Jovita's POV
Jayden looked up, spinning around, and using his well-built body to shield my small frame.
I stood frozen. I was still trying to understand what was going on.
Just a moment ago Jayden had been about to kiss me. I could say we kissed, though brushing of lips barely counted as a kiss, according to my and my besties' rule. I could feel my cheeks still burning red. Was I just about to have my first kiss?
My mind flashed to the present. We had an unwanted company. The guest had called my name, and for some reason, his voice sounded familiar. Was it Uriel? I wondered, my pulse quickening.
"Show yourself" Jayden said in his deep, resonant voice.
Slowly, Seth stepped out from behind the tree. I heard a low growl erupt from Jayden, and I flinched. He must already be aware of my relationship with Seth.
I noticed he shifted his weight to shield me more.
"Seth? I didn't know you were coming around today", Jayden said, dryly. I knew he was pissed about Seth's interruption. I could deny the fact that I was a tiny bit upset too, or maybe very if I wanted to be truthful, but I think sticking to the lie would be a bit nicer. I felt guilty too, Seth has had a crush on me since I was, say seven and he was nine.
I had just moved into Foxtown with my parents, and he lived just a few houses away. We met at the river near my house one summer, and since then his attraction had not dwindled a wee bit.
He had grown into a stunning, handsome young man though, a bit quiet and different from the freckled, lanky boy he had been when we were younger. He now had looks that would turn any girl's head, but I'd rather have him as a friend than anything else.
He was kind, caring, and attentive, and I loved his company. Except now though! Don't get me wrong, he had just interrupted my bonding with my mate. That didn't happen every day.
"I came for Jovita", he said, looking past Jayden to catch a glimpse of me.
Me? I thought. Why was Seth looking for me? With didn't discuss anything about meeting up. Besides, we went skydiving just a few days ago.
"Why?" Jayden asked.
"I'd rather talk to her", Seth replied. I could hear the ice in his tone.
"She's with me", Jayden said.
"She's with you?" Seth asked, looking shocked and hurt.
I started from Jayden to Seth wondering why they had erupted such emotions from Seth. She's me simply meant she was standing with me or something, didn't it? What was the big deal?
"Since when, since when Jovita?" Seth asked in a broken voice.
"Huh?" I asked, not sure I was following the conversation.
"You would leave her out of it", Jayden said in a steel-like tone.
I could feel faint shudders running through his body, as I still held onto him. Maddie had once told me that they wolfed out after several shudders.
I had seen Jayden and Seth's wolves, and I knew Seth did not stand a chance against Jayden if they were to wrestle. Her mind flashed back to the play Mr Rubble, their literature teacher had asked them to watch. It was William Shakespeare's famous play, Romeo and Juliet. Was Seth the Paris in her life right now?
Her mind flashes to the scene where Paris encounters Romeo at the Capulet family tomb and assumes he has come to desecrate the tomb. A verbal confrontation ensues, leading to a brief fight between them, during which Romeo kills Paris. She cringed as she imagined Seth dead in cold bold, while Jayden hovered over his body with a victorious smile.
She had to prevent them from engaging in physical combat no matter what.
A shudder ripped through Seth's body, and he cursed a loud, spilling-out words I could scarcely grab.
"I guess you didn't even dare to tell me, and now you hide behind his back like I'm some form of threat to you", Seth said, glaring at me.
I knew he was angry, which was quite rare for Seth. He must have been hurt more deeply than I expected.
"I only got to find out yesterday", I said, taking a step forward. I'm sorry".
"You don't have to apologize to him my sweet", Jayden said, turning to stare at me. His hazel eyes burning. I could see the livid anger in them.
I gave him a pleading gaze, I wasn't ready to see the two of them fight over me.
Another shudder rippled through Seth's body. He looked like he was trying to control the anger raging inside him, but it wasn't working. I had never seen Seth out of control. He was always cool and collected.
I stepped past Jayden and headed to where Seth was standing, I needed to calm him down.
Jayden pulled me back.
"It's dangerous, he's out of control!"
I could see Jayden wasn't finding it easy too, he was trying his best to beat his anger and stay calm because of me. He touched my heart that he would go miles to keep me safe.
"I have to get to Seth, please", I said to Jayden, raising my hands to trace the lines of his jaw.
He shut his eyes as my fingers came in contact with his face. When he opened them, I could see tears. At that moment, I knew he viewed things as more than just going over to calm Seth down, it was a choice now, between Jayden and Seth.
Whoever I stuck to right now, would be the victor.
I flinched as recognition hit me. I stared at my mate and my long-time friend slash crush not knowing what to do.
My hands travelled to Jayden's cheeks, and he held my hands in place. He knew I was pleading, but he wasn't having any thoughts of giving in.
Just then, Seth hissed, a roar erupting from him as he morphed into a huge, white wolf, his fiery eyes charged at Jayden.
Jayden quickly put me behind his back, and in the blink of an eye, there was a huge, white beast standing on the spot.
I gasped as the two wolfs charged at each other. If I let them fight, there was only income. It was either one or the other…