Chapter 30 – Riley Thomas
Riley Thomas
"I 'm nervous," I say, staring up at Jasper. "Please don't abandon me in there."
"Never gonna happen," Jasper says. He's leaning close, close enough I can smell his spicy scent. "You're doing me a favor, I'll be by your side every step of the way."
"Promise?" I ask, glancing out the window to avoid his stare.
"I do," Jasper agrees. "I know you're convinced I'll see my ex and randomly spend the night following her around.
That'll never happen for two reasons. Reason one is that I'd never give that woman the satisfaction of thinking she holds any space in my mind.
I intend to be apathetic to her very existence.
She always hated that. The second reason is that you are setting off my alpha instincts quite hard tonight, sweet Riley.
Some of these people are fine. Others are complete sharks. "
"O-Okay," I stutter. Yeah, because that's reassuring Jasper.
"You accepted my courting gifts," Jasper says, smirking. "That means we're going steady. Come on, Riles, have a little more faith in me."
"No, I do," I tell him. "I'm just nervous."
"I know. Scent mark my cheek, sweet girl.
" Jasper leans close. "I want there to be no doubts about who I belong to.
" He winks. "You'll love my family, my mother especially is over the moon with excitement about meeting you.
My granddad can be a real hard ass. If he says anything that hurts your feelings…
just try to ignore him. There's really no containing him. "
I mark Jasper's cheek and then the other side. He smells delicious like the expensive cologne he always wears mixed with a hint of his natural scent.
Jasper leans forward marking my cheek right as the car door opens. There aren't many paparazzi, but there are a few and the intimate position immediately catches their full attention.
Jasper helps me out of the car. He blocks any possibility of the paps getting an embarrassing picture as I struggle out of the car and to my feet in the ridiculously high heels. Jasper is tall enough that he still towers over me even in the sky high shoes.
It's freezing outside, but Jasper was right. By the time we make it in the lavish old hotel it's quite warm.
Jasper stands in front of me, rubbing his hands over my arms. "Better?" he asks, quirking an eyebrow.
"Yes," I say, smiling up at him. "You're really lucky I like you. Don't know why it would have hurt to wear a coat."
"They tend to look hideous in pictures," a man eerily similar to Jasper says as he swaggers up to us. His hair and eyes are the same color as Jasper's, but his skin tone is a few shades lighter.
"Right," I agree. "But if I turn into a human popsicle trying to be fashionable then I won't be around to regret the hideous pictures."
"Jamison Cleary," he says, giving me a wide smile. "Jasper's brother."
"Riley Thomas," I say, giving a weak smile and stepping closer to Jasper.
Jamison extends his arms like he might pull me in for a hug and Jasper growls low in warning.
"Christ, I thought mom was full of shit," Jamison says, stepping back. He stares at the two of us in bewilderment. "Nice to meet you, Riley."
"You too," I say, glancing around.
It's very high class… everything.
The hotel has light wooden flooring that spans from the entryway into the huge ballroom.
There are tables filled with people and others standing about.
The tables all have silver or blue table cloths.
The decorations are beautiful with fairy lights in small globes as the centerpieces.
The garland circling the globe is the opposite color from the table cloth at that table.
Gorgeous silver and blue banners hang from the high ceiling and spin down the large columns on the edge of the room.
"Speak of the devil," Jasper grumbles, dragging my attention back to him.
A beautiful older woman in a bright red form-fitting dress approaches. She's tall and willowy with gentle, feminine curves. She carries herself with an elegance and grace that's intimidating as hell. She's stunning in a way that makes me feel extremely out of place.
"Jasper.” The woman grins, it's a warm friendly smile.
"Mother," Jasper says.
He introduces us. His mother's name is Calla Cleary. She gives me a hug and a kiss on the cheek before I can do more than blink and go with it.
"He growled at me," Jamison says petulantly.
Calla chuckles. "Riley it's a true pleasure to meet you. Who's that you're wearing? It fits like it was made for you."
Looking down, I frown. My eyes dart up to Jasper and he just grins.
"Go on, tell her." Jasper smirks and I kinda want to punch him in the throat for looking so smug.
"I'm sorry," I whisper. "I honestly have no idea…" I frown, trying to search my memory for any clue. "Ainsley was the woman who measured me and picked it out if that helps?"
I'm blushing fiercely by the time I finish speaking. My face feels hot, I scowl at Jasper. "You should've warned me," I hiss. "Is it rude not to know? I'll bet it is."
Jasper just keeps grinning. His hand bands firmly around my hip as he pulls me into his chest.
"It's not rude," Jasper assures me. I'm not sure I believe him.
"You are quite the breath of fresh air." Calla smiles. "You have two daughters? Tell me about them. How old? Jasper tried to tell me that cloning is now possible and your oldest is quite actually your clone." She laughs. "Remind me of their names?"
Jasper nods, taking a step away to talk to his brother who still looks shocked about something.
Swallowing thickly, I ignore everyone else in the room and focus on Calla. She's actually quite welcoming. Not condescending at all. This is Jasper's family. Not Jeremy's.
"Cove is three. She's the mini-me. Lily is almost four months old," I say, trying to smile.
"I remember those days." Calla sighs. "I didn't get much sleep, but I think I was happier than I've ever been. Kids just have a way of brightening the whole world."
I smile tentatively. She doesn't ask about their father or say I seem too young to have kids.
"I'm taking her to introduce her to your grandfather," Calla says to Jasper.
My breath catches and I try to shake my head or catch Jasper's attention, but then I realize I'm being a total wimp. I'm acting like she might drag me away kicking and screaming.
I do my best to give Jasper a reassuring smile. He nods tentatively.
"You'll keep Riley by your side at all times?"
"Of course," Calla says, giving her son a soft smile. "I'll even return her back if you don't make it over before we're done."
Jasper blows out a heavy breath and nods. Before we can walk away, he comes over kissing the edge of my mouth and rubbing his cheek against mine. My heart races at the contact. His last scent mark hasn't faded, but I don't mind. This room is full of unknown alphas.
"Don't keep her too long," Jasper says, kissing his mother on the cheek. "I had to promise I wouldn't keep her out all night."
"I'd rather not be away from my girls overnight," I say, softly.
"Completely understandable," Calla agrees, marching us off toward the tables.
Calla aims for an old man who must easily be in his seventies or eighties.
That has got to be Jasper's grandpa. I realize as I get a good look at the older man. He's got the same dimple in his chin that Jasper has. There's a large man standing with his back to us. He's got his hands in his suit pockets, but there's something very familiar about him.
"Cannon?" I gasp as he turns enough for me to catch sight of his face. I skip a step in my surprise, stumbling straight into his chest. He's absolutely breathtaking in a suit. He cleans up nice, that's for sure.
Cannon shoots me a chagrined smile. "You look absolutely beautiful, Riley."
"What are you doing here?" I ask. Shit that probably sounded rude . "I mean, I didn't know you'd be here."
Cannon pulls me in for a quick kiss. He holds me to his side with a hand on my hip.
The old man grins up at me from his chair. "Clayton Cleary." He gives me a welcoming nod. "I think he wanted to be around to ensure my grandson treats you right."
Cannon laughs awkwardly, shaking his head and looking at the ceiling.
"Riley Thomas, it's a pleasure to meet you sir," I say, offering my hand.
Clayton Cleary has me in a firm grip as his blue eyes twinkle back at me. He pats my hand and finally releases me.
Glancing around, I start to panic a bit.
"It's not a bad surprise," I murmur to Cannon. "Are Finn and Killian-"
"They're with the girls," Cannon says, cutting me off. "I talked to them not ten minutes ago. All is good." He brushes my hair away from my face.
"Who are these girls I keep hearing about?" Clayton asks, leaning back in the tall backed chair.
"Riley's girls. Cove is three and Lily is not yet four months," Calla says, looking at me.
I nod because she got it exactly right.
"Come sit next to me for a spell," Clayton says, patting the chair next to him.
Cannon nods his agreement and I take a seat. Calla moves to talk to Cannon.
"Two kids?" Clayton asks. "What are you doing with a scoundrel like my grandson?"
My jaw falls. Shaking my head, I laugh.
"He warned me you'd be feisty," I say, grinning at the older man. "I'm sure you know Jasper far better than I ever could. I can't speak to his character outside of what he has personally shown me. But what I've seen from him is kindness."
"Go on," Clayton says, nodding.
"He's been a huge help getting my bearings at work.
In the few weeks he's been staying with us, he always makes time to do the silliest things with my daughter.
" I give Clayton a grin. "The other day he had a tea party on the floor with real tea.
It was a big mess, but not as big of a disaster as when they tried to bake cookies.
" I shrug, laughing. "I like Jasper, he's a good friend. "
"Friend?" Clayton chuckles behind his weathered hand. "Where's your children's father?"
"That's a life lesson I should've seen coming a mile away," I say, glancing at the crowd.
"Been there, done that,” Clayton says, patting my hand.
Jasper's grandfather goes on to tell me all about how he fell for the wrong woman, made some shit investments, lost a good deal of his inheritance, and some good friends.
He continues on with how he met his future pack when he was at his lowest. How together they built one of the most successful fishing enterprises in New England.
And how when he'd just about given up hope his pack met their omega.
By the end he's misty eyed and my heart aches for him.
* * *
"That's not unsettling at all," Jasper says to Cannon as he saunters up. Clayton and I grin at each other as Jasper nods over to us.
"They've been giggling like two old bitties for the last twenty minutes," Cannon says, smirking at Jasper.
Clayton's not a crotchety old man. I'd say he's very lonely without his wife. He also doesn't suffer fools which is a trait I quite respect. It's pretty clear he's getting up in age and he wants to know that his family will be alright without him. Even pain in the ass Jasper. His words, not mine.
"Stop hogging my date," Jasper grumbles at his grandfather as he pulls me out of my seat. "I'm sorry. I promised I'd stay by your side and I got waylaid by my brother and fathers." Jasper kisses my temple, his grip on my hip doesn't leave much room for me to move around.
"It's fine," I say, staring up at his face. "It gave me an opportunity to get to know Gramps."
Jasper's face breaks into a devastatingly handsome grin. "Gramps? I think he once threatened to break my voice box if I ever called him that again."
Clayton laughs. "She's a whole lot prettier than you. Smarter too." He winks at me. "I recommend holding on tight to that one."
Cannon's jaw actually falls open. My breath catches in my lungs. Jasper just smirks down at me, already holding on tight.