CHAPTER 20- Male Bonding
HUNTER’S P. O. V.
I have Jasmine asleep in my arms. Not quite how I wanted the day to go, but it still feels amazing to have her here. I am sitting here a little lost in thought just brushing her hair with my fingers.
Jay looks over at us from his spot on the floor. “That mate bond must be something. I don’t think I have ever seen two people more into each other.”
I smile at him. “I’m going to tell you a secret. I have been in love with her since I was sixteen. I was mean to her because I was pissed that she would never be mine. I know she is too good for me. When I started to realize that she might be my mate, I was scared to death that she would reject me. Sometimes I can’t believe that we are here like this.”
“It makes me a little jealous. I know I will never have something like that. Let alone with someone like Jasmine. She is a one of a kind girl. Now with what I am, I don’t know if I will ever meet someone that I can spend my life with.” He turns back to the movie. I can tell that was a lot for the guy to unload with me. He is Jasmine’s best friend not mine. We don’t have a relationship like that. For him to be that open he must really be lost looking for answers.
“You know Jay, you have more chances than the rest of us to find the woman for you. You’re going to live a lot longer.” I don’t know if that is the right thing to say or not. I am not good at this stuff.
“Yeah, I’ll have to watch all my friends die before me. That sounds like loads of fun.” He throws his head back. Clearly he is not happy being a vampire.
“It’s not the end of the world. I know it might seem like it right now. There is a whole new world open to you. Jasmine isn’t going to let you go through this alone. Plus I’m here for you too. I know we don’t really know each other but I’m not that bad of a guy. I am willing to help you out. I know it will help out Jasmine if I do.”
He chuckles. “Anything to keep the woman happy.”
“Damn straight. She ain’t happy then I sure as hell won’t be.” We are laughing together. I really haven’t had friends, I’m more of the lone wolf type. Jay is growing on me though.
“How do you guys keep your secret so well, I mean I never suspected a thing. If it wasn’t because you guys smell different I wouldn’t have known.” He still looks a little lost, perhaps a little thoughtful.
“You would have to ask Jasmine that. She is the one that really integrated. I usually kept to myself, that made it easier to hide. Jasmine became friends with all of you and never let anything slip. She is the master at that. Not that she is a good liar, but she is good at keeping things separate. I was always too worried that I would tell someone something I shouldn’t. How she mastered it I have no idea.” I rub my hand up her side.
“I can actually see that. You never really had a group around you. I think some of the guys at school said something about you being stuck up.” He chuckles at that.
“I can see how I would come off that way. I’ll be honest when it comes to Jasmine I am a little stuck up. I don’t think anyone is better for her than me, but I also think she is too good for me. So a bit of a double edged sword there.”
“I think some guys even said you were closet gay and that’s why you had no friends.” He smirks at me.
“Ok, that one I don’t get.” I laugh. “I have never even been close to that. I am sure a few people have seen me with Allison.”
“Yeah, they thought she was your cover.” I can tell he is holding back laughter. He thinks this is hilarious.
“She was, but not for being gay. She was my cover for how much I wanted Jasmine. I couldn’t have her finding out. She is my Alpha, I am Beta. We are supposed to work together for the rest of our lives, if she knew I loved her and she didn’t feel the same back. Talk about awkward.” I roll my eyes at the thought. Come on, it would be pure torture every time we were in a room alone together.
“So how does that work, is it like royalty or something?”
“Sort of. We are born into the roles, but someone could challenge our roles. Or like now since I will be stepping up to Alpha, once Jasmine and I are officially together, then we have to select a new Beta. I’m not sure who that will be at the moment. It could be anyone. It just has to be someone that we think will do a good job. The Alpha’s job is to look after the pack, make sure they have what they need and are safe. The Beta’s job is to help maintain the pack. In a way they are like partners.”
Jay is quiet for a moment while he absorbs this. “So Jasmine really is like a princess? I thought it was a joke when that guard guy called her that.”
“Yeah, she is. In every way possible. She hates it when people call her that though. Her mother started it. I think her mom always thought she was going to have more pups, but she only had Jasmine before she passed. Some people keep it up for her sake.”
“How did Jasmine’s mother die?”
“She got really sick. I was little so I am not really sure what with. I just know it was a really bad time for the pack. Alpha Derrick was a mess. I think if it wasn’t for Jasmine he would have stayed that way. My dad helped the best he could, but when you lose your mate you feel like you will die too. As much as I love Jasmine I could never imagine losing her.” I squeeze her a little into my body. She gives a slight stir.
“Like I said, that mate bond is really something. On a sadder note, I couldn’t imagine living my life without my mother. She was devastated when I told her I was leaving. As it is, I will have to keep a distance for a long time. She can’t see me grow up and do things that my brother will. I will be the lost child to her. But at least I know she is there.”
“My mom still likes to act like I am a little pup. She was crying when she found out that Jasmine was my mate. She started saying how her little boy grew up too fast, but then she was so happy for me. Drives me crazy, but I love the hell out of her.” I can’t help but smile at the thought.
“So your mom is still around. Like close by.”
“Like down stairs. The joys of living in the pack house. Everyone is always around.” I roll my eyes, this gives Jay another laugh. It’s actually kind of nice to have a guy to talk to. I think I might like having this guy around. “So we are supposed to have dinner with the pack in like thirty minutes. I should probably wake up sleeping beauty.”
I gently shake her a little and she grumbles and turns around so she is facing the other way. I laugh and shake her again. “Baby, we have to have dinner with the pack.” I say thinking this will get her up.
“Nope, you said that you were making me dinner.” She says and keeps her eyes shut. Crap I did say that. Jay just laughs. I am sure it is at my face, which holds a shocked expression.
“That was before we had a guest.” I replied.
“Nope, you are still making me dinner.” She says getting more comfortable.
“Baby, I don’t think that is very fair for our guest.” I can try one last time.
“He can join us.” She states plainly.
“Alright you win. Jay, you are helping me cook.” I get out from under her and lead the way to the kitchen. I notice that Jay isn’t following me. I look back and he is still sitting there. “Are you coming?”
“I am not the person you want in the kitchen. I burn toast.” He puts his hands up in surrender.
“Come on, you can learn.” He gets up and follows. Once we are in the Alphas kitchen I start looking at what we can cook. I don’t think we have what it takes to make spaghetti. It looks like we do have streaks though. Enough for the three of us. I am also going to have to tell the Alpha that we need to shop if she is going to make me cook all the time. I put the steaks on defrost in the microwave and started looking for what to go with them. “I know she likes salad. I think that is what we have to go with. Anything else I would put with it, I just don’t see here. You can make salad. No cooking involved.” I point to the fridge so he can get started.
“Where did you learn to cook?”
“My mom made me cook with the kitchen wolves once a week. She said no son of hers is going to let others wait on him all the time. I am glad she did. Not many people my age know how to do most things on their own. I am happy to know that I have skills. Plus as you can see it pleases my woman.” I smirk at him.
We get along well. He works with me in the kitchen and we banter back and forth. I could get used to having this guy around even if he is a vampire.