Emma POV
“We will be right back.” Logan said as he reached out for me. “Two hours, tops.”
He wrapped his arms around me, burying his nose into my hair.
“It’s okay, Logan.” I said as I hugged him back. “I will be okay, don’t worry. Go do your job.”
“I will miss you.” Logan mumbled.
“It’s two hours, Logan.” Andrew sighed, picking up his phone and putting it in the pocket of his jeans.
“You are not the one who needs to leave his mate with another man.” Logan growled as he raised his head and glared at my brother.
“Amy will be here too.” I said, letting go of him.
He looked down at me and whined quietly. I rubbed his back and gave him a small smile.
“Come on, man.” Andrew said. “Drake is waiting for us.”
Logan kissed my forehead and reluctantly let me go.
“We can’t leave until Jacob gets here.” Logan said, frowning.
“I mind-linked him.” Andrew said, opening the front door. “He is here.”
Andrew reached out for me, and I hugged him tightly.
“If anything happens, mind-link Logan or me immediately, understood?” Andrew said, kissing the top of my head.
“Yes.” I said, letting him go. “Don’t worry. Everything will be great.”
“Beta Andrew.” I heard Jake’s voice and looked behind Andrew.
Logan growled quietly, pulling me back into his arms. I could feel his erratic heartbeat, and it made me sad. He really had nothing to worry about. We still needed to talk about a lot of things, but I was his. Even if I decided to reject him, which was slowly but surely getting highly unlikely, I would always be his. Just the thought of another man’s hands on my body made me shiver.
Andrew stepped aside so Jake could come in.
“We will be back in two hours.” Andrew said to Jake. “If anything happens, mind-link us immediately.”
“Of course, Beta.” Jake said, bowing his head. “Don’t worry. She is safe with me.”
Andrew nodded and looked at Logan. “Let’s go.”
Logan buried his nose into my hair, taking a deep breath. He reluctantly let me go and walked toward the front door.
“If you touch my mate, I will rip you apart, Walters.” Logan growled as he walked by Jake. “You are here as her guard, nothing else.”
“Of course, Alpha.” Jake said, trying not to glare at Logan.
Logan turned around, giving me a look full of longing. I smiled at him.
“I love you, baby.” he said. “I will be back soon.”
“Okay.” I said with a small smile.
Jake walked over to me, making Logan glare and growl.
Andrew sighed, grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the house. As soon as the door behind them closed, Jake sighed and shook his head.
“He is very jealous, isn’t he?” Jake mumbled, turning to look at me.
“He is an Alpha wolf, Jake.” I said as I started walking to the kitchen. “He is possessive.”
Jake followed me to the kitchen and sat down at the kitchen island.
“Coffee?” I asked him as I opened the cupboard.
“Sure.” Jake said.
I took out two cups and filled them with coffee. I gave Jake his cup and sat down opposite him.
“You decided to forgive him?” Jake asked me.
“I’m trying to forgive him.” I sighed and took a sip of my coffee. “I’m still careful, though.”
“You don’t need him, Emma.” Jake said, frowning. “I can give you so much more.”
“Jake...” I started speaking softly, but he interrupted me.
“No, Emma.” he said, placing his cup down on the kitchen island. “He rejected you. He chose that bitch over you. He doesn’t love you, Emma. The only reason he changed his mind was your power. He is using you.”
My heart was breaking inside my chest. Jake said everything I was already thinking.
“You would be so much happier with me, beautiful.” Jake continued softly, reaching out and taking my hand in his.
His touch burned my skin, and I wanted to pull my hand back. He gripped it tighter.
“I love you.” he said. “I’ve always loved you. I’ve never cared if you were powerful or not. I don’t care about any of that stuff. I want you, Emma. I love you.”
Logan loved me too.
Right?
He couldn’t have faked all that’s been happening between us for the last few days.
Right?
He showed me how much he loved me. I saw it in his eyes. I felt it. Our bond was getting stronger, and I could feel him. I could feel his emotions. He couldn’t fake love.
Right?
“I love you too, Jake.” I said quietly. “But I love you like a friend, nothing more. I would never be able to give myself to you. Even if I decide to reject Logan, I will stay single. I just can’t imagine myself with another man.”
“You could learn to love me.” Jake said, squeezing my hand.
“That wouldn’t be fair.” I said. “I could never do that to you, Jake. You deserve someone who will love you with all their heart and soul, not someone who needs to learn to love you.”
I tried to pull my hand away. I was getting uncomfortable. His touch felt wrong. I wanted Logan.
“I don’t care, Emma.” Jake said. “I want you.”
He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it gently. Shivers went up and down my body, but not the same ones I felt with Logan. These felt wrong.
“What would happen when you found your mate?” I asked him, trying to gulp down the lump in my throat.
“I would reject her.” Jake said immediately. “I don’t want a mate. I want you.”
“You don’t know what a mate bond feels like, Jake.” I said, pulling my hand out of his. “You would want to be with her.”
“No, Emma, I...” he started speaking, but, this time, I interrupted him.
“Stop, Jake, please.” I said softly. “I am sorry. I am so sorry. I can’t be with you. Please don’t make me uncomfortable.”
Jake clenched his fists, and his jaw twitched.
“Fine, beautiful.” he mumbled. “I will stop.”
“Thank you.” I said, giving him a small smile. “What do you want to do? We could play a board game.”
“I’ll pass.” Jake sighed. “I’m not in a mood to lose to a cheater.”
“Hey.” I whined. “I don’t cheat.”
“Sure.” Jake said as he rolled his eyes playfully.
“Do you want to watch a movie?” I asked him as I hopped off of the bar stool.
Jake nodded, standing up and following me back to the living room.
“Did you talk to Amy?” I asked him as I turned the TV on.
“I will do it tomorrow.” Jake said, sitting down on the couch. “I needed time to process.”
“I still can’t wrap my brain around it.” I sighed. “I still think it’s a mistake.”
I sat down next to Jake and gave him the remote.
“You are letting me choose?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at me.
“This time only.” I said, chuckling.
Jake smiled, taking the remote out of my hand.
I leaned back on the couch and resisted the urge to mind-link Logan. The time was passing by slowly, and I couldn’t wait for him to come back.
For the first time ever, I didn’t feel comfortable being alone with Jake.