4. Hawthorne

CHAPTER FOUR

HAWTHORNE

T he phone beeped again, and Leo jumped for it, groaning when it wasn't a notification from Harper. They'd been chatting for a week, sending flirty messages and getting to know her better. They'd even exchanged numbers so Leo could send a photo of the apple crumble he made a few days ago. Jasper was still at the clinic, and I planned to grab him soon, but he'd been checking in, seeing what Harper had said. They didn't want to overwhelm her and give her all our numbers, so they'd just been sharing Leo's phone.

"You know she's at work," I reminded him. Harper had told us she was a real estate agent and that she worked long hours. I rolled my eyes at the thought of wrangling another workaholic, but I also smiled. I liked taking care of people, and maybe another wouldn't be the end of the world.

"I know," he said, trying not to sound disappointed. "But she hasn't texted all day."

"Reminds me of a certain someone, doesn't she?"

I hadn't talked to her at all. Though I should be trying to get to know her, I had to admit, I was nervous. If it wasn't for Leo, I probably wouldn't have him or Jasper, either. I had never been one to take risks when it came to relationships. As a pack alpha, I was confident, but that didn't bleed into my love life. Leo made the first move when we were in high school. Not just on me, but on Jasper too.

We'd all been close for a long time, but once we got to high school I realized my feelings for them. Though I knew I would never do anything about it. Leo was a personality. He lived loudly and exactly how he wanted. And Jasper was a genius, always focused, determined to become a doctor. I was going to be stuck here as the next pack alpha, and we hadn't really talked about what would happen after high school. If they both ended up leaving after high school I didn't want to hold them back, or get my heart broken.

But then one day we were sitting together working on homework at his house after school. He was sprawled out over his bed while I sat at his desk. It was calculus, and neither of us were very good at it. Jasper was the one who was good at math, and we were waiting for him for help. Though Leo was complaining a bit more than I was.

I walked over to help him after the fifth time he said he was just going to drop out and join the circus.

"Let me see," I had said.

When I leaned in to check his work I felt his eyes on me.

I looked towards him and realized our faces were so close I could feel his breath on my face. His dark eyes met mine, making my face heat.

"W-which one did you need help with?" I asked, my gaze going back to the page.

His hand came under my chin and pulled me back. My eyes were wide, I wasn't sure what was happening.

We held each other's gaze for another moment before he pulled me into him and pressed his soft lips to mine. My small teen heart exploded in that moment. I wrapped my arms around him, pressing our bodies tighter.

A gasp came from the door and we both froze. I turned and Jasper was there, eyes wide.

"I-I…sorry. So sorry." He rushed from the room down the stairs. Leo followed after him and I was so stunned I just sat there.

When they came back we were all able to talk everything out and share our feelings, and we'd been together ever since.

While it wasn't always perfect, we made it work for each other, and now, at the idea of another, I wasn't sure what to say. I was too worried I would mess it all up, so I left the wooing to Leo and Jasper, comfortable to bide my time.

The phone beeped again, and when he checked this time, he lit up. "What did she say?" I asked.

"She's talking about the house she's selling," he said. "Apparently, it's like a huge mansion. Her biggest job ever."

A smile touched my lips at the thought of my potential mate being so successful. "Look, she sent photos."

He passed me the phone, and I gripped it at the top. Wow, the photos did make this place look nice. It was at least five bedrooms, with hardwood floors, recently renovated.

"Hello?" a small voice called out. I wasn't sure where it came from. I looked around, confused, until I realized Leo's eyes were looking wildly at the phone.

"Hello," I heard again, and that's when understanding dawned on me. I'd clicked the wrong button and accidentally called her.

I held the phone to my ear. "Hello," I said, nerves making my voice crack.

"Hey," she said. "What's up?" Her voice was pretty and light, even if her tone was a bit confused.

I looked to Leo who just shrugged. I'd never seen him speechless before. "I, uh, fumbled my phone and accidentally called," I said honestly.

"Oh," she said, sounding almost disappointed, the tone nestled deep in my core.

"But I-I'm glad I did," I managed to stumble out. "It's great to hear your voice."

She was silent for a moment, and I thought that was the wrong thing to say until she said, "It's great to hear yours too. Your call came at a good time. I just finished up with a potential buyer."

"Yes, I saw your photos. It looks like a great place."

It was as if I could hear her blush through the phone. "Oh, yes. It's the nicest house I've listed. My manager gave it to me for doing so well last month."

I smiled. "That's amazing. I'm sure you'll have no problem selling that house. Who could resist you?"

She went silent again for a moment. "Hoping flattery will get you a date?" she asked.

"Maybe," I said easily. "I would love to take you out this week."

Leo was all but standing on the couch, his knuckles white with how hard he gripped the edge. "I would love to," she said. "But I have to see if…" She trailed off. I waited until she finally spoke again. "I have to make sure, but I think I could do Friday."

I glanced at Leo, who nodded vigorously. "Friday would be great. Can we pick you up at eight?"

"No," she said quickly. "I mean, I can meet you there."

Her response struck me as odd, but I wanted her to be comfortable. "That's perfect. I'll send you the address. We'll see you then, Harper."

"See you then."

The line went dead, but I still held it to my ear. It was pushed away when Leo jumped into my lap, kissing me hard. "We have a date with our mate!" he squealed.

I smiled against his lips. "That we do." I wasn't sure if I would admit she was our mate just yet, but I could say I was excited.

"You were smooth," he said, pulling back.

Heat warmed my cheeks, but my beard covered most of it. "I called her on accident."

"You know what Bob Ross says about happy accidents," he said.

"No, I don't."

He laughed, though I had no idea what he was talking about. "You were real smooth," he said again.

I cleared my throat. "I don't know about that. I think it went okay."

"Okay?" Leo lowered his brow, which he did when he was pretending to be me. "It's great to hear your voice," he said, his voice lowered dramatically. "Who could resist you? Where was this wooing when I was practically biting at your tail?"

Guilt flooded me for a moment. I knew I didn't do much in the way of showing I wanted to mate with Leo, or with Jasper. I was a bumbling mess of an adolescent when we met, my limbs outgrowing the rest of me. I was awkward and had no idea what to think of this bundle of joy and confidence. And even though Jasper was also quieter, he seemed to open up a lot back then when it was just us.

But I tried to make up for it by being a good mate now, and just because Harper may potentially be fated, I didn't want Leo or Jasper to think I would push them to the side.

"I apologize, love," I said. "If I was able back then, I would have chased you very hard."

He snorted, running his hands through my hair. "You don't need to apologize to me," he said. "That was hot."

Leo ground against me, his back to my front, and my hands moved easily to his hips. His thighs were so muscular and firm. Though it was fall, he still wore gym shorts around the warm house. My hands rode up the sides until I felt the edge of his briefs.

"You liked that?" I asked.

He hummed his agreement. "Her voice is very pretty."

"I agree. Almost as pretty as you."

He blushed deeply, I loved making him do that.

His lips touched mine, as they had hundreds of times before, but every time felt different and special. I couldn't get enough of him.

My hands snaked up to his groin, rubbing against his already hard cock. He writhed against me, trying to get more friction. As he did, his round ass rubbed down on my cock.

I growled. He always felt so good in my arms.

"Do you want to play, pet?" I asked.

"Please," he begged.

"Please what?" I asked.

"Please, Master. I need to be fucked. Jasper…" He gasped, unable to finish talking. I squeezed his ass, knowing exactly what he was going to say.

"Tell me what Jasper did," I ordered.

"He fucked me in the shower before work," Leo breathed. "And I l-left a plug in." He stuttered the last part as I brushed against it through his clothes.

"Naked. On all fours," I said, slapping his ass.

As he followed orders, I grabbed my phone. When I turned back, he was leaning on the back of the couch, his ass in the air and the purple plug presented to me.

I snapped a photo and sent it to our special group chat for sexy messages, one that was locked behind a passcode so no one would be able to look on accident.

"I see you left me a present," I said in the text, knowing Jasper would see it.

I pressed the plug in and out a bit, fucking Leo gently with it. I was sure he was nice and loose for me, slick inside, but I still wanted to play with him.

I pulled the plug out with a pop and tossed it aside. I lubed my hand and thrust three fingers inside of him at the same time, knowing he liked the slight bit of pain.

"Fuck yes," he cried, fucking himself back against me. I let him, loving the way he clenched around my fingers.

With my other hand, I took my cock out, stroking it in time with his thrusts.

"Do you want my cock, pet?" I asked him.

"Yes, I need it. Give it to me," he cried.

I removed my hand and lubed my cock up before thrusting into him to my knot. He cried out, gripping the back of our couch hard as I pounded into him without reprieve.

I grabbed my phone again and took a short video I also sent to the group. Not only would Jasper enjoy it later, but I'm sure I would too.

"Are you taking a photo?" Leo managed out.

I hummed. "I thought Jasper would want to see what he's missing."

"Ohhhh, yes."

I ended the video and threw my phone to the side, focusing all my attention on Leo.

I could feel the base of my spine tingle as I got closer to the edge. "I'm going to knot this tight ass," growled.

"Do it. Knot me, come inside me."

I reached around and jerked his cock off, needing him to come before I did.

I pushed my knot in, and it only took a few strokes before he was coming all over my hand. He tightened around me in a way that had me seeing stars, and I came deep inside him. He continued bearing down on me, milking every last drop from my cock until I was entirely spent.

Leo fell against the couch, his body boneless. I gathered him up and laid us down easily.

"Are you excited for our date?" I asked him.

He hummed. "Very. Now I just need to figure out what to wear."

I laughed. Though I was nervous to finally meet her and find out if she was our mate, I was excited and hopeful.