Chapter 2
I had fallen asleep on the sofa of the bachelor pad basement level of the Pack house while watching movies with Jasper. Normally he’d carry me up to my room but on occasion he would fall asleep too and we’d just stay down in that man cave.
Jasper had an earthy scent that I enjoyed. I could smell it on me just by having sat leaning on him during the movie. Now we were on opposite ends with our legs meeting somewhere in the middle and somewhat entwined.
Through the light of the idle TV screen I could see him still asleep with his mouth slack and his cinnamon strands of hair disheveled in the cutest way.
I had the day off from having to cook since there were other staff members who tended to the home but also today was a special occasion and things would be catered in celebration of the boys return.
I decided I deserved to sleep in and let my eyes shut only to be woken up in what felt like minutes. I could feel the heaviness of Jasper as he leaned onto me and playfully bit my shoulder to startle me awake.
“Get off” I huffed. His deep laugh sounded and I felt the absence of pressure as he moved to sit beside me.
“Come on, sunshine. You’re usually the early riser” he shook at the same shoulder he had nibbled on before. Sitting up I rubbed my eyes and smoothed my hair down and away from my face.
“I can hear the commotion upstairs already” I all but sighed. I don’t know why I was dreading the day but I was.
“Well today’s sort of a big deal” he chuckled, extending his hand out to me to help me up to my feet. There is something so soft about Jasper. Maybe it was the soft hazel of his eyes or his clean face but he was the only person I’ve ever felt a complete sense of peace around.
I felt safe with him and that is something I’ve never experienced before. If I was going to get through today I knew I would be clinging to Jasper’s side to be able to do so.
We parted ways in the hall so we could each shower and get dressed for the town brunch. Beautiful flowered wreaths hung around the square, ones I proudly helped make, and everyone was invited there to see the return of their new Alpha and Beta.
This was something that only happened every 20 or more years so it was a very big deal.
I decided I’d be wearing my white and light orange patterned dress I hadn’t found any occasion for thus far. It was bohemian, but beautifully made where it left cut outs and flowed to mid-thigh.
I left my hair wavy but added a single braid with dainty flowers entwined in between and kept my face bare as I always do. I have clear and even skin. I never found a reason to cover it and as for my eyes I am gifted with a striking pair in which I also felt no need to add to.
When I met back up with Jasper he wore a short sleeved button up with patterned print and casual pants. He’d combed his hair so that the disheveled heap I had witnessed earlier was long gone.
“You look gorgeous” he complimented me knowing I’d blush. “Oh stop” I muttered under my breath as I passed him to get a head start down the steps.
“Is Melanie meeting us there?” he caught up to me, looping my arm in his. “Yeah, you know she’s always late. I don’t think we get that option. Oh excuse me, you don’t get that option. Today’s your day too you know” I reminded him.
He was third in command after all. They never let all three commanding ranks together to train at one time in case anything happens to them, so Jasper would be training now through to next year but he was going to be close to home thank god. I couldn’t be here without him.
The streets were lined with tables draped in white linen and bundles of flowers and greenery as centerpieces per table. There was the main stage area that was set up specifically for today, so that Alpha and family could address the large crowd.
I’m a nobody and I would’ve opted to sit at the very back of all this if not for Jasper counting me in as his plus one. That meant I’d be near the main stage and that made me nervous.
Kids were running the sidewalks in laughter and busy bodies were carrying things to the tables like pitchers of drinks and all the brunch food under covered platters.
Half the town was already seated or standing around chatting with one another. I walked through the crowd of people following after Jasper.
By the time we got to our designated area Melanie had popped up and claimed the seat beside me regardless of if it were even hers or not. She didn’t care.
“You two look hot” she exclaimed once she took in our appearance.
I hushed her loud tone of voice. She was stunning as always in a black matching shirt and high waisted shorts set.
Before she could open her mouth again there was cheering at the far end of the crowd we had just walked past and I knew what that meant.
They were here.
I couldn’t see them yet. There were too many people crowding. Only after a little while did I see the top of a head with thick cocoa colored hair which Jasper explained was Diego, the Beta.
It felt like a parade the way they slowly made their way down the road with greetings to everyone in the crowd who hollered their names or waved, or hugged them in welcome.
Diego’s parents along with the Alpha and Luna were close behind them and I could see pride radiating from their faces. I still hadn’t gotten a look at Alpha’s son. He was literally engulfed in bodies and I just wasn’t tall enough to see.
I felt a small tug at my dress and when I looked behind me the little girl I know to be Desiree was looking up at me with her big cartoonish eyes.
“I can’t see,” she whined. Neither could I but I decided to lift her up and place her on my chair so that she could get a better view. She had a missing tooth right at the front so when she smiled I could see the hole where her little tongue pressed up against it.
“You know he’s like a prince” her wide eyes flickered back and forth between the commotion. She looked mesmerized and I couldn’t help the smile that formed on my face.
When she gasped I quickly turned my head in the direction of where she was looking and the smile I'd just had was wiped clean off.
On the opposite side of the table I was standing, with crowding faces all around, one particular face stood out against them all. He had the perfect 5 o’clock shadow, a tone of midnight as dark as his tuft of hair.
The blue of his eyes weren’t like mine but far more striking in the way they appeared almost translucent in the middle with one dark ring circled around the outer edge.
This man was tanned, had beautiful lips, and a straight nose. Cheek bones I could envy and with that angry look on his face, a jaw that defines.
And yes that angry expression was directed entirely at me, and I was frozen.
It was only when he stepped forward from the crowd that I noticed the body he so clearly takes care of. That was evident with every taut curve and bulge in his build. It was something I had never seen before. A masculine, handsome, yet utterly beautiful man.
If I wasn’t frozen in fear I’d be frozen in lust.
His eyes never left my own when he leaned into his fathers ear and whispered something. Suddenly the Alpha’s eyes momentarily flew open wide but he recovered before muttering a response and giving me what seemed like an apologetic look.
“Oh my god, he’s going to kick me out” I breathed, but Jasper heard me anyway. Gripping my arm so that I didn’t collapse in nerves he sat me down.
“Stop, you’ll be fine” he said, standing up so he could go over to his friends and say hello. I didn’t bother saying anything else to him. I just shifted my eyes over to Melanie.
“You saw that right?! He looked so angry..I don’t think he wants me here” I gulped.
“I don’t think he knew you existed until about ten seconds ago” she chuckled.
My mind went blank for a moment. Had no one told him that a human had been living amongst them for the past year? That could raise a whole other issue. I was no longer nervous, I was down right panicked. I had nowhere to go if not here.
“He’s looking at you again” Mel whispered as she clasped my knees from where she sat in front of me. I peeked over my shoulder to find Jasper and Devran in the middle of discussion while both men continued to look my way.
When Alpha Conan started speaking things quieted down and everyone returned to their rightful seats.
I stayed looking down at my hands in my lap while a speech was said about the homecoming of their newest leaders and what ceremonies would be had throughout this week to officiate the new positions and therefore, the next Alpha. The crowd went wild.
Too many people spoke on stage and all of it blurred into white noise as the wheels of my mind were too busy spiraling on what my next moves would be should I have to leave today.
The odds of my mother still being at that last known location was slim, nor would I want to return to them anyway. I couldn’t do it any longer. I’m about to age out of the foster care system so even if I reported neglect I wouldn’t be placed anywhere.
I had learned many new skills while being an aid to the townspeople. I’ve learned woodwork with Mr. Collins, I was the grocery girl for all of Gran’s elder friends, and I practiced botany with Daisy, the Beta’s daughter, and Grace who is Jasper’s sister.
Where could I find a job outside these mountains that I could put any of this new knowledge to use? I supposed I could try working at a restaurant but where will I live? A shelter until I have enough money for my own place? The couch of old friends?
I disappeared. I don’t think I have any more friends out there. I could almost feel the threat of my eyes watering too much and I had to inhale a deep breath and push the thoughts away for now.
It was only then that I realized Jasper had returned and both he and Melanie were looking at me with concerned expressions.
“Are you okay? You just zoned out completely. I was talking to you” Jasper spoke low enough for only the three of us to hear. I must’ve been dissociating because I didn’t even remember hearing the conversation. “Sorry what?”
“Apparently no one thought to tell Devran that you had come to live here, so he was a bit taken back” Jasper explained again.
“A bit? He’s scowling at me” all three of our sets of eyes shifted in his directions and my two best friends started laughing at the truth of my statement. The soon to be Alpha, the most attractive man in the world, was glaring at me openly and with fervor.
My friends tried distracting me for the rest of brunch. I was too afraid to look up at that stage again anyways, so ignoring it and focusing on my hilarious friends was easier done.
After our meal the crowd spread in different directions, but when I saw Miss Martha--one of the elder-wolves I often brought groceries for--trying to head back to her cottage I told my friends I’d catch up with them and offered my help in walking her there.
She had a tricky hip and often needed to hold on to something to be sure she wouldn’t have a fall when her hip gave out.
“Oh honey, it’s so nice to see you. Oh, you look so lovely” she cooed when she realized it was me who offered an elbow to her. “Hi, Martha. Are you done with the festivities already?” I asked.
“Oh no, I’m just taking a small rest. Later on the real fun will begin” she laughed her old laugh. Once we reached her front door she paused a moment and looked out at all the people.
“I remember when it was Devran’s father who was stepping into the role of Alpha. I feel lucky to still be here to witness another moment like this one. He’s a beautiful boy, isn’t it?” she asked, but innocently so. I didn’t answer, I just smiled a half smile.
“Enjoy these next few days. You’re probably the first human who’s ever seen such an event and I think that’s special honey” she patted my hand and walked inside so the door could be shut.
I turned to the same crowd she had just been looking at and wondered if I really was the only human to have ever seen such a thing. I know I didn’t belong here, but when did I ever really feel like I belonged anywhere?
‘Home’ was a forgein concept to me. Misfit Mira.