Chapter 24

"No," Jacob frowned.

"Why not?"

"Because I don't want you to."

"That's not a valid reason."

In all honesty, Jacob didn't have a reason as to why Hunter couldn't kiss him, other than his nervous mind. What if he was an atrocious kisser? What if it felt too awkward?

"Will I be your first kiss?" Hunter questioned.

Jacob nodded while Hunter's parents and pack talked among themselves about the rival pack.

"It doesn't matter if you're not the best kisser then, I'll teach you. My lips are available for lessons as of today."

Jacob looked at him with a funny frown. He was trying not to smile which was unusual for him. He never usually had anything to smile about.

"No."

Hunter chuckled deeply, sending waves of pleasure through Jacob.

"Why not?" He asked out loud. "Tell me if I'm being too forceful. I can't help it. It's my Alpha nature."

"You are a bit but um, I-I don't mind."

"Are you sure?"

Jacob nodded and found himself staring at Hunter's mouth.

Hunter brought his face in close and that's when Jacob realised he wasn't wearing a t-shirt. He felt his breath against his lips and found himself leaning into him more too.

"When you're ready," Hunter whispered. "I will kiss you."

Jacob's senses felt like they died and instantly got reincarnated. He had never felt anything so strong. Hunter knew he was growing to be rather irresistible for his innocent mate and he loved it.

"Hunter?" Anthony had cleared his throat multiple times but his son was very engrossed with his mate.

Hunter glanced at him but didn't move his face away from Jacob who could only stare at his mouth. He felt like he was in some sort of loved up trance. Wasn't the bond supposed to settle after a few days? He felt like it was getting stronger. But maybe that's because he is finally accepting it.

"You need to have a meeting with your pack about this. We'll take Jacob back to the house until you're finished."

Hunter stood up straight as Jacob was pulled back into the real world.

"No, he stays with me."

"Son, he can't be at pack meetings." Margo didn't go to Anthony's pack meetings unless it was urgent.

"He deserves to know what's going on. This involves him so he's staying with me." Hunter was a little stern and he knew his dad would yell at him for it later.

But in front of his pack, he couldn't humiliate Hunter, it wouldn't be fair.

"Fine, we'll talk about this when you get back."

Hunter watched as his parents turned into two magnificent white wolves and started their journey back to the house.

"Come on then, let's go."

Hunter's shirtless pack changed into wolves and playfully started running in the direction of the field.

"I'll give you a lift," Hunter smiled and turned into his huge wolf form. He rubbed his furry head against his mate's hip.

"Wait," Jacob frowned and found himself subconsciously patting his head. "A lift?"

"Yes, get on my back."

"Won't I be too heavy?"

"No, climb on." Hunter stood still and watched him.

Jacob wasn't sure if he should be cautious or extremely excited to get such a great opportunity. But he was curious and threw a leg over his back.

"Are you sure I'm not hurting you?"

"You're big but I'm stronger." If Hunter was in his human form, he would've flashed him a cheeky grin. "hold onto me."

"Where?"

"Put your arms around my neck."

Jacob leant his body against the warm fur and wrapped his arms around Hunter. His head was just below Hunter's head who was extremely happy about getting a hug.

"Hold on tight," He started to run through the woods and Jacob almost fell off, causing him to grip tighter. He wasn't sure if he liked the experience. It was like riding on a horse, but twice as hard.

It took them only four minutes to reach the field. Jacob sat up when Hunter casually walked through it and towards his pack members.

When the great wolf stopped, Jacob climbed off. His mind was a bit all over the place after trying to process that he just rode on an overgrown wolf through the woods. He never thought he would ever have the opportunity to even think about it.

Hunter changed back and stood up.

"Are you alright? How was it?" He asked his mate while his pack members stood up too.

"Uh, good... I think."

Hunter smiled.

"You'll get used to it." He then turned to the guys and thought it was now the best time to introduce them.

"Jacob, this is Harrison, Zac, Ricky and Jonah," He said and watched them all give him a big smile except for Zac. "You've met Sam and Brad before."

"Hi," Jacob said quietly. His heart was beating fast.

"Hey, it's great to finally meet you," Jonah grinned, making Harrison nod.

"I hope you're settling in well?" He asked.

Jacob responded with a nod and received an even bigger smile from Ricky.

Zac was a little like Brad and didn't like the idea of Hunter being gay and having a male mate. He personally thought it made him look weak. Although, if he said that, Hunter would be very mad and nobody liked it when he lost his temper.

"Right, let's start the meeting."

Everyone sat down. Jacob stayed close to Hunter since he was feeling exceptionally shy in the eyes of strangers.

"So Alpha, what are we going to do about this? They're feeling confident enough to threaten Jacob in front of you," Sam said.

"We need to keep the rival pack in our sights. Harrison and Jonah, stay on the border of our territory and tell me straight away if they're getting close or even attempt to cross over. Zac, Brad and Ricky, You'll keep watch of Jacob from a distance when he's with me and especially when he's by himself. We can't let what happened today happen again. Sam, just do what you do normally and stick to me like a lost pup."

"Hey," Sam chuckled. "But yes, I will."

Hunter smirked at him and looked at Jacob.

"Are you okay with that?" Jacob nodded but he was a little unsure about Brad and Zac, he wasn't sure why he was getting a bad vibe from Zac because he hasn't done anything to make him feel that way. "Is everyone else okay with that?"

Everyone nodded.

"Good, Now all of you go and spy on the rival pack until I tell you otherwise."

Hunter's pack stood up apart from Sam.

"You too," Hunter sighed.

"Aw come on, I wanted to get to know Jacob a little more," He whined and begged with his eyes.

"Go away."

Sam rolled his eyes and stood up.

"Fine," He muttered and changed into a huge black wolf. Jacob watched him turn and gallop after the rest of the pack.

"You don't need to worry about any of this," Hunter said when they were gone. "We have it under control."

Jacob pulled on the grass blades and chewed on his bottom lip. Hunter was sitting close enough for their arms to touch and it was all he could think about. Not to mention his shirtless body that he was trying so hard to avoid with his eyes.

Hunter smiled after hearing his thoughts. He didn't want to be too forceful with his affection but he knew Jacob wanted it, he was just too shy to make the first move.

He slowly moved and rested his bare chest against his arm instead. He brought his face in very close.

"You know I want it just as much as you." He was aiming to be very seductive.

Jacob's eyes flashed to his but only for a moment.

"You said you'd give me time," He whispered.

"But I can hear you thinking about it. You want it but you're not ready to admit it."

It was true that Jacob wanted to express his affection, he just didn't know how. This was very, very new to him.

He moved onto fiddling with his fingers instead of the grass.

"I'm nervous."

Hunter's heart melted, his mate is so precious.

He lifted his hand and very delicately placed it on the side of his warm cheek. He rubbed it with his thumb and smiled.

"Don't be nervous, I'm not judging you and don't feel pressured to rush. I can wait until you're one hundred percent comfortable."

Hunter's silky voice embedded into Jacob's thoughts. He was so sweet and caring. Nobody had ever made him feel this way before. He never thought he'd be lucky enough to find someone who just understood him and liked him for who he is.

But Hunter does. In fact, he knows him very well and it was much easier to trust someone like that. Especially now it has settled in that they'll be together for life.

Hunter was surprised, it was the longest time that Jacob had made eye contact and it was when there were only a few inches between their faces.

They appeared to be sharing a moment. It was a moment of trust, assurance, and comfort.

Hunter moved his hand to the back of his head and embedded his fingers into his hair. Judging by how fast Jacob's pupils dilated showed that he liked the feel of it. He then moved his face in even closer and rested their foreheads together.

Jacob didn't even think about moving away. It felt good to be this close.

"Hunter," He whispered. Hunter almost lost his mind when his breath brushed effortlessly against his mouth. "Are you sure it's me you want?"

The werewolf lifted his other hand and placed it on Jacob's other cheek.

"Without a doubt," He whispered back. "It's you I want."

Jacob's body fully relaxed and he pushed his head softly against his in return. His mind cleared and he knew exactly where he was going and where he wanted to be in this remarkable world.

And that was to be Hunter Rayson's mate.

"I'm ready."