Two weeks after the rainstorm and our little argument, the resort opened up for business. I’ve missed Chloe, but because of our schedules and the mounting tension, we’ve been avoiding each other.
I’m on my way to get something to eat when I run into her and one of the inspectors having lunch at the local diner. After placing my order, I let out a low growl and walk up to them. The jackass sitting with her doesn’t hear me, but Chloe does. She gives me a look that throws me for a loop. It’s a mix of anger and longing.
“Sheriff Smith, this is Mr. Radcliff, the health inspector for the resort.” She turns back to the nerd in a suit and sweetly says, “Ben, this is Erik Smith, our local sheriff.” Ben? So they’re very well acquainted, and this isn’t a business lunch. My inner wolf is rearing to make a special appearance and gnaw his face off.
“Hello, Sheriff. I thought the way you were coming over here that Chloe was your woman. It’s good to know she’s available tonight for a date.”
“A date?” I ask as civilly as possible because I can’t comprehend what the hell’s happening. She’s dating? When the fuck did this start happening?
“Yes, a date with you, Ben, sounds fabulous.” She looks at me like I need to get the fuck gone, but I’m not going to let her date someone. If he kisses her, I’ll have to rip his throat out. We can’t mate with anyone but our mate, so I’m not sure what she’s about.
With a growl, I warn, “Really, are you sure that’s okay with Hunter? You know your brother might not go for it.”
“Hunter isn’t going to care,” she snips at me. “And it’s not his business anyway. I’m a grown woman.”
“Well, be safe,” I say with a snarl. I can’t take any more, so I make my exit. My wolf is pressing against my skin with rage.
After leaving the diner without any food because suddenly I don’t have an appetite, I send her a text.
If he touches you, I’m going to rip out his heart. I hit the send button without giving a shit about the consequences.
What does it matter to you? she sends back. I look at her text, more pissed off than I was when I saw them together.
Chloe don’t piss me off. I can’t have you and neither can that fuck.
Okay.
Chloe…I toss my head back against the headrest in relief. She doesn’t try to defy me, which is good because if she does go out with him, I’m going to lose it. It’s going to be a full moon as it is, and I’m not feeling right. Something is wrong with me. I wonder if I’m getting sick, but that’s not very likely. Part of me wants to let my wolf out, but another part tells me to wait.
This man is going to drive me insane. He thinks because he’s the sheriff and my supposed friend that I can’t have a life. I may not be able to mate with anyone that’s not my mate, but I can have fun with other men. I need this. I need to pull away from him. He doesn’t understand the hold he has on me.
We’re not even mates, yet all I think about is what it would be like to be his, to let him own my body. I feel a tingling sort of pleasure course through my womb at the thought of what he could do to me if he was my mate. It’s not a new feeling, but it’s been growing. The sexual desire started the day Rocky tried to kill my family. It’s like something changed. My love for him has grown and so has my jealousy. Cat and I almost bit those bitches heads off at the resort restaurant yesterday, so when Ben asked me out, I said yes. I want to get him out of my system before I can’t live without him. Although I think it’s too late for that.
After we return to the resort, I inform Ben I can’t go out with him.
“I’m sorry, Ben, but I can’t go out with you tonight.” Really do feel bad, but I won’t have him hurt because of Erik warped sense of protectiveness.
“Tonight, or not at all?” He gives me a look that says he already knows the answer.
“I think it’s best if we don’t go out at all.” I feel like such a bitch. He’s a nice guy. Handsome in a nerdy way, but I don’t want Erik to go crazy for no reason. It’s not like he really wants me. He’s just being a dick after our last fight.
He gives a little chuckle. “Why? Did the cop tell your brother, and he doesn’t want you to go?”
“No, he didn’t, but I don’t think it’s a good idea,” I remark sheepishly.
“Why…because of the cop? He’s got it bad for you. I don’t want to get locked up for taking a beautiful woman out, so I’m going to back off.” He walks away from me like I’m a dime a dozen, but after the women yesterday I guess human pussy is.
I keep looking at Erik’s text message, and it’s messing with my head. It’s like he cares for me, too. I want to pull my hair out in frustration. Sometimes fate can be so cruel. If he finds someone before I do, I might have to move away. I’m pacing in the lobby, going out of my mind with confusion.
I need to talk with Cat. She’ll know how to make me feel better. I go into her office and wait. She’s getting dirty with my brother as usual in their bedroom.
I only wait about five minutes before she comes in the door, completely disheveled and with a grin on her face.
She takes one look at me and asks, “What’s wrong, Chloe?” I guess my feelings are written on my face.
I stand up and pace, stopping in front of her desk. Playing with my jacket buttons, I say, “I have a question. I’m kind of afraid to ask anyone else.”
“We’re sisters, Chloe. You can ask me anything.” She grabs my hand, stopping me from mangling my jacket.
“Will Hunter hear our conversation?” I know about the connection between Hunter and her. They can hear each other’s thoughts, so I’m worried he’s going to listen in. Gosh. I can’t imagine someone invading my thoughts all the time. It must get annoying really quick.
“Not if we are quiet. I’ll block him from my thoughts when I need to,” she reassures me. Which makes me feel much better. “So what is it?”
“Umm. I was wondering…when one mates, does it go smoothly or will it end badly?”
She’s trying not to laugh at me, but it’s hard to do. I worded it wrong. “Chloe, there is nothing to worry about. Mating happens when it’s meant to happen. Your mate will want you without even thinking twice about it, and you’ll be the same for him. I was a virgin, too, but the way we acted it was like we’d been doing it for years.”
“Did you feel anything before you two mated?”
“I think it was different for me, but I felt excitement and desire which lasted six long months. From what Hunter told me, the mating process is over almost as fast as it begins for normal mates.” That’s the news I don’t want to hear. That just proves Erik and I aren’t fated for each other.
“Have you scented your mate?” she asks me.
“No, but it’s just I have feelings for someone, and well, if we were meant to be mated, why haven’t we? If we weren’t, why do I have these feelings?” I bawl, tears streaming from my eyes. The overwhelming feeling of despair cracks my heart.
Two seconds later, Hunter and Gage were at the door and in the office in a panic. They look at me with confusion, then Hunter turns to Cat for answers.
“What’s wrong with her?” Hunter asks. They must have heard me cry.
“It’s a girl thing. You wouldn’t understand.”
“Oh…” they say in unison, both full of embarrassment. I think they thought we were talking about my period or something. She nods at them, and they leave the room.
The moment they’re gone, she’s at my side with wide eyes full of curiosity. “Chloe. Who is he?” I can’t blame her from wanting to know.
Taking a deep breath, I whisper, “Sheriff Erik Smith.” Then I cry some more.
There’s a change in Cat. She’s gotten quiet, but her expressions are running the gamut. “Are you and my brother arguing?”
“How can you tell?” She’s looking nervous about it, which makes me nervous.
“Your eyes are blazing, and you look ready to bite someone,” I say.
“He heard you say Erik’s name and is furious and wanted to know if he could kill him.”
“No!” I yell. He can’t hurt Erik. It’s not his fault he means everything to me.
“Don’t worry, he isn’t.”
“I’ve got to leave. I feel weird today,” I reveal. I feel like I need to shift and go for a run to work off what I’m going through.
“How long has this been going on?” Cat asks.
“Well, we talk all the time. We hang out whenever we get time. Sometimes we text when he’s just waiting in his patrol car,” I confess. “My feelings have grown these last few weeks in a different way, but it’s all for nothing because I’m not his mate.”
“Let’s go. You can stay with us tonight,” she offers before we go outside to make sure Hunter doesn’t get crazy with Erik.
There’s still two hours before the moon rises, so I rush home before I accidentally shift and tear a motherfucker’s head off. I’m pacing around the living room as soon as I get home. Contemplating following them, I shift.