He’s My Alpha by Cassandra M (Jake & Clair)
Chapter 44
Clair
The last few days have been exceptionally quiet. I felt like everyone was walking on an eggshell whenever I was around. Aaron has not uttered a single word about my heat or about my relationship with Jake. He simply went on with his usual routine and dropped by from time to time to check on us. Although I missed his protectiveness, I was thankful for the privacy and the space at the moment.
Jenny has gone quiet as well and didn’t ask as many questions as she used to. Not that she did anything wrong, but maybe she felt bad about everything I said. I would if I were in her shoes and heard everything. I was sure no one would want to hear their friend embarra*s*s herself in front of her brother and the man she liked.
But on the other hand, Dad was an exception. He was never the type to invade my personal space, literally and figuratively, which I was thankful for, but lately, he has been more responsive and attentive to me. He was constantly checking if I needed anything or if I wanted company.
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One more strange thing was – I saw Jake around more often than usual. I would see him either at the training grounds or at the daycare center where I spent most of my time. But he never approached me. And I never did as well. I guess it was better that way, for now.
I would often see him staring at me, and I must admit, it made my heart skip a beat every time. And I wouldn’t deny that I miss him, because I do.
He has that look that I couldn’t decipher until now. He looked at me with a pained expression, and it always left me wondering if the pain flashing in his eyes was caused by this mate bond, something that he wanted to sever, or because he missed me too
I was lost in my own thoughts when the sudden sound of a door closing behind me snapped me back to reality. I turned around from the bookshelves I was sorting out with kid’s books to find Beta Gavin standing a few steps behind me.
“Beta.” I bobbed my head in respect. “Can I help you with something?”
He smiled at me warmly as he inserted his hands into his jeans pockets. “Hi, Clair. I just came to inform you that Alpha Aeon sent an invitation to you. He was requesting your presence at his birthday gala.”
I raised a brow and laid the book I was holding on the shelf before looking back at him, confusion written on my face. “Alpha Aeon? Me? Why? I’m not really into big parties like that.”
Although I was flattered to receive an invitation from an Alpha, I was more shocked. Why was he inviting me? Was he really interested in me like he said he was during Jake’s birthday gala?
He snickered before he responded. “I understand that. However, if you decide to go, I can go with
you. You have nothing to worry about. I will keep you safe.”
I raised my brow and crossed my arms over my chest. “This is not your way of flirting, right? I mean, you’re not flirting with me and just finding ways to have me alone for yourself?” My curiosity got the best of me. I was clueless why he would want to come with me to another territory unless he was interested in me. “But let’s get it straight. I’ m not interested in you or anyone else for that matter.”
He laughed, which was contagious, and I just found my lips curving into a wide grin.
“No! No! Not that way.” He looked around, making sure nobody was around us before he continued. “I promised myself I would always look after you… Luna.”
I choked hard on his words, and I felt my face turn red. He knew.
“He told you,” I said, accusingly.
“I figured it out myself.” He offered me a smug grin — he looked proud of himself. “I’m too smart not to notice.”
I nodded and turned my back to him, placing more books back on the shelves. “I’m not interested in the party. You may tell him that.”
“The Alpha, he’ll be there.” He cleared his throat.
I faced him again and held my breath, not knowing what to say.
“Not that he wanted to, but Alpha Aeon requested his presence for some pack business. If Jake finds out you’re going, I’m sure he’ll attend the gala as well. It will do you both good if you can talk, away from the territory. Sort things out. And like I promised you, I’ll be there to watch out for you. Make sure the Alpha won’t do anything stupid, especially when both of you disagree on some things. Which happens all the time.” He made no attempt to conceal his smirk, which made me lift an eyebrow at him, intrigued by his statement.
“Why are you doing this? Are you taking my side?” I asked with a soft but determined tone.
“You’re my Luna. I refuse to have any other.” He c*oc*ked his head to the side before showing a wide smile at me. “So, we’re going. Right?”
This time I didn’t stop myself from admiring his features. If my heart didn’t belong to my Alpha, I would surely be swooning over his sculpted face, sharp-edged jaw, and deep green eyes. He was surely good-looking and had always been ready to help. Maybe I could trust him and maybe, he could me.
I let out a deep sigh before answering him. “I guess so.”
After my conversation with the Beta, I found the next few days slightly different from the usual ones that I had. My routines were the same, but the Beta would appear out of nowhere and help me in any way he could. Not that I was complaining. In fact, despite being overwhelmed by his presence, I found myself relaxing and trusting him more.
He would be available during my training and had requested to train me personally, which I was grateful for. He was good at combat and was a great mentor. I did learn, in a span of a few days, how to dodge an attack and how to initiate one, and many other things useful if I wanted to protect myself. Not that Jenny couldn’t teach well, but having Gavin personally train me, he catered his training lessons based on my capabilities and my limitations.
He would also once in a while, throw in some pack traditions and methods that I was unaware of, making sure I understood and took everything by heart.
If he hadn’t informed me beforehand what his intentions were, I would have a*s*sumed he had a thing for me. But of course, that conversation was just between us. His actions and his constant presence around me sparked rumors, and it didn’t go unnoticed by my very protective brother.
But Aaron didn’t reach out to ask me this time. He went directly for the Beta.
Beta Gavin informed me that Aaron was on his neck a few hours ago, asking for his intentions on his sudden interest in me. He told me he just glared at Aaron and walked away. We just both shrugged it off and laughed about it. For once, I was thankful I had someone to talk to. Someone I could talk about my mate.
My mate. It felt nice to say this word. I just wish he was mine too.
Today, we were seated in a small diner in a town away from our territory. The Beta accompanied me to scout a formal dress I could use for Alpha Aeon’s
Gala.
After I found my dress, I dragged the Beta to the first restaurant I saw within the shopping area since my stomach had been growling for the last thirty minutes. I carefully scanned the menu since it was my first time here. While the Beta confirmed that he had been here on multiple occasions and already knew what he wanted to have.
As if on cue, a tall, blonde waitress walked in from the kitchen and approached us. She smiled
seductively at the Beta, which earned a soft snicker from me. She then shifted her gaze to me, sizing me up and down before she spoke. “So what do we have here?” She looked at me with an obvious displeased expression on her face.
“The usual for me.” Beta answered.
She turned her face to him and gave him another smile. “Of course, that has been handled.” When she looked at me again, her face shifted to another frown. “And you?”
“Hmmm… give me a minute.” I already knew what I wanted but just wanted to annoy her some more by making her wait. She could hate me more then “Aren’t you Clair?” She asked, her brows hiking up on her forehead.
“You know me? Wow!” It really did surprise me, because I was aware she didn’t belong to our pack. The fact that she knew me meant something.
“Who wouldn’t? Everybody talks when it comes to the Black Shadow Pack Alpha’s playthings.” She said it nonchalantly as if it was an ordinary topic
My nose flared, but the Beta beat me before I could say anything.
“Hey! Watch your words!” Anger laced his voice.
“What? I said nothing wrong. Just the truth.” She flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder.
“FYl! I’m not his plaything!” I snapped at her, my hands clenching into fists as anger started to boil within me.
“I know how the Alpha works.” She spat out, her voice filled with malice.
“Enough!” Beta Gavin slammed his palm on the table, earning us more audience from people sitting inside the diner, but this didn’t stop the female from talking.
“I’ve been there, so if you think you’re something special, let me tell you, you’re not! He’s just going to throw you away once he’s done with you. You’re never going to be his princess, darling! So stop dreaming.” She leaned closer, palms on the table, and I could feel her breath fanning my face.
“Yeah, you’re f*uc*king right! I’m not his princess!” I raised my coiled fist and hit her straight in the jaw with all the f*orc*e I could muster. “I’m his f*uc*king queen!” She staggered backward before falling into her a*s*s.
I guess she wasn’t expecting that!
“So back off, because he’s mine!” I hissed at her.
She screamed as I rose from my seat. She must have thought I would attack her again, but I just grabbed my jacket and walked out, the Beta trailing behind me with an amused look.
“Let’s go home. I’ve just lost my appetite.” I told Beta Gavin after I stepped inside his car.
Jake
I’ve been sitting in my office for the last four hours, pissed off at everyone. My Beta abandoned me today and decided to accompany Clair to the city outside the territory. And they’re not back yet.
Everyone in the pack has been talking about their closeness. Not that I didn’t notice it myself. I did. Every f*uc*king time he was out of my sight, he was with Clair. I’ve been trying to overload him with tasks, but it seemed that he always found ways to spend time with her.
I couldn’t get my head to wrap around it.
Regardless of how many times he kept rea*s*suring me that nothing was going on behind my back, I couldn’t help being jealous.
Jealousy. Something I was not used to, but it has been eating up my senses lately.
Especially during training hours. He started to get physical with her, and the way he touched her while instructing her seemed all wrong. I should be the one doing that. But what pissed me more was that I didn’t have the courage to stop them and take matters into my own hands.
Because of that, Echo has been giving me headaches with all the anger and growling I get from him.
Nothing is helping me right now.
I crumpled the paper in my hand and attempted to throw it in the waste bin three meters away from where I was, and it missed! Again, I missed it for the f*uc*king hundredth time today.
A low growl erupted from my chest just as the office door swung open, revealing my Beta as he stepped in with a smug look on his face. I swiveled my seat in his direction, waiting for him to say anything.
“Alpha.” He bobbed his head before slumping his body on the sofa around the corner.
“Tired already?” I ooked at him with my eyebrow raised.
“Apparently. Clair has so much energy, I can’t seem to keep up with her.”
His words didn’t sound right in my ears. I found myself coiling my hand into a fist at the thought of them. The idea of Clair wrapped up in his arms kept flashing in my mind, and I couldn’t control my eyes from dilating. Echo wanted to come out and rip my Beta’s head off. I wouldn’t deny I felt the same thing.
My Beta must have noticed the change in my eyes because his hands automatically raised in defense, together with his body, as he walked towards my direction.
“Whatever you’re thinking, man, it wasn’t like that. ” He explained calmly as he continued to step forward slowly, hands still up in the air. “It was something else. She punched someone in the face.” “What?” I scowled at him, still clenching my fist.
“I know she’s feisty and impulsive, but I never thought she had it in her to actually hurt someone. She hit Crystal, the waitress at Sara’s diner.” He looked at me, gauging my reaction.
“You’re confusing me. Why would she hit her?” My forehead creased.
“Because you f*uc*ked Crystal once. And she came in, hitting on Clair. She was taunting Clair that she might be the apple of your eye right now, but you’ll discard her once you’re done with her.” He shook his head and threw me a disappointing look.
I rubbed my hands against my face. I had no f*uc*king idea if I wanted to kill Crystal or myself for this.
“But that wasn’t all. She added this, ‘if you think you’re his princess, then you’re wrong, darling1” He tried to mimic the way females talk, which would be funny if I was not mad right now.
“That’s when your little mate got fed up and punched her right on her jaw with ‘yeah, I’m not his princess, I’m his f*uc*king queen!'” He snickered at his story. “And then she told her to back off because well, she said Jake is mine.” He added nonchalantly, but I saw amusement in his eyes.
“If you just see what Crystal looked like after, man, it was worth it! Clair was so small compared to her and she nailed that punch…”
I didn’t hear more of what he said. I was suddenly lost in my own thoughts.
A smug smile slowly crept onto my lips as my hands relaxed. Clair has been giving me mixed emotions lately, but I couldn’t deny one thing for sure, she was slowly crumbling the walls I built around me.