Chapter 24

Lola's POV
Marking, in which a werewolf sinks his teeth into his mate's flesh in order to stake his claim. Usually the mark is either on the neck or the wrist and it's the first step in completing the mating process which consists of marking and claiming
The second step, claiming, is when mates complete the mating process by having sex. It got something to do with the female carrying the male's scent and as much as I remember, they share their feeling and thoughts through a mind link bond.
"Marking?" I uttered breathlessly
"Let's talk about this someplace else." Jake sighed, staring at me for a brief moment before leading us through several corridors until we reached our room
Stepping inside, Jake let go of my hand and closed the door behind him with a light click. He looked deep in thought, like he was thinking about a way to explain things to me without the possibility of having me run away.
But what he didn't understand is that I knew very well that marking is a primal instinct and at some point in our relationship, it was going to happen
"It's natural for werewolves to mark their mates in a way to tell all other unmated males to back off. It usually happens the instant mates spot each other. Once marking is complete, they're something called claiming but of course that's a talk for another time." He swallowed nervously, a flicker of hesitation passing through his eyes before he continued
"Now that people know you're my mate, it's kind of necessary that you carry my mark so that no suspicion arises." I hid my smile and stared at him straight in the eye
"But if you're not ready I totally understand." He quickly added taking my silence as a negative sign
But it isn't. On the contrary, I'm absolutely ready for this kind of step, hell I was ready a long time ago. Reading about marking is definitely different than being put in the position where you're actually going to have a werewolf bite on your neck
Here it goes
"I'm ready." I stated, my voice laced in confidence and certainty. As much as I'm scared of getting teeth sunk into the delicate skin of mine, but I wanted this.
Surprise was written all over his face and the corners of his lips tugged up in a wide brilliant smile that reached his eyes
"I was hoping to hear that. II felt like a ticking time bomb seeing men staring at you." I let out a laugh and grinned, I like the jealous side of him
"But I only have eyes for you, you know that right?" I nudged his shoulder playfully
I squealed thrashing out as his fingers ran along the sides of my waist and tickled me until tears began streaming down my face.
"J –Jake s –stop." I pleaded breathlessly landing on the bed. The ticklish feeling suddenly got replaced by tingles as his warm hands gripped my waist
My eyelids flew open and I saw myself staring into a pair of deep forest green orbs. I ran a hand along his perfectly shaped jawline and rested it onto his lined beard, smiling as he moved his head a bit and place a soft kiss on the palm of my hand.
"I love your smile." He pecked the other side
"I love your laugh." He leaned in closer and kissed the edge of my lips
"I love you too."
"I love you sweetheart." I melted right then and there
Hovering above me, he dipped his head and nuzzled into my neck, trailing soft kisses until he reached the place where my neck and shoulder meet. I stilled as he growled lowly, his canines scraping against my skin and bit my lip painfully feeling them pierce into my skin
It was like getting stabbed with four knives, literally. Tears strung my eyes and I could taste the bitter taste of blood on my tongue. His canines retracted and I let out a breath of relief as the pain vanished completely
"I'm sorry." His face etched with worry, his eyes scanning my face to see if I was still in pain. Apart from my neck throbbing like a bitch, I was fine, no biggy
We climbed off the bed and stood on our feet.
"It's okay." I smiled lightly showing him that I was indeed alright. He should really stop treating me like I'm made out of glass. I'm a big girl, I can handle a bite
"It's a fucking turn on seeing you wearing my mark like that." Jake grinned cheekily, staring at his mark with so much pride. Ugh, men and their possessiveness. Wait –did he just say that it's a turn on
"Hmm, really now." I trailed my hands from his broad shoulders down to rest on his chest, pressing myself against him so that no space lied between us. For some strange reason, his words made the lust inside of me awaken.
His eyes darkened as they landed on my lips, and not wasting anytime, I smacked my lips onto his. He was just as hungry as I was, attacking my lips with full force and backing us up until my back hit the wall. I moaned, feeling his hands roam my hips and cup my ass, giving it a tight squeeze before lifting me up so that my legs were wrapped around him.
I slid my hands into his hair and parted my lips allowing him entrance hearing a low rumble leave his throat. His hands went under my shirt, roaming freely and I let out a low moan at the contact of his bare hands against my fair skin.He carries us back to the bed and sets me down so I am under his large frame. I could feel his hardness beneath his pants rubbing against me, his hands skillfully making the need inside of me intensify at the friction. Heat surged through my entire body, pulsing with desire, desperately wanting to feel him.
It was something new, an unfamiliar feeling. Then realization hit me, I've never done this before. I broke the kiss in need of air and turned my head once to avoid his confused gaze.
This is so embarrassing
"What's wrong?" He said, trying to catch his breath. I didn't look at him still, my cheeks burning from embarrassment. Most guys prefer experienced girls if you get what I mean and I'm a know –nothing in that zone
It's not that I don't understand how things go when the clothes are off, but never have a guy other than Jake touched me like this.
"Love." He turned my head so that I was staring right into his worry filled eyes
"You realize that this makes me love you even more right?" He smiled affectionately.
"I'm a virgin, Jake." My voice was barely above a whisper, but he heard that alright. His eyes softened and I bit my lips in fear of what I was about to hear. He's pitying me, he's going to end this, he doesn't want a girl like –
I frowned a little and don't get me wrong I'm beyond ecstatic at the moment, but I'm kind of shocked
"Are you serious?" I blinked several times checking if I was imagining things. Nope, this was real. Jake's brows shot upwards, a hint of a frown forming and I knew right away that he put the pieces of the puzzle together and found out what's running in my head
"Did you actually think that anything between us would've changed? Lola, I love you and I always will no matter what. I'm honored, fûcking over the moon that I'm the first and only guy who'll ever get to touch you. Heck this just makes me want to make love to you right here right now, but I know you're not ready. I won't pressure you into anything princess. I want your first time –our first time to be special."
Can a guy be any more perfect?
He pecked my lips getting off me and stood up. I was about to get up as well but he just shook his head, a painful expression crossing his features
"Sweetheart, I don't think I'll be able to hold myself if you come near me." He groaned. When my eyes trailed down his body to the bulge in his pants, my mouth turned into an O
Shit, that must be painful
"Um, sorry?" I scratched the back of my head awkwardly. I had nothing else better to say
"No worries. Though I could really need a cold shower right now." I grimaced watching as he headed for the bathroom, the guilt in the pits of my stomach growing seeing his uncomfortable walk.
"So I understand that you gave him blue balls?" Mia snickered throwing her head back, laughing her ass off. Yes, ladies and gentleman, this is what happens when you open door to your best friend about your intimate life.
"It wasn't like I intended to do that! But it just happened." I grumbled, rolling my eyes
"Poor guy," She tsked in fake sympathy. Thank god she didn't say blue balls again; it would've been the fiftieth time she says that.
"But seriously Lola, giving him blue balls! What the hell were you thinking?" Never mind.
"That's just it, I wasn't. My brain wasn't functioning and I wish it stayed like that. I think I got scared you know, I didn't want to disappoint him. He had probably been with the best of the best and then there's plain inexperienced me." I sighed, my ship of self-confidence is officially sinking
"What the hell Lola! Where is my best friend and what have you done with her?" She glared, tapping her foot against the floor. "Jake is happy that you've never been with someone else, get that into your thick skull. He –is –happy. I bet that if you had slept with a guy he would've thrown a fit. Got that? Now get your shit together, I want my best friend back." She crossed her arms over her chest, her lips pressed into a grim line
She's right. There's no reason to feel desperate, Jake loves me and that's all what matters
"She's back." I smiled broadly
"Thank the heavens!" She exclaimed throwing her hands up. Mia has a way in making people feel better, she's not usually the compassionate type, but obviously the one that knocks sense into your head
"Back to the blue –
Aunt Linda sauntered in, her heels clicking with every step she took. Mia's eyes widened in horror and so did my own. I put my hand on my mouth to cover my smile seeing Mia's face drain out of color
"Mia dear, why do you look like you have seen a ghost." Aunt Linda scrunched her nose up in confusion
"Ha ha, Mia and I were talking about –Blue berry pie. Yeah, Lola thinks that raspberry is way better but personally, I love blueberry." She chuckled nervously and I snorted. Not bad Mia, you actually got yourself out of this one. Blueberry pie, huh?
"Try the strawberry, I like it best." Aunt Linda advised and the color returned to Mia's face.
"We should try strawberry. I think it'll taste delicious, right Mia?" I gave , Mia a meaningful stare and smirked
"Yeah definitely." She bobbled her head up and down
"You should've told me that you don't want a banquet nor a ball on your behalf." Aunt Linda reminded me of my mom with the way she put her hands on her hips and sternly stared at me. Ah, so Jake told her about that
I opened my mouth to speak up but she raised a finger to shush me up. I guess I know why mom and her are best friends, they have such similar personalities.
"As much as I want to celebrate," She sighed sadly,
"I won't. If you won't be happy under the spotlight, then it would be useless. Anyway it's alright, when you and my boy have babies I'll throw the biggest baby shower in history." She beamed, her eyes sparkling in humor.
I think I died.
Mia howled in laughter, clutching her stomach whereas Aunt Linda smirked clearly enjoying the idea of having grandchildren.
"Sure." She winked skipping past the door but not before waving us goodbye.
"I think it's a little too early for the baby talk." I chuckled halfheartedly.
"Mia." I shot her a death glare.
"You know, you were about to make babies –"
"Okay, okay. But you're one lucky bitch Lola, I'd kill to have a mother in law like her." She plumped herself down on the sofa.
"I know." I smiled pulling my hair up in a ponytail.
It was only an hour later when Mark barged through the door looking as frantic as ever that I knew bad news was coming.
"We searched every corner of the castle, Vera is missing."