Thank fuck that Knox dragged my ass here.

Having Promise in my arms as we dance to a slow song feels, well just; right!

I don't care what anyone thinks. She is my mate and I'm enjoying every second of being in her arms.

"About today?" I want her to believe that I don't have a damn girlfriend. I have no idea why she even thought it in the first damn place.

"I don't have a girlfriend Promise. I haven't dated anyone in years." I need her to understand this.

"That's not what Lola said!" She turns her head away from me. Lola? What the hell? Where the hell did she get that idea?

"I don't know what you have heard Promise but I swear to you that Lola is definitely not my girlfriend," I put my fingers on her chin bringing her face around to look at me "who told you that?" I sure hope it wasn't Tyson trying to cause trouble after what he said about her yesterday, I don't doubt he would be that devious.

"Lola." Now that surprises me, why would Lola tell her we were dating? Unless Tyson put her up to it? I know Lola try to hook up with me a couple of times after her and Tyson split. But I wouldn't go out with her. I didn't see her that way. I was not attracted to her.

"I don't understand. Lola and I have never been together Promise. Never!" Her emerald eyes lock into mine, searching for the truth of my statement.

"I would not lie to you. Did I lie about being your mate?" She shakes her head, "then why would I lie to you about this? You are my mate and I would never do that to you. Understand?" I truly hope she does, she closes her eyes for second. Inhaling deeply, when she opens them again she stares right into mine: penetrating me.

She doesn't say a word, she reaches her hand up, placing it on the back of neck. Then she kisses me. Tenderly at first, her lips are so soft against mine. I slide my tongue into her mouth, our tongues battle for dominance, she's diffidently winning. Sparks ignite within me, coursing through my entire body. Lighting a fire straight to my groin. She's delectable, very enticing. I never knew a kiss could effect me so deeply.

Breaking away from the kiss, I place my forehead on hers.

"That was amazing." She giggles, it's such an intoxicating melody to hear.

I see Knox with Marley out of the corner of my eye, raising my head away from Promises, I watch as they walk to the stairway.

No fucking way is he actually going to do what I think he's going to do? How could he? After finding our mate he's going to so blatantly fuck Marley upstairs?

His eyes catch ours from over his shoulder. He looks so longingly at both of us. I glance to Promise and see heartbreak all over face. Does she even know he's her mate? I know she knows about me but I haven't told her about Knox yet. By the look she's giving him she seems to have some realizations about it. Damn! And now he's going to fuck up by fucking Marley!

I have no idea what to do. If I go after him Promise will know something is up and truthfully I don't want to leave her alone here on the dance floor where any guy can come on to her.

If I stay she will be upset the rest of the night and there's goes any chance I'll have getting to know her better.

Why the fuck is he doing this to me? To her?

Deciding on chancing it and going after Knox, I excuse myself from Promise, headed off to confront Knox.

Catching him on the second floor right before he enters an empty bedroom, I grab him by his arm forcefully.

"What the hell are you doing?" He let's go of Marleys hand, facing me eye to eye.

"What the fuck does it look like I'm doing Jaye?" I turn my heated gaze to Marley.

"Get out of here. He has a mate!" She rolls her eyes at me, strutting over to stand beside Knox.

"So? He's not with her. He's with me and if his mate is that fucking freak then he should reject her. No one would want to be mates with that!" She sneers at me, I look to Knox, he's looking down at her with confusion.

"You're really going to fuck someone who talks about Promise like that?" I point to Marley. Knox just shrugs. The asshole fucking shrugs!

Pissed beyond belief at my best friend I ball my fist up, punching him right in his jaw. His head snaps back with the force of the punch. Righting himself he looks directly at me: fuming.

Well fuck him and his stupid slut!

"You would prefer to be with that," I slur out the last word "than Promise?" He just looks at me dumbfounded.

"You know what Knox do what you want! But I will tell you this. You sleep with that skank consider our friendship over!" I will not let him hurt Promise this way. Even of it cost me his friendship. I just can't do it.

"You're kidding right?" I shake my head at him "you would chose her, over me? After all that we've been through. You would prefer to be with her than me?" I just nod my head in response. He looks astounded.

"I can't believe this. We have only known her for two fucking days Jaye. Two fucking days! And you would drop me because I want to get my dick wet?" Is that all he can think about? His fucking dick?

"If you would think with this head," I point to his forehead "than this one," I point to his junk "then you would see that there's more to life than just getting your dick wet! Especially with someone who has slept with every member of our team!" Marley scoffs at that.

"Shut the fuck up Jaye I haven't slept with you!" She tells me, with disgust on her face. I'm the one who should be disgusted.

"Yea because I don't want to catch whatever STD you got riddled up in that grand canyon of a pussy you got!" Marley grabs her chest, looking as if I slapped her.

"Are you going to let him talk to me that way Knox?" Knox looks to me then to her. Sighing out in frustration.

"Shut up Marley, I think we're done here!" Marley starts to fume.

"Fuck you Knox, I'm going to tell everybody you're mated to damn freak. Let's see how you like that!" She starts to storm off but I grab ahold of arm before she can pass me.

"You say one more word about Promise that way and I will end you!" I threaten her, she looks frightened for a second. Turning away she storms off back down the stairs.

I turn my attention back to Knox.

"Was you seriously going to fuck that!?" He shakes his head vigorously.

"Nah I was just gonna let her bob on my cock!" Like that's any better the thought alone disgust me.

"That's gross Knox!" He just laughs at me, patting me on my back.

"Was you seriously going to end our friendship if I did let her." I look to him with a serious expression.

"Yes. I don't think you realize the ramifications of what would of happened if you did let Marley suck your dick. I'm serious Knox, she may not officially know you're her mate but I have a feeling that she knows deep down. The look on her face when she saw you coming upstairs was heartbreaking. You may not take this seriously but I damn sure do." He looks stunned. I'm just trying to be honest. He has to know what it would have done to Promise. She may not be all he had imagined in a mate but she is all imagined in one.

"It just scares me Jaye. When I was dancing with her, the way I was I feeling was...scaring me. I've never felt nothing like it before. I truly don't want to hurt her. She seems genuinely like a nice person. But I still don't want a mate. The only thing is I somewhat want her too. Does that make any sense?"

Yes I'm a way. He's feeling conflicted about his feelings. He's fighting his demons. The battle going on inside of him, I don't envy in anyway. But it's a battle he's going to have figure out on his own. I can't make this decision for him. Either he wants her or doesn't. I just don't want him fucking it up before he even has a chance to decide about her.

"You'll work it out. Until then, keep your dick in your pants." He just laughs at me as we head back downstairs.

I search the dance floor when we arrive in the main room. Not seeing Promise anywhere, we make our way to the bar for a couple of drinks.

Two drinks later I still can't see Promise anywhere.

Hearing a commotion in the other room. People start to gather around the area. It sounds like a fight. Walking away from the bar we both push our way into the room.

In the middle of the room we see Tyson and Chaz fighting. They're both throwing punches at each other. Mark is trying to get Chaz pulled back away from Tyson while Ivan is doing the same to Tyson.

What the hell caused this shit?

Walking into the room I catch a glimpse of Promise standing in the corner. Tears are streaming down her face, she's holding the top of her dress up where it has been ripped. There's terror written all over her face.

What the fuck!?

I run over to her, access the damage done to her. Her emerald eyes lock into mine, there's fear and worry in them.

"What happened?" Trying to keep my cool, feeling like I'm about to combust all over again. I can't do that in front of all of these people. Trying to calm myself, I take a deep breath waiting on Promise to explain.

"Help him please." The him in question, I assume is Chaz. Glancing back at their altercation, I see Mark and Ivan have accomplished separating Chaz and Tyson. Knox is standing in between them both.

Walking over to them with Promise wrapped by my side I hear the argument between them.

"You ever touch her again and I'll kill you!" Chaz screams at Tyson. Tyson just arrogantly shrugs.

"She was liking it," he places his fingers under his nose and sniffs them "she smells divine."

Oh no he fucking didn't!

I snap my head to Promise, her head his bowed as she sniffles.

Not being able to control my feet, I release her, stomping over to Tyson.

"What the fuck did you do to her?" Tyson sneers, he looks over to Promise.

"Nothing she didn't want." I fucking punch him: hard. His head bounces back as he stumbles. Knox jumps between us, holding me back from Tyson.

"Calm down Jaye. Let's hear both sides of the story first." I look at him like he has lost his damn mind. Both sides? How the hell can we trust a word that comes out of Tysons fucking mouth. He's an asshole!

"Promise." Knox calls out to her, she tentatively looks up, scared out of her wits. Before she could answer. Chaz jumps in Knox's face.

"Don't you fucking talk to her! You think she asked for this? You trust him?" He nudges his head to Tyson "if you do then you're a complete moron!" Chaz walks over to Promise, grabs her hand, tugging her along with him out the door.

I look directly at Knox. My anger has hit an extreme level.

"That's twice Knox. One more chance is all you get. Until you come to you're fucking senses about Promise, don't bother talking to me." I storm pass him and the others. Running through the people at the party to get get to Promise.

Exiting the door I search the lot for her. All I see is a cars brake lights leaving Marks driveway.

Fuck!

I can't believe this shit happened. I had her wrapped in my embrace and all because of Knox's stupid decisions, I left her alone.

I should of been there for her.

"Jaye." Knox says, as he comes up behind me. Ignoring him I walk away to get on my motorcycle to leave. I'm furious at him.

"Jaye talk to me dude." He follows behind me. Turning abruptly, I step up to him.

"What? What else do you want to fuck up tonight Knox?" He's taken aback. I could care less at this point. He has ruined my fucking night and my chance with Promise.

"I'm sorry Jaye. I wasn't clearly thinking." He's got that shit right.

"That's the problem Knox you don't think! No! I take that back! You do think! But only about your damn self!" Done with this conversation and his bullshit. I hop on my bike to leave.

Deciding that maybe Promise shouldn't know that Knox is her mate after all. If he wants to act this way then she doesn't need him and if he continues acting this way.

I don't need him either!

•••••