Third Chance Mate

Chapter Six

Jackson hit up the head lunch lady, and told Eunice that he would need enough food for three and that his sister was in the infirmary. For some reason, pretty much all the faculty at the school seemed to know what was going on, how had he been so blind? The more he thought about it, the more sense it made. Emberlynne would be gone for hours during school hours every once in a while. Vanished, but when school ended, and he would go search for her... She would mysteriously be waiting for him at his locker. Why was she hiding things from him? Hadn't he always supported her, and tried to look out for her? He only had her best interests in mind. She was his sister, his twin, his other piece. He could not exist without her. Jackson had always felt like Ember was the other side to his coin. Perhaps that's why he fought so hard to protect her. He didn't know how he felt about this mate of hers. They said that twins often shared the same mate, but he had long since figured out that this wasn't true for non-identical twins. He always worried that he would somehow be stuck with whatever mate accepted her, as her twin. He had to admit that he could breathe a little easier, now that he knew that wasn't always the case.

"We're starting to close up on hot lunches but I put these in containers, so they'd be easier to carry. I snuck you three Philly cheese steak melts, and a few bags of doritos. I threw in a couple of cookie packs, oh and I had Jane run out to the vending machines and get you three cold bottles of gatorade. Be sure to tell that sweet girl that I hope she starts feeling better. I put all of this in a bag for you, so you don't have to worry about spilling any lunch trays. You know how kids are." Jackson tried to pay her for their lunches, but she shook her head. He shrugged and headed back to the infirmary, catching the sound of his sister's laughter. It was strange to hear it, when it came from something someone else said. She had never shown any sort of emotion towards anyone but him. Perhaps this Alpha mate of hers could be a good thing.

"I'm serious. It was this big." Jonathon used his fingers to exaggerate the size. Emberlynne couldn't help but laugh. "No. So the big bad alpha is scared of a spider? You have got to be kidding me." Jonathon laughed. "Bruh, that thing was looking into my soul. It wanted to kill me. I could have died." Jackson had to admit, his sister laughing for once, was a good change. He sat towards the end of the bed and pulled the bag into his lap. Ember perked up, as she saw him. "To go bag? Aren't we fancy? Must have been Eunice." She said pointing a look, and Jonathon looked confused. "Who's Eunice?" Jackson chuckled. "It's the lunch lady in charge. She's always liked Ember, so she sends extra treats when she's under the weather and stuff. She sent us cheesesteak melts, chips, and gatorade." A loud grumbling was heard, and Ember blushed and covered her stomach. "Well, that answers one question." Jackson said, and worked on popping open a container and handing it to her, along with a chip bag. The three of them sat around and began eating.

"Honestly, it's kind of weird how much you two look and act like each other. Is that a twin thing?" Jackson looked down at his hands, then over to Ember noticing how she pulled her sandwich in half before eating, the same way he did. "Well, if I'm being honest. Our home life is kind of bad. So, without any real love from our parents, and the fact that they quite honestly hate Ember for being what she is, we kind of just stick to ourselves at home. I prepare separate dinners and me and Ember eat in our rooms. Our twin bond is probably stronger than most, because we really only have each other." Jonathon got a dark look on his face and looked between the sibling duo and sighed. "Are you abused at home too?" Ember was actively chewing. She swallowed and took a sip of her blue Gatorade and sighed. "Most of the time, I'm ignored, but lately it's started to get physical. I thought for sure my dad was going to try to kill me last night, but Jackson jumped in." Jonathon was instantly angered by her words. "I'd kill anyone who hit you." Jackson shrugged. "We've been thinking about skipping town. Today is actually our birthday. Me and Ember. We're eighteen now, and since Ryker is going to be the Alpha. I think it's time we got the hell out of dodge." Jackson said mindlessly as he stuffed the rest of his sandwich in his mouth.

"What's going on with my cousin?" Jonathon said suddenly, and Ember and Jackson looked at each other with a wild-eyed stare. They both glanced back at him. "Well.. I got my wolf last night. During the turning, I was sniffed out by Alpha's son.. who apparently discovered we were supposed to be mates and he rejected me on the spot. He's always hated me for being so weak and frail, and said I'd never be his Luna, nor ever be able to stand by his side. So, if he becomes Alpha. He'll throw me out on the spot." Ember said, and Jackson nodded. "If she goes, I go. That's all there is to it." Jackson said, as he finished off his food and took a big drink. "Well.. I've got to go then. I'm going to go have a talk with my uncle and cousin about this." Ember had a frightened look on her face. "No! Just leave it alone." It was too late for that, Jonathon had already got up and walked out of the room.