CHAPTER 21- Visiting Alpha
JASMINE’S P. O. V.
Time seems to be irrelevant at the moment. Hunter and I have gotten into a routine. Jay has had his three days of blood lust, which were not pleasant days for the three of us. Even Hunter was visiting him as much as possible. Sure he and I could only stand outside the door and offer our support but it was still something for him. The tough part was explaining it at school. Jay never missed school. Here he left his home and then he is missing from school. We said he got sick, not really sure everyone believed that.
Nick has been avoiding me. Not that I can blame him, I wouldn’t want to see my ex happy with someone else. It still hurts since he said he would still be my friend. Now here it is Friday and he decides now that he wants to talk to me. He waits until Chemistry class. Yes, he has been avoiding me here too. Which was doubly annoying because that meant that Noah insisted that we share a lab station. “Hey, I saved you a seat.” I look up and see him smiling at me. This earns him a smile back.
“You’re talking to me again.” I take the seat next to him. Extra happy that I don’t have to sit with Noah.
“Sorry about that. I just needed some time after the whole engagement thing. I even knew it was a thing, but seeing the process was a little hard to swallow. You know what I mean right?”
I give him a friendly smile. “Yeah, I get it. I am glad you are talking to me again.”
“I told you that I would be your friend. Speaking of which, your friends are throwing a party for you on Sunday, am I still invited?”
“Duh, you are. You are my friend. I want you there.”
“Good, cause I got you a present and everything.”
“Well, I feel special.” I am pretending to act all high and mighty.
“As you should.” I see that look again. The one where he wants more than friends. Then he blinks and shakes his head. “So, how has your week been?”
“Busy, my dad is planning this big party at our house. A bunch of old business partners. I am not even sure I need to be there other than to show off. Not really looking forward to it, but it is an obligation that I can’t get out of. He has even roped Hunter into helping him. Not that Hunter wants to.” I am blabbering on and probably saying stuff that Nick doesn’t want to hear.
“Well, then it is a good thing that your friends are throwing you a party that you will actually like. It would be a shame for your eighteenth birthday party to be marred by business dealings.”
“I know right. Good thing I have friends that care.” I smile at him. “What have you been doing with yourself?”
“Mopping. Listening to country music. You know, typical heart break stuff. Feel guilty yet?” He smirks at me. “Really, I have been just focusing on school, until I could settle it all in my head. I wanted to come back to you clear headed.” He nudges my arm.
“I know this can’t be easy for you. I am sorry. I am glad to have you as a friend though.” I nudged him back.
“Good, because that I can always be. I might need time to deal with the rest but I can always be here for you.”
The teacher starts on some project that we are supposed to work on in the next week. I really could care less. Chemistry was not something that I really wanted to take to begin with. It was my dad’s idea. I still do well in the class, but I only half listen most of the time.
I was mainly thrilled to hear that Nick was not going to continue to avoid me. I hated that I hurt him. I could have avoided the whole thing if I just thought better of it. Sure I was upfront about not being with him forever, but I should have just nipped it in the butt from the beginning. I feel so guilty about it. I wish I knew a way to make it better.
At the end of class Nick waves me off with the promise of seeing me on Sunday. Hunter meets me at the door and waves off Nick trying to be friendly at least as far as I can tell. Although it could be some male show thing. I wouldn’t put it past Hunter.
When we get back to the pack house we are glad to see that Jay is up and moving around. He doesn’t look so well, but at least he doesn’t look like he is going to eat us. He is standing on the steps of the pack house when we pull up. I give him a big hug and then Hunter, much to my surprise, he does too.
“Glad to know you guys don’t hate me. I know I tried to eat you both a couple of times.” He laughs.
We joined him in laughter. “Yeah, but we knew you didn’t mean it.” I nudged his shoulder. “Everyone at school was asking about you. Whenever you’re ready to go back you have to tell them you had the flu or something.”
“See, I told you she knows how to do this.” Hunter pulls me close.
“Oh, before I forget, I am out here because your dad wanted to talk to you before you get busy.” Jay says. “I think he might be starting to like me. He actually used my name today. Not Jasmine’s friend.” He laughs again.
I am starting to see my friend again. I think it might have been the fear of what he was going through. Now that the worst is over he is becoming himself again. It is so nice to have him back.
I head into my dad’s office, since he is expecting me I don’t bother to knock when I enter. He greets me with a big smile and then motions for me to close the door. That is a hint that the meeting is just us and not to include Hunter and Jay. I close the door and take a seat in front of him.
“Hey, Pumpkin. So, I wanted to let you know that I just heard from a couple of the packs and they are arriving today instead of tomorrow so we are going to need to be on our best behavior. The party tomorrow is going to be starting at five thirty. I will have your dress delivered to you at four so that you can be ready on time. Since the packs are arriving today instead of tomorrow, there is no ducking out of pack meals. You will need to be present for all of them. Also keep an eye on Jayden. You know some of our kind isn’t that fond of vampires. I would hate for there to be an incident.”
“I understand. I will keep him close. I don’t think it will take an hour and a half to get dressed though. I mean I am not that much to put together.” I mention that last part and see my father cringe a little.
“It is your birthday. We will have many visiting packs, I would appreciate a little effort to put yourself together.” He grumbles a little at the last part. “Besides, I want everyone to see how beautiful my daughter is. At least do something nice with your hair.”
I roll my eyes, it’s not like I just go around looking like I just crawled out of bed. “Alright dad. I will do my hair up. I am not wearing face paint though. I have no need for it.”
“No, I agree. That was pretty much all I wanted. You can go now. I expect to see you at dinner.” He gives me a stern look. That clearly says, ‘this is not an option.’
“Ok, dad. I will be there. I know my job.” I smile at him and leave the office.
Jay and Hunter are waiting outside the door. I can’t help but smile at the two men waiting for me. Me the outcast wolf. Things sure have changed. Hunter throws his arms around me. “So, baby, what are we doing the rest of the day?”
“Well, I think we should do training. I am not sure how much time I will have for it tomorrow and I would like to get in some time before the other packs arrive. Which my dad said is going to be later on today. So, I am going to change and head down to the field. You two are welcome to join me.” I give a smirk as I head for the stairs. They don’t get the extra training either.
Hunter looks at me. “Can I just watch?” It almost sounds like a grumble. He knows I won’t let him just watch.
“Nope if you are on the field then you are training. It’s not that bad. You guys act like I am sending you to clean the toilets.”
Jay smiles. “Is that an option, because I think I have had all the training I can handle. I think if Anthony throws one more punch at me I am just going to fall over in defeat.”
I chuckle at that. Jay has had harder training lessons with Anthony because he hasn’t trained before. He doesn’t like weak wolves and he said he would be damned if he was going to have a weak vampire running around the pack. “You know it is for your own good. Besides, if you do that he will just hit you harder.”
“Let me know when I might actually need it again.” He grumbles.
“If we are attacked.” I point out. “Just because it hasn’t happened since you came doesn’t mean that it hasn’t happened.”
“Fine, but I get a treat when we are done. I am thinking brownie.” He gets a satisfied look on his face. Then he adds. “And you are having one too. That is my deal.”
They know I avoid sweets. I can see the look on Hunter’s face too, he agrees. They have been ganging up on me on what I eat. “Fine, you win. Now both of you, go change.” They love that they won. Jay heads to his room on the second floor. While Hunter follows me up the stairs. When we get to his floor I try to leave him in his room but he keeps trying to follow me. “Your clothes are in there.” I point to his door.
He smirks. “I think at this point more of my clothes are in there.” He points upstairs to my room.
“There aren’t that many up there. Go change. I will be down in a minute.”
He grumbles a little. “In the end it will just be more clothes in your room.” He calls after me as I take the last flight of stairs. He calls it my room still, but all around it I can see signs of him. His clothes are in the hamper, in my closet, and hell on my floor. He has his phone charger on the side of the bed. And this morning he left his wet towel on the floor. I need to talk to his mother about his cleanliness.
I quickly change and put my hair up in a messy bun. Maybe dad is right and I do need to fix my hair up a bit more. I do have pretty hair. Now is not the time. I leave my room to be greeted by Hunter on the stairs. “You are a messy roommate, you know that.” I grumble at him.
“What? I never.” He acts indignant.
“Really the clothes and the towels on the floor beg to differ. You couldn’t pick up after yourself this morning?” He knows I am playing.
“I was in a hurry. If someone wasn’t so damn hot and distracting, I wouldn’t have been late.” He counters.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Excuses are like assholes, everyone has one.” I smirk at him.
He growls at me. “You really are distracting, you know that.”
“How was that distracting?”
“Now, I’m only thinking about your ass.” He gropes my ass to make his point. Which of course makes me let out a squeal.
“Perv.”
“Yes, but your perv.” He smirks at me.
Jay meets us at the bottom of the stairs. “You guys took forever.” He jokes.
“Yeah, right. Get your ass moving.” I point towards the door. When we reach the door, there is a convoy of black SUVs to pull up. My father is waiting on the steps. I pause and take a stand next to him. “Why didn’t you tell me they were arriving already?” I hissed at him. I am not dressed to welcome visitors.
“I figured you could head to your training. This part isn’t as important as the meetings later. I was giving you a reprieve.” he whispers back.
“Well, I’m here now.” I stand proud and tall. I may not look presentable but I will make a good representation of my pack.
The wolves start to exit the vehicles. I can tell the Alpha when he exits. He exudes power. He is a tall, attractive man. If I wasn’t mated I would be drooling. He has sandy blonde hair that is kept back in a low ponytail. Hair smooth and silky like many girls wish they had. He has piercing green eyes. He is as tall as my dad for sure. Not as broad in the shoulders.
He lifts out a little adorable boy from the back of an SUV, obviously his son. He looks about two. Cute little curly hair, his fathers eyes. The father trains his eyes on me. Giving me a smile, which earns a little growl from next to me. I nudge Hunter to remind him to behave.
He comes forward carrying his son. He shakes my fathers hand. “Thanks for welcoming us so early. I wanted a chance to get to know the birthday girl a little bit. With our packs so close together, I am sure we will come to work a lot together.”
“Not a problem, Alpha Christian.” My father puts his arm around me. “This is her. My daughter Jasmine.”
Alpha Christian turns his attention back to me. “As beautiful as your father brags.” He smiles. This of course gets him another growl.
My father clears his throat. “And this is Hunter, her mate.” Obviously trying to defuse the tension.
Hunter takes his hand, “How are you Alpha?” He is trying to sound confident. I have a feeling it is for show. Those growls weren’t for nothing. “Is your Luna joining us?”
Alpha Christian gets a little sad look. “Sadly no. She passed away a couple of years ago. So just me. And this little guy.” His smile returns, “This is Eli.”
I smile at the little guy. “Hi Eli.” He gives a cute little wave. I look back at the Alpha. “I apologize Alpha, but we were on our way to the training grounds. Please make yourself at home and I hope to see you at dinner.” I give him a smile and a small bow of the head, while I motion to my boys to tell him bye.
The Alpha smiles. “Christian if you don’t mind. I look forward to it, Jasmine, Hunter and friend.” He points towards Jay.
“Sorry, this is Jay, my friend.”
“And a vampire. Not exactly what I was expecting.” His smile doesn’t fall, which is nice. Not all werewolves are fans of vampires.
“He was my friend before he was a vampire, so I overlooked it.” I joke.
“Standing right here.” Jay jokes. He takes Christian’s hand for a shake. “Don’t hold the vampire thing against me. I swear I am a good guy.”
“I wouldn’t doubt it. Have fun with your training. I look forward to getting to know you all at dinner.”
We take our leave from him. As soon as we are a comfortable distance away Hunter gets possessive and grabs me up. “I do not like that guy. He was watching you like he was going to eat you.”
“Maybe he’s a cannibal.” I joke.
“Not likely. More likely is that he wants my mate.” He grumbles.
“Well, I’m not going anywhere.” I say as I pat his arm. “I do need to breathe if I am going to run though.” I point at his arm that is getting tighter by the minute.
“No, I am not letting you go until that guy leaves.” He grumbles.
“He is going to be here for two days. That seems like an offly long time not to breathe.” I point out and giggle a little.
“Fine, but he gets too close and I might lose it.” He grumbles as he pulls away a little. Still with his hands on me.
I shake my head as we reach the training grounds. A good run should push that out of him. I pull away from him to start stretching. He knows I won’t budge on this so he starts as well. Jay is right behind him in starting. After we run to the point I feel we have had a good warm up, I take them both to the mat, trading off for sparing. Hunter likes and dislikes this part. He likes sparring with me, but not so much when either of us spar with Jay. Not that Jay can beat Hunter at any point yet, but he is getting his licks in. He growls if Jay even comes close to getting a hit on me.
After we have been sparring for fifteen minutes, we start to grow a crowd of wolves. The ones that just arrived with Alpha Christian. Including himself. Their interest in Jay has increased. Having a vampire in the pack is something that they are unfamiliar with. I can tell they watch his actions the most. At this point I have to call it quits. I am not out here to be a spectacle. I like to keep it training only. I let the boys know that we are done and they are more than happy to be done.
After we leave the mat Alpha Christian stops us. “That was quite a show.”
I stop and direct an answer for him. “I don’t train to show Alpha.”
“Christian Please. It was a show nonetheless. I have never seen a vampire spar with a wolf before. I am glad to have seen it. It gives me hope for the future.” The smile never leaves his face.
“I think the fact that we were friends before the change, makes a difference. I am sure if we didn’t know each other beforehand there would be the same animosity.”
“You are probably right. Still hope is a good thing to have.”
“I agree. I will see you at dinner, Alpha Christian.” I nod to him as I pass.
“What is it going to take to get you to call me Christian?” He calls after me.
“Maybe when we are the same rank, I will consider it.” I called back.
Hunter scoops me up. “He wants to take you. I am doing my best here, but he flirts with you one more time. I am going to lose it.”
“I told you, you have nothing to worry about. Now I am going to take a shower and I suggest you do the same, then come up to my room for a movie before dinner.” I whisper in his ear.
“I would much rather join you in the shower.” He growls back. Not the angry kind of growl.
“Not today. We have to be on our best behavior.” I scolded him. “But there will definitely be some couch snuggling.”
“I can live with that.” He nips my ear lobe.
When it came time for the pack dinner we arrived right on time. The three of us are seated near my father and so is Alpha Christian and his son. This makes Hunter a little tense. Especially when Christian starts talking.
“I am a little sorry to hear that you found your mate. I was hoping to join our packs in marriage. That would seem to be out of the question now.” He says it like he is discussing the weather.
Hunter is the one to answer. “Definitely out of the question.” He takes possession of my hand.
My dad answers next. “I never brought up this suggestion to Jasmine, because as I told you before I wanted her to find her mate. You had your mate, you understand how important that bond is.” My father seems a little tense with the answer, like this is something that they have discussed at length.
Christian gets a thoughtful look. “Yes, I do. I was thinking about the long term. Maybe you can have a girl and we will be lucky enough to join our packs then.” His mood changes by the end. “I mean with my son, and your daughter.”
“I will also be waiting for my daughter to find her mate. If it is Eli then it is a blessed union.” I point out.
“Quite. When are the two of you planning on having children?”
Hunter starts choking at this point. I don’t think he thought that far ahead. I chuckle at him. “We are still working that part out. First we have things to factor. Hunter was supposed to be my Beta. Now we are going to have to select a new one, before we can even take over the pack. We still have two years before that time. I think it is best to say that we will be waiting for a little while before we discuss pups.”
Christian chuckles a little. “With as possessive as your mate is I would assume that he would want to start right away.” He eyes Hunter, who is still trying to catch his breath.
“I am not sure the pup part was part of the thought process.” I chuckle. “I however will be happy to start having pups soon. Not right away but once things are planned for the future of the pack. My mother always wanted to have more than one pup and she was unfortunately not able to make that happen, I plan to make that happen for her.” I got a small thought of my mother right then. I will give anything to make her proud of me.
“Well, I am sure that your mother would be pleased.” He smiles kindly.
Hunter leans into me a little. He knows my mother is a sad subject for me. His presence is comforting. The feel of him next to me is enough to bring a smile back to my face.
The rest of dinner is filled with pleasantries. When Hunter and I returned to my room later, he seemed lost in thought. I come out of the bathroom after changing for bed and he still looks the same. “What has you so lost?” I asked.
He looks up at me and smiles. “I just can’t believe I never asked you about pups. We never even talked about it. I have been so focused on now, that I haven’t even thought about the future.”
I climb into the bed and make a motion for him to come to my arms. He clicks off the lights and does just that. “Well, when do you want to start having pups?”
He nuzzles into my arms. “Tonight.” He mumbles.
This has me choking. “Tonight! That seems a little fast. Shouldn’t we at least finish school?”
He chuckles at me. “When you are ready, that is when I am ready. I am ready to start my life with you. All of it.”
I burrow further into the bed with him cuddled up with me. This feels perfect.