Wolf Bound (Fated) By Jenival Writes

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Chapter 20

Amber looked Jade dead in the eye. “I need you to give yourself a chance to think about this seriously, Jade,”

Jade drummed her fingers over her hipbones and tossed her long, strawberry-hued hair over her shoulder. “I’d want to know where you’re getting your information from. Just so you know, a palm reader or a magically found crystal orb doesn’t count.”

“My stepfather. Amber said, her eyes never leaving Jade’s. “George just finished explaining to me the reason for my current predicament. And that is my father.

“Whoa. Back up” Jade blurted, finally lowering her hands from her hips, her posture no longer on the offensive. “How did the topic go from Callum to your father!”

This was the part Amber dreaded. “That’s because my real father isn’t human.”

Jade stood frozen for a few seconds and Amber waited in silence for her to speak. “Can you pl please repeat that? I don’t think I heard right” Jade whispered, her voice almost breaking.

There was no going back from this. Once Jade knew the truth, she would have to take it or leave it. The walls seemed to close in as Amber took a deep breath, afraid of the ramifications of sharing the news, knowing she could lose her only friend, knowing she didn’t have any other choice.

Stop delaying the inevitable, she told herself and took in another deep breath.

Resigned, she exhaled sofily and said, “My father isn’t human. He’s a werewolf”

“He’s a what?” Jade exclaimed, hoping like hell her ears were deceiving her. Amber had to be making a funny, really stup id f u cking funny Joke and she wasn’t digging her attempt at had humor.

“You heard me.” Amber whispered as she tucked a couple of unruly curls behind her ear, a nervous habit Jade had become

accustomed to.

“Why are you only telling me this now?” Jade was grappling for words. She just couldn’t find the words to rightly explain how she was feeling. “How could you keep something like that from me!”

“I didn’t keep anything from you, Jade. I just found out myself. Last night to be precise.”

“Last night? Was this before or after you visited Ink Stone?”

“A bit of both, actually.” Amber replied, a blush creeping up her cheeks. “I always thought I was different, but it wasn’t until I went into The Wolf’s Ink and met Callum that L She exhaled slowly, clearing her throat before whispering. “That’s when I

knew for sure.”

It wasn’t hard to imagine what her friend was thinking about. Amber was smitten with Callum, watching him from the corner of her eye, allowing her fingers to linger on his arm as she told him she was packing a few things and would hurry back. All these things she’d noticed within the few minutes they’d been together at the study.

An image of another man-one who’d tossed her inside a room and left her breathless-flashed before Jade’s eyes. All muscles, tattoos, and attitude. With eyes captivating and shiny as the setting sun. A warm tingle erupted in her stomach and goosebumps scatt ered over her skin. For a moment she’d considered sticking around if only to see what no-name-tattoo- artist would do. “Then it hit her. She was flirting with something dangerous enough to shatter her bones and snuff out her lights.

sin-

Slamming back to the present, she brushed off the intrusive sensations. The man-while good-looking and yummy as had essentially threatened her if she didn’t do as he said. Climbing out the window was possibly the smartest decision she’d ever made. She depended on herself to get sh it done. Relying on someone else was just asking for trouble. Jade looked at her friend and released a breath. All she could do now was accept this. But not until she was sure Amber was certain this was the truth.

Chapter 20

“Are you sure, Amby?” she finally whispered.

Amber nodded. “Callum showed me things that confirmed it to me last night.”

“Showed you or made you feel,” Jade teased, her eyebrows raising. Humor had always gotten them through rough patches in the past. Hopefully, playful teasing would overcome the tension in the room. By the blush marring her friend’s face, Jade knew it working.

“Oh please. Jade. Have you seen him? You can’t blame me.”

No, she couldn’t, but she wasn’t letting her off that easy, either.

“Says the woman banging him ten ways to Sunday. At least I’m still on the fence.”

“You’re on the fence about everything,” Amber argued, her eyes warming up with amusement. “Maybe you and find a werewolf. It might change your life.

should

Even though she knew the comment was meant as a joke, a spi ke of panic made her heart sk ip a beat. For the second time that day, she pictured the man from the tattoo shop, shivering when she recalled how he’d looked at her. His gaze alone had made her nipples harden and her sex clench. He wasn’t one to fool around. He’d take what he wanted when he wanted it. And he wouldn’t ask.

Recovering before she roused her friend’s suspicion, she returned her hands to her hips. “Thanks for the offer, but I’ll stick with BOB when it comes to my sexual needs.”

“You’re not upset!”

Jade reached out and playfully slapped Amber on the face. Amber had thought she’d think less of her because of what her father was. That she might not view her in the same way once she found out the truth. She needed to be slapped back to her senses for that thought.

“How could you even think that, Amby? I would never be upset about something that was never in your control in the first place. Jade took a step toward the one friend she’d always counted on, the only person she truly trusted. “Friends forever. remember?”

“Even if I’m not who you thought? Amber asked quietly. “I’m not human, Jade. 1 might become one of the things that freak you OUL

It was true she’d never liked anything paranormal, but this was Amber they were talking about here. Her Amber. “Not possible,” she replied. “Not even in a million years. We’ve been through too much-had shared too much-for this to destroy the bond between us. I don’t care what you are. You’re still you. That much hasn’t changed”

“Oh, Jade. I really hope so, Amber finally whispered, letting out a tired sound “Everything’s happened so fast. Yesterday 1 thought 1 knew who I was. Today I feel like I know 100 much and nothing at the same time.”

Crossing the distance, Jade took her friend into her arms and Amber instantly sagged against her, holding her so tight it was hard to breathe. Jade didn’t complain. Over the years they’d taken turns being strong for each other. It was obvious it was her turn to bear the weight to offer a shoulder to lean on.

“It’s going to be okay, she murmured, stroking a hand over her friend’s curly hair. “It’s like Greta says. Everything happens.

for a reason

“Do you really believe that?”

Since she wasn’t sure how to respond, she didn’t say anything. Instead, she played the role of the rock, anchoring the fragile young woman to solid ground. Friends forever, just as they’d vowed on the elementary school playground when they were seven years old and faced their first bully together.

Amber was home, and she was safe. To hell with the rest. They would deal with obstacles in their path as they came to them

just like they always did. Nothing would come between them Jade wouldn’t allow it.

Athe present moment, nothing else mattered.