“Because it’s time you got off your butt and made yourself more useful around here. I’m sick of all your brooding. That man is not worth giving up on your life. Quite frankly, it’s embarrassing that I raised a daughter that would act like this.” She exited. I listened as her steps disappeared down the stairs and the garage opened and closed.
I clutched my chest. The pain was still there. It made it impossible to focus on anything outside of it. Sometime closer to noon, I finally forced myself to roll over and let my feet hit the ground. I took a shower and got dressed, throwing my hair into a messy bun.
While I was in the grocery store, I kept my mind on the task at hand, refusing to let my mind go anywhere else—absolutely not about what I had witnessed the last time I was here. After my cart was full, I checked out. Almost done. Just one more errand and I could go home.
I drove past the packhouse, seeing that Blake’s car was in the lot but Luke’s wasn’t. Then I remembered that he normally had college classes on Thursdays—something that I’d given up on. I felt a sharp pain in my chest as I drove, the thoughts of him piercing me.
I parked in the clinic parking lot and forced myself to get out of the car. The waiting room was empty, which was a relief. It was best to avoid as much human contact as possible. I went up to the front desk to ask for my grandfather’s prescription. I was about to leave when Lucy and her mom exited from the back. Why did I have to keep bumping into them?
Ivy ran over to me, a big smile on her face. “Jasmine, it’s so nice to see you!” My eyes were wide as she pulled me in for a hug. Lucy followed her mom, nodding at me, not saying anything. Ivy continued, “Katie and Tyler both loved meeting you. I’m so glad you were able to make it to the dinner last week.”
As she spoke, I noticed something that may as well have been a bullet straight through my chest. As I looked where Lucy’s neck met her collarbone, it was clear as day that she was marked. They had marked each other.
The whole world spun around me as I sprinted away from them, certain I looked crazy. I ran out of the clinic to my car. Before I got in, I doubled over and vomited, not able to hold it in. I sat in the driver’s seat, and before I knew what I was doing, I sped over to the packhouse, parking my car next to Blake’s. I ran to the front door and rang the doorbell.
I waited until the door opened and saw him standing in front of me. He looked down at me and said, “I think you’re confused. You have the date, time, and location of the date completely wrong. I’m supposed to meet you tomorrow at six at your house. Not today at“—he looked at his cell phone—”two at my house.”
“Do you have something to drink?” I asked pushing past him.
“The nightcap at my house is supposed to be after the date, not before,” he shook his head. “And you think I’m the one that doesn’t know how to date.”
“Blake,” I said, looking at him.
“Yes?” He stared into my eyes.
“They marked each other.” I burst into tears.
He put his arms around me and said, “Shit, sorry. I should have told you.” He led me to the couch and sat me down. He rubbed my back and said, “He had to, Jasmine. I know it hurts but he’s also the beta of the pack and it’s as good as guaranteed that we’ll be going to war any day now. He can’t be distracted. He has to do his job.”
I nodded into Blake’s chest. “It just hurts. I’m the only one suffering and acting pathetic. My mom told me she was embarrassed she raised a daughter like me this morning. But I can’t help it. It just hurts so much.”
“I know,” he said, brushing his fingers through my hair.
“Are we really going to war?”
“Unfortunately, yes. That’s why we implemented all these new training programs for the pack. It’s almost definitely going to be fought either on or near our soil, and we need to make sure everyone’s prepared because we don’t know exactly how many packs will be involved.”
I nodded, separating from Blake. “Sorry, you probably have work to do. I can go.”
“Do you want to go for a run before you do? That always helps me feel better. I can go with you.”
“Ok. But do you have an extra toothbrush or mouthwash I can use before we go?”
He laughed, shaking his head. “You’re so confused. You’re supposed to ask that question the morning after the date.”
“It’s just that I threw up, and my mouth feels gross right now.”
“I think we can find something for you.” He stood up and I followed. He took my hand and led me upstairs to his bedroom, into his en suite bathroom.
“Oh, you had it renovated!” I was surprised that his whole bathroom was completely different than the last time I saw it.
“I forgot that you haven’t been in here since my parents still lived here. What do you think?”
“It looks great!” I looked around at the modern tiles, quartz double vanity, and huge glass walk-in shower.
“Should we, as the humans say, christen the new shower?” he smirked. “I’m starting to think that perhaps the nightcap should have happened just now.”
“Uggghhh! Stop!”