Lacey's POV

Jack's office was a large space in the far back of the house. One wall was made completely of glass, giving off an amazing view of the Jade Forest, the others were made of wood in a log cabin like fashion similar to how the house looks on the outside.

There was a massive desk in front of the window with a brown leather chair behind it that could swirl to look at the scenery, a black phone on the table with a winding cord that I didn't know anyone used anymore, loads of papers were on the desk and there was probably more in the filing cabinet off to the side.

But I was more focused on the man standing in the middle.

He looked so.... concentrated. So true.

Then he noticed me.

"What are you doing in here?"

"I-I wanted to talk," he stared at me for along second, fear started to trickled down my spine so I added," To you."

His black eyes started to soften.

"I've been here for over a day, we haven't really spoken with each other- at least not in a positive way."

"Take a seat, please," he gestured to a chair in front of him while he leaned against the desk.

I sat down in the chair, trying my best not to touch him while also trying keep him from knowing that I was trying not to touch him.

Will it always be like this? Like I'm walking on glass?

"What would you like to talk about?"

"I don't really know."

He placed 2 fingers under my chin and pulled my face up so I was looking at him, his black eyebrows furrowed together as he studied my face.

"Why are you lying to me? Lacey, are you hiding something from me?"

"Why would I be lying?"

"Your pupils dilated when you said that, your voice is shaking, your pulse is raising, now either I'm making you uncomfortable and you have control over your pupils or you're lying through your teeth. Answer me honestly or I might get upset," he braced himself on the arms of the chair and leaned over so our noses were almost touching," What do you want?"

"I want to.. to," I was starting to loose my train of thought. He was making me uncomfortable. His nearness was intimidating and after seeing him mad earlier he was absolutely frightening.

"Speak," he demanded, his voice dropping into a lower, almost animalistic tone.

I started to tremble. He noticed and stood up from the desk, walking around my chair until he was directly behind me.

"Don't make me angry, Lacey. I do not want to be mean but it's in my blood," he stuck out his wrist for me to see, the blood pumping through the veins just under the surface right next to my face," It floods through me, every urge, every need is commanded by my Alpha blood. I don't want to hurt you, I don't want to hurt anybody, but you have to understand that I can't always stop myself. I am a monster after all, isn't that how humans see werewolves?"

"I-I'm sorry."

"Do. Not. Apologize," he hit something behind me," I hate apologies."

"I'm-," I stopped myself from saying it again, but he caught what I was going to say.

"What were you going to say?"

"N-Nothing."

"No, no, you were going to say something. You were going to apologize again."

I stood up from the chair, turning ever so slightly to face him but turning back again when he was closer than I'd thought. He was so close that his breath could fan my neck. Maybe, if I weren't shaking right now, I would like it.

His hand touched my arm softly, it slowly went up until it rested on my shoulder and when it did he took a step closer until he was firmly behind me. I could feel his every curve against me as he took in ragged breaths from his persistent anger.

Why is he always so angry?

"You shouldn't be shuddering," he whispered," I'm your mate. You should revel in my nearness no matter how angry I am."

I tried to move away from him but he held me fast in my spot. He growled.

"But you aren't right. You're human. How can a human be my Luna?'

"I didn't ask for this. I didn't ask to be your mate."

"You need to change."

I jerked away from him, turning to face this beast-man as I tried to comprehend exactly what he meant. He couldn't mean what I think he does.

Could he?

"I think I should leave. Catherine wanted to talk with me."

"You're lying again."

"Maybe so," I nodded," But I won't be told I have to change for anyone. Mate or not, I am the way I am and you should be okay with that."

"Maybe I would if you were a wolf. You don't even know what we are."

"I do know what you are. I know exactly what you are."

"Oh, yeah? What am I?"

"A monster."

He stared at me for a long moment and I took the opportunity to leave his office.

Hell, I took the opportunity to leave his house.