Chapter 14

"My mum is gonna freak if I don't go home," Jacob mumbled. It had only been fifteen minutes since she called, but he would rather please her than please himself.

"I can come with you? If we part our ways now and not see each other until the morning, It's going to be really hard." Hunter knew Jacob didn't want to leave yet. It was only midday.

Jacob nodded. "Okay."

Hunter smiled and stood up when he did. "Then you can get some lunch, I can hear you thinking about food," he chuckled.

Jacob forgot that it was Hunter's voice echoing in the back of his mind. Before, the voice was loud and would startle him. now, it was soothing and quiet.

As Jacob started walking, Hunter's eyes examined him. They were both tall and big built people. Jacob was muscular but Hunter was bigger and a little taller. He trained with his pack at least five days a week. They had to be strong and in sync with their fitness, just in case.

"And about this field," Hunter spoke as they approached the trees. "It really isn't safe if you ever come here alone. That's why I'd always wake you up when you came here and told you to go home. A rival pack was spotted here a few weeks ago. If they find out that you're an Alpha's mate, they won't hold anything back."

Jacob stopped and frowned.  The sun invaded his eyes and Hunter knew he would fall for the way they looked. So pure, so full of life.

"What do you mean by that? Has connecting a bond with you put me in danger?" he questioned.

"Our rival packs are aggressive. They come to torment our families because they're not happy with us. My pack ran too far and entered their territory by mistake. I'm not saying that they'd do anything to you but we just need to be careful."

Jacob's frown deepened until he looked through his eyelashes. Hunter couldn't decide if he thought it was cute or a look he hoped was never aimed at him again. "You could have mentioned this before I connected with you. I don't want to spend my time being scared to be outside by myself."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you but it's not that much of an issue, my pack will always be looking out for you, we'll never let you get into danger."

Jacob really wasn't pleased, but what did he expect? He just connected a lifetime bond with a werewolf. "Why can't I have just one normal day?"

Hunter stepped a little closer and rested a hand on his shoulder. As always, his fingers wanted to melt right into him. "I'm sorry, I could've handled this a lot better. Let's just go back to your house, stick on a film or something and talk more tomorrow when you've slept." The last thing Hunter wanted was for Jacob to break down.

The human nodded and inhaled a breath of fresh air. He turned and continued walking through the woods. Looking at Hunter was making him feel more irritated.

The werewolf followed while trying to imagine what it must feel like to Jacob. Even though they're connected by their term: Lunar love, they can still have their disagreements and argue like the bond never existed.

* * * * *

The rest of the walk was in silence. Hunter didn't know what to say. Jacob tried to avoid thinking about him but his brother's friend was all he could feel. Not to mention how Hunter would purposely brush their shoulders together because he was craving his touch.

When Jacob's house was in sight, he was going to go straight into the bathroom and lock himself away. He needed a moment to really think by himself.

Hunter could tell it wasn't sitting well with him. He really should have approached it in a better way. Why did he think revealing himself to a human like that would be a good idea?

As they approached the door, Jacob kept his gaze on the floor and entered the house. Hunter was beginning to feel really bad for telling him. He shut the door after the human, just as William entered the hallway.

"Thank god, I thought mum was going to burst a vein or... something-" William frowned when Jacob ignored him and headed straight upstairs. "You okay?" He then caught sight of Hunter standing awkwardly next to the door. "Oh, hey."

"Hey." Hunter tried to smile. It was hard when he could feel his mate trying to block his thoughts. He wasn't sure if it was even possible. Maybe he should've spoken to his mother about the whole mate thing. There was probably a lot more to it than just the basics.

"Did you two walk back together?" William asked. "Was he feeling okay?"

"Yeah we did and he seemed fine, just quiet."

"As usual," William chuckled, though he was worried. Jacob didn't need him in his face all the time. If he wanted space, he'd give it to him even if he was concerned.

Jacob had gone straight into the bathroom, locked the door and slumped down onto the floor. He stared at the tiles and concentrated on his breathing.

"You'll be okay, you just need time."

The voice echoed in the back of Jacob's mind. It was odd to think of it as Hunter's. So much has happened to him today and still, that guy was a stranger. Why did he stay away for so long? They could've at least been friends before it happened.

"I know, I hate myself for doing this to you. I was an idiot to think that you'd be okay with it."

"You did this to me for half a year." Jacob was angry. He had every right to be. Hunter could've been a good friend to him before he forced this new life down his throat. Jacob didn't have a moment to think. Yes, he liked the adventure and the excitement, but that wouldn't matter until he accepted it.

"I'm sorry, how many times do you want me to say it?" Hunter felt incredibly guilty but there was nothing he could do other than proving to the human that his life will be better with him in it.

"Until it stops hurting." Jacob closed his eyes and pulled his knees up to his chest. This has by far been the craziest day he had ever lived through.

Hunter hated conflict and the thought of his mate being angry at him wasn't what he wanted. This was supposed to be one of the most rewarding days of his life. He had to help his mate instead of leaving him to cope by himself. They were in this together now. So he told William he was going to the bathroom and left him waiting in the kitchen. He quickly headed upstairs and stood outside the white door. "Let me in, you need this."

"I don't need anything from you. Leave me alone."

"Trust me, Jacob, you need it."

"Go away-"

"I left you alone for half a year, I'm not about to turn my back on you now. Not when I'm the one who can help you."

Jacob clenched his jaw. He couldn't run from this. It wasn't possible. He sighed and reached up to the lock.

When Hunter heard it click, he opened the door and Jacob almost fell back. He shut it and locked it so William didn't enter.

Jacob stood up and was about to question him until Hunter stood close enough for their chests to touch. Before Jacob could even breathe, Hunter wrapped arms around him and hugged him. The werewolf buried his face against his skin. His scent was the best thing in the world. He smelt it the strongest when he first entered the bedroom. Now, he would need it in his life forever.

Jacob stood like a plank of wood. He couldn't remember the last time he got a hug from anyone other than his parents.

Of course, it felt different. Jacob could feel Hunter's heart beating fast against his chest. He could feel his breath against his neck and he could feel his warmth all around him. He was very aware of his presence. Jacob felt- comforted.

"Just accept it," Hunter's voice was like a calm stream and it sent shivers down Jacob's spine. "I know you're not a fan of hugs but I'm not letting go of you until you feel better. And you need to at least hug me back."

Jacob stared at his reflection in the mirror. He moulded so well against Hunter's body but he wasn't used to seeing himself this close to another person.

"Hug me back, you'll feel better."

"No."

Hunter could feel that his body was fully relaxed but his arms were by his side and he made no effort to do anything. Maybe hugging him was too soon.

"Please?"

"No."

Hunter pulled his head back but kept his arms around him. He stared into his mate's brown eyes until they diverted to the ground.

"You're quite stubborn aren't you?" he smiled. "I like that. You do have a backbone."

Jacob frowned and pushed him away. "You don't know me."

Hunter then saw the issue. Jacob struggled to come to terms with their bond because they were strangers. He leant against the door and crossed his arms. It was about time he opened himself up.

"My name is Hunter Rayson," he said calmly. "I'm eighteen and my birthday is in November. I live with my mum and dad and I study the same courses as your brother at college. I'm currently living in a studio shack in the woods, but it's only temporary because our other house is getting an extension that's too big for us to live there. I like the outdoors and I'd literally live in the woods if I could. I'm quite hot headed but hate to argue, I'm also really good at running away from responsibilities. I eat a lot of food but probably not as much as you. I like music that gets my blood flowing, I like the colour green, I like running for miles in my true form and I like you," Hunter barely stopped to take a breath. "Your turn."

Jacob watched him with surprise. He didn't expect him to verbally explode, but he did appreciate it. "Um, w-why is your favourite colour green?"

"I like grass."

Jacob blinked to processes his reply.  A very small smile painted its way onto his lips.

Hunter's heart melted. He would do anything to see that smile more. "You can't make fun of me for that, I'm a wolf." Jacob's smile dropped. It felt weird to hear that and know it was the truth. "Anyway," Hunter's sharp grey eyes watched him sit on the edge of the bath. "Tell me about yourself."

Jacob chewed on his bottom lip. He knew he was the most uninteresting person Hunter would ever meet.

"You're really not," he chuckled.

"Please stop reading my mind."

"I can't just stop-"

"Well try. At least, until I'm used to it." Jacob mumbled the last part. He didn't like snapping at people, but he felt stressed.

"I'm sorry."

Jacob's chest felt heavy like he was full of regret and guilt. He glanced up to Hunter who was still leaning against the door. He knew it was him who felt that way. Now, he felt bad for making it difficult for him too.

"If you say that you're sorry out loud, I will force another hug onto you," Hunter warned with a little smile. "Just because I feel guilty doesn't mean you should forgive me. I deserve your anger and I deserve for you to push me away until you're ready. I should never have done this to you. I could've made it so much easier-"

"It doesn't matter now," Jacob's voice barely raised above a whisper. "We can't take any of it back."

Hunter's mouth curled, his eyebrows furrowed, and his eyes dimmed, making him look rather troubled. "It will get easier, I can at least promise you that."

Jacob hoped he was true to his promises because right now, easy felt like a million miles away.