I stared at my plate of food and poked at it with a fork. I had lost my appetite when I woke up that morning and it had hit me like a ton of bricks. Kyan was about to rape me. What was his problem? Its as if he knew I was going to be there. I didn't know what to think.
He had changed a lot since the last time I saw him. He looked much stronger and well built. His whole demeanor had changed since high school and I wouldn't want to see him again. He had an odd aura around him but I couldn't figure it out.
Every time I thought about how weak I was last night, a burst of anger would fill me and I really wanted to punch someone or something. I didn't like how I couldn't do anything and something could've happen if Parker hadn't showed up.
"Are you okay, Jasmine?" Logan asked as she came into the dining room to check on me. Parker had gotten Logan to prepare meals again and clean the house. I felt bad that she had all of the chores to do that I actually offered to help. She turned my offer down, but me being me, I didn't listen and I actually helped her around the house.
I glanced up from my plate and plastered a fake smile. "Of course I'm fine...just not hungry," I lied as I glanced down at my food and put my fork down.
"Ok," she answered still unsure if I was actually alright. She took my plate of food but I shook my head at her.
"No, I got it." I stood up and took my plate to the kitchen and placed into into the fridge. I'll just eat it later.
I went up to my room and texted some of my friends in hopes that my thoughts would drift away from Kyan.
That is how I spent my day. Locked in my room, binge watching random shows, texting, and eating a jar of Nutella that I had asked Logan to get when she asked if I needed anything.
I heard a knock on my door when I scooped some Nutella and put it into my mouth with the spoon.
"Come in!" I called out with the spoon in my mouth. I glanced away from the TV hanging on the wall and saw Logan standing at the door. I raised my eyebrow at her before looking back at the TV.
"Parker wants you in his office at the pack house," she informed me. I turned to her and furrowed my eyebrows. I have never been in the pack house before and what the hell does Parker even want? I nodded my head at her before she left. I got off my bed and changed into a pair of skinny jeans and a black hoodie. I pulled my hair into a high pony tail and exited my room.
I went down the stairs and headed for the front door. Logan wished me luck as I started my way to the pack house. I ran through the forest without shifting because it wasn't that far, I just followed the scent of the pack members. I exited the forest and walked to the pack house. As I passed pack members, they all gave me curious glances. I probably stood out like a sore thumb because I wasn't from their pack. The pack house was huge. It was like a mansion that probably was home to many of the members. I couldn't help but wonder why Parker didn't just live in the pack house, it sure as hell was big enough.
I walked up the steps of the pack house and opened the door. I was met by a large hallway that branched off into different rooms.
"Hello miss," a woman who looked like she was in her sixties greeted me. I offered her a smile which she returned. "Hello," I greeted her.
"What is your name?" she asked me while adjusting the apron she was wearing.
I shoved my hands into my hoodie pocket. "Jasmine," I answered. "Do you know where Alpha Parker's office is?"
The woman's face lit up at the mention of her office. "His office is the door on the left at the end of the hallway," she said as she pointed towards the end of the hallway. I nodded my head and thanked her. My feet carried me down the hallway. More people gave me curious glances but my mind was wondering what Parker could possibly want.
When I reached the door, I took a deep breath before raising my fist and knocked on the door twice. I heard a 'come in' and opened the door. I was greeted by a much larger office than the one in Parker's house. Parker's scent filled my nose as I walked farther in. My eyes settled on Parker who was sitting back in his desk chair. He was wearing a black buttoned up shirt but the top two buttons were undone and the sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. The shirt was clinging to his muscles making him look even more attractive than he already was.
"Jasmine," Parker greeted me, snapping me out of my thoughts. Parker was staring at me with a serious look which caused me to furrow my brows. Xander was standing next to him. He offered me a smile before walking towards the door and closed it behind him as he left. I turned back to Parker and walked over to him. He motioned for me to sit down in the chair facing his desk. I sat down in the chair, not because I was told, but because I wanted to.
"What?" I asked, leaning back in the chair.
Parker rested his elbows on his desk. His lips were pressed in a thin line and his jaw was clenched. I actually didn't think he wanted to talk to me after all the teasing yesterday.
"Who was that guy last night?" He suddenly asked me. I froze and my eyes widened. I opened in closed my mouth wanting to say something but I couldn't.
I cleared my throat. "No one. Just some random guy who caught me when I was trying to go to the bathroom," I lied as I dropped my eyes down, avoiding his death stare.
"I'm going to ask you again," he said deathly calm, but his eyes said otherwise. "Who was that guy last night?"
I gulped wanting to tell him the truth but I lied again. "Like I said, some random guy. I don't know him," I responded, my voice strong.
Parker slammed his fist down on the desk. "Dammit, Jasmine! Why won't you tell me the damn truth!" he yelled as he stood up from his chair. I jumped by his sudden loudness. Parker was staring at me with so much anger. His eyes were golden and I knew that I'd have to tell him the truth.
"Why don't you believe me?" I snapped at him. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. I just watched, waiting for my answer. Why was he acting like that? Maybe he was jealous? Once Parker opened his eyes, they were back to their normal green color.
"I heard your conversation," he admitted while raking his fingers through his dark hair. He heard? He did spy on me while I was showering so I wasn't surprised that he eavesdropped a conversation.
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Why?"
He sighed. "I followed your scent and it was with another scent. I wanted to know who you were with. It sounded as if you knew the guy already. Who is he?" He asked once again.
I muttered swear words under my breath before sighing also. "H-He's my ex." A lump formed in my throat and I took a deep breath to keep my emotions from showing. Parker didn't say anything. It was silent between us and I was glad he was done interrogating me. I looked up from my lap to see Parker's eyes soften and look away.
"I'm sorry," he muttered quietly. I gaped at him. He was apologizing? He deserves to know what was happening, he did witness it after all. I just didn't know how to tell him but I knew I should. "You're probably wondering why."
"You don't have to-" Parker started but I had cut him off.
"Kyan was my boyfriend for three years. He knew how to make me happy. I had a lot of friends and a perfect boyfriend throughout high school. He knew how to treat me right. He made me laugh. I guess I was just blind. Turns out those three years I gave to him meant nothing to him," I paused to look at Parker who was watching me. His eyes held a strange emotion that I couldn't decipher.
I decided to continue. " The summer before senior year of high school, Kyan had been acting strange. He would get touchy and try to kiss me at every chance he could get. Of course me, being so naive and oblivious, didn't think anything of it. All my friends knew what was up except Sarina and Anthony. I had told Kyan that I was a werewolf because he was with me when I had my first shift. He didn't seem all that shocked that werewolves existed, but like I said before, I was too oblivious. I know now that his brother is a werewolf but he isn't one. He didn't smell like a werewolf.
Kyan and I were coming back from a date which was laser tag. We started kissing so I thought it was just a normal make out session. Things got a little heated so I tried stopping. Kyan had other ideas. He knew I was going to refuse so he had brought ropes with silver in it, similar to the ones he used last night. He used my weakness against me and took advantage of me that night. I lost three things that night. My virginity, my boyfriend, and my dignity. After that day, I was constantly harassed by Kyan, his friends who use to be mine, and his brother. My life was all screwed up. I started partying and drinking so I'd forget. I'd get drunk and do things that I constantly regret doing. I'm not pure, Parker. I'm afraid of commitment and I don't want to get hurt again. That is why I use to do one-night flings because then I wouldn't have to deal with falling in love and then having my heart being used over and over again, continuously breaking," I took a breath, now tears were leaking out of my eyes.
"That is why I never wanted a mate," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. I looked up meeting Parker's eyes. I still couldn't tell what he was thinking. I decided I should probably finish what I had to say before leaving. "I rejected you because I don't want to relive my past. I want someone to love me, not because just my body, but all of me. I guess that's so hard to ask for." I quickly wiped my tears away with the sleeve of my hoodie. I stood up from the chair and plastered a fake smile.
"Thank you for listening," I said before turning on my heel. I heard Parker call my name but I didn't turn around. I didn't want him to see me cry like last night. Crying is a sign of weakness. I felt arms snake around my body pulling me into a hard chest. Parker turned me to face him but I kept my head down.
"Look at me," he said softly. He whispered the last part, "Please." I didn't look up, instead I kept my head down, so badly wanting to look up. He gently tilted my head up so I'd look at him.
I looked into his eyes which were swirling with emotion. Sadness being one of them.
My eyes were glassy with tears. He used the pads of his thumbs to wipe away my tears. I was shocked by this action. Why is he being so nice to me? I thought he would call me pathetic or something.
"I'm sorry," I mumbled. "I shouldn't be crying like this."
"It's okay to cry. It's not a sign of weakness, it is a sign that you've been trying to be strong for too long. Everyone needs to cry sometimes, some words aren't meant to be spoken," Parker whispered.
I thought about his words. He is right though and it seems as if he's speaking from experience.
"Kyan is an asshole," Parker stated, his eyes now swirling with anger. "I know I'm an asshole but what he did is despicable. Next time I see him, I'm killing him. His brother too along with all his friends."
He then looked down towards the space in between us. Or what little space is left. He then looked back up and gulped, his Adam's Apple bobbing. My eyes followed the action.
"I'm sorry for what I said to you," he apologized. He looked like he regretted it and his eyes held guilt within them. "There is no excuse for what I said and I'm regretting everything. I shouldn't have treated you like that, no mate deserves that. I deserve the rejection as well. I don't even know why I did it and it's killing me knowing that I did something like that." I stared at him not knowing what to say. Of course I'm not going to forgive him that quickly, but I couldn't help but wonder if he was truly sorry.
"I'm not asking you to forgive me but just know that I really am sorry," he finished as he brushed his thumbs on my cheeks. The warmth of his hands that were cupping my face was soothing.
I nodded my head completely out of words as we just stared at each other.
A knock on the door caused us to snap out of our trance.
"What?" Parker called out.
"Alpha, you are late for your meeting," a male voice responded. I recognized it as Zander's voice.
Parker swore under his breath before taking a step away from me. He offered me a small smile. I gaped at him. It was the first time I had seen him smile and let me just say, it was beautiful.
I returned the smile before moving towards the door and opening it. Zander was waiting outside the like I suspected. He bowed his head.
"Luna."
I just smiled at him even though he called my by that title.
I couldn't help but wonder if things were now going to be different between Parker and I or if it was just the spur of the moment.
For some reason I actually wanted us to be normal. Deep down some part of me wanted us to be normal mates but I didn't know if it could be that simple.
-
So Jasmine told her backstory to Parker. Getting some progress.
I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter.
Thank you so much for getting this story 100k! When I saw it I got so happy. I appreciate all of your support. It all means so much to me!
Thank you for reading.
~Kira