Page 116 of Chasing The Alpha's Son
“I guess there’s no way we’re getting out there…”
“Worth a shot,” she says. “Whether they know it or not, you’re kind of important now.”
I take a second to register what Aisha means. It hasn’t really dawned on me that being Jasper’s mate might mean helping to lead the pack one day. I guess I’ve barely had time to imagine what an actual relationship with him would look like, let alone all the trimmings that would come with it. There’s too much going on right now for me to spend any time focusing on this overwhelming revelation, so I push it to the back of my mind.
Aisha and I head to the doors of the VIP patio, but we’re met with a stern grunt and the impassable outstretched arm of the security beefcake.
Never one to back down from a fight, Aisha begins arguing with Mr. Beefy, trying to convince him we should be allowed outside. But my eyes catch on something beyond the glass. Standing between two olive trees are three impressive-looking men: Alpha Jericho, Jasper, and Alpha Morven. They’re huddled close; Jericho is slapping Jasper on the back and talking animatedly while Morven swirls the tumbler in his hand. Jasper is looking at the floor. But when Morven directs his next statement—or maybe it’s a question—toward Jasper, he looks up and nods.
Morven smiles. He smiles as if he’s just won something. And next thing I know, Morven and Jericho are shaking hands. They’re grinning and nodding like they’ve just come to some kind of arrangement, cemented a deal. Morven extends his hand to Jasper next, and without blinking, Jasper returns the handshake.
I should turn and run again. But my stomach has become jelly and my legs feel like wisps of smoke. My feet are lead, unable to move. Alarm bells are ringing in my head so loudly they actually block out the noise of the wolves around me. Everything is fuzzy, like I’m hearing through cotton wool. It can’t be happening again. Has Jasper agreed to sacrifice what we have for the sake of the pack? Maybe he knows about the Bridgerses’ mutiny. That has to be it. Once again he’s willing to give up everything for the greater good.
But then again, maybe it’s not about the pack at all. Maybe it never has been. Maybe he’s doing this to cover his own ass. If he knows Clayton is planning to out him, maybe he’s scared of being exposed.
My jaw quivers, my vision blurs as tears build in my eyes, and my hands twitch.
The world moves in slow motion as I watch Jasper looking from Morven to his father, an expectant expression on his face, asking if he’s done enough. Then just as slowly, his gaze drifts and lands on me.
Panic floods his expression as the world speeds back into real time. Our eyes are locked and he knows what I’ve seen. Before he can excuse himself, before I crumble to the floor, I leave Aisha arguing with the security guard, and run. I tear through the somber crowd of officers all sipping their drinks, looking too pleased with themselves. I race down the stairs, almost tripping over my own feet. When I reach the lower level, I look for the exit and spot an elevator arriving to deposit a gaggle of overdressed guests. Without pausing to reflect on the irony that, after all this time, I’m runningawayfrom Jasper, I head for the exit.
I push through the crowd, longing to be outside, back on the ground, in the cold winter air. I want to feel it on my face and remember that I have a whole life outside of this weird, elitist tower. The golden light of the elevator is calling to me, and just when I’m about to dive in, a strong, familiar hand grips my arm and pulls me away.
Jasper drags me to the side room where I just was with Aisha and doesn’t let my arm go once we reach the quiet sanctuary.
“Max,” he says, desperation in his voice, “whatever you saw, it isn’t what you think.”
I try to turn away, but he holds me fast.
“I know why they came here,” Jasper continues. “I know Morven brought Mia with him because he wants us to unite our two packs. But I promise you that isn’t going to happen.”
“Whatever.”
“Max, I swear, I told you I would never hurt you like that again.”
“Then what was that?!” I explode. “He wants to mate off his daughter because she’s into girls, and you were out there smiling and shaking hands with him. What else am I supposed to think?”
“I know how it looked but I didn’t agree to anything.”
“What do you mean? You shook his hand.”
“We agreed to wait.”
I reel back like the beefy security guard has just punched me right in the kisser. With all my strength I pull my arm out of Jasper’s grip.
“You what?”
“Morven suggested the arranged mate bond, but my dad and I were able to convince him I needed more time, that I wasn’t ready to be mated yet.”
“Yet? So you will be ready sometime?”
“No that’s not—we were buying time, so we can think of plan to get out of it without hurting the relationship.”
“Without hurting the what…?” I scoff and turn away. “And what happens in a year or two when Morven doesn’t want to wait any longer?”
“We’ll have come up with a plan by then.”
“You’re joking, right?”
