Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Jersey
“ H ow long does it take to be a firefighter?”
Jersey smiled at the little girl who had raised her hand to ask a question he could easily answer. He had been doing class tours for the past two weeks, and he had to admit this was his most lively and engaging group.
“It can take a few months or even years. It depends how far you want to get in your career,” Jersey replied, keeping it simple. Just then, another little girl waved her hand madly. She was adorable, with hazel eyes and a mop of curly hair bouncing with every movement. “What’s your question?” he asked, pointing to her.
“You're pretty. Are you an omega? Do you have a mate?” she asked boldly, causing some of the girls to giggle while the boys rolled their eyes.
Jersey was a bit shocked that she had posed the question. Glancing around the station, he noticed that even his co-workers had paused to listen, trying not to appear too interested in his answer.
“Uh...er...well...why do you ask?” Jersey stammered, caught off guard.
“So, you’re single,” she pressed immediately, and again, Jersey was surprised by her confidence. He couldn’t remember meeting anyone quite like her at that age.
“Yes, I’m single,” he replied, instantly regretting entertaining the question with an answer. But her next question threw him for a complete loop.
“So, can you date my dad?”
“Ah...what?” Is someone playing a fucking trick on me? Jersey thought, bewildered.
“My daddy’s single too, and he’s tall, strong, and handsome—or at least that’s what all my teachers say. But to me, he’s just Daddy.”
As she continued chattering, Jersey glanced around the station again and saw his co-workers’ shoulders shaking with barely contained laughter. They were doing a terrible job of hiding their amusement. Traitors , he thought, glaring around the room and silently wondering where the child’s teacher had gone.
“Um...anyone else have any questions?” he asked, desperately trying to change the subject. When no other hands went up, Jersey breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay, so Fireman Jackson has snacks for you all.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, the kids jumped up and rushed toward Jackson, who was standing by the snack table.
“Can you date my daddy, Mr. Pretty Fireman?” came a sing-song voice from Vance Scott, one of Jersey’s co-workers. He rested his head on Jersey’s shoulder, batting his thick lashes exaggeratedly.
“Cut the crap,” Jersey muttered, pushing his head away. His friend only chuckled. “I can’t believe she asked me that. What are parents teaching their kids these days?”
Vance shrugged. “Who says the parents are teaching the kids anything? These little ones aren’t like we were growing up. Everything they need to know is just a click away.”
“True,” Jersey mused after a moment.
Back when he was growing up, there wasn’t much information about alpha and omega pairings or shifters. But as more magically protected towns developed, people gained access to greater knowledge. There were still newer things, like latent omegas and alpha syndromes, but parents weren’t expected to explain everything like before.
“Hey, don’t take that kid’s questions to heart. Every kid wants their single parents to find a mate or a lover,” Vance said with a smirk.
“It’s all good.” Jersey smiled as he walked over to the kids, thinking his mom might’ve been right. Maybe it was time to start dating again.
I’m still young. Why shouldn’t I be out having fun and a whole lot of sex?
Noble sat at his regular table in Eclipse Court, waiting for Taye to join him. Noble was a silent partner in the business, but he let Taye run things without interfering. Taye was a sports fanatic, especially about basketball, and his influence was clear in the bar. From the moment patrons walked in, they were immersed in the world of sports. The atmosphere buzzed with the energy of live games, and large screens displayed iconic moments from past championships and legendary players.
“Hey,” Taye greeted as he walked over and sat down across from Noble. “Just finished an interview for a new bartender and chef.”
Noble raised an eyebrow. “Business going that well?”
“I can’t complain.” Taye grinned. “Anyway, let’s talk about more important things. Which do you want to tackle first? Pack or sports?”
“I already know the answer to one,” Noble said, leaning back in his chair. “And no, I have no regrets about retiring. You and I both knew I wouldn’t play forever. I’m grateful to my parents for taking care of JaMari when I traveled, but she’s not their responsibility.”
Taye nodded as Noble spoke. “I get it, and as your agent, I’ll always back you up. But you know what would solve that problem?”
“Please, enlighten me.” Noble leaned forward, interested in what his friend had to say.
“Finding a mate,” Taye replied with a smirk.
“For fuck’s sake, what is wrong with everyone lately?” Noble groaned, rubbing his forehead. “First JaMari, now you. Wait—did she call you and tell you to say that?”
“What are you talking about?” Taye frowned in confusion. “I haven’t spoken to my god-baby in weeks. But clearly, she’s pushing you to find a mate.”
Noble sighed. “It came up out of nowhere. She blurted out that she wants a little brother or sister. I tried convincing her we’d get a dog instead, but she wouldn’t let it go. She’s been begging for a pet for ages, and I kept telling her not yet. I have no idea who’s putting these ideas in her head.”
Taye burst into laughter. “Dude, your daughter’s pretty crafty. I’m certain sure she got that from Yaz, not you.”
“Shut up,” Noble muttered, though his tone lacked bite. “Anyway, back to what we were saying. I won’t say I’ll never find another mate, but I won’t force it. If the sisters of fate want it to happen, it’ll happen.”
Taye sobered up, nodding in agreement. “Alright, I won’t bring it up again. But it’s a shame you quit the game. I know you’ve got the shop, but we need to build more market value around you before you walk away completely. I’ve got a stack of contracts from companies begging for your endorsement. Are you sure you don’t want to look at them?”
Noble sighed. “Send them over, and I’ll go through them. But I’m not endorsing anything harmful, especially to kids.”
“Noble, come on. You know I wouldn’t get involved with any company that pushes harmful stuff,” Taye replied, a bit offended.
“I know, Taye,” Noble said, softening his tone. “But don’t act like big companies don’t sneak shady things into the fine print.”
“You’re right,” Taye conceded. “I’ll make sure to do a thorough background check before sending anything your way. I’m glad you’re not closing the door on every opportunity. You’re thinking about JaMari’s future, and that’s what matters.”
“She’s all I think about,” Noble admitted, his voice softening. He wanted to spend more time with his daughter, who was at a delicate age. Being away from her for months at a time had started to weigh on him.
Taye suggested, “What if I find you a sports commentator job that doesn’t require travel, or if it does, JaMari comes with you?”
“If you can pull that off, I’ll think about signing with whoever you find,” Noble said, a small smile tugging at his lips.
“Deal.”
“Alright, what else have you got for me?”
Taye’s expression grew serious. “There’s no easy way to say this, but there’s trouble brewing.”
Noble’s brows furrowed. “What’s going on, and why am I just hearing about it?”
“I just found out today,” Taye explained. “Apparently, Port Montgomery is looking for you. Maybe he wants to reclaim his father’s position.”
Noble scoffed, rolling his eyes. After beating the hell out of Percy, the last Alpha, and taking over the pack, he’d banished Percy and his son Port from Valleywood. Percy had sworn revenge, but Noble hadn’t kept track of their movements. Truthfully, he had almost forgotten about them.
“Let him come,” Noble growled, baring his fangs. “I’ll kick his ass just like I did his father.”
He stood up, smoothing his shirt. “Get me all the information you can on what Port’s been up to. I’m going to pick up JaMari. Come by for dinner sometime.”
“Will do, boss,” Taye replied with a grin.
Noble nodded and walked out of the bar. Port Montgomery, what a cheeky brat. Fine, come at me. I’ll give you a spanking you’ll never forget—and definitely won’t enjoy.
“Your little friend is back again,” Jackson said with a grin, nodding toward the station entrance. Jersey glanced over his shoulder and saw the same kid who had asked about his dating life a few days ago. She had been showing up at the station every day since, asking him questions.
Jersey would like to say she annoyed him, but the truth was, she didn’t. She was adorable, with a sharp mind. She talked a lot about herself and her dad, who had passed away. Jersey never asked about her living father, not wanting to give her any false hope that he might be interested. Setting down his wrench, he wiped his hands with a rag as he walked over to her.
“JaMari, what are you doing here?” he asked with a smile.
“I came by to see you.” She smiled.
“Where is your parent?” He scanned the area, wondering why she was alone.
“I’m with my gran-gran. She stopped at the flower shop,” she explained.
“Oh,” Jersey said, glancing across the street to Bloom Valley Florist. “Well, did you tell her you were coming to see me?” JaMari shook her head, and Jersey sighed, concern coloring his voice. “Why? That was a very bad idea. What if your grandmother gets worried?”
As if on cue, they heard a worried voice calling out for her. Both turned to see a well-dressed older woman, her arms filled with flowers, looking panicked. “Mari, where are you?”
Jersey quirked a brow as if to say, See what I mean ? “Come on, let’s go.” He gently touched her shoulder and led her across the street. “You can’t do this again, JaMari. Look how worried your grandmother is.”
“I’m sorry. I just wanted to see you," she said, her voice soft and sincere.
“Why are you so attached to me? We've only known each other for a few days,” Jersey asked, genuinely curious.
She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. I just like being around you.”
Jersey sighed, unsure how to respond. He wanted to tell her not to come to the station anymore, but something told him she wouldn’t listen. I hope her father finds a mate soon, Jersey thought as they approached the worried woman. When they got close, she put the flowers down and hurried over to them, pulling JaMari into her arms.
“Mari, why did you run off?” the woman asked, her voice full of concern.
“I’m sorry, Gran-gran, I just wanted to see my friend,” she replied softly.
“Friend.” Her grandmother leaned back to look at her granddaughter, confused. “Who’s that?”
“Hello, ma’am,” Jersey said, stepping forward with a polite smile. “My name is Jersey Ellison. I work at the fire station.”
The elderly woman straightened up, her eyes narrowing as she gave him a once-over. “Oh, so you’re the one my granddaughter keeps talking about. Well,” she said, her expression shifting, “I must say, you would make a fine mate for my son.”
Jersey’s eyes widened in shock. What the hell? Is this family crazy or something? he thought, stunned.
Noble dove into the water’s depths, feeling the magic of the ocean seep through his scales and into his bones. Few knew that Valleywood Beach had healing properties thanks to the town’s magic. Noble wouldn’t necessarily call it a beach, as it catered to both humans and aquatic creatures. But with magic, they could coexist without disturbing those who came to enjoy the water. That didn’t mean it wasn’t a great hunting ground.
He rarely got the chance to shift, but with JaMari spending the night at her grandparents’ house, Noble saw no problem taking the opportunity. He waited until late into the night, knowing the shores would be empty. The last thing he wanted was to scare anyone with his sixty-foot body.
If anyone spotted him from a distance, they might mistake him for a modern-day whale or dolphin. But on closer inspection, they’d see the four flippers that looked more like limbs and a tail far longer than two sharks combined. Noble dove deeper into the water, letting the darkness surround him, but it didn’t bother him. He knew exactly where the best prey hid.
They had all scurried and hidden once they sensed an apex predator among them. He didn’t venture too far, not wanting to alert the residents of Blue Haven City, the magical underwater metropolis. The residents rarely went above the surface. Not to mention that the only way anyone could enter Blue Haven was by invitation.
A smile spread across his massive mouth when he spotted a large fish trying to blend in with the tall reeds and rocks—it wasn’t fooling Noble. He struck swiftly, swallowing his prey before it even realized what had happened.
Hours after finishing his hunt, Noble spotted a human tangled in seaweed, struggling to free himself. Noble wasn’t sure how long the man had been in the water, but it was clear he didn’t have much time left. He was sinking deeper, no longer fighting against the seaweed. Noble quickly shifted into his human form and swam over to the drowning man. He untangled the seaweed from the man’s neck, and his eyes fluttered open.
When Noble met the man’s gaze, he felt something stir within him, but he wasn’t sure if it was the situation's urgency or the lingering adrenaline from his hunt.
Mate! his beast snarled in the back of his mind.
The thought startled him, but he quickly pushed it aside. He had to get the man out of the water before he drowned. Noble cleared away the remaining seaweed and noticed the man’s skin had turned blue. Without hesitating, he pressed his mouth to the man’s, breathing air into him as he swam to the surface. Once they reached the shore, Noble reluctantly released the man’s mouth and laid him down on the sand, immediately beginning CPR. Thankfully, he had taken a class a few years ago.
“Come on,” Noble urged, feeling more anxious than he should about a stranger he’d just met.
After giving the man a second breath, Noble sighed in relief when the man coughed and spat up water, rolling onto his side.
That’s it. Let it out.” Noble sat back on his heels, watching as the man slowly sat up. He was relieved to see color returning to the man’s light olive complexion.
Noble remained on his heels, waiting for the man to collect himself. Once the coughing subsided, the man exhaled and leaned back on his elbows.
“How are you feeling?” Noble asked gently.
“Better. Thanks for coming to my rescue,” the man replied, his voice hoarse.
“I’m glad I got to you in time.”
The man opened his eyes, and their gazes locked. Just like in the water, Noble felt a spark ignite between them. He knew it was inappropriate, but he couldn’t resist checking out the man’s toned body, stopping at his eight-pack since he was naked. Noble moved his gaze back up to his face, taking in his kissable lips that felt good against his, as much as he did not want to admit it. His hazel eyes were surrounded by thick, long lashes resting on his high cheekbones.
“Have you seen enough?” the man asked, smirking slightly.
Noble cleared his throat and looked away. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to.”
“It’s okay,” the guy said. “You saved me, after all. And I was checking you out as well.”
Noble chuckled. He had forgotten that he was also naked, sitting in front of the guy. “Noble,” he said, extending his hand.
“Jersey,” the guy said, taking Noble’s hand; this time, there was no mistaking it. The feeling he had been having since rescuing Jersey from the seaweed came back in full force, making him gasp. He could tell that the other man also felt it since his eyes widened. They openly gaped at each other for a long time, still holding on to each other. Noble hadn’t expected it, but he hadn’t thought he would find another mate.
“I guess I know why I felt compelled to come to the beach tonight,” Jersey said, breaking the silence between them. “It was to meet you—my mate.”
Jersey couldn’t believe it. He had come home from work after trying to convince JaMari and her grandmother that he wouldn’t meet their son and father. After getting ready for bed, he had a hard time falling asleep. Rather than continue tossing and turning, he got up, dressed, and decided to take a drive.
Somehow, he ended up at the beach. The water looked so inviting that he couldn’t resist stripping off all his clothes and diving in. He hadn’t expected that as soon as he swam into the deeper part of the water, he’d find himself entangled in seaweed.
Jersey thought he was going to die. As his life flashed before his eyes, he realized how lonely it had been. He whispered a quick prayer, promising the gods that he’d find someone to share his life with if they spared him. Who knew the gods would answer so quickly—and send not just anyone but his mate?
“Shit,” Noble muttered, pulling Jersey back to reality. “Mate.”
“You don’t sound too happy that we’re mates,” Jersey said accusingly. He stared at the other man, who was just as naked, the moonlight casting a glow on his handsome face and highlighting his striking hazel eyes. Noble’s warm bronze skin gleamed, still wet from the water, accentuating his well-defined muscles.
“That’s not it,” Noble replied softly.
Jersey stood, unashamed of his nakedness, though his heart ached at the thought of being rejected by his mate. “When I imagined meeting my mate, I didn’t think he’d be both my savior and an asshole.” He turned to get his clothes, but Noble grabbed his hand and embraced him before he could walk too far.
“What—” Jersey started, but Noble cut him off before he could finish.
“I’m not angry that we’re mates, just surprised,” Noble whispered, his deep baritone voice brushing against Jersey’s ear. “I lost my first mate a few years ago.”
Jersey gasped and turned in Noble’s embrace, realizing the man was much taller than he had expected. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, his eyes dropping to Noble’s chest. “I didn’t mean to overreact.”
“You didn’t,” Noble assured him, stepping back. “How about we get dressed and go somewhere to talk?”
Jersey nodded, seeing no issue with that. “Okay.”
“And just so you know, I would never reject my mate,” Noble added firmly.
Jersey smiled and went to get his clothes. But despite his smile, he couldn’t shake the lingering concern that Noble had already lost a mate. As he watched Noble dress, Jersey had a strange feeling that he knew him from somewhere but couldn’t quite place it.
Why does he look familiar? Jersey wondered. Just as the thought crossed his mind, the glint from Noble's diamond stud earrings caught his eye, and he somehow forgot what he was thinking.
Shaking his head, Jersey quickly dressed and walked back over to Noble. “Where are you parked?” he asked.
“I walked here,” Noble replied. “I live close to the beach.”
“Oh,” Jersey murmured as a thought crossed his mind. Is he asking me to come to his house already? He looked up when Noble chuckled.
“We’re not going to my house,” Noble said with a chuckle. “I figured we could go to Nellie’s, grab something to eat, and get to know each other.”
They were about to walk away when Jersey stopped him. “Wait,” he said, stepping closer and studying Noble’s face. He could feel a powerful energy radiating from him. Noble wasn’t like Jersey, who was human. It wasn’t just his alpha status—there was something more. Jersey had always suspected there was more to the world than magic and his identity as an omega. He knew shifters existed, but he had never met one—or at least, he didn’t think he had.
Could he be a shifter? Jersey wondered. And what kind?
“What are you?” Jersey asked, his curiosity piqued.
Noble smiled, his eyes twinkling like the studs in his ears. “What do you think I am?”
“Other than an alpha—something powerful," Jersey said, his voice thoughtful.
Noble gently grasped the back of Jersey’s neck and pressed a kiss to his forehead. “Let’s get to know each other better before I tell you what I am.”
That’s fair, Jersey thought. They were mates but still strangers, and they hadn’t rushed into each other’s arms, professing undying love. Getting to know each other was a good start.