They took turns talking about themselves as the meal continued. After dinner they moved to the living room and sat across from each other on the loveseat. Normally Phoebe would have washed the dishes immediately but this time she left them in the sink. Jason fondled her slim hand listening to her.
“My mother passed away shortly after I graduated. She got sick and just never recovered.”
Jason frowned but it wasn’t an unusual fate for aging wolves. While their healing abilities slowed the aging process it didn’t stop it. Their regenerative abilities worked better against injury rather than disease.
“My father only lasted another year or so,” Phoebe continued. “But he was never the same.”
Jason nodded. That was also not unusual. It was not easy to overcome the breaking of mate bond regardless of how. Once one half of the pair passed the other usually deteriorated and followed rather quickly. While his own father had passed away years ago his mother was alive and well but she was a special case. She had a strong desire to watch over her children and was eager to hold her grandchildren before she left the world.
Jason raised her hand to his lips, “I’m sorry you had to go through that alone.”
Phoebe gave him a shy smile and a slight blush colored her cheeks. He wasn’t sure if it was a reaction to his sympathy or the kiss. Despite the fact she had been rejected it was clear she had never been romanced.
“How about you?” Phoebe finally asked hoping to take the spotlight off herself. “What’s your family like?”
“Well, I already told you about my sister. Our mother is still alive though my father has passed on.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, that was…five years ago?” Jason nodded. “Not long after I took over the pack my father began to deteriorate.”
Phoebe frowned. Alphas lost some of their prowess once their heirs took over however they often went on to live a decent retired life. For Jason’s father to have reacted that way indicated the passing of leadership was not amicable but she didn’t think it was her place to ask.
“My father and I never really saw eye to eye,” Jason sighed continuing without prompting. “We had different ideas of what it meant to be Alpha…especially when it came to our Luna.”
Phoebe inclined her head to the side.
“He thought I was being stubborn waiting for my fated mate,” Jason explained. “An alpha’s aura is more potent with a mate so he thought I should take a chosen one.”
“…But you didn’t,” Phoebe said. If he had it would have broken their bond sight unseen.
“I knew somewhere out there was my perfect match. The Goddess is never wrong. But I never imagined she would choose someone as perfect as you.”
Phoebe’s blush deepened. She looked away her gray eyes shimmering silver. Her brow furrowed as if having an internal debate. Biting her lip she slowly looked back at him. Her gaze still shimmered with her indecision.
“…Um…can I ask you something?”
“Of course, angel. You can ask me anything.”
“Could you…I mean I don’t want to push you or anything, so you definitely don’t have to…It’s just I never did it before so…would you…kiss me?” Phoebe’s blush deepened further until she was nearly as red as a beet.
Jason blinked surprised at the candor of her request but a smile warmed his expression as Lobo perked up from his near comatose state. His wolf pressed forward and Jason struggled to keep him in check. As eager as they both were he refused to overwhelm Phoebe so soon.
Leaning forward he closed the gap between them. Gently he pulled her close before tilting her chin and pressed their lips together. Her lips were soft, pliable as he tasted her for the first time. A soft moan escaped her encouraging him to deepen the kiss pressing for entry. His tongue slipped into her mouth, curling around hers.
He pulled away slowly breathing deep as they sat forehead to forehead. His heart was racing and desires he had laid dormant stirred. He waited so long every part of him screamed to claim his mate. But he didn’t want to scare her. He wanted her willing and ready.
“How was that, angel?” Jason hoarsely whispered.
“It was the best first kiss ever,” she answered.
He rubbed noses with her certain he couldn’t remove the smile from his face if he tried, “I’ll make sure all your firsts are just as good.”
Phoebe blushed as the implication of his promise ran through her mind. Her body shivered with eagerness but she just…she wasn’t ready.
“…Jason.”
“Shh. Whenever you’re ready, angel,” he assured her. “I’m here.”
She shivered. It was all so new to her. No one treated her with such consideration or attention. Was it wrong for her to hope it never ended?
“Angel…”
“Hmm?”
“Can I…stay?”
Phoebe blinked pulling away from him. Her heart raced. It was difficult to fight the urge to scream Yes! but did she dare say it? She had already invited him into her home and allowed him this close. What if he suddenly turned on her? A rejection would be ten times more painful now that she allowed him in. Máni whimpered though she insisted this time would different even she shuddered at the idea of suffering such pain again. What if he tried something she wasn’t ready for?
“Just to sleep,” Jason suddenly said sensing her internal debate. “I promise, I won’t try anything…I just…I don’t think I can sleep knowing you are out here alone, unprotected. I’ll sleep on the porch if that’s what you want.”
‘Oh he’s so cute when he begs,’ Máni cooed. ‘Let him stay. And don’t you dare make him sleep outside. We’ll sleep better too.’
“All right,” Phoebe finally said. She was going to trust her wolf.
He smiled letting out a relieved sigh as Lobo turned circles. They were going to spend the night with their mate! Jason struggled to control their eagerness as a hesitant Phoebe stood and led them further into the cottage.
At the back of the cottage a short hallway terminated in a small bathroom. On either side was a door leading to a bedroom. To his left was the master bedroom with a full-sized bed and suitably antique furniture probably over a hundred years old though no doubt new when originally purchased. Phoebe immediately disappeared inside returning to the door to shove a bundle of clothes at him indicating the bathroom before closing the door.
Jason fought his wolf’s disappointment but he hadn’t expected anything different. It was too soon for her to be comfortable changing in front of him. Sheepishly he retreated to the bathroom to look what she gave him to discover a plain white t-shirt and flannel pants. Jason smirked. Like most wolves he preferred sleeping nude but he understood why Phoebe wanted a few layers between them. Jason leaned over the sink running cold water to splash over his face both to calm him and cool his ardor.
“Luke?”
“I’m here. You’ve been quiet all night. I assumed it was going well. So?”
“I’ll be sleeping here.”
“So it’s going very well.”
Jason fought to suppress a growl, “It’s not what you think.”
“Like hell. It’s almost impossible for one to sleep without your mate once you find them.”
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