[A/N - POV changes partway through]

"It comes and goes in waves. It always does, always does. We watch as our young hearts fade into the flood, into the flood."
~Dean Lewis, 'Waves'

~~~

*Can's POV*

Shit.

Fuck, fuckballs, fucking shit.

"I will not beg," I grit through my teeth while doubled over in my bedroom. "I will not beg for— fuck!"

'I'll keep that in mind when you later beg for me to do it again.'

Those words echo in my mind; Tin's condescending tone reminding me exactly why I don't want to beg.

Even though my first heat just started, and my skin is burning with the need to be touched.

"Can?" Papa's voice comes from the other side of the door. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine!" I shout, but my voice is more hoarse than usual.

"Are you sure about that?" Dad questions dryly. "Because you're releasing a shit ton of pheromones."

"Dammit," I curse as another wave of need washes over me. This time, I'm unable to suppress the moan that follows.

"He's clearly in heat," dad murmurs. "I'm going to call Champ."

"No!" I shriek, nearly tripping over myself running to the door. "Don't do that!"

Papa's eyes widen at the sight of me before he quickly averts his eyes. In that moment, I realize my erection is prominent, pushing against my grey sweatpants. Embarrassed, I hurriedly tug on the bottom of my shirt to cover myself up.

"Don't call them!" I plead.

Dad stares at me as if I've grown a second head. "What the hell are you talking about? You're in heat. You need your mate."

My mate.

Just the mention of him sends a shiver of delight down my spine. Fuck, it's just the heat making me act this way! I would never— could never... dammit, I just need to resist the temptation and stay away from him at all costs!

After Tin's party, my dads figured out pretty easily that Tin's my mate. After all, why would the guy who's hated me for years suddenly kiss me? Papa seemed overjoyed that the son of their close friends is my mate. Dad, on the other hand... I'm still unable to tell how he feels about it.

"I don't want him," I seethe, glaring at my dad. His face is blank as he takes in my serious expression.

"No," dad decides. "You need to see him."

"You can't force me to be with him! I don't love him! Hell, I don't even like the bastard!"

"He's your mate," his voice breaks a little, making me pause. "You can try to tell yourself that you don't want to be with him, but it's your destiny. If you give him a chance, you might end up falling in love and being happier than you ever imagined."

"Dad..." I soften, feeling bad for yelling.

Several years ago, my parents told me about the mate bond. How the Moon Goddess destines for you to be with someone, and that person is your other half. Created to complement you in every way. Papa's eyes were shining when he told me about it, and I could tell he really loved my dad.

After papa left the room, my dad grew more serious. He told me about the dangers of rejecting the mate bond. The punishment, the pain, everything. In fact, dad said you don't even have to flat out reject your mate for it to hurt. As long as you push them away, you're hurting them.

Dad knows, because he did that to papa.

And I know he still feels bad about it at times. Like now, for example. Watching me push away Tin probably reminds him of when he pushed away papa.

But... this is different. Papa loved my dad. They were best friends. Tin and I were close growing up, but we're not like that anymore. We... we hate each other.

Slowly shaking my head, I whisper. "He hates me. Don't force me to be with someone who hates me."

"But—"

"Your situation was different," I bluntly cut him off. "Papa loved you for years. Tin has hated me for years. I do not want to sleep with someone who hates me."

Dad's jaw ticks as he stares at me in thought. For a second, I'm worried he's going to argue further, but then he simply says, "Okay."

"Really?" Papa raises his brows in surprise.

Dad nods. "Really. Can, you should try to get some sleep. If you plan on riding out your heat by yourself, you'll need some rest. And drink plenty of water, okay?"

"Uhh... sure," I agree, dumbfounded that he gave in so easily.

"Tharn, can I see you downstairs?" Dad requests with an unnerving amount of innocence.

"O-Okay..." papa reluctantly agrees. Frowning, I watch the two of them head down the stairs. I want to ask my dad what's really on his mind, but my body is beginning to feel exhausted. My heat has been coming in waves; between those waves, I feel worn out and tired. Dad was right, I should get some rest.

My cheeks are feverishly flushed as I crawl under my blankets and snuggle into my bed. Even though the heat is calm right now, the last thought I have before falling asleep is Tin's face.

***

*Type's POV*

"What are you up to?" Tharn questions suspiciously when we reach the living room.

"Our son is too similar to me," I start with a sigh. "Stubborn, prideful, hot-headed..."

"At least you're self-aware," Tharn smirks, and I smack his arm.

"My point is..." I glare at him, "Can isn't going to accept Tin on his own. He's going to need help."

My husband furrows his brows. "Help? Didn't you say you wouldn't force them together?"

"I said no such thing. Can said he doesn't want to be with Tin, and I said okay. That wasn't a promise not to intervene, it was just an acknowledgment."

"But, you said he could ride out his heat by himself—"

"No, I said he could plan on riding out his heat by himself," I emphasize with a grin. "I never said I would let him. It's all in the wording, baby."

"You sneaky little thing," Tharn chuckles before his smile slips off his face. "Although, I'm not sure we should intervene. I think it would be best if we let them work it out on their own."

Biting my lower lip, I shake my head. Noticing my change in demeanor, Tharn frowns and drags his hands down my arms until he's holding my hands.

"What's really going on?" My mate murmurs. "You used to be so adamant about letting people make their own decisions, yet you're butting into Can's relationship like this."

Guilt pools in my stomach. Tharn has a point. In the past, I hated when someone tried to make decisions for me. Can takes after me so much, and I know he's going to be angry if I interfere. Even so...

"I can't watch him make the same mistakes I did," I whisper. "Can reminds me of how I was when I turned eighteen. He's going to resist being with Tin, I can feel it. I don't want him to put Tin through what I... what I put you through."

Sadness swirls in Tharn's eyes as he cups my cheeks, forcing me to look up at him. His puppy eyes lock with mine, making my heart accelerate. Even after being together for seventeen years, Tharn still affects me as much as he did back then.

"Baby," Tharn coos softly. "You don't need to feel bad about that anymore. Those few months that you resisted me weren't ideal, that's true, but the years worth of love you've shown me completely washes away any of that pain."

With a small smile, I push up and briefly connect our lips. Electricity shoots from where our lips are touching while our mate bond sings in delight. Tharn's hands slide around to my back, lowering down so he can squeeze my ass.

"Behave, asshole," I break the kiss, smacking his chest lightly. "We don't have time."

"Why?" He whines with a pout. So fucking cute.

"We're going over to Team and Champ's. We'll probably have to stay with them for the night after managing to get Tin over here."

"Are you sure about this?" Tharn raises a brow. "Can will probably be really mad."

I shrug. "He'll get over it after he gets laid."

"Type!" Tharn hisses, his cheeks turning pink. "That's our son!"

"And he's also a wolf who's going through heat," I remind him pointedly. "Come on, let's pack some overnight bags and head over."

***

*Can's POV*

Whimpering, I squirm around under my covers. The room as grown exponentially hotter, waking me up from my nap. There's a tightness in the lower part of my stomach, and I bite my lip as I experimentally brush my fingers over the bulge in my sweats. A strangled groan rumbles deep in my throat.

I need him. I need my mate. I need Tin.

N-No! I don't need him. I don't n-need...

Tin?

My eyes widen at the sight of the witch standing in my bedroom. I scramble on my bed, bunching my blankets around my waist to hide my erection.

"Tin!" I squeak, another wave of heat washing over me from saying his name. His scent fills my nostrils, making my wolf whine needily. "W-What are you doing here?"

"Our parents," Tin breathes out, panting slightly. His face is flushed; his dark pupils dilated. My eyes travel lower to the obvious bulge in his slacks. I shouldn't be as surprised as I am. I've known that mates go through heat at the same time.

"You shouldn't be here," I whimper, squeezing my legs together. The action causes another moan to spill from my throat, making Tin's eyes flash purple. He strides over to me, and I throw my hands up in alarm. "D-Don't touch me!"

Tin's steps falter; his jaw clenching. "I won't," he assures me, his voice strained.

"Y-You won't?"

He shakes his head as his lips twitch upwards. "I meant what I said last time."

I lick my lips nervously. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Striding over, Tin leans over the bed until his face is inches from mine. My breath hitches in my throat as the desire to pull him down to me intensifies.

With a wicked smile, Tin whispers in my ear, "I won't touch you... not until you beg for it."

~~~

Guuuyyyssss things are happeninngggg

I've been trying to write more, but I got sick this week. I'm still sick and I hope it goes away soon

Thoughts??

See you next time!
-Gumbie