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Panic. That’s the one thing that was rushing through Isaac right now.
You and him had been together for barely a few months. He was still working up the courage to tell you about himself. About the pack. About the supernatural side of his life. And right now, he was holding the sheets so tightly that he was sure his claws were ruining the thread count.
“You okay in there?” He called out to you.
“I’m fine-” You laughed, coming out of the bathroom. Naked and unashamed. He’d already seen everything. “But you were an animal last night.” You mused, “Howling like a wolf.” You said casually, and pointing to the bite mark on your left breast. Almost right above your heart. “And this- Baby, this is one hell of a hickey.”
“Hi- Hickey. Yeah.” Isaac laughed nervously and swallowed.
That wasn’t a hickey. Far from it. He’d bitten you. In a drunken haze, he’d shifted and bitten you. And basically , married you. Without asking or telling you shit about shit!
“Does-” He cleared his throat. “Does it hurt?” He reached out his hand, a gentle offer to you to come closer to him.
You touched at the bruise, poking around it. “Huh- No. Not even a little bit. Which… weird. Because it’s such a dark mark.” You hummed, slipping to sit on his lap.
His hands instinctively wrapped around you. Holding your hips to make sure you didn’t move away.
“Not even sore?” He asked carefully, trying really hard to think how the mark worked between wolves and humans.
“Nope.” You shook your head. “Just- Hmm… a little warm? I dunno. Maybe I’m still not fully sober.” You laughed again and kissed his cheek. “But you- God - It was intense.” Your ran your fingers through his messy curls.
Isaac wanted to forget everything and melt under your touch without a second thought. But he exhaled and shook his head to focus again. He watched you trace the mark with a lazy touch. As if it didn’t mean everything to him. To the both of you now.
You were his now. He was yours . Any of the pack members could easily smell it on him. Hell , he could smell it on himself. The slight scent change. Your sweetness mixed in with his musk. But it didn’t make sense to him. You hadn’t bitten him. But his bite was enough to mark you both.
“You sure you’re not sore?” He asked again, looking at you with wide worried eyes.
“I should be but I’m not.” You smiled, “I mean, they way you manhandled me.” He flushed deeply and you just giggled again. “Noooo- Don’t shy away now. It was fun. I loved how beastly you were.” You smiled, cupping his face and kissing the tip of his nose. “I promise. I’m fine. Yesterday was amazing. I feel good. Very, very, very good .” You said softly.
Isaac smiled and nodded but inside he was in absolute turmoil. The bite was supposed to feel euphoric, that much he knew. But he wasn’t sure how much change would come into you. Would you feel him in the back of your mind the way he was supposed to feel you? Always connected. Always aware. Or would it be different for you since you were still so beautifully human .
He still wasn’t sure why he did it. He wasn’t that drunk. But you- you were gorgeous. Dialated eyes, parted lips, and such a willing body. The way you’d arched and moaned for him. The way your nails had dug into his skin. And when he’d shifted and- Oh fuck- His eyes widened as he realized that he’d knotted you as well as biting you.
Meanwhile, you’d slipped off his lap, getting dressed for the day and still raving about how amazing the sex had been last night.
“And I swear, at the end I felt like you got bigger.” You laughed and shook your head.
“Active imagination-” Isaac laughed as his heart plummeted even further.
You were so casual about it. So unbothered by the fact that you’d been claimed by a supernatural creature who hadn’t even had the balls to tell you what he really was.
Isaac scrubbed a hand down his face, trying to breathe through the rising wave of guilt and dread pooling in his gut. Bigger . Of course, you noticed. Knotting wasn’t something easily missed. Especially not the first time. His cheeks burned with shame. You deserved so much better than an unplanned partial shift in the middle of what was supposed to be just an intimate night. You deserved something proper. Down on one knee proper. With a ring and-
“You okay? You look lost.” You spoke up, snapping his attention.
You were already dressed to go.
“Yeah- No- I’m- I’m okay. Just thinking.” He moved slowly, pulling up his boxers and picking up his shirt from the floor. “You sure you feel okay?” He asked again.
“Isaac. What’s going on?” You frowned, looking at him.
“Nothing!” He said too quickly. “I just- I went a little rough and-” He gestured to the mate bite.
“Baby…” You cooed at him, leaning against his tall frame. “I’m good. I feel great .” You smiled up at him. “Now!” You pulled back, making him claw his palms to control himself and not grab at you like a mutt. “I have to rush. I’ll see you after work? Yeah? Lock up when you leave!”
And just like that, you were gone.
Isaac looked at the clock and sighed, sitting down on the bed again. He rubbed his hands over his face.
“The fuck am I supposed to do now?” He mumbled to himself, running a list of everyone he knew and if they had mated with a human.
Scott and Kira- Didn’t count. Lydia and Stiles- Didn’t count. Derek’s love history was a mess. Liam and Theo- Didn’t count. Did Peter have someone? Was Malia seeing someone?
Isaac shook his head and grabbed his jeans from the floor and started to get dressed. It was getting late but he still had to go to work.
All the way to his garage, he felt it. Felt you . He wasn’t too attuned to it but he could feel that you were fine. Safe.
By the afternoon, he felt like his wolf would claw out of his throat and all his employees were looking at him weird. So, in his lunch hour, he took his bike and went to see Deaton.
He figured that if anyone could help him without any teasing or lectures, it was be the Vet.
The bell jingled above Isaac as he stepped into the clinic. He waved at the new kid at the desk. “Where’s-”
Before the words were even out, Deaton walked out from one of the rooms. “Isaac-” He gave him a look and nodded. “Maybe we should talk in the back.”
Isaac nodded and followed numbly. The other patrons watching how the man in grey mechanic overalls without any animals was led away.
As soon as the two men were alone, before Isaac could even start, Alan sighed softly. “Does she know?”
Isaac swallowed and shook his head. “How did you-”
“Know?” Deaton smiled, “Well, you stay in this line of business, you see with more than your eyes.”
“Be more cryptic, won’t you?” Isaac bristled with annoyance. Deaton raised a brow and Isaac slumped instantly. “Sorry.” He mumbled.
“How do you feel?” Deaton asked gently.
“I can’t stop feeling her. In the back of my mind. I know she’s safe but my body, my wolf wants to drop everything and just go look at her. Make sure she’s okay, that she’s fed and-” Isaac groaned, squatting, his elbows on his knees, face in his hands. “I can’t focus on anything. I want to just go and watch her like a freak. I was elbows deep in a jeep when I swear I could’ve heard her laugh!”
“That’s not all bad. It means the link is stable and tethering as it should.” Deaton offered. “She won’t understand it but it’ll tether her too.” He paused, “You remember that old myth that a wolf can turn human if their real name is said?” Isaac nodded. “That’s partially true. You won’t turn human on the full moon just because anyone takes your name but if she did-” He let the words hang.
“Does this mean that- that I’m more bound to her than to Scott?” Isaac asked unsurely. Confusion coursing through him.
“Yes and no.” Deaton said. “Yes, you’re more likely to answer to her more but no. You’re not more bound to her. She’s now part of the pack. Scott can also feel her-” The sentence wasn’t even finished but Isaac stood up with supernatural speed, his eyes glowing yellow.
“Scott can what ?” He growled.
“Isaac- Breathe- Calm down-” Deaton said softly, helping him regulate his breathing.
“Jesus. I’m- Uh- I’m sorry- I didn’t mean to-” Isaac stumbled back, shaking his head. Confused why he wanted to attack Deaton.
“It’s okay. Its just the mark. You’ll want to keep her away from everyone for a while. Even someone talking about her might rile up your wolf.” Deaton explained. “Your instincts are going to be a little… all over the place for a while. Not in a dangerous way. I mean, not unless you fight it. But into something constant.” He said gently. “It’ll anchor you. You’ll be driven to stay near her, protect her, touch her. If she’s upset, you’ll feel it like it’s your own pain. And if she’s threatened? You’ll lose your mind.”
Isaac swallowed thickly. “So I’m basically in the deep end.”
“You’ve jumped into a sacred current,” Deaton corrected gently. “You didn’t just like her, Isaac. You chose her. Your wolf chose her.”
Isaac was quiet for a long moment, the weight of that sinking in like concrete. “I didn’t mean for it to happen like this. We’ve only just said our I love yous. We’ve only been together for a few months. She has no idea about the supernatural-” He started to ramble, but Deaton’s hand on his shoulder made him stop and take deep breaths again.
“Isaac… This- It’s older than you. It doesn’t care about the human way of things or that you only just said I love you. It’s nature. It’s the way of life. And her body has accepted it otherwise it wouldn’t have been a bruise. It would’ve been an infection.” Deaton explained.
“She doesn’t deserve this. I’m a boyfriend who-” Isaac groaned but Deaton cut him off.
“Mate. Well, technically, husband, but mate-” He said helpfully but seeing Isaac’s pitiful face, he couldn’t help but smile. “Talk to her.”
“What if she screams running for the hills?” Isaac pouted, looking like a kicked puppy more and more
“Even if she does- It won’t deter the bond. It’s for until one of you dies.” Deaton said. “So- Even if she runs, she won’t be able to stop feeling you and a thing like that is powerful enough to make someone stay. It’s biology.”
The whole day Isaac was on his nerves. His wolf right at his throat, his body tense and taut, his muscles straining to be controlled. He wasn’t sure how many tools he broke today. Or bent out of shape.
By the time night fell, he knew he had to man the fuck up and talk to you.
He didn’t bother stopping by his place. He didn’t clean up. He just… here he was. Knocking at your door. Still in his grease stained garage overalls.
“Isaac!” You said brightly, your smile making your eyes crinkle as you said his name.
The sight alone was enough to make his heart stop. He shook his head a little because he could feel his eyes pulsing yellow. “Hi, sorry- I- I should’ve called but-” He smiled. That lopsided puppy smile that made your heart thump. “I just needed to talk to you-”
Your face fell immediately. “Is this the part where you say we’re over after giving me the best fuck of my life?” You laughed nervously. “Because I swear, I felt my body buzzing all day today.”
“Wh-What? No! No, no, no-” Isaac said quickly, letting himself in and closing the door behind himself. “I- Well-” He cleared his throat, “Actually, so-” He fumbled and struggled.
Your eyes darted across his features and after a few minutes, you scolded him. “Isaac, spit it out!”
It was like a switch flipped in his brain and the command made him shiver like never before. Everything in his body was thrumming to obey you. Do anything you asked.
“Don’t- Don’t do that.” His voice strained.
“I just told you to talk…” You said slowly.
“Yeah but- but you said it like a command and everything inside me is clawing to listen to you.” He swallowed dry. “So, please- Don’t use that tone unless it’s needed .”
“Isaac… you’re being weird.” You took a few steps back.
“No! No, no, please- I’m sorry-” He said quickly, his hands shooting out to hold you. “Please-” He said again, his eyes watering, his body almost in pain .
“What’s going on?” You were starting to smell like worry and fear and Isaac hated being the reason for it.
“When you spoke- When you used that tone, my wolf listened and I’m trying very hard to stay human.” He whispered hoarsely.
“Wolf-” You repeated, not sure if you’d heard what you’d heard.
“Wolf.” Isaac nodded. “I’m a- I’m a werewolf. I have been since I was a teen. Highschool and all.”
You stared at him then laughed. “Werewolf? Really? Howl at the moon, Twilight werewolf?”
He winced at the comparison. He wasn’t like those werewolves. “No- It’s- Yes. Like that.”
“Okay, cuckoo town.” You rolled your eyes and pulled away.
“I’m not- Y/N, I’m crazy!” He huffed, tugging you back to him. “Look. Okay? Just listen.” He said sharply, making you glare, his wolf whining in his head for making you upset. “Jesus fuck , this is a mess-” He whispered to himself and exhaled. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. Can you please listen?”
“Listen what ?! You’re trying to spin a whole story just to breakup with me!” You tried to pull away but the way he held you, his strength in play, you couldn’t move an inch.
“I’m not trying to breakup, god damnit!” He raised his voice, making you gasp in shock. “Fuck- No, baby, please. I’m sorry. Okay, inside voices, yeah?” You pouted and looked away from him. “Please. I’m not- Last night- Yes, it was great. But it wasn’t just kinky or hot. The bite. This bite.” He placed his palm on your chest. “It’s not a hickey. It’s matemark. Last night, my wolf- It took over and I shifted. I bit you as mine and-”
“Bullshit.” You mumbled, still not looking at him.
“Sweetheart.” Isaac held your cheeks and forced you to look at him. “I’m not bullshitting you. I promise. Just look at me.” He stared at you until his eyes glowed yellow. “I’m not messing with you.” He said softly, his hand moving away from your face to infront of you. The nails turning to claws. “It’s- It’s real. I’m a werewolf and last night- I- We -”
“Holy shit-” You stared at his hands, at his eyes. No tricks, no costumes. This was real. Tangible. No prop or prank.
“Yeah… holy shit.” He whispered, his eyes and hands going back to normal. “This is my reality and-”
“You lied to me.” Your voice broke. “You-”
“I hid from you.” He corrected. “I- I didn’t want you to look at me the way you are right now.”
“What am I looking at you like?” You looked up at him.
“Like I’m a thing . A monster or a beast or-” He choked on his words, his heart aching at the way your eyes were wide, how you smelled of fear. “How was I supposed to tell you anyway?”
“I- I need a- I need-” The words were lost in your throat as you pulled away and sat on a chair nearby. The living room felt like it was closing in on you.
“Here.” Isaac stood holding a glass of cold water. “It’s the mark. It makes me know what you need. You don’t have to say it. It’s- It runs bonedeep, soulbound, older than time kind of thing.” He explained softly, kneeling at your feet. “I know it’s not ideal but I felt you in my mind all day.” He smiled, rubbing gently circles at your knee. “I knew when you were annoyed, when you were frustrated, and I knew you enjoyed the lunch you had.”
“I- I thought I was losing my mind.” You whispered, holding the glass with both hands. “All day- All day I felt you too. I was worried that you were anxious but I kept shaking off the feeling.”
“I was anxious all day. After what I’d done- I was so worried about how to tell you. I was worried you might throw something at me or run away-” He said, laughing a little, hoping to lighten the mood.
“We hardly know each other, Isaac.” You looked at him. “We-”
“We can take our time.” He said quickly. “We can keep the pace we were keeping but- but isn’t this a good thing in a way?”
“How do you mean?” You asked, sipping on the water to calm your frayed nerves.
“You’ll never have to think about if we’re endgame or not. You already know.” He smiled, his eyes shining with hopefulness. “And besides, it’s a hell of a power to have to be able to order me around and my wolf falling over backwards to listen to you.” You laughed a little and nodded.
“Maybe-” You exhaled deeply.
“Definitely.” He leaned his chin on your knee.
His eyes wide, his curls falling across his forehead. You smiled, running your fingers through his hair. A familiar getsure. Something that calmed Isaac to no end. He melted against your hand, his forehead against your knees as he took breaths, letting your scent consume him from the inside out.
“What happens now?” You asked after a few minutes of silence.
“I take you for dinner? Normal human boyfriend girlfriend stuff.” He smiled, taking your hand from his hair to kiss your palm as he breathed you in. “And you can boss me around some more.”
“Saying as if I haven’t been doing that already-” The tension was easing into banter now.
“Touche.” Isaac spoke against your palm, looking up with puppy eyes. “But it’ll work better now. I promise.”