I lay down and sighed. I wasn’t sure if things could get worse.
Luke
Iwasinthepack office with Blake, deep in discussion about training, when the mindlink from Jasmine came through. I knew I’d fucked up. But maybe I could fix things. I wasn’t sure how, but I would try.
“Who were you mindlinking with?” Blake asked.
“Jasmine,” I replied. “Sorry, man, I really have to go.”
“What happened?” he asked.
“She’s stuck in her wolf form. I have to find her a change of clothes so she can shift back.”
“Why doesn’t she have her clothes?” he looked concerned.
“She had a panic attack.”
“Is she okay? Do you need my help?”
“No, let me handle it,” I replied. I was becoming annoyed with his concern for my mate. I didn’t trust at all that he had good intentions with her either, especially after his comment at the temple service. Moreover, what was he doing discussing heat with her?
I jumped into my car and drove to my sister Lauren’s house. Peyton had had her baby a couple days after the alpha ceremony, so I didn’t want to bother her, knowing she was preoccupied with a newborn at the moment. I told Lauren I needed the clothes for a rogue werewolf who had wandered into our territory, deciding it was best to share as little information as possible. This was not a completely uncommon situation, so she didn’t question it. She handed me a pair of shorts, a T-shirt, and some flip-flops.
I then mindlinked Valerie and asked her to meet me down the street from the café so I could collect Jasmine’s things. Not long after I arrived at our agreed-upon meeting spot, she sauntered up to me, her hips swaying. She was very curvy, reminding me of Jessica Rabbit with her red hair. I’d heard rumors about her younger days, and I could believe them. Even well into her forties, she was a very sexy woman.
“Well, if it isn’t Casanova in the flesh.” She grinned at me.
“What do you mean by that?” I asked.
“Well, you have all my employees fighting over you. I can’t blame them. You are one fine-looking man. If I were mateless, I’d probably be fighting over you too.”
I crossed my arms, deciding to ignore her comment. “Thank you for bringing Jasmine’s stuff.”
“You’re welcome. Not that it’s my business, but Jasmine’s a good girl and she doesn’t deserve the shit that you’re putting her through. I know you’ve been dating Lucy a long time, blah blah blah. And I like Lucy too. But she’s not your fucking mate. So, grow a fucking pair and do the right thing.”
I nodded at her in acknowledgment as she handed Jasmine’s purse to me. I then got back into my car and drove to the packhouse.
I walked into the woods and sat on a tree stump, waiting for Jasmine to arrive. A stunning wolf with brown and black fur with white on her paws and on the tip of her tail sprinted out from behind some pine trees, stopping in front of me. Jasmine’s intoxicating scent wafted through the air. Her wolf was beautiful, with thick fur, brilliant amber eyes, and perfect pointed ears. She almost reminded me of a fox. For a moment I considered running my hands through her fur, wanting to know how it felt. But I resisted, knowing this was not the time or place. I stood up and put the clothes I brought onto the stump and turned around, giving her privacy as she shifted back. Not that I didn’t want to look, recalling how amazing her body was, feeling my blood rushing south at my indecent thoughts. I shook my head, forcing myself to act appropriately.
“I’m decent,” she said. I turned around to see her standing in front of me. As soon as I saw her, I had a desire to hold her in my arms—to feel her body against mine. When I was away from her, I could sort of control how I felt. But when she was standing in front of me like this, I couldn’t help but want to be close to her, the mate bond like a magnet.
“Are you okay?” I asked, sensing her anxiety, feeling terrible about my actions. Jasmine didn’t deserve what had happened. She had always been so sweet and kind.
“Well, not really,” she said, sitting down on the stump. An overwhelming guilt came over me. I’d really fucked up. I knew I had to do something about it but felt so ill-equipped.
“Do you want to come into the packhouse for a little bit before you go home?” I asked, hating the idea of her just leaving—wanting to spend more time with her and try to cheer her up.
“It’s probably best that I go home now. The day has already been kind of a disaster.”
“Why don’t you come in and eat something? We can talk.” I took her hand, pulling her inside of the packhouse. I took her into the kitchen and sat her down at the table. The cook had left us some lunch on top of the stove that I hadn’t had a chance to eat yet. I looked to see what it was. “Do you like macaroni and cheese and hot dogs?”
“Sure,” she replied.
I spooned some of the food onto two plates and put them in the microwave. “What can I get you to drink?”
“Just water is fine.”
I dispensed water out of the fridge into two glasses, placing them on the table, squeezing her shoulder in a friendly gesture as I did. I sighed deeply as sparks traveled up my arm, the feeling magical. I grabbed the food out of the microwave and took a seat beside her. “I know it’s childish, but mac and cheese and hot dogs always cheers me up. There’s nothing else like it. It brings me right back to my childhood.” I tried to make conversation with her.