by Hazel Gower
Brandon pulled her to him. “I don’t like them in your room with you.”
Jess rolled her eyes, but couldn’t help the smile that spread over her face. “Go. I’ll see you later.” She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss. “Please don’t get my hopes up and break my heart.” With that she walked inside, shut the door, and walked up to her bedroom to her best friends.
****
“What the fuck are you doing with a Pride man, Jess? I’m sick of those men taking my friends. They are too old for you anyway. I don’t know why you women think they are so good.” Zeck angry words were yelled at her as she came into her room.
“That Pride man looked after me last night when you two dicks didn’t. Neither of you remembered my birthday, and I got drunk and then you left me.”
They both turned red and wouldn’t look at her.
Travis sighed and dug into his pocket. “I’ve had this for you for a while. I, um, wanted to give it to you at a special time.” Travis pulled out a velvet pouch and undid the sash. He walked behind her and gathered her hair to the side, and then she felt a cold necklace settle over her neck as Travis fiddled with the lock. Travis left from her back, and she went to her vanity mirror and gasped at the silver heart necklace.
“Travis. It’s beautiful.” She turned and flung herself at him and kissed his cheek. “Thank you. Did Zeck help you buy it?”
Jess looked behind her at Zeck, who shook his head. “No. Travis bought that all by himself.”
Jess moved from Travis’s hold and smiled at him. Travis was bright red but grinned down at her. “I’m happy you like it. Does it mean I’m forgiven?”
She nudged him. “Yeah, you two know I can never be angry at you for too long. I love you both.” She winked at them. “So, Zeck, tell me what has a stick up your butt.”
The tension left around them, and Zeck told her what had happened with Sasha. That Sasha had come around to Zeck’s house this morning and told him he had no chance with her. That she loved Savron and would never be with anyone but him. She said she was sorry if he ever thought he had a chance with her because he didn’t.
Jess felt sorry for Zeck, but he needed to know that he didn’t have a chance with Sasha so he could stop pining for someone he could never have. Jess hoped she was never in Zeck’s position.
****
Brandon needed to see his parents, but first he wanted to get his mate a birthday present.
He knew what he wanted for Jezebel. She deserved something to show that she was special and he was serious. Golden Jewels was an exclusive store and the only store that carried what he wanted. Brandon went into the jeweler, and the salesman came straight to him. Brandon told him what he wanted, and fifteen minutes later Brandon left with his present for Jezebel wrapped and ready.
Brandon parked in the driveway of his parents’ house and got out of his car and let himself into the house. He found his father in his study. “Hi, Dad, is Mom home? I thought I’d talk to you both about what happened.”
“Yes, son. We knew after the phone call we got you’d come around.” He stood. “Come on, we’ll go into the family room. Britney is home, too. Would you like her with us, or is this private?”
“Britney can listen. What I have to say isn’t private. She may even be useful.” His dad nodded and walked out of his study, and Brandon followed to the family room where his mother and Britney sat watching a movie. They turned it off and looked at him as he sat next to Britney.
“Brandon, do you want to tell us why we are going to dinner tonight with Jezebel Dibson and her parents?”
“Jezebel is my mate.”
Brandon glared at Britney as she burst into laughter. “Oh, Bran, this is so funny. You and Savron have human mates, and Jezebel has lived practically around the corner all her life. Not only that, she’s had a crush on Carl and Tyler.”
Elbowing Britney he growled at her, and she giggled. Brandon didn’t find the situation funny. He let his lion take over. He had mated Jezebel without her knowledge. Jezebel had even mentioned she had had a thing for his younger brothers.
“Britney, don’t tease your brother. If Jezebel is his mate and she liked Tyler and Carl this could cause big problems. Do you want Brandon to try to kill them?” Britney stopped laughing and shook her head. Brandon’s mother sighed. “How did we get invited to dinner with your mate’s parents, Brandon?”
Brandon was embarrassed. He’d never before lost control of his lion. He’d never been so possessive and unmoving, but Jezebel had done that and more. Brandon didn’t want his parents to think he couldn’t control himself or that he was irresponsible. “I went to check on Sasha last night and found my mate. Jezebel was there, and as soon as I arrived my lion awoke and told me what she was to me. Jezebel didn’t seem interested in me, and it drove me and my lion insane. We sat watching her until Savron got home, and she was going to leave with a friend of hers that had had a drink. I didn’t want my mate going with anyone but me. I argued with her friend, and he gave in and let me look after her. Jezebel didn’t want to go home because she was drunk. It was her birthday, and her two best friends had forgotten. So I took her back to my house. I was very good. We didn’t do anything. I kept myself under control.” Brandon looked up to see both his parents looking at him waiting for him to continue. He cleared his throat, nervous about telling them the rest about his rash actions. “I will admit I shouldn’t have slept in the same bed as she did.” He studied the wall behind them. “In the morning she was very happy to see me. I didn’t ask her to mate or do anything she didn’t want. I moved away and was good. I was hanging on by a thread to keep my lion under control, but then she gave me the go ahead and I snapped. I didn’t tell her what it would mean if she made love with me.” He glanced at his mother to see a frown on her lips. “I was her first. I couldn’t control myself. I can’t now just thinking about her. I mated her. When we made love I couldn’t hold myself back. I cracked and mated her. I didn’t tell her what I was, or what mating her meant or what it meant for me. She thought that it was a one night stand because the Pride boys are friendly with women. I tried to convince her, but she kept talking about me being out of her league. She doesn’t think very positively about herself. To help convince her I talked to her parents. I also need your help because you know I won’t be able to sleep or be without her for long.” He ran his fingers through his hair and looked up into his parents’ shocked gaze. “I made a real mess of it. I promised when I found my mate I would do better than what I had seen Savron do, but I think I’ve done worse.” He groaned as it sank in.
Britney patted his back. “Please don’t bite my head off, but you need to hear this, bro. You are out of Jezebel’s league.”
Brandon growled and snapped at his sister. He stood and glared down at her.
Britney raised her hands. “You need to listen, Bran. Jezebel is one of the small number of humans at school. Because it is a mostly a shifter school she is up against our genes. Imagine going to school five days a week and being with girls and women who are no bigger than a size ten and all have shifter perfect DNA. Now I’m not saying we are perfect, but imagine what a human who is larger would think and feel. I myself would never tease someone for being larger than me, but others aren’t as nice. I have only really noticed Jezebel since Sasha came to the school and hung around with her. Jezebel keeps to herself mostly. I do know she has two close friends, but they are both human males.”
Brandon groaned as what his sister said rang true, and he saw he had a challenge to convince Jezebel she was the one for him and that he didn’t want another woman. That she was perfect for him. That he loved every one of her curves. Britney could help him. Brandon knew she would if he asked her. “Brit, I would appreciate any help.”
Britney nodded and leaned over and hugged him. “I’ll help you, Brandon.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Can I take her shopping and use your credit to get her things?”
Hugging her tight he ruffled her hair. “Don’
t go crazy, and only if Jezebel is okay with it.” Britney let go of him, and she had a wicked gleam in her eyes. “I’ll leave you to talk to Mom and Dad.” She walked away, and Brandon had a feeling he was going to regret giving Britney the okay.
Feeling calmer and more positive he let his gaze fall on his parents. “So now you have heard everything.”
“This won’t be easy, son,” his mom muttered. “What your sister said is true. That’s not even the only thing. You have to tell her what you are, what we are. You cannot be without her now. She needs to know it all. Jezebel will be covered in your scent. Can you image a creature finding her and her not knowing? You will need patience, which is something shifters don’t have with their mates over some things, like other men, or touching, affection, acknowledgment, and safety. To a human the safety and other things will be a lot to handle. Shifters know to never go out alone. We are always in groups. Shifters show affection to their loved ones freely, and a lot of humans are shy. A shifter’s mate knows not to let other men touch them or be alone with them, as our animals can’t handle certain things.” His mother gathered his hands in her hands. “Brandon, you have seen the obstacles Savron has had, and Sasha is outgoing and confident. She also had many friends.” His mother let go of his hands and hugged him for a moment before releasing him. “Son, your father and I will help you in any way we can, but a lot of it will be you being patient and controlling yourself and your lion.” His mother stood, smiled, and left the room leaving him with his father.
“They are both right. Tonight your mother and I will help you, and you can let off steam fighting late tonight. You may be able to get away with seeing her for maybe two or so days and fighting hard at night, but after the third or fourth night you’ll snap not knowing she is safe and is home where you will be. So you have about three days to tell her what you need and show her. You also need to convince her parents. She will then have to move in with you. You can have time off from the clubs because you won’t be able to run them until things are organized. Don’t refuse help. We are all here to help you.”
Brandon nodded. He was lucky that his parents were supportive. He got up. “Thanks, Dad. I really appreciate you all. I feel better after talking to you. I’m going to go home and change and get ready. I’ll see you at the restaurant.”
“We’ll see you there, Brandon.”
Brandon stood and walked to the door. He needed to go home, change, and figure out what he was going to do.
****
Zeck and Travis distracted her so much so Jess didn’t get changed or ready for dinner. Any time she’d think about what went on with Brandon and how he acted they would do or say something that got her full attention. One thing Jess decided was she was going to enjoy Brandon for as long as he was willing to have her. She had two best friends whom she knew would be there for her no matter what happened. Travis and Zeck may have forgotten her birthday, but she knew they felt guilty and would never do it again.
A knock sounded on her door as they were going through her music ripping into her girlie stuff and doing bad imitations. “Come in.”
Her bedroom door opened, and Brandon stepped in. Travis and Zeck froze, and the banter stopped. Brandon surprised her by coming to her, gathering her to him, and leaning down to kiss her.
“Hi, gorgeous, your mother said to come up. She said you probably got distracted and wouldn’t be ready.” Brandon took a step back, and his gaze traveled up and down her body. His eyes flashed gold, and she saw the flare of lust spark. “I’m early because I wanted to give you your birthday present I got you. I’ll go wait downstairs with your friends if you want to get changed before we go.”
Jess felt her cheeks heat at his appraisal. “You didn’t have to get me anything.” Jess glanced at Travis and Zeck as they stood still quietly watching. She looked down at her comfortable clothes and at the men in her room, which she now she noticed made it feel very small. “I would really appreciate if you would give me time to change. I’ll meet you down in the family room.”
Brandon nodded, but didn’t move. Instead, he glared at Travis and Zeck. Jess knew no one would move if she didn’t say something. “Travis, Zeck, I’ll see you tomorrow at school. Thanks for coming around.”
They didn’t say anything as they left her room. When Jess was alone in her room she let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding and walked to her closet and opened it. Jess looked at her clothes. She didn’t have many nice going out things, as usually she didn’t go out anywhere to need them. She didn’t go to parties, or shopping with girls, or even on a date. Picking out a dress her mother had bought her, Jess promised herself she would take Sasha up on a shopping trip. Jess would buy some going out things. After all, her mother was always offering her money and credit cards to go out and get some new clothes, shoes, and girlie items, and now Jess was going to take her up on the offer.
Slipping into her only high heels she sat in front of her vanity and put light make-up on and brushed her hair. She stood and took a deep breath before she walked out of the room and down to Brandon.
In the family room she found Brandon, but Travis and Zeck hadn’t left. The room was full of tension. It was so thick that when Jess walked in, she knew they’d sat there glaring at each other the whole time she’d gotten ready to go out.
Sighing at the men she walked by to sit between Travis and Zeck when Brandon grabbed her and sat her on his lap. She let out a squeal as he wrapped his arms around her.
“You look beautiful.” He kissed the nape of her neck and placed a wrapped box in her lap. “Happy birthday.” He turned her head up to give her a quick kiss.
Jess didn’t dare look at Zeck or Travis. Instead, she focused on the gift before her, undoing it. Jess’s heart raced as the paper fell to reveal a blue velvet box. Taking a deep calming breath she opened it and gasped at the sight before her, two yellow emerald stud earrings and a heart necklace with two yellow emeralds one in each top loop. “Brandon, I can’t accept these. It’s too much.” She looked up into his green eyes that flashed gold the same color as the necklace and earrings. Turning away before he caught her in them she muttered, “I mean I’ve only known you for two days. This is a lot.”
Brandon leaned over and caressed her cheek. “I want you to have them. I want you to know I’m serious. You’re mine, Jezebel.”
A choking noise caught her attention, and she glanced over at Travis and Zeck. Zeck was glaring daggers at Brandon, but Travis looked pale and his eyes were wide as he stared at her and Brandon.
Brandon’s fingers tilted her chin to look back at him. “I want you to wear them all the time and think of me.”
“I can’t wear them all the time. They are too expensive.” She couldn’t believe she was even considering wearing them.
Brandon gathered her hair to the side and undid Travis’s necklace. He put his on her and placed Travis’s in the case. Brandon then took her earrings off and placed them with Travis’s necklace.
“I want you to wear them. I bought them for you to wear all the time.” He placed the earrings in her hands, and Jess put them in. Brandon smiled when she had then on. “Perfect. You look stunning.” His mouth took hers in a possessive kiss, and she melted into it.
She felt herself being grabbed. “What the fuck is going on, Jess?” Travis pulled her from Brandon.
Jess looked at her friends. “What the hell did you do that for, Travis? What’s gotten into you?”
“You can’t kiss him. You’ve only just met him. You can’t want him to be your boyfriend. He’s not right for you.” There was a pleading to Travis’s voice, and his eyes begged her.
She didn’t know what to say. Was Brandon her boyfriend? Was he just her lover? Was he a friend? Jess had no idea what she was to Brandon. He’d told her she was his, a mate, but that didn’t really tell her what she was to him or he to her. Was Travis right? Chewing on her bottom lip she wished her parents would come in and interrupt. She had no idea what she should say.<
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“You may be right, Travis, but Brandon and I are going on a date. First we are going to dinner with his and my parents, so we can all get to know each other.”
“When I told you to look after her I only meant last night,” Travis whispered and stared at Brandon. “She doesn’t need you anymore. She has me … and she has Zeck.”
Jess shot her gaze to Brandon. “Travis asked you to look after me?”
Brandon shrugged, and he glared at her friends. “I would have looked after her whether you were there or not. Jezebel is my mate. She’s important. I will always make sure she is safe, looked after, and happy. She may not need me, but I need her.”
They stared at each other in silence until her parents came in. Her mother raised her eyebrow at Jess as she saw the situation. Sighing, Jess knew this wasn’t going to get sorted out with Travis and Zeck tonight. “Hi, Mom. Travis and Zeck were just leaving.”
They turned their gaze on her. Zeck nodded and walked away. Travis followed and paused at the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Jess.”
“See you tomorrow.” As soon as they left, the tension left the room, too, and Brandon stood and threaded his fingers through hers.
“Come on, Jezebel. We’ll meet your parents at the restaurant.” Jess followed Brandon out to his car. She hoped things got easier.
Chapter Four
Dinner with their parents had gone surprisingly well. Even her dad had been on his best behavior, not that she expected any less from him. The Prides were a well-known family. They had money, influence, and Jess’s dad said they had power. Jess had overheard her father say a couple of times when her brothers had had Carl and Tyler over that he never understood why the Prides lived so modestly when they had their hand in everything and had so much wealth. Jess’s father was a lawyer and made a good living. He had made partner a couple of years ago, and her mother had been a nurse for several years before Jess was born.