James' POV

Today is a very fucking good day. I don't know what made me want to talk to Cody or what made me kiss him, but I am very very glad I did. I step into Leader's Development with a smile on my face. Okay it may have been a smirk but that's not the point and mind your business.

     Since I walked Cody to school, I'm a bit late this morning but Ms. K won't care and honestly neither do I. I nod my head at the pretty teacher as I make my way past her desk and to my own. Sliding into my seat, I flash a smile at Alex and Art and all I get back are scared amused faces in return.

     Alex is the first to break the silence. "James are you okay?" My smile slows a little but at the question, confused but I answer anyway.

     "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?" I scoff, remembering this morning and my instincts to go to Cody and be by his side all this morning. My instincts aren't always good but when they are, they're spot fucking on.

     "It's just that usually around this time of month, you'd be cranky and trying to battle everyone to a duel or pissing contest."

     "You didn't do anything to Cody did you?" Artemis adds before I can even comprehend what the two are saying. But when I do:

     "Fuck fuck fuck! Oh god, not today! And today was going so good!" I groan slapping my head on the desk. In all my worry over Cody, I completely forgot that my Rut is to start today. The side effects start a couple hours early but there's no telling when it'll start. Usually the protective nature of a wolf in his Rut is triggered by an event or person that unknowingly challenges them.

     "What if it's not the same as usual. What if it's a sexual Rut." Artemis asks, clearly worried but I'm shaking my head before she can finish.

     "It doesn't work like that, Art. My Rut won't change that way until his birthday in a couple days." I explain to her, though I am still worried about one thing. "The only thing I know is that my overprotective nature and jealousy with probably be directed at him. He'll damn near have to sit on my lap to appease me."

One symptom that I hope will leave me alone is the chilling ache in my chest that comes with being an UnMated wolf. Maybe since I found my mate and know who it is, I won't have to deal with those painful consequences.

My mind is distracted for the rest of the day on the topic, and after the bell rings, I don't miss how both Alex and Art stay close to me as I walk down the hallways. I'm about to go towards my next class when I smell the sweet scent of Cody. The smell of honey and sunshine so enticing at the moment I have no choice but to follow the bright sweet smell of my adorable little Mate.

My stride quicken as his scent gets stronger and his voice gets closer. But my happiness fades when I realize that he doesn't sound happy or even adorably shy. He sounds scared. Alex and Artemis much have heard the same thing because neither of them are trying to stop me, only following as back up if needed.

I feel Sloan stir for the first time this morning and I growl at him annoyed. 'You couldn't wake up and tell me about my Rut this morning.'

'No. Your body, your Rut, your problem, love. You should've known and been prepared.' Sloan scoffs but once he realizes ones going on around us, his playful tone turns deadly in an instant. 'Who is fucking with my Cody-Bear? Does someone wanna fucking die?!'

Before I can answer him, I finally set my eyes on my little bean whose sweet scent is coated in that of fear. He's leaning against his locker, damn near trying to disappear into it and some Faerie is leaning towards him trying to steal some of my love and affection.

'Ahh shit here we go again.' Sloan sighs but I can barely hear him. I feel my muscles go taught and the shift in my hormones as I stare at my terrified Mate being cornered in the middle of school. My canines elongate fully and my hands start twitching to have the mans neck between them. Before I can say anything, it's Artemis that finishes the walk to Cody first, though her attention is not on him.

     She stomps up the the male faerie and slaps him against the head. Hard. "Jasper get the fuck away from Cody. He's not yours and if you try anything James will fucking kill you." I ignore their conversation as I go around them to Cody. He's looking scared and extremely vulnerable with his red cheeks and his eyes playing peekaboo behind his hair.

     I immediately grab him in my grasp, startling the shit out of him, until his eyes find mine and he relaxes. Before either of us can get a word out I hear that Jasper kid's response.

     "Cody is his name, eh? Don't fret, sis, we were only talking of plans to get closer, isn't that right, Cody?" I see fucking red as I push Cody behind me. The growl that comes out of me is a whole tone deeper than usual, my intolerance for sharing showing it's true colors here.

     "Stay the fuck away from Cody." I say the words coming out growled and rough with the annoyance I'm barely holding back.

     "Do you know who I am? I'm the Faerie Prince, who are you to question me?" The cocky prick asks. I look over at Art for any lies and all I get is a cringe in return.

     "Do you think Sloan or I give a flying monkeys ass who you are? You touch what's mine and Art here will be able to get a new brother. Not like you'll rule anyway you fucking annoyance. Touch what's mine and I'll show you exactly who I am." He blanches at my unveiled threat. And though I usually hate to get violent, if anyone touches a hair on Cody's head I'll cut theirs off. Simple if you ask me.

     I feel a tug on my shirt from behind me and turn around to see Cody trying to stiff his uncontrollable giggles back inside as I lean down to hear what he whispers. "Tell him he needs a mint." Cody says and his giggles start up all over again.

     'I could just eat him up. And I think I will.' Sloan says thinking of way too inappropriate things at the moment as I turn to relay the message.

     "Cody says take a hike and next time take a fucking breath mint." The small crowd that has gathered around us Oohs and Ahhh at the burn my precious bean provided and his answering giggle behind me makes me smile. After Jasper walks away followed by an annoyed Artemis, I turn back towards  Cody to see him smiling shyly down at the ground.

     I remember then that some Omegas don't like it when someone steps in for them or cussing. Or confrontation and I did all of those things in front of my sweet little mate. "I'm sorry if I over stepped Cody..." Before I can continue he's throwing himself at me to get my long lean frame as tight of a hug that he can manage. He goes to pull away and I can't quite help the growl that's pulled from my chest so hard he stops immediately.

      "Sorry," I start as I close my eyes. "Go head." And even though it still hurts when he pulls away I let him, though he doesn't go far.

     I feel a tiny tug on my sleeve that causes me to reopen my eyes and look down at my beautiful Mate. Though I don't miss how his sweet scent is mixed with nerves instead of fear now and I'm not sure why.

     He averts his eyes shyly before he asks me his question. "Uh can we...um....like this morning... is it okay if we talk.... I... I'm a little confused." He stumbles out but I'm not annoyed at all, only in awe at the courage that must have taken for my shy little bean.

     "Yes we can, bean." I freeze as the name just slips out. Fuck. "Oh, um. I'm sorry, Cody." Before I can stumble through an apology he stops me as if the roles are reversed.

     "I-I like it." He admits to the floor and I can't help the way my smile and heart soar knowing he really does like me and that this small precious cute little bean is going to be all mine in less than a week.

     "How do you feel about school at the moment?" I ask, already planning on us going to my favorite place in the city.

     "I'm not sure I like it at the moment." Cody says raising his eyes enough to reach my chest before he lowers them back down with red cheeks.

     I pick up his chin lightly with my fingers to see his beautiful eyes. "I have the prettiest place in town that I can take you to. There's so much I want to tell you." I see him hesitate at the prospect of leaving school for the rest of the day but after a second or two of gnawing on his plump bottom lip he nods his agreement.

     I patiently wait as he gathers up all his books into his book bag and lead him down the now empty hallway to the front doors. I see his hand come up to mine before settling down a few times before I reach down and grab it sending a smile to the beet red face of my Mate.

     Today is the day he'll finally fall in love.

~~~~~
So how do you think that conversation is gonna go? Another character introduced. He won't be around too much but definitely remember his name.

Thoughts?

Comments?

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