The Mate He Couldn’t Control (complete)

Chapter 16

After our meeting, I discovered that we were going to the country club, which was the purpose of my backpack. I know it sounds stupid, but it was a relief doing something I hadn’t done in over a month. My parents saved me from myself today and I don’t think they could've done it in a better way.

That night when we got home. I decided to go night “swimming”. It was more of me floating in the pool, staring up at the stars above while my friends from home cussed me out over the phone. I finally broke the news that I wouldn’t be returning and for that, they were pissed. Especially Anna. I don’t wanna leave them either but truthfully I have no choice, so I took the lecture. Plus, if one of them had moved away, I would kidnap them so I see their point as valid. I could explain why I had to move, but when it came time for me to say that I also wouldn’t be attending college with them, I had to wait until my phone died to get them off of it. It breaks my heart at the thought of maybe never seeing them again, but I still have hope.

It was peaceful, looking up at the stars in silence. The cool breezes, the sounds of the surrounding nature and the water moving under my float helped trap me in a staring contest with the cosmos. I didn’t want to look away because as I stared into the unknown, everything inside of me was silent. Every thought and emotion briefly disappeared and it felt amazing.

That moment died the second I heard walking and talking near the edge of the forest. I sighed and glanced above one last time before rolling off of my float, into the water. As my head broke the surface tension of the water, I opened my eyes as I reached the steps. My friends smiled down at me and Benny handed me a towel. “You know it's bad luck to swim alone,” Nick smirked.

“Especially at night,” Julia added.

“Oh, so you came to join me?”

“Not tonight,” Seth smiled at me.

“We want you to come to the party tonight,” Jacob explained.

“Oh, when is it?”

“Now,” Nick answered.

“But it’ll take me a minute to take a shower.”

“No need. The smell of Saline and Chlorine should mask your smell long enough to keep Jaylon from sensing you. He’s such a buzzkill when you're around,” Benny complained.

“And Nick will give you his jacket as a precaution,” Penelope smirked.

“Oh, I see you have it all planned out,” I replied with raised eyebrows. There was obviously no saying no to them. Looking back on this moment, I should have found a way to. I should have let myself enjoy one night of being an introvert, but then I would have never known. Part of me still believes that would have been for the best. “I guess I’ll get dressed.”

They stayed outside and talked while I took my time going upstairs. My soul is telling me not to go, that it won’t be worth it. I can be very extroverted and outgoing, but if I didn’t have moments to myself where I could think and reevaluate, I begin to feel smothered. Now if something happens to add to this, I subconsciously start holding grudges that I have to later force myself to let go of. I just pray that maybe this night won’t be what my gut is so scared of because I can’t let them down. They walked all of this way.

I pulled my wet white curls back into a low bun and looked down at my dress and heels. I look like a disco ball. At least I look like I wanna be there. My parents were already asleep so I didn’t bother saying anything. When I came outside, they overdramatically started clapping and Nick gave me his jacket. It was the length of my dress on me, but he thought I looked adorable. Their smiles of pure excitement made it all worth it to me. No matter what, a smile on someone's face always melted my heart.

When we arrived, my eyes widened at the packhouse that now appeared to be a nightclub. I feel bad for anyone trying to sleep through this. Someone immediately handed us all drinks and I gave mine to Nick. “Oh come on Ali!”

“Nick. I hate alcohol and I’m not stupid enough to drink from a cup someone else gave me.”

“Then how are you supposed to have fun?” Jacob questioned.

“You’d be surprised how much fun you can have sober.” That sounded way worse than I meant for it to, but thankfully none of them caught on. I wouldn’t say the party just started because if it did it wouldn’t be lasting long. Most everyone was already drunk and the flashing lights were giving sober me a migraine. I can imagine how much they’d hurt the drunk mind.

The group pulled me into the chaos to dance and I obeyed as Nick tried as hard as he could to keep me to himself. It was fun for a minute until their drinks got empty and I didn’t want to listen to their complaints. I volunteered to go get them more so they insisted that it be strong.

I froze before I walked into one of the kitchens and began to panic. I quickly put the hood over my head and grabbed a random pair of sunglasses from someone too drunk to care. I headed back into the room that Jaylon occupied. With him were girls and mini wannabe Jaylon’s. For a second I was amused by what I saw. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Jaylon like this. There was never any circumstance where I would have, though. I quickly and quietly made my way over behind him to make the drinks.

“So now he hypes up!” Jaylon yelled out as the room cheered. Apparently, they got one of the quieter kids to join in the drinking contest that Jaylon and four other dudes were competing in. I listened to the results as I poured and planned in my mind how I would carry out all of this.

Of course, Jaylon won and I glanced up for a second to see him celebrating on another girl's lips. He’s missing me real good. The number of cups that filled the floor from the previous games and the sounds coming from their mouths told me they were about to need this counter so I hurried out and left. I made it back to my group thankful that I had glasses to cover my wide eyes.

Now that they were tired of dancing, they decided to play beer pong. “Come on, Ali. Just one game,” Seth started.

“Scared you're gonna lose?” Julia teased.

“Shaking in my heels.” I have a perfect throw, so they’d live to regret this. It didn’t take long for their smiles and smirks to wipe off of their faces as I beat all of them. It was their fault for assuming that I was too innocent to play beer pong. For the very few shots they made, Nick got to drink my beer. If I was ever going to drink, I promise it wouldn’t be a beer. My reign came to an end as I saw Jaylon had finished with his last prey and now he was going to play beer pong. Instead, I switched to pool, which I also won. To be fair, they weren’t completely sober. I could hear Jaylon in the other room telling someone they weren’t s**t as he made his way in here and I began to grow frustrated.

I quickly volunteered to go get them more drinks while they finished up their games. I didn’t see Dalton or Angelina all night, but I just found Bridget and Loren, who I was very concerned for. Loren had her usual bitchy smirk but Bridget was mumbling about being dizzy through closed eyes as she almost fell and hit her head. Immediately, I flew up to her and put her arm around my neck. “Come on, let me take you to your room.”

“No, no. . . NO!” Bridget jumped up the second she realized who I was. “Stay the HELL away from-from me!”

“Okay, I will once I get you to your room. I don’t want you getting hurt or one of the boys taking advantage of your state,” I argued, but she fought me. She found her balance on the counter behind her and tried to drunkenly push me away while Loren watched with a smirk. “Please?”

“Aww, you think your puppy doggy eyes are gonna work on me?”

“Puppy doggy? Bridget, stop being ridiculous, come on.”

“You just couldn’t wait to step in and be the star! The hero! Could you?”

“Don’t you get it? She can’t stand you! Now leave!” Loren started, causing me to roll my eyes.

“Look, do what feels good to you. Hate me. Do whatever. But I’m not leaving you down here. As her friend, you should be helping her!” I explained, turning my attention back to Loren.

“She wants to stay. She wants the boys. She wants Jaylon.” Loren smirked. Isn’t he her boyfriend?

“Okay well, she can want him and them tomorrow. Right now she isn’t sober enough to make that decision. Help me get her upstairs!”

“Do it yourself!”

“I’m not going with you!” Bridget argued.

“Come on. You can cuss me on the way to your room if it makes you happy. At least there you will be safe.”

“Ugh! You’re the most self-centered person I have ever f*****g met! I just want to have fun and you're ruining it to make yourself look better!” Bridget started again. “It’s so easy for you to sit there as the little princess you are and judge all of us! I’m so sorry I’m not a sober loner like you! You don’t know what real life feels like! You’re just a f*****g bystander!”

“What are you talking about? Bridget, I would never judge you. You’re my family, I love you. I’m trying to take care of you because you almost hurt yourself and I don’t trust anyone around you in this state.”

“You aren’t my family! You think your life is so hard and yet you get everything handed to you while we have to sit here and watch! It must be so painful to live in my shadow. You wouldn’t have friends if it wasn’t for me. Soon enough, everyone will see you for what you are!”

“Fine then. You can be mad, but you’ll be safe,” I warned before throwing her over my shoulder and dragging Loren behind us as I took Bridget to her room. I laid my half-asleep cousin on her bed and instructed Loren to babysit. I warned her of what would happen if she didn’t before leaving. I’m used to Bridget’s rambling so it no longer bothers me. Plus she’s drunk out of her mind. The fact Loren wasn’t surprised me.

After making their drinks, I found my friends and Nick gave me a sad look. He pulled me to another room and asked me to dance with him. “So, I heard,” he started.

“Don’t worry. I’m not bothered,” I replied boredly.

“You don’t have to pretend.”

“Why would I be bothered? We can’t spend our lives rewriting the way people view us. She’s safe in her room. That is what’s important.”

“Listen, Ali, I know now probably isn’t the time. But I really wanna talk to you,” Nick changed the subject.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong. It’s right. You see the thing is, I like you. I really like you. You’ve been growing on me more and more. I’ve been thinking about the conversation we had the other week,” Nick explained as I looked up at him confused. Now isn’t the time.

“What conversation?”

“I suggested you find someone to spend your time with. I’ve thought about it a lot and I was hoping you would catch on. I wanna be that person.” I did catch on, I just hoped he’d take my silence as a hint.

“Look Nicky, you’ve helped me when I needed someone the most. You took care of me and I’ll be eternally grateful. But, you will have a mate and it will be another Jaylon and Loren situation. I couldn’t do that. I will not do that.”

“Yes, I know that. But until then, I can make you happy. I can help you and make you feel better. Jaylon breaks you down. Let me pick you up while I can,” he pleaded.

“It feels wrong Nick. I couldn’t lead you or myself on like that.”

“Fine, then at least let me have one kiss.”

“Nick. . .” I warned.

“Just one,” Nick whispered before leaning into me and pressing our lips together. I was scared at first, but then I wanted it. I didn’t realize how badly I’ve missed being kissed until now. “Does it still feel wrong to you?” he asked before moving his lips to my jaw.As sad as it sounds, it was nice to get some attention. Bridget’s mad at one end and Jaylon at the other. A few kisses couldn’t hurt.

Before I could pull his lips back to mine, Nick was ripped from me and thrown across the room, into the glass table. “DID I NOT SAY TO STAY AWAY FROM HER?!” Jaylon screamed as I paled. He was fuming as he made his way over to Nick and I tried to grab his arm, but he pushed me back. “No, you have done enough!”

“Jaylon, stop! It’s my fault,” I pleaded.

“Yes, it is your fault! I told you not to go anywhere near them, now look at you!” he continued. Nick grunted in pain as he sat up and Jaylon went for him again, but I pushed him off. “This is why you wanted to keep it professional? I should have known!”

“I wanted to keep it professional because that’s what you wanted, remember? You wanted to be professional. You didn’t want me!”

Jaylon quickly made his way to me with dark eyes. He pinned me to the wall by my neck as I looked into his eyes stubbornly. “So you’ll do it with anyone that wants you?” he laughed out coldly. “Let me make this clear. Next time, I’ll rip your clothes off and mate you in front of everyone. Maybe then you’ll realize who you belong to! Understand?” Excuse me?

With his words, I pushed him off and glared at him. “You will not! You can just sleep with anyone and everyone but your mad someone kissed me? Stay away from me!” I growled.

“Why? What are you gonna do if I sleep with them, princess? I told you what I will do, but what will you do? Give me the silent treatment? Let me do it again? Feel bad for me?” he questioned as a smirk came to his lips. “You have no idea how to fight for anything. Why would I be worried?” Now would be an amazing time for Dimitry to arrive. These children are working on my patience.

Silence was probably the best answer, so he flicked his eyebrows up as if he won and left. I looked at poor Nick who was in a daze and mumbled a quick healing spell before leaving the room as quickly as possible. He’s safer where I’m not. I ignored Jaylon as he walked around with a bottle of tequila and found my friends. I sent them to help Nick, before dropping on the couch behind me. I wanted to do something, believe me, but Jaylon wasn’t in an listening or understanding state.

“Is he normally like this with you?” A new voice questioned. I lazily lifted my head for a second before dropping it back on the couch. Colin Marks. I’ve talked to him once. Our conversation consisted of what our names were and that was it.

“Which one?” I mumbled, thankful for the random sunglasses I was still wearing.

“Jaylon.”

“Not exactly. But always hypocritical.”

“Are the things they say about you true?”

“What? That I’m a princess with no sense of reality? It’s true in their eyes.”

“But it’s not in yours?” he questioned. Why is he talking to me? Did he not just witness what happened to the last person?

“Are you giving me therapy?”

“No, I’m sorry. It’s just you are my Luna. I have no idea who you are, but I hope you aren’t the type of person to let people treat you that way.”

“No, not at all. But if I return the favor, I wouldn’t be much better than them. Now would I?” I explained, sitting up at the realization that I would not be drifting off to sleep.

“So what are you going to do about it?”

“I’m not sure, but I have time to figure it out.” Colin and I might’ve talked for maybe an hour. It was like talking to my conscience. We didn’t just talk about this, we talked about everything. I learned that he likes to help when he can, be the voice of reason, the makeshift therapist if you must. At one point I commented about how I’m surprised there weren’t many pregnancies but learned that werewolves can’t reproduce until they’ve mated. Finally something that makes sense.

I looked around the room to see that it was empty and said goodnight before making my way around to help everyone to bed. The remainder were very messed up and I was saddened to see how bad of a condition my friends were in. Surprisingly, Jacob was the only one who wasn’t blacked out, so he helped take them to their rooms. I asked what happened and his explanation made me question my hearing. These parties consist of substances. Something I never thought I’d deal with in the supernatural world.

After dealing with the girls, he handled Nick and Seth while I got Benny and Ethan. I came out of their rooms to find Dalton tiredly arguing with a very out-of-it Jaylon who was sitting outside of Dalton’s room hugging his bottle of tequila. “You know, I’m not feeling very good, could you maybe- leave me alone?” Jaylon mumbled with closed eyes and a grin.

“How do they get them?” I turned back and questioned Jacob. “Who gets them?”

“Bridget takes them from your aunt. It’s mostly for parties, but Loren and Jaylon use them every day. I guess he mixed too much alcohol with it. I’ve never seen him this bad,” Jacob explained as I sent him a glare. I knew it! I knew it in the car but I didn’t want to believe it! The shakes, mood changes, anxiety. ALL OF IT! Why would he do this to himself? Why would Bridget do that?

I came into view beside Dalton. I know what Jaylon said and did, but he needs to go to bed. “What’s wrong?”

“He is refusing to go to bed!” Dalton complained.

“Baby!” Jaylon beamed excitedly from the floor and I squinted my eyes at him before turning back to Dalton.

“You knew?” I questioned.

Dalton looked down at me confused before realizing that I knew. “There’s nothing I could do, Ali. Jaylon hides it well so no one believes me.”

“Your mother doesn’t notice large quantities of medicine gone?”

“I’m sure she’s in denial. I need to get him to bed.”

“No, get away from me! Baby, let’s go upstairs!” Jaylon started again. Great.

“Come on,” I mumbled, grabbing his hands. I immediately pulled him up to me before turning to Dalton. “His room?”

“Ninth floor. The door on the right.” I sighed and took my mate up to his room. It was surprising. I didn’t expect Jaylon to be a black everything person, but Jaylon is full of mysteries.

I laid him on the bed and started taking his pants off. “I knew you’d come around,” Jaylon smirked.

“I am not seducing you. You’re sweating. Your body is trying to burn it out of your system.” He took that as an insult.

“Oh, so you’ll never want me!” Jaylon pouted like a child as I took his shirt off and tried to move him right side up.

“Not with your attitude,” I mumbled before I had time to stop myself.

“What the hell, baby?”

“Well you are mean to me.”

“I don’t like being mean, babe, but you don’t listen to me!” At that, I rolled my eyes and moved to get off the bed. “No! Don’t go. Stay with me.”

“I am not staying with you.”

“Fine, then I’ll follow you.”

“You can’t walk, genius.”

“I’ll try.” I closed my eyes frustratedly before sitting up against the headboard and watching him cling to my legs. “Who knew this was all I had to do to get you in my bed.”

“I’m sure you’ve had lots of people in your bed.”

“No, no one comes up here. I saved it for you. It’s our room,” Jaylon smiled to himself.

“Go to sleep.”

“No, I’m talking to you."

“Why do you do this to yourself?”

“It helps my imagination.”

“How long have you been doing this?”

“We have more interesting things to discuss."

I looked down at the person I knew my whole life and realized that I have no idea who he is. He’s a stranger to me. “I never loved you,” I whispered in realization. It wasn’t intended to leave my lips, but Jaylon burst into tears the second it did.

“How could you say that? You swore up and down that you loved me.” Jaylon sobbed out in my lap.

“Jaylon, I just mean I never loved you. I loved the idea of you. I never knew who you really were. I loved who I made you out to be in my mind. That’s all I’m saying.”

“But you do know me! You’re the only one that knows the real me and I love that.”

“Oh really?” I questioned with a raised eyebrow. “I’ve never seen you hurt anyone. I’ve never seen you drunk. I had no idea you did this. I’ve never seen you party. I’ve never seen you straight do someone on a counter! I just learned you're a werewolf! Jaylon, I have no idea who you are.”

“This isn’t f*****g me! You know that!” Jaylon argued. “I cuddle with you. I cover your face with kisses. I take you on dates. I bring you flowers. I come to check on you every night!” I squinted my eyes at the last part but shook my head at his scrambled ramblings.

My head hurts. “Okay, Jaylon. Bedtime. Come on,” I ordered, sliding down so that he could cuddle with me. I knew there was no sleeping any other way. Immediately he clung to me and began placing random kisses on me while I lay there impatiently. I haven’t forgotten a single thing he said to me earlier. I do not find this cute.

When he finally fell asleep, I snuck out of the bed and his phone fell out of the sheets and onto the ground. I froze, looked up to make sure he was sleeping, and picked it up. I’m not a snoop, but I remembered a few items here that belong to me. Like the pictures he “jokingly” took of us the night I met his parents. More specifically, the ones of me lacking clothes. . .

I glanced up at him to see him sleeping like a peaceful angel before deleting everything and getting out of there. I opened his balcony doors and ripped through my clothes as I jumped and landed on all fours.

I knew I shouldn’t have come! Now I know all of these people way more than I need to. I started dissecting every conversation since the first one I had. From the second Jaylon and I got together, I knew something was off. I suspected he was only being nice to me because I let him go. Every time I let him go, he wants me. Now, he’s acting weird. He wants me to love him, but acts like this? Dominic said Alpha’s are different. . . they’re possessive. Does that include unstable?

I remember Jaylon saying to stay away from everyone and that they aren’t who I should surround myself with. Now that I know this, all I can do is think about my old teacher, Mrs. Brooks. She would tell me every day that she could look at the people I surround myself with and see my future. Is this my future? How could that be me? s*x, substances, alcohol, and parties. That’s not me! I guess the saying works for people too. It’s the same view everywhere, but where you sit makes the difference.