Chasing the alphas son, p.16
Chasing the Alpha's Son, page 16
“I need to get ready for dinner anyway,” she says. “I’ll see you downstairs.”
She shoots me a knowing look then slips past Jasper.
“Have fun.”
As soon as the door shuts I realize this is the first time Jasper has come to find me, in my space. He’s in my room and I don’t know what to say. Part of me wants to walk up to him and kiss again, just like we did in the ranger station. But the energy is different and I’m worried if I do he’ll reject me.
“I’m sorry—”
“How’s Clayton—”
We speak at the same time and then fall awkwardly quiet. Jasper looks around, probably taking in my scent. His eyes linger on my sketchbook, open on the reading chair, then land on the pile of clothes spilling messily out of my duffel.
“I spoke to Clayton,” he says finally. “He won’t say anything.”
“How did you manage that?”
Jasper grins a little. “Clayton’s family holds a lot of influence. But I’m still the alpha’s son.”
“Right, so you commanded him to keep quiet.”
Jasper rolls his eyes ever so subtly.
“Max, I can admit that keeping you at a distance wasn’t the right thing to do. But that doesn’t change the fundamental reason for that decision. If people knew about our connection, our”—he swallows—“relationship, it could endanger the pack and us. No one can know.”
He reaches for my hand and I pull it away.
“So…what do you want then?”
“I don’t know,” he says, taking a step toward me. “All I know is that when we’re alone, it’s all I can do to control myself.”
I stare at him and once again he steps to me and kisses me, taking my face in his sturdy hands. It feels as good as ever. I love the way his scent emanates off him, mixing with mine and changing the chemical makeup of the air. But something is off this time. I pull back and he gives me the cutest damn look of confusion.
“What is it?” he asks.
“I guess, I just don’t know where I stand. Are we…like…together?”
“We can be,” he says, nodding as if he’s confirming something to himself. “But it would be better if no one knew. Can you do that?”
“Be your secret”—gulp—“boyfriend?”
“I know it’s not fair to you but—”
I press my thumb to his lips to stop him talking.
“I can do that.”
There’s something sort of exhilarating about having a secret—the thrill of knowing something other people don’t. And for the first time I actually feel like Jasper and I are sort of on the same page. He’s not just my mate, as declared by the Moon Gods, he’s my boyfriend. My little secret. This advancement is enough that I’m positively giddy as I make my way down to dinner.
Jasper didn’t stay long in my room; in fact he seemed pretty keen to be on his way. I guess he was just worried someone might hear us. So even though it’s totally cringe, I’m excited to see him again.
Every person I pass, I glance at and smile. Being in a covert relationship has put me in a really good mood and for once I’m actually feeling outgoing.
Just about everyone is in the dining room when I arrive. Katie is there already, sitting between her mates, who are hunched over silently while she leans back in her chair, arms crossed, an expression that can only be described as fed up on her face.
“What’s up?” I ask when I arrive, but I’m only half-present.
The rest of my attention is on Jasper, who’s sitting to the right of Morven’s empty chair. He nods ever so subtly in my direction and I just about pass out. But the jelly-wobbles in my legs stop the instant I spot Clayton, one seat to the right, staring daggers in my direction.
“These two,” Katie begins, and I seize the opportunity to break eye contact, slipping into my seat and hiding behind Todd, “who were being so nice earlier, brought Christmas presents for me, but because they’re being dumb and jealous, they both thought it would be funny to steal what the other person brought and destroy it.”
“Oh,” I say.
“I’ll buy you a new plushie,” Todd says.
“He destroyed the necklace I bought first,” Simon replies.
“Enough,” Katie says, shuddering with rage.
“Tough times,” I say.
“How did things go with Asper-Jay?” she asks, deciding to ignore her mates completely.
“I’ll tell you later.”
The horn sounds again, announcing Morven’s entrance. The alpha looks ever so suave in a proper tuxedo. Astrid and Mia enter after him, the luna in a maroon dress, and Mia in a tartan gown that’s totally giving Merida from Brave. On their way past, Mia shoots me a cheeky wink.
Before we can eat, Morven gives another speech all about the blood moon and how lucky we are to be in such a privileged position, and in such good company. Because he can’t help himself, he makes a number of subtly suggestive comments about the growing bond between our packs, while grinning wildly at Jasper and Mia.
We get it! You’re obsessed with your daughter boning my boyfriend.
I want to roll my eyes but don’t want Morven to see and feel disrespected. Plus, the whole time he’s speaking I can feel Clayton’s unyielding death stare boring into the side of my head. Not wanting to give him the satisfaction, I pretend like he isn’t trying to drill a hole through my skull with his eyes. I keep my gaze focused on Morven. Besides, I’m not the one who pulled rank and commanded he keep quiet.
The food they serve is ridiculously delicious. Honey-glazed ham, roasted potatoes, turkey, stuffing that I could eat for days, brussels sprouts, gravy, and so much more. There’re dishes I don’t even know the name of, let alone think of as Christmas fare.
Katie’s stalemate with her boys cools off a little during the meal, and finally the four of us are able to chat and have a nice time.
Between courses I risk a glance at Jasper, who is talking animatedly with Mia. Yesterday—hell, this morning even—this would have filled me with jealousy. But now I’m glad he has someone nice to talk to at that end of the table. As I move my attention back to the conversation at hand, I’m once again caught in the icy glare of Clayton, who is holding his knife upright in one hand and stabbing a piece of meat with the fork in his other.
Damn, am I that interesting?
For dessert we have traditional Christmas pudding, which isn’t my cup of tea, and sherry, which despite being underage, we get to partake in. The alcohol makes my chest and cheeks warm. By the time dinner is over I’m worried I’ll need to be rolled back to my room.
“Everyone,” Mia says, standing and clapping her hands to gather our attention. “I hope you’ve brought your dancing shoes. When you’re finished, we’re hosting a little soiree in the Bjørn Labraid Ballroom. I hope to see you there and celebrate this Christmas with music and dancing!”
Roll me to the dance floor then, I guess!
Dinner guests stand and make their way back through the lounge toward an area of the lodge I’ve yet to explore.
“Let’s go,” Katie says, huffing at her mates, who glare at each other threateningly. “Fine, stay here. Max and I are going to dance.”
Katie takes my arm and we leave with the river of Rocky Pack wolves heading for the ballroom.
Up a winding set of stairs we ascend to the next level of the packhouse and come to a wide pair of oak doors, through which music and light comes flooding out. Katie and I enter the ballroom, which must have been named after Mia’s great-grandfather, and wander a little ways into the expansive space. Heavy iron chandeliers hang from a lofty beam; much like the dining room we’re surrounded by golden wood and rocky columns. One wall is entirely made of glass with doors leading out to a wide balcony and through which the mountain range glimmers in the moonlight.
“May I?” I ask, taking Katie’s hand and bowing.
“But of course.”
I lead Katie out onto the dance floor and spin her around like I’m Beast and she’s Belle and the teapot is singing. As we make our way around the floor, I take in the crowd of well-dressed wolves. Mia is standing by a table off to the side and raises a glass in our direction when we swish past. Mason and one of his friends are dancing, and we nearly collide with them while spinning too fast. I’m shocked when I even spot Jasper dancing slow and gracefully with Olivia.
I want so badly to be the one dancing with him. If I close my eyes I can almost pretend I am, except Katie’s hands are way too small to be Jasper’s. But I know that’s not an option, so I try and push the thought away.
After a song or two, Todd and Simon approach us slowly. Simon clears his throat and Katie and I come to a standstill.
“We were hoping…” Simon begins.
“That you might…” Todd continues.
“Dance with us.”
Katie looks between her mates in astonishment. Then she glances at me as if to ask “What the f is going on?”
I shrug.
“You mean both of you?” Katie asks.
“We were thinking…” Todd says.
“Since it’s Christmas…” Simon elaborates.
“We could stop being jerks.”
“Not that we’re giving up, but think of it sort of like a cease-fire.”
“For now,” Todd finishes up.
Katie smiles at me. It might not be the forever response she was hoping for, but she looks like all her Christmas wishes are coming true. And who am I to stand in the way of a Christmas miracle. I gesture to the floor as I back away. Todd and Simon each extend a hand to Katie, and the three of them begin to move—surprisingly gracefully for a throuple—across the boards.
Everyone I know is either dancing or chatting, and I think I could use a little breather after the last few days, plus I’m feeling sort of pulled outside, so I head toward the glass doors and out onto the balcony. The cold air is instantly refreshing, and I take a deep breath as I head to the wooden railing. The moon is almost full and looking more purple than I’ve ever seen her. The tinge of redness that’s been creeping up has engulfed her but is still thin enough that it’s mixing with the silvery-blue opalescent color I’m familiar with.
I think back to that night at the festival when I looked up and saw a bloated, taunting face, and realize how much has changed in such a short time. Although I’ve been persistent, there has always been an undercurrent of resentment in my pursuit of Jasper. But looking up now, I don’t resent the Moon Gods—if they exist; I’m glad they challenged me. For the first time, I feel hopeful.
“How’d you do it?” a gruff voice says behind me.
I turn and find Clayton standing between me and the doors. His shirt is half-untucked and his usually so perfectly quaffed hair is ruffled, messy strands falling limply over his eyes.
“What?” I ask.
“How did you do it?” He steps toward me. “How’d you trick him into thinking he could be mated to someone like you?”
There’s so much venom in his words as he spits them through clenched teeth.
“I didn’t trick anyone.”
He takes another step, dropping a bottle of whiskey as he does. Glass smashes and scatters across the stone floor.
“Have you been drinking?”
“He was supposed to be a great alpha; he was supposed to be strong and continue his family line. He was supposed to be a powerful leader…and I was supposed to stand by his side.”
Clayton is now within a couple feet of me. I back up until I’m pressed against the wood between me and the side of the mountain. A quick glance over my shoulder and I can’t even see the bottom of the valley—just a pit of never-ending darkness.
“You… You can still stand by him,” I say, my voice quivering.
“No…I can’t…because you ruined him.”
Clayton’s face has twisted into an ugly, pained expression. He clenches his fist and takes another step.
“You ruined him!”
He pulls back his fist, and I brace for the impact of his punch.
AN INEVITABLE THAWING
I squint and wait for Clayton’s fist to make contact with my face, but it doesn’t come.
For a second I wonder if he’s so drunk he missed me. Then I open my eyes properly and find Jasper, claws out, fangs elongated, having just thrown Clayton backward onto the ground.
Clayton groans and tries to stand.
“Stay down,” Jasper growls.
People are crowding at the doors, drawn over by the commotion.
“Don’t touch him,” Jasper warns the prostrate Clayton. The ruffled Adonis doesn’t submit just yet, growling in return and baring his teeth.
The crowd is spilling from the ballroom onto the balcony, their eyes darting from Clayton to Jasper to me.
What do they think is happening right now?
Mason is among them, watching me with concern. Clayton’s growl intensifies and he readies himself to launch at me once more. Jasper widens his stance, ready to defend me. Mason steps forward, but surprisingly he’s pushed aside as Olivia charges through the crowd. Without hesitating she grabs Clayton by his jacket collar and pulls him backward, throwing him against the wall. The crowd of onlookers jump aside so as not to get hit.
“Submit,” she commands, and I have no idea if she’s defending Jasper or helping him defend me. She’s been a colossal dick to me since the Yule Ball; why would she be jumping in to save my ass now?
Clayton snaps his jaw, which is beginning to look more and more wolflike as the situation escalates.
“Submit!” Olivia bellows.
Katie, Todd, and Simon come running out onto the balcony, quickly taking in the situation, and—bless their cotton socks—the bro twins position themselves in front of Clayton as well, claws at the ready.
Clayton twists his muzzle, clearly thirsty for my blood, but surveys his position. He’s ridiculously outnumbered, and with a final whimper, he begins to settle. His features shrink back into human form; he retracts his claws and loosens his muscles.
“Take him to my room,” Jasper says. “I’ll deal with him there.”
Todd and Simon each take one of Clayton’s arms and walk him through an opening in the crowd. He doesn’t struggle—in fact, he looks a little weak on his feet. Maybe the liquor is running its course.
Jasper turns to me, clearly distressed. He takes a step in my direction, then glances at the wolves still lingering in the doorway. There are too many eyes on us––he stops far enough away that he can’t touch me.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
“Yeah, I… I think he was drunk.”
“I’ll deal with him.”
Olivia steps up to Jasper’s side. “Go,” she says. “I’ll stay with him.”
Maybe Jasper catches my shocked expression, because for a moment he hesitates.
“You’re sure you’re okay? He didn’t hurt you?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Okay, thanks,” he says, giving Olivia a nod. Jasper walks through the remaining crowd, ignoring their stares, as if they aren’t there.
“You want to sit, chico?” Olivia asks, and for the first time in weeks, she resembles the girl I met at the Blue Moon Festival.
“That’d be great.”
“Max,” Katie says coming over, accompanied by Mason. “Are you okay? What happened?”
“He looked pretty wild,” Mason adds.
“I’m fine, you guys should go enjoy the rest of the dance. Don’t let that dick ruin it.”
“I should probably go see if Todd and Simon have made it back safely. You’re sure you’re fine?” Katie asks.
“I got him,” Olivia says, continuing to bewilder me with how nice she’s being.
“I’ll make sure he doesn’t leave his wing of the compound,” Mason says.
“Thanks.”
It’s kind of cool that everyone’s got my back—no, actually it’s really cool. And it makes me start to think that maybe Jasper and I don’t need to be a secret, if this is the way people react. I’m especially impressed with Olivia as she gives a nod to my friends and leads me toward a stairway off to the side of the balcony.
We leave the glow and music of the ballroom behind as we descend to a round platform with waist-high stone walls and a bench. It’s the perfect lookout spot for stargazing and taking in the mountains.
“What an asshole!” Olivia says as we plonk down on the seat. “I’ve been waiting a long time for a reason to wail on him.”
I laugh. “Oh really?”
“Growing up in the alpha’s circle, you don’t get much choice who your friends are going to be. That piece of shit has been pissing me off since we were kids.”
Olivia is leaning back on her hands, staring out at the view. She seems chill, completely content in my company, and completely ignoring the massive elephant that’s followed us out here.
“Thanks,” I say. “For jumping in like that.”
She takes a deep breath.
“You know,” I continue, “I was starting to think you hated me or thought I was an asshole.”
Olivia drops her head; she knew this moment was coming.
“You’re not the asshole,” she says into her chest. “I am.”
Excuse me?
I sit quietly. I know I don’t need to ask the question. An explanation is required––Olivia probably just needs a second.
“I’ve been acting pretty shitty to you, haven’t I?”
“Just a bit.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if you think I’m a bigger bitch than Clayton, to be honest.”
“Okay, so why then? Did I do something?”
“No, you didn’t do anything.” She stretches her legs out in front of her and crosses her ankles.
I’m just now realizing how cold it is out here—the adrenaline must be leaving my body.
“I did something though.”
My hands find the edge of the bench and I lean forward; Olivia doesn’t turn to face me.
“I knew”—she takes a breath—“I knew you and Jasper were mates, when I agreed to let him choose me. He told me and I wasn’t happy about it, but I knew and I still agreed to do it.”
She shoots me a knowing look then slips past Jasper.
“Have fun.”
As soon as the door shuts I realize this is the first time Jasper has come to find me, in my space. He’s in my room and I don’t know what to say. Part of me wants to walk up to him and kiss again, just like we did in the ranger station. But the energy is different and I’m worried if I do he’ll reject me.
“I’m sorry—”
“How’s Clayton—”
We speak at the same time and then fall awkwardly quiet. Jasper looks around, probably taking in my scent. His eyes linger on my sketchbook, open on the reading chair, then land on the pile of clothes spilling messily out of my duffel.
“I spoke to Clayton,” he says finally. “He won’t say anything.”
“How did you manage that?”
Jasper grins a little. “Clayton’s family holds a lot of influence. But I’m still the alpha’s son.”
“Right, so you commanded him to keep quiet.”
Jasper rolls his eyes ever so subtly.
“Max, I can admit that keeping you at a distance wasn’t the right thing to do. But that doesn’t change the fundamental reason for that decision. If people knew about our connection, our”—he swallows—“relationship, it could endanger the pack and us. No one can know.”
He reaches for my hand and I pull it away.
“So…what do you want then?”
“I don’t know,” he says, taking a step toward me. “All I know is that when we’re alone, it’s all I can do to control myself.”
I stare at him and once again he steps to me and kisses me, taking my face in his sturdy hands. It feels as good as ever. I love the way his scent emanates off him, mixing with mine and changing the chemical makeup of the air. But something is off this time. I pull back and he gives me the cutest damn look of confusion.
“What is it?” he asks.
“I guess, I just don’t know where I stand. Are we…like…together?”
“We can be,” he says, nodding as if he’s confirming something to himself. “But it would be better if no one knew. Can you do that?”
“Be your secret”—gulp—“boyfriend?”
“I know it’s not fair to you but—”
I press my thumb to his lips to stop him talking.
“I can do that.”
There’s something sort of exhilarating about having a secret—the thrill of knowing something other people don’t. And for the first time I actually feel like Jasper and I are sort of on the same page. He’s not just my mate, as declared by the Moon Gods, he’s my boyfriend. My little secret. This advancement is enough that I’m positively giddy as I make my way down to dinner.
Jasper didn’t stay long in my room; in fact he seemed pretty keen to be on his way. I guess he was just worried someone might hear us. So even though it’s totally cringe, I’m excited to see him again.
Every person I pass, I glance at and smile. Being in a covert relationship has put me in a really good mood and for once I’m actually feeling outgoing.
Just about everyone is in the dining room when I arrive. Katie is there already, sitting between her mates, who are hunched over silently while she leans back in her chair, arms crossed, an expression that can only be described as fed up on her face.
“What’s up?” I ask when I arrive, but I’m only half-present.
The rest of my attention is on Jasper, who’s sitting to the right of Morven’s empty chair. He nods ever so subtly in my direction and I just about pass out. But the jelly-wobbles in my legs stop the instant I spot Clayton, one seat to the right, staring daggers in my direction.
“These two,” Katie begins, and I seize the opportunity to break eye contact, slipping into my seat and hiding behind Todd, “who were being so nice earlier, brought Christmas presents for me, but because they’re being dumb and jealous, they both thought it would be funny to steal what the other person brought and destroy it.”
“Oh,” I say.
“I’ll buy you a new plushie,” Todd says.
“He destroyed the necklace I bought first,” Simon replies.
“Enough,” Katie says, shuddering with rage.
“Tough times,” I say.
“How did things go with Asper-Jay?” she asks, deciding to ignore her mates completely.
“I’ll tell you later.”
The horn sounds again, announcing Morven’s entrance. The alpha looks ever so suave in a proper tuxedo. Astrid and Mia enter after him, the luna in a maroon dress, and Mia in a tartan gown that’s totally giving Merida from Brave. On their way past, Mia shoots me a cheeky wink.
Before we can eat, Morven gives another speech all about the blood moon and how lucky we are to be in such a privileged position, and in such good company. Because he can’t help himself, he makes a number of subtly suggestive comments about the growing bond between our packs, while grinning wildly at Jasper and Mia.
We get it! You’re obsessed with your daughter boning my boyfriend.
I want to roll my eyes but don’t want Morven to see and feel disrespected. Plus, the whole time he’s speaking I can feel Clayton’s unyielding death stare boring into the side of my head. Not wanting to give him the satisfaction, I pretend like he isn’t trying to drill a hole through my skull with his eyes. I keep my gaze focused on Morven. Besides, I’m not the one who pulled rank and commanded he keep quiet.
The food they serve is ridiculously delicious. Honey-glazed ham, roasted potatoes, turkey, stuffing that I could eat for days, brussels sprouts, gravy, and so much more. There’re dishes I don’t even know the name of, let alone think of as Christmas fare.
Katie’s stalemate with her boys cools off a little during the meal, and finally the four of us are able to chat and have a nice time.
Between courses I risk a glance at Jasper, who is talking animatedly with Mia. Yesterday—hell, this morning even—this would have filled me with jealousy. But now I’m glad he has someone nice to talk to at that end of the table. As I move my attention back to the conversation at hand, I’m once again caught in the icy glare of Clayton, who is holding his knife upright in one hand and stabbing a piece of meat with the fork in his other.
Damn, am I that interesting?
For dessert we have traditional Christmas pudding, which isn’t my cup of tea, and sherry, which despite being underage, we get to partake in. The alcohol makes my chest and cheeks warm. By the time dinner is over I’m worried I’ll need to be rolled back to my room.
“Everyone,” Mia says, standing and clapping her hands to gather our attention. “I hope you’ve brought your dancing shoes. When you’re finished, we’re hosting a little soiree in the Bjørn Labraid Ballroom. I hope to see you there and celebrate this Christmas with music and dancing!”
Roll me to the dance floor then, I guess!
Dinner guests stand and make their way back through the lounge toward an area of the lodge I’ve yet to explore.
“Let’s go,” Katie says, huffing at her mates, who glare at each other threateningly. “Fine, stay here. Max and I are going to dance.”
Katie takes my arm and we leave with the river of Rocky Pack wolves heading for the ballroom.
Up a winding set of stairs we ascend to the next level of the packhouse and come to a wide pair of oak doors, through which music and light comes flooding out. Katie and I enter the ballroom, which must have been named after Mia’s great-grandfather, and wander a little ways into the expansive space. Heavy iron chandeliers hang from a lofty beam; much like the dining room we’re surrounded by golden wood and rocky columns. One wall is entirely made of glass with doors leading out to a wide balcony and through which the mountain range glimmers in the moonlight.
“May I?” I ask, taking Katie’s hand and bowing.
“But of course.”
I lead Katie out onto the dance floor and spin her around like I’m Beast and she’s Belle and the teapot is singing. As we make our way around the floor, I take in the crowd of well-dressed wolves. Mia is standing by a table off to the side and raises a glass in our direction when we swish past. Mason and one of his friends are dancing, and we nearly collide with them while spinning too fast. I’m shocked when I even spot Jasper dancing slow and gracefully with Olivia.
I want so badly to be the one dancing with him. If I close my eyes I can almost pretend I am, except Katie’s hands are way too small to be Jasper’s. But I know that’s not an option, so I try and push the thought away.
After a song or two, Todd and Simon approach us slowly. Simon clears his throat and Katie and I come to a standstill.
“We were hoping…” Simon begins.
“That you might…” Todd continues.
“Dance with us.”
Katie looks between her mates in astonishment. Then she glances at me as if to ask “What the f is going on?”
I shrug.
“You mean both of you?” Katie asks.
“We were thinking…” Todd says.
“Since it’s Christmas…” Simon elaborates.
“We could stop being jerks.”
“Not that we’re giving up, but think of it sort of like a cease-fire.”
“For now,” Todd finishes up.
Katie smiles at me. It might not be the forever response she was hoping for, but she looks like all her Christmas wishes are coming true. And who am I to stand in the way of a Christmas miracle. I gesture to the floor as I back away. Todd and Simon each extend a hand to Katie, and the three of them begin to move—surprisingly gracefully for a throuple—across the boards.
Everyone I know is either dancing or chatting, and I think I could use a little breather after the last few days, plus I’m feeling sort of pulled outside, so I head toward the glass doors and out onto the balcony. The cold air is instantly refreshing, and I take a deep breath as I head to the wooden railing. The moon is almost full and looking more purple than I’ve ever seen her. The tinge of redness that’s been creeping up has engulfed her but is still thin enough that it’s mixing with the silvery-blue opalescent color I’m familiar with.
I think back to that night at the festival when I looked up and saw a bloated, taunting face, and realize how much has changed in such a short time. Although I’ve been persistent, there has always been an undercurrent of resentment in my pursuit of Jasper. But looking up now, I don’t resent the Moon Gods—if they exist; I’m glad they challenged me. For the first time, I feel hopeful.
“How’d you do it?” a gruff voice says behind me.
I turn and find Clayton standing between me and the doors. His shirt is half-untucked and his usually so perfectly quaffed hair is ruffled, messy strands falling limply over his eyes.
“What?” I ask.
“How did you do it?” He steps toward me. “How’d you trick him into thinking he could be mated to someone like you?”
There’s so much venom in his words as he spits them through clenched teeth.
“I didn’t trick anyone.”
He takes another step, dropping a bottle of whiskey as he does. Glass smashes and scatters across the stone floor.
“Have you been drinking?”
“He was supposed to be a great alpha; he was supposed to be strong and continue his family line. He was supposed to be a powerful leader…and I was supposed to stand by his side.”
Clayton is now within a couple feet of me. I back up until I’m pressed against the wood between me and the side of the mountain. A quick glance over my shoulder and I can’t even see the bottom of the valley—just a pit of never-ending darkness.
“You… You can still stand by him,” I say, my voice quivering.
“No…I can’t…because you ruined him.”
Clayton’s face has twisted into an ugly, pained expression. He clenches his fist and takes another step.
“You ruined him!”
He pulls back his fist, and I brace for the impact of his punch.
AN INEVITABLE THAWING
I squint and wait for Clayton’s fist to make contact with my face, but it doesn’t come.
For a second I wonder if he’s so drunk he missed me. Then I open my eyes properly and find Jasper, claws out, fangs elongated, having just thrown Clayton backward onto the ground.
Clayton groans and tries to stand.
“Stay down,” Jasper growls.
People are crowding at the doors, drawn over by the commotion.
“Don’t touch him,” Jasper warns the prostrate Clayton. The ruffled Adonis doesn’t submit just yet, growling in return and baring his teeth.
The crowd is spilling from the ballroom onto the balcony, their eyes darting from Clayton to Jasper to me.
What do they think is happening right now?
Mason is among them, watching me with concern. Clayton’s growl intensifies and he readies himself to launch at me once more. Jasper widens his stance, ready to defend me. Mason steps forward, but surprisingly he’s pushed aside as Olivia charges through the crowd. Without hesitating she grabs Clayton by his jacket collar and pulls him backward, throwing him against the wall. The crowd of onlookers jump aside so as not to get hit.
“Submit,” she commands, and I have no idea if she’s defending Jasper or helping him defend me. She’s been a colossal dick to me since the Yule Ball; why would she be jumping in to save my ass now?
Clayton snaps his jaw, which is beginning to look more and more wolflike as the situation escalates.
“Submit!” Olivia bellows.
Katie, Todd, and Simon come running out onto the balcony, quickly taking in the situation, and—bless their cotton socks—the bro twins position themselves in front of Clayton as well, claws at the ready.
Clayton twists his muzzle, clearly thirsty for my blood, but surveys his position. He’s ridiculously outnumbered, and with a final whimper, he begins to settle. His features shrink back into human form; he retracts his claws and loosens his muscles.
“Take him to my room,” Jasper says. “I’ll deal with him there.”
Todd and Simon each take one of Clayton’s arms and walk him through an opening in the crowd. He doesn’t struggle—in fact, he looks a little weak on his feet. Maybe the liquor is running its course.
Jasper turns to me, clearly distressed. He takes a step in my direction, then glances at the wolves still lingering in the doorway. There are too many eyes on us––he stops far enough away that he can’t touch me.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
“Yeah, I… I think he was drunk.”
“I’ll deal with him.”
Olivia steps up to Jasper’s side. “Go,” she says. “I’ll stay with him.”
Maybe Jasper catches my shocked expression, because for a moment he hesitates.
“You’re sure you’re okay? He didn’t hurt you?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Okay, thanks,” he says, giving Olivia a nod. Jasper walks through the remaining crowd, ignoring their stares, as if they aren’t there.
“You want to sit, chico?” Olivia asks, and for the first time in weeks, she resembles the girl I met at the Blue Moon Festival.
“That’d be great.”
“Max,” Katie says coming over, accompanied by Mason. “Are you okay? What happened?”
“He looked pretty wild,” Mason adds.
“I’m fine, you guys should go enjoy the rest of the dance. Don’t let that dick ruin it.”
“I should probably go see if Todd and Simon have made it back safely. You’re sure you’re fine?” Katie asks.
“I got him,” Olivia says, continuing to bewilder me with how nice she’s being.
“I’ll make sure he doesn’t leave his wing of the compound,” Mason says.
“Thanks.”
It’s kind of cool that everyone’s got my back—no, actually it’s really cool. And it makes me start to think that maybe Jasper and I don’t need to be a secret, if this is the way people react. I’m especially impressed with Olivia as she gives a nod to my friends and leads me toward a stairway off to the side of the balcony.
We leave the glow and music of the ballroom behind as we descend to a round platform with waist-high stone walls and a bench. It’s the perfect lookout spot for stargazing and taking in the mountains.
“What an asshole!” Olivia says as we plonk down on the seat. “I’ve been waiting a long time for a reason to wail on him.”
I laugh. “Oh really?”
“Growing up in the alpha’s circle, you don’t get much choice who your friends are going to be. That piece of shit has been pissing me off since we were kids.”
Olivia is leaning back on her hands, staring out at the view. She seems chill, completely content in my company, and completely ignoring the massive elephant that’s followed us out here.
“Thanks,” I say. “For jumping in like that.”
She takes a deep breath.
“You know,” I continue, “I was starting to think you hated me or thought I was an asshole.”
Olivia drops her head; she knew this moment was coming.
“You’re not the asshole,” she says into her chest. “I am.”
Excuse me?
I sit quietly. I know I don’t need to ask the question. An explanation is required––Olivia probably just needs a second.
“I’ve been acting pretty shitty to you, haven’t I?”
“Just a bit.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if you think I’m a bigger bitch than Clayton, to be honest.”
“Okay, so why then? Did I do something?”
“No, you didn’t do anything.” She stretches her legs out in front of her and crosses her ankles.
I’m just now realizing how cold it is out here—the adrenaline must be leaving my body.
“I did something though.”
My hands find the edge of the bench and I lean forward; Olivia doesn’t turn to face me.
“I knew”—she takes a breath—“I knew you and Jasper were mates, when I agreed to let him choose me. He told me and I wasn’t happy about it, but I knew and I still agreed to do it.”
