CHAPTER 10- Mate Bond
The next morning I got ready for school. I don’t know how exactly to deal with Hunter but I am going to stay with Nick. He is the one that makes me happy, I am going to keep him for as long as I can. I don’t really care what I am wearing today. I just throw on whatever I find first. I just hope that it matches.
There is too much shit on my brain. I brush out my hair and rush out the door. Hunter is on my landing waiting to walk me down. This is not what I wanted. I try to skirt around him. He grabs my arm, “Jasmine, we need to talk about this.”
I pull out of his grip, “No we don’t.” I keep walking.
“Jasmine, this is new for me too. We can’t just ignore it.” He is following me.
“Watch me.” I spit out as I keep going down the stairs.
“Now, look at who is being childish.” He calls after me. Still following me. Yeah, we are going to the same place but he can give me a little bubble.
“Just give me some space please.” I keep going. I don’t turn to look at him but I can tell that he has slowed his pace.
Then he links to me. “I don’t know why you are running from me. We are going to be trapped in a car together.”
I linked back. “I don’t want to hear your logic right now.”
I can hear his chuckle through the link. Then, “You look beautiful today.”
“I don’t want to hear that either.” I block him out. He needs to stop acting like my mate. It is not going to help my resolve. I need to focus on Nick right now. Nick makes me happy, that is where I will focus my attention. I make it to the door and step out on the landing. I only have a moment alone before Hunter joins me. He comes up to me and brushes my hair behind my ear. I try to ignore the tingles that sends through my skin. He needs to stop touching me.
“I mean it. You look beautiful today.” He is leaning in and whispering in my ear.
I sigh, “I said I don’t want to hear that. Look, for now I am not your mate. I can’t deal with this. You can’t expect me to just ignore the last two years and act like everything is ok.”
He slides his arm around my back, it feels amazing and I hate it. “I am not so sure I can just cut it off like that.” He is whispering still.
It takes every ounce of resolve that I have to pull away from him. “You are going to have to. I am with someone right now that makes me feel loved for once in my life. You are going to let me have it.”
He looks hurt. It is a look that I can’t help but regret. “I can make you feel that way too. I can make you feel so much more, you know it.”
“Not now, you are going to give me time.” I stand my ground.
He glares at me. “So, I am supposed to watch while some other guy puts their hands all over you. You expect me to be ok with this?”
I glare back at him. “I could just reject you. Would that be better? If you don’t want to see it, don’t watch.” I turn around so that I am facing away from him. He slides up behind me reaching his arms around me.
When he is wrapped around me and he whispers in my ear. “How well do you think that is going to work? You are my mate. I know you feel it too. Right now I can feel your body leaning into mine. Your human is going to pale in comparison to this.” He’s right without me realizing my body has leaned into him. Stupid matebond.
“Stop.” I whisper back. I am struggling to pull back.
“I don’t want to.” Stubborn asshole.
I shake my head and pull away from him. “I mean it. I need space.”
He growls at me. “Fine, but don’t expect me to like it. And just so you know,” He grabs my belt loop and pulls me close to him. “I am going to have to get rid of his scent as soon as you get back in that car.”
I pull away from him. “You will do nothing of the sort. Also I don’t smell like him now.”
His growl deepens. “No, but you look good enough to eat.”
I look down at my clothes. Nothing special, a pair of blue jeans and a flower shirt that I never really liked. I thought it made me look like an old granny couch. You know with the ruffles on the sleeves. It was one of those things you buy because it looks good in the store, but then you get it home and it looks like crap. “I think you need your vision checked.”
“Maybe you just need to accept that I want you. I have been wanting you. If you give me a chance I can make you feel so much more.” He is nuzzling into my neck. He had pulled me close again without me even knowing it. This is going to be a whole lot harder than I thought it would.
“Hunter, space. I don’t want the whole pack knowing we are mates yet.”
He looks at me puzzled and hurt. “Are you ashamed to be my mate?”
I roll my eyes. Insecure much? “No, but I know one girl who will be pissed as hell that you are my mate. I really have too much on my plate right now to deal with her.”
“She can stuff it. I never really liked her anyway.” Ok, that is news to me. I seem to remember seeing a couple of hot and heavy sessions, not that I ever wanted to.
“Still, can you just do what I said? It isn’t my birthday yet. Consider it punishment for all the crap you talked about me.” I give him a pointed look.
He grumbles and leans in to peck me on the lips. “Fine.” He straightens up and puts a little distance from me. “Any other demands? You know I might have a few of my own.”
I shake my head. “Not at the moment. What are your demands?” I am a little scared of what he wants.
“I will tell you when I need to. For now just know it is coming.” He growls at me, but it is a pleased growl. Almost a purr.
Allison comes out then. I am so glad that I got Hunter to keep some distance from me for now. I do not need crap from Allison. I know it is coming, I just don’t need any more on my plate. She sneers at me. “You look like an old person couch.”
I go to reply but Hunter beats me to it. “Shut up Allison. You look like shit by the way.” The look on Allison’s face is enough to make me laugh. I can’t hold it in. She starts patting down her hair and looking at her clothes. She doesn’t look any different than she does every day. Ok, points for Hunter.
Carlos pulls up in front of the steps. We take our seats. After we start to move, Hunter moves a little closer then grabs my hand, intertwining our fingers. I mind link him, “What are you doing?”
He smiles back at me. “She isn’t looking. I need to touch you every so often. It calms me. This is my demand. One at least.” He winks at me.
I look out the window as we drive with his hand wrapped around mine. He is right, it feels calming. I know my feelings for him are only going to grow. I am just having a hard time trying to get the concept of letting go of Nick. He has been so nice to me. He really likes me. Tomorrow I will have some distance between Hunter and I, it might make things a little easier to deal with. I just need to get through today. Then two days without Hunter. Unless he is at the dance. I never asked him. If I ask him now then he is going to think I want him there. I just have to hope that he isn’t.
Dad was right, this is not going to be easy. I shouldn’t have started something with Nick. I was just so sure that no one would want me, that I wasn’t going to hurt him. Now I am and I feel incredible guilt. Selfish too. I want my cake and eat it too. This is too much for my brain first thing in the morning.
We pull up to the school and I pull my hand from Hunter’s. I hear a low growl from him. I look at him with my eyes wide. “Really.” I mouth to him.
He smirks. “Sorry, couldn’t help it.”
I can see Nick waiting for me. It just makes my heart ache even more. I have to come clean. There is no future. When I climb out of the SUV he comes to hold the door for me. I give him a smile and a thanks. “Nick, we need to talk.” He gets a very concerned look on his face. I really can’t wait any longer to break this to him.
“Alright, come on. Let’s get some privacy. By the way, no one likes to hear that.” He takes my hand and starts to walk to an entryway that really isn’t being used. I can feel Hunter’s eyes on me. I try to act like I can’t.
“So, I talked to my dad last night. I told him I wanted a heads up on this engagement thing. He told me that he talked to the guy and there is no getting out of it. He is committed to the engagement.” I was so rushed in what I was saying I am not so sure that Nick understood me.
“So, how long do I have?” He looks hurt but determined. I really wasn’t expecting this. I figured when he heard that I was not going to have a future with him that he would want to separate. Go date someone that he might have a future with.
“I don’t really know. Not long.” I have a sad look on my face. Of course I feel a little crushed. This guy made me feel loved and I am leaving him for Hunter.
He gives me a smile. “Then at least I have today. We will play it by ear. I am with you until I can’t be anymore. I don’t want to lose a day with you.” He pulls his arms around me. “I already feel so much for you. Just be with me till you can’t anymore.”
I am flabbergasted. This is not what I expected. How can he still want to be with me? “I don’t get it. You know we can’t go any further. You know I am getting married. Why?”
He bends and kisses me. “That feels too good to stop.” He kisses me again. It doesn’t feel the same as Hunter but it still feels good. I feel wanted, something I have craved for so long it’s hard to stop.
He wraps his arms further around me and leads me out of our little alcove. Zoe is the first one to see us. “There you are. Did you talk to your dad about this weekend?”
I had forgotten but I am sure it isn’t a problem. I will just link him in a little bit. “Yeah, it’s good.”
“Good. I have the costume done. I just need to see you in it tomorrow. Then I can make the last minute adjustments.” She is pleased with her work I can tell. I still am not so sure about being Little Red Riding Hood, but I will humor Zoe.
“Got me some real food?” I ask, because this is always the one thing she forgets.
“Yes, I got your bunny food.” Now she is mocking me. She literally wagged her head at me while she said it.
Nick laughs. “Bunny food?”
“She says that because I ask for things like vegetables and not just pizza.” I make a face at Zoe. She just laughs and sticks her tongue out at me.