JASE
I don’t need to drive to the village tonight since I’m going to Tyson’s cabin after a productive workday, but I do anyway, driving by my house to see if Bailey’s there.
And when I see her car in my driveway, fuck… relief practically seeps through my skin. More progress.
I want to park, rip the front door off the hinges, take her into my arms and finally fucking make her mine.
But I grip the wheel tight and force myself to keep driving, because I need to wait.
Though how long is it safe to go on like this? I’m sketched out by the fact I could start to have psychological issues like Riley had from all this waiting, so I phone Cat Savage on my way out of the village.
“Hello Jase,” she greets.
“Hey, Cat. Don’t know if you can answer this question, but … all this waiting to claim Bailey ... How long until things go screwy with my wolf?”
“Each individual alpha’s mating journey is quite… individual, Jase. Are you feeling okay?”
“I don’t want to risk anything and wind up hurting her.”
“Perhaps you should ask Erica to give you some of the remedy she made for Brody.”
I sigh.
“There’s no shame in that, Jase. They’re safe and evidently effective. But my opinion… you aren’t fighting the mating bond. You’re taking care of your mate by waiting. I believe that in itself makes this different from what happened with my nephew and Erica.”
“Thanks, Cat,” I say.
“Best of luck, Jase. Everyone’s rooting for you two.”
“Could’ve fooled me,” I mutter, still feeling the sting of pack members signing Bailey’s petition.
“There will be a celebration when your mating scent hits the atmosphere, Jase. Believe it.”
***
I’m restless, like I have been, but it’s worse tonight. I feel extra amped and I’m debating doing something about it. Running to my house and back, maybe. Peering in some windows to see what she’s doing. Though, with Bailey’s sense of smell, she’ll know it. I won’t risk losing ground with her. No way do I want the progress I’ve made here to be rewound.
But is she in my bed? What’s she wearing? Is what I spilled on the sheets soaking into her skin right now? Does she smell like I’ve claimed her?
I groan, running my hand through my hair before rolling my neck and stretching my shoulders.
Yeah, coming on those sheets and hoping she’ll sleep there gave me a minute amount of relief afterward. And a little more when I drove by the house tonight.
But the relief is short-lived. My cock has been a priapic albatross around my waist since I found out she’s mine, getting heavier and more uncomfortable by the day. I gutted that apartmentwith extra gusto, likely disturbing all the tenants in the building in the process.
I step outside and take in the scent of the night air.
Something’s new. What’s with the moon? It’s extra bright tonight, with a yellow glow to it. Strange. There’s not supposed to be a lunar event any time soon. It looks bigger than it should.
Tyson and Mason both said the moon looked weird when magic was interfering in their lives. Is this why I’m extra-amped?
Unease prickles straight up my spine and I’m about ready to phone Mase to ask questions when I notice headlights coming this way.
It’s Bailey! I smell her well before the car gets to me and fuck… that scent. It’s like I’m bathing in it. Fuck is it addictive. It’s as if Bailey’s scent isn’t just in my nose, it’s what I’m breathing. It’s oxygen.
I run at superspeed toward those headlights, meeting her car before she gets all the way to the cabin.
“What’s wrong?” I demand as her window rolls. Her heart is racing.