"So," Hunter said, sitting next to Jacota on the bench. The fresh smell of roses mixed in the warm breeze. "Let's talk more about heat."

"Well, your dad talked to my dad, and then my dad talked to me about it. He said that you will feel more affectionate," Jacota said, trying not to blush.

"Yeah, but I want to know if you're worried about it?" Hunter asked, scooting closer and putting his arm on the back of the bench, touching his mate.

"I'm worried about you. I don't want you to suffer because I'm not ready to- you know- be affectionate every night."

"I completely understand that," Hunter said quickly. "Just because we have done it once doesn't mean you're ready for me in heat."

"Why do I not feel it?"

"Because you have only just found your wolf. It will take a few years to kick in fully, which means you might feel it next year but not as much as me."

Jacota nodded and skimmed the grass with the bottom of his feet, enjoying how the blades tickled his skin.

"How long does it last?"

"About five days."

"Does it get worse over the days?"

"It varies," Hunter shrugged, not wanting him to worry. He knows how Jacota's mind works. The worrying festers until it becomes a huge problem for Jacota's anxiety to feed on, then suddenly the worry turns into a huge breakdown. "I'll be able to control it, that's the main thing."

Jacota sat very still like he always does when his mind is thinking deeply. Sometimes, Jacota would lose himself for a long time, and Hunter didn't like to interrupt, so the werewolf would find the opportunity to stare at him, catching unusual traits, like how many times the God blinks in his daydreaming state. Which oddly enough, isn't very much.

"Can you feel it now?" Jacota asked, staring at his hands.

"A bit. Your scent is driving me mad." Hunter moved even closer and pressed his lips delicately against Jacota's neck.

"Do you think it's odd that other werewolves only smell you on me now?" Jacota asked, fidgeting.

"No, it's normal. It doesn't mean you're mine, even though I like to think that because I have serious trait issues," Hunter chuckled, "It means that we are mates and if they try anything, I will kill them."

Jacota glanced at him from the corner of his eyes.

"You do have trait issues."

"Says the God who did kill to protect me," Hunter snorted, but Jacota didn't find that funny and his guilt hit hunter in the chest. "Sorry, that was uncalled for."

"It wasn't; I'm just in a weird mood today." In other words, Jacota felt sensitive and fragile. Of course, Hunter could already feel that.

"That's okay, we all have those days." Hunter sank down on the bench, looking around the garden, feeling content next to his mate. "Have you thought much about Cordelia-"

"Yes," Jacota replied immediately. "I can't stop thinking about her and Reyana."

Hunter then listened to his thoughts.

"Why isn't she here? Is she lying about not wanting to kill me? What if she does bring Reyana and Reef and they are planning to hurt our family?"

On the surface, Jacota seemed calm, but underneath was worry turning to chaos.

"Summon a storm," Hunter said, squeezing his shoulder. Jacota turned with a small frown. "Summon a storm," Hunter repeated. "You'll feel better."

"It's supposed to be warm today," Jacota whispered.

"So? Make it rain lightning boy." Hunter jabbed his mate in the side, and Jacota's eyes softened.

The God hesitated, but he could feel the sky calling him, yearning to cheer him up. So he gave in and stared at the horizon, persuading the clouds to get closer.

Hunter watched too, caressing his arm with his thumb and not caring if the rain poured and they got soaked. The house was only a few metres away for them to take shelter.

In almost ten minutes, the sky was covered with angry clouds which flashed lightning as far as the eye could see. Hunter briefly looked down to his hand when he felt a soothing motion. Jacota had taken his hand and allowed the power of his electricity bolts to slither and sparkle around it. Then the werewolf felt a heavy raindrop in his hair, and he knew the rainfall would be intense.

Soon enough, he could barely hear himself think from the drops that crashed to the ground, hitting anything and everything. The thunder was mind-numbingly loud, but it gave the boys a thrill of adrenaline, especially when the lightning hit the ground close to their feet.

It took minutes for them to feel drenched to the bone. Their skin may be waterproof, but their clothes clung to their bodies and their hair stuck flat to their heads.

Hunter laughed and looked up, so the rain hit every inch of his face. Knowing that Jacota had summoned something so wild with no effort injected his pride. He moved until his lips touched Jacota's ear and whispered, "I love you."

Jacota turned his head, and their noses brushed together. Even though the storm was unbearably loud, he heard it clear as day.

"I love you too," he said, and Hunter heard the words like they were sitting in a silent room. Their foreheads pushed together until their lips connected and they kissed in the rain, tasting one another and satisfying their affection.

Hunter kissed deeper, turning it passionate when his heart skipped a beat.

Jacota followed his lead and couldn't help but feel the desire when Hunter embedded a hand into his hair and tugged it. But he soon realised that passion was not what he wanted, and he denied the chance for Hunter's tongue to invade his mouth. The werewolf didn't try again, respecting him.

They kissed for longer, sharing the endearment as well as the warmth. Hunter pulled back and stared so lovingly; it sent shivers down Jacota's spine.

Then suddenly, the rain stopped, and the sun poked through a gap in the clouds, creating a spotlight effect on the field. The boys looked down, and the water dripped from their bodies.

"You really did make it rain," Hunter chuckled. "Come on; I want some breakfast." The boys trudged through the grass and up to the garden door where Margo was waiting with two towels.

"Nope," she said, pushing her son away from the kitchen, "dry off outside please."

They took the towels with a grin as the clouds cleared and the day turned into a regular summers heatwave.

"Is there any bacon left?" Hunter asked, rubbing his head with the towel.

"Yes, but you'll have to make some yourself for a change," Anthony smirked when Margo stepped aside to let them in.

"Fine, I will. I'm not completely incompetent," Hunter said, pulling his mate through the kitchen. "And Jay will help me."

"What was that about not being completely incompetent?" Anthony yelled after them with a laugh while the boys disappeared up the stairs.

* * * * *

When the sun was low in the sky with a beautiful orange rim around the horizon, Hunter, Sam, Jacota, and William sat in the field under the hedges, separating them from the garden, and hiding them from anyone near the back of the house.

Hunter laid on his back and Jacota sat next to him, nervously pulling at the grass and glancing around. The God's finger tingled, letting them know another God was close by, but he has experienced the pins and needle-like sensation for a while, all they could do was wait.

"Do you think it's Cordelia?" William asked his brother.

"I hope so." Jacota glanced around and saw nobody in the trees, but he knew someone was there.

"If it's Reyana, I'm not playing nice anymore," Hunter said, and Sam nodded.

"What if it's another God?" the beta wolf asked.

"I don't think they will come unless myself or Jacota are in a life or death situation, and we're not anymore if Cordelia is on our side with Reyana's powers." Hunter watched his mate while he spoke. "I really hope it's Cordelia."

"I think it might be," Jacota whispered. "I think she is hesitating because William and Sam are here. I think she can hear us."

"Well if she's listening, then she should know that William is a brother of a God and Sam is my beta wolf. It's not weird for them to know about her," Hunter shouted, looking up the field, and of course, seeing nothing but darkness as the sun continued to set.

Then moments later, as if the theory of the water Goddess listening to them was true, Cordelia and her mate landed a few meters away.

"Quickly, sit down," Hunter hissed, aware that making friends with Cordelia was a secret he kept from his parents and he didn't want them to see over the hedge.

The Goddess and her mate sat, staying close to each other and looking anxious.

"Why did it take you this long to get in touch?" Hunter questioned.

"I had to sort out the arguments with my family. My mother is ready to disown me. I inherited her powers, and my mate is a female. My dad says he is trying to talk some sense into her, but I know he feels the same. They have been together for too long, they are basically the same person," Cordelia sighed. "And we were supposed to come here this morning but Kate, my mate, decided to introduce me to her family. We couldn't rush that."

"So, you're serious about wanting to be on our side now?"

Cordelia nodded. "Yes, of course I am! I don't know why my mum would rather fight this war alone. We are Gods for a reason, and I have been given these powers to make a positive change in the war, I know it."

Jacota could hear the truth in her voice and in that moment, he knew there was nothing to worry about; Reyana has returned to a normal werewolf while her good-hearted daughter has taken her powers for better use.

"I'm tired of not knowing what to do or being torn between what's right and what my family wants. I know my mum and dad have never cared about me, but I have a new family now." Cordelia turned to Kate and kissed her softly on the cheek. Kate blushed and wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Well, you've made the right decision. Your mum is crazy," Hunter said, feeling a turmoil of affection when Jacota's hand rested on top of his.

"I have, and she is," Cordelia chuckled. "But I have to go now. You know that Gods can only see each other when we need to, and now that we have sorted everything between us, I don't think we will see each other until the war is close." Cordelia and Kate stood with smiles.

"We will meet properly one day," Kate said and clung to the Goddess of water, preparing to teleport.

"We will," Jacota said with a twinkle in his eye. "Thank you for doing the right thing."

"And thank you for bringing the storm earlier; I enjoyed letting loose with the rain. Even the ruler of Gods can't make it pour that hard." Cordelia winked, and in no longer than a second, they vanished.