JESS DILEMMA

**Jess POV**

I take a step back and I notice Adrienne's face fall. "Jess what's wrong?" he asks softly.

As Adrienne reaches out to touch my arm, sparks shoot up in my body, a clear sign of the mate bond that connects us. My wolf is excited, desperate to be in the arms of her mate. But as tears well up in my eyes, I pull away and whisper, "I need some time."

I can see the confusion and concern etched on Adrienne's face as I turn and run away. I'm not sure where I'm going or what to do, but I know I can't face him right now. The reality of having a mate, let alone one who is a member of the council, is too overwhelming.

Lost in thought, I wander into the packhouse, feeling lost and alone. But soon enough, Alivia and Mia find me, their comforting presence a welcome relief. "Jess, what's going on?" Alivia asks, her voice full of concern.

"I can't believe this is happening," I whisper, my voice shaking with emotion. "I never thought I would have a mate, and now it's just so overwhelming."
Alivia places a gentle hand on my shoulder, offering her support. ". Let's go to my room, and you can rest there."

Mia nods in agreement, and the three of us make our way to Alivia's room. Mia and Alivia's comforting presence is a balm to my soul. Their unwavering support gives me the courage to face the daunting reality of having a mate. As I lay there, thoughts of Adrienne and the mate bond consume me, leaving me feeling both exhilarated and terrified.
I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. Alivia hands me a handkerchief, and as I wipe away my tears, I realize how lucky I am to have friends like them. "Thank you," I say, grateful for their understanding.

"Jess, you don't have to go through this alone," Alivia says, sitting down next to me. "We're here for you, always."

Mia nods in agreement, “It will be ok Aunty Jess,” she says giving me a hug, I know she is still young and doesn’t understand what a mate bond is yet, but their words of comfort give me the strength to face my fears head-on. "I just need some time," I say, my voice trembling. "To process everything."

"Take all the time you need," Alivia says, her voice filled with compassion. "We'll be in the next room, whenever you're ready."

As I lay on the bed, my heart feels like it's in a vice as I try to sort through my thoughts and emotions. The prospect of having a mate is something I never thought would happen to me, especially not a mate who's a member of the council. But now, with Adrienne's name etched on my soul, I can't escape the reality of it all.

The weight of my conflicting emotions threatens to suffocate me. On one hand, the idea of being with Adrienne fills me with a warmth that spreads throughout my body. But on the other hand, I wonder if I'm ready for the responsibilities that come with being a mate. I have always lived a carefree life, will I be able to balance my studies and my mate's needs? Can I handle the expectations that come with being a council member's mate?

I let out a deep breath, trying to push aside my doubts and fears. I know I need to talk to Adrienne, but the mere thought of it sends shivers down my spine. How do I approach the subject without hurting him or making him feel unwanted? I don't want to lose him, but at the same time, I can't ignore the inner conflict that's tearing me apart.
My heart jumps at the sound of the knock on the door. I know who it is without having to be told. Adrienne. My mate. I take a deep breath and try to steady my nerves before calling out, "Come in."

The door opens slowly, and there he is, standing in the doorway with a look of concern on his face. "Jess, are you okay?" he asks softly, taking a step closer.
I feel the mate bond between us intensify, and my wolf is practically howling to be close to him. But my human side is still conflicted, unsure of what to do. "I'm just...I'm not sure," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

Adrienne takes another step closer and sits down next to me on the bed. "Talk to me, Jess," he says, his eyes searching mine for answers.

I take a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest as I turn to face Adrienne. The air in the room feels heavy as my mind races with questions and uncertainty. I clasp my hands together in my lap, trying to steady myself as I search his face for any signs of hesitation. But instead, I find a deep understanding, a sense of calm that seems to radiate from him.

My voice shakes as I ask the question that's been burning in my mind. "If I accept this, does this mean I have to move to the council?" My eyes never leave his as I wait for his response.

Adrienne nods solemnly, his gaze never wavering. "Yes," he says simply. "As my mate, you would be expected to live on council grounds and participate in council meetings and events."

My stomach twists into a knot, and my mind races with the implications of his words. Moving to the council would mean leaving behind everything I've ever known and starting a new life. It would mean putting my dreams and aspirations on hold, perhaps even giving them up entirely. The thought is overwhelming, and tears prick at the corners of my eyes.

"What about my studies, my dreams that I had about my life, am I expected to just give all of that up?" I ask, my voice rising with emotion.

Adrienne reaches out and takes my hand, his touch sending sparks of electricity through my body. "No, Jess," he says firmly. "I want you to be happy, and if that means pursuing your dreams, then I will support you in any way that I can. We can work something out, together."

I look into his eyes, seeing the sincerity and love shining through. With Adrienne's reassuring words, I feel a weight lifted off my shoulders. "Thank you," I whisper, feeling a sense of relief wash over me.

Adrienne leans in and presses a soft kiss to my forehead. "I understand that this is a lot to take in," he says, his voice gentle. "Take all the time you need to think about it. I will support you no matter what decision you make."

I nod, feeling grateful for his understanding. "I appreciate that," I say, feeling a sense of gratitude for his patience and kindness.

We sit in silence for a few moments, the only sound being the beating of our hearts. I feel a sense of contentment, knowing that I am with someone who truly cares for me and wants me to be happy.

As we sit there, I begin to think about my future and what it could be with Adrienne by my side. The thought of living on council grounds and being a part of something bigger than myself is both exciting and daunting. But with Adrienne's support, I know that anything is possible.

"I think I need some time to process all of this," I say finally, breaking the silence.

Adrienne nods, his eyes filled with understanding. "Of course," he says. "Take all the time you need. I will be here when you're ready."
With that, he stands up and makes his way to the door, and I am left missing his touch and feeling a mixture of emotions swirling inside me.