JASMINE Since I had the day off from training on Friday, Tyler invited me to go over his house during the afternoon to keep him company while he worked and offered to help me put together my potluck dish. “I still don’t understand why you’d invite me over while you’re working. Don’t you have to actually, you know, work?” I asked him from the couch as I scrolled through my I*******m feed. “The internet doesn’t even work half the time this far out in the boonies,” Tyler replied from his desk. “And my job hasn’t caught on to how unproductive I am yet. So I don’t think they’ll notice If I spend more time socializing than working one day.” “You’re crazy!” “Plus, it’s Friday! If I worked in an office, we’d all be having beers and playing ping pong today!” “I’m not sure that’s true.” “Sure it is! Tons of startups these days have beers on tap. Too bad we live in the middle of nowhere.” I looked up at Tyler and asked, “Are you going to stay here? Or are you and Jack planning to go back
JASMINE I arrived at Paige’s house at seven with a Tupperware filled with honey barbecue wings and a plastic-wrapped meat and cheese board that Jack had put together after he got home from his warrior duty. I told him it was completely unnecessary, but both he and Tyler insisted, both probably a little too happy that I had made a friend. Goddess, was I really that hopeless? “Jasmine! Welcome! Come in!” Paige greeted me, taking the items from my hands as soon as I walked in. I followed her into the kitchen where she added what I brought to the spread. “Wow, this looks great! You didn’t have to make so much food! There’s only four of us!” “I know. The meat and cheese board was actually my brother and his mate. I was at their house before I came here.” “Oh, how’s Tyler doing?” Paige gave me a pitying look, and I instantly understood what Tyler meant. I’d also despise it if people looked at me like that. I hated feeling weak. I knew Paige meant it as a look of empathy, so I didn’t let
JASMINE We all loaded up our plates. I tried some of Paige’s braised short ribs first. “Wow, this is impressive for a potluck!” I exclaimed. “Paige is an overachiever too.” Gigi snickered. “Stop pretending you’re not!” Paige retorted. She turned to me and said, “The two of us used to compete in everything.” “It was so funny to watch. Whoever got the better grade on a test would run home to show Mom first.” Heidi laughed. “And they’d always play sports with the boys during recess in elementary school. On opposing teams. I bet if they went to high school together, they’d compete over who got the cutest guy.” “That’s all Gigi!” Paige rolled her eyes. “I’m good with whomever the Moon Goddess sends me as a mate.” “That’s the difference between us. I grew up and Paige is still competing.” The way Gigi said it, there was an edge to it, as if it was not just a jest. “Here, try some queso! It’s good!” Heidi pushed the Tupperware toward me. I put some on my plate, and dipped a chip into
TALIA “Your coffee, beautiful.” Alex kissed me on my cheek as he handed me a mug of coffee. We were standing side by side at the kitchen counter, cooking breakfast together, making pancakes. “Merci beaucoup,” I replied, smiling, taking the mug from him, and taking a sip. “It’s perfect.” “Perfect coffee for my perfect mate.” He winked. “Let me bring my mom her tea. I’ll be right back.” “Maybe I should bring it to her instead this morning,” I offered, my stomach quivering. But I needed to make things right and stop avoiding the situation, no matter how uncomfortable. It had been very awkward since I’d moved in, especially since she hadn’t exactly been introduced to me in the best way. And things had only grown more awkward with the disappearance of his sister. “Are you sure?” He pulled me toward him so I was facing him, his hands at my waist. “She’s your mom, and we’ll be living together. I should make more of an effort to have a relationship with her.” “It would mean a lot to me.
JASMINE Jack and Tyler pulled into my driveway on Sunday afternoon. I ran out as soon as they arrived and hopped in the back of their SUV. “Are you ready?” Tyler turned in his seat to look at me as Jack backed out of the driveway. “I think so,” I replied. “Why don’t you tell me more about this group you’re bringing me to?” “Remember how I told you there are more gay people in the pack than just Jack and me?” I nodded. “Well, over the years, the queer people in the pack have found each other and formed a secret support group. We all meet on Sundays, and I’d like you to join us as an ally—our first ally actually.” “Your first ally?” I asked. “There are no others like me?” “Since the LGBTQ+ community was so unwelcome in the pack for so long, most people are suspicious of outsiders. But Jack and I spoke with them and convinced everyone to let you come since you’re going to have so much influence as our luna.” “But I don’t know how to help,” I replied, my anxiety brewing. “I didn’t
JASMINE “Oh my Goddess, Jasmine, you look beautiful.” A tear trailed down my mom’s face as I turned in my wedding dress for the photographer outside of our house, a white fur stole wrapped around my arms to keep me warm. This had to have been maybe the third time in my life I’d ever seen my mother cry. She was usually so cold, but today she was acting very motherly for once. “She’ll make a wonderful luna,” my aunt said to my mom. “I remember the day I married your brother Lance. It was such an exciting day. You know, I saved myself completely for him. I was a virgin on my wedding night.” “You’ve already told me this, Julia.” My mom lifted her eyes to the sky in a look of annoyance. “Isn’t it so nice to save yourself for marriage, Jasmine?” My aunt smiled at me. “I bet you’re so excited for tonight and the wonderful gift you’ll be giving your soon-to-be husband.” My entire body burned with embarrassment, and I had no idea how to respond, shocked she'd say that. “Julia, don’t talk
JASMINE When my dad walked me down the aisle, the only thing I saw was Blake’s handsome face as he smiled at me from the altar. My heart beat forcefully against my chest, and I returned his smile, feeling as if I were walking on clouds. The ceremony was long and tedious as we had to go through different chants, prayers, and meditations. I did glance over at the pews and notice that, true to his word, Blake had arranged for Paige and her family to be seated near the front. Once the priest finally pronounced us husband and wife, my stomach fluttered as Blake kissed me, dipping me as he did. When he pulled away, he mindlinked me, “Can’t wait for the wedding night, Mrs. Alpha.” He gave me a mischievous smile, and then we finally marched out of the temple to head to the reception. A limo was waiting for us outside, and we hopped in. “I figured if we’re going to have sex in the back of a car, we should find one that’s comfortable.” Blake snickered. “Stop!” I pushed on his arm, laughing.
JASMINE Toward the end of the night, Blake and I made our way to the bridal suite so I could change into my going-away dress. We were planning to have one final dance and then leave to begin our honeymoon. “Can you help me undo the back of my dress?” I asked as we entered the suite. “With pleasure,” he replied, standing so close behind me I could feel his body heat. He lowered his mouth to the back of my neck, gently kissing it down to the buttons of my dress. He brushed his hands across my shoulders to find the top button. My breathing shallowed at the intimate gesture. “Do you think we have time for a quickie?” he whispered in my ear as he unbuttoned the back of my dress. My stomach fluttered at the thought. “Not with how long you take,” I replied playfully. “If you prefer quickies, I can definitely make that happen for you. Fast, slow, medium speed. Your wish is my command. I can do them all.” I laughed. “I think I want it slow tonight. It’s really special.” “I can guarantee