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*****
*Corey*
“You can’t be serious, you haven’t even seen any real evidence that they’re a threat. There is no way I’m quitting my job.” Jayden said as he poured some coffee into a mug.
“You have to, you are. If there’s any chance they’re serious, I’m not letting you be alone.” I said.
“Babe,” He looked at me, “I’m really glad you care so much, but I can take care of myself.” I immediately scoffed at that and he let out an annoyed sigh. “Corey. I’ll be fine.” I clenched my teeth at his insistence. This was not something we could have a discussion about. There were no options. I wasn’t going to let him get hurt.
“Don’t make me have to command you to do this, Jayden.” I spoke seriously, my voice low. He seemed to realise how serious I was after that and completely turned to me as he gave a laugh of disbelief.
“You have no right to tell me what to do, Corey.” He said.
“I do, I’m trying to protect you.” I said.
“I don’t need you to protect me.”
“Wow, really? While you’re seeing things and freaking out about nothing, you don’t need me to protect you?” I asked but regretted it as soon as it left my mouth. “I’m sorry, that was –”
He shook his head cutting me off. “We’re done here.” He said as he grabbed his car keys, “I’m going back to work.”
“No, you are not.” I said, my voice edging.
“Don’t you dare,” He glared at me. “I accepted you, but the fact that you’re Beta doesn’t mean that you own me, Corey.”
“I never said that, Jayden! I’m just trying to keep you safe. Why are you being so goddamn hard-headed about this?” I asked.
“Because I’m sick of you treating me like a child you’re babysitting instead of your mate.” He said. “You can’t boss me around whenever you feel like it. I don’t have to be here. I choose to be here because of you, because I love you. Don’t make me want to leave.”
“What?” I looked at him not sure how to react to his words, but they had made me completely forget what we were talking about to begin with. Why would he say that? Did he know? No. He couldn’t know. He didn’t know, right? Of course not, he would have said something. “How-how do I –?” I was saying.
“Am I interrupting?” My mood completely changed to annoyance as Carrie’s voice filled the room.
“Yes.” I replied harshly while glaring towards the doorway.
“No.” Jayden countered, “I was just leaving.”
“No, no, no. Jay –” I panicked slightly turning back to him, “Where-where are you going?” I asked catching his hand.
“Work.” He looked at me tilting his head. Right, he had just said that. My sudden panic seemed to alleviate some of the tension between us as he stepped closer to me still seeming surprised by the reaction, “Babe, calm down.”
‘Just… be careful.’ I linked to him accepting that we were not going to finish what we were talking about. He gave a little chuckle and kissed me.
“I will. I’ll see you later.”
I nodded pulling him into a hug before watching him make his way out of the kitchen. As soon as he was out of the house Carrie stepped towards me but I muttered the spell I had used before and froze her to the floor where she was.
“Stay the fuck away from me.” I said calmly before walking out of the kitchen and heading up to my room to get some rest while I could.
—–
*Jayden*
I could not remember a more awkward family dinner than the one currently taking place and I had time to think about it because of how unusually quiet everyone was being.
We were all seated in the dining room and the only thing making any noise were the forks or spoons against our plates. I didn’t understand, Corey had seemed happy with Carrie when we spoke on the phone during their plot searching trip, and now he refused to even sit near her. Maybe it was a bad idea having her stay over… it seemed so wrong to ask her to leave after agreeing to her stay though, especially considering that she had nowhere else to go at the moment.
Eli hadn’t uttered a word in Carrie’s presence since he got home, Tamia had but then stopped because Eli probably asked her to. She trusted his judgement. Now as we ate dinner, Eli sat focused on his plate lifting his eyes every so often to glare at Carrie often while he just pushed food around his plate, Tamia eating silently, happily. She was usually quite content, it took a lot to make her unhappy. Corey was doing what Eli was, but a lot less subtly and Carrie seemed oblivious to the piercing gazes she was getting. I did not know why, because I could never ignore looks like that but I was glad she acted like she wasn’t seeing it because it made me feel bad.
“This food is amazing, Corey.” Carrie finally broke the silence giving Corey a smile. My eyes moved to my mate who stared back at her.
“Glad you like it, it’s available at pretty much every grocery store across the country, you’ll need to buy a microwave but that’ll be good for your house.” Corey replied giving her blatantly fake smile.
“Are-are you telling me to leave?” She asked, clearly shocked.
“Yes.” Two voices replied.
“No.” I said shooting a disapproving frown at Eli and Corey. Corey just rolled his eyes while Eli mumbled an apology to me and everyone returned to their awkward eating until Carrie spoke up again.
“It’s really interesting Jay, how Corey and I… reconnected – yeah, that’s the word,” She glanced from me to Corey, “– on the trip.” I looked at Corey as worry that wasn’t my own filled my chest, it made me forget about asking her to elaborate as I focused my concern on my mate.
‘Are you alright?’ I linked to him, he nodded as he downed his glass of water before doing the same with the jug in the middle of the table.
“I-I need more water. No – on second thought: I’m full. Who’s up for a run?” He stood up.
“Me!” Eli shot out of his seat almost causing his chair to fall as he did.
“Run?” I asked, Eli nodded before looking at Corey expectantly, “Now?” I added glancing at the clock. It was quite late…
“Best-best time, I mean, now, now is the best time.” Corey said grabbing our plates even though we weren’t finished, he left Carrie’s with her; probably trying to blatantly hint that he did not want her coming with us. Tamia shot him a confused look and he mumbled something about getting some food later. What was up with him? Why was he acting so hasty after Carrie began to talk about their meeting on the trip?
“Eli –” I began but he had thrown his shirt off and shifted in the dining room, “What did I tell you about shifting in the house?” I frowned at the little black wolf in front of me.
‘Sorry, Dad.’
“Eli! Wait! It’s dangerous –” I let out an annoyed groan he ran out.
“Eli –!” Corey called hearing the front door. I ran into the living room and didn’t bother trying to shed my clothing before shifting and following our son out. He moved fast and I did not want to risk him getting lost.
“Wait for me!” I heard Tamia scream from the house. I was glad Eli listened as he stopped in his tracks and we bounced back over to me so we could wait for the little grey wolf to join us outside, she was right beside a massive wolf that had the same shade of fur, Corey.
Together, we made our way into the forest. It was always amazing being in the forest in wolf form, it always drew us in so much and felt like every problem just faded away and was replaced by carefree running as the sound of ruffling trees and bushes filled our ears while wind brushed through our fur. It was freeing.
There was a square Corey and I had made for the twins, lines they couldn’t go past because it was pretty late and even though they each were very capable of handling at least two fully-grown wolves on their own, we didn’t want to risk them getting hurt or attacked. We were very cautious, even on our own grounds.
‘Jay…’ I heard Corey growl my name. ‘I know you’re here… I can smell you… you smell good…’
I tried not to laugh because he obviously wanted me to make a sound. We were playing around, it was one of the twin’s favourite games; basically hide and seek but we were all looking for each other and anyone who got caught would be tackled to the ground.
I heard a smash and then Tamia howled happily.
‘I got you, Papa!’ She growled. I chuckled. He must have been so distracted by my scent, he hadn’t sniffed her out. That, and Tamia was incredibly sneaky.
After being tackled, the loser would be under the tackler’s command, but if the tackler than got tacked by someone else they would have to obey the new wolf and everyone under the original wolf’s command would be free to hide again. When one team managed to grow and tackle everyone, they won.
My head snapped to the side and I jumped out of the way just as Eli pounced at me.
He let out a playful growl as he landed and immediately tried to tackle me again but I dodged and ran. I laughed hearing him call for me once I was hidden again. Given that we were not taking the game too seriously, we were not trying to hide our scents so he began to follow my trail pretty easily and I decided to move again but froze as my eyes fell on a big dirty brown wolf not far away from me. He wasn’t as massive as Corey but he was bigger than me – most wolves were because I was an Omega, that wasn’t what had me frozen though. What had made my legs turn solid and heavy was that I recognised him. His scent and expression. The familiar ugly sneer on his face. He let out a low grown and I felt my knees buckle below me in fear. It barely felt like my legs were connected to my body anymore but I managed to cower backwards shutting my eyes.
Calm down, Jayden. He isn’t there; it’s just your imagination.
I opened my eyes and whimpered seeing the wolf step closer to me.
‘Daddy?’ My head snapped to the side hearing Eli’s soft growl. I looked back and the wolf was gone. I let out a soft whimper and I laid my nose between my paws shutting my eyes. It looked real, I did not want to think it was but it looked so real. It did not make sense to think that the wolf had really been there, but I could not think differently. It was not real. I was just scared. Again. ‘Daddy, are you okay?’ I needed to answer him; needed to show him I was fine. But I couldn’t. I was too scared to move. I hated that he was seeing me like that, but I couldn’t even pretend to be alright. It felt like I was shrinking into myself, getting further away from being able to control my own body and could not even open my eyes.
I tensed as a nose nudged my own before Eli’s fur brushed against mine as he sat beside me and then leaned his head on my upper back. We were silent for a while as I tried to gather myself, I guessed that Eli knew I wasn’t going to tell him anything and settled for silently comforting me. It was helping, though I felt horrible that he was taking care of me. It was supposed to be the other way around.
“Jayden? Eli?” We both looked up hearing Carrie. “I… Corey and Tamia came back to the house looking for you guys, said they couldn’t fine you. He’s absolutely freaking out…”
Shit. How long had it been?
“I brought you some clothes.” She set them on the ground in front of us, “Should I wait –” She was saying but Eli’s growl cut her off. No. She nodded and ran off. Once she was gone, we shifted and pulled our clothes on quickly.
I turned to Eli about to apologise but before I could say anything, he just Eli hugged me tightly, burying his face into my stomach. I looked down and smiled ruffling his hair gently. “I’m fine, I’m sorry.” I said pathetically. He shook his head not letting go. “Eli, go home and tell Papa we’re alright, he’s worried. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“No.” He said.
“I’m not asking you, Eli. Go home. Now.” I said. He looked up at me, before hesitantly letting go and running off.
When I was sure he was gone, I let out a frustrated shout as I slammed my fist into the tree. My hand didn’t feel the impact through my own anger and I ran my hands over my face as I leaned my back against it and slid down until I was seated on the grass again. How could I have reacted like that? It wasn’t even real. What made me angriest at myself was that Eli had seen me like that. He had never seen me like that. None of the kids were ever supposed to see me like that. I was supposed to be stronger.
The sound of approaching footsteps didn’t faze me or cause any reaction. I knew who it was from their scent and how our mate pull got incredibly strong as he came closer.
“Jay?” Corey’s voice was a careful whisper as he knelt down in front of me before I felt his hands rest on my arms. “Eli told me what happened… Did you see them again?” He asked softly.
I shook my head. “I heard him, I could smell him.” I cringed, “They’re not supposed to be here.” I whispered.
“They aren’t.” He said.
“Well, it feels like they are! Like it’s happening all over again and it’s so much worse because now Eli and Tamia will see how weak I am.” My eyes burned with tears as I said that.
“You’re not weak –” I cut him off snorting. The argument we had earlier showed that he didn’t believe his own words.
“You think I can’t even protect myself. I’m pathetic. What if Eli realises that now? What if they hate me?” I whispered. “What if they –”
“Jayden, the twins love you. That is never ever going to change. It’s okay to be afraid sometimes –”
“That’s easy for you to say because you’re never afraid.” I snapped.
“What are you talking about? Of course I’m afraid. I’m afraid every day. I’m terrified, Jayden.” I looked up. “I’m terrified that something will happen to you, or to the twins, or that you’ll –” he stopped and looked down. Once again, I felt overwhelming panic surge through me, it wasn’t my own. Why did he feel that? Why did he keep feeling so scared?
“That I’ll what?” I asked. “What’s going on, Corey?”
“It’s not important.” I opened my mouth to argue with that but he spoke again, “Jayden?” he looked at me.
“What?” I asked softly.
“Marry me?”
*****
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