Ryan

The cup of coffee in my hand began to shake, as I was hit with a wave of sadness and anger. Jessica. It was still so new to me, this bond between us. How her emotions can become mine, that sometimes I wondered who was feeling – me or her. It was both unique and frustrating how close we were. But I was happy, Jessica was my mate, the other half of my soul, the one I have been waiting for so long. I didn't want to scare her away.

I became nauseous and I put the cup down on my desk. I have fed just minutes ago, from the bottle with blood I always carry with me, I shouldn't feel like this. I like drinking from humans, but not while I was on work. I always had a bottle with me.

I gripped my head and groaned. Something was wrong with Jess, she was so sad. Her misery was breaking me apart. I looked at the case on my desk. I had to be in court in about an hour and a half, and I had to pull myself together. The case was about a murder, a husband who killed his wife and dumped her body in the woods. But Jess was more important . I took my cellphone and dialed her number. I unfastened my tie, I needed to breathe freely. My mate's sadness was choking me. I felt the need to cry, and I didn't even know why. My eyes began to water, and I swallowed hard. I got up and opened the window.

'' Hi, Jess.''- I leaned against the window's frame and looked down the streets.

'' Hi, Ryan.''-I could hear a smile , but I knew she was pretending. I wished I could hug her right now, and maybe I would. I knew Jessica had classes right now, and maybe if she was free, we could go somewhere. I wanted to take this slow, to give the both of us time to get used to this bond. I didn't want my vampire side to scare her off, or me to lose control and drink Jess's blood without her permission.

'' Listen, I …know something is wrong. Please, tell me.''- The fresh air helped me calm down, but I still felt horrible.

'' Nothing is wrong, Ryan.''- I cursed in my mind.

'' Jess, we are connected, I know what you are feeling.''- I ran my fingers through my hair. –'' You are sad, angry and hurt. Please, talk to me.''

'' All right.''- She sighed. With her every word, I got more and more angry. That wolf did what?! How could he do that to his mate!

'' I don't believe this!''- I suddenly got the urge to kill Henry Williams. Every part of me wanted to watch him suffer. I was trying my best not to kill him every single time I knew Jess was with him. The werewolf was her mate too, and his death will hurt her, make her ill. I had to tolerate Henry only for her.

'''Ryan, please don't do anything. I will talk to him.''- But Jessica's pleas didn't convince me or cooled off my anger. After I ended our call, I left my office immediately and went to meet Williams .

Henry

I locked my car near the bank and was just about to walk to the door, when someone grabbed me by the jacket.

'' Blake, as always a pleasure to meet you.''- I preferred to call Jessie's other mate by his last name. I could barely stand him, but I did for my mate. He wasn't so fond of me either. I had seen the looks he gives me, how cold his voice was.

'' How could you, Williams?''- Ryan punched me in the jaw, and I growled. My inner wolf wanted me to change into my beast form and tear that man into shreds. But it would hurt Jessie.-'' You left your own mate for some chick! ''- He tried to punch me again, but I blocked his attack and twisted his arm.

'' Nothing happened. Alisha was just in the town, and we only had a lunch together.''- Alisha was my ex, but we went on a separate ways. She became a flight attendant, I remained in here. We had agreed to break up, we both wanted different things. Alisha was a human, but she wasn't my mate. I wanted a family, children, a nice house with a garden. She- to travel, to party, to be free. Despite our differences we had separated without ugly fights, and remained friends. I was happy for her. She called me today, she was just in the town from a flight to Paris, and asked me if I want to see her. I didn't know how to tell this to Jessie, so I cancelled our lunch and went to see Alisha. I didn't love her anymore, I was certain of that. Alisha wasn't the one for me, I never felt that way with her, as I did with Jessie. This warm feeling, this peace, joy.

'' Like I believe you!''- The vampire freed his hand and bared his fangs. I blocked another attack.

'' I don't care! I only had lunch with her!''- The vampire was fast, but I was too. He pushed me against my car, and I hissed.

'' Williams, why did you do it?! Jessica is crying because of you!''- I had felt how my lunch with Alisha had affected my mate. She thought I didn't want her, or find her beautiful enough. Jessie was lovely, and she takes my breath away. I did something stupid, and I regret it.

'' I will talk to her! Leave me alone, Blake!''- I fixed my clothes. Then I said , walking to him.-'' I know she prefers you more.''- The jealousy was burning me up. I didn't want to share my girl, with another. –'' How fun you are, how she enjoys your company. How you make her smile. I know. ''- Every time I knew Jessica was with the vampire, I had felt her joy, and it was killing me. So foolishly I went out with Alisha to make Jessie jealous. But I was disgusted with myself after that.

'' Really?!''- Blake's eyes flashed in red, and he bared his fangs again.-'' If we have to be honest, you see her more, Williams. These lunches every day. I know she finds you charming, sweet . With your fascination in art, poetry and French cuisine. ''- The vampire pushed me off roughly.-'' Jessica is a wonderful girl, and I don't want you to hurt her. I won't kill you only because of her.''

Jessica

I tied my hair as I walked outside. Kate and Abigail were ahead of me. I still felt like hell, after Henry lied to me, and went to have lunch with another woman. I knew it was childish to be so possessive of him, but he was my mate after all. I had his name on my thigh, I felt his every emotion. I was drawn to him, he had the effect of a teddy bear to me, so comforting and safe.

I hurried to catch up with my friends, when someone pulled me aside. My breath hitched, when I saw Henry. His hair was messy because of the wind, but it made him look irresistible.

'' I need to talk to you, Jessie. Please.''- His hand around my forearm was burning me. His hold was gentle, and the way his blue eyes were looking at me made me swallow. But I remembered what had happened and I freed my hand.

'' No! Leave me alone!''- I started to walk away, speeding my pace. But the werewolf got in front of me in a matter of a second. Henry and Ryan were incredibly fast, and still it amazed me. –'' Move!''- I tried to get past him, but he again blocked my way.

'' Not until you hear me out, Jessie!''- He grabbed my shoulders and I got angry how his touch melted me.

'' Who was she, Henry? Do this means so little to you?''- I was aware that this bond was difficult for him too. To find your other half, your destiny. The letters Henry on my thigh were burning me. I sensed Ryan's anger, his mark burned too. I would have to call my other mate, to check if he is OK, how his case was going.

'' Of course not!''- He lifted my chin with his finger.-'' I did a terrible mistake. Alisha was my ex, and I shouldn't have agreed to meet her. Now we are friends, she is happy I found my mate. Her mother is a friend with mine, and I know I shouldn't ….''

'' You lied to me! You left me only a text, saying something was up!''- I pushed him off. I was jealous because some other woman had made him laugh. I knew Henry had loves before me. Ryan had plenty women too. They had their past, I had mine. I couldn't expect them to forget every woman they have been with, only because I had showed up in their lives.

'' I'm sorry, Jessie!''- He touched my cheek.-''I love our lunches, I love talking to you. What I did was awful and wrong. I don't know what came over me. I wanted to make you jealous, which is stupid and childish.''

'' And you succeeded, Henry. ''- I removed his hand. I looked away from his face.-'' Please, I need to be alone for a while.''- I took a deep breath and walked away.