Alex’s pov:
Jade was leaving today. She had a sad smile plastered on her face, and I knew I couldn’t show her just how affected I would no doubt be by the separation. I schooled my expression into a neutral one, hoping it would convince her the way I wasn’t that everything would be okay.
Her mother was sitting by her side on a bench, in the gardens of the pack house, and her presence alone seemed to be the reason why Jade still had it together.
I hated that I couldn’t do anything to prevent this from happening. And I hated how powerless this made me feel. I felt unworthy of my title as alpha, of my role as the protector and provider, especially when I recalled the whole Camelia fiasco.
Speaking of Camelia, she had been sent to her coven, with a letter which explained her transgression, and the leftover cookie which could explain everything. She was no longer my problem. And though it saddened me that we couldn’t be friends as we used to, her betrayal stung more than it probably should. I had trusted her around my pack, around those I cared for, around my pregnant mate… And I was glad she had only gone after me. My foolishness and blind trust in a bond that had long since faded away could have cost me a lot.
I couldn’t allow my mistakes to impact everyone around me… Although that was naturally bound to happen, seeing as I was the leader.
“You’re even more shaken than I am,” Jade commented in a tone that was meant to make light of the situation no doubt, but which had the knack to make me wince.
And here I thought I was doing a decent job at masking my emotions.
“I will miss you,” she then said in a hushed and more intimate voice.
“I will visit you,” I told her in a sweet tone of voice.
She simply nodded at me, and said no more, but simply put her hand over her belly, in a protective gesture.
“We’ll look forward to it,” she said, and even though her smile broadened, it didn’t reach her eyes.
I could understand it all, her nervousness and her dread. She was going to step into a new environment, away from here, away from me, on a journey to discover more about her powers, and hopefully master them.
I would be anxious too, had I been in her shoes.
Soon, a black sedan stopped near the entrance of the pack house, and Luc nodded at me at once from where he welcomed the envoy.
“It’s time,” I repressed a sigh, so as not to trouble her further.
“Let’s go, sweetheart,” her mother was the first one to rise to her feet, and hold her hand out for her.
Jade let out a heavy and long sigh, and was soon enough standing next to her mother.
She looked at me, her eyes glassy, and said in a teasing tone, “Don’t you dare get a paramour while I am away. I’ll be back before you know it.”
“Don’t even joke about it,” I told her in earnest before hugging her.
That was when she cried at long last. Ever since she cried at Tyler’s funeral, she was bottling up her emotions, keeping everything to herself, going out of her way not to burden anyone even me, which stung.
When I leaned in and captured her lips in a kiss, she let out a relieved sigh against my lips.
“I will be a phone call away, love,” I then told her softly.
“I know,” she nodded, a somewhat confident smile on her face.
And with that, we walked to the sedan, where her and her mom’s suitcases were already in the trunk.
“Greetings,” the man who appeared more like a guard than a driver let out, “We are here for Luna Jade, under the Alpha King’s orders.”
“Yes,” I nodded curtly at him.
“I am right here,” she told him in a tone so confident, I could have sworn her moment of vulnerability was but a dream.
“I’ll be going with my daughter,” her mom declared.
“Yes, we did receive word that the Luna might have someone with her,” the man said, a small smile stretching his lips.
“Also, two of my trusted warriors will ensure their luna arrives safely,” I wouldn’t budge on this, no matter what.
“I wasn’t informed of this,” the man frowned ever so slightly, showing either his displeasure or his confusion, possibly both.
“I am informing you now,” I kept my expression neutral, not quite bristling at the man’s tone of voice. “They will be following you in another car. You won’t have to interact with them.”
Eli and Trevor stepped up at that point, and nodded curtly at the man.
He merely nodded in response, and then told us, “We will need to leave promptly, so that we can arrive in a timely manner.”
It was our cue to say our goodbyes, but I merely caressed my beloved’s hair, and then grabbed and sniffed a lock.
“Never lose your smile, love. And as I told you, I will be a phone call away,” I reminded her in a soft tone of voice.
“Wait for me. I will become the Luna you deserve in no time, Alex,” was the reply she gave me, before she stepped into my embrace yet another time.
Now wasn’t the time to tell her she was already more than enough, more than I could have ever hoped for. Not with the audience we had, as I was sure we would only delay the departure more than we should.
“Be safe,” I then said simply, as I helped her into the car.
“Always,” she smiled at me.
She blew me a kiss as the car left, and I stood there, waving at her, until I could no longer see her.
I would miss her dearly, but considering the Alpha King’s words, I hoped she would toughen up during her training. Even though I loved her soft nature to bits, I feared a day might come where I would not be able to cherish and protect her the way I had to… And it was for that day that I allowed this to happen.