I look up at him, finding that he’s already looking at me, his amber eyes soft and shining with emotion. I lean into his side and he hugs me to him. Stretching my arm across him as much as I can, I return the side hug just as tightly. I need more moments like this. The stalker stole Connor’s future and ours together. I won’t let that happen again. I can’t.
6
THEA
It’s snowing, the big white fluffy kind. I wonder how much we’ll get this time. There’s been a few light dustings but nothing significant. The window glass is cold to touch from where I’m sitting in Jake’s nook. I almost feel bad I’ve co-opted it since moving in. Today, though, I’m here because it’s where Jake’s scent is strongest. Our scents mixing together in this space settles something in me. I’m not sure if it’s my coming heat or that he’s leaving tomorrow but I feel off, antsy.
Taz and his team have been in and out of the house, setting up cameras on the exterior of the house and in surrounding woods. I’ll sometimes see them from the window walking towards the back of the house or the tree line. Taz seems to be the one doing the cameras out there, with Harrison focused on the ones on the exterior of the house and Ren coordinating everything and setting up their little base inside the spare room near the kitchen.
Jake’s scent suddenly becomes stronger. I look away from the window and see Jake standing there. It’s reminiscent of the first day we met. He’s wearing a thick charcoal knit sweater and jeans. His dark hair is messy, as if he didn’t bother styling theshort locks. He walks over to me and kneels at my side so we’re nearly face to face.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, his eyes searching mine as if they can pull the answer out of me. I mean, what isn’t wrong? But that’s not what he’s asking.
“You’re leaving. You’ll be in the same state—no, same city as my stalker. What if something happens?” I whisper, hating to voice that fear out loud. His hands grasp mine, rubbing his thumbs over the backs. He’s so warm, his scent of books and peace making the tension bleed out of me.
“Nothing will happen. Logan will be with me and I can handle myself. I’ll be back before your heat starts. That’s a promise.” His eyes never leave mine, the deep blue drawing me in like the tide.
Leaning forward, I rest my forehead against his, closing my eyes. “Promise?”
“Promise,” he says firmly before the softest brush of his lips touch mine. It’s tentative. Jake and I have only had a handful of kisses, but lots of hugs though. I push forward a little, kissing him back harder. His hand comes up, his fingers running through my hair as he cups my face, tilting it just so. I don’t know how long we stay like that, soft and hard kisses exchanged until we’re breathless.
“I have a surprise for you.” Jake stands and reaches his hand out for me to take. Taking it, he leads us to the front door and sets my boots in front of me. Confused as to what this could be, I put them on along with my jacket. Soon we’re walking towards the boat house. Taz sees us as we walk across the yard and gives me a smirk. I haven’t been to the boat house yet, so I don’t know why we’d be going here.
Jake opens the door and there’s a small hallway and a staircase which we head to. Climbing the steps with Jake’s hand in mine, excitement runs through me. At the top of the stairs isanother door and once through, we’re in a large room. The light is low but I can see a bunch of tabletop games—air hockey, pool, foosball, and some arcade game units. I guess this is their game room. I wonder why it’s in the pool house. If they have parties during the summer, it’s probably fun to have the games here in between being in the water.
As my eyes pan the room, they catch on a projector and essentially a mini nest set up on the floor in front of the sectional. I turn back to Jake, who’s already looking at me, as if he’s gauging my reaction.
“We haven’t had a chance to go on a date and with everything going on, I wanted to do something just for us before I leave.” He glances away awkwardly. He’s so sweet, though I doubt he views himself that way.
“I love it! Thank you, it’s the perfect cozy date for us,” I say wholeheartedly.
A small smile forms on his face. He leads us over to the mini nest he’s made. I quickly fluff things out, making it perfect. I hear a small laugh from behind me. Jake is there and suddenly I realize I’m going full omega mode. So embarrassing. I quickly sit down and lie back against the pillows piled against the couch.
“Sorry,” I say awkwardly.
“Don’t apologize, I enjoyed the show. May I join you?” he asks as if it’s my actual nest he needs permission entering. Rolling my eyes playfully, I agree. As soon as he’s settled, I’m curling up against him. He automatically puts his arm around me.
Peace. I don’t even know what movie he picked. I’m so at ease and comfortable here with him it’s like nothing else matters. That’s how it always felt with Connor too. The anxiety I felt earlier about Jake leaving is ramping up again. Don’t spiral. You’re here with Jake, on a date he planned. Gods, please just let him come back to me. Maybe I’m being dramatic but I’m moreterrified I will lose him or any of my pack than what will happen to me.
When everything happened before, the letters, the “gifts,” I was terrified what the stalker would do to me. Before Connor died, none of the letters mentioned anything about him or suggested he’d hurt him. And now after he’s killed Connor, the biggest fear I have is for my guys. I don’t even care what happens to me, as long as they’ll be okay. Though I haven’t said that to any of them. I know exactly how they’d all react and I’m not in the mood for that kind of lecture. Isn’t that how love goes?
Love. There’s so much love in this pack. Yeah, they all have their baggage, but so do I yet they still show up for each other every day. That’s a true family and pack. I may not be an expert on packs and their dynamics, but they have shown me what it means. Even with Micah. Their frustration and annoyance with him is obvious sometimes when he’s being an ass; however, they still stand by him no matter what and vice versa.
As early as a week from now I could be bonding to them. Nervous excitement would be the best way to describe how I feel about that. But I am excited. That’s already a huge change. Realization hits me that I haven’t talked to Jake about bonding. The movie is still playing on the wall opposite us. I glance up at Jake from where I’ve been resting my head on his chest. His face looks so relaxed. His dark beard hides some of his expression from this angle. I’ve already proven with Liam how little tact I have with it when it comes to talking about this stuff.
“Jake,” I say, sitting up a bit as his eyes shift from the movie to me. “I want to bond with you during my heat, if you’re still okay with that.”
It’s quiet for what feels like forever. His deep blue eyes search mine like he did earlier. Does he have some magic power to read me through them? I swear it feels that way. It’s so intense. His eyes almost look sad and I wish I knew what he was thinking.Then the emotion in them shifts, glinting, watering to the softest look full of love. This man who’s dealt with so much in his life is on the verge of tears.
He reaches over to tuck some hair behind my ear as he cups my face. “I’m more than okay with that,” he rasps out. A small tear escapes, tracking down his cheek until it’s hiding in his beard.
I move my thumb across his cheek where the wet trail is. His eyes close and even without a bond, I have a feeling he feels as safe with me as I do with him. I should have realized it that day he told me about his last case and how it’s haunted him. Leaning in, I kiss his cheek and then the other that’s dry, brushing a soft kiss against his lips before resting my forehead against his. He’s my peace in more ways than one and I hope I am the same for him.
7
JAKE
Iadjust my tie for the hundredth time as we enter the elevator. I didn’t expect to feel so on edge being away from Thea. Gods, after the other night all I wanted to do was stay with her. I hope the others are distracting her so she won’t be in her head too much. As much as I hate to say it, it’s good that Taz will be with her at work today. He talks so much it’ll be impossible for her to spiral with him around.
