“And, as you pointed out, you’ll be there in just a few short months.” He shrugged and scooted closer to me. “I’m only a year older.”
He wasn’t going to let this go.
“Hey, Emma.” Grace had a shit-eating grin on her face as she hurried over. “Whatcha doing?” She waggled her eyebrows right in front of Jacob.
I wanted to die of embarrassment. I wished an earthquake would hit and the ground would swallow me whole.
Grace giggled and ran her fingers through her dark auburn curls, and then she pulled at her green dress that was almost the same shade as her eyes.
“Well, I’d hoped to ask her on a date, but you interrupted me.” Jacob’s eyes stayed on me, watching for my reaction.
“Oh my God,” Grace squealed and jumped up and down. “Okay, I’ll go over there, so don’t mind me.” She rushed over to Libby and whispered into her ear.
Great, this was getting out of hand. I didn’t want to date Jacob, but what the hell could I do?
“So… what do you say?” His fingers tapped on the table.
“I’m too young to date.” In my defense, my parents were overprotective, so it was a good excuse.
“Okay, I’ll talk to your parents.” Jacob leaned over, and his eyes landed on my necklace. “Oh, is that new?”
“Uh… no.” I didn’t know what else to say. If I’d told him yes, he would have wanted to know who’d given it to me. I touched the pendant, which already meant so much to me.
“It looks good on you.” He smiled as he stood and said, “Happy birthday.” He made a beeline to my parents.
I stepped out into the hallway and listened to my parents’ deep breathing. It had taken forever, but finally, my parents were asleep. I hurried to my bedroom window and quietly slid it open.
Luckily, we lived in a ranch-style home. I climbed out of the window and glanced around to make sure none of our neighbors were out. All the houses backed up to the woods, and I raced into the trees, toward the territory line. I was so eager to see Aidan after our kiss last night. Maybe we could do a repeat.
I reached the small clearing and paused. Aidan was always here before me, but not this time. It was odd. This had never happened before. I sat down on my side of the territory line like I always did. We tried not to tempt fate too much by breaking the boundaries dictated centuries ago.
After a few minutes of waiting, I lay back on the grass and watched the moon. The breeze blew, and before I realized it, I’d fallen fast asleep.
Aidan
It took every ounce of strength I had not to run to her. She was waiting for me, her hand clutching the pendant I’d given her, and concern was etched on her forehead.
Even though we couldn’t be together, it was up to me to keep her safe. I’d expected her to give up waiting and leave after an hour or so, but it was getting close to dawn. She must feel the same damn pull as I did.
Dad had almost caught me sneaking out tonight, reaffirming what I already knew: I couldn’t let my dad and brother find out about her.
When she lay down and her eyes drifted closed, my heart beat harder. I had to stay hidden, but how the hell was that possible when all I wanted was to hold her in my arms?
Emma
“Emma, are you okay?” Jacob’s voice stirred me from my sleep.
My eyes fluttered open, and I slowly sat up. When I realized where I was, my heart began to race. He never came last night, and I’d stupidly fallen asleep, waiting for him.
“Your parents are worried sick.” Jacob squatted beside me. “Did something happen?”
Tears burned my eyes. Aidan had never stood me up before. The one time he’d thought he wouldn’t make it, he’d left me a message. He’d still beat me here, and I’d thought he had been sweet and considerate.
Jacob spoke loudly once more. “Emma.”
“No, I needed to get out.” I had no clue what I was saying. My body felt numb, and my heart hurt. “I couldn’t sleep and needed fresh air.”
“You’re right on the border. You know we don’t get along with that pack.” Jacob took my hands in his and winced. “You’re freezing. Come on.” He helped me stand and tugged on my arm to lead me away.
I didn’t want to leave. I needed to see Aidan.
“Emma, come on,” Jacob said.
There was no point in resisting. I had to go, especially since Jacob was here. Even if Aidan showed up now, he wouldn’t appear.
It made no sense. Something must have happened. Was he hurt? There was no damn way I could find out. If I walked the territory line and demanded to see, it wouldn’t go well.
I hadn’t even realized I was walking until we broke through the tree line.
“Thank God.” Mom ran out of the house and straight toward me. “Where have you been?”
“I needed fresh air last night.” The words I’d told Jacob only minutes ago fell from my lips. “I fell asleep.”
“Josh,” Mom yelled, “she’s here.”
Dad rushed out the door and wrapped me in his arms. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” I pulled out of his grasp, needing space and time alone. “I’m going inside to take a shower.” I hurried into the house without bothering to look at their expressions.
“She was at the territory line.” Jacob’s voice was low, but I could still hear him.
“What for?” Mom asked.
Jacob sighed. “She didn’t say.”
“Was it the same spot as where we found her?” Dad sounded so concerned.
“Yeah, it was.” Jacob paused and lowered his voice further. “I’m worried about her.”
“It’ll be fine. Thanks for finding her.” Pride entered Dad’s voice as he said, “You’ll make a good alpha someday.”
Not wanting to hear anymore, I walked into the bathroom and stared in the mirror. My usually gray eyes were so dark they looked like charcoal, and my long blonde hair was limp and greasy. Hell, even the cleft in my chin seemed more prominent. After a few seconds, I looked away from the girl I didn’t recognize and took a shower.
I’d gone to the territory line every night for the past month, but not once had he appeared. Every night, my heart had hoped he’d be there, and every night, it had broken all over again. He had disappeared without a trace, and I didn’t know why. At first, I’d been afraid he was hurt or worse, but there’d been no ceremonies at the sacred place where we buried our dead. All packs in Mount Juliet, Tennessee buried theirs there.
So, I could only assume he was choosing not to come. My heart was shattered, and I wasn’t sure I’d ever be happy again. The boy I loved had left me behind, and I’d never gotten to say the words back to him.
Chapter Two
Present Day
I tapped my foot incessantly when we breezed through the gates of Crawford University. My blood buzzed, which wasn’t unusual, but it hadn’t been this bad in a while. The buzzing was only this powerful when I was close to… him.