He’s My Alpha by Cassandra M (Jake & Clair)
Chapter 23
How could a pure-Alpha blooded person turn his back on his people? I was sure he would be a great Alpha. Everybody told me how he could be greater than my grandfather. But then he never did. He threw it all away.
That day, I begged him. I hugged him tightly to let him know I was not mad at him. That I still want him. He shoved me away and went inside his car without looking back. I should be mad and angry, but I wasn’t.
I still wanted him. I wrote him letters. Tons. When I didn’t receive anything, I decided to write a letter addressed to her. I begged her. I hated her, but I asked her to come back. I promised her that I would be on my best behavior and that I would be the best son.
I even told her that if she returned with my father and they had a son, I would give their son the Alpha post. I wanted my father back more than this Alpha S*hi*t.
I waited, but the answer never came. I knew they got my letter because every time, the messenger would tell me he had personally handed it to them.
Now tell me, don’t you think it’s unfair that the Goddess will pair you up with someone you probably haven’t met and knew existed, and then, all of a sudden, your world revolves around them? That every dream, every person, or family you once loved would seem insignificant?
My grandfather used to joke that the men in our family are cursed by the Goddess when it comes to fated mates. I guess it wasn’t a joke after all. Maybe we are not meant to be with our fated mates.”
I sighed as I ended my story, and I felt a heavy burden had been lifted from my shoulders. I have never shared what I felt with anyone. I never planned to do it now, but I felt the need to explain it to her. I didn’t know why, but with Clair, everything seemed real, and I wanted to be honest with her. I wanted her to see a part of my broken soul.
My eyes were still fixed on the road in front of us. I didn’t move an inch while I poured my heart out.
I snapped away from my own thoughts when I heard her trying to sniffle her sobs, which turned into cute little hiccups.
I dropped my gaze on her and sn*ake*d an arm around her shoulder as I moved my body closer to her, not minding the stare we got from two passersby who were curious about our state.
“Princess, why are you crying?” I curled a finger on her chin and lifted her face up.
She closed her eyes and refused to look at me.
I brushed my thumb on her cheeks to dry off her tears. “No need to cry, I’m okay. It doesn’t hurt anymore.” I tried to sound cheerful, placing a smile on my lips. “Open your eyes.”
She shook her head slowly, defying my request. ” You’re not okay.” She mumbled, her eyes still closed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know, Jake.”
“No harm done. I don’t feel the pain anymore.” I let go of her face. Only then did she open her eyes and wipe the rest of her tears with the back of her palm. “Are you scared? Of meeting her? Of getting lost in the mate bond?”
“Yes. But not for the reason you think. I don’t mind getting lost, or dying.”
“Then what scares you?”
“Leaving my pack behind. I don’t have an heir, Clair. And my pack deserves a good Alpha.
When my father left and my mother abandoned me, the whole pack carried me as if I was their son. Each and every one of them. Including your parents.” I smiled as the memories of my childhood resurfaced. “I was seven. The Beta and Gamma Females, including Elder Rose and your mom. They would take turns and come to sit with me at bedtime, reading stories about werewolves and warriors.
Tucking me to bed because my grandfather didn’t have time for it.
I would have everything I needed, even without asking for it. Toys and parties on my birthday, new clothes and shoes when the old ones don’t fit anymore.
The warriors would train me when my grandfather couldn’t. Your father and Beta Anthony were there when I shifted at 14. The pride and happiness in their eyes meant the world to me. I saw two proud fathers.
Everywhere I went, I was welcomed. Not one showed pity in their eyes. Only loved. I felt it. I saw it. And I basked in it.
I am here because this pack became the mother and father I never had.
This pack meant more to me than anything, more than my own happiness. They deserved a good Alpha, not one who would abandon them. Not one who will be selfish for his own happiness.”
No one said a word after that. I saw her fidgeting with her hands, which seemed to be what she always does when she didn’t know what to say. And although nobody spoke, I felt comfortable in the silence between us.
When the sun was ready to set and the first shade of moonlight appeared, I stood up from our seat and reached out my hand for her to hold. “Time to go home. It’ll be dark soon. Some night creatures might be lurking around.”
She chuckled at my joke before taking my hand. ” Yeah, time to go home.”
She glanced at me and offered a sweet smile. ” Thank you for trusting me with your story.”
I nodded and returned her smile. I should be the one thanking her. If she only knew how much weight she had lifted off my shoulders.
I wanted to say more, but I kept my tongue on hold. I didn’t want to overwhelm her with everything. It could wait until I got back from the Blue Meadow’s Pack.
We walked in comfortable silence until we reached her house. The house looked empty without any lights on. My guess was that Aaron and David were not yet home.
We stopped a few meters away from her front door and I turned my body to face her. “Here we are. You arrived safely.”
“Thank you. And don’t worry, what you told me earlier – I will keep it safe.” She smiled at me warmly, her eyes beaming with understanding while her finger made a cross sign on her heart.
I didn’t say anything. My eyes darted to her glistening lips. She might have licked them while we walked, and the thought only made me want to kiss her.
I wanted to kiss her. I would. But I couldn’t.
I held back. Not here. Not where anyone could see us. I don’t want people to judge her.
“I told you before, it’s rude to stare, Alpha.” She let out a shy smile before stepping away, pulling her hand away from me. “I have to go inside and make dinner. Or I will have to face two angry, starving wolves later. So… I’ll see you around.”
I reached out my other hand to hand her gym bag. She took it without another word and turned around to walk towards their front door.
“Sorry, I can’t help but stare. You’re beautiful, Clair. ” I said in a whisper, just enough for her to hear.
She looked back at me, her hair swaying from her ponytail as she flashed me a wide grin, showing her perfect white teeth.
“And so are you, Alpha.” She took a deep breath before confiding in something more. “And I got pissed off with your Beta because he said you were heartless. That I’m bewitching the heartless Alpha. I don’t think you are. My only regret now is that I should have punched him instead of letting him get away with it.” She said firmly.
She went inside her door as soon as she delivered those words and did not allow me to say anything more.
I stood outside their house for a while, not moving, with my eyes fixed on the door where she went in. Her words were still ringing in my head and my heart was swelling with pride.
I made up my mind, I wanted this girl. And I would have her.