The calm before the storm.

Jasmine's POV.

Jason had informed me that his parents were out as well, and I went with him to his house.

They had also gone to the mate ball ceremony, and he was going to join them later.

“I missed you so much,” he mumbled as he closed his room door after we had entered.

“But we just saw yesterday,” I protested, even though I was blushing inside.

“That is not enough. I want to live in your skin so that I can be close to you at all times.”

“Eww.” I rolled my eyes in fake disgust.

Jason's words never failed to make my heart flutter.

We settled down on his bed, and he lifted me into his lap.

I couldn't help myself from stealing glances at him at intervals.

His looks were so gorgeous and unearthly that many times, I had wondered what good I had done in my past life that I was being rewarded for.

“Are you hungry? I made something for you,” Jason said softly.

My stomach growled just at that moment, and I smiled in embarrassment.

Jason chuckled and patted my belly tenderly. “I got my answer.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, my eyes welling up.

You see why I loved this boy?

He disappeared and returned a while later with a tray of assorted dishes.

They contained toast, sausages, ramen, and even fruits included.

“All these for me?” My eyes widened.

“Yes. Just eat to your fill.”

He sat beside me and watched in silence as I ate.

I leaned forward to grab the jar of water when Jason grabbed my hands.

“Who did this to you?” he growled.

His face had completely darkened, and I swear, this was the most I had ever seen him angry.

“W-what do you mean?” I stammered in fear.

He had seen the burns and latest injuries I got this morning from my mother as I leaned forward.

I was so stupid. I should have worn a better cloth that would cover it up and not relied on the injury-fading makeup.

“WHO DID THIS TO YOU? Look, your skin is all burnt up and injured,” he hissed impatiently.

“It's nothing.” I tried to divert the topic. “See, let me tell you something. Your food tastes more delicious every time I taste it that I would suggest you open a restaurant in this pack. It would bring you so many profits.”

“Shut up, Jasmine, and stop trying to divert the topic!” he hissed in irritation.

“Your family did this to you, right?” he demanded.

“Y-yes, but it's okay, I'm fine, you see.” I attempted to force a smile on my face.

“Those bastards,” he cursed and gritted his teeth.

“I should tell my father to sack them from being Betas to this pack. This should not be tolerated.”

“Come here.” He stretched open his hands for a hug, which I took without hesitation.

I hugged him back so tight and began to cry. The tears I had been holding in all this while—of pain, anger—they all came out in a torrent.

“Cry it all out, baby,” he whispered, patting my back soothingly.

I calmed down after about five minutes and laughed in embarrassment after seeing the mess I had made on his shirt.

“Do you want to take a shower? I would go prepare it for—”

“I already took my bath before leaving the house,” I interrupted.

Jason cleared the plates after I was done eating and returned to the room.

I snuck a glance at him and smiled. I was really the luckiest girl in the world.

This soft side of his—Jason only showed it to me. To the others, he was the cold, heartless soon-to-be Alpha.

“Happy birthday to you,” he greeted and took the seat beside me.

“Thank you,” I smiled.

He was the first and only person who always remembered my birthday.

I fumbled with my hands nervously as I remembered something.

Jason was going to find his mate today.

Jason was twenty-one years old and had long had his wolf. He had been skipping every mate ball since then not to hurt me, but he couldn't escape this year's one, as his father had specifically asked him not to.

“What's on your mind?” Jason queried on noticing my uneasiness.

“Er… you are going to find your mate today. Are you going to reject her?” I asked, gazing at him intensely.

My heart was thumping so loud that anyone around could easily hear it.

Heavy silence reigned in the air, and I could feel my world crumbling.

“We have talked about this before,” he began, holding one of my hands tightly.

“If the moon goddess allows it and I find my mate, or rather, we both find our mate, we are going to reject them and remain with each other.”

“Fuck the mate bond.” He smirked.

I relaxed and grinned. “I love you.”

“Hm. How about we do something else?” Jason's face morphed into a sly grin.

“Like what?” I asked, even though I could already tell what he meant.

“Like this.” He cupped my face in his hands and crashed his lips against mine in a passionate kiss.

He nuzzled me onto the bed, his lips still connected to mine.

His hands roamed under my blouse, and I whimpered as he pinched my nipples lightly.

“Let's take this off,” he said in a husky tone, and within a short while, I was fully naked.

I helped him out of his clothes too, and he captured my lips once again in a passionate kiss.

My arousal increased as his erected cock brushed the area below my abdomen.

He brought his head lower and settled in the area between my legs.

“Ah-h,” I gasped in shock and pleasure.

It felt so good.

After minutes of pleasuring me, Jason positioned his rod at my fold entrance and held my eyes for me to give him permission to go in.

I mean… Could I say no?

“Yes, please,” I whimpered. I didn't have to wait so long, as he eased himself fully into me.

I moaned loudly and dug my fingers into the bedsheet for support.

“Fuck,” he cursed under his breath and gritted his teeth.

“Are you okay?” He didn't start moving yet and glanced at me with concern.

I didn't respond. Instead, I raised my hips to meet his and began to move.

He leaned into me and kissed the area below my neck. “Fuck the mate bond. You are mine, Jasmine.”

I wanted to respond, but it came out as a moan instead.

__Fuck the damn mate bond. You are mine also, Jason.____