Taylor looked up at Hunter after returning to her senses. Did that mean she had to move away again? Become reclusive and disappear off the grid until it was safe? She hated her parents with a passion, so this taped recording of her in action was a lot more than surprising. Still, she appreciated Hunter bringing this to her attention.

"Um...thanks, Hunter. I appreciate it."

"Not a problem. Let's head back."

Opening the door to their office again, and they were greeted with Nikki on Joe's back, pulling at his hair as he tried to pull her off. Stephanie just looked defeated by the entire thing. Hunter just walked past them, not even bothering to break it up.

"So, uh..." Taylor's voice caused a cease in their actions, and a sigh of relief from Stephanie. "What in the hell happened between the two minutes I was gone and now?"

"Joseph doesn't wanna go home when his heat starts," Nikki said, hanging onto him for dear life. "He just wants to lay around in his bed until it passes!"

"What's wrong with that?" He rebutted. "I'll be fine, dammit!"

"You have no idea the horror that awaits you, Joe. You really don't."


It took about half an hour for Joe and Nikki to separate from one another. Taylor had to listen to both of them bitch and moan for fifteen more minutes. Stephanie couldn't do anything until his heat actually started, so now all of them had to play the waiting game. When they came back, AJ, Colby, and Jon were waiting on them.

"Sooo...what did Steph say? Jon asked. "Did she make somethin'?"

"No," Nikki said, glaring at Joe. "...She didn't. She can't do anything until his heat actually surfaces. She doesn't want to gamble with him."

"Well, I think we should start planning." AJ stood up, skipping around everyone until she stopped at Taylor and hugged her, her head resting gently on her breasts. "Starting with who should be Joe's mate!"

"Hey." Joe frowned. "I'll choose my own mate when it's time. No need to rush whatever the fuck's gonna happen."

"Well, we don't need any surprises! Let's get everyone together so we can start the voting process."

"...No. If you really wanna do it, wait until tonight at least. People are still out on the town."

AJ frowned, puffing her cheeks and gripping Taylor tighter. Taylor struggled against her grip slightly, but soon stopped. There was no way she was getting out of this unless Omega came out and did it herself. AJ grumbled, pushing her face into Taylor's breasts.

"Joseph, why are you so meeeean," She said. No one really understood her, as her words were muffled. "It's obvious who you waaant." She pointed to Taylor, who couldn't really see what she was doing from her point of view.

"You don't know who I want, dammit! Ugh." He threw his hands up in frustration and stormed off. At this point, a vasectomy wasn't that far off as an option in his eyes.

A few hours later, and majority of the group's friends arrived in the lounge. AJ was serious when she said they were going to do a vote. Everyone gathered around, with her and Taylor standing in the middle. The nervousness radiating off of Taylor caused Joe and Jon to become slightly tense. Colby just stood in the back, near the exit. It was their usual set up when in a crowded environment.

"Okay guys, hush!" AJ waved her hands and jumped up and down to get everyone's attention. Whatever good that did. "This won't take long, but yeah! I got everyone here because we need to know if this girl here-" She pushes Taylor forward, then jumps on her back. "-Is girlfriend material for Joseeeph! Opinions are accepted!"

"I mean..." Paige shrugged, a smirk appearing on pale features. "She's gorgeous, duh. She's a perfect match for lil' ol' Joe. They'd make a cute couple for the school year!"

"More than a cute couple," Brie said, inserting herself into the conversation. "I would consider them long term if it does happen."

"Uh..." Joe raised an eyebrow, then stepped in the middle to join AJ and Taylor. "First off, April...I didn't think you were serious."

"Oh I was hella serious, Joe. It's better to sort it out now than later. Because you won't be in that much of a talking mood."

"True, but I have self-control. Besides, I'm not doin' this for fun. We're all tryin' to survive the week when it happens."

Taylor simply sighed. What a mess she was in. She didn't even want to be his mate! But of course, everyone chose the new girl. Great. She looked at Joe, who simply shrugged. She just wanted to go to her room and just rest now. This "event" AJ was holding suddenly drained her of all energy.

"Are we done? Did everyone vote?" She asked. "If so, I'm outta here."

"Wait wait wait!" AJ stopped her from running off. "You're just gonna leave? Without hearing our suggestions about the wedding?"

"Wedding-...I'm gone." This is where Taylor drew the line. Joe and her getting married? Yeah right. "I can't take much more of this."

"Waaaaait-!"


AJ followed her all the way back to her dorm, even pushing through the door after she closed it on her. She puffed out her cheeks, arms folded over her petite frame. After giving it more thought, she sighed. Maybe she did jump to conclusions way to quickly.

"Okay, maybe the wedding part was a little ridiculous..." She shuffled on her feet, looking for ways to lessen the sudden tension in the room. "But hey! Look at the bright side-"

"There is no bright side," Taylor interrupted, flopping onto her bed and crawling under the covers shortly after. "There is nothing good about Roman's sudden announcement about his urges, and there's nothing good about what might happen during it."

"Well, you never know. Fate's a pretty unpredictable thing."

She didn't peek out from under the covers to shoot AJ a menacing look. Why waste the energy to? Even though she knew AJ wouldn't leave, she still flopped onto her bed, crawling on top of her form. Taylor moved the cover off of her head and looked at her.

"What in the he—"

"Okay, you don't have to do all the stuff we said! But you have to have noticed he's taking a liking to you, though. Roman doesn't usually do that."

"He doesn't?" She sat up, a dark brow raised in confusion. "Huh…even though he's a little cold at times, I guess I didn't see it at first. You're all pretty close to him, but I recently came here not even forty-eight hours ago. I expected him and his brothers to tear me apart for what I did at the orientation. He could've died."

AJ hopped off the bed, her previous intentions working out for the better. Taylor was sitting up and intrigued. "Well, why do you think we all said you're the best candidate to be Roman's mate? Ever since you came here, he's been acting a little different. And besides, you're hella pretty. Big tits and ass, pretty face…you're basically what he needs!"

"…I'm going to sleep." Taylor pulled the covers back over her face, or at least tried to. AJ placed her hand on her face, preventing it from covering her completely. "Oh, come on!"

"All I'm saying is just be wary about it. Don't be surprised if he comes onto you. Don't worry, I'll be right there the entire time! Remember, you have friends now. You're not alone."

Taylor pulled the covers up to her face slightly, now deep in thought. She was alone for most of her life, so relying on other people was literally a foreign concept that she had to adjust to. She was willing to give chances—the people here weren't really bad.

"…Okay, I'll take your word for it since you put it in perspective. I won't get my hopes up and think that Roman will skip me entirely."

"Good." AJ was grinning now. "Now come back downstairs! We're about to chill out and play some games!"

"Fine." Taylor got up out of the bed, not even bothering to grab her shoes. "I'll come along."

"Yay! Now let's go before they start without us."