Emma POV
I was sitting in my office, stressing about the late shipment, when a knock on the door made me put the papers down.
“Come in.” I said, running my fingers through my hair.
The door opened, and Jake walked inside.
“Hey, Jake.” I said, giving him a small smile. “What can I do for you?”
“I’m not here on official business, beautiful.” he said as he sat down on the couch with a huff.
“Is something wrong?” I asked as I stood up and approached him.
He looked up at me and furrowed his eyebrows.
“Why haven’t I found my mate yet, beautiful?” he mumbled as he took my hand in his.
I sat down next to him and took a deep breath.
This was a question that had bugged him for a while now. He was scared that she died. He was sure that he would never find her. On the other hand, he didn’t want to take a chosen mate. He didn’t want to look at other girls.
I admired it, but I was also worried about him. I didn’t want him to spend his life alone. He was a great guy, and he deserved the best. It saddened me that the Goddess hadn’t given him a mate yet.
“I don’t know, Jake.” I said softly. “I wish that I could tell you that you will find her soon, but I don’t know that. I want you to be happy. I really do.”
Jake kept his eyes on my hand in his. He played with my fingers absentmindedly.
“Jake?” I called him softly, and he looked up at me.
“Are you happy with Logan, Emma?” Jake asked, making me tense up.
My heart raced. Where was he going with this? I thought that he accepted Logan. We talked about it a lot, and he seemed okay with my choice. Why was he asking me that?
“I am.” I nodded. “Very happy.”
Jake studied my face for a few moments. I saw his jaw clench, and he took a deep breath.
“You were his second choice, Emma.” he said, making my heart break. “You know that, right?”
My heart was breaking inside my chest. Jake was wrong. I wasn’t his second choice. He loved me. He wanted me. He wanted me even before Sienna kidnapped me. He wanted me before he knew about my powers.
He wanted me.
“If Sienna never kidnapped you, he would take her as his chosen mate.” Jake said. “He wouldn’t change his mind, Emma.”
I let go of his hand.
“I’m not telling you this to hurt you.” Jake said, taking my hand back in his.
“Then why are you telling me this, Jake?” I asked, trying to stop my voice from breaking.
Jacob took a deep breath and squeezed my hand tightly.
“It should have been you, Emma.” he mumbled. “You should have been my mate.”
“Jake…” I started saying, but Jake interrupted me.
“I’ve been praying to the Goddess to let me have you.” Jake said, making me freeze. “I’ve been praying every day, Emma. There was a mistake, I am sure of it. A man like Logan couldn’t get a mate like you, beautiful. You deserve so much better.”
He’s been praying to the Goddess to take me away from Logan?
“You are my best friend, Jake.” I mumbled. “Why would you want to hurt me like that?”
“What?!” Jake asked as he raised his eyebrows abruptly. “I don’t want to hurt you, Emma! Why would you say that?”
“You want to take my mate from me.” I said. “That would hurt me.”
“No, beautiful, you don’t understand.” Jake said, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and pulling me closer to him. “I would be your mate then. There would be no pain, beautiful, only love. I love you so fucking much. I love you more than my life, Emma.”
My heart clenched painfully.
I knew I had to choose my words carefully. Jake was hurt and vulnerable right now. I had to make sure not to hurt his feelings.
“I love you too, Jake.” I said softly. “And I am sorry that you still haven’t found your mate. If I were yours, I am sure that you would love me endlessly. But I am not your mate, Jake.”
“You could be.” Jake mumbled.
Shivers went up and down my spine.
I knew that he was hurt. I knew that he wouldn’t be saying this if he wasn’t.
But it was so hard for me not to pull away from him.
“No, Jake, I couldn’t.” I said softly. “I am Logan’s mate. I am his wife. I couldn’t be yours.”
Jake looked up at me, and the pain I saw in his eyes made my heart hurt.
“You will find a girl who will love you so much, because you are an amazing person.” I said, giving him a small smile. “You will love her so much more than you love me. I am sure of it.”
“It’s hard to see past you.” Jake mumbled, looking down at his hands.
I didn’t know what to say to that, so I just stayed silent.
“I am sorry for bothering you, beautiful.” Jake said, looking up at me. “I really needed to see you.”
“You could never bother me.” I said, smiling. “I will always be here for you.”
Jake pulled me into a hug and kissed the top of my head. I hugged him back tightly.
“I should go.” Jake said as he let me go and stood up. “How about a milkshake at the diner tonight?”
“Sure.” I nodded, smiling at him.
Jake bent down to kiss the top of my head again before he turned around and left my office.
I took a deep breath and tried to stop the pain in my heart.
I needed to see my mate.
Logan? I mind-linked him.
Yes, baby? He responded immediately.
Can you come to my office for a second? I asked.
A few moments later, I heard Logan’s footsteps approaching my office at a fast pace.
