He was referring to what Seth and I had done on my birthday two years ago. We had gone to school, begrudgingly, dragging our feet since our parents wouldn’t allow us to skip classes and attend the festival I was oh-so-desperate to go to. Then, a genius idea had stricken me, making my whole being shiver in excitement.
“We were told to go to school, right?” I could remember myself – only too well – asking Seth just as we stepped inside the prestigious, private high school I was inwardly cursing for the first time ever since I first started at it.
“No shit, Sherlock!” He had given me a what-the-hell-is-your-point look, urging me to tell him whatever I was thinking already.
“But if there was no school, we could go to the festival; right?” I had wiggled my eyebrows at him suggestively.
He had given me a quizzical look and I had hurried to explain my plan to him, in hushed tones so as not to be heard, an evil grin adorning my lips.
We had gone straight to the gym, hoping it would be deserted and, luckily enough, it had been. Then, we did our best igniting an impossibly small flame just under those little devices which sole purpose was to sense fire and start pouring water. Just as we managed doing that, we had rung the alert then fled out of there.
We had not been the only ones benefitting from that little prank. Some had been groaning about a quiz, others complaining about the teacher they would be having first thing in the morning; and others, just like us, had been just looking for mere shimmer of an opportunity to skip.
Fun times, I thought, smiling, feeling a tad bit nostalgic.
“Nothing of the sorts,” I reassured him.
The prank I’ll be doing today will be so much more fun, I’m sure. I had kept that little detail to myself though, not wanting to alert the parents to the upcoming little mess I would be causing.
Chapter 14
Ready?
It was nearly six in the evening, Karl and my brothers had gone out god knows where, my father was in the living-room watching TV whereas my mother was keeping me company in the hall as I waited for Tim. He had texted me about ten minutes ago saying he was leaving his house.
He’ll be here soon enough, I inwardly sighed, my eyes darting to the window.
“I understand what you must be feeling, darling,” my mother went on, oblivious to my total lack of interest “but please honey, don’t anger your mate. Nothing good will come out of that...” And the lecture continued.
When she had told me she’d wait with me, I had been surprised but kept silent, trying to convince myself there was nothing to it. How wrong of me! Since when did she like waiting?
As I gave her yet another bored look – for I had been hearing the same little speech ever since that fateful evening when he had told them the news – and resisted the urge to fake a yawn, knowing she’d be furious with me if I did, I heard a car parking close to the house, a door slamming and soon enough, our door bell ringing.
Finally! I inwardly squealed and let a grin slip on my face.
“Bye mom,” I called out as I opened the door to the smiling face of Tim.
“I was not finished,” she hissed through gritted teeth despite the smile she was putting on display for Tim’s benefit.
“Good evening Mrs. Peterson,” his smile was so bright, it was almost blinding. “Hey Jas.” As his dark brown eyes took in my appearance ever so discreetly, one could clearly see the approval.
We greeted him back, both giving him wide smiles in response.
“I’ve already heard it all mom,” I stated flatly in a whisper when I turned around and hugged her goodbye. “I’m not crazy, okay?” I reassured her with a small smile.
I know what I’m doing, I mentally finished but did not dare to add. She’d probably start asking me what it meant or something like that.
And we wouldn’t want that, now would we? The wicked voice in my mind chuckled evilly.
“Ok,” she sighed, surrendering. “Don’t stay out too late. Tomorrow is a school day.” Did she really have to remind me? I had never missed my curfew for heaven’s sake.
“Yeah, yeah,” was the nonchalant response she got as I allowed myself to be pulled by Tim out of the house.
Like a gentleman, he opened the door for me, and I slid in carefully so as not to flash him any more skin than I was already showing.
The twenty-minute drive to the cinema had been enjoyable. I had a nice chat with him without having to endure the stuffy and overwhelming feelings I got whenever I was within proximity of Jonathan. I was not being pressured into anything. I was not overly aware of the person sitting next to me. I was not feeling tingly all over... it was much simpler than that – and much easier.
I could handle it.
I could almost feel myself growing to love him, to appreciate his sweetness. I could imagine our future together. I could picture us a happy couple. Respect, mutual understanding and love would be the secret ingredients... There would be no complications, no drama, no unnerving possessiveness, and no mind-blowing passion. It would be much easier that way.
Would it be enough though? A voice whispered ever so meekly in the back of my mind. I inwardly rolled my eyes at that and shrugged it off.
After he parked the car and we got out of it, we could see in the distance some big gray clouds and I could only hope it would not rain. Despite us – witches – being friends with the nature, I was not one to like storms – not in the least bit.
I smiled at Tim as he took my hand in his and could not help but stare at his handsome face. His hair was the rich color of dark honey and his eyes a beautiful dark brown. He had a fair skin though not sickly so, a square jaw and a dazzlingly bright smile. All in all, he was hot, yet I could only compare him to Jonathan and feel as if somehow all of that wasn’t enough.
I shook my head at that, persuading myself it was my hormones’ doing, and continued to walk at a leisurely slow pace, side by side with him, towards where we could see Seth and Carla standing, waiting for us.
Soon enough, we reached them. I joyfully greeted Seth and then pulled Carla in a hug. Just as I was about to free myself from her friendly embrace, my eyes settled on the oh-so-dear alpha-ultra.
He wasn’t standing particularly close to us but, somehow, his mere presence made it feel like he had invaded my personal space.
There was no need for me to wonder how he came to know where we’d be watching the movie, for I had been expecting it. I was sure he would use his status to get the information out of someone –and to my utter and complete delight, he had.
As Carla released me from her tight hold, I could feel a grin tugging at the corners of my mouth, but I would not allow it to appear.
I hope you’re ready, mate. I narrowed my eyes at him ever so slightly – in order to let him know I had seen him – when his gaze locked mine captive for a couple of seconds.
The eye-contact felt almost too hard to break but I eventually managed to avert my eyes from his alluring blue orbs when they shifted to Tim’s hand that had come to rest on my arm.
If his looks were any indications, I’d say my precious mate didn’t seem to like my date all that much. I could understand that since, admittedly, Tim couldn’t hold a candle to him... Nevertheless, he was the choice I had made, the safe and reasonable one. My rational side couldn’t approve more of Tim. My body, on the other hand, seemed to be of another thought.
We were entering the movie theater, and I could see Tim’s lips moving, forming words that I could not hear. I had not paid attention to what was being said around me, too absorbed as I was in my devilish thoughts, but I was smart enough to smile engagingly when it seemed right.
It was going to be a fun night.
Chapter 15
Push and Pull
I watched the movie with an absent mind, distracted as I was by my plans for the night, and way too aware for my liking of his stares. Jonathan’s eyes had not leaved me from where he was sitting, four rows behind me – yes, I had managed to discreetly locat
e him or so I hoped.
Sometime during the movie, Tim awkwardly dropped his arm on the back of my seat, and I had to repress the ridiculous urge to giggle. I was sure, however, we would have been able to hear a barely contained, throaty growl if it weren’t for the fusillade roaring on the screen at the time. The guys had chosen an action movie. I would have preferred a romantic one, thus I would have been able to cuddle with my date and irk that damned alpha mate a little bit more –I had no such luck.
We take what we can, I mused, a stupid smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. I allowed it to appear since no one would see it or question it anyway.
There wasn’t much I planned to do really. I was just going to push his buttons with all my might.
I wanted him blind with jealousy and rage. I wanted him to snap and lose that iron-like control of his, which shouldn’t be too hard considering his anger issues and all. If I achieved that, I could point out the things I wanted to get through that thick head of his –we were not compatible, not at all.
As Tim’s hand came to rest conveniently upon my arm and he held me to him, we could hear a distinct creak barely seconds later. That loud cry of complain must have come from his chair. We were at one of those rare movie theatres which seats had armchairs to them.
Poor thing, a mental giggle erupted in my mind. My lips itched to let out a real one but that would not and could not do. I gently bit on my lower lip, efficiently containing the offending sound that had been seconds away from betraying me.
Soon enough, the movie ended, and we were heading out of there. I didn’t need to turn around to see if he was following us, I knew he would be. I made sure to let my hand brush against Tim’s as we moved at a leisurely slow pace towards his parked car that was, then, at no more than five feet away.
Tim unceremoniously engulfed my hand with his, not needing further encouragement from my part. Just as I slid in the car and the door snapped shut with a soft clack, I heard a car’s flats screeching as it hurriedly left the parking lot.
My jaw clenched briefly, thinking that he might have gotten too angry to come to the restaurant as well, but before Tim could even get to his door, I was certain he must have known where we were going to be at next.
Don’t take it on the car, mate, I allowed a little giggle out as I thought that, overcome with satisfaction.
Tim got in the car, a moment later, to find me grinning foolishly to myself.
“Enjoying ourselves, are we?” his tone was playful, his eyes twinkling with amusement. His voice was deep but not as deep as Jonathan’s.
I inwardly admonished myself for comparing the guys again when I definitely shouldn’t.
“You have no idea!” My grin grew broader if it was even possible. I then had to turn my head, so as not to face his affectionately smiling face, when a pang of guilt hit me – hard, I might add.
Even though I was in the company of someone as wonderful as Tim, having him all to myself, all over me, all I ever thought about was HIM and how I would make him see things from my point of view. Dare I think it?
Was I using Tim?
Suddenly, it seemed too stuffy inside and I could no longer stand the closed window.
As the fresh air of the evening hit me, I felt myself cool down and relax a little bit. I was not using Tim; I was genuinely interested in him, way before that damned alpha-ultra came to town. It’s not like I was planning to accept Jonathan for a mate anytime soon. I was not leading Tim on. I was just killing two birds with one single stone – getting closer to my crush and my mate further away from me. My shoulders slumped, no longer tense with worry, as I convinced myself that I wasn’t doing anything wrong.
As we reached the restaurant that was no more than ten minutes away, I realized, aghast, that Tim had been talking to me. Seeing his seemingly smiling eyes, I silently sighed, feeling reassured. I had somehow managed to let out all along some sort of response that wasn’t completely off the beam.
We had arrived before the others therefore we agreed on waiting for them. It was not long before they were coming our way, Carla as radiant as ever.
They must have been making out, I reasoned, my face unmistakably breaking into a knowing smirk that made Seth blush ever so slightly – we knew each other way too well.
***************
The entrées had been served. I had picked at my food, distractedly nibbled on a salad before losing complete interest. I had pretexted I didn’t like it when it was, I was sure, nothing short of delicious... I just didn’t seem to appreciate it. It had been nearly twenty minutes since we had entered the restaurant and HE was nowhere in sight. Where had he gone to? Didn’t he know where we were supposed to eat? Damned alpha!
I made sure to smile and let out some “hmm” now and then when it seemed fit. The act was thankfully convincing to all – except Seth of course, who seemed to see right through me. He knew something was wrong.
My eyes darted to the door when I heard the jingle bell announcing someone’s arrival. It slowly opened to reveal the raven-haired, blue-eyed guy haunting my every thought. I didn’t have the time to enjoy the little feeling of triumph because my eyes caught the slim, bare arm clinging to his clad-in-a-black-dress-shirt one.
I had to bite back the cry of frustration when I saw the brunette that was hanging onto him like a vine would a balcony. She had beautiful, big green eyes and wore fragile-like look on. Her heavy make-up and red dress however said it all. It was way too short – it barely covered her bottom – and it revealed way too much cleavage to be considered as decent clothing.
I thought he didn’t know I knew he was within the movie theatre earlier. He had unexpectedly figured out though. I snapped my head around as I felt my eyes narrow in annoyance. I would not let him have the satisfaction of seeing such a reaction.
Why was I even bothered? He could bang every god-damned tramp in the city if he wanted to... I couldn’t help but feel angry at myself for the unexpected emotions he had stirred up within me.
I angrily stabbed a French-fried potato just as the waiter put the plate on the table. As I raised the fork to my mouth, my eyes settled on the couple that was now occupying the table just next ours. Her back was to me, but he was facing my way, his eyes challenging, daring, his lips stretched into a devilish smirk... the bastard!
As I forced a smile on my lips and Tim smiled back at me, I could see from the corner of my eye Seth –who was sitting just next to my date, across me– narrow his eyes at me in warning. He had finally found the missing piece of the puzzle. He had figured out what had been bothering me. Knowing me like he did, he had no troubles guessing I had things planned in mind. He didn’t look all that thrilled by them though.
Well, tough! There was no stopping me. Hell, Jonathan was even taking the bait and taunting me in return – and yes, I did say taunting me; I couldn’t deny the obvious, some part of me did care... but I would force it not to.
We’ll see who shall snap first. I raised the juice-filled glass to my lips, my eyes trained on Tim as I slowly sipped the fresh drink. A droplet remained on the corner of my mouth, refusing to go in; I seductively let my tongue out to catch it in the most sensual manner I could muster. I could swear I saw lust flash in Tim’s eyes, and it made me pleasantly warm inside. I needn’t raise my stare to see whether Jonathan had been watching or not since I heard, seconds later, the sound of a glass breaking. Was he the one to break? There was no doubt about it.
I felt almost too excited to remain seated. I might have been up to no good from the beginning but, then again, so was he.
This was a push and pull kind of game and I intended to win it. I had to.
Chapter 16
The Mistake
There wasn’t much Tim said or did that night that I didn’t giggle to. Doing just that, I had managed to successfully ignore Jonathan a total of seven minutes – yes, I was counting.
I had my flirtatious mode on, and I could tell it affected both my date and my mate, in totally different way
s. One was probably thanking his lucky stars for my good mood, the other cursing my being his mate.
Even though I was busy with Tim, dazzling him with smiles at times, narrowing my eyes in a purposefully teasing manner at times, there was no denying the fact that I could feel Jonathan’s persistent gaze on me... I could feel it so much, in fact, that I was bothered by it.
Waving my hand lightly in front of my face, fanning it ever so slightly, trying to ease away the heat I felt, I couldn’t help but think any she-wolf would be more than thrilled – and probably impossibly happy – to be the alpha-ultra’s mate. He could have gotten any female he wanted within any pack, provided she was not mated already, but somehow, I was the one who had gotten the short end of the stick.
Truth be told, I had nothing against him per se but, ever since that incident last summer, I could barely stand interacting with werewolves; let alone envisaging being with one. And then, there was Cole...
I mentally shook my head, all but begging the negative ideas to go away.
“I’m gonna check my makeup,” I pretexted in a sweet voice while plastering a smile on my face.
That had to be the lamest excuse ever. Though, if it were any other bimbo, it might just be the truth... I, on the other hand, had simply found no better thing to say so as to escape for a few minutes. I needed to collect my thoughts – desperately.
I ignored the worried look Seth sent me and made a beeline for the ladies’ room, head held high, gaze not meeting Jonathan’s. I realized midway that I had forgotten to bring my purse, making my excuse even less credible.
I guess there’s no helping it! I mentally shrugged as I pictured the wondering look on Tim’s face if he were to notice, deciding against going back despite everything. It might seem weird but there was no way in hell he’d ever suspect the real reason why I had to leave the table.
The restaurant was fancy enough to have a large bathroom with a cushioned fuchsia-colored sofa that was just begging to be sat over. I ignored it, chose the large, beautiful, golden sink instead and hurriedly opened the faucet. As soon as the refreshingly cold hit my face, it felt as if I was being revived; as if I had been in dangerously deep waters, sinking, struggling to hold onto something, anything, and then miraculously emerged to the surface with a gasp.
The Alpha's Seduction (The Forbidden Mates Book 1) Page 5