8 TODAY IS FALL IN LOVE

James' POV

Today is a very fucking good day. I don't know what made me want to talk to Carramel or what made me kiss her, but I am very very glad I did. I step into Leader's Development with a smile on my face. Okay it may have been a smirk but that's not the point and mind your business.

Since I walked Carramel to school, I'm a bit late this morning but Ms. K won't care and honestly neither do I. I nod my head at the pretty teacher as I make my way past her desk and to my own. Sliding into my seat, I flash a smile at Alex and Art and all I get back are scared amused faces in return.

Alex is the first to break the silence. "James are you okay?" My smile slows a little but at the question, confused but I answer anyway.

"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?" I scoff, remembering this morning and my instincts to go to Carramel and be by her side all this morning. My instincts aren't always good but when they are, they're spot fucking on.

"It's just that usually around this time of month, you'd be cranky and trying to battle everyone to a duel or pissing contest."

"You didn't do anything to Carramel did you?" Artemis adds before I can even comprehend what the two are saying. But when I do:

"Fuck fuck fuck! Oh god, not today! And today was going so good!" I groan slapping my head on the desk. In all my worry over Carramel, I completely forgot that my Rut is to start today. The side effects start a couple hours early but there's no telling when it'll start. Usually the protective nature of a wolf in his Rut is triggered by an event or person that unknowingly challenges them.

"What if it's not the same as usual. What if it's a sexual Rut." Artemis asks, clearly worried but I'm shaking my head before she can finish.

"It doesn't work like that, Art. My Rut won't change that way until his birthday in a couple days." I explain to her, though I am still worried about one thing. "The only thing I know is that my overprotective nature and jealousy with probably be directed at him. He'll damn near have to sit on my lap to appease me."

One symptom that I hope will leave me alone is the chilling ache in my chest that comes with being an UnMated wolf. Maybe since I found my mate and know who it is, I won't have to deal with those painful consequences.

My mind is distracted for the rest of the day on the topic, and after the bell rings, I don't miss how both Alex and Art stay close to me as I walk down the hallways. I'm about to go towards my next class when I smell the sweet scent of Carramel. The smell of honey and sunshine so enticing at the moment I have no choice but to follow the bright sweet smell of my adorable little Mate.

My stride quicken as her scent gets stronger and her voice gets closer. But my happiness fades when I realize that she doesn't sound happy or even adorably shy. She sounds scared. Alex and Artemis much have heard the same thing because neither of them are trying to stop me, only following as back up if needed.

I feel Sloan stir for the first time this morning and I growl at him annoyed. 'You couldn't wake up and tell me about my Rut this morning.'

'No. Your body, your Rut, your problem, love. You should've known and been prepared.' Sloan scoffs but once he realizes ones going on around us, his playful tone turns deadly in an instant. 'Who is fucking with my Carramel-Bear? Does someone wanna fucking die?!'

Before I can answer him, I finally set my eyes on my little bean whose sweet scent is coated in that of fear. She's leaning against her locker, damn near trying to disappear into it and some Faerie is leaning towards her trying to steal some of my love and affection.

'Ahh shit here we go again.' Sloan sighs but I can barely hear him. I feel my muscles go taught and the shift in my hormones as I stare at my terrified Mate being cornered in the middle of school. My canines elongate fully and my hands start twitching to have the mans neck between them. Before I can say anything, it's Artemis that finishes the walk to Carramel first, though her attention is not on her.

She stomps up the the male faerie and slaps him against the head. Hard. "Jasper get the fuck away from Carramel. She's not yours and if you try anything James will fucking kill you." I ignore their conversation as I go around them to Carramel. She's looking scared and extremely vulnerable with her red cheeks and her eyes playing peekaboo behind her hair.

I immediately grab her in my grasp, startling the shit out of her, until her eyes find mine and she relaxes. Before either of us can get a word out I hear that Jasper kid's response.

"Carramel is her name, eh? Don't fret, sis, we were only talking of plans to get closer, isn't that right, Carramel?" I see fucking red as I push Carramel behind me. The growl that comes out of me is a whole tone deeper than usual, my intolerance for sharing showing it's true colors here.

"Stay the fuck away from Carramel." I say the words coming out growled and rough with the annoyance I'm barely holding back.

"Do you know who I am? I'm the Faerie Prince, who are you to question me?" The cocky prick asks. I look over at Art for any lies and all I get is a cringe in return.

"Do you think Sloan or I give a flying monkeys ass who you are? You touch what's mine and Art here will be able to get a new brother. Not like you'll rule anyway you fucking annoyance. Touch what's mine and I'll show you exactly who I am." He blanches at my unveiled threat. And though I usually hate to get violent, if anyone touches a hair on Carramel's head I'll cut theirs off. Simple if you ask me.

I feel a tug on my shirt from behind me and turn around to see Carramel trying to stiff her uncontrollable giggles back inside as I lean down to hear what she whispers. "Tell him he needs a mint." Carramel says and her giggles start up all over again.

'I could just eat her up. And I think I will.' Sloan says thinking of way too inappropriate things at the moment as I turn to relay the message.

"Carramel says take a hike and next time take a fucking breath mint." The small crowd that has gathered around us Oohs and Ahhh at the burn my precious bean provided and her answering giggle behind me makes me smile. After Jasper walks away followed by an annoyed Artemis, I turn back towards Carramel to see her smiling shyly down at the ground.

I remember then that some Omegas don't like it when someone steps in for them or cussing. Or confrontation and I did all of those things in front of my sweet little mate. "I'm sorry if I over stepped Carramel …" Before I can continue she's throwing herself at me to get my long lean frame as tight of a hug that she can manage. She goes to pull away and I can't quite help the growl that's pulled from my chest so hard she stops immediately.

"Sorry," I start as I close my eyes. "Go head." And even though it still hurts when she pulls away I let her, though she doesn't go far.

I feel a tiny tug on my sleeve that causes me to reopen my eyes and look down at my beautiful Mate. Though I don't miss how her sweet scent is mixed with nerves instead of fear now and I'm not sure why.

She averts her eyes shyly before she asks me her question. "Uh can we … um … like this morning … is it okay if we talk. … I … I'm a little confused." She stumbles out but I'm not annoyed at all, only in awe at the courage that must have taken for my shy little bean.

"Yes we can, bean." I freeze as the name just slips out. Fuck. "Oh, um. I'm sorry, Carramel." Before I can stumble through an apology she stops me as if the roles are reversed.

"I-I like it." She admits to the floor and I can't help the way my smile and heart soar knowing she really does like me and that this small precious cute little bean is going to be all mine in less than a week.

"How do you feel about school at the moment?" I ask, already planning on us going to my favorite place in the city.

"I'm not sure I like it at the moment." Carramel says raising her eyes enough to reach my chest before she lowers them back down with red cheeks.

I pick up her chin lightly with my fingers to see her beautiful eyes. "I have the prettiest place in town that I can take you to. There's so much I want to tell you." I see her hesitate at the prospect of leaving school for the rest of the day but after a second or two of gnawing on her plump bottom lip she nods her agreement.

I patiently wait as she gathers up all her books into her book bag and lead her down the now empty hallway to the front doors. I see her hand come up to mine before settling down a few times before I reach down and grab it sending a smile to the beet red face of my Mate.

Today is the day she'll finally fall in love.