Mates: Jax's Story

Chapter 4

~Jax~

*SLAP*

*SLAP*

“Kamila! Where are you?!” I pop an eye open to find a baby face in my face with a big grin. Goddess, this child. I snatch her and pull her down, tickling her as I go. Kamila starts to squirm and laugh at my antics.

“What are we going to do with you, Pickles?” I flip over, allowing her to sit on my stomach.

“KAMILA?!”

“She’s in here.” I hear my handle jiggle and watch my room door hit the wall to reveal an exasperated Kehlani. “Morning, Red. I take it you’re missing a child.” Kamila looks at her mom and starts to laugh and clap. Kehlani shakes her head and makes her way to the bed, plopping next to me.

“Kamila, you’re killing mommy. How many mornings must we go through this?” Kamila crawls up my body to her mom’s waiting arms. “I’m so sorry, Jax. I don’t know how to keep her upstairs in the morning.” I shrug my shoulders and place a kiss on Kamila’s cheek.

“Don’t worry about it. She just loves her Uncle J is all. She has great taste.” Kehlani pops me on my chest and chuckles. “What’s on the agenda today?”

“Jayden is training right now, and he will be taking care of paperwork. Melanie will be training the rest of the day, well, around taking Brooklyn to and from school. I have to go into the office for the morning. You, my most capable Beta, you have some appointments to see about.” Ah, time to put on the charm.

“How many are trying to join this week?” We tend to have a few wolves attempting to join our pack every month. We only hold these meetings about twice a month or in extreme circumstances. Usually, Kehlani or Jayden will take these meetings, but I will fill in every so often.

“I’m not sure of the numbers, but not too many. It’s nothing you can’t handle.”

Rogue sighting to the East! Kehlani starts to jump up when I stop her.

“You have pickles, that’s more important. I’ll go and handle this situation. Just let Melanie know. We got this.” Kehlani nods, and I throw open my balcony doors, jumping to the grass below. I shift into my wolf and take off into the early morning.

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There was a minor skirmish with the rogues, but we contained it quickly. There were about 5 of them: three ran away, and two insisted on flexing their muscles. Unfortunately for them, neither Melanie nor I were in the mood for that show of power.

Once we got everything squared away, I sent Melanie to training, and I headed to the packhouse. I need to update Kehlani on what happened, but I definitely need a shower first. I need food too, but one thing at a time.

I throw on some clothes after the shower, leaving my hair wet. I made my way to the second floor to go to Kehlani’s office. I catch a faint whiff of something; it’s so brief that I’m sure I’m mistaken.

I continue down the hall and walk into Kehlani’s office when I reach it. As soon as I step in, I detect the scent again. It’s a bit stronger than before, but it’s there. I can feel my body react, and Cornelius, my wolf, perks up in my head. I try to determine the scent, but it’s too faint. “How’d it go?” I try to clear my head and focus on what’s in front of me. I fill Kehlani in on the rogues and what happened.

“Ukl Dax….” The door opens, revealing Kamila in the arms of an Omega. Kehlani pops up and fixes her outfit. She leans towards Kamila, kissing her cheek. Kamila fights the Omega to get into my arms.

“I have to go, I’m already late. Just make the report and make sure Melanie does hers. I will be back sometime after lunch.” Kehlani walks toward the door but stops.

“Sorry I took so long.” Kehlani steps to the side and reveals a beauty. She’s about 5’8" with ebony skin. She has big brown eyes, thin lips, and a good enough body, I guess. I do like thicker bodies. Her eyes land on me, and they lit up. I think she looks a bit familiar, but I’m not sure.

I look down at Kamila, who has made it into my arms and is playing with my lips. “There he is, my mate.” My head shoots up, and she’s looking at me with a wide grin while Kehlani seems shocked.

Uh, Corneilus……am I missing something?

That isn’t our mate. There is a scent here…..but she can’t be our mate.”

I slowly start to shake my head, but I’m wrapped up in her arms before I can step away. I can smell the scent from before, but it’s faint still. There’s no way that scent is hers, but that scent is doing something to me. Kamila starts to fidget in my arms, probably being suffocated.

“NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!” Kamila screams and starts to kick. She finally lets go and steps back. I look down at Kamila, who is red-faced and upset. I kiss her face and rock her back and forth, trying to calm her down. Kamila has a few tears and starts to cling to my neck. Kehlani walks over to us and holds her hands out.

“How about I take her so you two can get better acquainted.” Kamila pulls away from Kehlani, and I move my body away too. She’s my lifeline right now. If I let her go, I have no idea what will happen with this woman.

“There’s no need, Red. That isn’t my mate.”

~Janice~

I can’t say I’m surprised but damn. I mean, we aren’t fated mates, but I figured he would have been happy to see me after all this time. I couldn’t have imagined he had a child, but she’s clinging to him like he’s her lifeline.

I woke early this morning to plead my case for entry into Summit Mountain. I left Shanice at home; she was sleeping in any way. I was surprised to be seen so quickly and by the Alpha, no less. She asked me some general questions, but I had to use the restroom, so I excused myself. I didn’t think I’d come back to find my delicious Jax in the room.

The Alpha is looking between myself and Jax but not saying anything. The little girl is giving me the evil eye. I have to admit that I don’t really care for children. I realize I’d have to have the Beta heir, but I figure I can get a nanny or three to deal with the kid while I live my life.

I clear my throat and throw on the charm. “Awwww, don’t be like that.” I walk toward Jax, only to have the little girl whine in protest. I quickly step back again. “Don’t tell me you don’t remember us.”

Jax looks at me inquisitively, taking in all of my features. I made sure I dressed just in case I was able to run into him. I’m wearing skin-tight jeans that hug my ass. I have on a red halter top that shows off my cleavage. I decided to wear my peep toe red bottoms. I put on my 24-inch, wave/straight honey blonde wig today. I love the versatility I have when I wear wigs.

I give Jax my most seductive smile while he inspects me from head to toe. I know he remembers me; how could he not? We had too many good days and nights for him to forget. “Do we know each other?” S**t that hurts.

“You don’t remember me? It’s me, Janice.” I finally see recognition cross his face, and I start to smile. The only problem is that I’m the only one who’s smiling.

“Uh, Janice, yeah. It’s been a while.” I chuckle and step forward.

“Yeah, it’s been a few years. I remember you telling me about this pack, so I had to see what it was about for myself.”

“Uh, I really have to go. I’m super late. Are you going to be OK, Jax?” He turns to the Alpha and nods. She kisses the kid and heads to the door. “Beta Jax will help you out.” The Alpha leaves, and I know this is my chance to really make an impression. I wish I could do so without the brat around, but I will make do. I reach out and run my fingers down Jax’s arm, only to have it snatched away by the child. She’s really irritating me.

Before I could say anything, a woman walks into the office. She looks like she works out for a living. Her hair is forest green but ombre, with the darkest green at the tips. I have to say that it looks good, but I do not like this woman being here at all. If she thinks she has a claim on Jax, she’s sadly mistaken.