Chapter four: Deceiving her friends

Jake stood like a protective shadow beside Adira, his broad frame stiffening at the mention of mates. His heart pounded with dread, an ache settling in his chest. He had meant every word when he’d told himself there was no one else for him except Adira.

He had loved her since they were kids, a tender bond that had grown and deepened over the years. What had once been innocent childhood affection had transformed into a love so profound it frightened him.

As the question about Adira’s mate hung in the air, Jake held his breath, his muscles coiled tight. He hadn’t found his mate yet, and, secretly, he was glad. It meant he didn’t have to wrestle with guilt for desiring Adira with every fiber of his being.

When she finally answered, a tidal wave of relief crashed over him. The world felt brighter and lighter, like the moon was smiling down on him. He fought the urge to leap into the air and whoop joyfully, but he couldn’t contain the grin that broke across his face.

“Hey, Jake, what’s with the smile?” Dylan asked, his hazel eyes gleaming with curiosity. Dylan’s blonde hair and average looks often allowed him to blend into the crowd, but his mischievous nature always made him stand out. “Did you find your mate?” he teased, tone light but pointed.

Dylan and Jake, along with another friend, Nate, have been friends since childhood. The three of them, including Adira and her best friend Meredith, make up the popular clique in their high school.

The question turned everyone’s attention to Jake, including Adira. She stiffened, guilt tugging at her heart. She hated lying to her friends, especially to Jake. But what choice did she have? She couldn’t tell them who her mate was. Not now. Not ever.

Her emerald-green eyes darkened briefly, anger and determination flashing across her features. It was fleeting—gone before anyone could notice

Adira quickly wiped those emotions off when she felt someone watching her. When she looked up, it was Jake.

While everyone looked at him, Jake looked at Adira like she was the only one in the room. When he answered the question, he wanted to see the look in her eyes.

No,” he said, his voice light but brimming with quiet happiness. His brown eyes held hers, speaking a truth he couldn’t say aloud.

Adira felt a knot in her chest loosen at his answer. Relief coursed through her, though it was tinged with guilt.

After finding out who her mate was, she decided to stick with Jake. She felt slightly guilty for using Jake as a cover-up but would stick with her boyfriend rather than accept her sister as her mate.

Jake’s smile widened as he caught the flicker of relief in Adira’s eyes. He knew she loved him, even if she didn’t say it outright. That was enough. He would make her see they were meant to be and didn’t need the mystical pull of a mate bond to define their relationship.

“Bro, why are you smiling? Shouldn’t you be sad about not finding your mate?” Nate asked, his gray eyes narrowing in confusion. The red-haired wolf was Jake’s polar opposite—bold, outspoken, with tattoos and piercings that reflected his rebellious spirit.

Jake grinned wider, shrugging nonchalantly. “I’m not sad,” he said simply, his fond expression turning to Adira.

While her friends got lost debating Jake’s reason for not being sad at his lack of a mate, Adira lost herself in her thoughts.

Despite how much she didn't want to think about her, her thoughts kept reverting back to her sister. She wondered where she went, whether she was meeting someone, and whether her sister had a lover.

She stiffened at this, her blood boiling with jealousy at the idea of her sister being with someone. Of her lips kissing the flesh of another person.

As her thoughts dove deeper into the idea of her sister being with someone, her human nails transformed, her claws coming out as her jealousy and anger caused her to partially shift.

Dylan’s eyes widened as realization dawned. “It’s because of Adira, isn’t it?” he blurted out, his voice filled with incredulity. “You love her that much that you’d forsake having a mate?”

Nate and Meredith gawked at Jake, wondering if Dylan was right.

Jake opened his mouth to respond, but his words faltered when his eyes caught the subtle transformation of Adira’s hands. Her claws had extended, her nails shifting into sharp, gleaming weapons. His heart clenched in concern.

“Adira!” he called out, his voice cutting through her thoughts.

Adira blinked, startled by the urgency in Jake’s tone. She turned to him, confusion knitting her brows. “What is it?”

“Your hands,” Jake pointed out, his worried brown eyes looking toward Adira’s fingers where wolf claws had replaced her usual pink-coated nails.

The others looked as well and gasped.

“Adira, are you alright?” Meredith asked, looking at the blonde with concerned blue eyes. The beach blonde-haired girl is Adira’s best friend. They have been friends since they were kids. Meredith’s and Adira’s mum are best friends, so they grew up together.

Adira followed her friends’ gaze to her hands, her green eyes widening in shock at the sight of her claws.

“Are you angry that you didn’t find your mate?” Nate asked, his voice laced with both curiosity and concern.

Adira hesitated. She couldn’t tell them the truth—not now or ever. So she nodded, letting them believe her transformation was fueled by frustration over not yet finding her mate.

Before she could gather herself, she felt the familiar warmth of Jake’s hands wrapping around her waist. She stiffened at first, then slowly allowed her body to relax against his solid frame.

“Guys, can you give us a minute?” Jake asked his tone firm but gentle. His friends exchanged glances, understanding the unspoken request, except Meredith. She didn't want to leave Jake’s side.

Meredith's eyes narrowed slightly with jealousy as she watched Adira in Jake’s arms, where she desperately wanted to be.

Adira wasn't the only one who prayed that Jake would be their mate tonight. Unbeknownst to anyone in their group, not even her best friend, Meredith had been secretly in love with Jake and had hoped for him to be her mate.

Things hadn't gone her way tonight, but she was glad when she found out that Jake and Adira weren't mates, but it seemed not to have made any difference. Jake is still besotted with her best friend and is not seeing anything beyond her.

Her heart twisted with pain at watching the one she loved be with another, just as her jealousy consumed her. She wished for Adira’s disappearance. If the blonde doesn't exist, maybe Jake would finally see her. Or maybe, if the blonde finds her mate, she would leave Jake, and she can sweep in and offer him some comfort.

Growing up, she had listened to Adira talk about finding her mate that she knows with certainty that the blonde will choose her mate once she finds him.

“But…” Meredith tried to argue about leaving; she loved being close to Jake, even if the dark-haired boy barely paid her any attention.

Nate tugged her away before she could protest further. “Let’s give the love birds some space,” he said, shooting Jake a knowing look.

Meredith humpfed at the love birds part but didn't resist. Dylan winked at Jake, before he followed Meredith and Nate, disappearing into the crowd.

As their friends dispersed, Jake turned his attention back to Adira. Gently, he placed his hands on her shoulders, coaxing her to face him.

“Hey!” He said softly to her.

Adira offered him a small, grateful smile. “Thank you,” she murmured.

“For what?” Jake tilted his head, his brown eyes filled with genuine curiosity.

“For being you,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jake chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “Well, I am pretty awesome. But you don’t have to thank me for that.”

Instead of laughing, Adira’s green eyes softened with something deeper—regret, longing, maybe both. “You are,” she said earnestly.

Jake’s smile faltered. Something was wrong. He could feel it in the way her energy seemed dimmed, her usual spark muted. But he didn’t press her. Not yet.

“Do you want to dance?” he asked instead, his tone hopeful.

Adira hesitated, glancing at the dance floor. She knew what it would mean, how people would talk. But as she looked into Jake’s expectant gaze, she realized she didn’t care. Better they think Jake was her mate than know the truth.

She nodded.

Jake’s grin returned, brighter than before. Taking her hand in his, he led her to the dance floor. As they stepped into the space, the music shifted to a slow, soulful melody.

Jake pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her securely. Adira let herself melt into him, the warmth of his embrace chasing away her lingering doubts.

Their presence drew attention, whispers rippling through the crowd.

Adira’s mother was the first to notice. “Look,” she said, nudging her mate with a smile. “It seems our little one has found her heart desire,” she said joyfully, pointing out Adira dancing with Jake to her husband. She remembered their discussion this evening and felt happy that her daughter got what she had wished for.

Her mate smiled with pride at the sight of his daughter dancing with her boyfriend, now mate. He felt happy that one of his kids at least found her mate.

His heart saddened at the thought of his eldest. She might not be his blood, but he loves her like his own, and would do anything for his oldest daughter. It pains him to see her looking so lost, and searching for meaning in the wrong places.

He had hoped if she came to the ball that she might find her mate. A mate would certainly ground her wandering spirit, cure her pain and grief, but he knows how stubborn his oldest can be, and whoever the moon goddess chooses for her would have to be as stubborn.

Watching his youngest reminded him that they haven't seen his oldest in a while, not since she went after their youngest.

It saddens him to see his children not getting along with each other. He had hoped that with time those two would grow closer to each other, but it seems for some reason he can not understand that the rift between them widens every time they are within a few feet of each other.

“Have you seen Kendra?” He asked his mate.