His Unidentified & Untouchable Mate

...Or Dare

Jacob POV

I’d done my fair share of drinking, and with Allison clinging to me so tightly, how could I resist? I knew she was only doing it to piss off her “best friend” Amber, and maybe the flicker of the thought that Amber might leave me alone if she saw the indecent act had crossed my mind. But when I caught Zahraa’s eye, I realized how it looked to everyone else: my arm slung around her waist, her fist tangled in my tie…

I removed my arm.

“What?” she purred, tightening her grip on my tie. “Afraid your ex might see you?”

“Not at all,” I replied, placing my hand over hers on my tie – just in time for Amber to see us and announce my presence. Her obnoxious dare actually helped me get her off of me, so I was all game for it. I climbed on the table, allowing the crowd to sweep me forward, to get on the table and do my silly dance. I wasn’t going to take it all off, obviously. I knew Amber well enough to know she wouldn’t want the crowd getting a glance at the size of my c**k.

And predictably, she stopped me as I got to my pants.

“So, Jacob. It’s your turn, birthday boy.”

There was no question of who I wanted to ask – my eyes met hers again, those enchanting doe eyes. “Zahraa – truth or dare.”

She held my gaze unflinchingly, and so quickly responded, “Dare.”

The idea of all the things I could ask her to do sent a jolt to my loins, but I knew I had to calm that storm. It just wasn’t an option with Zahraa – but I wanted to get her alone, to myself.

It was my birthday, after all. I could be a little selfish.

“Alright,” I shrugged my shirt back on and started working on the buttons. “They’ve set up a karaoke tent in the courtyard – I dare you to duet with me.”

The slightest hint of rose colored her cheeks.

Enchanting.

“Alright,” she pushed from her seat, and Ingrid rose with her. I tried to hide the curse under my breath as I jumped down from the table, slipping my vest back on. I offered her my arm, and she hesitated. She adjusted her lacey sleeve to ensure our skin wouldn’t brush before accepting the escort.

Behind her, Ingrid huffed.

“If you’re bothered, you don’t have to tag along, Ingrid.” My eyes darkened, my lips curling in a mean smile when I added, “I’ll take care of her.”

“Like you did me? Whatever.” She rolled her eyes, taking Zahraa’s arm and pulling her away. “Zahraa and I will meet you there. You don’t have to walk with her.”

“Oh, but I want to,” I admitted.

Though I didn’t much like Ingrid, I admitted that it would be wrong of me to keep bickering. Plus, Zahraa would find it unattractive.

Some basic, primal need in me wanted her to like me – which was a new feeling. I was so used to pack members that were willing to fall at my feet for me, for a taste of the family’s wealth, without any responsibility.

“Listen… what happened back then…”

“Oh, Alanis!” Ingrid called, waving the vampire girl over.

The worst enemy a wolf could face is a one versus all of her friends. In the face of inevitable defeat, I touched Zahraa’s arm. “I’ll meet you at the tent.”

“Oh, uh, okay,” she said, frowning.

That frown turned my stomach. I left, disappearing into the crowded hall before Ingrid even noticed, wondering what the hell was wrong with me. I’d refused the karaoke tent several times already, and now I was dragging Zahraa into it with me? Just for the chance to get her alone?

I shook my head and grabbed another drink on the way, just as I caught a literal sniff of trouble. I sidestepped just in time for Alex to stumble past me, accidentally bumping into a large gamma wolf.

“Watch it,” the man snarled.

Alex flashed his teeth, snarling back. “Watch the attitude, Roger.”

Alex was the second-born son of the High Alpha's beta. Though he’d never be anyone’s beta, he still outranked every gamma out there – and he was one hell of a fighter. Tried and true.

Roger ducked his chin. “Yeah. Sorry, Alex.”

Alex only huffed, then turned back to me. “Jacob!” He threw his arms around my shoulders, hanging off me. “Remember me when you’re happily mated, won’t you?” He puckered his lips and smacked them at me, “You wouldn’t forget your dear old friend, Alex, would you?”

“I couldn’t even if I wanted to,” I said, pushing him off before he could plant a real kiss on me. He’d do it too.

Alex fell into step next to me. “So. Wanna talk about Amber, or…?”

“Not really,” I said, without looking at him.

Amber was Alex’s little sister. When she started batting those fake lashes at me, I’d cleared it with Alex if it was okay – and he’d been pretty whatever about it at the time. Amber flirted with and dated several guys a year. She was as fickle as I was, so he’d joked that it was a good match.

But she’d gotten attached.

Alex sighed as he pushed open the front door, stepping out onto an equally packed courtyard. “She’s playing a lot of country music, man.”

I bit back my usual response – not my problem.

As much as I hated to see women cry, I also didn’t like feeling guilty about break-ups I had warned them were coming. Every girl I’d ever dated had been warned – it’s casual dating. I simply didn’t see the point in promising forever when I didn’t believe it – and unfortunately, I don’t think I believed forever with a girl was possible.

Not after what I’d seen in my own family.

In my own parents.

As much as I hoped my mate would be different, I wasn’t sure I believed in happy endings anymore.

“Where are you going anyway?” Alex asked when I didn't respond, looking around the crowd. “You look like you have actual purpose for once.”

“Karaoke tent,” I practically spat it out, knowing that Alex would mock me relentlessly.

He stared blankly at me for a minute. “Dude. You’ve said since you were ten that you’d never do karaoke again.”

“Did I?” I knew the answer – of course I had. It had been at another big birthday bash (though, to be honest, we were always throwing these parties, so it was impossible to determine which bash it could’ve been). I’d gotten up there singing a rendition of some Fall Out Boy song and Jared, my eldest brother, jumped in, took the mic and modified the lyrics to mock me.

I never sang again – and honestly, I was hesitant to try.

Until I saw Zahraa arrive at the tent with her friends. They’d said something, and she threw her head back laughing. The way she looked was mesmerizing – and those eyes snapped to mine as if she’d felt where I was.

I gulped – and Alex snapped me out of it as he usually did.

“You definitely did,” he replied. “You’re not even a good singer. Why…” his eyes followed mine and found her. “Oh.”

“Oh indeed,” I said, pulling my attention off. “It’s a minor fixation before I find my fated, but…”

Alex huffed. “Good luck getting past Ingrid Kemp.”

I saw her there too, but her laugh and posture were guarded. She was an omega, but an omega was still a wolf, and she felt threatened.

“Not sure how to undo that one, to be honest,” I replied.

Alex hummed. “Okay – let me take care of this. Meanwhile, you should get in the queue. There’s quite a line.”

I had no doubt that I could cut our wait time down considerably, but nodded all the same, looking at my ‘minor fixation’ again and wondering how I could make her mine – even if only for a night.