Chapter 32
32
A lex
I’m still shaking. Trying to process everything Jake has told me isn’t easy. I’m a potent mix of fear, confusion, and a desperate need to calm my nerves.
Jake seems to sense my turmoil and stands up, offering a small, reassuring smile.
“How about I make you a drink?” he suggests gently. “I think we could both use one.”
I nod, grateful for the gesture. “Yeah, I could definitely use one right now.”
Jake moves behind the small bar in the back room, his movements calm and practiced. As he mixes the drink, I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart.
I shouldn’t, but I sneak a peek at him. That towel is barely covering his front… or his ass. The sight of him causes my heart to race even more, which shames me. I shouldn’t be worried about that right now. Stupid hormones.
He finishes making the drink and hands it to me, his eyes filled with concern and something deeper. “Here you go, Alex.”
“Thank you.” I take a sip. The drink is strong but soothing, and it helps take the edge off my nerves.
Jake makes himself a drink and then sits down across from me again, his expression serious. “Alex, I want you to know that I’ll do anything to protect you and Opal. This situation is dangerous, but I won’t let anything happen to either of you.”
I study his face, seeing the sincerity and determination there. “Jake, this is all so overwhelming, but I appreciate you being honest with me. I need to understand what’s going on, and I need to know that I can trust you.”
“You can,” he says firmly. “I should have told you sooner, but now that you know, we can face this together. My pack and I will do everything in our power to keep you both safe.”
I take another sip of my drink, feeling a bit more grounded. “That’s why no one would talk to me?” I gape at him. “Luna’s Moon…”
“It’s our bar.”
“A bar for werewolves.” I gulp. “Ah…”
“Humans don’t normally come around. You stood out immediately.” His smile is warm and bright, and I can feel myself relaxing even more. Why does he have this effect on me?
I look away. “So, what’s the plan? How do we stop this rival pack?”
“We need to gather more information first,” Jake explains. “Find out what they’re planning and why they’re targeting people like Opal and Amelia. Once we have a better understanding, we can take action.”
I nod, my mind starting to clear as I focus on the task at hand. “Opal’s been through so much already. How do we keep her safe?”
“We’ll keep her close,” Jake says. “The pack has safe houses and places we can take her where she’ll be protected. We just need to make sure she’s not alone or vulnerable.”
“Okay,” I say, feeling a bit of hope despite the fear. “I’ll talk to her and make sure she understands the situation. We can’t take any chances.”
Jake reaches across the table, taking my hand in his. “We’ll get through this, Alex. Together.”
His touch is warm and reassuring, and I feel a surge of strength from his confidence. Despite everything, there’s a part of me that believes we can handle this—because Jake believes it too.
I squeeze his hand. “I’m going to have to tell her the truth.”
“That’s fine, but you can’t report it to the newspaper.”
I grimace. I understand why he’s saying that, but it feels wrong to admit that massively important detail. Bottom line, though…
“We need to find out what’s going on and put a stop to it.”
He nods, a determined glint in his eyes. “We will.”
As Jake and I finish our drinks, the tension in the room begins to ease slightly. I feel a bit more grounded, more prepared to face whatever comes next, but there’s still an underlying sense of uncertainty, a feeling that there’s more to this story than I understand.
Jake looks at me, his expression serious but soft. “Alex, there’s something else I need to tell you. Something important.”
I wince. I’m not sure I want to hear more I can barely accept what I saw, what I now know to be true—that werewolves exist—and now there’s more?
“What is it, Jake?”
He hesitates for a moment, as if searching for the right words. “In the world of werewolves, there’s a concept of mates. It’s a bond that’s deeper than anything else, something that connects us on a primal level. And, Alex, you’re my mate.”
His words hang in the air, and I stare at him, trying to process what he’s just said. “Your… mate?” I echo, my voice barely above a whisper.
He nods, his eyes full of sincerity and emotion. “Yes. From the moment I met you, I felt a connection, something I couldn’t quite explain. It’s why I’ve been so protective of you, why I’ve been so desperate to keep you safe.”
I take a moment to let this sink in, my mind racing with a thousand thoughts. “So, this bond… it’s like destiny?”
“In a way, yes,” Jake says, his voice gentle. “It’s a bond that’s unbreakable, something that ties us together on a fundamental level. It’s not something I can control, but it’s something I feel deeply.”
I look into his eyes, seeing the depth of his feelings for me. It’s overwhelming, but there’s a part of me that feels the same connection, a pull toward him that I can’t deny. “Jake, this is… a lot to take in, but I think I understand. I’ve felt it too, this connection between us.”
He squeezes my hand, his eyes filled with relief and affection. “I know it’s a lot, Alex, but I want you to know that no matter what happens, I’m here for you. We’re in this together.”
I nod, feeling a sense of acceptance wash over me. “I trust you, Jake.”
He smiles, his expression one of determination and hope. “We’ll get through this, Alex. We will. I promise.”
The glint in his eyes… why do I feel like he’s promising me so much more than what his words are saying?