Chapter 95 Pack Your Bags
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No matter how much I knew Adeline was right about having to join our guests, I couldn't tear my hands or mouth away from her. Finally giving in, I let her get dressed, sneaking peeks when she didn't notice just how breathtaking she looked. I told myself I had to get through the evening because soon I'd have her right back where I wanted her, sprawled out naked in our bed.
My wolf was finally content, no longer itching to burst through the surface with our mate's mark now permanently etched into the side of our neck. I reached for Adeline's hand, holding it comfortably within mine as we made our way back to the field where the party was in full swing.
Claps broke out instantly, lingering eyes shooting to my neck to ensure the mating was indeed complete. Her parents were the first to approach us, congratulating us on the mating. I continued small talk with her father while my ears perked up at her gushing to her mother about us. Next came my sister, who had a silly grin plastered from ear to ear. "FINALLY," she belted out, hugging each of us tightly, which earned her small chuckles from the shifters nearby.
Beta Don followed closely behind Sophia, taking a handshake from me before bowing his head to Adeline. Adeline smirked; I knew she was still getting used to the formalities of becoming a Luna. My eyes scanned the crowd toward the Alpha table. I could sense Alpha Christian's irritation rolling off in waves as Alpha Blake talked his ear off. "Business first," I said to Adeline, who quickly nodded in agreement and took my hand. I guided her through the sea of tables, the music blaring loudly around us.
The Alphas all stood tall, each giving us their blessing until we finally reached Alpha Christian and Alpha Blake. "Oh dear, you look wonderful as a mated Luna," Alpha Christian's mate beamed. There was something about the pair that unsettled me ever since I found out that Alpha Blake might have been involved in the rogue attack. From the corner of my eye, I saw Alpha Blake's mate still chatting up Adeline as Alpha Christian approached and patted me on the back. "Proud of you, J," he said.
His body moved with such unease though—his shoulders tense and jaw clenched. "I know it's a bad time, but do you mind?" he said, reaching his arm out to suggest we talk somewhere more private. I nodded. "You have five minutes, Alpha," I said sternly. It wasn't that I didn't understand the severity of rogues roaming his borders, but it made my wolf irritated to leave my mate with Alpha Blake and his mate.
We proceeded into the tree line and off into the forest until Alpha Christian was certain nobody could overhear. He cleared his throat before punching a tree trunk nearby, his knuckles bloody from the impact. "I know it's him, Jax. I'm fucking telling you," he yelled, anger boiling within him.
"Calm down, Christian. Neither of us know that for sure," I answered. "There's no use being hot-headed and causing an unnecessary war."
Alpha Christian pinched the bridge of his nose. "So you get mated and go soft? Great. Let's just let him take both of our packs right under our noses," he scolded. My wolf began to push forward at his tone, livid that he was disrespecting us. I pushed him into the tree, latching my hand around his neck. "Listen to me. Calm the fuck down. You're going to get your pack killed if you don't think this through. He has all of Europe standing by him," I argued, releasing his neck from my hold.
"You need to go back to your pack, ensure your borders are secure. If there's any trace of horseplay, then we proceed," I told him, rolling up the sleeves of my black dress shirt. "And Christian? You better pray to the Moon Goddess that his hands are clean because I won't give it a second thought when I snap his neck and absorb his pack."
Alpha Christian's eyes widened at my chilling words, knowing they were true. He finally relaxed his tense shoulders. "Listen, Jax, I know I need to go back to my pack, but my wolf won't leave without Sophia." I felt my hands ball into fists at his words. This guy was dangerously close to testing me.
"No," I replied in a monotone voice. "You're lucky I'm letting you near her at this point." I turned to make my way back to my mate, my wolf already pacing and scolding me for leaving her to begin with. "Come on, Jax, you're newly mated. You know how hard this shit is. I can't concentrate unless I know she's safe," he continued, nearly begging at this point.
I heaved a sigh of frustration. I could see how Sophia looked at Alpha Christian. If, indeed, he was right and they were fated mates, it would be wrong to keep them apart. "One condition," I said through gritted teeth.
"Anything," he responded, his eyes lighting up instantly like the Fourth of July.
"Adeline and I escort you two," I demanded, my eyes narrowing suspiciously on Alpha Christian.
I could tell he wasn't pleased by my answer by the way he shifted his weight uncomfortably from one leg to another. "And you're going to leave your pack unattended? You and Adeline just sealed the bond hours ago. Don't you have mating business to attend to?"
I tried not to laugh but couldn't hold back. "Don't you worry about my needs pertaining to my mate. I assure you we'll be just fine. As for my pack's security, it's as tight as ever. A deer can't enter without being noticed."
His gaze shifted from me to the deep forest, sighing as he finally gave in to my request. "Keep it under wraps. I don't want Alpha Blake knowing you won't be here to guard your own damn pack," he blurted out.
"You know me better than that," I said with a chuckle, continuing back to my mate.
"I think I can prolong the trip till morning," Alpha Christian said. "We haven't had any other activity since my head enforcer informed me."
I agreed to leave first thing at dawn, hoping my mate wouldn't mind eloping pack territory with me. "You deal with Sophia. If she doesn't want to go, we don't," I told him in a warning tone.
My body immediately relaxed when I saw Adeline safe and sound, still talking to Alpha Blake and his mate. I cleared my throat as I approached. "Excuse me if you will. Midnight Moon would like to see their Luna." They both agreed, fake smiles planted on their faces. My hand rested on the small of Adeline's back. "Are you okay?" I asked in a hushed voice, only for her to hear.
She shot me a look as if I'd gone mad. "What am I missing here?" she challenged back.
