Present day…
It’s been five days of hell since I saw Jaheim’s fine ass. Five days of drought, attempting to get my walls stroked but failing. Five days needing to talk to my cousin Ella and not being able to. And five days of avoiding as many calls and texts from Carisse as possible.
Cuz the last thing I wanna keep hearing is her moaning ass talking shit about Davonyé and my cousin, like she’s about to start her own conspiracy theory YouTube channel.
It’s bad enough I got Davonyé giving me the side-eye every second at school, like I’m withholding life-threatening information about his mate. He pulled me on Thursday asking if I’d heard from Ella, looking a fucking state, too. Seeing him had me running to the ladies’ room to see how the fuck I looked.
Hell, it’s Sunday now, and I only just heard from her this morning telling me she’s back at the house. I’ve been staring at my phone ever since, waiting for her to give me the go so I can go over to hers. She’s been training with my uncle this week cuz she’s just turned twenty and experienced her first change into a werewolf.
That shit takes time to learn how to control; usually around three weeks to a month, but Ella seems to have picked that shit up quick like her mom. My mom didn’t take long to master it either, but still not as quick as Aunt Abriya who’s a descendant of the first of our kind.
I check the time again; it’s just after four in the afternoon now and I still ain’t heard from her. I decide to buy her a present to say sorry for being a shit friend and cousin over the past few months, and then attempt to take my mind off my disaster of a situation by ordering a shit load of clothes and makeup on my black Amex.
I lie on the bed after that, staring up at the ceiling and wondering what Jaheim’s doing. My uncle Clarence waited over two hundred years for my Aunt Abriya, so the fact I’ve not even had my change yet and possibly found my mate is a massive deal. Hell, even my dad waited over a hundred years for my mom, and he only met her because she was best friends with my Aunt Abriya, and she had a vision about her.
My Aunt’s special like that. She’s a straight bad ass.
My phone vibrates and I snatch it up from my pillow to check it.
Ella: Hey girl. I'm on my way home.
Finally!
Me: On my way.
Ella: We won't be home for another hour.
Me: I'll wait.
She types for a little while.
Ella: You okay?
Am I okay? Fucking far from.
Me: No. See u soon.
***
It’s just after six when I hear Ariella and the rest of the family pull up outside the house. I wait impatiently in the kitchen for them to all come inside. Aunt Abriya and my Mom are sitting at the island with me, but they soon get up to start warming the food on the stove for everyone.
Ariella comes in and kisses her mom and mine before motioning for me to leave with her. I still ain’t gotten over how different she looks now. Her eyes aren’t gold anymore, but jet-black with just the hint of blue. Her curly hair at the front is also white and she smells different than she used to.
We walk across the drive towards her place. My uncle Clarence, who is Alpha with my Aunt Abriya, built it for her birthday. It’s painted baby blue and has its own drive and garage, too. It’s nice as fuck and I hope I get one like it for mybirthday. Our parents are rich as hell cuz they’re old as fuck so money isn’t a problem for us.
But with that being said, I make sure I donate often – not that I tell anyone that. I’ve actually already begun to set up three free schools. One in Canada, one in Michigan, and one in south London. I’ve done my research to find out the area’s most in need in those locations and almost have all the premises secured for them. I’m just waiting on confirmation of the Michigan one.
My mom already runs free schools in Africa, but that’s not the only place that could benefit from them. My plan was always to finish school and work with her, but I decided a few months ago that I wanted to set up my own.
I’m lucky, I know that, but there are millions of kids that ain’t, so if I can play a hand in even one person having access to a better life than they currently have, then I’m down for it. Besides, our family will never be able to spend the money that we have or continue to make, so why not let others benefit from it?
We get inside hers and she pours me a glass of water before we go up to her room. She sits on her bed and I sit on the couch beside the French doors that lead out onto her balcony.
I sip the water and think about what I’m gonna say. I dunno where to start. I feel like talking about this shit is gonna make it more real now. I mean, I’m pretty sure Jaheim is my mate, but I know she’ll give me the confirmation. And this situation couldn’t be anymore fucked up.
“Talk, Harmony. Your silence is killing me.”
I look over to her. I need to be careful what I say because wares’ hearing is seriously good. “They can't hear us?”
She shakes her head. “No. Only if I have a window open.”
I eye the window and see it’s shut. I’m relieved. Here goes… “I think Carisse’s brother is my mate.”
Her eyes almost pop out of her head. “What the hell? How? Why do you think that?”
“Cuz I met him.” I bite my lip. “And I felt some crazy shit happen when I did.”
She rolls her eyes. “Oh, God. Describe it.”
My heart races as I remember it, and him. “Well, for one, I've never seen a guy so fuckin’ fine before. And the way he looked at me had my heart going crazy. Then he shook my hand and I felt like he damn near electrocuted me.”
The look on her face confirms it. “That sounds about right.”
“I dunno what to do, Ella. I was all set on cutting her off once her mother and brother collected her from mine. But then I saw him and realised the reason I've felt so connected to Carisse was because of her brother. This whole shit is awkward as fuck.”
I know Ella will want Carisse out of her life, especially because she’s her mate’s ex, but there ain’t no chance of that now.
She sighs. “Have you seen him since?”
I shake my head. “No. Carisse ain't been at school. Said she was taking a couple weeks off so she can get a car and her head straight or whatever. She's asked me over to her brother’s house, though, but I've been making excuses not to go.”
She looks thoughtful for a minute. “No matter what happens with me and Carisse, I’d never ask you to stay away from your mate. I know eventually shit might kick off with us, and I don’t want it to get in the way of you and him.”
“Yeah, but when she finds out, she’ll think I knew, so she’s gonna cut me out of her life anyway.”
“So you need to establish some kinda connection to him before that happens. Kiss him or something so he can’t get over you. But if you wanna carry on fuckin’ other guys then I suggest you don't sleep with him. You’ll both get possessive after that.”
I frown and then sigh deeply. I think it’s too late for that… “I don’t think I wanna be with anyone else already. I can’t stop thinkin’ about how good the sex is gonna be with my mate. I don’t even have to tell him about being a ware for a whole year yet, either.”
“Well, whatever you’re thinkin’ about the sex? It’s even better,” she mutters, like she’s thinking about it.
“Oh, my, God.” I narrow my eyes at her. “Have you slept with Davonyé?”
She smiles, and I know she has. Damn, Ella the virgin is no more.
“Shit, well you kept that quiet. No wonder he stopped messing with Carisse.” That nigga is ware-pussy whipped.
Her eyes light up. “Did he?”
She didn’t know? “Yeah, she kept messaging me sayin’ he was coming up with random excuses not to touch her. That mate pussy fucked him up.”
She rolls her eyes but I can see her trying not to smile. “That’s good to know.”
“He looks like shit y’know. You can tell he’s really missin’ you.”
She looks upset by that, but that is her mate and the thought of him in turmoil will hurt her.
“Sorry, I know you ain’t been able to help it, but he looks like a lovesick puppy.”
“We’ve been messaging. He’s better now. Anyway, what are you gonna do about your mate?”
Fuck knows. “I dunno. Maybe I’ll meet up with Carisse one day next week. See if I can spend some time with her and Jaheim.”
“That’s his name, yeah?”
Now I smile. “Yeah. So sexy. Harmony and Jaheim. Goes good together, right?”
She laughs. “I guess.”
I decide to change the subject; the thought of the drama that’s about to unfold over this situation suddenly making me anxious.
“Your mom looks big enough to pop now, don’t she? She says the baby’s due any day now.”
“Yeah. We’re all just waiting now. I hope she doesn’t come when I’m at school.”
She? I thought they didn’t know the sex? “Right, cuz you’d never get back in time.”
I can see her mind drifting again. “Yeah...”
“Alright. So you’re definitely back at school tomorrow?” I down my glass of water and get up to leave. I can tell she has other shit going on and I’m gonna try not to stress her out so much anymore.
Her eyes dart back to mine. “Yeah. I’ll give you a ride if you want?”
I walk over to her as she starts shuffling to the edge of the bed. “Cool.” I suddenly remember the gift I ordered for her. “Oh, yeah, and I’ve been doing some thinking, and I wanna say I’m really sorry for not being there for you over the last few months. I didn’t think about all the stress you’ve been under. So, to say sorry, I’ve ordered you a Yankee Candle gift hamper. It should be here sometime next week.”
She looks surprised by that. “Harmony, thank you.” She gets up to hug me and I squeeze her tight around her shoulders. She’s a short ass.
“No, thank you, for always being there for me. I love you so much.” And I mean it. I know she thinks I’m selfish. I ain’t forgotten what she said at my birthday party. I couldn’t stop thinking about that shit for days…
“Maybe you should think about someone else but yourself for just once. I've done everything you've ever asked me to do. Been there any time you've needed me to, but it's like you're tryin’ to change me into someone else to make yourself feel more comfortable, and I'm fucking done with it.”
And the worst thing is, she was right.
“And I love you.” Her hold around my back tightens. “And congratulations on finding your mate.”
“Thanks.” I feel a twinge in my back like it’s just cracked so I push her away. “Damn, girl, maybe practice not hugging people so hard.”
She laughs. “Sorry. I will.”
I roll my eyes. “Good. See you tomorrow.”