TORN

Little Red and The Big Bad Wolf

Storm

It’s been three painfully torturous months since I saw my mate. For a week I spiralled into a deep depression, not wanting to live another day, but my pack needed me and Max and Dan refused to let me forget that. Then the sly bastards came to me with a folder. They had done some digging around, and thanks to our business associations with the owner of the Hard Rock, they had found out the name of my mate and the woman she had shared a room with.  When I opened the folder and saw the picture of Jessica Mars I was consumed with jealousy, thinking she could be my mates partner, then I saw the details on my mate, Jasmine and it fueled my curiosity to do more digging. I found out Jessica was her closest friend, I also learned that coincidently Jessicas husband and I had crossed paths before. He had worked for a winery that I had invested in in the States when I was there about 8 years ago. This knowledge led to me staging an accidental meet with him. Him having relocated to Switzerland for Jessica made him more open to a new friend that had a small connection to his past. I’ve been over to dinner at their place a few times already now. Thanks to Jessica I learned that Jasmine, or Jazz as she calls her friend, is an excellent cook and even better baker. Jessica has been trying to convince her and her husband Jay to open a restaurant together. Having had dinner with them, I understood why. I let it slip to Jay that if he was ever serious about the venture I would be happy to invest and we have been approaching the topic more each time we meet, but he wants Jazz onboard. At first it made me nervous not knowing if I could handle seeing her again, knowing she was out of reach. Then I convinced myself I could be bringing some joy to her life by helping to fulfil a dream of hers. The more I thought of her the more I wanted to make sure she was happy and do whatever I could to ensure her happiness in anyway I could. I know I can’t have her, she has a child with her husband, I couldn’t destroy her family. I just needed to make sure she was happy and if this was something I could do for her, I would. I would do this for my mate. Now three painful months and it’s going to pay off, tonight I may get the chance to once again see my beautiful mate, maybe even get to know her, while Jay tries to get her onboard with the restaurant.

“Are you seriously going dressed as a wolf dude” Max burst into my office carrying the costume that I had him pick up for me for the Halloween party Jay had invited me to. “That’s wild man, but why do you need a costume” Dan laughed looking at me quizzically. “Wolf is what I’m comfortable with and you know I can’t take a chance even partially shifting i***t” I replied tossing a balled up piece of paper at Dans head. “Yeah, yeah. Are you sure going is a good idea? What if she’s there and you can’t control yourself or worse your wolf” Dan asked catching the ball of paper and tossing it in the dustbin basketball style. “I will be fine, I just have to suss out her husband, make sure he’s not some asshat, see her one last time... if I know she is happy and taken care of I can move on. That’s all I want for her” “damn dude that’s some serious deep s**t, who knew you could be so sweet” Max chirped laughing. “Shut the f**k up, don’t you two idiots have work to do. I am leaving you two in charge of patrols tonight” “We’ve got everything under control” “yeah, don’t worry that sweet little head of yours” they chirped as they left my office. Idiots. 

I’ve been at the party for an hour, meeting Jessicas and Jays friends, disappointed that Jazz hasn't shown and anxious that she might. We were current playing a round of corn hole when my wolf started to stir, and that scent made its way to me, marshmallows...it has to be marshmallows. “Hey Storm, come here a minute man, I want to introduce you to Jazz” I heard Jay yell and saw him signalling me over. I handed the corn sacks I was holding over to some chick that had been hovering and made my way to Jay pulling my wolf mask down over my face. “Jazz, this is Storm, the friend and possible investor I was telling you about.” There she was, just an arms length away from me, standing in a long red cape carrying a basket filled with cupcakes. “Why, it’s a pleasure to meet you sweet red” I said as I reached out to take her hand, tingles erupting where our skin made contact and I couldn’t help but bow down to give her hand a kiss.

Jasmine 

It’s been three months since my melt down. I’ve been keeping busy, and have been avoiding  Damian. Thankfully he knows I’ve been pre-occupied with baking since Jay mentioned that he would like us to seriously consider the restaurant, he even already had a possible investor. Damian pegged my distraction and restlessness to that. It was a big decision, but I had been trying to avoid him since I got back too. I constantly felt guilty, torn by what I was doing to the man who loved me unconditionally without him even realising it. How could I feel so empty when I had so much, so lonely when I was so loved! I hated myself for it. Maybe the restaurant would be good, give me something to accomplish, to fill that void. Maybe the problem was that I needed something more now that Leo was going to kindergarten, something other than cooking and cleaning and shopping and play dates. Yeah, as much as I loved being there for Leo, it was hard not working. I had always been independent, working since I was sixteen, moving out when I was seventeen while finishing school, working and bailing my mother out whenever she needed cash. I had been independent before then already, having a key at the age of 7 already. Getting myself and my little sister to school and back home each day. Making our lunches, cooking dinner when our mom came home late, helping her to bed the nights she stumbled in, banging because she was too drunk to open the door. This emptiness was me and my stupid need to feel independent and more in control of my life, not just be a financial burden on Damian. Not that Damian has ever made me feel that way. God he is so perfect I honestly don’t deserve him! I sighed frustrated with myself. “You ok babe, here let me do the dishes. You look like you need a break. Why don’t you jump in a bath. The babysitter should be here soon too, I asked her to come a bit earlier cause I thought maybe we could go for a drink before the party, so we can have a bit of time together. You’ve been so preoccupied lately” This man is a saint I thought as I nodded, making my way to the bathroom.

Sitting in a small pub sipping on a Martini watching my perfectly perfect husband while he was busy on his phone. “Sorry, work again” he said glancing at me with a smile. “It’s ok, I know how busy you are with the upcoming merger” Damian put his phone down “So you feeling a bit better” he asked “Uhm, yeah, I’m sorry I’ve been so distracted. I’ve been thinking more about the restaurant, do you think I should do it? Would it be ok?” “Sure, if it’s something you want to do then of course it’s ok, I just want you happy” “Thank you, thank you for being so perfect and putting up with me. I know I’m not always the easiest or nicest person to deal with Damian” “Babe it’s all good, we all have off days. So, what do you say you get that gorgeous smile on your face and we hit this party my Little Red” Damian leaned over the table taking my hands to pull me towards him, to kiss my cheek. “Yes sir, my perfect husband” I sighed back. "What’s your costume by the way" I asked as we got into the car. “Oh it’s in the trunk, I’m going as Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, he smiled. “Very cool. Dr. Jekyll and quite original I must say Mr. Hyde” I giggled. Yeah, we definitely needed this and I need that restaurant, then everything will be perfect. Thank you Lord for blessing me with this man! I sighed internally vowing to bury my s**t and be the wife my husband deserved.

“Go ahead babe, I have to put my costume on. I bet Jay is anxiously waiting on those cupcakes of yours! Just make sure you keep me at least one ok” “Yes sir” I saluted giggling and made my way up to the house carrying a box of cupcakes in one had and a basket of cupcakes in the other. “Jazz! Omg your outfit is so cute, and its perfect! Wait till you see what Storm, Jays friend, the investor came as!” Jess exclaimed excitedly as she took the box of cupcakes from me, giving me a hug and rushing off to the kitchen. I spotted Jay and made my way over to tell him my decision about the restaurant. “Yes! This is awesome! Let’s head outside, Storm is out there I think. This is going to be great, I just know it” Jay said making his way to the terrace, as the door slid open a tingling ran up my spine and I was hit with the faint smell of morning dew. I stood next to Jay on the terrace in a daze as the smell got stronger when the guy Jay called over made his way to us! “Jazz, this is Storm, the friend I was telling you about.” I faintly heard Jay say as I lifted my hand to greet the wolf standing in front of me. He took my hand and the tingles that erupted from his touch made my breath catch. “Why, it’s a pleasure to meet you sweet red” I heard him say, then he bowed down, brushing his lips over my hand. Sparks ignited where his lips touched my skin and I pulled my hand back in shock. “I was always warned to be careful of stranger” I said covering up my abrupt reaction. “Its nice to meet you Storm” I continued, nodding my head as I tried to calm my racing heart and the heat that had enveloped me. An arm suddenly wrapped around my waist and A gasp escaped my lips as Damian pulled me closer. “Hey Jay” he saluted With his glass, then turned to Storm “I see the big bad wolf has come for my little red” Ken said and i tensed at his words “you must be Storm, it’s a pleasure to meet the man that will be helping to make my princesses dream come true” Damian continued kissing my cheek he let go of me as he reached out to shake Storms hand. 

Storm 

I looked up into her honey brown eyes and for a split second I could have sworn I saw them darken slightly. She yanked her hand back and cooly retorted “I was always warned to be careful of strangers” I smiled inwardly, my mate is feisty, I proudly thought. Then copying my bow, she nodded her head giving me a small curtsy “Its nice to meet you Storm” the smile on her face froze and my wolf growled furiously within as someone appeared at her side pulling her to them. It took every ounce of self control I had to stay calm. “I see the big bad wolf has come for my little red” s**t! He knows who I am, what I want, I thought as I stood battling to stay calm, how can he know... “You must be Storm, it’s a pleasure to meet the man that will be helping to make my princesses dream come true” he continued kissing her on her cheek.He then turned to me with his hand outstretched. My jaw clenched at his kiss, at the look of confusion in my mates eyes, her heart was racing as she held her breath. Was she scared of him, did he hurt her? These were the questions flowing through my mind as I fought back my wolf, I reached out taking his hand. “Hi, yes, I’m very excited about the venture. I’ve had the privilege to have Jay cook for me on a few occasions already and I know this will be a good business investment. I am yet to get a taste of Jasmines treats though” I said looking at her, was that a blush? This guy has a pretty good grip for a human. “Jay raves about her cakes non stop, so if she joins the venture then I suppose I will also be stealing her away from you” I continued smiling as I looked him in the eye. Thank the goddess the mask I’m wearing hides my tense jaw. Rage flickered in his eye then they sparkled cooly as he smiled “oh my wife’s treats are to die for and I’m very excited for her, she has been such a great mother to our son for the last 5 years, she deserves something for herself, although I am disappointed that I’ll have to hold back on plans to put another baby in her....for now” he cooed kissing her cheek once more. 

I’ll rip this humans head off! My Wolf growled in my mind. Backdown Ty! His asserting his claim the best way he can, calm down, we are surrounded by humans. He has no claim, she is MINE he retorted. Yes she was made for us, but we don't want to scare her off now do we. Let’s hold back to see what the moon goddess has planned for us. Calming myself and my wolf, I ignited a sense of hope within us, yes the moon goddess must have a plan. 

“Well this calls for a celebration! You guys come on there’s a game of beer pong with our names on! JESS! Jess, tequila!” Jay shouted, easing the tension building up around us. The rest of the night we spent playing tedious games of beer pong, flip cup and corn hole. Jasmine seemed to avoid being around me and her now pretty drunk husband most of the night. At 2 am she came over to take him home, I watched with longing as she disappeared without a goodbye, slumping in a chair on the terrace taking in the view that overlooked the forest, my forest. Marshmallows? I looked up to see Jasmine making her way to me with a box in her hand. “Hey, sorry we didn’t get more time to get to know each other, uhm, I thought you could at least try one of my cupcakes” she said shyly, handing me the small box “uhm, I guess I’ll see you” she waved “Till we meet again Little Red” I winked. Definitely a blush. She turned and ran off waving her goodbyes as she went. Pain yanked at my heart, as I watched her leave, knowing she was leaving with another man. Still there was also some joy knowing that I would see her again. I opened the box and took a bite of the cupcake that melted in my mouth, so light and fluffy with the most delicious meringue butter cream frosting I’d ever tasted, I groaned, this was her scent, delicious light fluffy meringue butter cream frosting. I closed my eyes savouring the taste on my tongue, imagining this was how my beautiful mate tasted.