I looked up and noticed that my dad was giving her a death glare. “We’ll be on our way. Come on, Jasmine!”
She kept speaking before he could turn around. “Oh, Drew, before I forget to tell you! Someone started a Facebook group for our high school class. I’ll be sure to send you an invite!”
“I don’t use Facebook,” he responded immediately and turned his back to her, walking to the car, clearly expecting me to follow. I ran after him and jumped into the passenger seat. We drove home in silence, my dad clearly in a bad mood. He was quiet during dinner too. I could tell he was lost in thought. What Ivy said seemed pretty innocuous, but I began to question if there was something I missed. Ivy and my dad never had much interaction, but every time they did it was weird, as if Ivy was mad at him for something. I always assumed she just didn’t like how strict they were with me, but I now wondered if it was something else.
I couldn’t ask my parents, because they were never open with me about anything. We lived in a world of don’t ask, don’t tell. As much as Lucy’s mom annoyed her, I knew Lucy could go to her mom about anything and she would be understanding and nonjudgmental. I wouldn’t be surprised if Lucy told her mom about her sex life. I think even if I were married with a pup on the way, with my parents I’d still act as if it was by immaculate conception.
When female werewolves shifted for the first time, it coincided with their first period. When it was time for us to shift, it would happen during a full moon, and then we would menstruate not long after. I remember being embarrassed to tell my parents that I had shifted into a wolf for the first time at thirteen because then they’d know that my first period would be coming. I couldn’t stand the idea of them knowing, especially my dad.
After dinner, I helped my mom load the dishwasher and then went up to my room. I was watching Netflix and almost asleep when I felt my phone vibrate next to me.
Blake Sexy AF: Feels lonely in my bed without you
I stared at the text for a minute. I hadn’t spoken with Blake in a few weeks, so the text came out of the blue. Of course, it wasn’t like I hadn’t thought of him during all that time. After being so intimate and sharing my first kiss with him, I thought there was something between us. It stung when he didn’t contact me again right away. I couldn’t help but wonder if I was the only one that felt a connection and he had moved on. The thought troubled me. I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d gotten bored with me after I finally kissed him. Even though he’d made me feel special, I still couldn’t push the thought away that there were plenty of other girls who would have no problem giving him what he wanted. The thought sickened me.
Then I’d remind myself that it was fruitless to even have these thoughts and become so involved with him, knowing our time together would be cut short by me eventually meeting my mate. I kept pushing him out of my mind, forcing myself not to think about him. Even so, I couldn’t shake the urge to see him again, to kiss him again.
I looked at the text again and my stomach flipped. While I was inexperienced, I did watch TV and read books. I replied,Is this a booty call?
I watched as three dots appeared, him typing back.
Blake Sexy AF: If you’re offering, I accept
Me: You know my rules, and my rules aren’t made to be broken
Blake Sexy AF: Really? I’ll remind you of that next time your nipples are in my mouth
Me: I told you that was a one time thing!
Blake Sexy AF: And you loved it
Me: I tolerated it
Blake Sexy AF: Haha you’re so funny. The way you kissed me, that’s not how you kiss someone you tolerate
Me: Oh, my memory’s faint. When was that?
Blake Sexy AF: If that wasn’t memorable enough for you, next time will be. I love a challenge
Blake Sexy AF: When’s your day off this week? We can go hiking again
Me: Wednesday
Blake Sexy AF: Be ready at 10 to go
I looked at the text thread again, my heart beating against my chest, the desire to see him again overwhelming me. I was on the brink of breaking all my rules, and I couldn’t even bring myself to care.
Chapter 13
Jasmine
OnWednesdayIwasready at ten. This time I wore my bathing suit underneath a T-shirt and shorts, prepared that he’d want to go swimming, seeing as the weather was predicted to be hot. I didn’t want to seem too eager. At least if I wore my bathing suit, it wouldn’t appear I was determined to strip down to my underwear for him. I watched as his black Jeep pulled into my driveway, and I stepped outside to greet him. My anxiety about not hearing from him for two weeks instantly disappeared. As soon as I approached his car, he came over and kissed me on the cheek.
“I missed you,” he said, leading me to the passenger door. “Sorry I haven’t been in touch. This alpha shit’s taking over my entire life.”
I looked at him in shock. He missed me? My heart pulsed in my chest. Had he been wanting to see me as much as I’d been wanting to see him?
He opened the door for me and helped me in, then hopped into the driver’s seat. When we were both settled, he pulled out of the driveway, not wasting any time to speed out of the pack entrance and toward what was now becoming our secret place.