Chapter Twenty Eight
Lucianna's POV
"I can't believe we'll stay for a week, Jake."
I glanced at Brent who spoke as he shook his head.
We're on our way to the Prime pack riding Jacob's black rhino truck. Harley drives and Brent sat up front next to him. Jacob and I were seated at the back and I made sure that one fluffy bag was placed between us.
Another car was behind us where another two of Jacob's shifters are. We are six commuters, overall.
"Didn't know you have a problem with that." Jacob replied with a lazy tone so I decided to butt in before the conversation died down.
"Why? How long do you guys used to stay for renewal?"
Brent looked at me and then to Jacob before looking at the road again.
"Usually two or three days."
"And? Why are we staying for a week now?"
Does the two pack has personal troubles they had to fix? I can't think of anything that may cause us to stay longer than necessary.
Oh well, I won't stay long, that was for sure.
Brent laughed and Harley joined him. I frowned and looked at Jacob who's only looking outside the window.
I think the two are going insane and Jacob might be used to it.
"Goddammit." Harley whispered amusingly, with low chuckles.
Harley and Brent started to have a world for themselves so I just shrugged. I think I won't have the answer to my question in their state.
No way I'm asking Jacob, too, as he looked so out of the world staring at nothing.
The conversation died down and everyone fell silent when I felt the need to lose some bodily fluids.
"Um, can we stop somewhere? I need to use a bathroom."
Jacob glanced at me, still having that 'I-don't-care-if-the-world-ends-now' look in his face.
"Pull over at a gas station nearby." he said to Harley.
I pursed my lips as I think of a reason why he was acting like that. Did I do something wrong? I made sure I'm obedient, at least.
The car stopped and I opened the door, I need to pee so bad!
"Harley." Jacob said, not looking my way but made me stop stepping out of the car.
Oh. Yeah. My own personal bodyguard has to come with me all the time.
"Alright."
I just rolled my eyes and didn't wait for Harley to completely slid out of the car and continued heading to the bathroom.
**
Brent's POV
"Why not let her know that you extended the stay so she could be with that little friend?"
As much as I enjoy Jacob looking like a puppy inlove with a bone right now, I still can't get some of his weird ways.
"That's not a necessity."
"But it will be good for the both of you, your relationship. You should voice out your thoughts more."
Jacob hissed. "Mind your business, Brent. Your nagging is deafening my ears."
I laughed.
I didn't know he was this cowardly when it comes to his mate. Good thing, he has his weakness.
"And next time, don't mention things like that when you know Lucianna don't know a thing about it."
I whistled. "Aye, aye."
"Stop manipulating situations or else you won't like when I mess up with yours."
Okay, that sounds like a warning and I know how to take hint. Heh!
I better shut up.
Later, I mean.
"What's with that bag anyway? If you'll keep sulking because if that, why not move it at the back?"
"I'm not sulking!"
I pressed my lips together to stop myself from laughing.
Damn, he sure looked like it!
"Okay. You want me to move it at the back?"
Jacob looked at me with angry eyes before squinting down his gaze to the fluffy bag that's keeping him from being in physical contact with Lucianna.
This pervert sure can't take his hands off his mate.
I arched my brow, waiting for his response then Jacob looked out to the window, cover half of his face with his hands and nodded.
A loud chuckle came out of my chest as I hopped out of the car, opened the back and picked the fluffy bag, placing it at the back where the rest if Lucianna's 'light baggage' were.
'Move everything to the other car.' Jacob ordered in my mind and fuck I literally peed my pants laughing!
Jacob was making sure that Lucianna won't have it her way! Now that's what I'm telling you, Jake!
Cowardly but still a move!
Pfft!
Jacob's face was still red and flushed so I decided to remain outside the car for a moment so he could calm down.
That dog sure can blush.
**
Lucianna's POV
My jaw dropped as I sat inside the car. Wait, where was my--
My bag!
Shit.
Where was all my secret barrier gone to?!
Jacob caught my eyes as I look around and he was gawking at me, giving a silent warning to stop looking for whatever I was looking for.
My fluffy bag was gone! My poor innocent barrier!
"Drive." Jacob ordered to Harley who was laughing with Brent about something.
Are we in a hurry?!
'Come closer.' Jacob said in my head.
I frowned, my nose flared as I bit my full lower lip.
'Lucianna…'
I swear, I feel like there are fumes coming out of my nose right now! Its hard to be with Jacob alone, fighting the heat, trying to go against the bond. And I don't want to be like that with Brent and Harley's presence!
I decided to give him 'the look', and looked out of the window to send him a message that: I'm completely ignoring you, you fucker!
Jacob sighed.
There was a few rustling on his side and I stiffened when I sensed him moving closer.
He muttered a curse. Fuck, he's so close!
My neck seems to be braced as I fought to turn my head. I bet he's just an inch away and if I look at him…
Fuck.
I closed my eyes shut. The images in my head was fucking me up more than reality!
"Stubborn. As always." he whispered, in my ears now.
'Shut up! They will hear you.' I said in our mind-link, sighing after.
'I'm not saying anything they shouldn't hear.'
'That's not my only concern, Jacob!'
'Then what is?'
I exhaled loud and moved a bit away from him as I turn to face him. I looked at him with warning but he just arched his brow at me.
Is he playing innocent or what?!
'I don't want you near me, Jacob. Move.'
Jacob frowned but his eyes betrayed him. I can see that desire he always have in those pair of black pearls when he's about to make me high!
His eyes looked at my nose, then stayed at my lips for a long second before looking back at my flaming glare.
"But I want you near me."
"Shhh!" I covered his mouth with my hand and looked at the front. Harley and Brent was not making any uncertain reactions. I'm sure they heard, though!
Is this a good thing that they are trying to act like they heard nothing?
I sighed and looked at Jacob, only to get paled from how intense his eyes are looking at me.
His gaze has softened, but the intensity of his eyes, looking at me, was like striking me straight to the soul!
He caught the wrist of my hand that was covering his mouth before I could take it back. He held it with so much care, too much gentle. Flipping my hand as he look at me, I watched how he placed a soft kiss on the back of my palm.
A chaos was there, inside my chest, drumming my heart fast and loud as Jacob did that.
Damn.
'Stay close to me. All the time, Lucianna.'
I gulped and don't know what to say. In the end, Jacob let it slide that I'm not responding.
He sat straight, his chest on my back, his breathing can be felt on my hair, and his hand never let go of mine.
I'm as stiff as a log, trying to fight hard again with the waves of heat that racing for victory in my system. I can't let Brent and Harley smell my scent of arousal, If that happens, I'd rather the ground to swallow me whole.
**
We arrived at the Prime land around after lunch and stayed at the border, waiting for Alpha Aiden for his permission to enter his territory.
It's a must for us, werewolves. Undetermined entrance meant trespassing which can be led to war. And the Alpha should be the one who meet visitors at the border since he was the only one who can decide entries.
Harley and Brent went out of the car, talking with the other two who came with us.
I sensed a strong presence, full of power and authority, coming our way.
This must be the Alpha of the strongest pack of the North…
"Wait here." Jacob said and hop out of the truck, meeting Alpha Aiden at the border.
Hm, their alpha was good-looking and hot, huh?
I saw Jacob turned his face to the truck where I was, and his eyes are directed at me with an annoyed frown.
What now?
With a snort, I continued watching them both. The two alpha shake hands and Aiden nodded before Jacob started walking back to the truck.
"Did you just leak your thoughts to me in purpose?" Jacob snapped as soon as he closed the door with a loud thud.
"What?"
He hissed, leaning back and closing his eyes. "Good looking and hot? Aiden already has a mate, Lucianna."
My mouth dropped.
Shit.
I never thought the guard I have for my emotions and thoughts are weakened for him to hear those!
"Damn it."
I am not sure if Jacob was jealous or if he think I'm still the 'flirt' he used to call me. But I know there's no point clearing that, now that there are fumes coming out of his body.
Jacob was dead irritated.
"That was just a praise, Jacob. Don't over react about--"
"How could you praise a stranger and let your mate hear those fucking praise!?" He grabbed my arm and make me face him. "You should only look at me!"
"I--"
My words were cut when Harley opened the door, laughing from a conversation with Brent who came in from the other side.
Jacob snapped his head to Harley who stopped moving when he noticed Jacob's glare.
"What?" Harley innocently asked.
Jacob cursed in a low, but hard voice and let go of his hold on my arm.
The drive continued as we ride inside the Prime land. I didn't had the chance to be amazed with the scenery as my mind wanders.
Damn it!
Damn it!
I rebuild concealing my emotions and thoughts to strengthen my defense against the bond with Jacob.
Damn it again!
**
"A lot of un-mated wolves in this pack. Fuck." Jacob whispered something and I frowned, not understanding what he meant. I decided to shrug it off.
There's a question in my head as to why I feel like I'm uneasy right now.
We stopped and I did not bother looking around. Jacob head out of the car, and through the whole ten minute drive, he never looked at me again. Even once.
And I'm shocked that this bothers me.
Fucking get yourself together, Lucianna!
I followed out with my forehead in deep creased. Repeating a mantra in my head which was: 'never forget what he did, and he has no right to act that way.'
I quickly fumed and gave Jacob a narrowed eyes.
You're angry? I am, too!
Hmp!
I looked around and was amazed of Alpha Aiden's house. This was extravagant! A two-storey house and full of greens!
Oh, was that a garden I see--
My eyes widened and my mouth dropped as I saw the one familiar person among the crowd standing at the entrance. That-- That's my best girl!
"Ashi? Oh my God! Ashi! Ashira!"
Full of excitement, I almost jumped as I ran towards my friend! It's been so long since I saw her! It feels like a decade!
I frowned when I suddenly stop before I realize that Jacob held my elbow that stopped me from jump-walking!
"What the-"
He pulled me close to him, almost hiding me with his huge figure.
I snarled. He sure knew how to break a moment!
"What now?!" I snapped in a loud voice.
Jacob let out a growl that made Brent hissed on our side but I mirrored the same intensity of his eyes.
No one was stopping me of meeting my best girl! She's all I ever had as I grow up, he can't forbid me to come to her!
We stayed still like that and I don't think Jacob was backing down any second.
But his grip loosened.
And sighing, he let me go.
"Stay away from men." he whispered. "Please."
I did not bother to be moved by those words, I find it too… judgemental of him.
Rolling my eyes, I continued to jump-run to Ashira and I jumped as I land to her, locking her inside my embrace.
"God! I missed you!" I whispered, my heart feels warm. Finally seeing someone I knew after all the hardship I had was making my eyes watered.
Ashira hugged me back, groaning from how hard I embrace her.
"Missed you, too!"
I let her go before she faint or something. "What are you doing here?" I don't know I'll be meeting her this fast! "Where's your mate?" I asked and looked around, I knew her mate must be somewhere here.
I saw a tall and fit guy standing behind Ashira and I arched my brow to him. "Was it you?" I asked, he smell like Ashira and there's a scent of him with Ashira, too.
The man held his hand up and shook his head as if I said something wrong.
"No," Ashira said and chuckled. "Actually--"
My friend didn't had the chance to talk when Aiden, the Alpha of Prime pack, snaked his arm on Ashira's waist.
My eyes widened.
The cold and serious Ashira was blushing! A rare sight! She hates men and mates! I guess that's in the past now! Ha!
"F*cking hell, Ash!" I blurted but quickly covered my mouth upon realizing that I just cursed in front of the strongest man up in the North region.
Ashira chuckled and grinned at me.
She never told me that she was mated with an alpha, too!
This sly! Argh! We talked over the phone once! How can she forget to mention it?!
God! I'm so happy for her!
Aiden extended his arms to me, no sign of smile in his face but he does look welcoming.
"Aiden." he introduced himself.
I looked at Ashira and wiggled my brow twice before reaching Aiden's hand.
"Lucianna." I chuckled. Damn! I can't believe it! Ash and I was really friends to have the same fate-- or not. This Aiden looked more gentle, care for Ash was evident in his eyes and move.
I gasped when my hand was hastily pulled away from shaking hands with my friend's mate.
I looked up at Jacob who's having that stern look in his face. Still.
Oh, right.
Aiden and my praises of him, now shaking hands with him drives Jacob nuts even more.
"Calm down, brother. I got mine." Aiden grinned at Jacob and pulled Ashira closer to him. My friend blushed. "This is Ashira, my mate."
Awww! That's so fucking sweet!
Jacob nodded aloofly at Ashira, I can sense his anger was still in there but he extended his hand to greet Ashira.
"Jacob." he introduced and they shook hand before Jacob looked at Aiden. "I'm not worried you'll snatch her, it's the opposite."
My jaw dropped.
This!!!
Ugh!
I took my hand off his hold and rolled my eyes at Jacob. This guy was never picking a place for his nonsense! I went to Ashira and smiled again.
"I need to hear everything! Can we be alone?"
I need to be alone with you, Ash. I think you're my greatest key of escape now and I hope you saw a glimpse of what I will be running away from.