Two Hearts, One Future

Chapter Eleven

*** Jessamine's POV ***

Levi left me sitting at my desk breathing unevenly. My heart was racing and I couldn't tell if it was from anger or happiness. Levi was an alpha that had waited years for me and he was trying so hard to be patient and respectful. I appreciate that, since alphas tend to be quite possessive and controlling. And yet I could feel that my freedom was already being taken away from me.

Levi was hot and lit my skin on fire. It would be so easy to give in to the bond. I put my face into my hands and sighed deeply. There was a light knock on my office door and I looked up to see Cal. When my eyes met him I started crying. Cal ran across the room and grabbed me into his arms. "Oh, Jessa," Cal whispered into my hair as he rocked me back and forth. I wasn't sure why I was crying. I guess there had been a lot of emotions I was bottling up.

"Cal," I cried out my best friend's name in between my sobs. "Cal, please don't leave my side," I begged. I knew that since my mate was now in the picture Cal would try to pull away but I need him. He has been by my side since I was born. I didn't want to lose him just because I was accepting my mate.

"Jessa, I will never leave you, I love you so much princess," Cal tried to comfort me in a broken voice. We heard an earth-shaking growl and looked up to see a freshly showered, pissed-off Levi.

"Let. Go. Of. My. Mate." Levi said in a threatening tone, emphasizing each word. He was frozen in the doorway with his hands clenching and unclenching into fists. I looked up slowly and met his dark blue angry eyes. I could see he was barely keeping control of his wolf. Cal began to untangle himself from me, but I put my hand on Cal's chest to stop him. When my hand touched his chest, Levi growled again.

"Levi, Cal is my best friend, he is like my brother. If I need my best friend to comfort me, then it should not be a problem." I said, maintaining eye contact with Levi. My tone was firm and unwavering.

"A brother that is in love with you?" Levi stalked towards us and grabbed my arm and ripped me out of Cal's lap. "Until you can assure me that you two only love each other as friends, this will be a problem."

Cal stood up abruptly, "I love Jessa, I have been by her side since we were born. Of course, I love her, who wouldn't? But I love her enough to respect her relationship with you. I may be in love with her, but I will never attempt to get in between you two unless she asks me to." Cal took a few steps toward Levi and took a deep breath. "So let's work through this now to make life easier for Jessa because, as you can see she is very upset."

Levi looked down at me and the anger melted from his eyes as he saw my tear-stained face. "Okay, Calloway. As long as we have your word to not try anything, then I will try my hardest to hold back my jealously. But I will be honest, I would prefer it if you two tried not to touch. It would make it much easier for me and my wolf." I appreciated that he was trying. I gave him a small smile which he returned and then turned towards Cal. He held out his hand, "Deal?"

"Deal," Cal answered as he shook Levi's hand. Levi released his grasp from my arm and rubbed the back of his neck in a shy manner.

"I will let you guys talk, I will go wait in your bedroom," Levi said softly as he left the office. I turned towards Cal and he smiled at me sadly.

"Cal, I know it's going to be hard to see me with him, but please, I need our friendship," I was so selfish. I knew how selfish it was of me, but I needed my best friend. I reached out to grab Cal's hand but he moved out of my reach. My heart skipped a beat at his avoidance. "Cal?"

"Jessa, I love you so f*****g much. I love you. I want you as my wife. I want you as the mother of my children. I want you as my partner as we grow old. I love you and will always love you. I will always be your best friend but I need some time to heal," Cal said softly with small tears sliding out of his eyes. My heart was breaking but I knew he needed time. My knees felt weak so I collapsed onto the couch nearby. I leaned back and closed my eyes. Fresh tears spilled down my cheeks as I processed everything Cal just said.

"I know you need time Cal, I just am selfish and want my best friend. But I will give you time because I love you too," I whispered with my eyes closed. "I love you, Cal."

"I know Jessa," he whispered back, and then he left my office. He was gone. I was alone. I let myself cry for a while and then I wiped my tears away and made my way upstairs to my bedroom. Levi was laying on my bed reading a book. He looked up and saw my sad face and smudged makeup. He closed the book slowly and sat up.

"I am sorry Jessa, I feel like I have only caused you hardship since I got here," his beautiful blue eyes held so much pain and sadness. I could tell that it was genuine and he hated that he was hurting me.

"I just am not ready for my mate, it isn't your fault, the timing is just... not great," I answered softly. He flinched slightly as though my words physically hurt him. I sighed and went towards my bathroom. "I am going to take a quick shower, I'll be out soon."

I step into my bathroom and turned the water on and waited until it was scalding hot to take off my dress and jump in. I found that hot showers always made me feel better and tonight was no different.