Chasing the alphas son, p.26
Chasing the Alpha's Son, page 26
“Is everything okay?” I ask.
She nods. “Mmhmm.”
“You’re acting kind of strange, and you haven’t really been answering my texts or calls.”
“I know, it’s just I sort of needed some space.”
“Okay.” I run a hand down my forehead. I don’t have time for whatever it is Katie is having trouble with right now. “Listen, I need to find Jasper.”
Her eyes move in a circle, avoiding meeting mine. “Can’t you just like…read his mind or whatever?”
“What? I…huh?” Is this what’s bugging Katie? The whole blood-wolf thing? “That’s not how it works… I… Katie…”
Her jaw moves and I can tell she’s thinking something over.
“I think,” she says, and tears spring to her eyes, “it’s just maybe a bit too much for me.”
I shake my head wildly. “What’s too much?”
“All of this, Max.” She waves a hand about, gesturing at nothing in particular. “I know you’ve been going through a lot, and I just want what’s best for you. I really do. But I’ve been going through a lot too.”
“Yeah, I know.” I glance at Todd and Simon, who are pretending they’re not listening in. “We’ve barely had a second to ourselves.”
She blinks and shakes her head like a bug just flew into her mouth. “Well, yeah, because everything is about you and Jasper. He’s not even nice to you, and all you’re interested in is following him around. And now there’s this blood-wolf thing and—”
“And what?”
She shrugs and stares at the floor. “Maybe we’re just drifting apart.”
My ears must be telling lies because there’s no way my best friend just said that. But the way Katie is fidgeting with her purse and curling her shoulders in, I can see she means what she said.
“Katie, I… I don’t want us to drift apart but…”
Across the atrium, Jasper passes through the crowd, catching my eye.
“But what, Max?”
As much as I want to stand and talk this out—as much as I want to make things right—I can’t stop right now. Not when a couple of my friends are about to be torn apart.
“There’s something I need to take care of.”
Katie glances back and spots Jasper as well, and when she turns to face me, her eyes say it all: she’s not angry, just disappointed.
“I’m sorry,” I say, before darting into the crowd to find Jasper. I have to believe that my friendship with Katie is strong enough to withstand this—that running from her now to find Jasper isn’t the nail in the friendship coffin.
When I reach the other side of the room he’s gone. I turn in circles, but there’s no sign of him—no whiff of his scent amongst the heavily perfumed wolves gyrating to some repetitive song. I spin again, and this time when I stop I come face-to-face with a giant of a person.
“Jericho,” I say, and then remembering myself, I bow my head and add, “Alpha.”
“Max,” Jericho says, his voice cutting through the noise effortlessly. “I see little has changed since I arranged for you and my son to spend some time together.”
Oh, if only he knew.
“I’m disappointed, Max.”
His words hit me like a high-speed train, but instead of letting myself be run over, I give into the anger that flares in me.
“You’re what?”
“I thought you would have the gumption necessary to tame a future alpha.”
Maybe it’s because my best friend has potentially just told me she doesn’t want to be my friend anymore. Maybe it’s because Mia and Olivia are stuck in a stairwell panicked they’re about to lose each other. Or maybe it’s just because this dude thinks I’m responsible for his son’s complete inability to open up, but something inside me snaps, and I forget who I’m talking to.
“You know what?” I say, letting the floodgates fall. “I’m disappointed too! I’m disappointed that you’ve put so much pressure on your son to be a certain way, he has no idea how to behave like a normal teenager. I’m disappointed that you’ve let him blame himself for his mother’s death his whole life. I’m disappointed that before you decided to set us up you tried to break us apart by forcing Jasper to mate with someone else. And I’m disappointed that no matter how hard I try to get Jasper’s attention, he’s too busy trying to get yours. Trying to show you he’s worthy. Maybe if you’d stopped for a second to tell him how proud you are of him, how you love him, Jasper would be better adjusted, and he and I would be together already. Maybe if you’d been a better father, I wouldn’t be responsible for making him feel okay about himself.”
When I’m finished, I clamp my mouth shut. Alpha Jericho is towering over me, very much like how this very skyscraper did earlier. His face has turned an impressive shade of purple, veins are bulging on his forehead, and suddenly I realize… Oh shit, I’ve just pissed off the alpha!
HAPPY NEW YEAR
I turn and run, leaving Jericho steaming behind me. It’s maybe the cowardly move, but I’d rather run and leave this party with my limbs intact than stick around.
I’m pretty sure I’ve just pissed Jericho off enough to sink his Jasper-Max ship and now I need to find Jasper more than ever.
My adrenaline is pumping so hard, I don’t even feel the cold when I burst out onto the windy patio. I stand on tiptoes, trying to see over the crowd, and press my lips together, concentrating, shutting out the noise. In Times Square the clock has counted down another hour. Already? Time is ticking away.
For an instant I think I see a flash of black hair across the patio, so I head in that direction. When I reach the spot where I thought I saw him, Jasper is gone again. Maybe he is avoiding me. Well, sorry Jasper, this is an emergency, and you don’t have a choice.
Back inside, I scan the bar areas and wonder if I can use my blood wolf senses to reach out to him. I close my eyes and let down just a sliver of the barrier I’ve been maintain. A trickle of sweat drips down my forehead as I content with my new power. My mind reaches out across the dancefloor, the tables surrounding it, to the upper level and the shadowy booths toward the back. Nothing. Is he blocking me out?
A warm, familiar presence materializes toward the elevators, and as the delicate ping of its arrival sounds, the doors open and Aisha wanders in. I put my barriers back in place and take a moment to catch my breath. Aisha is looking insanely gorgeous in a navy gown that drapes over one shoulder and flows in cascading layers to the floor. She spots me almost instantly, and for some reason she looks about as serious as I probably do.
“We need to talk,” she says the second I’m within earshot.
“Yeah we do.”
“This way.”
She takes me by the arm and leads me past a bar and a blossoming cherry tree in a large planter—because, of course—to a small seating area off to the side. Black leather sofas surround an oversized, ornate copper vase, and mirrors reflect our faces back in all directions. The music and the lighting are lower back here making it the perfect chill-out area.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
Aisha pushes a loose strand of hair behind her ear and puffs out her cheeks in preparation.
“Remember what I said about Clayton and those rumors?”
“That his family are planning to overthrow the alpha?”
“Turns out, they’re not just rumors.”
My head feels light and I have to prop myself up with one hand to keep from toppling over.
“What?!”
“Apparently, Clayton’s dad has been positioning himself to take over the mantle for a while now—hoarding funds, gathering support from the gammas and high-ranking officers. I asked my father about it and he confirmed it. Walter has even been speaking with other packs.”
“Crap,” I say, wiping my forehead. “And he’s planning on making his move soon?”
“Very,” she says. “I heard Clayton has some information about the alpha that could be used as the final blow.”
My eyes pop open. There’s only one piece of information that Clayton could use to discredit the alpha, and that’s…
“It’s me and Jasper,” I say. “That’s the info Clayton has.”
Aisha sighs and takes my hand. “I really hoped that wasn’t the case.”
“So what? You think he’s planning on outing Jasper, and that will convince the other packs to help Walter with his mutiny?”
She shrugs heavily.
“That’s disgusting. Do you really think the officers and the other alphas would be that narrow-minded?”
Aisha twists her lips, and all I can think of is Mia, crying in the stairwell. Her father is willing to marry her off to prevent her being with another girl. Maybe Jasper and I really are a danger to the pack.
“Morven is here,” I say. “He found out about Mia and Olivia, and he’s trying to convince Jericho to arrange a mate bond between Jasper and Mia.”
“Jesus!” Aisha says, rolling her eyes. “Have you spoken to Jasper?”
“Nope, I’ve been looking for him but I can’t find him. I don’t know if he’s ignoring me or avoiding me or what. I feel like I’ve been chasing him all over this stupid party.”
“We really need to find him now,” she says, standing up and smoothing out her dress. “Come on, I’ll help you look.”
Together we head back into the party. Thinking I’ve covered most of the downstairs area, we head up the illuminated glass staircase to explore the upper level. It’s a little more subdued up here, and yet the air feels more pressurized. The guests are more smartly dressed, less flamboyant. They aren’t drinking or dancing. Instead they’re standing in small circles, discussing important matters, presumably, in hushed and serious tones. This must be where the dignitaries and officers come to talk shop? A cool draft pulls my attention further in, and I notice there’s a set of doors toward the back of this level, leading out onto another, smaller patio.
“That’s the VIP balcony,” Aisha says. “They reserve it at functions for the highest-ranking wolves.”
That’s when I spot the beefy wolf to the side of the door, dressed all in black, sporting sunglasses and an earpiece.
“I guess there’s no way we’re getting out there…”
“Worth a shot,” she says. “Whether they know it or not, you’re kind of important now.”
I take a second to register what Aisha means. It hasn’t really dawned on me that being Jasper’s mate might mean helping to lead the pack one day. I guess I’ve barely had time to imagine what an actual relationship with him would look like, let alone all the trimmings that would come with it. There’s too much going on right now for me to spend any time focusing on this overwhelming revelation, so I push it to the back of my mind.
Aisha and I head to the doors of the VIP patio, but we’re met with a stern grunt and the impassable outstretched arm of the security beefcake.
Never one to back down from a fight, Aisha begins arguing with Mr. Beefy, trying to convince him we should be allowed outside. But my eyes catch on something beyond the glass. Standing between two olive trees are three impressive-looking men: Alpha Jericho, Jasper, and Alpha Morven. They’re huddled close; Jericho is slapping Jasper on the back and talking animatedly while Morven swirls the tumbler in his hand. Jasper is looking at the floor. But when Morven directs his next statement—or maybe it’s a question—toward Jasper, he looks up and nods.
Morven smiles. He smiles as if he’s just won something. And next thing I know, Morven and Jericho are shaking hands. They’re grinning and nodding like they’ve just come to some kind of arrangement, cemented a deal. Morven extends his hand to Jasper next, and without blinking, Jasper returns the handshake.
I should turn and run again. But my stomach has become jelly and my legs feel like wisps of smoke. My feet are lead, unable to move. Alarm bells are ringing in my head so loudly they actually block out the noise of the wolves around me. Everything is fuzzy, like I’m hearing through cotton wool. It can’t be happening again. Has Jasper agreed to sacrifice what we have for the sake of the pack? Maybe he knows about the Bridgerses’ mutiny. That has to be it. Once again he’s willing to give up everything for the greater good.
But then again, maybe it’s not about the pack at all. Maybe it never has been. Maybe he’s doing this to cover his own ass. If he knows Clayton is planning to out him, maybe he’s scared of being exposed.
My jaw quivers, my vision blurs as tears build in my eyes, and my hands twitch.
The world moves in slow motion as I watch Jasper looking from Morven to his father, an expectant expression on his face, asking if he’s done enough. Then just as slowly, his gaze drifts and lands on me.
Panic floods his expression as the world speeds back into real time. Our eyes are locked and he knows what I’ve seen. Before he can excuse himself, before I crumble to the floor, I leave Aisha arguing with the security guard, and run. I tear through the somber crowd of officers all sipping their drinks, looking too pleased with themselves. I race down the stairs, almost tripping over my own feet. When I reach the lower level, I look for the exit and spot an elevator arriving to deposit a gaggle of overdressed guests. Without pausing to reflect on the irony that, after all this time, I’m running away from Jasper, I head for the exit.
I push through the crowd, longing to be outside, back on the ground, in the cold winter air. I want to feel it on my face and remember that I have a whole life outside of this weird, elitist tower. The golden light of the elevator is calling to me, and just when I’m about to dive in, a strong, familiar hand grips my arm and pulls me away.
Jasper drags me to the side room where I just was with Aisha and doesn’t let my arm go once we reach the quiet sanctuary.
“Max,” he says, desperation in his voice, “whatever you saw, it isn’t what you think.”
I try to turn away, but he holds me fast.
“I know why they came here,” Jasper continues. “I know Morven brought Mia with him because he wants us to unite our two packs. But I promise you that isn’t going to happen.”
“Whatever.”
“Max, I swear, I told you I would never hurt you like that again.”
“Then what was that?!” I explode. “He wants to mate off his daughter because she’s into girls, and you were out there smiling and shaking hands with him. What else am I supposed to think?”
“I know how it looked but I didn’t agree to anything.”
“What do you mean? You shook his hand.”
“We agreed to wait.”
I reel back like the beefy security guard has just punched me right in the kisser. With all my strength I pull my arm out of Jasper’s grip.
“You what?”
“Morven suggested the arranged mate bond, but my dad and I were able to convince him I needed more time, that I wasn’t ready to be mated yet.”
“Yet? So you will be ready sometime?”
“No that’s not—we were buying time, so we can think of plan to get out of it without hurting the relationship.”
“Without hurting the what…?” I scoff and turn away. “And what happens in a year or two when Morven doesn’t want to wait any longer?”
“We’ll have come up with a plan by then.”
“You’re joking, right?”
Jasper’s chest is heaving; he’s holding his hands out, palms up, like he’s pleading with me.
“You may believe your dad has your best interests at heart, but there’s no way when push comes to shove he won’t do whatever it takes to retain his power.”
Jasper takes a step toward me, trying to take my hand. “I won’t let him.”
“And what if you don’t have a choice?” I spit, pulling back. “What if there’s no way out? Huh? In a couple of years, if Morven is still hell-bent on this arrangement, how am I supposed to know you won’t do what’s needed for the pack?”
Jasper stares at me like he’s confused or hurt or whatever, I don’t really care, because the only thing I notice is that he hasn’t answered. He hasn’t said that he’ll run away with me or do whatever it takes to keep me. He’s stumped. And suddenly I know the answer to my questions.
“I’m not going to be strung along until the time comes for you to abandon me for the pack.”
“I’m not asking you to!” Jasper comes forward once again, this time managing to take both of my hands. “It’s just a Band-Aid so that we can figure something out without endangering the pack. It’s what I need to do.”
“You don’t need to do anything!” I try to pull my hands away, but he holds on tight. “You just need to be honest.”
“You know I can’t do that.”
Jasper’s grip loosens and our hands slip apart.
“I’ve never asked you to be anything other than what and who you are,” I say. “Can you say that much for your dad, the pack?”
Jasper rubs his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. “You know it’s not that simple.”
“I’m not saying you need to tell them about us—I’m not saying you need to tell them about yourself, or anything until you’re ready. But I have been running around this party, trying to find you. I’ve been trying to find you for months. And I can’t do it anymore. If we aren’t in this together, if you can’t be honest with me at the very least, then maybe we shouldn’t be together at all.”
Jasper’s shoulders drop and dread fills his emerald eyes. He shakes his head, but no sound comes out of his gaping mouth.
My hands are shaking so much I have to cup them together to make it stop. I want to throw up and fall over and explode all at once. I’ve laid out the truth—my truth, at least. And even though it feels like my heart has been frozen and smashed into a million spiky shards, I know I’m doing the right thing. I also know I need to get out of here before I crumble completely.
“Max, it’s just for now. I promise I will figure out a way to fix things with Morven.”
“Don’t bother…”
I push past Jasper and leave the room without looking back.
As soon as I’m back out on the dance floor, I feel like my chest is going to explode. My heart is beating faster than it ever has before. I can’t catch my breath. Everything is spinning around me. I feel like I could cry or howl if only I could inhale. My fingers curl up like I’m a shriveling corpse. I close my eyes and try to breathe—in and out, in and out—but it isn’t getting better. I need air. I need to get out of this stuffy, suffocating party. I glance at the elevator, but the door is shut, and there’s no way I can wait long enough to get all the way back down to the ground floor.
