Chapter 7

Edward POV

Portland's rain couldn't mask her scent. It cut through the damp morning air like sunshine slicing through fog, impossibly bright and distinct. The moment she walked into the classroom, my entire body tensed with recognition. Her fragrance—wild and intoxicating—sent a current of electricity racing along my spine.

"Stop staring at her, Edward," Samuel's stern voice invaded my mind through our mental link.

"But she's right there," I replied, unable to tear my eyes away. "Our mate, walking the halls like any normal student."

"We need to be careful," Lucius added, ever the cautious one. "Father won't easily accept a human mate."

I watched Katherine take her seat, memorizing every detail—the way her dark hair fell across her shoulders, how she carried herself with an alertness that seemed out of place for a high school student, the slight frown that creased her forehead when she concentrated. My wolf clawed beneath my skin, urging me to approach her, claim her, mark her as mine.

I noticed Bella glaring at Katherine from across the room. The Beta's daughter had been my occasional bed partner, nothing serious, but she clearly considered herself entitled to my attention. When she approached me between classes, running her hand along my shoulder in that practiced way, I barely acknowledged her. My interest in Bella had evaporated the moment Katherine entered my world.

"Is something wrong, Edward?" Bella's voice dripped with false sweetness, her eyes darting toward Katherine.

"Nothing's wrong," I replied dismissively, already looking past her to where Katherine stood at her locker.

Throughout the day, I positioned myself to be near Katherine in every class. Samuel arranged for us to sit around her, close enough to catch her scent but not so close as to overwhelm her. I noticed things that bothered me—the fading bruise on her wrist, the wariness in her posture, how she seemed perpetually on guard.

During lunch, I watched Bella's friends torment Katherine from across the cafeteria. The normal protocol would be for a new girl to cower under the attention of established wolves. Instead, Katherine met their hostility with remarkable composure, refusing to show fear.

"She's different," I whispered to Samuel. "You feel it too, don't you?"

"Yes," he replied through our link. "We need to know more."

"Her reactions aren't normal," I continued, mesmerized by her movements. "Ordinary humans instinctively fear werewolf aggression, but she acts like she's accustomed to such threats."

In gym class, Bella's jealousy reached new heights. She targeted every volleyball spike directly at Katherine, using more than human strength. I positioned myself protectively nearby, watching as Katherine—supposedly just a fragile human—demonstrated reflexes fast enough to dodge most of Bella's attacks.

The sight of Katherine in motion, her body agile and strong, sent a rush of heat straight to my core. My thoughts wandered into dangerous territory—imagining her legs wrapped around my waist, her hands gripping my shoulders, her lips parted in pleasure.

After school, we returned to our family estate.

"Are we certain she's human?" Samuel asked as we gathered in his bedroom. "I sense no supernatural signature, but her behavior..."

"Father has always emphasized bloodline purity," I reminded my brothers, running a hand through my hair in frustration. "If she truly is human, there will be significant resistance."

Lucius leaned against the bookshelf. "Perhaps she was raised by humans? Some mixed-bloods don't manifest until adulthood."

We discussed the growing presence of the Pure Blood Alliance in Portland's districts, the tensions within the supernatural community, and what finding our mate now might mean for the future of our pack. My wolf paced restlessly beneath my skin, demanding action, demanding her.

What we discovered at the abandoned warehouse left me speechless. Katherine—supposedly ordinary, supposedly human Katherine—running a military-grade obstacle course with the precision and power of a trained warrior. She completed the course three times, each run more impressive than the last.

My mouth went dry watching her move—the flex of her muscles, the grace of her leaps, the control in her landings. My fantasy shifted to pressing her against the warehouse wall, my hands exploring her strong, lithe body, tasting the salt of exertion on her skin.

The sight of her retreating form—strong legs, swaying hips, defiant posture—nearly broke my control. No ordinary human should have this effect on me.

Back in Samuel's bedroom, we gathered to process what we'd witnessed.

"So we all confirm it—she's our mate," Samuel stated, pacing the floor.

"Yes, but how do we handle a seemingly human mate?" Lucius questioned, his usual gentleness hardened with uncharacteristic tension.

"Are we sure she's human?" I leaned forward, the memory of her performance still vivid in my mind. "You saw her at that training facility. She's strong, agile, extraordinary. No ordinary human could do what she did, especially not a seemingly fragile girl."

"That changes nothing," Lucius argued. "She could simply have specialized training. Who knows, maybe there are special facilities in the East Side too. There are many explanations."

"Fine," I conceded, frustrated by the logic I couldn't refute. "We tell Father nothing until we know more about her."

"Samuel," I turned to my older brother. "What's your plan?"

"We can't hide this from Father forever," he replied. "But I think we need to learn more about her first."

"How?" Lucius asked. "She doesn't seem the type to talk about herself. You heard how vague her answers were to Jasmine's questions at lunch."

"You always state the obvious," I rolled my eyes. "Maybe she has reasons for keeping her private life private?"

"Like what?" Lucius pressed.

"I don't know." My frustration mounted. "Do we even know where exactly she lives?"

"I can find out," Samuel said. "Portland High's student records won't be kept from us."

"Good," I nodded. "Find out, and we'll watch her house for a while. Maybe that will tell us what we need to know."

I retreated to my room, in desperate need of a shower to clear my head. The hot water did little to calm my racing thoughts, all centered on Katherine—her scent, her figure, and her movements.

As I stepped out of the bathroom with a towel around my waist, I stopped cold. Bella lay sprawled across my bed wearing nothing but black lace underwear, a predatory smile on her face.

"Hi handsome," she purred. "I was wondering how long you'd take. My father has a city planning meeting tonight. He'll be gone all night."

"Put your clothes on, Bella," I said coldly, turning to my closet. "I'm not in the mood tonight."

"Since when?" She sounded genuinely shocked. "You're always in the mood when I show up like this. Is it because of that rash?"

"I told you already," my voice hardened. "Put your clothes on. Go home. This has nothing to do with Katherine."

I took my time selecting clothes, giving Bella the opportunity to leave with some dignity intact. When I emerged from the closet fully dressed, she was gone—but the lingering scent of her perfume carried a warning.

I moved to the window, staring out toward the distant lights of East Portland. Was Katherine out there thinking of me too? Did she feel this strange connection that had upended my entire existence in a single day?

When a werewolf finds their mate, desire for anyone else vanishes completely. Now I understood this primal truth in ways no lecture from my father could have conveyed. My body burned for Katherine alone—her touch, her taste, her surrender.