Andrew's POV
I quickly hid my fingers in between my thighs.
"Jade, you need to leave. Now." I managed to gasp out.
Her eyes widened in shock and confusion.
"But— you don't look good. How can I just leave you like this? I should do something to help. Tell me what you need and let me be of help to you." She offered.
If it were to be on a normal day, I would have appreciated and taken her offer of help but now when I was about to turn into a beast with claws and fangs that could possibly make her pass out-- in shock.
"Please! The only help you can do for me right now is to just go!" I nearly shouted, my voice deepening into a growl.
Jade stumbled backward off the bed, her face a mix of fear and concern. As she reached for the door handle, another wave of pain hit me. I doubled over, feeling my bones wanting to begin to shift.
"Andrew!" Jade cried out, torn between running and coming to my aid. Eventually, she chose the second option, she trotted back to me.
"Andrew? What is happening? Are you okay?" Jade's voice was filled with concern.
Instead of going away like I had told her, she stayed back, her round eyes laced with worry.
However my wolf was strongly fighting for control, and it was taking everything I had to keep him at bay.
I knew it would the shift could happen anytime from the moment, so I wanted to snap at her to just go and leave me alone but I felt a gentle touch on my shoulder.
Jade had moved closer, her hand resting on my back. The effect was instantaneous.The raging storm inside me calmed, like a tempest suddenly stilled. My wolf, which had been howling and clawing for control, went quiet.
It was as if Jade's touch had a soothing effect on both man and beast.
"It's okay, I'm here." Jade murmured, her voice soft and comforting.
Without thinking, I leaned into her touch. Her arms wrapped around me, pulling me into an embrace. The scent of her enveloped me, no longer a torment but a balm to my frayed nerves.
My wolf, usually so wild and untamed, seemed to submit to Jade's presence. It was a sensation I'd never experienced before – a harmony between my human side and my wolf, brought about by her touch.
"I'm fine. Really, it is nothing." I managed to say, after a moment of silence and breathing in Jade's intoxicating scent, my voice rougher than I intended.
But even as I denied it, I knew Jade wasn't convinced. How could she be when she'd just witnessed... whatever that was?
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, but I am here if you need me." Jade said, her arms still around me.
Those words, so simple yet so profound, nearly broke my resolve. I wanted to tell her everything, to lay bare all my secrets.
But I couldn't. Not yet.
Instead, I turned in her arms, facing her. Our eyes met, and I saw worry, affection, and something deeper that I dared not name.
"Thank you," I whispered, meaning it more than she could possibly know.
Jade's hand moved to cup my cheek, and I leaned into her touch, savoring the warmth of her skin against mine. My wolf, usually so restless, was completely at peace.
"Always," she replied, a small smile playing on her lips.
We stayed like that for a moment, neither of us willing to break the connection. It was a perfect moment, one I wished could last forever. But I knew it couldn't.
Reluctantly, I pulled back slightly, though I couldn't bring myself to completely break contact with her.
"We should probably get ready for the day, we have to go to school, you know!" I said, my voice low.
Jade nodded, though I could see the reluctance in her eyes.
"Yeah, I suppose so." She replied.
As she stood to leave, I caught her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Jade?"
She turned back to me, her eyes questioning.
"Thank you. Really. For ... for being here." I stated, appreciatively.
A soft smile spread across her face, warming me from the inside out.
"Anytime, Andrew. I mean it." She said and at that moment, I threw caution to the winds and went in for what had been on mind.
Her inviting lips.
In that moment, all rational thought left me. I cupped her face with my free hand and, in one fluid motion, pressed my lips to hers.
For a heartbeat, the world stood still.
Then, to my amazement and delight, Jade melted into the kiss. Her lips were soft, yielding against mine, and I could taste the faintest hint of mint on her breath. My wolf howled in triumph, and I deepened the kiss, pulling her closer.
"She wants us as much as we want her." My wolf jubilated in triumph.
I guessed he had acted up because he wanted an assurance, badly, and it seemed what was happening at the moment, was enough for him.
Jade's hands found their way to my chest, and for a moment, I thought she might push me away. Instead, her fingers curled into the fabric of my shirt, holding me there. The kiss was everything I'd imagined and more – passionate, tender, and filled with an urgency I couldn't explain.
But as quickly as it began, it ended.
Jade had suddenly stiffened, her hands now pushing against my chest. She broke the kiss, stumbling back a step, her eyes wide with shock and confusion.
"Andrew, we... we can't, I mean, we shouldn't be doing this. We are supposed to be step siblings ... I mean, we are going to be, sooner or later." She gasped, her cheeks flushed and her breathing uneven.
I looked at her, trying to keep my expression neutral despite the turmoil inside me.
"Jade, I—"
Before I could finish, a sharp knock on the door made us both jump.
"Andrew?" I and Jade could hear my dad's voice from outside the door, afterwards the doorknob started turning.
My dad was definitely trying to open the door and enter the room. At that realization, I could see how Jade panicked.