Page 48 of His Fated Luna

Jake lingered a moment longer, watching me, before standing and heading to his new lab partner. Marissa arrived a few minutes late, taking the seat beside me. I wondered if Jake had been waiting for the perfect opportunity to talk to me alone.

After class, I moved quickly, grabbing my things and heading straight for the parking lot. But halfway there, I heard footsteps behind me.

“Rose…please. I miss my friend.”

I tensed but didn’t stop. Jake caught up with me in front of the humanities building, gently pulling me off the path and onto the well-manicured lawn so we weren’t blocking students rushing to their classes.

“Can’t we just go back to the way things were?” he pleaded.

“So you can use my notes?” I shot back, yanking my arm from his grasp.

Jake shook his head. “You think that’s the only reason I want to be your friend?”

“You admitted as much,” I said, my voice sharp with barely contained frustration.

His jaw twitched, his fists clenching at his sides. “You know, Rose, last time I checked, we studied together. And I always had something to add. If you think I’m so stupid and useless, why were you always the one asking to go over complicated chemistry equations with me?”

I exhaled sharply, trying to steady my emotions. “I never said you were stupid. Stop putting words in my mouth.”

“It sure feels like that’s what you’re implying,” Jake said bitterly. “If you think I was completely depending on you to get through class, then you never really paid attention.” He laughed, but there was no humor in it. “Do you have any idea how many nights I stayed up, poring over readings, trying to make sure I understood everything? Just so I wouldn’t look like a complete idiot in front of you?”

My eyes met his, and for the first time, I saw the hurt there. The sincerity. My chest tightened.

“You really cared about impressing me?” I asked, my voice softer now.

Jake exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “Of course, I did.”

He hesitated before speaking again, his voice quieter. “I like you, Rose. I wanted to impress you. That’s why I always asked for study sessions. You’re not exactly into the party scene on campus.” He paused, then smirked slightly. “Though my Facebook feed tells me otherwise. I saw the pictures of you and Aiden.”

I frowned. “It was a one-time thing,” I admitted. “Alpha Aiden asked if I wanted to go, and I agreed. It wasn’t all that enjoyable.” I grimaced. “I don’t think I want to drink again anytime soon.”

Jake’s expression shifted, growing serious. “Are you two together? He hasn’t marked you yet— is he waiting until you turn?”

His scrutiny surprised me, but I answered honestly.

“He…you know he’s with Lexia,” I said quietly. “He’s trying to figure out a way to make her his luna. He probably wants to reject me after my turn.” My voice faltered slightly. “He doesn’t… want me.”

Jake watched me closely, and for a moment, neither of us spoke.

I let out a bitter sigh, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “Seems like none of the boys I like ever do.”

I tried to move past him, ready to bolt for my car after that admission, but before I could take a step, Jake’s hands gripped my shoulders, pulling me toward him. His chest was firm against mine, and before I could react, his lips descended onto mine.

I gasped, startled by the suddenness of it. It didn’t feel the way I thought it would. The scent was wrong. The taste of his mouth was wrong. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but remember how Aiden had smelled, how he’d tasted, how his touch had sent shivers down my spine.

But…but Jake was…

He was holding me so gently, like he cared.

That thought made me soften. Slowly, I responded, letting my books slip from my grasp as my hands traced up his chest. Jake let out a low growl, his grip tightening at my hips, pulling me flush against him.

Somewhere, I vaguely registered my phone ringing incessantly, but I ignored it. Right now, at this moment, I just wanted to let go. He tasted wrong, felt wrong. Because he wasn’t Aiden. but he was here and he wanted me.

When Jake finally pulled away, we both stood there, breathless. He smiled down at me, triumphant, like he had just won something. I felt warmth creep up my cheeks as I looked down at our intertwined hands. A small, self-satisfied smile tugged at my lips.

Maybe I could have this.

Maybe, just for a while, this could be the one thing that made me happy.