Mates: Jax's Story

Chapter 22

~Shanice~

The next couple of days, I hadn’t seen Janice. I can’t say that I actually look for her, but still. I started to get more accustomed to pack life, but something was missing.

Uh, we haven’t mated! That’s what’s missing, duh. And there has been a lot of that. Lola has been on me to get intimate with Jax. It isn’t that I don’t want to, it’s just….well……we have been having Kamila a lot. She’s been wanting to hang out with us. Kehlani and Jayden have tried to keep her with them, but Jax always gives in. I’m not mad about it; it’s just putting a damper on our s*x life or keeping it from starting. You may not be angry about it, but I’m pissed! I want my mate, and as cute as she is, she’s keeping me from him. Fix this, or I will.

Oh, so we’re threatening toddlers now?

I didn’t say I’d do anything to her. Just keep her from p***y-blocking us! I throw a wall up while being between wanting to laugh and being worried. Imagine a grown wolf feeling threatened by a small child. Then again, Kamila has been around a lot, and I don’t want Lola acting out because of it.

I’ve been helping with the books. Their accountant has been on vacation, and no one really has a head for numbers. They have tried, and I can say they haven’t messed it up, but it is a struggle. I volunteered to help them out until their accountant can return. I’ve been working in Jax’s office, and he’s hardly in here.

I check the clock and see that it’s already lunchtime. I get up, placing papers in a folder. Jax and I have a standing lunch date. I go downstairs and eat lunch with him every day. It’s actually the highlight of my day. We get to spend time together and continue to build our relationship. I head down to meet my mate.

~Jax~

The last few days have been torture, and that’s putting it mildly. Shanice has moved into my apartment, but she’s been sleeping in my guest room. Just having her close is driving me crazy.

Then why don’t you do something about it, stupid human?!

Quit, Cornelius. This needs to be handled the right way.

The right way? There is only one way! Insert d**k in her pu- I throw the wall up quickly, not wanting him to finish his sentence. He’s been on edge for the past few days. Having our mate so close and keeping a distance is starting to weigh on him. I feel a hand on my shoulder and look up to see Melanie smirking at me.

“Let me guess, ole Corny boy is agitated because you haven’t marked your mate yet?” Goddess, she’s so damn annoying. She has this way of getting into your business but being completely right.

“What are you talking about?” Melanie sits next to me on the couch. I’ve been in a sitting area downstairs waiting for lunch. Shanice and I have a standing lunch date which I look forward to every day. I could spend every waking minute with her and still be in bliss.

“Oh, so we’re going to play that game, huh? Let me ask you, Jax….what the hell is your problem? Your mate is right here, the mate you have been longing for. She’s right here and staying with you, yet you haven’t done anything.”

“And you just know it’s me? How do you know that we haven’t decided to wait?” Melanie shakes her head.

“I don’t know Shanice well yet, but I sure as hell know you. You want to wait for what exactly? Why are you so hesitant? I expected her to be wearing your mark days ago.” I sigh and place my head in my hands. Melanie’s right, and I hate it. I am holding back, and it’s taking a toll on me. I feel a hand on my back, rubbing it.

“Has he confessed yet?” I look up to see Jayden and Kehlani walk up. I sit up and look around.

“Where’s Pickles?” Kehlani sits on the coffee table in front of me.

“You’re banned from Kammi until you come clean.”

“Banned from my niece?! You can’t be serious!” I look at Jayden, who’s standing behind Kehlani. “Jayden, bro, help me out.”

“I agree with my mate on this one. We know you’ve been keeping Kamila to avoid being close to your mate. The question we have is why.” S**t! They are really onto me.

Of course, they are, dummy! Did you really think they wouldn’t figure it out? Why are you avoiding being intimate with our mate?

Didn’t I block you?

I saw an opportunity and took it. Don’t change the subject……Lola wants me, and you're f**king that up. With my wolf going on and on in my head and the eyes latched on to me, waiting for an answer, it all became too much. I stand up and walk to the fireplace, putting both hands on the mantle and trying to breathe.

I’ve been avoiding this for a while now, but the jig is up. It isn’t like I had an actual plan on how to keep things from getting intimate in the long term. The truth is, I thought getting Shanice to warm to the bond would take longer, so I didn’t plan for later. “I…….I’m scared.”

“What are you scared of, Jax?” I turn to look at Kehlani.

“I’m scared that my past will turn her off. I’m scared that she won’t want me since I’ve done what I’ve done in the past. I’m scared that she won’t be able to see past the fact that I was with her sister. I’m scared of losing her because I did think to wait for my mate.” Kehlani sighs.

“I’m not going to tell you that you’re crazy because you aren’t. You and I both did what we did before we found our mates. You may have done more than me, but still. We have needs and feel desires, so there’s no harm in acting on those. Jayden didn’t look at me any differently because of my past.”

“Exactly. What happened before me has nothing to do with me. The fact is that Kehlani is mine now, and I can confidently say that I put all the others to shame.” Now that’s just gross. I don’t need details of my sister’s s*x life. I drop my head and groan.

“Uh, gross, guys. I mean, clearly, you have s*x since you have kids, but we don’t need details about mom and dad.” I look at Melanie even more, disgusted. Mom and dad…..really?

“Anyways….I hear what you’re saying but still. What about Janice? I slept with her sister. I know I didn’t know who she was at the time or that her sister was my mate, but still. How can she be okay with the fact that I was once with her sister? Why would she want to be with someone who was? I just can’t give in to intimacy right now. I’m too scared that I will lose her. This way, I keep her at arm's length and I don’t have to worry about losing her.” It isn’t all that logical, but it’s what makes sense to me at the moment. I look at my phone and sigh. It’s lunchtime, and I know Shanice will meet me in the dining room. I walk that way, not waiting for anyone to join me.