Page 90 of Second Chance Mates

My head tilts towards Lucy, who is smiling up at the blue sky. I part my lips, the question on the tip of my tongue. She’s the only person I feel comfortable enough to have this discussion with—apart from Gemma, but I’d like to get a friend's opinion.

“Lucy,” I say. “I wanted to ask you about something.”

Her eyes light up. “Yeah, go ahead. What’s up?”

A knot twists in my gut, but it’s been playing on my mind for the last few days, and if I don’t talk about it, I’ll start overthinking. “I know this is a bit awkward because I’m mates with Jaxon. But recently, my body has been getting all hot and flustered, especially when I’m around him. I’ve never felt anything like it before, and I don’t know if it’s normal or if I need to get checked out at the infirmary. It’s like I’m being sizzled from the inside out.”

We pause at the entrance of a spacious field. Lucy shakes her head. “It is normal, Ava. It’s called heat.”

“What?”

“Heat,” she states again, and I stare at her dumbfounded. “It’s what we go through when we find our mate. It’s the bond’s way of getting us to mate quicker.”

I frown at her words. “But I’m not a wolf.”

“Maybe it’s because Jaxon is an Alpha. It makes the bond stronger and the urge more prominent,” she offers simply.

I’m quiet for a few moments, taking in her words. “And the mating process…”

“You know about it?”

“Briefly,” I confess. “Jaxon has explained what it means and so has Gemma. I asked her to give me a breakdown of what’s expected of the Luna, but she didn’t mention the heat side of things.”

Lucy nods, and we start walking again. “She might not have expected you to experience heat. I mean, I’m not entirely sure what would happen if Jaxon marked you anyway. I don’t know what a mark could do to a human. He would never want to hurt you.”

My mouth turns bone-dry at this conversation. I already know I’m incredibly out of my depth. I take a sharp breath, and Lucy links her arms with mine as if registering my sudden distress.

“Don’t overthink it now, Ava,” she says softly. “You don’t have to think of mating, marking, or any of the intimate stuff if you’re not ready. Jaxon would certainly not pressure you, and everything else will make more sense as time goes on. What’s most important is that you feel safe and comfortable. There is no rush, so don’t pressure yourself.”

I nod and swallow back the lump in my throat. “And the heat?”

“If it becomes unbearable, a pack doctor might be able to give you medicine to help calm you down. But it’s nothing to be ashamed of. It intensifies emotions you already feel. It’s similar to a period. Some women’s sexual desire peaks when it’s their time of the month. Heat is similar, and it doesn’t last forever. It comes and goes, but medicines can help.”

I knew I found Jaxon attractive before, that’s a given. Now, when I see him—especially with his T-shirt off—my entire mind goes on a journey, one I thought I would be afraid of, but I’m slowly accepting that being turned on is okay. I’m still safe in my bubble, and that’s what matters.

“Thanks, Luce,” I tell her gratefully. “For being the kindest person.”

She releases a laugh. “Sebastian wouldn’t think so, not after the dramas I caused at the wedding. But I appreciate it, Ava. And I’m always here if you want to ask me anything. Always.”

Today is Jaxon’s birthday. I slightly despise him for not telling me, making me find out through Lucy only a couple of days before. His reasoning being he didn’t want me to feel stressed.

So we decided to throw him a party at the pack house. Considering I don’t have a single penny in my pocket, this was the least I could do to let him know that I’m thinking of him. I’ll have to make it up to him another time.

“Do you think this dress is too much?” I ask Lucy as I push down the red hem.

She stares at me in the reflection of the mirror with clenched brows. “No, you look incredible. It’s a party, Ava. Everyone is going to be dressed up. Let’s go. We’re already late.”

Crap. I gather my things, which include a lip gloss and a pair of heels.

“Jaxon is probably wondering where the hell you are,” she says as she holds the door open for me. I follow her out into the hall, tucking my feet into the heels and stabilising my balance before heading downstairs.

The noise from the kitchen is loud, with a choir of chatting and booming music blaring throughout the room. Now I think about it, I can’t imagine Jaxon enjoying a party. I suppose it’s the thought that counts, right? Everyone agreed to help clean up early tomorrow morning before Jax sees the damage.

I reach the doors to the kitchen. People are flowing in and out of the room. I take a moment to pause and steady my breath.

Lucy stops beside me. “You good?”

My eyes float over the sea of people. A strain of anxiety crawls up my throat at the sight. “Yeah.” I nod. “Just a bit overwhelmed.”

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