Page 63 of Chasing The Alpha's Son
“You know my biggest secret, so…”
“True, in that case…” She stops, planting herself in the snow like she’s about to make a declaration. “The truth is I’m bi.”
“Oh.” Not what I was expecting! “That’s cool.”
“I like guys, but I tend to find girls more interesting. And seeing as I haven’t found my mate, I was happy to go along with Dad’s plan. A girl could do a lot worse than Jasper.” She elbows me in the side. “But actually, you and Jasper being together is kind of perfect, because now I won’t be stuck wondering if there’s some awesome chick out there I’ve missed out on.”
She smiles big and wide, and so do I. All this time I’d been thinking Jasper and I were the only ones like us. But coming here I’m realizing we’re everywhere. And I love it. Plus, she just said Jasper and I are together, and for the first time I’m thinking that might not be too far from the truth.
“I’m really glad you felt okay telling me,” I say.
“Um can we be, like, friends?”
I laugh. “Yeah, like, for sure.”
“Cool!” She squeals a little and hugs me. “Okay, so now will you tell me everything?”
For the rest of the hike I tell Mia the whole story. When finally the packhouse comes into view, she stops, pulling my arm so I turn to face her, and her expression is seriously earnest.
“Before we go in,” she says, “I want you to know that I won’t tell a soul. Not until you and Jasper are okay with people knowing.”
My heart drops a little. I hadn’t thought about the larger ramifications of being discovered together. The big secret could ostensibly be out. If Clayton tells people, the truth about me and Jasper could soon be public knowledge. Somehow I can’t imagine Jasper being too cool with that outcome. And with the mountains looming above, the chalet perched like a hovering fortress, I’m not sure if I’m ready for that either. How will people react? Will they stare and whisper about me as I pass? Or will they be like Mia and Katie and be cool about the whole thing? All this time I’ve been chasing Jasper I haven’t even thought about what it would be like if I caught him.
“Thanks,” I say, unsure of what I’m about to walk back into.
“And if that dick Clayton has told anyone, I’ll be here,” she says. “I’m on your side.”
Feeling a little less terrified, I let Mia link her arm through mine and together we ascend the final steps back to the chalet.
I’ve almost forgotten it’s still Christmas when I walk inside to find Rocky Pack wolves sitting around the lounge area exchanging gifts, poking around at the base of the Christmas tree, and drinking delicious-smelling drinks.
“Max!” Katie leaps up from the table where she’s sitting with Todd and Simon, to come running over. “Are you okay?”
“I’ll leave you to it,” Mia says, grinning, then heading to some of her friends by the window.
“I’m fine,” I say to Katie. “Jasper found me and…I have so much to tell you.”
“Let’s get hot chocolate and go to your room and you can tell me everything.”
“Okay but first, have you seen him?”
“Jasper? No, not since he left the group to go find you.”
“And Clayton, have you seen him?”
“Mmm, nope.”
I glance around the room. Clayton and Jasper aren’t here, and so far no one is paying me any attention, they’re too occupied with wrapping paper and sugar cookies. So, the news isn’t out…yet.
“Okay let’s go.”
Up in my room, Katie and I lie on my bed dipping gingerbread people into our hot chocolate while I tell her all about the cabin, and the kiss, and Clayton. Of course, I don’t tell her anything about Mia and her being bi—that’s not mine to tell.
“So what do you think will happen now? Do you think Jasper will be cool with everyone knowing?”
“I can’t imagine it, but if Clayton lets it slip, then he won’t have much choice. He’ll have to deal with it.”
“And Clayton seems the type to out people for fun.”
