“Then I’ll let you do that on your own,” she says, “but if you need anything, let me know.”
“Don’t take on her bitchiness,” I say. “You were sweet to visit, to check on her, and it’s her loss.”
“Yeah, well, she wasn’t fair to you, either.”
“She never is,” I mutter.
But I’m feeling guilty about seeing Jase’s parents’ reaction to my plan to contest the claiming. I’ve always liked them; they’ve always been nice to me. And here they are dealing with this turmoil with Sherry as well as having their bubble burst thinking I’m simply making Jase “work for it”.
27
JASE
My father squeezes the back of my neck reassuringly. “You’ll get there.”
“Fuckin’ frustrating,” I mutter.
The only thing remotely helping matters is that she still smells like I’ve fucked her, which made me very pleased walking into the Blackwood house and now my childhood home. I figured she’d lose the scent when she went to change her clothes, but it’s clear she didn’t swap out the bra.
Grey and Graydon have both got sticks up their asses about it, and I can’t exactly blame them for that, but informed Grey that he wouldn’t have it thrown in his face if my mate hadn’t taken off on me this morning.
“You think it’s funny to rub our noses in that?” he accused.
“She’s supposed to be with me, in my house, my bed until we’re ready to be around other people. The only fuckin’ joy I have at all right now is that she almost smells like she’s supposed to smell. Me bein’ pleased about that isn’t a slight to you or your pops. You only smelled me on her because she took off on me this morning.”
“I don’t wanna know what the fuck you did, because the notion makes me want to throw a punch,” he said through his teeth.
“She’s mine,” I said, looking straight into his eyes. “Mine, brother.” I pounded my chest. “I’m being held back by magic instigated by your fuckin’ relatives to keep me from claiming mysoulmate. Mysoulmate, man. I don’t need to defend myself but since it’s you, I’ll say I didn’t intentionally mark her. But if I had done it, it’s within my rights. And frankly it’s the only good that’s happened to me in days, knowing she smells a little like she’s supposed to smell.”
“You don’t need to bullshit me, all right? Just understand she’s my sister…”
“When do I bullshit you, Grey?” I demanded, insulted. “It’s on something she’s wearing.”
He blew out a hard exhale, looking remorseful.
“You’re right. I apologize. I just… this is Bailey!”
“Yeah, believe me, shits me too. I’ve never, not once looked at your sister that way. That would’ve been a betrayal to you as far as I was concerned and it just didn’t cross my mind because she sorta felt like family to me, too. Until she didn’t. She keeps givin’ me the slip and at least I’m not coming outta my skin like I was because when I follow my nose, I smell me on her.”
The hint of my scent mixed with the fragrance of her skin is nowhere near enough. Now that I’m smelling a bit of it, I want to bathe her in it. Coat her skin with it, as well as every article of clothing that touches her body.
I snickered. “I didn’t mean to do that, so let’s label it like that painter dude on TV … a happy little accident.”
Grey rolled his eyes. “I know me and Dad’ll feel better when it’s official and we can get the fuck past this part because it’s got us in this weird place of protectiveness for both of you and also the desire to rip your nuts off. I relate to you as an alpha but then there’s the older brother thing and older brother is edging the other out.”
I’m sure he’d find it easier to get on board if my mark was on her neck.
“Man, you’re the head of the coven. If anyone can make this shit stop, I’d think it’d be you.”
He shook his head. “Like I told you, I’m a figurehead for the coven and day-to-day they work without me. They’ll only bring me in when they need to. So I’ve stayed out of it with them.”
“Well if they try to extend this shit tomorrow, I sure hope you’ll be on my side.”
He raised his hands like he doesn’t want to touch the situation with a ten-foot pole. “This is my coven, my sister, and you – my best buddy and council brother. This isn’t fun for anybody, Jase.”
“Except your cousin Danica,” I mutter.
“Naw, don’t think so. Don’t know her super-well yet, but I sense this is for Bailey. Dani’s championing her. I’m not getting a kick out of the Jase and Bailey show like some of the other pack members are. So I’ll be there tomorrow to support you and my sister, but know that whatever happens, I’ve got to stay out of it.”