Mates: Jax's Story

Chapter 9

~Shanice~

It feels like I stayed in the restroom forever, but I’m sure it wasn’t that long. When I finally come out, Janice is waiting for me, looking irritated. I say nothing and try to keep my face as passive as possible. Janice looks at me, and I swear there seems to be joy in her eyes, but I can’t be sure. “I’ve been waiting long enough. We need to go get our stuff. They have a cottage that we can use for now until we can find you permanent accommodations. I will be staying with Jax once you get settled.”

I can’t trust my voice to speak, so I simply nod and follow Janice to the door. A throat clears behind us, but I don’t want to turn around. His scent surrounds me; that cotton and fresh rain invade my senses, and I just can’t deal. “Are you two leaving already?”

“Yes. Everything went well, and we wi-” I walk out of the front door. As rude as it may be, I just can’t handle being that close to him and not being able to have him. I slide into the backseat and lay down, closing my eyes, wishing a ball of fire would appear and drop on me.

~Jax~

“.....went well, and we will be back in a few hours with our things.” Why did she run away? I was hoping I could get her to stay behind and we could start to get to know each other, but she’s gone. At least they will be back later today, and I will take the time, then, to learn all about my mate.

Cheap perfume causes me to cough as it fills my nostrils. I focus in front of me to see Janice practically on top of me. Her hand is on my arm, and it’s making my skin crawl. Corneilus is clawing to get out so he can get her off us. “Maybe we can get dinner when we get back, get to know each other again.” Janice runs her tongue along her bottom lip and bites at it. I slide my arm out of her hand and take a few steps back.

“Actually, that isn’t a good idea. I-”

“You know, you shouldn’t really worry about my sister. I mean, it isn’t like she’s available or anything?” Not available? What the hell does that mean? I didn’t see a mark on her neck, and there wasn’t a scent that didn’t belong. Janice smirks and leaves before I can ask her anything else.

I sigh and turn to see Jayden walking up to me. “Care to fill me in?” I run a hand through my hair and plop into a chair beside me. I throw my head back and let out a groan.

“She’s my mate.”

“Who? Janice?” My head shoots up.

“Goddess, no! Not her! It…..it’s her sister, Shanice.” Jayden sits next to me.

“Ah, ok. She’s cute.”

“Uh, who’s cute, exactly?” I look up and see Kehlani down the hall. She’s standing with her arms crossed, staring at Jayden.

“Jax’s mate. I mean she’s no Kehlani Masters-Winters, but she’s decent looking.” Kehlani laughs and walks in, sitting on Jayden’s lap.

“Nice save, handsome.” Kehlani pats my arm. “Spill it. I can tell my best friend is having some issues and I’m here to help.”

“So you know that Janice and I have a past. Well, it just so happens that Shanice, her younger sister, is my mate. I tried talking to them when they were about to leave, but Shanice rushed out of here. She hasn’t even acknowledged the bond. It’s almost as if she isn’t interested.” I sigh and shift in my seat. “Janice, basically, asked me out, and I told her no. When I did, she said that I shouldn’t be so worried about Shanice because she isn’t available.” I turn to the Alphas. “Does that make any sense?”

“How much do you know about the pack they’re from?” Jayden asks.

“I don’t even know where they’re from.”

“Janice said they're from the Onyx Pack.” Oh s**t! There’s a lot to unpack there. That pack is nothing but trouble, but no one has been able to shed light on the things that go on there. Some things are just guesses, but others are true. “Maybe that has something to do with her response to you.”

“Ok, but why would Janice tell him that her sister isn’t available?” That would be the million-dollar question. I shrug my shoulders and slump further down on the chair. “You know, you should let Melanie and I help you. We can talk to her and Janice to see where their heads are.”

“You’d do that?” Kehlani stands and puts her hand on my shoulder.

“Jax…..you’re my best friend…..my brother. I’d do anything for you.” I get to my feet and wrap Kekhlani in a bear hug.

“Thank you so much.” Kehlani squeezes me.

“Just relax, I got you.”

~Janice~

Shanice was silent the entire ride back to the motel. She stayed in the backseat, and keeping the smile off my face took everything. I knew if I planted the seed, not only would she let it grow, but she would leave Jax alone. That gives me the space to move.

I dropped Shanice off and went to different stores to get what we needed for the next few weeks. I’m sure everything will be taken care of, but we still need cleaning supplies and personal items. I picked Shanice back up, and we are now heading back to the pack.

Shanice is still not speaking, and it is actually starting to bother me. It isn’t so much that I like speaking to her, but I don’t know where her mind is if she’s being silent. What if she’s plotting against me? I need to have an idea of what she has planned so I can counteract it.

We reach the packhouse in no time, and a few people are hanging out front. There are about three men and two women. I look closer and realize that the green-haired heffa was there along with the lady Alpha. I guess it’s showtime. I will be living here, and they will need to get used to me, especially once I officially connect with Jax. I will be the Beta and work closely with the Alpha. I will just have to make sure that green-headed thing knows that Jax is mine and officially off-limits.