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  She cautiously approached the table beside us, collapsing in her chair and immediately lifting the book to cover her face.

  Brody grabbed my forearm. “If it’s that bad, we need to go.”

  “No,” I growled, my low voice much harsher than I intended, as I jerked my arm away.

  He pursed his lips, a single brow raised. “I see. Well, I’m making the executive decision that we leave. You don’t want to scare her off, do you?”

  I sighed, scrubbing the back of my neck, too worked up to reply.

  Anxiety didn’t allow me to sit still. She was so close yet not close enough. I wanted to taste her, to touch her. I needed to engage with her somehow. I had to know her. This persistent urge to be near her was driving me insane, wracking my brain. I couldn’t think straight. I could only feel.

  I felt my wolf shredding my insides; his snarl rumbled my lungs every time I inhaled. And every breath was full of her essence, warming me with her heavenly aroma, making my mouth water, my gums ache and my body shake with need. My flesh was overly sensitive, hyperaware of her proximity.

  Brody turned slightly in his chair, gaging her before looking back at me. I saw the sympathy in his gaze. He hadn’t found his mate, but he could tell I was suffering. Ever my intuitive beta; he could read me better than anyone. “Let’s go, Jonas.” He stood, shoving his chair back with his legs and grabbing his cup.

  When I didn’t move, his gaze turned threatening. I knew it was the best move, to leave her while I collected myself, but leaving her felt like I’d be leaving a vital part of myself behind, no matter how long.

  I watched as she picked up her iced coffee. It disappeared behind the book. I heard her take a small sip. She blindly returned the cup to the table and turned the page in her book.

  I gritted my teeth, my nostrils flaring. I hated this. Anger washed away my anxiety. I was pissed. Why would nature give me my mate so young? Why would nature drop her in front of me and make me leave her?

  I nearly flung my chair backwards as I abruptly stood, ready to make a run for it before I did something stupid. As much as I despised admitting it, Brody was right. It would do me no good to scare her off.

  I snatched my cup off the table, inadvertently cracking the plastic cup. Shit!

  I headed for the door, nearly running to get out of there, away from the frenzy of being close to her. Brody was right behind me, tossing his cup in the trash behind mine.

  I chanced a look back at her. She was watching us over the top of her book. Her gaze met mine, causing my heart to skip a beat.

  “Come on.” Brody grabbed me and pulled me away from the coffee shop, away from my mate.

  “I really hate you right now,” I stated through gritted teeth. I scowled at him as I tugged out of his grip.

  “You’ll appreciate me later.” He didn’t even flinch.

  Chapter 6

  AURA

  I watched as the guys left the shop, rather noisily. The smaller looked worked up about something. Even in his upset, he was still appealing. He had this hard look that rattled my bones, yet cut straight through me and tugged at my heart at the same time somehow. It was completely unexplainable; incomprehensible. People didn’t react to other people this way. It was illogical. I was a mess.

  “I sense some good old teenage attraction in the air,” Mrs. Martha said.

  I angled my head towards her. She was standing at the counter, wiping away non-existent dust and dirt with the same rag from earlier. “I don’t think so.” I frowned, looking at the front door again. Nothing; nobody was there, yet it felt like something or someone ought to be. It felt like a part of me was absent now that he was gone. It was the oddest feeling of existing, yet being only in a state of confused longing. It was like I was craving a specific kind of food, but didn’t know what exactly.

  “Sweetie, I know when two people are attracted to each other. I’ve been around long enough to know the signs.”

  I chuckled, turning in my chair to face her. “Oh yeah?”

  She smiled knowingly. “Have I ever lied to you?”

  “No,” I conceded.

  Her eyes glittered. “The less bulky of those two was smitten. He was watching your every move, but his look was more than that of a curious boy. He was trying to figure out how to approach you. Trust me when I say he’ll be back.” She gave me a poignant look and tossed the rag into the sink before facing me again. “And you. You’re fighting your interest, afraid he doesn’t feel the same.” I immediately sobered at her words, feeling my cheeks heat. “Don’t worry, sweetie. Your secret’s safe with me.” She winked.

  I shook my head. “It’s no use, Mrs. M. Maybe he seemed interested, but trust me when I say I’m not his type. Guys built like him never go for girls built like me.” I couldn’t keep the sadness out of my voice.

  I’d accepted myself. I’d embraced my curves. I was no longer trying to hide them. I wasn’t ashamed of my figure anymore. The doctor, in a very direct way, had said there was nothing I could do to change my size. I would never be thin. I could lift weights and maybe tone up a bit, but I wouldn’t lose more than five pounds, if any. I’d stopped responding to hormone therapy years ago and was a general basket case in the medical realm. I’d come full circle on it though.

  Just because I’d accepted my fate didn’t mean my mother had or anyone else in this town had though. I knew it was the inside that counted, but when you were judged by the outside every day, it seemed obsolete.

  “Aura, I may not be up to par on my social etiquette in teen circles, but I know when a guy likes a girl. That boy nearly drooled when you came back out front. Mark my words. He will make a move sometime soon.”

  I sighed. “That’d be nice.”

  Her eyes crinkled in the corners as she gazed at me. “Don’t be so downtrodden, girl. Your Wilbur will come along, and he’ll love every part of you, even the parts you don’t love about yourself.”

  I smiled, thinking of Mrs. Martha’s husband. They’d been married nearly thirty years in a perpetual state of romantic bliss. He was always fussing over her. He surprised her with flowers regularly, helped her out on the weekends at the coffee shop and peppered her with compliments every chance he got. Reversely, she was constantly baking him little treats and doing simple things to show him how much she loved him too. They had the kind of marriage I wanted in the future.

  For the moment, I just wanted a guy to give me a chance, to not disregard me immediately because I wore a size sixteen rather than a two.

  “Thanks, Mrs. Martha.”

  “Anytime, sweetie.”

  I refocused on my book as she moved on to cleaning the appliances. Maybe she was right. Maybe there was a guy out there who would love all of me, even the parts I struggled to love.

  Chapter 7

  JONAS

  The entire ride back to the house was silent. Brody kept giving me a sympathetic look as he fidgeted from time to time. It was like an awkward first date gone wrong.

  I’d always believed everything happened for a reason. Finding my mate the first day we moved to town sort of proved the point, but it didn’t make it any easier to deal with.

  I was on edge, giving the steering wheel the death grip the entire drive home. I was surprised I managed not to break it. My wolf was angry with me, and I was angry with myself for leaving her.

  I threw the Jeep into park and yanked the keys out. I bounded out of the car, ready to take off for the woods and run free.

  “You know that’s not a good idea. You’re going to go right for her.” Brody’s voice cut into my thoughts.

  I turned on him, ready to rip him apart.

  “Will!” he yelled for my dad.

  Damn it. He just had to pull the alpha card.

  My dad came hurdling out of the house. “What’s wrong?”

  I glared at my future beta. I flexed my fingers and rolled my shoulders, still trying to relieve some of my tightness.

  Brody didn’t bat a lash. He gave me a pointed lo
ok, telling me silently to calm down and think rationally. “Talk to him. He can help you.” He walked away.

  “What’s going on, son?” My dad was an older version of me. Our looks were nearly identical, down to our matching tribal tattoos that we got on my sixteenth birthday. His hair was cut in a different style and beginning to change color, and his skin had a few more spots and wrinkles than mine, but his eyes were the same brown as my own, only with a few creases in the corners. We were so alike, yet a generation apart, which was felt at times like these.

  “Talk to me, Jonas.” He crossed his arms over his chest, realizing the original urgency he’d suspected wasn’t actually there.

  I averted my gaze. “I found my mate.”

  “That’s great.” The enthusiasm in his voice was genuine. He clapped my shoulder. “What’s she like? Did you talk to her?”

  “She’s human.”

  He froze, immediately stiffening beside me. It took him a moment to recuperate from the shock. “Did you talk to her?” he asked again.

  I sighed. “No.” I ground my teeth, my rage resurfacing every time I thought about it.

  He turned me to face him head on, a hand on each of my shoulders. “It’s intense. Your wolf goes insane. It’s hard to focus on anything else. You’re too young to claim her though. How old is she?”

  I shrugged. I chewed on the inside of my cheek, angst gnawing at me. I couldn’t shift. I couldn’t be with her. I was stuck; trapped.

  He pursed his lips, his brows furrowing as he contemplated the situation. “You need to talk to her. You won’t be able to regain control of yourself until you do. You need that interaction with her to appease your senses. In the meantime, I’ll give you Jim’s phone number if you want to call and talk to him. He’d know more than me.”

  He took a deep breath, as if to reorganize his thoughts. “Human or not, the mating call is potent for both parties. From what I can recall, Emily felt it too, just not as strongly.” His eyes wandered before he met my gaze. “We’ll get through this, Jonas. You’re just going to have to be patient, which I know isn’t easy when you’re fighting your instincts.”

  I wanted to rip his head off. We’ll get through this? What a load of crap. He wasn’t going through anything. I was. I was the one suffering. I was the one who’d scented his mate while still in high school. I was the one who couldn’t act on something that was nothing short of a life requirement for werewolves.

  “Yeah, sure.” I stepped out of his reach and stormed into the house. I was done talking about it.

  “Jonas?” my mother called me.

  I sighed, unable to be rude enough to ignore her. I followed her voice to the kitchen.

  “You okay, honey?” She poked her head over the kitchen counter; she’d been sitting on the floor unloading a box of pots and pans. Oddly, her auburn hair and ivory skin complimented the honey granite countertops.

  Her concern grated me. Concern didn’t change things for me.

  “Fine,” I grumbled.

  I walked back out to the front of the house, through the foyer and up the stairs to my room. The only thing in my room at the moment was my bed, but that was all I needed. I wanted to go to sleep, to shut off my senses, to get away from the reality of my situation at the moment.

  Chapter 8

  AURA

  “Hello?” I groggily answered my shrieking cell phone. My vision was blurred still as I tried to read the clock on my nightstand. It looked like 5:04 AM.

  “Aura, it’s your mother. Don’t forget to wake up for school. Also, I won’t be home tonight.” She flirtatiously giggled. “Roger’s taking me on an impromptu getaway.”

  I turned onto my back and rolled my eyes. Roger was the newest guy. I owed him a little bit of respect considering he was the one who’d purchased a few new outfits for me for school. He seemed more committed than the rest, more interested in my wellbeing in addition to my mother’s, but, in my experience, that could be quick fading.

  “Okay,” I said.

  “Good. Now, don’t wear the light colored jean capris at the back of your closet. They make you look fatter. Go for dark colors. You want to slim your silhouette. In fact, you should just toss them in the trash.”

  “Be nice, Jean,” I heard Roger say in the background.

  “What? I’m just being honest with my daughter. I want her to look as good as possible given her… size.” She took a deep breath. “Anyways. You’ll have to make yourself lunch. I didn’t have any cash to leave you. There should be enough to scrounge up something to tide you over. Roger said he’d stop by the apartment on our way out of town and leave some money for you to get some groceries.”

  I wanted to yell at her, but knew it would do no good. She was lost in her own world, too absorbed in herself to be a decent parent. I knew in her own way she loved me, I just never understood her enough to see it.

  “Okay.” I wiped the sleep from my eyes. There would be no going back to sleep after this.

  “Have a good day. Love you.” And with that, she hung up.

  I threw my phone down on the bed beside me. I wished hot tears would sting my eyes, but I was too strong to cry. I had too many walls up to ever allow my mother’s dings and disappointments to hurt me anymore.

  Throwing the covers aside, I slid out of bed. I headed for the bathroom to brush my teeth and shower for the day. I turned on the faucet, but nothing came out. Dread crawled through me. I pulled aside the shower curtain and turned on the shower. Again, nothing.

  “Great! You can go on a vacation, but you can’t pay the water bill. Thanks, Mom,” I griped to the empty space, as if the walls would relay my complaint.

  I shook my head as I stomped back to my room. I would have to walk a couple miles to Mrs. Martha’s to get ready now. Thank God the woman woke up early to open the coffee shop.

  I sighed. What a way to start the school year.

  ~*~

  It was fifteen minutes till seven when I knocked on Mrs. Martha’s door. I was cutting it close. Either she’d already left for work or would be flying out the door at any moment.

  Wilbur opened the door. “Hi, Aura. You just missed her.”

  Crap. I nibbled on my bottom lip, averting my gaze. I hated asking. Mrs. Martha knew that when I showed up at this time something was shut off at home. She would tell me to come in and make myself at home.

  Wilbur knew that I came by regularly, but he didn’t know that I showered there, that I got ready for school there. Mrs. Martha said it wasn’t her place to tell, but if he asked, she would tell him the truth. So far, he hadn’t asked.

  I lifted my gaze to find the older man considering me. “Is everything alright, Aura? You seem troubled.”

  “Uh, no. I mean yes. I mean, I’m fine, thanks.” I looked back at the street. “Can you do me a favor? Please don’t tell Mrs. Martha that I came by.” I nearly sprinted down the stairs to the stone path that led to the sidewalk. “Thanks.” I tossed the words over my shoulder.

  Once I reached the neighbor’s property, I glanced back at Mrs. Martha’s house. Wilbur still stood there with a confused look on his face. I smiled and waved, willing to reassure him, and keep Mrs. Martha from finding out.

  He waved back before stepping back inside.

  The moment the door closed, I sagged my shoulders. I should have just told him the truth. Then I’d be going to school clean and wouldn’t have to sneak into the girls’ locker room on the first day. It wouldn’t be the first time I did it, but it didn’t make it any less humiliating.

  Dang it. I should have just swallowed my pride and been honest with Wilbur. He would have been more understanding than anyone I could get caught by at school.

  I sighed, picking up my pace. The sooner I got to school, the lesser my chance of being noticed slipping in and out of the gym.

  Chapter 9

  JONAS

  “Damn. We only have four classes together.” Brody feigned upset.

  I rolled my eyes. “That’s every class, you id
iot. They do the four block schedule here.” Four new classes each semester. It meant longer class periods, but a lighter mid-term study session.

  He laughed. “Hell yeah. The Bro-Jo is back.”

  I shook my head, remaining silent, not wanting to encourage him.

  Navigating the halls, everyone instinctively moved for us, giving us a wide path. I couldn’t focus on the many faces I passed; I wasn’t even paying attention to the classrooms we passed. I was relying on Brody to lead us to the right room. My concentration was on one thing: finding her.

  She may have had more curves than most of the girls in this school, but I was certain she was still in high school. And I was determined to locate her.

  I sniffed the air. Most of the odors swarming were enough to make my stomach roil. Girls with way too much perfume on; guys who smelled like sweat and musk were attempting to mask it with spicy cologne. I was nauseous twenty feet into the moderate sized building. I kept going because of her.

  We reached first period before I found her. I inhaled deep, hoping for a hint of her essence to meet my nose, but it didn’t. She didn’t.

  I followed Brody into the classroom, already half filled with students chatting, mostly about their summer and what certain people were wearing today. Brody made a beeline for the back of the room.

  “Holy mother of sexy,” the female voice said with admiration. I could almost hear her drool. “I’m going to talk to them.”

  I braced myself as we threw our book bags onto two desks side by side in the back row. The moment my ass hit the chair the perky blonde stood between us. She batted her eyelashes, grinning flirtatiously at us.

  “Hi, guys. I haven’t seen you around here before. Trust me, I would remember a pair of studs like yourselves.” Her voice took on a husky quality, her body omitting a new pheromone. It instantly put me off.

  I breathed through my mouth, trying to avoid her scent. It had a rancid undertone that ruined the sweet floral scent of her lotion.

  I looked at Brody. He’d scrunched his nose. He smelled it too.