CHAPTER 38- Another stupid Dance
It has been two weeks since Christian left. I have started evaluating the troops as I put it. There are a few with weak points, but mostly I see wolves who don’t put their hearts behind it. We have been attacked two times over the last two weeks. Each time their wolves grow in numbers. Having Jay is an advantage that they didn’t count on. I expressed my concerns to my dad. We aren’t any closer to finding out what the rogues want and we need to put a stop to it before someone gets really hurt.
Somehow Zoe managed to convince me to go to the winter wonderland dance. I didn’t really want to go, but Zoe is hard to argue with. Plus the fact that I won’t be seeing Zoe much longer is a big deciding factor. I am going to miss her and all her antics. I haven’t even had the heart to tell her yet that I am not coming back after winter break.
I decided to get ready at home this time. I have a silver dress that ends at my ankles. It has a sheer bottom and a crochet top that is short sleeved. Not the most flattering dress, but my belly feels tight and this is loose enough to not cause discomfort. I have silver heels on. I put my hair half up and half down. Zoe gave me these little snowflake things that have a little spring on the end so that they can weave in your hair. I have them around the top of my hair.
I think I look adequate. At least no one can say I am trying to woo anyone. My face is even a little puffy. When I come down stairs, my dad is waiting at the bottom. “You look beautiful, pumpkin. Do you have a date tonight?”
I smile at my dad. “No one but Zoe. She wanted me to go with her. I will probably spend most of the night on my ass.”
He smiles. “Good, then I don’t have to worry about you falling over in those heels.”
My smile gets bigger. “Yep, that’s me, the big clutz.”
He gives me a kiss on the forehead. “Have fun, I am not going to be waiting up.”
He leaves me to walk up the stairs. I watch as he goes and see Hunter coming down. He looks good enough to eat, although he does look really tired. He has probably been sleeping as much as me.
“Where are you going?” I ask with a slight smile on my face. I really don’t want to hear if he has a date.
“I hear there is a dance at the local school. Thought I might try to crash it and dance with the most beautiful girl there.” He gives me a side smile.
“I hope she will be very happy.” I say as I look away.
He catches my arm and pulls me back. The look in his eyes is making my heart skip. “I really hope to make her happy.” He whispers down to me. I am putty in his hand.
I shake my head and turn away from him. “I have to go wait for Carlos.” When I head outside Jay is already there. I think at this point he is my bodyguard. My dad doesn’t let me go anywhere without him. He doesn’t look happy to be going.
“Your dad really needs to comp me for this.” He grumbles.
I chuckle. Then I feel Hunter behind me. It makes me quiet. I can’t believe how much of a reaction he still gives me. I want him to wrap his arms around me. He doesn’t though and Carlos comes around the corner. I think it is time to start giving Hunter something. I link Jay. “I am going to ride in the back with Hunter.”
He smirks a little but only nods.
Carlos looks at Jay a little weirdly when he climbs in the front seat. Hunter isn’t paying attention at first when he goes to his side of the car, so when he gets in and sees me seated next to him I can’t help but chuckle at the look on his face. It is an utter surprise. I let him hold my hand all the way down the mountain. Him rubbing the little circles on the back of my hand is comforting. We stay silent the whole ride.
When we get to the school, I am sad to feel his hand go. I don’t want to ever let go. I know we aren’t there yet, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting it. Then again, what is stopping us, besides me? I am the one that said I needed time. I am the one pushing him away. Am I ready to take on all of Hunter? All the crap that I may yet have to deal with? I think I am.
This realization changes everything. All my feelings shift. I have no defenses left against Hunter.
I climb out of the SUV and proceed to the gym. Zoe is waiting for me by the door. Jay throws his arm around me. He links to me. “There is a lot of heat in here. I think it is triggering my hunger, watch me. I may have to step out.”
I look at him confused. “Didn’t you eat?” I linked back.
“Yeah, I don’t know what is going on. Maybe it’s all these bodies packed together in this room. Low lighting. I think it’s predatory.” He links back.
I hugged him. “You got this, I am here for you.” I linked back. “If you need air let me know and I will step out with you.”
“Just make sure I stay in control.” He smiles down at me.
“You got it.”
Zoe looks us over, “If I didn’t know any better I would think you two were together.” She jokes.
“Just best friends.” He smiles at her. Emphasizing the best part for Zoe. It makes me chuckle.
“Yeah, right. I am the best friend. You are just runner up.” She states as she turns to walk away. Jay just rolls his eyes.
I have lost track of Hunter. I am sure he is not far off. I just don’t like that he is so far away.
Nick quickly finds me. He is wearing all white. Suitable for the winter dance, still it is a little shocking to see that much white on a man. He is sort of pulling it off. He smiles as he approaches us. “So, here is where all the beautiful ladies are.” He even points at Zoe to make it less awkward.
Jay smiles. “Thanks, but I prefer my guys with a little facial hair.”
Ok, that was funny. We are all laughing. Suddenly I feel sick, I motion to Jay that I need to go to the bathroom. We have worked out the signal for that. He gives me a nod and removes his arm. He moves over to Nick, “So, who is your date tonight?” He puts his arm around Nick allowing me to slip away to the bathroom.
Once I am done, I step out of the bathroom and run into Hunter, literally. “Sorry,” I mutter.
“Are you alright? You seem to be running to the bathroom a lot.” I should have known that he has been watching me.
“I have been having an upset stomach lately.” I look away, so that he can’t tell that I’m slightly lying. I do have an upset stomach but he doesn’t need to know the reason.
“Do you feel well enough to dance?” He almost whispers it out.
I don’t even wait to think. I want to be in this man’s arms. “Yeah.” It still comes out as a whisper. He takes my hand and leads me back into the gym. When we are on the dance floor, he pulls me around so that our bodies meet. His hands are soft as he wraps them around me. It feels so good. I feel the warmth of his body reaching out to mine. On instinct I rest my head on his chest. I hear a soft purr come from him.
“Jasmine, I miss you.” It’s so quiet that if I wasn’t a werewolf I wouldn’t have heard it. The words fill me with delight, but at the same time I have apprehension. I ponder if I should even say anything in response, or just remain silent. “I know you still hate me. I am playing on your kindness right now. I know that other guy is coming back, possibly to claim you as his. I just want you to know I am still here for you. Even if you choose him over me, I still love you.” It’s a little louder this time. There is no way I could pretend that I didn’t hear that.
“Hunter,” I start but he shushes me.
“I just want this. Don’t tell me that you have to think. Don’t tell me that I screwed up. I don’t want to fight. I just want to enjoy you in my arms. If I had my way you would never leave.” I go to tell him that I am still his, but he covers my mouth. “Just let me enjoy this.”
Fine, I will let him ponder this. He won’t let me talk then I won’t tell him anything. I relax in his arms and dance the whole song. He leads me back to my friends. Then he just walks away. I hope he comes back for the next song. Maybe then I can tell him that I still want to be his. When the next slow song comes on, Hunter is nowhere in sight. Nick comes up to me and asks to dance.
I take a quick look around and see Jay, he looks fine, so I agree to the dance. Nick tries to pull me into his arms the way that Hunter did but it isn’t the same. I don’t relax, I don’t lean in. Nick is just a friend, but I don’t think he has gotten the memo.
“Jasmine, I wanted to ask you something.”
“What?”
He clears his throat clearly nervous. “If you could get away from your family, would you?”
This is a little out of the blue. “What are you talking about?”
“I am talking about this engagement. I am talking about the arcaneness of your family. If you could get away from it would you?” He is looking me right in the eyes. He is asking me a serious question, not a hypothetical.
“No, I love my family. We may do things differently than others, but we all love each other.”
His face changes to one of anger. “Why? They are forcing you to marry someone that you don’t love. They are controlling your life. You aren’t happy.”
“I have no idea what you are talking about. I am fine.”
“No you aren’t. I can tell that you aren’t happy.” He almost growls it out.
I step back. This is not a side of Nick that I like, nor have I seen it before. “You really need to control yourself. I have no idea where this attitude is coming from.” I turn to walk away from him. He reaches out and grabs my arm, leading me outside. I could have easily pulled away from him, with my strength, but I saw enough people looking our way.
Once we are outside and away from everyone else, I pull away from him. “What the hell, Nick. What is wrong with you?”
He turns his angry gaze on me. “I love you. I want you to run away with me. I know you aren’t happy.”
“You expect me to run away with you, while you are yelling at me.” I point out. If his goal is to make me happy, then he is failing miserably.
He takes a few deep breaths. “Come with me Jasmine. I know I can make you happy.” His voice is softer now. More controlled.
“Nick, there are things about me that you don’t know. Things that would make you change your mind. I think it is best that you just move on.” I try to keep my voice controlled.
“There is nothing about you that could change my mind. He isn’t keeping you happy. You need to come with me.” He is still asking, but it is starting to sound like a demand.
“Nick, really you need to move past this. I want you to be my friend. That can’t happen like this.” I link Carlos, it is time that I got out of here. I was going to tell Zoe about not coming back after break but it will have to wait. It is clear that Nick has lost it.
He rushes to me. “Jasmine. I can take care of you. I can make you happy. Please, just come with me.”
“Nick, I can’t. Even if I wanted to go with you, my family would find me. This is a pointless venture. Just please listen to me.” I point out. He has lost it.
“I don’t care if we have to keep running. As long as you came with me. Jasmine.” Nick is pleading with me.
“I can’t do this with you Nick.” I pull away from him and head to the driveway. I know Carlos is close, if not here already. He goes to grab my arm again as he tries to stop me. I pull away, I can’t do this with him. I wanted a friend. I know this is hard on him, but he knew the deal when we started this. Thankfully Jay is behind me. I am glad that he was watching me as well.
He rushes up behind me. “Nick, leave her alone.” He pulls his arm around me. Then to me he says. “I was ready to leave anyway.”
“Thanks, Jay.”
When we get to the driveway, I see the car with Carlos. Jay and I are rushing to get in before Nick can catch up to me. I get in the back seat before it dawns on me. “Hunter. How is he going to get home?”
Carlos looks back at me. “I linked him, he is on his way.”
Jay climbs into the front seat leaving me in the back by myself. I don’t know what comes over me, but the tears start falling. I can’t stop them. It is like all of my emotions are coming out at once. I am barely catching my breath. I don’t even hear the door open but it must have, because Hunter is by my side pulling me into his embrace. “Shh, it’s ok. It’s going to be ok.” He starts caressing my back, to try to sooth me. I can’t stop, nothing is helping. All I know is I can’t have Hunter leave me at all. I am clinging to him and crying all over his shirt.
Before I know it we are back at the pack house. I hadn’t stopped crying the whole way, but Hunter didn’t stop holding me. He carries me up to my room, still with tears coming down my face.