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FIFTEEN
"The chase?"My voice raised an octave.
"Yeah."
"What the hell is the chase? All Ford told me was that we'd be horny in our human forms."
"Nature draws wolves to their mates after they've chosen. The hunt starts when a guy's wolf picks a girl, and ends when he's marked her as his, permanently. The chase is the female wolf's process of choosing her mate."
"A male wolf's hunt is predictable; he pretty much just follows his woman around until he bites her. The length of time it takes is the only thing that's really up in the air. Female wolves are completely unpredictable. She tests her mate until she believes he's a good choice in both human and wolf form. When she's made up her mind, she bites him, and the chase ends."
"Tell me there's not a third phase." I smacked a hand to my forehead.
"The third is the last one. It's called the climax," he said sheepishly.
"What is it?"
"Exactly what it sounds like. Lots and lots of sex."
I groaned. "That's the lust Ford was talking about, then."
"Yeah. It's supposed to be damn near impossible to do or think about anything else."
I figured I'd better get as much information as I could and face all the facts at once, so I continued with the questions. "After the lust ends, then what?"
"Then the wolves are mated permanently. They'll never so much as look at anyone else. You and Jesse could live separately if you wanted, but your wolves will find each other every time they get the chance. Your lives will be easier if you fall in love," Rocco explained.
Well, that was shitty.
"So if I, say, had a date tonight..." I trailed off. "I don't, of course. But if I did, what exactly would happen?"
"If Jesse thinks he's going to lose you, he'll bite you. Period. The wolf won't let his mate get away without marking her. Even if your wolf doesn't choose his, he's going to bind himself to you permanently. Jesse's our pack's omega, so he's the most laid-back and independent guy in the group, but a hunting wolf can only take so much."
"Would you want to be on wolf-watching duty, then?" I asked. "I can pay in yogurt and lunch meat."
Rocco snorted. "I hope you're joking. If Jesse had been anything but an omega, your little stunt the other day would've ripped our damn pack apart and ended his hunt. There's not a chance in hell I'm going to risk my family so you can go out with some dick."
I sighed.
"Cancel the date, Tea. I can understand wanting to push boundaries, but that's a hell of a lot more than pushing. The wolf considers you married, and he's an animal. You come home smelling like some other guy, he will hunt that guy down and kill him."
Rocco's lecture continued. "Even if nothing happens, Jesse's no dummy. He can hear you; he knows you're planning a date. If he's acting relaxed right now, it's because he's not worried about the threat. And the only reason a wolf doesn't worry about a threat, is if he plans on removing it."
I glanced down at Jesse. He was snoring softly.
"He's asleep," I told Rocco.
Rocco barked out a laugh. "Hunting wolves don't sleep."
I blinked. "At all?"
"They don't sleep at all," he repeated. "The magic and the pheromones keep him awake. After he's bitten you and met your wolf, he'll sleep for a whole damn week."
My eyebrows lifted. "I'm in over my head." I brushed hair out of my eyes. "How is this my life?"
"It's not all bad. Come to dinner tonight; you'll see." He paused. "No stripping this time, though."
I scoffed. "I wasn't actually making a move on you. I just wanted the wolf to flip out so I could escape. I do actually wear shirts most of the time."
