Blue Collar Alpha

No, Means No

Jack

Ajax is a whimpering mess as I drive away from the Diamond Lake packhouse. Isaac sits in the passenger seat, just staring at me. “What?” I snarl at him.

He shakes his head, “I don’t know what to say, bro.”

I keep my eyes on the road as my mind goes in a million different directions. I am excited to have met my mate, but I am also unsure about her. I don’t like the idea of her being forced to be with me. I don’t want to disappoint Ed Livingston, but I also don’t want my mate to feel trapped. She should be able to make her own decisions.

‘She needs us,’ Ajax speaks up.

‘Priscilla appears to be doing just fine without us,’ I respond with a sigh.

“That’s a lot of sighing,” Isaac interrupts my thoughts.

“I have a lot on my mind,” I sigh again.

“No kidding,” Isaac laughs. “At least she’s pretty.”

Ajax lets out a growl. “She is more than pretty,” I huff. “She is the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen in my life.”

“That’s what we all say about our mates, Jack,” Isaac chuckles.

“Priscilla is like all the pretty girls in magazines combined. Her scent is intoxicating, and the way she moves her hips-“

“JACK!” Isaac screams as a semi blasts its horn.

We are headed for a head-on collision, and I quickly swerve back into our lane and pant. “s**t,” I mutter.

“No, duh,” Isaac glares at me. “Do you want me to drive since your mind is on your mate?”

I shake my head, “No, I can handle it.”

“I don’t think you can,” Isaac argues.

I say nothing else and stare at the road. I pull into Rick’s Bar when we are almost home. “You can take the truck and go home if you want,” I tell Isaac. “I need a drink.”

“See you at home, Jack,” Isaac says as I hop out of the truck.

I stroll into the bar, and it’s a busy night. The town rogues appear to be having a dart tournament.

“Hey, Jack,” Charlie Murphy greets me.

“Charlie,” I smile at him.

Charlie is standing with four other rogues who all acknowledge me. I get along with most of the rogues in town. Some I even call my friends. Charlie’s father, Bruce, is at the bar sneering at me when I walk up.

“Bruce,” I smirk at him, and he growls.

“Easy, Bruce,” Rick says as he walks over to me. “What’s up, Jack?”

“Long day, Rick,” I snort. “The usual times three.”

“Oh boy, that bad, huh?” Rick laughs as he sets three bottles of my favorite beer on the bar.

“I wouldn’t say bad,” I respond as I down the first bottle in one swig. “Just long,” I mutter. I turn on the stool to watch the dart tournament. Charlie is playing, and I cheer a little for him. Bruce growls beside me, “What? I was cheering for Charlie.”

“You know how I feel about pack wolves,” He snarls.

I roll my eyes, “Whatever, Bruce. Get over yourself,” I hop off the stool and walk over to the others.

“How is it going, Jack?” Another young rogue named Fred nods at me.

“It’s going, Fred. How is it going for you?” I ask him with a smile.

Charlie walks over with a grin, “I won.”

“You didn’t win, Charlie,” An older rogue with long white hair huffs. “I haven’t played yet.”

“Oh shut up, Harry,” Charlie punches the other man’s arm.

“Watch me,” Harry laughs.

I sip my beers while watching them. A heavy perfume hangs in the air, and then hands touch my back as Miranda slinks up.

“Jack,” She drawls. “How about some fun tonight?”

Ajax is in my head, growling like a feral beast, ‘No, tell her no.’ He growls.

I look at Miranda; she looks good in her black dress with curled and styled hair. I think about it for a moment, but then Priscilla’s face flashes in my mind. “Not tonight, Miranda.”

She rubs her hand all over my chest, “Oh, Jack. I miss being with you,” She breathes out while trying to rub lower down my body.

I back away from her, “I said no, Miranda.” I walk back to the bar and grab another beer.

Miranda follows and sits on the stool beside mine, “No one wants me,” She whines. “I dress like this in my best dress, and all of you werewolves say no.”

Rick walks over with a bottle of beer for Miranda, “Don’t be too down, Miranda. Most of us here have mates.”

“But Jack doesn’t,” she argues. Miranda may be human, but she is well aware of our existence. “Why don’t you want me anymore, Jack?”

“I found my mate,” I blurt out as Charlie and the other rogues walk over to the bar.

“You found your mate, Jack?” Charlie grins. “That’s wonderful.”

I shrug, “I suppose.”

Charlie frowns, “That bad?”

“What happened, Jack? Did you get mated to a rogue?” Harry jokes.

I let out a dry chuckle.

“Seriously though? Who is it?” Charlie pushes.

“She is the daughter of Edward Livingston, Alpha of Diamond Lake,” I respond, and their eyes widen.

“That rogue killing asshole?” Harry snarls.

“He and my father were friends years ago, apparently,” I explain. “Ed is excited that his daughter is my mate.”

“Whoa, man, I didn’t know your dad knew Alpha Livingston,” Charlie shakes his head.

“I didn’t know either. My mother is not a fan of Ed’s. But the other night, I met Ed’s son Caleb and well-“ I trail off. “I went to Diamond Lake to do a job and met Priscilla.”

“Priscilla? Is that your mate’s name?” Charlie grins. “Is she pretty?”

“She’s beautiful,” I nod and chug my beer. I notice Miranda glaring at us while sucking down shots of whiskey.

“Then where is she?” Charlie laughs. “I had Jen with me the night we met.”

“I’ll get her tomorrow when I finish the job,” I explain. “I should probably get home and tell my mother if Isaac hasn’t blabbed yet.”

“Well, good luck, Jack,” Charlie slaps my arm. “You deserve it.”

“Thanks,” I slap his arm back. “Rick, get these guys another round on me,” I announce, and they all cheer.

“You are a good dude, Jack,” Harry laughs. “I don’t care what Bruce says about your lot. You aren’t like the other pack wolves.”

I shrug, “I see no reason to be hostile to rogues.” I stay for another few rounds before paying my bill and walking out of the bar. I go behind the bar and start to take off my clothes when a hand touches my arm. “Miranda,” I hiss.

“I just want some love, Jack,” She slurs at me.

“There is a bar full of men,” I point. “Go try them.”

“They don’t want me,” She cries.

“Miranda, I have a mate now,” I tell her.

She sniffles, “But it sounds like you don’t even want her.”

I push Miranda away, “I am sorry.” I walk towards the woods taking off my shirt.

“Jack,” Miranda calls after me. “Jack!” She gets louder.

I ignore her and shift into my large black wolf. I pick up my clothes before taking off into the woods. It takes about five minutes for me to arrive home. My mother, sister, and Karlena are sitting outside when I run up. I quickly shift and pull my pants on.

“Hey ladies,” I say as I try to slink into the house.

“Jack Leonard Watson,” My mother stops me. “When were you going to tell me that you met your mate?”

“Isaac,” I hiss under my breath. “I just found out today, Mom.”

“Ed Livingston’s daughter?” Mom shakes her head. “I can’t believe this.”

“She’ll be here tomorrow,” I announce.

“Isaac says she’s kind of a snob,” Emily laughs.

“No, she’s a total snob,” I correct my sister.

Ajax growls in my head. ‘Don’t talk about our mate like that.’

“Karlena and I already got the guest room upstairs ready for her,” Mom pats my shoulder. “I assume you probably won’t be sharing a room right away.”

“Thank you, Mom,” I smile at her and kiss her cheek.

She pushes me away, “Ew, how much did you drink tonight?”

“Just a few beers with Charlie and the others,” I shrug.

“There are some leftovers in the kitchen if you are hungry,” Karlena points out.

“He had fancy lasagna for dinner,” Emily laughs.

“Did Isaac tell you everything?” I shake my head.

“No,” Emily responds. “I was hanging out with Lauren when he came home.”

“I’m going to my room now,” I announce and start into the house. My mother follows me. “What, Mom?”

She says nothing as we climb the stairs.

I enter my room and toss my shirt on the bed. I sit in my old chair and look at my mom.

“What’s wrong, Jack?” She sits on the bed.

“I am not sure about Priscilla, Mom. Her father is more or less forcing her to come home with me. It’s clear she doesn’t want me,” I sigh as Ajax whimpers.

‘She wants you,’ Ajax tries to assure me.

Mom leans forward, “How can any woman not want you?”

“Mom,” I roll my eyes. “I’m too poor for her,” I huff. “I don’t have Ferrari money,” I pace.

“Oh,” Mom sighs. “Maybe you are the one that will show her there is more to life than Ferraris and crap like that.”

“I don’t know, Mom. Maybe I should let her reject me,” I lean against the wall.

“You’ll regret rejecting your mate, Jackie,” She walks over to me. “I would give anything to have another day with your father. You never get over losing your mate.”

“But he died, Mom,” I mention, and she cringes. “Sorry, but I don’t know if I want my mate forced to be with me.”

“She’ll come around,” Mom sighs. “I know she will.”

I smile at her, “I am going to get ready for bed.”

She pats my arm, “It will be okay, Jackie,” She kisses my cheek and leaves my room.

I linger against the wall for a moment before wandering into the bathroom. I take a long shower and imagine Priscilla at my side running this small pack. I shake my head, “This isn’t going to work.”

‘Yes, it will,’ Ajax speaks up. ‘She is already thinking about you.’

“How do you know that?” I wonder.

‘Sapphire told me,’ He replies. ‘Just show her that old Watson charm,’ He chuckles.

I roll my eyes and turn off the water. After drying off, I put on a pair of shorts and fall into bed. I pick up my phone and look at some messages before putting it down. It doesn’t take long for me to fall asleep and dream about Priscilla.

The next day I wake up, get dressed and head down to the barn. Ray is already there arguing with Ben and Ken. He stops and smiles at me.

“Rumor has it that you found your mate?”

I sigh, “Does everyone know?”

“I may have told him,” Isaac says from behind me.

“So, who is it, Jackie?” Ben asks me.

“Priscilla Livingston,” I respond.

“She’s a total snobby princess,” Isaac jokes.

Ajax growls, and I grab my gamma by the collar of his shirt, “Don’t talk about my mate like that,” I snarl. I let him go, “Sorry. That was Ajax.”

‘No, it wasn’t,’ My wolf snorts.

“Let’s get to work,” I mutter.

After milking and feeding the animals, I head back to the house to grab a quick breakfast and change my clothes. I put on one of my nicer pairs of jeans and a button-up blue plaid shirt. I comb my hair and put on my good boots.

Isaac and Ray are standing next to the truck when I get downstairs.

“Aww, look at him, all dressed up for his mate,” Ray elbows Isaac.

“Shut up, Ray,” I snort. “Are you ready to go, Isaac?”

“Sure, am, Alpha,” Isaac fake salutes me.

“Everything is ready for you, mate,” Mom runs up to me. “Karlena, Emily, and I are going to make a turkey for dinner tonight to celebrate.”

“That’s great, Mom,” I kiss her cheek. I climb into the truck with Isaac and wave as I drive away.

“Will she even eat turkey?” Isaac mutters. “That’s like peasant food to her.”

“Isaac,” I drawl.

“Just saying, man,” He snorts.

I sigh and turn up the radio blasting classic rock. I stare at the road and listen to Tom Petty as we head toward Diamond Lake. My stomach is in knots as I think about Priscilla.