Mate

Jared POV

There is only so much lovey-dovey shit I can take when I've waited thirty-eight years for my own chance at love and yet I am still waiting for my mate.

I wouldn't say I'm much of a jealous person because I know I am truly happy for others when they find their soul-mates. It is an astonishing and life changing discovery but when it's plastered right in front of you, every second of every day for the last two weeks, then it gets to me a little.

I stare back at my sister as she sits across the kitchen counter from me, her eyes gazing dreamily into her mate, Jesse's eyes. They met two weeks ago and they have been inseparable since.

"Now it's your turn to feed me." Her eye drops into a wink as Jesse smirks in response, dipping a strawberry into melted chocolate and bringing it up to her lips.

He smothers it against her mouth and then she opens and chomps down on it, laughing in response. But not a funny laugh, a deep, sensual laugh. And I should not be here right now watching them have mind-sex whilst feeding each other chocolate strawberries.

"Now it's your turn to feed me," his husky voice rumbles through the kitchen.

"Okay," I say aloud as I crunch on my cereal. "Can

you guys not do this right here?"

Fran's blue eyes turn to me suddenly and she zones back into the room. It's like she had no clue I was even here in the first place and my unanticipated presence has confused her. "Are we bothering you?" She sighs and licks the chocolate off her lips.

"No but this is a communal area," I glance around at the large kitchen. "I'd appreciate it if I could eat my cereal in peace and not consider throwing up into the bowl." She rolls her eyes dramatically at me and Jesse scratches the back of his head with awkwardness.

"Why can't you be happy for me?" She sounds out each word fairly harshly. "I am happy for you, Fran," I dismiss her question and fold my arms across my chest. "You know I am but seeing you two like this every day doesn't give me a lot of hope for the future. I don't want to come down here and find you two... fornicating on the fucking counter. Chocolate involved and all."

 Jesse slaps a hand across his mouth to stop himself from laughing but it only earns me a judgemental shake of the head from Fran. "You are unbelievable."

I raise my hands in defense before grabbing my bowl and shoving it into the dishwasher. "You know I'm right though, it's only a matter of time before that shit starts escalating," I mumble and turn back to her. "So I'd appreciate it if you can be more respectful around the house, in front of me, in front of the others too."

"You're just jealous, Jared," she hisses at me as I walk around the kitchen counter. "Just admit it, you can't bear to see me with Jesse because you still haven't found your mate."

Her words have my hands balling into fists, jaw tensing because deep down I know what she said is somewhat true. When people find their mates, a part of me dies inside because I'm still looking, waiting, dreaming.

What have I ever done not to deserve a mate?

"Don't be so harsh," Jesse's voice floats into the air.

"I was the same before I met you, the sight of other people's happiness made me feel upset, nauseous.

Didn't mean I wasn't happy for them, sometimes it feels like it's being rubbed in your face a little."

"Well I shouldn't have to stop showing my affections to you because Jared can't handle it," Fran's voice rises. "I can't help it if I want to touch you every second of the day, I can't help it if being with you makes me feel like a lovesick teenager."

I turn around to face them, Fran's brows are pulled down in a sharp expression. "I'm not saying to stop showing him your affections," I drop my tone and she finally looks at me again. "I'm just saying, sometimes being considerate of your surroundings and other people can go a long way. I want you to be happy because I am happy for you, sometimes it's just hard to see when I'm losing hope."

Fran doesn't respond for a moment and then her face relaxes. "You're not losing hope, Ev," she sighs and pushes off the counter to walk towards me.

"You have been so optimistic but now I feel like you're just giving up."

"I'm not giving up."

"Good," she gives my arm a squeeze. "She's going to come when you least expect it and then you'l understand why I am in another dimension when I'm with Jesse.'

The corners of my mouth flick. I would love to understand her reasoning for smothering Jesse at every given second. My prayers will be answered the second I meet her because the bond will be unbelievably strong.

I clear my throat and she pulls away her hand.

"I'm going to see Zina today, I'm working on a job in the area so I could go see her," I purposely changed the subject. "I'm  leaving here at six, make sure you remind everyone when you see them."

She nods her head and smiles. "Of course."

"Okay" I take one step back. "I'm going to go now. You can resume your chocolate eating breakfast, or whatever."

I don't hear her response as I take myself upstairs and head straight for the shower.

***

I arrived at Zina's mansion and I rang the doorbell. 

I was her protector once before, honestly she didn't need protection. She was the bravest and strongest woman I knew.

She was kind, humble, generous and always happy which was something I had always admired about her.

Xaden was a stupid asshole for letting her go. I couldn't believe he cheated on her with her best friend and made her his Luna.

 She wasn't even as pretty as Zina, she is rude, stupid and also a pain in the butt. How Zina put up with her all these years is a mystery to me.

The fact Xaden willingly left Zina for the dumb bimbo is annoying.Not only was he stupid but foolish too.

I knocked at the door again and an old lady came to open the door. She looked at me with a curious expression on her face and I'm sure she's wondering who I am.

"Good afternoon ma, please I'm looking for Zina. Is she here?" I asked in a polite tone.

"Well yes, she just arrived. Please come in."

She moved back from the door  and I walked inside.

It's looks homey, I knew she loved being her house being nice and comfortable. But I was really impressed from the aesthetic.

"Excuse me sir, but would you like some coffee please?"

I turned around and saw a young lady staring up at me.

"Yes please, thank you." I answered

She bowed at me and walked away, I couldn't help but look at the cute little statues on the side table. This is something only Zina could think of.

The maid brought my coffee and I was enjoying the rich taste in my mouth.

I think I should ask the kitchen what brand they use because this shit tastes good.

I shook my head and downed the remainder of my drink and headed towards where the little minx is mostly congregating. 

My feet stopped dead in their tracks when my body began  to tingle gently, first in my fingertips and then straight through my forearms.

My eyes gazed down at the shirt covering my arms and then the sensation was gone. I tilted my head and walked straight towards the kitchen staff, engaging with them and downing a few more cups of coffee along the way.

As I waited some more, a deep, musky and sweet scent kept invading my nose.

Sometimes it's prominent and other times barely detectable but it's always there. The smell has hairs

standing up on the back of my neck.

A sensation I have never experienced before.

It has my eyes closing in satisfaction, like someone

has given me a full body orgasm.

"Mate, I can feel her. She's close." my wolf grunted in my head

My eyes scanned the room but the sound of chatting had my balance off. I drawed in a deep breath, that scent almost sending me into a frenzy. My feet took off in the direction of the smell and it got clearer and stronger with every step.

I focused on a set of double wooden doors towards the

back of the room and I pushed my way into them, my

eyes colliding with a pair of icy ones, ones that look

like a deer caught in headlights.

"Jared." she exclaimed.

"Zina." I looked at her with puzzlement.

"Mate"