26.

-HIM-

I watch her as she leaves. My wolf is on the edge, urging me to follow her. Her scent lingers in the air and her taste on my tongue. I did not want to let her go but she didn’t seem to be very interested in staying.

Doesn’t she feel the bond? Doesn’t she want me?

I want to know but she is gone. After the kiss, she didn’t seem very pleased. I think I shouldn’t have kissed her this early but I couldn’t contain myself. The sparks were too strong for me to ignore and not act on them.

I shouldn’t have kissed her like that but I lost control. I should’ve thought about this. I don’t know what the consequences of the kiss could be.

What if the kiss made her upset?

Fvck!

I need to apologize to her. I wonder what she thinks about me now. What if she hates me already? I’d hate myself too if it happens to be the case. I don’t know what to do. I find myself constantly pacing around the office.

I said that I’ll text her but I couldn’t text her right away. I may come off as a clingy guy then. My wolf is sharing the same agitation as me. Upsetting her to the point that she doesn’t want to do anything with me would be too much of a price for a few moments of intimacy.

She is messing up with my thoughts and emotions already, just like my office. I need to get many things clear with her the next time I meet her and that’s on Monday. Currently, Monday seems to be centuries away.

I decide to text her tomorrow and somehow convince her to go out with me. I could then talk to her properly maybe? I need to get my thoughts in order and my feelings in check. She is not of my kind and it could easily overwhelm her if I am very blunt and straight-up about my emotions and what I really want from her.

I should take my time and think it through. Also, she is younger than me and probably trying to navigate through her new life at college. In that case, I should grant her space too but things on my side are getting urgent too.

I do not know what to do. Sometimes I think that I’ll crack under the pressure. I sigh and settle on the chair with my thoughts. I have so many things going on in my life.

The responsibilities at the pack and then graduation. I cannot wait to finish college but at the same time, I don’t want to, because of her. I have to lure her before college ends otherwise it would become a bit difficult for me.

I finish up my papers and submit them before going home. It’s evening when I finally return to the pack. Davis and Brooke are not home. They’re probably out on a date or just minding their business.

I find myself in the pack office soon. The amount of work is tiring. It never seems to end. I think of ways to apologize to her and win her trust as I work on some pack matters.

It’s Friday evening but I am staying in. It’s not like I go out that much either. It wouldn’t help even if I chose to go somewhere. The responsibilities follow me everywhere like my shadow.

A light knock on the door is all I hear before mom peaks into the office.

“Hey, mom,”

“Hey, Jakey. Are you working?” She asks casually but something about her seems odd. She never comes in my office until and unless it’s something very important. She always knows when I am working and chooses not to interrupt me most of the time.

“What is it, mom?” I ask her instead. She sighs. Before she could speak, I get a hint about what it is about.

“Tiffany’s here,” she finally drops the bomb, “Do you want me to let her in?” She asks further. A momentary silence follows the question before I shrug. She cocks an eyebrow at me before she disappears.

I am trying to concentrate on my work when the door blows open and the she-wolf I hate the most, walks in.

“Hi, Jake!” She chirps. I contain myself from screaming ‘mom’. I am very much aware that if I do that then I’d appear like a toddler.

“What are you doing here?” I ask sternly. She stalks into my office before stopping in front of my table and leaning on it to expose some of her cleavage.

“It’s Friday night. Let’s go out together,” she pouts.

“I don’t feel like going out,”

“Why?”

“I am kinda sick,”

“Sick of what? Not having a mate?” she snickers and instantly earns a deathly glare from me. I want to lunge at her and strangle her to death but instead of that, I find myself leaning back in the chair with a determined look.

“I’ve found my mate. You should leave me alone now,” I tell her and instantly her jaw drops to my table before she composes herself. My words have taken her by surprise.

“You’re just saying this to make me-“

“I am telling the truth,” I tell her. She pressed her lips in a thin line as she stands up. Her eyes never leave me. She knows that I am telling the truth. The sternness of my voice proved it to her.

“Then where is she? Why are you here and not with her? Got rejected?” With those stale questions, she manages to run her mouth over my patience and I snap. The last question especially pinched me.

“GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!” I growl. She instantly lowers her eyes in submission. I know that this was enough to embarrass her because she leaves right away. I wouldn’t be surprised if she comes back again. She has no self-respect.

“What was that about?” Mom comes asking as soon as Tiffany leaves.

“Why did you let her in?” I frown at her and she shakes her head at me, “Learn to face your fears, Jake,”

“I am not afraid of Tiffany,” I tell her right away.

“But you are afraid of ending up with her,” Her words take me by surprise because she’s right. I was afraid of ending up with someone other than my mate.

Growing up, I have seen countless pairs of happily mated wolves – mum, dad and Brooke, and Davis.

I secretly envy them and want to have something like they have but the situation doesn’t seem too favourable. I have found my mate but I have messed up any chances with her due to the untimely kiss.

I just don’t want that kiss to be my last one with her.
...
Caught is updated on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
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