55

I’m not in the mood for surprises.
It’s just for tonight. Afterwards, I’ll drive you to the bus stop first thing. Promise !
With a long, drawn out sigh, he eventually gave in. Fine.
Sophie smiled back at him and veered the car towards her house where he spent the rest of his day regretting everything.
He wondered if maybe he should stay after all ? Just the process of leaving was tearing him apart. What did he even have to go back to anyways ? A job ? His uncle ?
The one thing that Darren had been proud of was the fact that he had saved nearly enough money to get a place of his own. He had planned to move out of his uncle’s one day, but now that he had grown accustomed to living with four other people and sharing a room, he felt like the experience would be too lonely to bear.
That night, he struggled to resist reaching out through the bond as he replayed their conversation over and over in his head. By morning, he was determined to meet with Jasper at least once more and demand why he was suddenly so nonchalant about being mates.
Okay, let’s go ! Sophie interrupted his thoughts midway through breakfast and she began pulling him along behind her.
What ? Where are we going ? He demanded, but she smiled mischievously before shoving him in the passenger seat of the car.
You’ll see. Was all she said as she drove off and pulled up to another house not too far away. This one had a bunch of cars located out front and looked like it was hosting some sort of party.
Ringing the bell, the door soon flew open to reveal her tomato looking friend, Alysha, who hugged his aunt with all her might.
Sophie ! I’m so glad you made it ! The woman beamed, then, strangely, smiled at Darren. Come on in. Everyone’s waiting.
Waiting for what ? Darren asked Sophie, who just gestured for him to follow.
He did as she asked, and was led to the living room where a moderate crowd was gathered. There was an array of food on a nearby bar counter, and men and women were all chatting together, some more happily than others, but as soon as Darren entered, they stopped and stared at him.
Once again, he was reminded of his rogue status.
Is this him ? One of the women asked as she approached slowly.
Sophie nodded, and the woman’s face broke into a broad smile as she grabbed the rogue’s hand and shook it. I’m so happy I can thank you in person ! You don’t know how much it means to me that you helped get my little girl back.
Darren froze as he struggled to comprehend what was happened. One by one, more people stepped forward to shake his hand and thank him. Some even went as far as hugging him, and he finally realized who these people were.
This was a gathering for the parents of the missing children.
Each and every one of them took turns to tell Darren how their kids are doing now that they’re back home, though there were still a few waiting for their own kids to come home. Then Kenny, of all people, stepped forward.
If you hadn’t bothered coming to Parkwood, Holly might have died that night. The Beta admitted as he encouraged his wife to stand by his side. I can’t tell you how grateful we are. And…I know you like being a rogue and all, but I’m sure Gerrit would love to have you join the pack. If you’re willing that is.
The parents behind him nodded in agreement, including the once snooty Alysha. Darren was almost overcome with emotion before he realized what the man had said.
Wait…Gerrit ?
Yeah. Kenny nodded. I’m sure he’d prefer you as his Beta anyways. I honestly don’t think he ever got over me punching him.
Hold up…Only Alphas have Betas. Darren argued.
Yeah, I know. I worked for Jasper remember ? Right up until he handed the title over a few days ago.
…EXCUSE ME ?! Darren blurted. He never told me anything about that ?!
You were still in the hospital when the decision was made. It turned out that apparently Jasper and a bunch of Betas were trafficked into the pack as kids. Beth already left to find her real family, and Jasper found out his parents had sold him to pay off a debt to Liam. He was devastated and said he needed to do some serious soul searching, so he handed the title over to Gerrit instead.
Darren felt like the ground had fallen out from under him.
When Darren’s own parents had ignored him, Jasper was there. When Darren’s aunt was thrown in prison, Jasper was there. When Darren was in danger, Jasper was there.
And yet, after everything Jasper had been through, Darren didn’t return the favor.
I need to go. The rogue demanded, grabbing Sophie by the arm. I need a ride.
Why ? What’s going on ?
I need to find my mate.
There was a visible reaction in the crowd, and Kenny was the one to speak up. You have a mate in the pack ?
Darren looked back at the man with utmost seriousness. Yes. Jasper.
Before the Beta could properly react, Sophie made a ‘say no more’ face and immediately hopped back in the car.
Thanks to their bond, Darren was able to pinpoint the man’s location almost immediately. It should not have been so surprising to find that he was at the bus stop in Red Point, checking the route schedule.
Sophie let the rogue out while she hunted for a parking spot, and Darren trudged towards the former Alpha with determination.
Why didn’t you tell me !? Darren demanded once he was in earshot, startling the distracted man. Why didn’t you say you weren’t the Alpha anymore ? Why didn’t you say you were leaving ?
Once Jasper realized it was Darren who was chastising him, he glanced away awkwardly. I was going to tell you last night, but then…We didn’t get that far.
The rogue stopped in his tracks as he recalled how the man had returned early and visited him in his room. Had the man really been planning on telling him about all the changes in the pack, and Darren’s horny ass thought he was just there to get laid ?
So why didn’t you tell me this morning ? Darren pushed. I said I couldn’t stay. If you were leaving anyways, then we could just leave together.
Jasper looked surprised by that suggestion, and asked hesitantly. You…You want to leave with me ?
Of course I do ! He blurted. I’m scared of being in charge of anything, I’ll admit that. But…We’ve been though a lot together and you more than proved you’re not the same asshole who once punched me to impress his friends. So…I won’t hit you anymore.
That last sentence had the former Alpha blinking in confusion. What ?
I won’t hit you anymore. Remember ? Back on the hill when you apologized and said I could hit you as much as I wanted until I felt like it was enough. Well, this is enough. Darren gestured between them.
The two stood staring each other down, neither knowing where to go from that corny declaration. Eventually the rogue realized what he had said and blushed. I-I mean…Well…Er…We still have a lot to work out so…I don’t know. Maybe we can call it a road trip and sort things out properly this time ?
Are you sure ? Jasper asked seriously. You know there’s a chance I might come back one day, right ?
Darren thought back to the grateful faces of the parents who thanked him. Of Kenny’s praise, of his sister’s smile, and most importantly, of his time with Jasper.
He had squashed his emotions behind a wall of sass and vengeance, but the nicer Jasper was to him, the weaker that wall had become.
His old self would have blamed the bond for the mushy feelings he started having for the man, but after hearing Mary’s story, he knew that the bond couldn’t force emotions. If they could, then Mary would never have been able to hate Liam as much as she did.
No, these were his own, real, emotions.
That’s fine. Darren declared. You have a lot of things you need to sort out and I’ll be with you every step of the way, just like you tried to be for me this passed month. And if you return to the pack, I’ll nag the shit out of you if you go back to your old dumbass self.
Jasper couldn’t help but laugh at the rogue’s comment. Is that a promise ?
Well it’s either stick with you, or explain to my uncle what happened to his super expensive magic collar. Darren shrugged jokingly, trying to lighten the mood.
The former Alpha stepped closer until their faces were inches apart. Do you really mean it ?
Darren stared up into his eyes. Originally he would have felt pressured as the guy’s mate to help run the pack, but with how hard Jasper tried to push him away today, it was clear that the man would never force him to do something if he sensed that Darren didn’t like it. Yes.
A sense of relief washed over the former Alpha’s face as he bent down to kiss the rogue. They stayed like, embracing each other tenderly, right up until Sophie appeared and interrupted them.
So…You just weren’t going to tell me about this the whole time huh ? She stared Darren down accusingly, and he shrugged awkwardly in response.
From there, Jasper decided to take Darren back to the house himself so they could properly plan where to go. As it turns out, the man had sold his car in order to afford to travel. His excuse was that the Nissan was a gift from Liam, and he didn’t feel right using it since it might have been bought with dirty money. So after calling his uncle up to explain the situation, Darren went to pick up his things from Sophie’s house, then the two of them got Kenny to drive them back to the bus stop a few days later.
Some pack members had stopped by to see them off, and Jasper looked somewhat reluctant to go, but the man insisted that this was what he wanted, so Darren didn’t say anything.
Soon, the bus pulled up and opened it’s doors, waiting for new passengers to board. The two grabbed their bags and waited for the people ahead of them to get on first.
Meekly, Darren grabbed Jasper’s free hand and glanced sideways at him. Hey…
Yeah ?
You remember what you said the first time you tried to jump me ?
A blush graced the former Alpha’s face. Yeah…
Darren leaned closer to whisper in his ear. I think I love you too.
Jasper turned back towards his mate, grinning ear to ear as a rush of affection flowed through their bond. Then it was finally their turn, and they stepped onto the bus, ready to embark on a new journey together.
~END~