It's Only The Heat [18+]

-24- 🌓 Know I'll Always Stay

^ Picture of Raf

"I may not be wise, and I won't save the day. But look in my eyes, and know I'll always stay. And I won't run away."
~Ben Platt, 'Run Away'

~~~

*Rafael's POV*

I stare at my reflection, nervously attempting to style my white-blonde hair. Tonight is my first official date with Benji. I told him I wanted to hold off on furthering our relationship until he turned 18, which happened to be last weekend. He spent the day with his family, although he seemed really torn up about not spending it with me.

It turns out that I was pretty far off when guessing Benji's birthday. I gave him a present a few months ago, since he said his birthday was coming up soon. By 'soon', I didn't realize he meant 'several months from now.'

That's okay. I don't mind giving him a second birthday present. Hell, I would give him a thousand presents if it made him smile. Fortunately for my bank account, Benji isn't too into material possessions. He prefers spending quality time with me over getting gifts.

As a human, Benji doesn't feel the bond as strongly as I do, but I don't doubt that he feels the effects to an extent. He's grown needier; clingier. Anytime we can't spend time together, he apologizes profusely with sad puppy eyes. It's pretty cute, actually, that he wants to me around me that much.

Going on a date with my adorable mate has me on pins and needles as I try to perfect my appearance for tonight. An itching sensation keeps rising up, but I pass it off as nerves. My fingers brush through the white-blonde strands of my hair, frustrating me that they won't lay down flat.

Goddess, what's wrong with me? I usually don't give a shit about stuff like this, but I can't help it. Benji makes me want to be better.

I'm still amazed by how well he has been handling all the information I've thrown at him. I completely expected him to be freaked out over me being a werewolf, but he accepted it easily. Even when I dove into the deeper information, Benji didn't flinch away.

| Flashback |

"So.... are there a lot of guys mated to each other?" Benji asked as we ate lunch at his house. I wanted to take him back to my home, but I wasn't sure if he was ready to see the pack yet.

"I wouldn't say a lot... but it's not rare," I answered him. "Although, it seems like a lot of the guys around me are mated to another guy. I'm not sure what that's about."

"Maybe there's something in the drinking water," he grinned. "Turning all the hot men gay."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "You think I'm hot?"

His cheeks burned bright red as he smacked my arm. "I wasn't only talking about you! Besides... you already know how I feel about you..."

I smiled at that and leaned over to kiss the top of his head.

"What happens if two wolves don't mate? Not rejecting each other, but also not marking each other," Benji carried on his questions.

"Hmm... I suppose the urge to mate would continue to grow stronger and stronger until they couldn't resist anymore," I pondered aloud. "Especially if they keep hitting their heats."