Jason’s POV
I got to Silver Crescent the next morning and indeed, walking around my territory did make me feel a lot better. Johnson had welcomed me with all the warmth of someone who didn’t want me alive and I had been unconcerned about his aloof behavior.
I was going to meet with Chloe and Johnson later, they had ‘important’ business to talk to me about.
My mind occasionally went to Evelyn and wondered how she was reacting to me leaving so soon, but I couldn’t handle staying there and having her look at me like a total stranger.
Call me selfish but it was true, I didn’t like that she was not giving me those googie eyes, those eyes that told the whole world she was in love with me.
Stop being so dramatic.
My wolf chided and I was quiet.
I walked cautiously as I passed the gate of the pack house, it was a little rowdy and my curiosity was piqued. I walked past regardless, the issues were less trivial compared to that of my love life.
“Good morning Alpha!” A wolf said as he passed by, he looked unfamiliar and I answered all the same.
“Good day,”
I continued down the path and remembered other pressing issues, I heard Rogues were terrorizing the territory and it made me kind of upset, more proof that I couldn’t lead from afar kept coming up.
“Hello,” the security guard at the park house greeted me as I passed and I nodded in response.
The house held great significance to me and I felt proud as I walked up the stairs and into the study where I guessed they would be.
Nobody could deny how much work I had done during my short reign, rogues were the least rampant features and compared to ten years ago the situation is way different.
“Jason!” Chloe’s shrill voice greeted me with unhidden excitement and I couldn’t hide the smile that formed on my face. I cared for her just as one could his Gemma and we did grow up together.
I spread my hands and she entered into my embrace. If I could fall for her it would be the easiest thing but it just wasn’t there and I couldn’t see her in that way.
“Hello, you look good!” I said and I meant it, she was beaming and the smile on her face was rare.
“I felt excited immediately I heard you were back, I almost thought you ditched us for the human” she joked and I almost told her if the ‘human’ had been a little more remembering I just might have forgotten to come home.
“That makes me happy that my coming makes you happy, where is Johnson?” I asked her and she pointed towards the library. She chatted about everything under the moon as we walked over to the library.
It was a wild space with books nobody read, I had tried to when I was younger but ever since assuming the alpha position it was difficult to read, at least books that were not about medicine. I made a mental check to find time to return to New Orleans.
“Jason! Welcome home pal,” Johnson stood up and moved towards him, I pulled him in for a hug and didn’t fail to notice that he was seated exactly where I would have, for someone that claimed to miss me he had moved on really fast.
“I see the pack has been doing well,” I commented as I settled down next to the mountain of books by the door. I didn’t feel particularly safe and I needed answers about my Eve.
“Yes it has, except for our little…” Chloe was saying but she was interrupted by Johnson who gave her a dirty glare.
“Nothing. We have been doing alright, very fine in fact.”
“That’s nice to hear,” I responded. She had meant to say a little rogue problem. Johnson probably felt like a failure, having to admit he had not been able to handle the rogue problem.
“And how about the seer, any update?” I asked, choosing to allow it slide, I would see to it before I left the pack for New Orleans but now, let’s know my stand.
“Yes actually, he has some very tricky news.” Chloe said, her lips pouting. “The people feel weird that you should be single, no wife and the closest you had been to having one had left on your mating day. They are beginning to talk,”
“Talk about what?” I snapped and Johnson and she shared an uncertain look. “About what,”
“They said they want a well rooted alpha, one that understands family ties and bonds. They want a responsible alpha who doesn’t leave the pack to pursue a medicine career,”
“What does that even mean?” I basically roared, I was irritated, hadn’t they all been here when my bride left me when we were to be joined together? Were they all so inconsiderate?
“You have to choose a mate unless you’ll be overthrown,” Johnson said softly and I turned to look at him.
“You know about this? You allow them to think like this?” I asked him trying not to raise my voice, I was getting really irritated and he wasn’t helping matters.
“I saw her in Miami, I saw her there and she didn’t know me, she’s there working with Alex my friend, and if we know the way around this I can go and get her and the seer would perform the expected rituals or procedures” i said with urgency, I loved my pack dearly but I also know how stubborn they could be if they had their mind on something.
“Well if we are to do something we have to do it fast,” Johnson said and I raised a brow in question.
“Why?” I muttered and he stood up and walked over to the window his hands folded over his chest, he turned to look at me and released an exasperated sigh.
“Should I say it?” Chloe asked and I was curious.
“Say what?”
“They gave you a months grace, if you don’t get a wife before then you would be overthrown.”