An Infatuation
I sat cross legged on a chair next to one of my best friend’s bed, watching over her like a hawk. Valerie had given everything in the fight against her father and her body was still slowly recovering from using so much magic.
Valerie, although possibly in discomfort, looked so content sleeping next to her mate. Tristan was sleeping next to her, his body only slightly touching hers but I noticed that whenever a small amount of his skin touched hers she moved towards it like a magnet.
What it must feel like to have a mate your body gravitates towards. The other half of your soul. I’ve read about it many times in my life in the hope that one day I would find it.
I thought back to when Valerie first saw Tristan and instantly knew he was her mate. It was a snap for her which made sense straight away.
My mind wandered to Jax and when I saw him. It was as though he was the only one standing there, I can’t even remember looking at the other wolves next to him. Since I saw him I haven’t been able to get him out of my mind.
Could he be mine? Or am I infatuated like I was last time I stupidly fell for someone? Probably, I am naive like that. I will need to be careful around him so I don’t make a fool of myself, and have my heart broken again.
Pulling me from my thoughts were soft footsteps coming up the stairs.
‘He’s sleeping.’ Jen stated as she stood in the doorway of Valerie’s bedroom.
‘I told him to lay next to her and finally he did, he’s quite stubborn.’ I giggled quietly.
‘At least he’s finally getting some sleep. How’s Valerie?’ Jen asked while moving towards our friend and gently stroking the side of her face.
‘She’s the same but her heartbeat is slightly stronger today.’
‘The amount of magic she used must have been immense to wipe her out like this.’ Jen said with a frown.
‘Oh it was. I saw it. It was like a waterfall of streaming magic that soared into her father and then that shock she sent to almost everyone? I’ve never seen her do that before to that extent.’
My mind raced back to when all the vampires on one side of the clearing fell to the floor convulsing. It was remarkable. The power to place that spell on all of them and only the vampires, must have taken so much from her.
I watched her do it, Valerie did it to save Tristan. Her determination and power came from the primal urge to save her mate. The love they have for one another is truly enviable, yet I feel such happiness for her to finally have such love in her life.
‘She won the battle with that. It was easy to end them when they were so defenseless.’ Jen was silent for a moment and then sat in a chair facing Valerie.
I studied Jen’s face as she looked between Valerie and Tristan. Her face was soft yet something about it was hardened, as though she was protecting herself.
‘Rhett and Cain are having a meeting. I came to swap so you could go.’ Jen said, her eyes never leaving the two in the bed.
Ah, so this is what is bothering her. Rhett.
‘You don’t want to? You never miss a meeting.’ I pried.
Jen’s eyes lifted to mine and I saw sadness flicker briefly in her eyes.
‘I am avoiding Rhett.’ She replied firmly.
‘Why?’
Jen sighed and lent back in her chair. ‘Because Cathy, he’s avoiding me like a damn curse and I can’t take it so I’m avoiding him too.’
I had been so focused on Valerie that I hadn’t noticed Jen’s pain and I felt a wave of guilt wash through me. I moved slowly off the chair and knelt on the floor next to my friend and took her hand in mine.
‘What happened?’
Jen’s eyes met mine with a vulnerability I’ve not seen before. ‘I don’t know Cathy. I think… I think we’re mates but maybe I’m wrong if he doesn’t want to know me. Since the battle every time he sees me he walks in a different direction.’
Mates? Wow, another of my friends has found a mate with a wolf. I couldn’t help but think of Jax and that tingle that shot up my arm when he held my hand when we met. I smiled internally, then shook that thought from my head. Stop becoming infatuated Cathy! I forced my mind back to Jen.
‘Perhaps he’s overwhelmed with taking on the Alpha duties at the moment. Or needs time to process?’
‘Maybe.’ She muttered. ‘You should go to the meeting, it’ll be happening soon.’
‘Okay. I’ll be back straight after.’ I stood and kissed the top of her head before moving to Valerie to do the same.
When I reached the door, I spoke over my shoulder. ‘He would be lucky to have you, Jen.’
I didn’t wait for her reply. I ran from Valerie’s house so swiftly my cropped blonde hair flowed behind me and made my loose tunic top grip my skin. The stoned floor beneath my feet moved fast as I sped through the streets and headed to the meeting room which was a carved room in the side of the mountain near the gate.
Then my heart began to thud uncontrollably at the sight, Jax was walking towards the meeting room from a different direction. His head was low, his brows were drawn together as though he was thinking about something important.
He was a towering man, I was petite and next to me I only reached his pecks. All his muscles were defined, through his linen top I could see his biceps straining. I wondered how it would feel to be wrapped in those arms, cocooned by his body.
I shook my head in an attempt to shake those thoughts away. Control yourself Cathy, we aren’t falling in love again. I stopped running and walked slowly towards my destination. When I got closer to Jax his head spun and a smile swept across his lips. Gosh he was handsome. I smiled timidly back and then raised my eyebrows at him watching his gaze move from my face.
I followed his gaze to my chest, my top was riding rather low with my speedy run, a very relieving amount of cleavage was on show. I adjusted my top quickly and watched as he ran his hand through his vibrant red hair. Much like his friends he had the sides of it in braids but Jax’s hair was much shorter and had curls on the top and back. My eyes moved from his hair to his face which was beginning to flush red cheeks.
Was he embarrassed that he was caught looking? I examined him closer and watched as his cheeks blossomed even more which highlighted his freckles which spanned his cheeks and bridge of his nose. He was so cute.
My whole body wanted to move to him and softly caress his cheeks and stroke his freckles. Oh my, I’m infatuated already, get a grip Cathy! Luckily his beautifully smooth voice was a welcome distraction although my body liked his voice as much as his looks.
‘Are you heading to the meeting room?’ He asked as he actively made sure he was looking anywhere but my chest. I couldn’t help but giggle internally at him.
‘Yes I am, are you?’ Please don’t be going. Please don’t be going. I can’t stop this infatuation if he’s around me.
Jax’s face lit up as he spoke, ‘I am.’
As we walked together in silence, I couldn’t help but glance up at his face, he looked happy. Surely he doesn’t like me, could this be more than I think? Or he could be just like Ivan and make me love him just to rip my heart out. I have to be strong, I can’t go through that again.
I tore my gaze away from him and I focused on the door up ahead.
