“Yes, that’s exactly what I mean.”
“Hmm, yeah, I don’t think the temple would have approved of that getting covered.”
“It’s probably an important topic to cover, don’t you think? It’s not exactly something you can just google if you don’t know.”
“Well, of course. But I think most people know about heat anyway.”
“Are you sure about that? How did you learn about heat?”
“Well, you know, probably the same way you did. Guys talk about it, you hear rumors about it. Eventually you talk to someone who knows someone that’s been through it, or you catch the scent of someone that’s going through it and realize what it is.”
“So, I have a question for you. Doyouknow what brings on heat?”
He appeared lost in thought and finally responded, “Actually, I have no clue. I guess I never thought about it too much besides, obviously, what happens during heat.” He smirked.
“Well, I can tell you exactly what brings it on. Once you meet your mate and the mate bond’s in place, your mate will go through heat every month to encourage the mating process until you finally mate and mark them.”
“Is that what happened with Ria?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what happened with Ria. I never marked her, so she used to go through heat every month. It would be the same for your mate as well.” I watched as his eyes glossed over, deep in thought. I couldn’t help wondering what he was thinking. Working and living with Luke now, we had rekindled some of our old friendship, but it still wasn’t the same as it had been before I left.
I eventually dismissed myself and decided to do a run to check on patrols, feeling irritated—a bubbling feeling under my skin. I exited the packhouse, throwing off my clothes, and shifted to begin my daily run of all the patrol sites.
I couldn’t lie, the situation was killing me. It almost seemed like a cruel joke at first, when Jasmine told me she was mated to my best friend—someone that was practically a brother to me! Someone I lived and worked with! I mean, what are the odds? The girl I was now falling head over heels for had found her mate, and it was none other than the one person who could, unknowingly, rub my face into it the most.Fucking Artemis!I tried to laugh and joke it off—one of the ways I used to cope with my pain before, well, Ria, and I could no longer laugh and joke anymore. That was, until Jasmine came along, and I finally got my sense of humor back. Yep, this had to be a joke. That Goddess had a really dark sense of humor.
To make matters worse, I couldn’t help but feel downright irritated with how uninterested Luke seemed to be in Jasmine. He hadn’t even mentioned her once since he’d invited her to the packhouse a week earlier. Granted, our friendship wasn’t what it had once been, but I couldn’t help but compare his reaction to my own years earlier. When I found out who my mate was, I wanted to sing, shout it from the rooftops. There wasn’t a single person I didn’t want to tell. My obsession with Ria was all-encompassing.
Hell, I couldn’t help but compare Luke’s behavior to how I felt about Jasmine now, not able to stop thinking about her, trying so hard not to let it kill me. Luke’s reaction just seemed so wrong, unnatural. I knew it was important to her to be with her fated mate, but Jasmine deserved better.
I shook my head, knowing I shouldn’t meddle. But, Goddess be damned, Jasmine deserved better.
Chapter 30
Jasmine
OnFriday,Iwokeup feeling very hot and aroused. I knew that I had been having an erotic dream, but I couldn’t recall what it was about. I kicked the blankets off me, feeling the cool air on the sweat that was covering my body. I rubbed my thighs together, discovering an unbearable swelling between my legs and a strong desire to have something inside me. I looked at the time and saw it was ten o’clock. I had slept longer than usual, and my parents had already left for work. I opened my bedside drawer where the unopened shopping bag Blake had left for me lay.
As I was about to reach for it, I saw a text come through. I reached for my phone instead. I was surprised to see it was from Luke. It read,I need to talk to you. Can I come see you now?
A warm shiver traveled up the entirety of my body at the thought. I couldn’t help imagining him in my bed, completely naked, his hands exploring every untouched part of me, his skin brushing against mine, gliding against me, relieving me of the pressure I currently felt between my legs. But I was also unsure about it. My whole body longed for him, so much it was practically unbearable, but I recalled my conversation with Blake. My feelings hadn’t changed. I didn’t want him to be with me because I had seduced him. I wanted him to be with me because that’s what he genuinely wanted. I replied to him,It’s not a good time. I think I’m in heat.
I saw the three dots pop up on my screen instantly and then a text returned.
Luke: Are you alone? You’re not out, right?
Me: No, I’m home alone
Luke: Good, don’t leave your house today
Luke: I’m coming over right now
I looked at my phone, shocked, blinking. He was coming overright now? I ran to freshen myself up. I changed out of my pajamas and put deodorant on. I quickly brushed my hair and teeth and swiftly made my bed. Just as I was fluffing the pillows, I heard my doorbell ring. I ran downstairs to answer it.
“Can I come in?” he asked. I held the door open for him so he could walk through and closed it behind him. “Goddess, you are in heat,” he said, seeming surprised even though I had just told him the same minutes earlier. I noticed he was clenching his fists. “This is what I wanted to talk to you about, but I didn’t know it would be this damn hard. Your scent’s so irresistible.”
“What’s it like for you?” I asked, being able to imagine, wanting so badly to run my fingers over his entire body.
“I want you so badly right now. It’s taking everything in me not to just jump you.” He moved closer to me. Before I could stop myself, I grabbed him into a kiss, desperate to feel his lips against mine. He instantly returned the kiss, grabbing my ass, pulling me tight against his body. I could feel his erection throbbing against me. It was like fireworks were exploding as our tongues intertwined, our bodies engulfed in sparks. It was intoxicating.