CHAPTER 23- A proposal
HUNTER’S P. O. V.
I don’t know what the hell just happened. I don’t know how I had Allison on top of me. All I can feel now is pain, it is like my insides are being ripped out. I feel Allison put her hands on my back, “It’s ok baby, it will pass.”
I manage to hiss out at her. “Get your fucking hands off me.” The door opens again and I pray to the goddess that it is Jasmine coming back. No such luck, it is Jay. At least he is here for me.
“Dude, what the fuck happened?” He is on my shoulder.
“Get her away from me.” I groan out.
Jay turns to Allison. “What the fuck did you do to him?”
“Nothing. He was just in the throws of passion. It isn’t my fault his little mate caught us.” She honestly sounds like she is trying to justify this.
“Get that slut away from me Jay.” I ground out. Anger is making its way past the pain. I didn’t plan this. I didn’t want this.
He turns on her and hisses, clearly he is showing his fangs. “If you don’t get the hell out of here I will drain you so fast that you will be a mummy before you can blink.” I am not sure that is possible but Allison believed it. She scurries out of the room. “What the fuck happened, where is Jasmine?”
Tears are streaming down my face. “She rejected me. She left.” I am having trouble catching my breath. How could this happen? She was here, in my arms an hour ago.
Jay looks at me like I’m stupid. “I get that, what made her do it?”
Sometimes I forget that he is her best friend first. “I don’t know. I was walking back to the party and then nothing, until she came and saw what I can only explain as me being accosted. It probably didn’t look that way to her. She wouldn’t listen to me. I need her back Jay. Get her to talk to me.”
Jay just stands over me shaking his head. “Dude, that isn’t going to be easy. I know Jasmine enough to know she is stubborn and pig headed. Once she gets a thought in her head there is no going back. If she saw you kissing another woman, I don’t know how you are going to get back from that.”
He is right. She saw what can only be described as a mate cheating. She isn’t going to believe me. “I swear to you Jay, I didn’t do this. I know it looks bad. I need her.” I have managed to sit back on my heels. The fact that words are coming from me amazes me. I still feel as if my insides are being systematically ripped out one by one. I think shear determination is taking over at this point.
He pats my shoulder. “I know.”
Her scent passes outside the door. By the time I look, her back is to me. I try to get up and go to her but it takes me too long. I make it to the door to see her in the arms of another Alpha. Her face has a smile plastered to it. I can tell it’s fake, but she isn’t giving anything away. Always the Alpha. Pack first. That has always been her.
I can feel Jay behind me. “I have to get her back.”
I hear him sigh and pat my shoulder again. “Not going to happen right now. Let’s get you back to your room.” He places a reassuring hand on my shoulder. I don’t want to leave, but I know it is for the best. My last sight of her is with Alpha Christian. Of course he is going to swoop in.
JASMINE’S P. O. V.
I’m so lost in my thoughts that when Alpha Christian asks me to dance, I didn’t even register that it was him. As we are dancing he does manage to catch my attention however. “Where is your mate? He seems to have been missing from the festivities.”
“Sorry Alpha Christian, but it would appear Hunter had another obligation.” I can’t help but bite out.
I don’t miss the smug look that follows. “I see. What a shame. I am sorry for your loss.” His eyes glide to my mark. He looks pleased by what he sees.
“I am afraid I am not very good company tonight Alpha. Perhaps you would like to find another partner.” I suggest.
“I think you are very good company, no matter the mood. I apologize for your uncomfortableness. I find you to be a very breathtaking companion. It is a shame that others don’t feel the same.” It sort of feels like he is gloating. Very satisfied.
I give him a critical eye. How can he be saying this to me? Right the alliance. He wants the packs to unite. That is all this is a ticket to a bigger pack. “Flattery is unfortunately a commodity that is lost on me. I have been flattered enough for a lifetime. At this point I would just like some pure honesty.”
He half smiles. “A girl after my own heart. Alright, I will lay it all out for you. I want our packs to unite. This is not a secret. I see an opportunity for our packs to be great. Together you and I are great leaders. I have heard great things about you. The strides that you have made with human relations, bringing a vampire into the pack. You are the leader I want by my side. Now that your mate is out of the picture, it would seem the time to pounce.”
“I appreciate the honesty. A marriage of convenience. Nothing more. It is an interesting proposal that I am afraid I will have to take my time to consider. I did have hopes for my future that I would have to consider not having if I were to pursue this endeavor with you. You understand of course.” I give him a polite smile. He is basically asking me to be his wife on paper. I am not so sure I would want to live my life that way. But it may be the only chance that I have to even have a mate. After all, who else will want me.
“I understand. I recall you saying that you wanted to have pups. I know Eli isn’t yours and that would be an obligation that you would need to undertake as well. I know it’s not the same as having your own, but I could remedy that as well.” Now I see a different kind of smirk. This is the kind that Hunter used to get.
“I did want parents that love each other when I brought children into this world. I know big dreams for someone like me.” I get a sad look that isn’t lost on Alpha Christian.
He places his fingers under my chin so that I am looking at him. “Anyone who told you that you were lacking was seriously mistaken. I know I am not your mate, but that doesn’t mean that we couldn’t learn to love each other. I am willing to try if you are.”
I can tell that we have been dancing for far too long. Others are getting antsy. I need another distraction. I am not going to be duped twice in one night. “Alpha Christian I appreciate the offer, at the moment it feels it a bit too soon. I stand by my earlier assessment. I need time to consider the offer.”
“Of course.” He glides the back of his fingers along my cheek. “Just remember what I said. I hope to spend some more time with you before I leave tomorrow.” He gives me one last smile before parting.
His place is quickly taken by another. How much longer is this dreadful night? I have been on my feet far longer than any reasonable person. My heart is in the gutter. I can only put on a brave face for so long. After a few more dances, I excuse myself. What do these people think I am, a robot? There are a ton of them and only one of me. I take a seat next to my father. He can tell by my countenance that I am not pleased.
“Pumpkin, what is going on? I haven’t seen Hunter in quite a while.” I can hear the concern in his voice.
“Hunter decided to play tonsil hockey with Allison.” I state in a low tone.
“What?” He is grinding his teeth. Clearly I am not the only one trying to compose themselves.
“I found them in the library together. I don’t want to talk about it right now. Lucky for me it would seem that I have another proposal lined up.” I add sarcasm.
“Pumpkin, don’t respond out of anger. That won’t end well for either of you.”
“Don’t worry dad. I told him that it was too soon and that I needed time to consider the proposal. Besides I think it is more of a marriage on paper and that is not what I want for my life. Even if it is all that I will ever have.”
“Don’t you dare say that.” He growls out.
“I am being realistic, dad. I gave your way a chance. Now, I just have to figure it out on my own. Don’t worry I will not be making any rash decisions. I don’t have to have a mate to take over. I will need a new Beta though. There is no way I am working with the current setting.”
“I can’t blame you. I want to get to the bottom of this.”
“I got to the bottom of it. I was a big joke. I rejected him. I just thank the goddess that I didn’t give myself over to him completely. I am not so sure if I could live the rest of my life with that on my mind.” I turn away from my father. Clearly he is still in fix it mode. There is nothing left to fix. There is that sinking feeling again in the pit of my stomach. How is it possible to live like this? I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. He hasn’t accepted the rejection. I can feel it. Why is he still hanging on?
Jay has come back. I am not really sure I want to talk to him but the look on his face is clear that he isn’t giving me an option. He slides into the seat next to me. “He is in a bad way. I don’t really know what happened, but he isn’t taking it well.”
“I am supposed to feel bad about that.” I look at him like he is crazy. He hurt me not the other way around.
“Like I said. I really don’t know what happened. I am just relaying information. You are my friend. I know you are hurt right now. That is why I am here. Don’t shoot the messenger.” He tries to remain neutral. I can see that it isn’t easy for him. Hunter has become a friend that I can’t be. Some bro code thing. I am not a guy so clearly I don’t qualify.
“I am not going to feel bad when I was the one that was mistreated. I just called bullshit.” I look away from Jay. People are starting to notice that I am irritated. I don’t want them to think I am feeling this way towards him. The vampire thing will shift the mood of the room real quickly. “Look. I don’t want to take this out on you. Just drop it for now. He made his bed and he can lay in it.”
“He wants to talk to you.”
“That ship has sailed.” I put back on my mask. I don’t have any need for any of this. I can do this alone. I don’t need a man to validate me. I can run a pack alone.
“Like I said, don’t shoot the messenger. Remember you are still my best friend. I am here for you.” I turn to look at him. He is being earnest. He really just wants to be my friend. I started to suspect that he was here for Hunter more than me.
“Thank you Jay, that means a lot to me.”
He reaches over and puts his arm around me. “I am always here for you. You have been with me through some of my hardest things in life, I can be here for the same.” I lean into him. I am so glad to have him here with me. “At least you aren’t trying to eat me.” He is trying to lighten the mood. I can’t help but chuckle at his pathetic attempt at cheering me up.
“See this is why you are my best friend.” I say as I lay my head on his shoulder.
“Could you tell that to Zoe, she seems to think she is the best friend. I keep telling her it’s me but she is hard headed.”
“I will do my best.” We sat in comfortable silence for a while. Meanwhile the party still needs to go on. My father pulled out all the stops for this party. There is still cake and presents. I really don’t want to do this. Duty before self. I place a smile on my face and get through it.
As the night wears on I watch as people diminish to head to their rooms for the night.