Because that’s how things tend to work. The alpha’s identified female doesn’t have a say because he’ll just cart her off to where he’ll claim her, purr for her, and change her mind – like we’ve seen happen. Around these parts our super alphas are like rock stars and all the mating-aged girls want the distinction of being chosen. And I’m not the only one who’s hoped it’d be Jase. Jase is a lot like Riley in that he’s front and center, always looking to be available to help anyone in the pack that needs it. Though most girls say they’d be happy with any of them, Jase is the only one I’ve had eyes for regardless of how attractive the rest of them are. Because it’s Jase. Jase, my brother’s best friend. Jase, who’d always been in my daily life. Jase who was my knight in shining armor multiple times throughout my childhood and my adolescence.
He used to tease me that his name was my first actual word. And I believe it. There was never a time when he wasn’t in my life. But I had blinders on. Because all the time I wanted him, I never realized how important it would be to me to have someone actually want me back – not only have me because of the way I suddenly smell.
“And then there were two,” Roxy says, coming in with a big box that smells like breakfast. “Congrats, girlfriend. Told you!” She drops the box on my desk. “Breakfast for you and Jase. Part one of my honeymooning contribution to keeping you well fed. When we catch his mating scent and the deal is sealed, I’ll send over steak dinners for both of you.”
“Thanks for breakfast, Rox,” I say, “But there won’t be a need for that post-mating dinner because if I have my way, the mating won’t be happening.”
She told me a while back that she had a strong feeling Jase would identify me as his mate. I figured she was saying it to make me feel better after I watched him flirt with Dani.
She says, “You’re mad and I don’t blame you for being mad at him, girl, but believe me, you want it to happen with a super-alpha.”
“You hooked up with Jase once, didn’t you?” Leona asks.
Roxy shoots her a look.
“I already knew,” I mutter. “I don’t care.”
Roxy has, to my knowledge, fooled around with Jase and with Mason, though with Jase, I’m pretty sure it was a good twelve or fifteen years ago. They were teenagers. With Mase it wasn’t all that long ago.
“Why would you bring that up, Lee?” Audrey asks aggressively.
“Because Roxy once told me how awesome super alpha sex was. She’s had it with two super alphas so I think you should tell Bailey how awesome it’ll be.”
“I don’t want to know,” I say and immediately regret the fact that I don’t sound as convinced as I mean to sound.
“All I’m gonna say, because this goes against girl code, but you do look interested…”
I’m not, but I don’t manage to get that out of my malfunctioning mouth before she finishes with, “It’s been eons since Jase, but it was memorable. Very. And I can’t imagine how much better it’d be with the extra perk of maturity not to mention being his fated mate.”
“Knotting,” Leona adds unnecessarily.
“Ugh,” I mutter. “Please. No more information.”
“Biting,” Leona tacks on with an eyebrow wiggle.
I give her the finger.
“You’re a virgin, right?” Roxy asks.
My face goes red. And then even redder because Jase is looking over here, tuned in to the conversation despite the twenty or thirty feet and the glass wall between us.
Linc is staring at the floor, amusement on his face. Jase is staring right at me. His eyes burn into me.Shit. He wants me to answer Roxy’s question.
Rox’s and the other girls backs are all to him so they don’t notice.
I give her my best death stare and say nothing.
She looks over her shoulder and when our eyes meet again, she mouthssorry.
The other girls look over their shoulders too.
Stacy is coming up behind Jase and Linc with Grey. She says hello and gives Jase a quick hug before Grey waves at us, opening the door for her.
She’s heading my way with a huge grin and a bakery box in hand.
I’m being showered with food. Leona and Audrey brought me a box of my favorite banana walnut muffins from Drowsy Hollow, my nose tells me Roxy’s banana chocolate chip pancakes and bacon are inside that other box, and now Stacy is bringing me something, too. I smell cookies as she approaches, looking about ready to burst with excitement. “Congratulations!” she pretty-much sings.
“Why are you all congratulating me? I reject this shit.”