Page 40 of A Love Bite

“Alex,” I say softly, my voice steady and reassuring. “I know this is a lot to take in, and I’m sorry for everything you’re going through.”

“What I’m going through? It’s nothing compared to Opal.”

“Yes, I know, but…” I blow out a breath. “Alex, there’s something else you need to know about being mates.”

She looks up at me, her eyes filled with uncertainty. “What is it, Jake?”

I hold her closer, my heart aching for her. “For us to fully be mates, for our bond to be complete, I’ll have to bite you. It’s part of the process, but that bite will do more than just bond us—it will turn you into a werewolf.”

Her eyes widen even further, and I can feel her body tense against mine. “Turn me into a werewolf?” she whispers, her voice barely audible.

I nod, keeping my voice gentle. “Yes. It’s not something I take lightly, and I would never force it on you. It’s a significant change, and it’s something you need to fully understand and accept.”

She shivers slightly, her mind racing. “What does that mean? What would happen to me?”

“You would gain the abilities of a werewolf,” I explain, stroking her hair soothingly. “Enhanced senses, strength, speed, and the ability to shift, but it also means you’d be tied to this life, to the pack, and to the dangers that come with it.”

Her trembling increases, and I hold her tighter, wishing I could take away her fear.

She’s silent for a moment, her mind clearly racing as she tries to process everything. I can see the conflict in her eyes—the fear of the unknown and the undeniable bond between us.

“I don’t know if I’m ready for that,” she admits, her voice trembling. “It’s all so much.”

I gently stroke her hair, trying to offer comfort. “I understand, Alex. I don’t expect you to make a decision right now. This is your choice, and I’ll respect whatever you decide, but I wanted you to know the truth, to understand what being my mate really means.”

She buries her face in my chest, her tears soaking through my shirt. “I’m scared, Jake. I don’t want to lose myself.”

“You won’t,” I promise, my voice firm. “You’ll still be you, Alex. Just… more. And I’ll be with you every step of the way, no matter what you choose.”

We stay like that for a while, her sobbing quietly as I hold her, whispering reassurances. The weight of the world seems to bear down on both of us, but I know we can get through this together.

After a while, she pulls back slightly, looking up at me with red-rimmed eyes. Her lips part, and I suck in a breath, waiting anxiously to hear what she has to say.

34

Alex

Feeling Jake’sarms around me helps so much, but I’m still undeniably unnerved by everything. The fact that he’s a werewolf, his claim that I’m his mate, and the revelation that fulfilling our bond would require me to be bitten and turned into a werewolf… it’s all overwhelming.

But beneath my worries and fears, I can’t deny one singular truth.

I love him.

Despite the short time we’ve known each other, the connection we share feels deep and real. It’s as if we’ve been drawn together by forces beyond our control, and I can’t deny the feelings that have blossomed between us.

It’s because I’m his mate. Even though what he’s saying is incredible to me, I know it’s the truth.

I pull back slightly from Jake’s embrace, looking up into his eyes. “Jake, this is all so much to take in,” I admit, my voice trembling slightly, “but I can’t deny what I feel for you. I… I love you, and that scares me as much as everything else.”

His eyes soften. “Alex, I love you too, more than I can put into words, and I?—”

I place a finger against his lips to silence him then remove that finger and kiss him.

Jake responds eagerly, his tongue invading my mouth. I suck in a breath as his hands reach under my shirt, yanking down my bra to free my breasts.

As I rip off the towel that covers his erection, he thumbs my nipples, and I moan.

His hands are firm and confident as he explores every inch of my body, sending shivers down my spine. He moves his fingers lower, teasing my inner thighs with gentle strokes. I can feel the heat of his desire radiating through his fingers, and it’s intoxicating.