Wolf Six's Salvation

"My fated what?" Jackson frowned. This wasn't quite what he had been expecting.

"Fated One. You and she were made for one another. You might say she is your soul mate," Arthur explained. Jackson's confused look didn't shift, so Arthur continued. "Real wolves, the kind that don't shift, often mate for life. Specifically alpha wolves. As Weres, we take on these characteristics. She is your mate, your one true love."

Jackson shook his head slowly. It made sense in a strange sort of way, and the idea that they were meant to be together rang truer than anything. He had done a little research into wolves since he had begun changing, and what Arthur said made sense.

"Wait, you said 'specifically alpha wolves.' I'm not an alpha," Jackson finally said after a moment of letting Arthur's words sink in. There was so much going through his mind that he was having difficulty prioritizing his questions.

"Yes, I did say that. And, yes, you are an alpha. Just because you don't have a pack to lead doesn't mean you aren't one." Arthur's blue eyes peered at him. Jackson ran his fingers through his hair again. He really needed a haircut.

"What does that mean?" Jackson asked in a careful tone. In researching wolves, Jackson had learned about Alpha Wolves. They were the leaders. There was only one alpha in a pack. If the old alpha was growing weak, or a new alpha wanted his position, there was often a fight to the death. Jackson respected Arthur, and the last thing he wanted to do was fight him.

Arthur laughed, shaking his head as though he could read Jackson's thoughts. "If you're worried about having to fight me, you can put your fears aside. We're part human too, you know. With that means we can use brains instead of brawn. I don't think you want my pack, so you don't have to challenge me."

Jackson let out a breath and gave the man a quick smile. "Go

od. You're stronger than you look."

"I'd give you a run for your money, that's for sure," Arthur said with a chuckle.

"What if I did? I don't want your pack, but what if I did? How do Weres handle that?" Jackson asked. Jackson's mind was shying away from the Fated One topic for a moment. Any question seemed better than the one he knew he needed to ask.

"There are ways to go about it." Arthur shrugged. "If it is acceptable to the pack, a smooth transition is best. There have been instances of violent takeovers as needed though. If you want to take over my pack though, just ask first, okay?"

Jackson gave a nervous laugh. "You got it." He took a deep breath. He had to ask it. "If Chloe is my Fated One... what if I hurt her?"

Arthur smiled. "You won't. It's one of the perks of her being a fated one. You'll find she keeps you calm as well. Less nightmares, less fear in general."

"I won't hurt her?" Jackson repeated.

"No, you won't. Has that been bothering you?" Arthur chuckled. "Sometimes I forget that you have no clue what you are. You cannot harm your Fated One."

Jackson's shoulders dropped as a weight lifted. He wasn't going to hurt her. They could be together, and he didn't have to live in constant fear that he was going to wake up in wolf form and mangle her in their bed. They could be together. He gave serious thought to just jumping out the car window and running back to Chloe's side.

"Jackson," Arthur said, recapturing his attention. "You have to tell her though."

"Tell her what?"

"I can see you have demons. I can smell them on you and I felt them last night. You have to tell her." Arthur's eyes darkened slightly. "She has a right to know."

Jackson stayed quiet. He didn't want to tell Chloe about what he had done. The reason for the nightmares. She was still innocent, but he was covered in blood.

"Whatever is haunting you, it will haunt her too. She shares your dreams, remember? If she knows, then she can understand and help you break free of them." Arthur peered at him, looking at Jackson like no one had ever looked at him before.

"She really is in my dreams, then?" Jackson asked, his eyes going to his hands.

"Yes. Another perk of Fated Ones."

"Any other 'perks' I should know about?" Jackson looked up at Arthur.

"You can find her anywhere she goes. Same as she can find you. Even if she's not a wolf. You'll start finding you think alike, and that you preferences are her preferences and vice-versa. You are two halves a whole and you need the other to feel complete." Arthur smiled softly.

"Do you have one? A Fated One?"

Arthur's face fell into a horrible sadness. "I did. She died."

"I'm sorry," Jackson said. Arthur shook himself, as though trying to free himself from his despair.

"Me too." Arthur held Jackson's eyes. "Are you going to tell her?"