Hunted and Tormented

Chapter 7: One of the Ten

I snuck out from under Jem’s protective arm and slipped into the shower. Trying not to take too long in case he woke; I harshly scrubbed at my skin and washed my hair thoroughly to remove the scent of Jem. As requested before he’d left yesterday, Cam was coming to see me again and I didn’t want to make him suspicious by stinking of his Alpha. If he found out that Jem was my mate, or worse that we’d spent the night together . . . I would be eternally embarrassed. By the time the water ran cold, I still wasn't ready to get out and face my midnight visitor. Through the glass door that was clouded with condensation, my enhanced eyesight could pick out the violent red bite on my neck, the contrast harsh and sickly with my pale skin. But as I stared at it, I couldn’t help but smile.

Weird, right? You’d think I would never want the bastard near me again after what he did against my will last night, but the wolf inside of me felt so utterly complete finally being marked by her mate. Almost like it was a relief, like she couldn’t have held on much longer without it happening.

A roughly dried myself with the soft white towel and suddenly started to feel an odd pounding in my chest. My hand went over my heart, my instinctive reaction to the beating that resembled it so much. But it sounded like another heart was echoing it through my body . . . and that was when I realised I could feel Jem’s heartbeat.

Shit. How strong had that bond become overnight? How long would it be before I couldn’t stand being away from him?

“Eva?” Jem’s voice warmed me and startled me at the same time. “Are you alright?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Your pulse is hammering like crazy.”

That was from the initial shock of hearing his. Plus, his voice, flowing over me like silk wasn't helping me remain calm either.

I pulled on my jeans and yanked up the zipper, calling to Jem through the door. “Shouldn’t you be going before someone notices you’re missing? People are going to be asking questions why you spent the whole night with me.”

“Interrogation.” I imagined Jem shrugging like it was no big deal. “A long interrogation.”

“That involved biting?”

“Yes.” The smile was evident in his voice and I knew his eyes must be sparkling. “But I do wish I’d bitten you again.”

I nearly laughed but my nerves were still raw from his last unexpected bite. Another one that I certainly didn’t want – how would I get out of it? Would he even let me? He seemed to be the kind of person who did anything he wanted. “Once was quite enough, Jem. Again might be pushing it.”

There was a short pause and the door handle rattled. Jem was trying to get in. “Why did you struggle against me last night?”

I bristled. So he had noticed. I doubted anything got past but I thought he’d been too intent on his task to worry about my feelings. “Can you guess?” I said curtly, taking my time combing out my hair.

“You didn’t want me,” Jem stated, a fierce sort of depression in his voice.

“Of course I want you, Jem. But not like this. Not when you only did it for yourself.”

“What do you mean? I did this to bring us closer together. To strength our bond.”

“And why would you want to do that? It will only hurt more when I die.”

His silence was longer this time and I wondered if he’d respond. “So that is what this is about.”

“It would be different if we were going to stay together. But that isn't what you want.”