PROLOGUE 2: Young Jake & Clair

JAKE

"No, I don't need a Luna." There was a note of finality in my voice.

She turned her full attention on me, a scowl forming on her small face. "Why? I always wanted to find my mate, Jake. How can you even say that? What if she finds you? Will you run away?"

I smiled at her questions, but in a bigger picture, it would look like I was running away from my fate. "I just need to reject her, then we can both move on with our lives. It's that easy!" Her eyes widened again, jaw-dropping.

It took her a few seconds before she started talking in a whisper that, if not for my werewolf hearing, I would not be able to pick up. "You can't do that. Mommy said mates are a gift from the Moon Goddess. And it will hurt her. It will hurt you too, you know."

Her eyes locked with mine, and for a moment, I thought I was looking into the eyes of a grown woman who knows the depth of her statement. I cocked my head to the side and winked at her, hoping to lighten the atmosphere. I didn't like her going on the full mate topic, but I couldn't break her heart by not answering her questions.

"I'm used to being hurt, princess. No harm done." I saw confusion written all over her face but she was not yet ready to drop the topic. "What about her? Maybe she doesn't want to be hurt."

I frowned as I lifted my gaze away from her, annoyed that I was trying to explain this to a 9-year-old girl. I adjusted my position, leaning my arms on the boulders behind us before I shifted my gaze back to the stream in front of us. I just wanted to end this conversation. "I don't care. Women are just a pain in the ass if you ask me."

I heard her shift from her seat and jump up to a standing position, facing me with both hands on her hips, a scowl evident on her face. "I AM NOT! I might be stealing, no... taking cupcakes and cookies from Mommy, but I am not an ass! So take it back!"

I was taken aback by the anger radiating from her. I threw my hands up in defense and tried to stifle a laugh. "Of course, of course, you're always the exception! Otherwise, I won't be sitting here beside you, right?"

I saw her shoulders relax at my words before she sat back in her place beside me.

"And what if I´m your mate, Jake? I would make a very good Luna."

It took me a while before her words sank in. I smiled and moved from my prior position and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her to my side again, squeezing her shoulder.

"I'm sure you'll be a good Luna. But not my Luna. You're too good for me, princess." I answered sincerely, not wanting to say the wrong thing.

She took one more cupcake and started to eat it without looking at me. "I know, I'm too good for everyone, even for you. But what if... what if, will you still reject and hurt me? Then I no longer have a mate."

I swallowed hard and tried to think of the best answer. I honestly don´t have an answer. How do you tell a little girl that, regardless of how special she is, you will never have room for her in your life? I closed my eyes before hugging her tightly.

"I'm sure the Moon Goddess will not mate you up with me, Clair. I'm sure of that. You're too special." I swallowed more before I added. "But just in case, then this big bad Alpha will help you get over the pain. I won't let me hurt you, princess."

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Jake - 17 years old                                                                                  

Clair - 12 years old

JAKE

A low growl escaped my throat as I covered my eyes with one arm, annoyed at the disturbance from the loud banging outside my bedroom door. I grunted as the disturbance continued.

With my eyes squinted, I glanced at the clock overhead, flashing 6:08 AM. I shoved off my blanket and made my way to the door, ready to pounce on the person behind the door.

"Jake! Jake!" I growled more as I recognized the voice behind it. I opened the door with a force strong enough that it slammed on the wall inside my room.

"Absaline Clair! What the fuck is wrong with you? I was up all night and you didn't have any consideration at all! Six in the morning?! For Goddess' sake, can't your brother help you?"

I scowled at her and leaned my arms on the door pillar. I was annoyed that my sleep was interrupted, making me totally unaware that I only had my boxers on and was standing almost naked in front of a crying 12-year-old girl.

Clair reached out to touch me but didn't find any shirt to tug on, so she ended up tugging on the waistband of my boxers. "Daddy is sending me away to live with the humans! You can't let him do that! I'm a wolf! Please, I don't want to live with my uncle!" Tears continued to pour out of her eyes.

I lifted her hand away from my boxers and let out a defeated sigh. My hand reached out to wipe her tears as I responded calmly. "As much as I am your Alpha, he is still your father."

"But you are my father´s Alpha! He can't say NO to you!" She retorted back as she slapped my hand away from her face and wiped the tears with the back of her hand.

"You're only 12 years old, Clair, still a minor and not one of my warriors. I don't have a direct right on you. I can, however, talk to him and tell him to think about this. But the decisions are his."

I looked at her, pain evident in her eyes as she stepped back before shouting at me. "You all talk bullshits! You and Aaron! Cowards!" 

I combed my hair and tugged it in annoyance, pissed off at being disrespected at this early hour.

"Watch your mouth, young girl! Seems you forgot who you were talking to!" I reprimanded her only to be shouted back at again, her hands shaking in anger.

"Of course, I don't! How could I? Mighty Alpha! But it still doesn't change a thing! Nobody cares about me here!"

I let out a sigh and tried to reach her head, but she moved a step back, avoiding my touch. "Calm down, Clair, please!" I sighed before continuing. "He said it's not a permanent thing. Just until he gets his act together. Give him some leeway, he just lost his mate."

I tried to reason, but it was too late for me to realize that I ignited her anger more with my choice of words.

"Don't talk as if you know anything about mates! Because you don't! And just in case you were not aware, Alpha, I lost my mom! I don't need to lose a father and brother too!" She retorted back glaring at me before turning on her heels to walk away.

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THANK YOU for finding my book. He's My Alpha is my first book, and I would like to apologize for the grammar and spelling mistakes. I am not a native English speaker, but I am doing my best to learn every day. So, please bear with me and I hope you'll enjoy the story and see past the errors.