14. Jealousy

Torin’s pov

The moment I reached the borders of my pack, I stepped out of my car and shifted into my wolf. I needed to release some energy.

Seeing my mate, being this close to her and not kissing her or touching her all the time, was difficult to say the least.

But I wasn’t complaining. Because despite everything that happened when I picked her up from lunch, Raelyn was there in the park.

She showed up, looking beautiful in her leggings. I might have enjoyed watching her walk away more than I’d like to admit.

But I enjoyed seeing her walk towards me even more.

She sought me out. It was her choice whether or not to go here, and she chose me.

Regardless of her husband's jealousy or whatever else was going on, she showed up. She wanted to see me.

It means I have a chance.

No, not just a chance. I have more than a chance.

I let my wolf take the lead as he ran through the forest while I thought back to everything that was said and done during the thirty-minute walk we took.

It wasn’t enough time, but I had to be patient.

I sighed; running wasn’t working.

My wolf led me back to the packhouse, where I went straight up to my room and into the shower.

As I stood under the scolding hot water, I closed my eyes and imagined Raelyn. Her smile, the way her eyes would sparkle when she laughed, her thick lips that she would softly bite on when she was thinking.

That little blush on her cheeks whenever I flirted with her.

Speaking about her cheeks… Her ass in those leggings… Her scent.

Damn…

My hand reached down to grab my erection. If only it wasn’t me who was holding it, but my mate. Her small hand would go up and down and would soon be replaced by her mouth.

Those plush lips were around my dick as she sucked hard and swirled her tongue around my shaft.

I didn’t even need to imagine more; I had already emptied my load against the shower wall.

I hadn’t orgasmed this fast since I was a fourteen-year-old horny teenager.

It didn’t help that I hadn’t had sex in a while. Even though Raelyn might not know I’m her mate, I know it, and I will not sleep with anyone else apart from my mate.

But it was more than blue balls. It was her.

She could turn me on like no other. Just the thought of her made me hard again.

I sighed and turned the faucet the other way. Maybe I need a cold shower, not a hot one.

After standing under the freezing water for a good ten minutes, I finally could think clearly.

Werewolves are quite possessive; like Colton said, it wasn’t uncommon for mates to get jealous. I had been pushing down any feelings of jealousy, knowing that it would lead me down a rabbit hole of anger and hurt that would not be very helpful. It wasn't Raelyn's fault she couldn't feel the bond. It wasn't her fault she met me too late.

I knew humans could be just as jealous as werewolves, but Raelyn seemed more scared about Dylan's reaction than worried she might hurt his feelings.

She could have been feeling guilty because she was attracted to me, and even though we weren’t doing anything wrong, to her it felt like it.

But I bet there is more going on.

The issues of not working, Raelyn's self-image, and other small details suggested that Dylan was not only jealous but also controlling.

Even more reason why I couldn’t push Raelyn too fast. I needed to take this slowly.

Which would also mean I'd be stuck in the shower far longer than normal each day.

I'm not some animal that can't control himself. I am more than able not to touch my mate if she doesn't want me to. I'm all about consent. It's a real turnoff if a woman is not into you.

The problem is that I can tell he does want me. Raelyn wants me to touch her; she enjoys it when I flirt with her. And the only thing holding her back is that fool Dylan.

I just have to remind myself of the plan. Dylan will be away for six weeks, and we are only in the first week.

Colton had sent someone to keep an eye on Dylan and Samantha, the other associate he sent. They were already spotted eating dinner together, but we needed actual proof of him cheating. Something that couldn’t be explained by any other reason.

It would hurt Raelyn’s feelings, but it would save her from a far worse life. Not only could she be with me without her husband, but she also shouldn't have been married to that douche in the first place.

I was doing the right thing, wasn’t I? Saving her from him, even though I was doing it for selfish reasons…

My wolf seemed to agree, but he’s a ruthless killer, and he just wants our mate. So I’m not sure I should trust his judgment.

If Raelyn weren’t so lovely, I might have felt sorry for myself. Everyone around me who met their mate had it easy. They met, they fell in love, and they marked each other. The only worries they had were how to choose where to live and if their families would get along.

I wasn’t sure why it had to be harder for me and Raelyn, but I trusted the Moon Goddess had a reason.  In the end I would be rewarded with the kindest, most beautiful mate, and I would spend every day of my life making sure Raelyn felt loved and desired.

She would be able to do whatever she wanted, without needing permission or feeling any fear about what I’d think or do.

With my mark on her neck, nobody would ever dare cross the line with Raelyn anyway, but I already trusted my mate. I barely knew her, but I knew she’d never do anything to intentionally hurt me.

I sighed as I went back to work. I needed to change my schedule a bit to make sure I’d be able to be there for every run.

Before Raelyn left, she implied she’d like to take up running daily.

So I would too.

Perhaps I could work from the office in the afternoons to make it easier for me to travel to the park near her house.

I’d spent the morning in the pack and the afternoons with Colton. He will probably be pleased to see me around the office more often anyway, since he’s always complaining I’m never around.

Six weeks… Or to be more precise, five weeks, three days, and six hours... I have until then to win Raelyn over and show her who her husband really is.

I can do this.