technically the decision is out of his hands since the Council is involved, but I want to know what he’s thinking. That means more to me than a bunch of middle-aged shifters with bugs up their asses.
I’m too chicken to ask, though.
The drive to Greystone is solemn despite my puffy lips. Other mated pairs are settling in at university or they’re back at their packs together. They’re discussing their futures, but with us, things are still up in the air.
“How did you keep from shifting?” Jonah asks.
I shrug. “I locked her away like I always do.”
“You should be careful,” he tells me, frowning. “You don’t want to do that too much.”
“Well, once I get myself out of this ridiculous punishment, I’ll be happy to let my wolf out and devour all those bitches.”
He snickers. “That won’t be good PR for the Livestrong name.”
“Probably not,” I agree. “You mean, I can’t ever put them in their place? Maybe once? You can give me one time, right?”
He shakes his head. “I’ll have you take your aggression out on me. That sounds like a much better use of our time.”
“What did you have in mind?” I ask, my belly tightening at his words.
He squirms on the seat. “Things I can’t think about right now or you’ll be late for curfew. And we don’t need to give anyone else a reason to take you away from me.”
My lips part at his words. I stare at him, but he makes no comment or acknowledgment about what he’s just said. My heart pounds in my chest all the way back to Greystone.
He drives through the gates at 11:58 p.m.
Pulling to a stop, he peers at the formidable building. “I suppose walking you to your room is against the rules?”
I nod slowly. “No shifters of the opposite sex in rooms after 11 p.m.”
He turns and grabs my chin. “You better get in there, then, Little Mate.” One solid kiss later, he releases me, and I almost fall out of the truck, except he’s come around the other side to help me to the academy’s entrance. He leads me all the way up the steps and then stands there as I slip past the huge, wooden door. He watches me with a saddened expression. “I’ll text you.”
I nod, walking away in a dream-like state. He said he didn’t want anyone else to take me away from him. That sounds promising.
I climb the stairs with his words in my head, and even my wolf agrees that’s a positive sign. For some reason, all the kissing we’re doing doesn’t register as important. Not that it isn’t, but the physical bond is inherent in our natures. If we can have more moments where we actually talk without wanting to kill each other, that will be better.
I slip into my room and pull my phone out. I promised Mia I’d text her, so I send her a quick message to tell her I’m home safe and that I’ll tell her all about my date in the morning.
I can’t wait to get undressed. I’m uncomfortably hot from all of the pent-up hormones. I strip down to nothing and lie in the middle of my bed. Squeezing my legs together doesn’t help ease any of the throbbing; all it does is intensify the heat. It’s so potent, I wonder if I’m somehow channeling Jonah, but he’s too far away by now—probably nursing his own blue balls. What’s the lady version of blue balls? Because that’s exactly what I have.
Trying to get comfortable doesn’t work. I throw myself back on the pillows, imagining Jonah running his hands all over me. I’m making it worse but I can’t stop. My fingers trail over my hip, but then I snatch them away. I’ve never masturbated before. In a lot of ways, I am a young pup. Mia acted like it was no big deal; she told me it was normal. And if Jonah won’t go any further, I might have to get acquainted with my own body. Plus, I can think of it as a science experiment. If I know what feels good, that will only make our first time better, right?
I press my lips together. Something makes me think I won’t have to worry about Jonah pleasuring me.
I moan in frustration. The more I think about him, the worse it gets. My body is calling to me, begging for relief.
Fuck it. I’m doing it.
I move my hands over my thigh and spread my legs. Before I