being bitten and it took Yusei almost two weeks to cheer him up and we helped renovate the building next to us into a bar which is what he used to do before joining us.

"Jack, what drove you to end up in our territory? Most humans accidentally cross over as they know what could happen if they enter werewolf or vampire territory?"

"Oh, I knew what could and would happen. I lived here all my life. I crossed over on purpose because I had fallen in love. I tied up everything to do with my human life so I would be free to be turned."

"Fell in love?" Suddenly, his constant companionship became clear. Her eyes went wide. "It's me, isn't it? You fell for me?"

Jack smiled. "Yes. I saw you one day and fell head over heels. I followed you and was surprised when I saw you enter the wolf side. I knew the only way to be with you was to be bitten. I was thrilled when I was placed in the same unit as you."

"Shouldn't you be spending time with Yusei?" she asked gently. "I think he's picked up your mating scent."

"Yusei?" he scoffed. "It's you I love and wish to have a family with."

"Jack," she said still gently. "I don't smell a mating scent from you and I don't love you. I am more interested in a wifewolf mate. I'm sorry, Jack. You are just a unit member, pack brother, and a friend to me."

Jack leaped off the bench and faced her with a look of anger and despair. "Don't love me? I gave up my humanity to be with you and you see me only as a friend!? Fine, then!" He turned and started to stalk off.

Akiza stood and called. "Jack, where are you going?"

"I need to be alone!" he yelled back as he left the park. She raced after him, but he soon vanished into the crowd and she couldn't pick out his scent. She returned to the park and sat down hard on the bench. How could I have been so blind to Jack's inordinate time he spent with me? Possibly because I have no interest in males. If I had stated that earlier in the week, Jack wouldn't be so angry and have walked away. I should give him some time to calm down. I'll wait for him at the border where I'll apologize for leading him on. She nodded to herself as went to meet up with the other pack members who were enjoying a different area of the park.

Jack was still seeing red. How dare she not tell me she was a lesbian! She led me on! Wasn't it obvious that I was interested in her? I fell for her and let myself be bitten, knowing I couldn't be human again. One would think she would be impressed that I willingly sacrificed my humanity for her. Clearly not. He growled low in his throat but cut it short. I will not make any wolf sounds or eat raw meat anymore. I will act more like a human, my body will be the only wolf thing I will allow. I'm through with being a werewolf!

Akiza whimpered as she paced at the border. It was almost nightfall and Jack still hadn't shown up. He knew it was dangerous for their kind to roam the human side at night. The sky darkened and Akiza instantly changed. She sniffed the air and whined. No whiff of him. She gave a howl to summon her beta. She waited for three minutes before Yusei came racing up to her. "Akiza? What is it?"

"Yusei, I found out that Jack really did get bitten on purpose and because he fell in love with me. When I told him I wasn't interested in males, he got angry and walked off alone. I had hoped he would calm down and come home, but obviously he didn't."

"He's out there? Alone? With vampires waking and heading into the city?" He paused for a moment to collect his thoughts. "Okay, you and me Akiza will go back to find him. Lead me to where you last saw him."

"Yes, beta." She raced off into the city with Yusei behind him. She hoped they found him before a vampire did. Those bloodsuckers wouldn't hesitate to attack a wolf or worst of all, drink their blood. Please let him be safe, she thought. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if he died. Please be safe, Jack.