Chapter 26

Alessia’s POV Ever since Alex and Scarlett moved out of the pack house, my new sitting partner has become Jake.

Whenever it’s time for dinner, Jake gives me a small smile and pats the seat beside him in invitation. I’ve been having my dinner with him ever since and it hasn’t changed.

What also hasn’t changed is the glare I always feel on the side of my face whenever I’m seated beside Jake. A glare that I’m feeling right now.

Jake makes a funny remark about something from his teenage days and I find myself laughing.

My ears perk up at the sound of a low growl coming from the other end of the table. I look over there, meeting Caden’s black eyes and gritting teeth then I quickly turn my attention back to Jake, not wanting him to notice Caden staring at us.

Jake goes silent beside me and I turn to face him to find him looking at the end of the table where Caden is seated.

“Why does Alpha Caden keep staring this way?” He looks at me confused. “Is there something going on between you too?”

Deny. That’s the first thing that comes to my mind so that’s exactly what I do. “Of course not.” I scoff. In the past week.

I’ve managed to make Jake believe that I had an issue that I escaped from and that Caden had been the one to help me with it. “He’s just a friend of mine who lent me a helping hand when I needed it.”

The growl on the other end of the table gets louder, drawing the attention of the other people seated around the table. Though none of them dare to ask Caden what the issue is.

It doesn’t take a genius to know that Caden is listening in on our conversation and apparently, he doesn’t like what he’s hearing.

“I’m done here. Do you want to go outside to the porch?” I ask Jake, standing up with my emptied plate in my hand.

“Sure,” he answers, standing up with his plate and following behind me into the kitchen.

We place our plates in the sink and head on outside to the porch. There are a few people seated around. but overall, it’s a quiet night and the cool breeze warms my skin.

Outside with us is a couple, far away from us but it’s still very visible that they’re cuddling up with each other. The guy has his arms wrapped around the girl while she’s sitting on his lap and resting her head on his chest.

Jake is watching the couple as well with a wistful and longing gaze. It’s one that I’ve seen on several occasions and one that I’ve always tried to ignore because truthfully, it’s none of my business.

Jake’s gaze catches onto mine before I can turn my head away. He gives me a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Do you ever wonder if I have a mate?”

AJ JAN B B B B B GB BGG

Chapter 26

UZN

It’s a question that I’ve asked myself a few times. Most of the wolves around Jake’s age have found their mates. Except for a few like Raphael. I have wondered why Jake hadn’t found his yet but I knew it would be insensitive to ask him, especially when I was keeping secrets from him.

He chuckles at my silence. Tll take that as a yes” With a sigh, he falls back on the ground, gazing up at the stars. “I’ve been looking for my mate ever since I turned eighteen. I’ve visited packs and searched everywhere possible for her.”

I follow his movement, lying down on my back and keeping quiet, not wanting him to stop talking.

“Six years later. I gave up and I haven’t searched for her ever since,” he laughs bitterly. “I keep seeing everyone my age with their mate and starting a family together. Decided that maybe she just doesn’t exist or maybe she’s dead.”

1 suck in a breath at his words, feeling the cloud of sadness surrounding him. I have no words to comfort him so I keep quiet, hoping that my presence may just provide some feeling of companionship.

I decided to give him a little truth too. “I-i found my mate recently, I mutter in a low voice, not wanting anyone else to catch wind of my words.

Jake shuffles, leaning on his side to face me. “You did?”

“Yes.” I sit up, needing to prepare myself for the words coming next. “He hates me and I don’t know why but I wish he didn’t.” I rub my suddenly itchy eyes. “It’s stu p i d because we act as though the other doesn’t exist and anytime we try to talk, it ends in a fight.”

I hear Jake moving beside me and then I feel his hand on my back. “It’s not s t u p i d. He’s your mate and you’re going to feel emotions for him that you’ll have no way of controlling.”

I confide in him a bit more, saying something that I’m not willing to admit to even myself. I’m thinking of rejecting him. The words come out and my heart squeezes, aching at the thought of it.

“No! Zuri hollers, whimpering at my words. You can’t do that! We need Caden.”

I ignore her, pushing our barrier up and locking her away. This isn’t something that I just thought of in the spur of the moment. It’s something that I’ve been debating over for weeks now ever since I learnt about the possibility of rejecting one’s mate.

“A-are you sure about that?” Jake stutters, disbelief evident in his voice.

I know how it must sound to him- someone who has been looking for his’mate for the better part of his life- but unfortunately, even some of us with a mate still have it difficult. If Caden isn’t going to reject me then I’ll just have to.

að & HNB B B B B BBBBBI