Mates: Jax's Story

Jax POV “Ukl Dax…..UKL DAX!!” S**t….what time is it? I roll over and reach for my phone on my nightstand. I can’t feel the sun on my face, but I do love my blackout curtains. I pry an eye open and see the time is 5:17 am. S**T! It’s way too damn early. The tiny pounds on my door are just freaking cute. I don’t know why Kamila is up so early, but she loves to make sure people are up with her. By people, I mean me; I’m people. I rub my face into my pillow and groan loudly. I turn my head to the side, throw the covers off me, and slide out of bed, stumbling to my feet. I drop to my knees and open the door to her tiny, chubby face.  Goddess, this child is a bundle of cuteness. She has the fattest cheeks that people love to kiss or pinch. Kamila has a cute button nose and big, green eyes like her dad. She has a bit of an afro, black curly hair and a nice chocolate complexion. It’s funny because her mom is lighter, so we figure she got her skin tone from her granddad. If only he could have met her.  Kamila smiles at me; her front teeth just make the smile shine. “Good morning, pickles. What brings you here so early?” Kamila holds her arms up, requesting that I pick her up. I can’t say no to her, so I stand to my feet and lift her into my arms. She puts her face in the crook of my neck, and I breathe in her baby scent. I love this little girl, I swear.  I walk out of my apartment with Kamila in my arms. I have no idea how she got down here without anyone noticing, but I can’t say I’m surprised. She is a sly one. I head up a floor and knock on the door. A frazzled Kehlani throws the door open, gasping when she sees what I’m holding. “Goddess, ‘Mila! We have been searching for you.” Kehlani turns behind her, “J! It’s okay; Jax has her.”  “Goddess!” I chuckle and walk through the door. “You know Red, you should really keep a better eye on your spawn.” I feel the slap on the back of my head which causes me to chuckle more.  “Just get your ass in here with my child.” I look at Kehlani with mock horror. “Language, young lady! We have children present.” Kehlani raises her hand to hit me again but is stopped by Jayden wrapping his arms around her waist. He kisses her temple, and she sighs, sagging against his body. “Thanks, I owe you one.” Jayden laughs. “Whatever man. Anyways, sorry she woke you up so early. I swear, we need to get better locks on the doors.” I kiss Kamila a few times on the cheek, causing her to giggle. “It’s fine. Pickles can wake me up whenever she likes.” She pulls her head up and looks at me with a big grin. She looks behind her to her parents and squeals when Jayden holds out his arms to her. She practically leaps at him, and he cuddles her, covering her with kisses. I love the relationship he has with his kids. I can’t only hope to be that great of a father one day. “You know, it’s all your fault.” I start to walk into the kitchen. I figure since their child woke me up so early, the least they can do is feed me. I grab a cup and pour myself some coffee from the pot.  “How do you figure that, Red?” I turn to look at Kehlani while I sip the brew.  “You promised the girls an outing to the park, and that’s all she has been talking about.” I smile and nod. I did make that promise, and I meant it. I sit at the table and continue to sip the coffee. Kehlani takes Kamila to prepare her for the day, and Jayden starts cooking. It’s funny to see, but I’m grateful because Kehlani can’t cook for s**t. Brooklyn comes out, groggy, and sits at the table with me.  “Morning, shortstack.” Brooklyn moans. “Why do you keep calling me that? I’ve grown since you first met me. Doesn’t that count for something?” I laugh and ruffle her hair, quickly moving my hand as she swipes at me.  “You will always be shortstack to me.” I get up, heading to the kitchen to drop off my cup. “I’m going to shower and wake up properly. You guys eat and get ready. We have a day of fun ahead of us.” Kehlani comes back into the kitchen, placing Kamila in her high chair. “Are you sure you can handle them? You look really tired…..another late bachelor night?” I shake my head. The truth is that I’ve been done with that life for some time now.  When Brooklyn got here, she was five years old, and I was very much a bachelor. Around her 6th birthday, things just got inky. She was kidnapped and traumatized along with Melanie, our Gamma. Then Kehlani and Jayden disappeared, being kidnapped by different people. It was a trying time in this pack, and I got a taste of being in charge. Can I just say: no, thank you?  Being in charge sucked, and I was so grateful that Kehlani came back. Thankful that she could take her spot back, but more so that I got my sister back. Not my actual sister, but she might as well be. We have been close all our lives, Kehlani being a good year younger than me. She’s my best friend, and life would hold no meaning without her.  Through all of that drama, my bachelor days took a backseat. Then she comes back and tells us she’s pregnant. Jayden comes back the day she had the baby. The thought of going back to my wild ways never crossed my mind again. I had gotten a taste of the responsible life, and things changed.  Even though Melanie protects Kamila, she and I have a close relationship. The Gamma of the pack usually becomes the protector of the Luna, but we don’t have a Luna in this pack. We have two Alphas, and neither is in need of a protector. The minute Brooklyn came here, Melanie decided she would protect her instead, and they grew extremely close as a result. Melanie is also the protector of Kamila, but she’s my bestie. Things have greatly changed in the last 2, almost three years, and I’m better for it.  “Now, Red, you know I quit that life years ago. I live for my nieces now.” Kehlani kisses me on my cheek. “You are awesome, man…..just awesome.” I laugh and head out of their apartment and back to my floor. I have a long day ahead of me, and I need to get ready.