On Friday nights, she'd go into Jackson Hole and have a few drinks with her human friends. She'd successfully steer clear of any interaction with supernaturals, her sister following suit. Rarely did a wolf come into her local watering hole. Preferring the company of other supernaturals, they attended clubs that catered to their unique requirements.
Every Saturday, she'd bake a different pastry, donating it to the local fire house. Shilan would deliver it because she couldn't risk running into supernaturals. On Sunday, she volunteered at a local wolf sanctuary, strictly run by humans. Although she avoided tours, she fed the animals and spent time in the office, following up on cases in other states, fostering the transfer of abandoned animals into their care. In the evenings, she read romance novels, and watched episodes of travel shows, virtually exploring all the countries she'd read about but could never visit. But today and forever, her entire world had changed.
Mate. The word had once been deliberately banned from her vocabulary. It now pounded in her head like a bass drum. Ever since she'd shifted, her body burned with desire, the creature pacing, whispering to her mind. Alpha. Master. Mine. Claim him. Mark him.
She'd cringed at her jealous reaction to Jake's friend. The ugly emotion had never had a place in her life until today. But her stomach rolled at the thought of him making love to another woman. Doubt crept into her mind as she considered that she couldn't bear him children. Would his pack accept her? She'd never run with them, and their family culture was a far departure from her life of solitude. Would he grow to resent her? As insecurity wove itself into her confidence, her beast insisted she claim her Alpha. Its primal nature sought its rightful place with her mate.
Kai fought the urge to cry, taking a deep cleansing breath. She shook her head and stared into her palms, her skin crinkled like prunes. How long have I been in here? Where's Jake? She wondered if he'd been held up by Quintus, and turned off the water. Reaching for a white fluffy towel, she wiped the moisture from her body. Her eyes went to the silver shopping bag, but she decided on the terry robe that hung on a red padded hanger on the back of the door. Slipping on the matching slippers, she exited the bathroom, still toweling her hair dry.
As she reached the bedroom door, Kai heard them talking, a female's voice. The feminine laugh shot through her, striking a nerve. Kai's heart pounded as she peeked around the corner, a rush of adrenaline shooting through her veins as she caught sight of a gorgeous blonde, resting her hand on Jake's shoulder. She leaned into him, and Kai's stomach clenched in anger.
"Who's your friend?" Kai asked, interrupting their conversation.
"Hey, I'm sorry … um," Jake's eyes widened as she approached him, but his voice remained even as he continued, "this is Cassandra. She just … she just stopped by to make sure everything is okay."
"Hello, my name is Dr. Beckett." Kai pushed in front of Jake, extending her hand to the woman. She rarely used her formal title but sought to put as much distance between them as possible.
"Hello." Cassandra smiled, her focus darting to Jake and back to Kai. "I hope everything is all right. Did you get the clothes? Jake told me you were a little smaller than me, so I guessed at your size."
Kai's eyes narrowed in on Cassandra as her rage flared. "He'll soon know my exact size because we'll be living together." What the hell are you saying? Kai knew they hadn't discussed it but what she said wasn't a lie.
"Really?" Cassandra asked, giving a small laugh. "No, he didn't tell me that. He was just out here a few months ago."
"I can explain, you see Kai and I met … " Jake began.
"We're mates," Kai blurted out, her cheeks heated in both anger and embarrassment.
"You're what?" Cassandra tilted her head, giving Jake a curious smile.
"We're mates," Jake said.
Although his claim soothed Kai's heart, her beast roared as the blonde reached to hug him.
"Thank you for the clothes. It's been a pleasure to meet you," Kai lied, stepping in front of Jake, blocking Cassandra's access to her Alpha. "I'm sure you'll understand that we have a busy day tomorrow."
"That we do, bella," Quintus' voice sounded behind her. "Tell me, is this the lovely Cassandra?"
"Yes, Quintus, meet Cass." Jake introduced them but kept his eyes trained on Kai.
"A pleasure." The vampire reached for her hand, brushing his lips over her skin. "No need to be nervous."