Mates: Jax's Story

Chapter 2

~Shanice~

It has been such a long day. It took me two days to drive down from the school, and now I’m in the car for another 72 hours for the move. I just graduated from college with a degree in Math, well more accounting than regular math. The school I attended was weird in how they named some of their degrees.

I finished college and am immediately moving packs. I swear it’s too much. The truth of the matter is that my pack has become dangerous. I grew up in the Onyx Pack, and it has never been a safe place for she-wolves. This pack is very old-school and backward. She wolves are meant not to speak unless spoken to. They are not allowed to train or have any significant role in the pack. The jobs meant for them are cleaning, cooking, and working with the pups. It’s not unusual for a she-wolf in my pack to be preyed on in all different ways. I have an older sister who made sure to be gone from the pack as much as possible. She always wished for her mate to save her, but that is an entirely different story.

My parents have always had a different mindset and never really agreed with how the pack was run. Why didn’t they leave, you ask? That’s simple. My dad was the pack accountant, and my mom stayed home. It was my dad’s attempt to leave that caused the issues. I guess they felt that he knew too much. I'm not sure what he knew; I just know he was killed once he said he would leave and take us. Once gone, mom had to do things on her own, and it was hard on her. She had to do despicable things just to survive.

Mom survived, but losing her mate always ate at her. She made it to see me off to college before she passed. College was my ticket out, and that was drilled in my head my entire life. I went away to college, but I didn’t return for my mom’s funeral. My sister told me that doing so would keep me from going back to school so I couldn’t risk it.

After mom’s death, we came up with a plan to escape as soon as I finished school. It had to be discreet because I was meant to return to the pack after caring for my elderly aunt. That’s the story that was told to our Alpha on why I needed to leave for a while. I had a sick, elderly aunt who needed someone to care for her. She lived in another state and being the youngest, I needed to care for her. I hated being away from my mom, and I hated not being around when she passed.

As soon as school was over, I hid away until my sister and I could sneak out. I even missed my graduation. I don’t really mind all of that because I wanted my freedom more. Besides, the ceremony would have been empty with my dad and mom both gone.

We’ve been on the road for hours, and I’m completely bored. There are only so many Tik Toks I can watch before I need to do more. I won’t complain because I just want to reach our destination. The Summit Mountain Pack is where we hope to end up. I don’t know anything about it, except it’s run by two Alphas, a husband and wife duo. A female Alpha….what a refreshing concept. I can’t wait to see it for myself.

~Jax~

Goddess! What a weekend! I swear, those kids are so busy. I honestly don’t know how Kehlani and Jayden do it on top of their Alpha duties and along with the businesses they run. It's so much to keep on top of. Brooklyn can do many things for herself at this point, but Kamila is totally dependent on others and is such a busybody.

I spent the weekend with the kids so the Alphas could take some time. They didn’t go away, but they were able to do some ‘couple’ activities with no kids. I don’t think they plan to go away any time soon. After everything they have been through, it isn’t surprising. They both prefer to stay at home with their loved ones. Kehlani hates even going into the office, but she works at home a few days a week.

I plop, face down, on the couch kicking my shoes off. I swear I will be passed out within minutes, as worn out as I am. I want to be a father one day, but definitely not right now. This is way too much to deal with. I will keep my role as the fun uncle, though. The advantage is that I can send the kids home to their parents.

A knock on the door interrupts my thoughts. “Who is it?” I mumble against the couch cushions. I have no idea what I sound like, but it must have been enough because I hear the door to my apartment open.

“Awww….are we tired?” I turn my head to the side and pop my eye open to catch Melanie looking at me.

“What do you want?” She chuckles and slaps my ass before plopping on my armchair. “Ah, f**k Melanie!”

“Don’t be a baby.” I struggle to sit up and prop my feet on the coffee table.

“So, what’s up Melanie? How was training today?” Melanie leans her head back and sighs.

“You know how training can go. I love it no matter what.” She shrugs her shoulders. “How…how was Brooky this weekend?” I figured that’s what brought her in here. Melanie is always worried about Brooklyn; we all are. We try to keep our worries to ourselves, so Brooklyn doesn’t grow up feeling suffocated.

“She had fun. She loves her sister to pieces and I know the feeling is mutual. I’d say she enjoyed herself.” I sit up and look at Melanie. “How could she not? I mean look at who she was hanging with. I’m beyond awesome.” Melanie sits up and looks at me, rolling her eyes. The amusement switches to sadness so quickly.

“You know she still has nightmares. They haven’t fully stopped yet.” I sigh. Brooklyn is still dealing with the trauma of her kidnapping, and it’s heartbreaking. We still don’t completely know everything she dealt with. She will only say so much, even to the therapist. She only sees one in cases of extreme distress now. The regular visits weren’t helping her anymore. Brooklyn may never completely open up about that time.

“How are you though? Do you still have nightmares?” Melanie gives a humorless chuckle.

“I wish I knew how Malachi died; I wish I had seen it. He’s dead though and I’m at peace with that. I will never forgive myself for letting Brooky get kidnapped and I may never trust the mate bond again.” I lean forward and place my hand on her knee, squeezing it a few times.

“The kidnapping, what happened to shortstack……none of it was your fault.”

“I know, I know.”

“No, you don’t, but I’m going to keep telling you this until you do. There was nothing you could have done to avoid this, and that is just a fact. It’s sad what you and Brooklyn when through, but you both survived it. You got your wolf back, and Brooklyn is alive and well. You both will heal from this one day.” I sit back on the couch. “As far as the mate bond goes…..what you experienced wasn’t real. Don’t deny yourself or Winnie that love because of the evilness of others.” Melanie and I have this conversation every so often. It’s heartbreaking that they both are still dealing with the scars from their experiences. I wish I could wipe all of the negativity away.

“Speaking of love, what’s up with you? Don’t think I haven’t noticed that ‘Mr. Bachelor’ has been living a different life since his buddy was born.” I smile and shrug my shoulders. Melanie is not wrong, but it usually isn’t something that people bring up to me.

“What can I say? Being super uncle has put things into perspective for me.” Melanie rolls her eyes, and I laugh. “Really, though, those events changed us all, and for me, I guess I just decided that life was to short to fill it with temporary things. I want something permanent, and I’m okay keeping to myself until I get it.”

“Awww…..look at Jaxy…..he’s growing up.” Now it’s my turn to roll my eyes.

“Whatever, Mel. Are you done? Do you want anything else? I’m tired and the week promises to be busy.” Melanie looks at her phone and scoffs.

“Damn, it’s only 8:30 grandpa. You’re turning in already? Are you sure you’re feeling okay?” I toss a pillow from the couch at Melanie, and she laughs as she catches it. “I’m going, I’m going.” Melanie gets up and kisses me on the forehead. “You’re pretty awesome, you know?” She walks to the door and opens it.

“I know I am. Don’t be jealous!” Melanie scoffs and slams my door shut. I tip sideways and burrow into the couch, determined to get some rest.