Chapter 14

~Jayden~

Kehlani and I get back into the car and take off toward the packhouse. Instead of pulling up to the gates, we go right past and continue for about 30 minutes. We take a side road and drive another 2 minutes before stopping. There is nothing around but trees. They are big and luscious, but I imagine she is not trying to show me trees. “We have to continue on foot from here,” Kehlani states while walking up to me. “I hope you can keep up,” she says with a wink. I take this as a challenge and am determined not to lose. Kehlani takes off briskly, and I am right next to her, step by step. Kehlani glances at me while she is walking and seems to pick up her pace every so often. I just smirk and increase my pace along with her.

After about 20 minutes of walking, I look up and stop dead in my tracks. In front of me is the most beautiful scene I could have imagined. Walking into the clearing, there is green grass everywhere. Pockets of different colored flowers can be found here and there. As we continue to walk into the clearing, the scene that stopped me in my tracks is getting closer and more visible. An amazing waterfall is ahead, and the expansive lake it is dropping into. You can see some animals and birds drinking from the lake. It is breathtaking, and I am trying to take it all in as I walk. I feel sparks run through my left hand and look down to see Kehlani’s hand in mine. “This is what I wanted to show you. I found this some years ago and love to come here just to clear my mind.” I bring my eyes up to stare into her gorgeous brown eyes. The calm that can be seen is indescribable. It is clear how much peace she gets just from being on these grounds. “You're the only person I have ever brought here. I felt you would appreciate it.”

“Thank you for sharing this with me. It is astounding and surreal.” We stand there for a while, taking in all the sights and sounds of nature. We slowly start walking toward a log near the edge of the lake. The log is covered in moss and looks to have been there for a while.

“I usually sit against this log and just let the sounds take me away. Sometimes I bring music out here, but usually I let nature be the only sounds I hear.” We take a seat and lean back against the log. I am not sure if anything could make this moment any better.

~Kehlani~

I wasn’t sure how Jayden would feel coming to my spot, but I decided to take a chance. I came across this place in high school and have returned whenever I needed to get away. Being Alpha can be so tough, with people coming at you every minute needing something. Sometimes I just need silence, and that is non-existent within the gates of my packlands. I have to escape and come here to keep my sanity and get peace of mind.

We sat against the log and just listened to nature. We were still holding hands, and Jayden traced circles on my hand's back with his thumb. The sparks and heat coming from our joined hands were doing things to me that were hard to describe. I have heard about the mate bond all my life but experiencing it was out of this world. It started to get really hot all of a sudden. It was pretty cool outside, so I wasn’t sure what the cause was. My skin started to feel hotter and hotter, as if I was sitting next to a heater or a fire. I removed my hand from Jayden’s and began to fan myself. I used my other hand to wipe the sweat from my forehead. What the hell is going on right now? I started to squirm and get uncomfortable.

Finally, I jumped up and ran to jump into the lake. I could hear Jayden call after me, but I didn’t turn around. I was too damn hot and just had to cool off. The jump into the river was nice, but that feeling didn’t last. It wasn’t cold enough to combat the intense heat I feel right now. Jayden ran after me, and I turned to look at him on the shore. His face was full of concern, but I didn’t know what to tell him. The longer I looked at him, the more I felt turned on. I wanted to rip his clothes off and meld our bodies together. I wanted him to plunge himself inside of me again and again until….oh shit! I think I am in heat.

~Jayden~

One minute we are sitting against the log, and the next minute Kehlani is hauling ass to the lake and jumping in, fully clothed. What the hell just happened?

Can you smell that?

Smell what, Jace?

Concentrate...smell that.

Jace, what are you talking about? I took a minute, breathed deeply, and then caught it.

Mate is in heat.

Damn, Kehlani was in heat. I know higher-ranked females can go into heat soon after meeting their mates, but I honestly didn’t think about it until now. The scent coming from Kehlani was overwhelming, and I just wanted to rip my clothes off and have my way with her. What the hell am I going to do?

You know what to do. Be with mate.

I can’t do that, Jace. We haven’t even accepted each other.

Help mate! Be with her! I blocked Jace out. I'm having trouble figuring out what to do with him in my head right now. We have not accepted each other, and I still believe rejection will be the best option here. Kehlani is in heat, though, and I know my touch will be the only thing to calm it. DAMN!

Just then, Kehlani starts walking out of the lake. Her shirt is clinging to her body, and her breasts are extremely defined, with her nipples very visible. Her scent was getting closer and putting Jace and me more on edge. Kehlani walked up to me, dripping wet, and started to rub my erection. Shit! I'm at a loss at the moment and am not sure what to do. Kehlani’s face contorts in pain, and she starts to groan. “It's starting to hurt,” she says. “Just make it stop.”

“What do you want me to do?” I don't think she is ready to get intimate; I mean, we haven’t even kissed.

“I don’t want our first time to be during my heat, but you have to do something. This is killing me.” Kehlani is hunched over in pain. I rub her back, hoping to help alleviate some of that pain.

“Let me take you back to the packhouse, and we will go from there.” I pick her up bridal style and start the walk back to the car. Kehlani keeps going between being in severe pain and kissing me all over my neck. She is making this walk so damn difficult, but I'm determined to get her back home. We finally returned to the car, and I put her in the passenger seat. I jump in the driver seat and pull my phone out as I start the drive back to the packhouse. “Jax, hey, it's Jayden. So Kehlani and I are on the way back, but you may want to get all unmated wolves out of the packhouse.” I don’t need to say any more than that, and I hang up. Kehlani is doubled over in pain and sweating profusely. I finally pull in front of the packhouse and jump out of the car. I grab Kehlani and run into the house and up the stairs. We make it to her room, and I lay her gently on the bed.