"I'm done with you."

I saw it coming but it still stung like a bitch.

What exactly did I expect? That Tom would just embrace me back as if nothing has changed and we could sweep all of this under the rug?

I am an idiot.

I am vile.

I am nothing but a coward.

I couldn't face him, or everyone's prying eyes so I did what I was good at and took off back to the pack house to avoid the mess I had caused. I deserved every bit of Tom's anger because of my selfish needs.

As I walked back in complete misery, I stumbled upon a newly-arrived Eric whose cheery face suddenly fell as soon as he saw my tear-stained face.

"What happened Cece, are you okay?" He asked gently as I nodded my head to stop him from worrying.

"Eric, Cece!"

A familiar voice called out from afar before I heard them rush our way. I quickly looked back at Pen's looming figure as she looked on with shock.

"Omg Cece, what's wrong? Was that... was he your mate?"

I recoiled at that assumption and she came closer to rub my back comfortingly.

"No... that was Tom. My best friend, or was my best friend from my old pack." I explained as she and Eric sat me down somewhere.

"Glas Faraoise? But I thought he was the beta from Scarlet Moon pack?" She asked with a confused look.

My mouth suddenly felt a bit dry as I swallowed, my anxiety building up tightly in my chest.

I know my time has finally run out and I needed to open old wounds.

My Pandora's box.

"I'm not originally from Glas Faraoise, Pen. My actual pack was Scarlet Moon... and 3 years ago I had to abruptly leave due to my mate who broke my heart. I was then threatened by his grandfather so we moved to Glas Faraoise after all that and I decided to leave that past behind, including Tom. It was difficult but I didn't want him to compromise his Beta duties for me by getting involved in my problems with my mate. He would risk it all if he ever found out that we were threatened, I know him." I anxiously disclosed, intentionally emitting who Lucas was.

Both Pen and Eric could only blink back a response and I immediately felt their judgement instantaneously, until Pen broke the silence with a smile.

"I believe you Cece. Don't beat yourself up if that decision was the only way out of such a tricky situation with your mate. Your friend Tom would understand, just give him time." Pen said reassuringly as she held my hand.

"Wait, who is Tom and what's a rejection?" Eric, the empath, interrupted and was given a threatening look by Pen.

"Ignore the dumbass. Anyway, you are our guest as much as Tom is, Cece. My cousin was very pissed and would have a word with Tom's Alpha about his actions, don't worry."

Pen affirmed but that only made me antsier as I didn't want to get Tom in trouble nor did I want Lucas to find out where I was.

"Sorry Pen, I need you to convince the Alpha not to do that. This whole thing will just get more complicated for him and me. I'm begging you." I pleaded as Pen nodded and mind linked with her cousin who decided to let it simmer for now.

After a lot of convincing from them two, we all got up and headed back to the meeting hall after Pen fixed my makeup so I would look presentable again. They both offered to sit next to me at the table and reassured me that my dramatic exit before would have been all forgotten.

But as expected though, everyone twirled their nosy heads around and watched us enter the hall as if I was some celebrity.

Pen fought their gazes back and clutched me by the wrist to lead us to our seats. She and Eric sat on each side like doting parents which I thought was a bit over the top but I was grateful.

I lifted up my head to scan the room for Tom, or potentially Lucas but I heaved a sigh of relief when I didn't see the latter. Just Tom who was blatantly ignoring me now as if he didn't just drag me out before.

"Cece, which one is he?"

Eric whispered as quietly as he could, forgetting that werewolves could literally hear anything. His question piqued some wolves' interest, even Tom's, and I wanted the ground to swallow me whole.

If he wasn't my friend's mate or a future law firm partner, I would have knocked him out already but Pen beat me to it by chucking a bread roll at him.

"Sweety, I love you but zip your mouth for the whole night please." Pen gritted out as Eric did the zipping motion on his lips.

If I could get through this disastrous fucking night that would be splendid but as I predicted, my life was an ongoing gag with an awkward laugh track as soon as I saw the Alpha walk our way.

With a stoic look on his face, he summoned me for a chat outside and I nodded nervously before giving Pen and Eric a reassuring smile. I also glanced at Tom, who for a hot second had a look of worry before switching back to his cold demeanour.

Old Tom would have rescued me in a heartbeat, but the Tom now would happily munch on popcorn to see me get reprimanded.

"Clementine, I was quite irate with what happened just before but my cousin told me I should let this one go. But you are in my care and I promised your mother that. So, I want to know why the visiting Beta acted that way and if you need protection?" The Alpha asked worriedly as I sighed deeply.

"I promise I'm okay. Tom is a childhood friend of mine and that was all just a disagreement between us, Alpha. I would prefer if this doesn't get reported to Scarlet Moon pack at all for his and my sake." I pleaded.

The Alpha huffed a sigh and agreed as I thanked him for not prying further. I left and tried to make my way back to the table before I was whisked away by Tom, again.

"What was that about?" Tom asked with a demanding tone.

"Wait, I didn't get the memo that we were talking again?"

"We're not talking. I'm asking and you're answering." He quipped back in annoyance.

Stunned by his audacity to boss me around, it lit up an outrage inside of me since an hour prior he was more than happy to gut me out.

"Okay listen here fucker, you're technically in my territory now so you couldn't do shit like that and order me around. Second of all, you're fucking welcome because I just saved your ass from being dragged out by the Alpha of this pack. So there you go Tom-Tom, is that loud and clear enough for you?" I barked back with so much vitriol that it silenced him.

We were then interrupted by Eric who I didn't even realise was just behind me as he came forward with a drink in hand, smiling like a fucking clown.

"Oh hello, I'm Eric! You must be Tom, Cece's best friend. Well, ex-best friend because I'm her new best friend." Eric boasted, but I silently digressed at his statement.

"What the fuck is a Cece, Clem?" Tom questioned as he gave both Eric and me a puzzled look.

"Um, I'm Cece. As in the C in Clementine but times two, it's Pen's nickname for me." I interjected before I saw a slight hint of irking on Tom's face.

"No, you're Clem and that name sounds really dumb. No offence to Eric over here."

"Your face is dumb." Pen's voice suddenly cut in as she approached us three and stood next to Eric protectively.

Shit.

I knew this would escalate if I don't put a stop to it so I tried to grab Pen's arm to stop her, but she just kept going on.

"I'm not really your biggest fan, Tom. You say you're her friend but here you are making her cry like a proper asshole. Good friends don't do that." Pen exclaimed slyly as Eric nodded in agreement.

Tom sneered as he stepped forward to face Pen before staring at me dead in the eyes.

"Well, good friends don't leave you either. Word of advice 'Cece's' friends, after she's done using you, she's going to cut you out like you didn't even matter. Isn't that right, Clem?"

Fuming, Pen narrowed her eyes at Tom and was about to say something when I dragged her out of there since people were starting to gawk around us. I realised that we left Eric with Tom who I could only hope would not infuriate him further.

"He needs to know Cece! He's trying to hurt you and I can't just stand there and watch him do that."

Pen conveyed in annoyance as we walked back to the packhouse, but my mind was somewhere else.

How do I apologise to him?

How do I make this right?

Will Tom ever forgive me?

.

.

.

I left Red Hollows early the next day and wrote a note to Pen that I'd be heading back first, hoping to clear my head.

I know I should also talk to Tom at least and say a proper goodbye this time, but maybe it was better this way?

As I drove out of Red Hollows, I took a glance out of my window when I noticed a large dark-grey wolf hidden behind the trees, watching ardently. Even though it was quite brief, I knew it was Tom as my wolf whined in my head.

She was annoyed with me too.

For being scared.

For being pathetic.

When I finally arrived back at the apartment, I chucked my phone on do not disturb and laid like a log on the couch. I felt a bit faint from the long drive back and distracted myself by watching Netflix on tv.

1 hour turned to 3, then 5, until I realised that I was too caught up with watching a shitty show about 1000 ways to die that I missed a few calls from Pen and my mum, probably asking how I was.

Feeling nauseous, I ignored their messages to get a glass of water but as soon as I stood up, my limbs just turned to mush as I felt a scalding sensation all over my body.

Fuck.

My heat.

Of fucking course. I was too distracted by the events from last night that it completely slipped my mind to prepare for it.

I screamed out in pain as the heat took over, making me crouch down in a foetal position on the floor.

I could try to crawl to the bathtub but I was in so much agony that every movement felt like I was being prodded with hot coal on my skin.

Pen usually helped me during times like this but I couldn't possibly just ask her to teleport her way back here. Plus, It was the semester break and she needed to be with her family. I just have to suck it up until tomorrow.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Breathe fucking in and out.

My laborious breathing didn't help at all as another searing pain jolted all over my body, rendering me completely. I let out a loud shrill and some colourful words before I belatedly realised the sound of fervid knocking on the door.

"Please be Pen. Please be fucking Pen!"

I begged but the worried voice on the other side was the last person I wanted to be near me right now.

"Clem? Are you okay in there?" Tom yelled as he jiggled the doorknob hard.

"Tom? What the hell are you doing here?" I groaned out as I crouched down on the ground.

"Eric told me everything this morning so I came to apologise about last night. If I would have known Clem, I wouldn't have said those things but my anger got the best of me. I didn't want to end things that way. I'm really so—-"

I abruptly cut him off as I swore every known curse known to man while the heat surged through my body. I felt bad that I ruined such a bittersweet moment for the both of us but this wasn't really the best timing for his endearing speech.

"Clem? You sound like you're getting murdered in there. Do you want me to help?" Tom asked and knocked again.

"You can't really help me with this Tomtom, trust me. You just need to leave, like right now!"

"Huh? What do you me—"

He paused before the knocking stopped completely.

"Clem, w-what's that smell?" Tom questioned and I froze.

Oh shit.

I knew Tom's wolf has finally sensed my heat which only meant one thing. We would end up fucking to oblivion if he doesn't get away from here fast enough.

"Tom, run! Fucking run!" I pleaded but my body somehow started crawling towards the door, on a hunt for something to fuck.

"Shit Clem, you're in heat!" He panicked like an idiot as I rolled my eyes.

"Thanks captain obvious but I really need you to go aaaaaaah!"

The pain has now become absolutely unbearable like I'm being burnt from the inside. My ears were ringing and my chest felt so tight that I struggled to breathe.

The door suddenly swung open and Tom pushed his way inside with a carnal look in his eyes.

"Step away Tom, get away!" I demanded as he slowly stepped forward, his nostrils flaring. With his eyes still focused on me, he gently bent down and carried me back up to the couch.

I could see him struggling not to succumb to my heat as he fought the urge to jump me.

But damn. I didn't even realise how hung Tom was until I saw the imprint of his hard di— Wait a fucking second.

Earth to Clem,

earth to Clem.

Calm your tits.

I pushed him away immediately, scared that I wouldn't be able to restrain myself if he got too close.

"You're burning up Clem, you literally have no colour left on your face. Let me help you!"

We locked eyes for a hot second and I squeaked out a sorry before I grabbed his shirt and my lips took his passionately.

Tom tried to push me away but even he couldn't fight off the smell of my heat and reciprocated the kiss with the same intensity.

Sensually.

Then roughly.

Until both our clothes were off.

"Tom no, stop kissing me!" I groaned in his mouth as he bit my lip back.

"Stop? You're the one kissing m-me!" He stuttered back as he trailed kisses on my neck, making me moan out loud.

His mouth.

His mouth on mine.

The mouth that would unravel years of friendship.

With whatever energy left that I could muster, I kicked Tom off me and he fell to the ground with a horrified expression on his face.

"Oh shit! I'm so sorry Clem, t-hat kiss... your heat. Lucas is going to kill me!"

"And I'm going to fucking kill Lucas, this is his fault why I'm currently in this position!" I yelled and pointed at my half-naked self.

He nodded but his eyes darted off and started tracing the outline of my legs, then to my chest before he swallowed.

"Put your clothes back on Clem, please, I'm begging you. I'm really trying over here but my wolf is out of control right now."

I quickly grabbed my shirt off the floor and slipped on my pants when a sudden influx of hellfire bore through my skin again after being deprived of physical contact. I screeched like a banshee and Tom quickly ran up to me and cradled me in his arms.

With no shirt on, I felt his rock-hard chest on mine and it helped soothe the pain away. I rubbed my body against his to alleviate the heat before I heard him cough awkwardly.

"That's not helping me and my boner right now." Tom muttered exasperatedly.

"Sorry, sorry! But the skin contact is helping a bit."

"Is it really? Do you want me to take my pants off too?"

"Fuck, no! Keep those on Tom!" I interjected and he giggled, cuddling me closer.

"You know, that was my first kiss." Tom casually dropped as my eyes grew wide from shock.

"Are you fucking serious? You're still a virgin?"

He nodded and sighed deeply, before rearranging us on the couch. I would have laughed at his little confession but it was actually kind of sad.

"I don't think I'll ever meet my mate, Clem. Red Hollows was the last pack on my list to visit and not once did I sense her around so I think this is it for me."

Tom smiled and my heart broke at another innocent victim of our heartless Moon Goddess. I pushed myself off his chest to stare at his eyes, feeling a bit guilty for not being there for the past 3 years.

"Tom, I'm really sorry. For what I've done and for everything that has happened."

"Hmm, whatever I'll get over it. What matters is that you're here now. You're alive, you're thriving and doing better away from Lucas."

"You think I'm doing better?" I asked, curious at that odd sentiment.

"Yes, because you get to dictate your life on your own terms, Clem. The master of your own destiny and I'm jealous of that."

I digested the weight of Tom's words as tears pooled in my eyes. It was what I needed to hear after years of self-doubt.

That I'm doing okay.

That all of this pain and sacrifice was worth the effort.

Tom wiped off a lone tear that escaped my eye and lifted up my chin so he could face me. Something about that touch though felt so intimate that it made me crave his lips again.

This damn heat.

He probably sensed the insatiable need in my eyes as he cupped my face and leaned in, his mouth gently capturing mine before pulling away slowly.

"Clem, everytime you go through this heat again. Let me know, I'll be here." Tom expressed with a genuine tone as I bit my lip.

"Tom... I can't let you do that. That's not fair on you." I argued.

"I want to. Plus, you're doing me a favour in a way."

"A favour?"

He smirked before pulling me closer and I ended up straddling him.

"Show me your world, Cece. I want to see what I'm missing out on. Be my heat fuck buddy?"

Common sense be damned. I needed to end this excruciating heat so I closed the gap between us with a kiss and agreed to our heat arrangement.

This could potentially bite us back in the ass, but wouldn't that be part of the fun?

"No strings attached?" I asked warily.

"No strings attached, I promise." Tom smirked as he lost himself completely.

The line has been crossed,

And there was no going back now.

===End of chapter===

Aye. And that's how it all started hehehe.

Happy reading and thank you for your support xxx

(Grammar edits in a few hours, I gotta do errands)

Inspired by:

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