17. Jasmine
JASMINE
Idrift in and out of sleep, catching bits and pieces of Jake’s conversation with his alpha. There’s been no spare moment to think about his place in the wolf pack, but I still can’t believe fate matched two enemies out of all the billions of people in the world.
Surely, fate knew what we’d be destined for, right?
Jake slips me off his lap, carefully setting my head on the couch, then leans over to kiss my forehead. A minute later, the door shuts, and I sit up, wondering where he went. There’s no note on the coffee table and no text waiting on my phone.
I’m two seconds away from calling him, likely to say something I regret, when he walks back in carrying a pizza box.
He pauses for a moment in the doorframe, and the corner of his mouth lifts into a smile.
Jake shuts the door, then walks over to me. He sets the pizza down on the coffee table before plopping back down next to me.
“I didn’t know what you’d like,” he says with a shrug. “I figured cheese was a safe bet.”
“You ordered pizza,” I say, still shocked that someone would think about my needs.
“I figured you’d be hungry. I know I am. We never ate dinner earlier, and I didn’t want to make too much noise reheating leftovers.” Jake leans forward and grabs a slice. He bites it, moans, and says, “Fuck, this pizza is good.”
I giggle when Jake bumps my shoulder, then adds, “We have to keep it light when everything else around us is bleak, ya know?”
“I do enjoy pizza,” I say, grabbing a piece of my own. “This is my favorite pizza place.”
“I might have used the coupon from your fridge.”
I gasp. “I’ve been saving that. You have to order nine times in order to redeem it for a free pizza.”
Jake grimaces. “I did swindle them into two magnets downstairs. Does that help?”
I glare at him. “Two pieces down, seven to go.”
“Wow, Jasmine, is this what it’s like when you’re mad?”
“I’m not mad.”
“It’s okay, you can punish me.”
“Is that your kink?” I ask.
Jake opens his mouth, then shuts it. I’m as shocked as he is. I’ve never talked to a partner like this, but with Jake, I didn’t think twice. Like everything else since I met him, it feels easy.
“I’m sorry, I have no idea why I said that.” I avert my gaze to the ground and take another bite of pizza. This is what I get for not having a social life.
Jake’s hand wraps around my chin and twists my head until my gaze is on his.
“There are many things I enjoy, and I’d love to see you in charge,” he says, then lets me go. Was his voice an octave lower? Why am I suddenly craving him?
The bond. That’s why. The desire, the want, it all pulses between us. It doesn’t hurt that we’re naturally attracted to each other, either.
I chew at my lip, a habit I need to break, and say, “So, I told you I’m half demon, right? If that wasn’t clear before your alpha called.”
“Only a few times.” Jake chuckles. “I didn’t tell Silas anything. He, um…He doesn’t even know about you.”
“I heard. I mean, I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop. I’m glad you didn’t say anything. We have a lot to figure out, right? And this is already complicated…”
“You have every right to listen. And yeah, very complicated…”
“It feels good to tell someone I’m half demon. I’ve kept it a secret since I came here.”
Jake takes the last bite of his slice, then asks, “What does that even mean?”
I raise my brows. “Hmm?”
“I mean,” Jake continues. “What is a half demon versus a full demon? As I said, I don’t know much, and I guess I never thought about what a hybrid demon would mean.”
“Well…” I set my slice down. I’ve avoided this conversation for an entire decade, and now I have to have it. “I’m half demon, half human. I have a soul, so I feel emotions like you do. I like to think of my magic as two halves. One half—my shadows—is what you saw earlier.”
“And the other is your ability to sense things?”
“Yes. The, uh, birds helped me, too?” I laugh. “Sorry, I’ve never had to tell someone about my magic.”
“I like to hear about it.”
“You do?”
Jake nods. “I’ve spent my entire life around werewolves, and we only recently hired a witch to visit our pack with various spells and potions. Plus, I like knowing more about you.”
“I’ll try to be more open, but there are some things I’m not ready to talk about yet.”
“Your childhood?”
“Yeah.” My voice is quiet as I admit it. I almost wonder if Jake will ask me more questions on the matter, but I’m glad when he grips my knee and nods.
“I’ve told you I won’t push you, and I mean it.”
“Has anyone told you how nice you are?” I ask.
Jake laughs. “Yes. Mauve, our resident cook back home, also scolded me for flirting a lot. ”
“Like with the girl at the coffee shop?” I try to remain serious, but my lips curve into a betraying smile.
“That’s in the past. But I love when you’re jealous, even when you know you’re mine.”
Jake pushes me, and I’m caught off guard. My back hits the couch, and he’s on top of me a moment later. Neither of us say anything. Rain beats on the window, filling the silence.
I stare into his golden eyes, lost to the fire. Having Jake in my life makes me feel like I don’t need to try so hard on my own. I’m tired of being alone, of not having anyone to lean on. And here’s this perfect man, who didn’t even judge my secrets.
“You should be angry with me,” I whisper, torn between wanting to push him away and pull him closer.
Jake shakes his head.
“You should.”
He leans down and presses his lips to mine. It’s slow and seductive at first, like he’s using this kiss to promise me he means what he says. I slip my tongue between his lips, unable to stop myself. Between the feelings I’m reveling in and the bond, my need for him grows every minute.
“You did what you had to,” Jake finally says when we separate.
“I can’t begin to imagine what it’s been like to be alone for the past decade, and I won’t try to compare my own experiences.
You’re a demon, so what?” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, and I lean into his touch.
“You don’t want other demons in the North, right? ”
My sister, I want to say. Instead, I say, “No.”
“Then we can work together.”