Torn
1950 Words
Jax had his pants zipped by the time Silas yelled for me again. I blushed when I saw Jax's chest and arms. He was very muscular already. He was the spitting image of his father. He caught me looking at him as he slipped his shirt back on and I caught his smirk.
"We better get you back within eye sight of your little shadow before he loses it," he taunted.
I nodded, turning around and heading back the way we came. I had a good memory and followed the exact path we took. I got to the shore and Silas caught sight of me with Eliza on his heels.
I felt the sharp edge of a rock dig into the sole of my foot and cried out in pain. I nearly lost my balance but 2 sets of hands grabbed me. Silas was in front of me and I grabbed his shoulders to not fall, his hands were on my arms. And I felt Jax's hands on my waist, from behind. I was shocked to hear a growl from behind me. Silas narrowed his eyes and pulled me forward into his arms protectively, Jax's grip loosening.
"Oh my goddess there you are!" Eliza breathed in relief. "Gracie, you gave me a heart attack when Silas said he lost sight of you."
"I'm sorry Eliza, Jax just wanted to show me something. I told Silas we'd be right back," I apologized.
"It's time for lunch," Jax said walking off ahead of us. "My mom says to come back to the pack house." He sounded very irritated. He was walking fast, making it difficult for us to keep up.
I broke out of Silas' embrace and followed after him. But Silas grabbed my hand and gently pulled me back to him and whispered, "Are you ok? He didn't do anything to you did he?"
I looked at him with surprise, "No, why would he do something to me?" I kept walking, pulling him along with me. Eliza was waiting for us and walked behind us as we passed her.
"Jax please slow down, " I called to him, frustrated. I hissed in pain and Jax immediately stopped.
"I'm sorry Grace, I didn't think about your foot being injured," He apologized, walking back to me. Silas had let go of my hand to retrieve my shoes. I balanced on one foot to check my aching sole and winced when I saw the blood seeping out. "You're bleeding," Jax said gently. "Let me carry you Grace, it's a long walk back. "
I looked at him wide eyed. Was he serious? My own papa hadn't carried me since I was like 6.
"Oh no, that's ok, I'll be fine," I said quickly, my cheeks blushing again.
Silas knelt down to help me into my shoes. I was able to put the one on my good foot but it was too painful to put on the other. He looked up at me with concern.
"Oh Grace what happened?" Eliza cried.
"She's bleeding," Silas answered. "She cut her foot on the rocks of the shore."
"Oh dear," Eliza said worriedly. "We have quite a ways before we reach the packhouse. There I can tend to your wound but ...."
Without another word, Jax swiftly walked over to me and scooped me up into his arms. I squealed in surprise and wrapped my arms around his neck to hold on.
"I've got you," Jax said looking in my eyes. "Let's go eat lunch."
"Oh, well that works. Thank you Jax," Eliza praised him. Jax continued to lead the way. I didn't dare look at Silas. I could feel his glare on Jax and I.
Jax carried me like I was a paper doll. It was quite impressive. I didn't say anything to him on the walk back, but I'm sure my cheeks were red the entire time. When we reached the packhouse, Jax carried me until we reached the dining room where lunch was being set up.
"Grace?!" my mother cried when she saw me. "What happened?"
"She cut her foot on a rock. I took them to see the lake. I apologize," Jax told my mother softly, bowing his head to her.
My mother eyed us both her nose twitching, "Well all is forgiven seeing as you carried her all the way back. That was very gentlemanly of you."
Jax gently deposited me into a chair.
"Thank you Jax," I said softly. "I'm sorry I've been so much trouble."
"Not at all," he answered sweetly. "I had fun. I hope you did as well."
"Very much, thank you," I replied with a shy smile.
"Jax? Is something wrong?" The Luna said in a panicky voice. "Grace are you alright?"
"My daughter seems to have cut her foot," my mother told her apologetically. "Your sweet son carried her back from the lake it seems."
The Luna smiled, "Let me have an omega grab the first aid kit. Jax, go get washed up for lunch, your pants seem dirty."
"Yes Mom," he said obediently and darted up a set of stairs.
A few minutes later the omega brought the kit and she and Eliza tended to my foot. Silas helped me slip back on my shoe. I could feel the irritation coming off my mother in waves but she wouldn't dare say anything in front of the Luna.
"Is there a bathroom these 2 may wash up in for lunch?" my mother asked the omega. She bid us to follow her. Silas let me lean on him for support as I babied my injury.
She waited outside for us.
"What a show off," Silas muttered under his breath.
"What?" I asked him in confusion.
Silas shook his head, "First he brags about getting his wolf early then he carries you like you're already his bride?"
I arched my brow at him, "Someone seems jealous," I teased.
"Pffft," he muttered. "I'm not jealous. I just don't like the vibe he gives off. " He dried his hands then looked at me. "What did he do when he took you away from me?" he voice was quiet and revealed his worry.
"He shifted into his wolf!" I whispered excitedly. "It was amazing Silas!" I took the towel from him, "Except for when he had to take his clothes off first. That was awkward."
"What?!" Silas hissed. "What a pervert!"
"Wha--No, he said he didn't want to get in trouble for ripping his clothes. It makes sense!" I defended.
Silas had a deep frown on his face. He turned and headed out of the bathroom. I thought he was going to leave me to limp back on my own but he waited, pouting, still helping me along even while he was fuming.
At lunch, everyone chatted. My papa and the alpha seemed to be getting along quite well. Mother was busy putting on a good show for the Luna. Jax , Silas and I ate in silence. Mother did keep glancing at the 3 of us during lunch. Silas had a solemn expression the whole time, keeping his eyes on his plate.
Suddenly, Jax's dad said something that caught everyone's attention, "Grace, I hope you liked Red Wood, seeing as it will be your home in the future. Jax only has 4 more years until 18."
My papa must have seen the panicked look on my face because he went into protective mode, "With all due respect, alpha Jeremy, we haven't spoken to our daughter about our deal as of yet, seeing as she is just a child. She won't even be a teenager for 2 more years."
"Well the cat's out of the bag now isn't it then," Jax's father persisted, never taking his eyes off me. "We will take good care of her here. She'll be here in no time."
I peeked at my papa and I could tell he was angry. But mother placed her hand on his arm to calm him, "Of course you will. And when you are ready for her to stay here, she will be ready, as well as us."
Papa couldn't help himself, "Yes of course, she will surely be ready by her 18th birthday."
The tension in the room was thick. I wanted to disappear into my chair. I put my fork down. Despite how delicious the chocolate cake was that was before me, for dessert, I had lost my appetite.
"Ah, well, we will discuss specifics later," Alpha Jeremy commented, sipping his wine. "But I assure you, it will be before she's 18. I intend to retire as soon as my son is ready and he is a quick learner."
"Thank you so much for having us today," Papa said putting on a fake smile. "I'm afraid we must be going. We've got a long drive ahead of us."
"Oh, of course," the Luna said nervously. "Thank you for making the journey out to us. I hope to see you sometime soon Sarai."
Mother smiled and nodded at her, "That would be delightful."
Papa shook hands with Alpha Jeremy and quickly came to my chair, "Let me help you to the car my sweet girl." I let my papa scoop me up and cuddled against his chest. I didn't realize I had been shaking until my papa helped calm my nerves, "Silas, come along," he added. Silas quickly got up from his seat and followed my papa. Once in the car, Papa held me in his lap, not wanting to take his arms away from me.
Mother could sense papa's rage so she didn't even argue about me being coddled. Papa gently pulled my ponytail out, sending my hair cascading down.
"I'm sorry my sweet girl," Papa said to me gently. "I didn't dream that i***t would speak of such things when you're just a little girl."
"Now dear, we knew going into this, that something like this might happen. Jax is already a teenager. We must have him bond with Grace as soon as possible. You never know if his mate might show up," mother told him softly.
Papa growled, "I pray that his mate does show up and we forget this awful plan anyways. I was hating it before but now I feel just disgusting. "
Papa glanced at Silas, "I could feel your anger too, son, earlier when you were out with Jax. Tell me, what did Jeremy's son do that upset you so?"
Silas looked shocked by my papa's words, "Yes, alpha, Jax wanted to take Grace out of my view, alone. I went to go inform Eliza and when we returned Jax had taken her somewhere."
I was getting tired after feeling so many emotions today. I tried to listen to their conversation but feeling so cozy in my papa's arms, I drifted off.
Mother's attention was now piqued.
"And what did Jax do? Where did he take her?" Papa pressed.
Even now, Silas felt the fury burn inside him, just thinking about it again.
"He shifted into his wolf, alpha," Silas replied with a growl. "I don't know where he took her but it was far enough away that I couldn't see her until they came walking closer." Silas paused before adding, "He took off his clothes in front of her before he shifted so he wouldn't rip his clothes, or at least that's what he said."
Mother let out a gasp and Papa reverberated with rage. He snuggled me closer to his chest and I nuzzled him comfortably.
"Sarai.... So help me I will rip that boy to pieces," Papa growled. "This was a mistake. Jax is too mature for our sweet girl."
- Writer
