I looked up towards the stars before I checked my phone.
Midnight.
I was officially eighteen.
As it dawned on me that I was now eighteen, a strange scent overwhelmed me.
‘Mate,’ I heard within me. “What?” I said to no one. It took a minute for me to realize my wolf was speaking to me.
‘Our mate is near,’ She whined. “Are you, my wolf?” I asked softly, whispering in case anyone could hear.
‘I have always been your wolf, Jesse,’ my wolf replied, ‘I just haven’t made myself known till now. My name is Esme.’ I nodded to myself, wrapping my arms around myself as the night wind whisked about me. I looked out towards the backyard.
A good number of young wolves had moved from the confines of the house. They flocked almost every inch of the backyard, safe for the sides of the house.
I followed the scent, having it lead me out of the house. As I got closer to the side, the stronger the scent got. I stopped in my tracks when I heard moaning about five feet in front of me. I felt my wolf whine within me, clearly upset, but I didn’t know why. All too suddenly, a heavy feeling within my chest overcame me as if someone was pressing a stack of heavy books against my ribs.
I had to stop myself. I wasn’t used to this feeling. This feeling of heaviness. This dragging feeling of hands pulling me down by my chest. It was almost agonizing. There, standing under the light against the side of the house, was Alpha Jaxson—having sex with Celeste Daniels.
Their bodies were illuminated in a glow of copper, with bits of hot honey that seemed to pool and fade against the red brick. Celeste’s legs were wrapped around Jaxson, her heels pushing against his back and pulling him closer to her. His face was buried into her neck. Although his moans were directed to her ear, each one I could hear was a shot to my heart.
I accidentally stepped on a branch, making Jaxson stop and turn his head to look at me. Our eyes locked, and all at once—I was breathless.
No.
Not this.
Not him.
Anyone but him.
I watched them stop their previous rendezvous. It was more of Jaxson stopping and pushing himself away from Celeste more than anything. I saw Celeste’s eyes burn fire as anger raged within her.
I didn’t care. I was feeling too many things to care about.
I didn’t know how long I was standing there. I didn’t know how long I was silent. Celeste’s yelling was going in one ear and out the other.
“Jesse…” Jaxson looked at me, hurt in his eyes as he tried to touch me.
“F*ck,” was the first thing I said, “Are you serious?!”
Jaxson looked scared and hurt. How dare he? He was the one who did this. This was his choice. I was the victim, not him. He didn’t deserve to feel this hurt—this betrayal.
“Jesse, please,” I looked to Jaxson as he grabbed my arm. I froze up. The last thing I wanted was him touching me; I yanked my arm away. “Don’t f*cking touch me,” I growled as I moved towards the backyard.
I didn’t want him to explain. I didn’t want to hear his excuses. I didn’t care what he had to say to make this any better.
I shook my head and stepped back from him before I turned and ran back inside the house. I needed to find the others. I didn’t want to be here a second longer.
I covered my ears the best I could as I got back into the house. I saw Sasha dancing with Beta Caleb, looking like they were having a good time. I practically ran into Amy, who gently grabbed me by the shoulders. “Jesse,” she said as she looked at me, “what happened? What’s wrong?”.
“I found my mate,” I muttered, not meeting her eyes. I could feel her energy as she got excited. “Who? Who is it?” I could feel her curiously.
“An asshole,” I shoved past her and hurried towards the door. I wanted to go home. I wanted to curl up and forget this ever happened. That tonight was nothing but a bad dream.
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