The Designated Mate novel Chapter 16

"God, that guy is such a fucking creep," Grace whispered, breaking the silence.

"The entire time we were dancing he was trying to cop a feel," I said with a shudder.

"Some guys just can't take a hint. It's really not that hard." Jason growled looking just as frustrated as I was minutes ago.

"I just hope he doesn't catch me alone somewhere. I don't know how I would handle that..." I trailed off before shaking away the thought and starting my car.

When I finally returned home from dropping Grace and her mate off, it was pitch black and I was exhausted. My body was screaming for a hot shower and then my bed. I was thankful that Luna Caroline had thought to purchase a brand new mattress and bedding for the house just in case.

I made sure to lock the front door behind me before slumping into the bathroom. I started the shower before beginning to remove all my clothes. I was already half-asleep by the time I jumped in the shower.

"Ahh, shit!" I screamed when it registered in my brain that the water was still freezing cold. I jumped to the other end of the small space to avoid the icy spray as my body shivered. It seemed like I waited hours before realizing that the water wasn't going to get any warmer than it already was. I squeezed my eyes shut and said a silent prayer before fully submerging myself under the water.

The shock caused me to suck in a deep breath as I impatiently waited for my body to grow used to the temperature. I took rapid shallow breaths while speedily washing my hair and body, deciding to skip shaving altogether. I turned the water off and quickly wrapped my hair and body in towels, trying desperately to regain some of my body heat that I'd lost.

My body shook violently and the tips of my fingers turned a blue hue as I sat on the edge of my unmade mattress - which was still in its plastic packaging. I rocked back and forth for a few minutes while blowing warm air on my fingers to bring the feeling back into them. I pulled the only thick sweatshirt in my suitcase out and slipped on a pair of leggings before beginning to make my bed. I decided to keep the plastic on the underside of the mattress as it was still sitting on the floor with no frame and I didn't want it getting dirty.

I cursed myself in my mind when I saw my breath in front of me with every exhale. I stood in the middle of my bedroom, hair starting to freeze while trying to figure out a solution to my dropping body temperature.

Half an hour and an aching back later, I'd drug my mattress into my living room by the plastic underneath it.

Poppy 1, Life 0.

I slipped from the bed and pulled on my ugg boots that were carelessly discarded in my room before sprinting out to my car. Turning the engine on, I cranked the heat up to full blast and sat shaking until the car was adequately warm. I released a content sigh while resting my head against the steering wheel as my body began to dethaw for the second time in less than twelve hours.

I figured it was probably seven a.m. by how the sky looked. So much for sleeping in. I pulled open the glove box and was met with the sight of baby pink cable knit mittens lined with fur.

For when it gets cold and I'm not there to warm you.

Love you,

Xoxo Mom

An intense wave of emotion came over me as I began sobbing while holding the mittens in my hands. I clutched them against my chest as my tears slid down my cheeks and dropped onto my pants. When my sobs subsided into hiccups, I slipped the mittens over my hands and relished in their warmth. It must be getting close to my time of the month, as my attitude immediately changed from hopeless and depressed to determined.