5 - Punishment

Chapter 5 - Past - Jason

“Who said it would be a good idea for us to join cooking classes this semester?!” 

Pure disgust was the main emotion in Jason’s face when he looked down at the mess created by them.

He couldn't figure out how they could have things go south like this when it all looked so easy early.

The teacher's explanation was very simple, and everyone else seemed to have no issue like them.

… so, how could they have missed the point and caused that disaster?

“Man don't look at me like this!” Nevertheless, as one of his soccer friends quickly whispered back to him, defending himself, Jason thought about the other major issue of it all…

Why was he there with those Humans outside the soccer fields?

“You were the one who said eating fresh stuff at school would be nice, and there was no way it would be hard,” ignoring how Jason shook his head in negation, the other teenager kept saying before turning his gaze towards the one who was their main issue. 

Ryan was why they were all there together, he had been the bigger promoter of the cooking classes to his friends after spending the summer helping his sister with her own baking adventures. 

However, the other four all doubted now he had much to help besides watch from afar without disturbing her.

“Don’t worry, boys. There is still time for you to try again,” the teacher’s kind words arrived at the perfect moment, while Jason was starting to regret his decision even more. “But make sure to be careful with the measurements and steps this time, they’re there for a reason and you wouldn't want to ruin it again because you were all rushing to finish instead of following them.”

Steps were very important in cooking. Yet, Jason couldn't stop thinking that the old woman wasn’t only talking about it.

He couldn't be overthinking it all. Maybe it was just a mere coincidence, but he couldn't stop pondering over how right she was.

… he had been rushing with his decisions since he walked into that classroom…

He was foolish for believing Ryan had suggested it, so they could have some time alone… away from their respective friends.

“Is it the proper amount?” Jason was wondering once more if it wouldn't be too late to change classes when the Human’s voice pushed those thoughts away, bringing him back to a sad pup version of Ryan.

… eyes looking ready to cry and everything else…

“No, you need to use a knife to scrape the excess flour first,” it was silly, yet the Werewolf loved it… he loved how their hands would touch in that simple action and he didn't need to get worried or concerned over that, even if Ryan’s friends were right next to them. “You need to do it, so you can have the proper amount before adding it to the bowl.”

… Jason hated himself so much... 

He hated how easily he would flush due to the young Human, overthinking every single little step he would do next as if it was love…

Fairytale sort of love was a Mates thing, so… would he be allowed to fall for Ryan this deeply when they were just friends?

* Jason *

I wanted to unlive Lilith.

Why? It’s a very simple question to answer… She had fooled me once again.

It all started early that morning.

Her lack of complaints about me leaving the Christmas party with our Alphas was weird… very unusual… something completely unlike her.

As soon as I got up, she told me to pick up an order for her, I assumed she had decided to let it go due to the powerful couple who backed me up at the last minute last night, yet it was too innocent of me to believe in that.

Lilith had other plans in mind, and she knew very well I wouldn't be able to escape her predicted actions.

… she was much smarter than she loved to make people believe she was…

But, again, why was I saying all of that? Well, it was all due to my very hot ex standing before me with her fresh order in his hands.

The tall guy had a small apron around his waist and wore a white button-up shirt that was open in his chest area, not leaving much for the imagination, as if he had come straight out of some hot p**n movie that would leave me honey in the first minutes as much as I dislike admitting that.

The Santa hat on his head made it even worse, tempting every single degree of my soul and wolf side.

It was hot!

Too spicy for winter!

Too alluring that someone should punish him and I didn't mind if it was me!

… I wouldn't recognize those shameless thoughts as mine, but they overwhelmed me before I even saw him when I recognized his scent in the air…

It was Lilith’s punishment to me. 

She knew I didn’t want to see or meet him, even if she wasn’t aware he was my Mate yet. 

She did it to make me pay for her perfectly organized event that I ruined.

Those were the real intentions behind her request of wanting me to pick up this order for her, Lily tricked me into meeting this man that I wanted to avoid deathly.

“I… I-I didn’t know you could bake now,” taking the freshly baked pie in my hands, I stupidly commented, not wanting to show how much he was still affecting me. “I thought you were all about barbecues and meat.” 

“I’m still far from a baker, soft cream is the only thing I can do right.” Apparently, my actions had worked as he answered me casually, trying to avoid our eyes from meeting up. “My sister was the one who baked it. So, don’t worry. It’s safe to eat.” 

His comment pulled back memories from our youth when he mixed salt and sugar, ruining our simple class project that should have been an easier A+ to everyone in our teacher’s words. 

“Good! I don't want to eat something this bad ever again…” the mere thought about those days made me smile as I said it without thinking much before I noticed the weird silence between us. 

“… I know,” Ryan’s voice was as awkward as mine, sounding lost as if he didn't know what he should do next. “You made sure to remind me about it for a while… but I can try to bake it again if you miss it!” 

Once again, awkward. The words and sentences exchanged between us didn't seem to make any sense as we both had no idea what to talk about while my feet refused to leave.

“No, wait- I- I mean- I-” but, despite it all, there was something nice in knowing that I wasn't the only one lost in that weirdness. “Arghhh!!”

Goodbye, Santa’s magic.

Ryan’s frustration wasn't something I had seen often when we were young. Nevertheless, the few times I saw it, he would always deal with it in the very same way, messing up his perfectly set hair.

And, today wasn't very different, although his locks were already a mess under the festive hat before his hands touched them as he asked me an unexpected question, “can I cook for you tonight?”