Chapter 10

[The Mute Alpha - Chapter 10]

Song: Hallelujah by Panic! At The Disco (I love this song so much!!!)

Sorry if there are mistakes, I tried to edit it the best I can. I suck at English. Especially grammar 😂

•••

Theo pushed down the trunk of the car once Autumn's suitcase was in it. He came to stand next to me, his hands shoved in the pockets of his athletic shorts.

Autumn hugged her sad parents. Melissa held her tightly, whispering stuff to her. Autumn's form shook as she quietly sobbed, tears falling from her eyes. Guilt consumed me alive when I saw her tighten her grip on her mom.

I was getting really tempted to make her stay. I'd rather die knowing that she was happy, but then again, she wouldn't be able to live without me. I can't imagine how many times she'd go in Heat. I've heard that it's almost unbearable.

Jared was staring at me. Even though his icy eyes glared at me, I could see the sadness swirling in them. He looked broken. Sighing, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and walked over to him. I motioned him to follow me.

To my surprise, he obliged.

I turned my phone on and went into the Notes app. "I'm sorry," I typed. Jared stared at the screen when I showed him my phone. He sighed and looked at me.

He ran his hand down his face. "It's not your fault," he said, "My daughter found her mate. You can't control what she wants. I know that now."

My eyebrows rose. It surprised me to hear him say those words to me. Does this mean he doesn't hate me anymore?

"I told her to do what she wants. I didn't want to make her do something she didn't want to. She's my mate and I don't want to hurt her."

"I understand that now," Jared replied, "I was just shocked with how fast things were moving. You arrived yesterday and you're leaving already, taking my daughter with you. I mean, I get that you're mates, but she's my daughter and I'm not ready to let her go. She still has senior year to get through and then college."

I typed down my response, "When I first met your daughter here at the gathering, it was the best moment of my life. Then when I left her, it was the biggest mistake I've ever made. I regretted it. I don't know what was going on in my head. I guess I was terrified and panicked. I didn't think she'd accept me knowing that I'm Mute."

Jared's face softened as he read every word.

"And then when I left, every second without her and every inch she was away from me, pained me. I already missed her the second I turned away, but I was too much of a coward to go back to her. It wasn't until I talked with Theo when I realized that I had to find her. It seemed impossible, but I'd do anything to get her back in my arms. I'm extremely happy that I found her and it shocked me that she agreed to come back with me. But I also feel really guilty that she's leaving everything behind just because of me. I'm really sorry."

That big paragraph took me a couple minutes to type, but Jared was patient. After he finished reading it, he handed the phone back to me.

"I see..." Jared sent me a sad smile, "Just please, take good care of my daughter. Don't let anything happen to her." I nodded my head. "I'm sorry for acting like a dick. What can I say?" he chuckled, "I'm an overprotective dad."

•••

Jared and I chatted for a few minutes before we went back to the others. He warmed up to me and he was actually a pretty cool dad. When we reached the others, Autumn was talking with Ciara, Theo, and Melissa.

"Hey!" Melissa said when she saw us, "Where were you two?" Her eyes narrowed at her husband, "I hope you were being nice."

Jared laughed and patted my shoulder. "Yes, actually. We were just conversing. And I was apologizing to him...for being a...um dick." I could tell it was hard for him to admit being wrong and judgmental. I can't blame him though, we always want to be right.

"Seriously?" Autumn asked in shock, a smile slowly spreading. Jared nodded his head. Autumn ran up to her dad and hugged him. He wrapped his arms around her. "Thank you, dad," she said, "for giving him a chance."

When they pulled away, she stepped back, standing next to me. "I'll go start up the car," Theo informed me as he walked over to my car. Ciara eyed him as she followed after him, looking as if she was about to drool.

"Did you see the way Ciara followed Theo like a lovesick puppy?" Autumn whispered in my ear, causing me to chuckle.

Autumn said her "goodbyes" to everyone before we got into the car. Theo offered his seat, saying that there was more room in the back so that he could stretch his legs out.

So Autumn sat in the passenger seat next to me. She buckled herself into the seat and adjusted it so that the seat wasn't so far back. "This is such a nice car," Autumn commented, sinking into the leather seat. I flashed her a toothy smile. She returned it and I couldn't help but admire the way she looked, showing me her perfect white teeth.

Theo's eyes were glued to the window as we pulled out of the gravel driveway. Ciara was waving at Autumn, but then her eyes traveled over to the back window. She winked at Theo before the car was too far away.

"What was that?" Autumn blurted out, turning around in her seat so that she could see Theo. I glanced up at the rearview mirror to see his reaction.

He shrugged. "She's hot," he replied and then added in a lower voice, "and funny, sweet, and sarcastic..." I couldn't help but notice the light dust of pink on his cheeks.

"Do you have a crush on my best friend?" Autumn asked.

Theo shook his head. "I most certainly do not," he protested, "I just find her very attractive and fascinating. But that doesn't matter. She's not my mate."

'Since when have you cared about your mate?' I mind-linked Theo.

"I do!"

'You weren't thinking about her when you had that girl over at your house a couple weeks ago. Or when you had sex with the girl from that club we went to. Or when you were staring at those girls when we visited all of those other packs.'

Theo was silent for a few minutes. 'I'm sorry for being a guy,' he muttered, deciding to speak through mind-link instead of out loud, 'I'm just living in the moment. I don't know if I'll be lucky like you. Maybe my mate is already mated to another guy,' he sounded sad and it made me feel bad, 'It's basically my way of coping.'

'I'm sure you'll find her soon,' I assured him.

'Hopefully.'

Autumn reached for the volume button, turning the music up a bit to fill the silence. "Yes!" she squealed, "I love this song!"

A song I'm not familiar with started playing on the speakers.

"First things first, I'ma say all the words inside my head," she sang, "I'm fired up and tired of the way that things have been, oh ooh."

Theo and I laughed at her off-key singing. She purposely sang loud, hoping that she'd annoy us.

"You made me a, you made me a believer, believer. Pain!" She purposely made her voice get higher to match the guy's voice, "You break me down, you build me up, believer, believer. Pain!"

Once she finished singing, she was out of breath. "How did I do?" She breathed out. I cringed when she asked and she laughed at my expression. "I know," she flipped her hair over her shoulder, "I'm like another Beyoncé."

A slower song came on, another unfamiliar one.

Autumn leaned her head against the window. She kept her eyes on me, watching me drive. I could see her out of the corner of my eyes. "I love this girl's voice," she said, "It's so soothing."

And every time you look up...I know what you're thinking of. I know what you're thinking of...

I glanced at Autumn. She smiled at me and moved her hand so that it was resting on my leg.

You want my...Groupie Love.

"Ugh," Theo groaned, "If you're going to be lovey dovey, please do it when I'm not here. If I wanted to watch porn, I'd watch it on my phone."

Autumn shot Theo a glare as she tried her hardest not to laugh. "Please, if we wanted an audience, you wouldn't be a part of it."

Theo crossed his arms and huffed. "That's fine with me," he mumbled.

I rolled my eyes and stared at the long road ahead of us. The sun was starting to set, making it get darker. Cars passed by as well as the trees. The mountains were starting to disappear the farther away we got from the Crystal Mountain Pack.

"So what's the pack like?" Autumn asked, trying to fill up the silence again. Ciara was right about Autumn talking a lot.

"Do you want me to answer?" Theo asked me out loud.

'Well it's not like I can at the moment,' I retorted.

"Good point," he said before turning his attention to Autumn, "The Pack is pretty big and it doesn't get very cold during the winter. Palm trees are everywhere. It rains quite a bit, so the grass is very green. Most of the pack members like to show off a lot of their skin since it's pretty hot," I rolled my eyes, "and let's just say a lot of us are pretty sexy. Especially the girls with their asses and-"

"TMI!" Autumn cried out, plugging her ears with her fingers. Theo laughed at her reaction.

"And then the males there are pretty hot, too. Got their sexy abs and muscular arms, wearing nothing but shorts. Not to brag or anything, but I'm the best looking one."

I don't know what came over me, but my foot slammed down on the break, causing the whole car to suddenly skid to a stop. All of us jerked forward.

Luckily, Autumn was able to keep herself from hitting the windshield. Theo wasn't so lucky. His forehead hit the back of my headrest since he wasn't buckled in.

Idiot...

"What the hell, Jax?" Theo cried as he had his hand on his forehead, covering up the already forming bruise.

I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt and turned in my seat, facing Theo. My eyes were narrowed at him and my jaw clenched.

'Theo,' I gritted out, 'are you trying to make her leave me?'

Theo rose an eyebrow. 'What?' He asked in confusion.

'Stop talking about other guys! She'll leave me if she sees some other hot guys! Don't put ideas in her head.'

Theo set me a flat look, 'Really, dude?' From the look he gave me, he was basically calling me the idiot. 'Do you honestly think she'll leave you, her mate, for some other guy?'

I looked down at the middle console. 'I don't know...maybe if he can speak to her.'

Theo rolled her eyes. 'Enough of that negativity. You're so pessimistic.'

He leaned over in his seat and placed his hand on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze, 'You need to stop being so insecure. You're an Alpha. You're smart, nice, and loyal to both your pack and me. And not so bad on the eyes.'

'If I didn't know you had an obsession with girls, I'd think you're gay,' I joked when I realized how close we were.

He laughed out loud. 'We can always try to see what it's like,' he suggested, wiggling his eyebrows and sending me a wink. Then he puckered his lips and leaned forward. I shoved his face away.

I turned back around in my seat and buckled in. Then I glanced at Autumn, who was already looking at me. She had on a smirk which made me confused.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd think you guys weren't straight," she said, "I totally ship it."

What?

I looked at Theo for help but he shrugged, "Yeah, he totally digs me. But the problem is, I don't swing that way. Sorry Jax. we can still be friends though."

I patted my heart, pretending to be hurt.

"Sorry, bud," he patted my shoulder and kissed my cheek, sloppily. He sat back down in his seat. I scowled and viciously wiped my cheek to rid of any of Theo's saliva. Disgusting.

Autumn shook her head, laughing, "You guys are so adorable."

"I'm more adorable," Theo responded cockily.

"So Theo..." Autumn smirked again, eyeing me, "Tell me more about those hot guys...Do they have eight packs?"

I instantly frowned, fingers balling up.

"Easy," Autumn said, placing her hand on my fist, "I'm just joking." I released a breath, relaxing a little. "You know, you get really jealous so easily. It's really hot, to be honest."

My cheeks heated up when I heard what she said. She liked seeing me jealous? I heard a gagging noise from behind me, but I ignored it.

I put the car back in drive and moved forward again.

•••

By now the sun was already gone. The moon shone bright along with the millions of stars. The headlights were the only source of lighting besides the light from the dash board.

"I'm hungry," Theo whined, "and I need to pee."

"Pee by the road," Autumn muttered as she stared out the window.

"But I need to take a dump too. How am I going to wipe? Plus I am hungry, so I want food."

'Does it look like there is anything around?' I asked him, using one of my hands to motion towards the window.

"See if there's an exit," Theo replied.

After a few minutes have passed, I found an exit and I followed the road, taking the exit ramp. A couple minutes later I spotted a small gas station. Only a few cars were there.

I glanced down to see if I needed any fuel. The tank was a little less than half way full. I should probably get the gas now so that I won't have to stop later.

I put the car in park by a gas pump. "I'll go get us food," Theo said as he started getting out, "Do you want to come with me?"

Autumn looked over at the 7Eleven. It looked old and moldy on the outside. A few guys stood near the door, lingering around the RedBox.

She bit her lip and shook her head. "No I'm fine. Just be careful." Theo nodded and closed the door, making his way to the entrance.

I rolled down my window and motioned for her to sit in my seat. She stared at me in question, "Why?" I pulled my phone out and quickly typed a response.

"I want to keep an eye on you. Those guys over there don't look very pleasant. They keep looking over here at you through the window. This place doesn't look very safe, but Theo was getting very annoying."

Her mouth formed an "o" and she started moving over the middle console as I climbed out and closed the door, making sure to lock it. I'd prefer her being protected than me.

"I'll keep an eye on your back, if you want," Autumn offered. I nodded my head and went over to the gas pump.

While the gas was pumping into the car, I stood by the car door, looking around. "Those guys are rogues," I typed, "I can tell by their scent. They don't belong to a pack."

Both Autumn and I looked back at the door, but the guys were gone. "Where did they go?" Autumn asked, her voice quivering a little.

I suddenly became alert. I quickly pulled the nozzle out of the fuel tank. After shutting the tank door latch, I went back over to the car door. I was about to open it, but I suddenly felt a sharp pain in the back of my head.

Autumn released a scream, "Jax!"

I spun around, ignoring the pain. Two buffed guys stood in front of me. One of them had a light brown beard, looking a lot older than the second guy. He was bigger too. The other one had stubble and short, dark hair. His green eyes stared at me.

Both of them wore leather jackets that had a bit of dirt and jeans with holes in them.

"Alpha Jaxton, am I wrong?" the guy with the stubble asked, his voice venomous, "Oh wait, I can't ask you questions. You don't know how to talk."

My jaw ticked and I began to feel angry.

"Did mommy and daddy not show you how like all the other kids?" I could feel myself get angrier by the second, "Oh right, they left you. I guess they didn't want you anymore."

"What do you want, asshole?" My body froze when I heard Autumn's voice. I internally groaned when the rogue's head perked up. A sly smirk was etched onto his face.

Seriously Autumn?

"Who is that?" he asked. I stood taller, trying to block her from his view. "Is that you mate?" When I didn't respond or make any indication that he was right, he realized that he was correct.

"Let me see her." It wasn't a request. Who does this guy think he is? Commanding an Alpha. He has a death wish.

When I didn't budge, he took a few steps closer to me. "Move." I glanced at the side mirror. I could see Autumn's reflection in it.

Her brown eyes were wide with fear. Her lower lip was inside her mouth as she bit it. I could see her trembling slightly as she heard everything the rogue said. Thankfully she couldn't see them since I was shielding her.

Her hand touched the back of my head, making me relax a bit. Just the feeling of her touch, soothed my anger. That was until I heard the next thing this rogue said.

"Embarrassed she's your mate? Is she not beautiful enough for you? Is she not the kind of mate you want? I can take her off your hands if you want. She may not be hot, but I'm sure she'll be damn good in bed."

Without even thinking, I found myself move forward, swinging my fist. It collided directly with the guy's nose. He winced and wiped his nose with the back of his hand, smearing the blood.

His eyes darkened. His arm swung out in a fast motion, but I was able to dodge it. I took that opportunity to punch his side.

He shot his hand out, punching me in the throat. I felt myself choke on the air I was breathing. Breathing suddenly became a difficult task to accomplish.

"Jax!" I heard Autumn yell. I quickly spun around to see the beast of a man trying to open the car door. When he noticed the door was locked, he stuck his hand through the open window to try and unlock it.

Autumn's fist made contact with the guy's jaw, but it looked like it didn't affect him at all. A slapping sound rang through my ears as I watched in horror as he slapped her across the cheek. Her head whipped to the side in a fast motion. The lights from above illuminated her face and I could make out the red handprint that was left on her cheek.

She gasped, gently placing her hand over the spot he slapped. I could see her eyes become glossy, but no tears fell. At this point, all I could see was red as anger bubbled inside of me.

He touched my mate. Scratch that. He slapped her. He hurt her.

I advanced towards the guy and with no hesitation, punched him in the area between the ear and shoulder. Then I grabbed his arm, with all my strength, and shoved him into the pole next to the gas pump. Then I grabbed his head and slammed it into it multiple times, leaving a dent.

He tried to fight back, but the pain in his head was too much. I continuously punched his face until his head lolled to the side, meaning he was unconscious, and I allowed his body to fall limp on the ground.

I had no regrets.

Something slammed into my back with a lot of force. My body fell forward and hit the gas pump. The rogue came up to me and kicked me in the stomach. I released a strangled groan.

"You sure are a weak Alpha. You don't deserve that title," the man said, staring at his beaten up companion. Blood was pooling out from his nose and dripped onto the unpaved ground.

He came at me again but I was able to move out of the way just in time. I gripped his head, ignoring his flailing arms, and brought it down so that I could knee him in the face.

Then I did what he did to me; punch him in the throat and kick him.

He stumbled as I went to grab the hose connected to the gas pump. I wrapped it around his neck, holding it in place. He gasped for air and his fingers clawed at the hose.

"Please," he breathed out, "Don't kill me! I have a wife and two kids." My eyes moved over to the car and I saw his reflection on the side of it. He was smirking. I immediately knew that he was lying.

Then I allowed my eyes to drift upwards, taking in Autumn's scared eyes. "Ah, I see your mate," the rogue said, "She's a beauty. She looks like she'd be great in bed. Is she a side hoe? Bet she is. All you Alphas can't seem to stick with one chic," he chuckled then turned his attention to her, "How many guys have you been with, sweet cheeks?"

When she just glared at him and didn't say anything he laughed, sending her a lazy smirk, "Slutty bitch."

That was enough for me to hear. With one swift move, my hands let go of the hose and found his neck. Not thinking twice, I snapped it. When I released him, his dead body fell to the ground.

I pulled out my phone and sent a quick text to Theo, telling him to hurry up. Autumn unlocked the door as I walked up to her. She didn't move to her other seat, instead she climbed out and wrapped her shaking arms around me.

"Are you okay?" she whispered. I found myself melt into her embrace as I moved my arms to her waist, pulling her close to me. "I was so scared they were going to really hurt you." Eyes closed, I listened to her soothing voice. Her sweet scent enveloped me like a blanket, wrapping around me.

She pulled away slightly, staring up at me with her sad, yet relieved eyes.

I leaned forward and pressed my lips to her head, allowing them to linger there for a few seconds. She leaned into my touch, sinking into my arms. Then she buried her head into my shoulder as I pulled her closer so that I could make sure she was protected from the cool air and any other creeps that lingered around.

"I don't understand why they attacked you to begin with. You weren't doing anything. You didn't provoke them. If anything, they were the ones provoking you with the terrible shit they were saying."

I stepped away from her, but I took her hand in mine, lacing our fingers together, and pulled her with me. I climbed into the car and she followed, sitting on my lap. Her back leaned against the door.

"They have this thing against Alphas," I typed on my phone, "Mainly because the Alphas are the ones who kick them out of the pack to begin with. Apparently we 'ruin' their lives."

"Oh, I see..." she replied after reading it, "Have you ever kicked someone out of your pack?"

I nodded my head. "Yeah. There's been quite a few times actually. Usually it's because they've committed a crime. There have been outbreaks for murder, rape, theft, and abuse. It's sad to think about, honestly. It's hard to know that my pack members do these things. So I punish them. They either stay in my prison, get kicked out, or get sentenced to death. It depends on what their offense is."

Autumn nodded her head in understanding.

We spotted Theo leaving the buildings, carrying a couple bags. Autumn quickly climbed over back to her seat. Theo got in and handed a bag to Autumn.

"What did I miss?" He asked, referring to the two unconscious guys laying on the ground beside my car.

'Rogue attack,' I replied.

"Oh," Theo mumbled, looking out his window at the rogues.

I started up the car and drove away from the 7Eleven as fast as possible.

"I didn't know what you guys wanted so I grabbed a bunch of shit," Theo told us as he dug around in his bag. He pulled out a Slim Jim and ripped open the package, biting into it and moaning as he chewed.

Autumn started looking through the bag. She handed me a bag of barbecue Lays and a water bottle. She set a bag of Beef Jerky between us.

I took a quick peek at Autumn as she brought a water bottle up to her lips, getting ready to take a sip. The car rolled over a couple rocks, making the car bounce. The bottle tipped up too much and water spilled out onto her.

She yelped as she quickly pulled the away bottle away from her lips. I laughed when I saw her flushed face. "Hey!" she punched my shoulder, "It's not funny." She wiped her mouth with the sleeve of her hoodie and then she pouted.

We were all silent, well they were. I'm always silent. The only thing you could hear was the radio on low volume and the crinkling bags as we ate.

"Have you done it before?" Autumn suddenly spoke up. My eyebrows furrowed and I sent her a questioning look. "Killing someone..."

I lowered my eyes from hers and turned my head away, facing towards the road. To answer her question, I nodded my head in shame. To my defense, it was for necessary reasons. But most of the time when criminals are getting put to death for their crimes, my men kill them. I don't. But I order them to, which is kind of the same thing in my opinion. I'm just as guilty.

Autumn didn't continue that conversation. She did, however, change the topic.

"So Jax, have any exes I should worry about?" she jokingly asked, but I could detect the little bit of seriousness and jealousy in her voice.

I shook my head, a little shocked by her question. I've been saving myself for my mate. And lately my main priority was protecting the pack and making sure everything runs smoothly. Sure I've had girls ask me to go on dates with them, but I politely decline with a shake of my head and a door slammed in their face by Theo. Or sometimes Theo goes out with them instead.

"Jax has never had a girlfriend," Theo blurted out.

"Really?" Autumn asked, surprised.

I nodded my head. "Have you been on a date?" I shook my head "no" again.

"He's never kissed someone either," Theo stated with a small laugh, "I was kinda hoping I'd be his first kiss, but I guess since you're here, you'll be his first for everything." I glared at Theo through the mirror and he winked.

"Good to know..." she said to herself. I'm pretty sure she didn't mean for me to hear that, but since I'm an Alpha, my hearing is more advanced than other wolves.

"Have you ever kissed someone?" Theo questioned Autumn. Of course she has. She was surprised that I've never dated. Plus there was the guy who asked her to her school dance. Eric? Or was it Darron?

When Autumn didn't reply, Theo's question was answered and my theory was confirmed.

"I'm guessing you're not a virgin..." Theo trailed off at the end.

'Theo!' I yelled at him. Seriously, this guy has no filter.

"I don't see how this is any of your business..." Autumn bit back with a sigh, "But if you must know. You're wrong Theo. I'm still a virgin. Just because I've dated doesn't mean I'm a whore who sleeps around. My relationships have strictly just been kissing. I'm not like you, Theo, throwing myself at every opportunity I have to get down and dirty with someone who isn't my other half. I just want to give myself to my mate. Finding my mate was what I've always dreamed of."

Theo sat their quietly, regret tainted on his face. "So he'll be my first time, too," she said. My heart quickened at the thought of doing more than just kissing and holding hands.

"And I'm excited for when the time comes," she whispered so only I could here. I immediately felt myself harden, but I tried to ignore it.

•••

Hey!!! So I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! I'm sorry it took a while, but it's finally done. Almost 5k words.

Thank you for all of the votes, follows, and awesome comments. I love reading them!

Thank you so much for reading my story and I hope you all continue to do so 😊😊😊

I'm so bummed that summer is almost over for me. I have a week left which sucks to think about. I still haven't finished my summer homework for Algebra 2/Trig and APUSH....oops...

I love all of you!!! ❤️❤️❤️

~Jordan

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