Chapter Eight

The car was silent. Neither one of us said a word.

Parker wouldn't allow Anthony to pick me up. Anthony reluctantly didn't show up but he told me that he'd meet me there.

I shifted in my seat and glanced over at Parker. His jaw was clenched. I couldn't help but stare at his face. His jawline is perfect. Damn, I didn't know a jawline could be so sexy. I quickly brushed away that thought as my cheeks started to warm up.

Why am I blushing? I never blush!

I shifted my eyes towards the window and gazed out of it. Tired of the quietness I decided to start a conversation even though I was fine with the silence. "What do your tattoos mean?"

Parker didn't glance at me but his hold on the steering wheel tightened. He didn't say a word which made me frown deeper than I already was.

"Ok, fine. Ignore me," I muttered looking down at my black jeans. I didn't change. Who the hell cares what Parker thinks.

"We are going back to my pack on Monday," He said, not sparing me a glance. I frowned and shifted in my seat.

"I only get one day of notice?" My frown deepened at the thought of leaving my family and all of my friends. I then added quietly,

"That doesn't give me much time to spend with my family." The car was silent before Parker let out an annoyed sigh. He glanced at me briefly.

I found myself staring at Parker's face longer than I intended to.

Seriously, how did I not realize his jawline?

The thoughts from before came back and I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to kiss up and down it. I shivered at the images that popped into my head.

Snap out of it, Jasmine!

'Do it!' Mia purred out.

Ignoring Mia, I quickly turned my head towards the window gulping. I tried to get rid of the thoughts in my head but Irene wasn't helping because she was putting more images into my head. I crossed my legs as a weird feeling coursed through me.

Shit.

I held my breath as Parker sniffed the air and his eyes hardened. His jaw clenched as well as his hands on the steering wheels until his knuckles were white. Werewolves can smell when someone's aroused.

Parker slowly pulled the car to a halt on the side of the road. I gulped as I glanced at Parker who had his eyes shut tightly. He took a deep breath before looking over at me. A gasp escaped my lips at how black his eyes were. There was no doubt that his wolf was at the surface. There was nothing but lust and want in his eyes.

Neither of us said a word as he stared at me.

'Do something, Jamie,' Mia pleaded as she stirred under Parker's gaze.

'No!' I snapped at her, 'You remember what happened last time.' I could feel Mia roll her eyes in my head.

'But he's our mate, he won't hurt us,' she pointed out. I sighed not wanting to argue with her about our mate that we hardly know anything about.

"We can't trust him yet, we don't know him," I argue back. I knew for a fact that I was winning this argument and she knew too. She just mumbled a 'whatever' before I paid attention to the awkward tension between Parker and me.

Parker was still staring at me with dark eyes. I couldn't help but watch his Adam's apple bob up and down as he swallowed.

"Stop," he growled after a moment. I stared at him with my brows furrowed. "Stop what?" I ask quietly, already knowing what he was talking about.

He inhaled deeply trying to calm his wolf. "Stop thinking... W-whatever it is you're thinking about," he whispered huskily. My cheeks heated up from embarrassment. He then added,

"Because I would not be able to keep myself from having my way with you."

I gulped and muttered a 'sorry'. I couldn't help but shiver at the tone of his voice.

"What were you thinking about?" He asked huskily. My mouth fell open at his question. Why the hell would someone ask something like this? Asking someone why they were aroused...that's very rude.

"Pizza rolls?" It turned out more like a question. Parker's face was emotionless and his lips were set into a thin line. "Does it matter?

You shouldn't go around asking people these questions. It's really rude you know," I said, staring out the passenger window, not sparing him a glance.

A growl erupted from Parker's throat. He roughly grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him.

"Don't speak to me like that. I will be your Alpha and you will not speak to your Alpha like that. Mate or not." All of the trace of lust was gone and instead replaced with anger. His eyes were no longer black but a bright yellow.

I didn't say anything, but I was a little shocked at his words. I jerked my face away from his grip with a scowl on my face.

Parker didn't say anything either but started driving again. Trees passed by as we drove to the Thunder Creek pack.

"So why exactly are we going to the Thunder Creek pack?" He finally asked after 10 minutes of driving in silence.

"The Mating Bond is held there," I replied nonchalantly. He nodded his head, "I've heard of it. Why are you going? You found your mate already."

Finally turning my head to Parker, I noticed that he was gripping the steering wheel tightly again.

I simply shrugged my shoulders. "Anthony invited me to go before I met you." 

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I grinned at Anthony who was grinning back at me. We were currently standing in a clearing on the Thunder Creek's territory. Members of other packs were just as excited. I don't know why I am excited, I already have my mate. Turns out that Sarina was also here but she didn't tell me. She said it was a last minute thing her parents forced her to do, something about wanting grandpups.

"Do you think you'll find your mate?" I ask curiously. The smile on Anthony's face faded away and an emotion flashed through his eyes. It was gone before I could say something and he simply shrugged.

"Who knows," he murmured more to himself.

Parker stood next to me looking extremely bored. I noticed a group of girls ogling him and it made me feel a little smug for some reason.

Maybe it's the fact that I got a sexy beast as a mate. But that sexy beast as a mate is a complete asshole.

He wasn't even paying attention to them even though everyone one of those girls in the group were perfect. I guess that made me even more smug.

The Alpha and Luna of the pack stood up on the stage that was set up. The Alpha spoke first,

"Welcome to the 2015 Mating Bond. I am Alpha Mark and this is Luna Genevieve. We are so glad that all of you could join us for this special event. There has to be about 72 different packs here from across the country." His voice boomed through the clearing. The sound of cheers filled through the cold fall night. Why the hell did they pick to hold this event when it's cold outside? I looked at my surroundings and noticed that a lot of the girls were wearing short dresses. How are they not cold?

Luna took over. She smiled showing off her pearly whites, "There will be a series of activities held for all of you unmated wolves to have a chance in finding your other half. If you've already found your mate since the time you arrived, you may still participate in the activities. It will give you and your mate a chance to bond."

I glanced over at Parker out of the corner of my eye and noticed he was already looking at me. I quickly looked away and turned to Sarina.

She had a huge grin on her face. "I'm so excited! You should totally participate in the activities with Anthony and me." A smile formed on my face as I returned it. I turned to Parker who nodded his head.

I turned my attention back to Luna Genevieve who was presenting the first activity, Hide-&-Hunt. It is basically Hide-&-Seek.

"The she-wolves will all hide anywhere on the territory. They can hide in the woods, in the pack house, around the houses but not inside. The she-wolves will get 3 minutes to hide and then the males will be released to hunt for their

mate by scent."

"This sounds exciting," Sarina whispered from beside me. I nodded back in agreement. Luna Genevieve cleared her throat to cease all of the murmurs from the crowd.

"Alright ladies, go hide," she called out to all of the females who all cheered back before running in different directions.

My heart beats fast as I sprint towards the woods. I pass many other girls before reaching the entrance. The bright moon shines down through the trees giving me some light. I watch some she-wolves hide behind trees and anywhere they can find. I keep running until I see a nice tree to climb.

The tree stood tall before me, towering over me making me feel small. The moon was bright enough to cast shadows on the forest ground. A soft breeze blew past me causing goosebumps to rise.

I quickly pull off my heels and start to climb up the tree with ease. Somehow I managed to make it to a high enough branch while still holding my shoes and not dying.

I exhaled deeply causing warm air to pass through my lips and visible in the night air. My eyes scanned the area until it landed on a girl who looked about my age in the tree next to me. Her caramel colored hair was pulled into a braid and hung over her shoulder. She was staring at the ground while crouched on a thick branch just a few feet away from mine.

"Hey," I whispered over to her. Her head snapped towards mine in alert but relaxed when she noticed I was another female.

"Hey," she responded back, offering me a smile which I gladly returned.

"I'm Jasmine, Moonlit Waters Pack," I introduce myself.

"Winter," the girl, whose name is Winter, responded, "-from the Dawnfall Sky Pack." I grinned at her. She has a pretty name. I've always wanted to be named after a season. I had a childhood friend named Summer. I mean, I like the name Jasmine. It reminds me of the princess-which is my favorite movie by the way.

"Nice to meet you, Winter," I said before we both quieted down when the sound of branches and twigs cracking. We both looked down and saw a guy, probably about eighteen, come into view. He stopped and sniffed the air. The sound of a growl erupted through the forest, other faint growls could be heard from a distance. Probably other males finding their mates.

I focused my attention back to the dude below.

"Mate," I heard him growl under his breath.

There was a little rustling in the bushes. A few seconds later a young girl who looked about sixteen came out. She was short and looked so shy and innocent. Her blonde hair fell in front of her eyes as she made no move to move it out of the way. She was fiddling with her hands as she looked at her feet.

The girl let out a gasp as the guy grabbed her and pulled her into a hug. A growl erupted from him as her small arms hesitantly wrapped around his torso.

I didn't hear what he said to her but he took her hand and guided her away. It was so adorable.

My thoughts drifted to my own mate. My mate doesn't deserve me. Especially because I've done many wrong things. He deserves better.

'Parker has done many wrong things in his life, too. I bet he's slept with many other she-wolves, maybe even humans,’ Mia commented, growling quietly.

Probably. I didn't like the idea of my mate sleeping around but that would make me a hypocrite. I don't do it anymore but I used to. But that's a story for another day.

"So Jasmine, do you think you'll find your mate?" Winter asked me, snapping me out of my thoughts. Besides her voice, the only sound that could be heard was the sound of crickets and the rushing water of a nearby stream. Howls could also be heard because of the joining of mates. It was really beautiful.

"I already found my mate," I said while looking at the forest ground about 12 feet below me.

"Really? What pack is he from?" Winter asked, getting interested in our conversation.

I looked up from the ground. "Lunar Shadow." Winter's eyes widened at my answer. Why shouldn't she be surprised? I mean, come on, it's the Lunar Shadow Pack. Parker's got himself a good reputation. But not in a good way, obviously.

"L-Lunar Shadow? Why would the Moon Goddess punish you like that?" She asked bewildered. I shrugged not really knowing the answer myself. I've questioned this many times but I haven't come up with the conclusion. Winter throws another question at me, "Who is he?"

I stay quiet for a few moments before deciding to actually answer her.

"Alpha Parker."

A gasp left Winter's lips. She looked flabbergasted because of my reply. I'm guessing she didn't expect it to come. "I feel so bad for you. Has he marked you yet?"

I shook my head. "No," I said. Winter's brows furrowed as a look of puzzlement took over her face.

"What?" I am confused. Winter shook her head, "Usually a female is marked by her mate within two days she has met her mate and mate fully within a week. But since your mate is an Alpha, you are going to have to mark him as well. And since he's an Alpha, usually the want for his mate is stronger and the whole bond itself is stronger. It would be harder to resist-"

Winter was cut off by an extremely loud growl. One that was more powerful than any of the other males on the territory. The smell of firewood blew past my nose and immediately knew that it belonged to my mate.

"Shit, he knows where I am." Well there is a reason for why this game is called Hide-&-Hunt for a reason. The hiding part is complete, now it's just the hunt. I think this Big Bad Wolf needs a little chase.