The Mate He Couldn’t Control (complete)

Chapter 17

After the chaos a few days ago, I took some time off which ultimately allowed me to reevaluate all of my relationships. You could say I was distracting myself, but I say I was handling business and exploring the new state I occupied. Since I was also away from my parents, I got to freely practice magic. Annoyingly, none of the books had any instructions on blinking. They never have anything when I need it. I’ve been trying repeatedly. Nothing. That is something I would love to learn the most because it’s the most useful. Imagine being able to pop up anywhere you want.

My break had to come to an end though. . . When I returned home, my parents had already left and I was surprised with the garden in my room. No. I’m not being overdramatic. Flowers were covering every table and countertop. I didn’t have to ask who did this. The only person in the world that would spend this much money on flowers is Jaylon Andrew White. I didn’t have time to think about it so I rushed to get ready and left.

Tonight is the night of the pack dinner, which is basically a werewolf Met Gala that’s held every few weeks. It’s meant to “bring everyone together” but parties are their form of entertainment here. No seriously, these people rarely leave the forest. It’s the first that I’m attending since someone had to stay with my nephews for the last two and I didn’t want to light anyone on fire at the sight of Jaylon and Loren making out. These occasions were the reasons my grandmother had crowns for me to inherit. I have to wear one to show my title, but I’m not complaining. It’s another place for me to wear diamonds.

Moments like this, I am thankful for my parents' high-class parties and all of the pageant practice I had, otherwise I’d have a stroke the second everyone's heads snapped in my direction. Most of them have never met me and they began to rush up to me as I looked past them all to Ingrid and Malachi coming up to lecture them for crowding me. I tried to talk to as many of them as possible. Some wanted to shake my hand, others wanted to hug me. I didn’t mind any of it. I felt relieved that they liked me. Jaylon said they thought I was weak, but Nick’s parents said I looked powerful for handling it better than most.

“You may all meet her in a moment, at least let the girl get a drink!” Ingrid explained, grabbing my hand and pulling me through the crowd to my parents. “You look stunning! How was your vacation?”

“Thank you. It was amazing, I picked this dress up in the town I was in and had it fitted,” I explained as Malachi handed me a glass of champagne.

“There you are!” my parents beamed.

“Did you find anything?” my dad asked.

“Oh, yes. That’s why I got here so late. I found this property that was going to be a hotel but they ended up not doing anything after clearing off the property. I had to wait for the owner to fly back into town so that I could sign the papers this morning,” I beamed with excitement.

“Oh, I didn’t know you were looking at properties?” Malachi questioned.

“That’s my girl! What town is it in?” my dad asked.

“It’s in Hillcrest. Three-hour drive depending on the time of day. And no, it’s not what you're thinking. There’s a huge theme park being built ten miles from the property I bought and the town is pretty small with just a motel, so I’m building a hotel to accommodate the travel.”

“I didn’t know you liked things like that?” Ingrid squinted her eyes at me.

“Most people don’t. I invest a lot, real estate and other things included. That’s one of the few things I spend money on, other than cars.”

“Alison is her father's daughter,” my mother commented as my eyes caught the attention of someone behind her.

I quickly excused myself before speed walking over to someone I didn’t expect to see. “Mr.Wells!” I greeted as I pulled the old man into a hug. “You look so good! I see Martha let you out of the hospital!” Thursday morning before I left, I stopped at the hospital to visit my aunt. Me being me, I had to visit all of her patients. I love meeting new people. Mr.Wells was in his final years in life and I was in my beginning, but I could talk to him all day if you’d let me. His eyes have seen so much and he had stories, unlike anything I have ever heard.

“Well, I didn’t think you’d be here to see it! Your aunt told me that you left town.”

“I know, I had to work on some business. So are you out of the hospital for good or just through the night?”

“I think your aunt may like my company. She refuses to let me leave,” he joked and we continued talking for a few minutes until his family joined in the conversation and I made my way out of it. I have lots of people to meet and I know his family wanted to spend time with him. My friends found me one by one and I greeted them all with love. Now that I’m no longer freaking out, I don’t judge them for their choices. I just wish that they made better ones. Nick tried to talk to me multiple times, but I always found a way to avoid him. I felt terrible for what happened and I don’t ever want to see it again.

I have also been ignoring the other side of the room where the Lorenless couple stood. Jaylon finally worked up the nerve, quickly throwing back his champagne before making his way for me, leaving Bridget to find someone to talk to. She knows that I know and she’s worried that what she said won’t help her case. She’s scared I’m going to snitch, but that’s not how I work. I will discuss this with her the second I find the opportunity and plead that she make better choices. Besides, it doesn’t take a genius to know that her words came from guilt.

I tried to hide my nerves as he came to a stop in front of me. I’m not an i***t, these people might know our situation, but they want to see a happy couple. Which is what they’ll get. “Mmm, I love you in a suit,” I flirted up at his worried eyes. His face filled with confusion before he caught on. I’m not lying though, he looks amazing in a suit. But that’s not enough to make me feel less awkward in his presence.

“I need to talk to you,” Jaylon said gently.

“Not at the moment my love, you have lots of people to introduce me to,” I smirked at him. He has a lot to apologize for. A lot to explain. But right now is not the time. Nor do I feel comfortable being alone with him. Jaylon’s silence was our agreement. He quickly tried to introduce me to as many people as possible, while I ignored the knocking in my mind.

Dinner was announced and he tried to pull me aside, but I ignored that as well, leaving him to follow behind me. I know that Jaylon wouldn’t slip up about why he does the things he does, so talking would be pointless. He stayed silent as we ate and I talked to our parents and my aunt and uncle. Bridget also stayed silent, but Dalton and Angelina were very into the conversation. After dinner, Jaylon had to go get something for his father and I quickly used it as my opportunity to leave. I told everyone I was exhausted and rushed out of the pack house. It’s not far from the truth, but it still wasn’t my reason for leaving.

I didn’t get to spend much time in the shower since the doorbell started going off, so I quickly dressed and headed downstairs. I opened the front door with a shy smile. “Hi.”

“Hi,” Nick replied, looking down at his feet before meeting my eyes. “I just wanted to say I’m sorry for the other night.”

“What are you sorry for?”

“I kissed you against your wishes and got you in trouble. Now you’re avoiding me.”

I thought for a second about what to say. Should I push him away or be honest? “I’m not avoiding you because you kissed me. . . I’m avoiding you because I wanted you to kiss me.”

His lips parted in surprise. “Really?”

“Yes, but-”

“Wait, before you say that, I got you something,” Nick interrupted, pulling something from behind his back. When I saw it, I let out a giggle and hugged him. It was a little brown stuffed wolf. Only Nick. . . We separated the second we heard a branch snap and turned our heads in that direction. My eyes focused deep in the trees, but I couldn’t see anything. But I did hear running. I guess it was the forest patrol being nosey. “Now, let me hear you're but.”

I looked up at him and sighed before continuing, “But, that can’t happen again. I value our friendship. You’re always there for me and I’m sorry I ignored you, but I don’t want Jaylon hurting you. Trust me, I won’t let him hurt you, but I’m saying I don’t want him attempting. Besides, when your mate gets here I don’t want it to be awkward. I need to work on fixing things with Jaylon anyways. I’m thinking. . . baby steps? I don’t think he handles the all-at-once approach well.”

“I know,” he sighed, reaching up and running his thumb across my cheek for a second and then stepping back. “There’s one more thing we should talk about.”

“Hmm?”

“Jacob told me that he told you. I- I’m sorry I didn’t say anything before. I just didn’t want you to think of me like that. It’s just there’s nothing ever new here and we kind of got into it as a party thing. I wanted you to know that I haven’t done it since I met you.”

His lips raised into an awkward smile as I beamed up at him. I didn’t have to say anything to that, he knew how I felt. I pulled him into another tight hug before grabbing his head and placing a gentle kiss on his lips as a goodbye. Goodbye to a fantasy that needed to die. Jaylon is my mate. There’s no time for these types of games. “Goodnight Nicky.” I stepped back and shut the door as he nodded and left.

Sleep wasn’t meant for me tonight as my eyes opened to the profanities being yelled from outside. “ALISON! GET THE f**k DOWN HERE!” I very irritatedly walked out on the back balcony and sent a tired glare down at Jaylon who was in worse condition than last night, but surprisingly still standing.

“Are you kidding me?” I questioned, jumping over the railing and landing in front of Jaylon. His skin was soaked with sweat and his eyes were red. His shirt was ripped and covered in blood. “What happened to you this time?”

A proud grin came to his face. “I whooped Nick’s ass.”

“You did WHAT?” I just told him earlier. . . Oh, come on! I immediately mind-linked Dalton and Nick to check on his state. I have never been more thankful for supernatural healing than I am now.

“He just thinks he’s gonna come over here, give my mate gifts, and hug you? Oh hell no! That s**t got handled!” Oh. . . so it wasn’t a patrol. “Jaylon! I told you not to touch anyone again!”

“Well, they better stop touching you then!” I rolled my eyes at him before grabbing his hand and dragging him inside. He needs to cool off and as much as I wanted to, I can’t just throw him in the pool. I don’t know how I got him up the stairs, but I did. I took him to my bathroom and started taking his clothes off. “Remember the last time we were in here?”

“I try not to,” I mumbled.

“Stop being mean to me!” Jaylon whined as I made him sit in the shower and went to get out. “No! Stay with me!” I was going to say no but he was giving me the look.

“Fine! But don’t you dare try anything!”

“I’m not taking your virginity unless I’m sober,” he mumbled behind me while I quickly stripped and started the cold water. The way he was looking up at me with pure love made my heart melt, but at the same time, I remembered what always came after. He grabbed my hands and pulled me down in his lap. “You’re so beautiful. When I saw you tonight, I had to catch my breath just to talk to you.”

I gave him a soft smile and moved the hair off of his face. “You’re handsome.”

“I love your curls. I hate when you hide them.” He twisted my hair around in his fingers as I looked into his eyes. They always trap me. They have an ocean blue ring on the outside but they begin to freeze as they get closer to the pupil with hints of green. They’re so mesmerizing to me.

Suddenly, he burst into tears. I pressed his head to my chest as his sobs grew louder. “What’s wrong?”

“You left me! You kissed Nick, said you never loved me, deleted everything, and left! Then expected me to be okay?”

“I’m sorry,” I whispered as he tightened his arms around my waist.

“Please don’t leave me again. I need you.”

“Then you have to promise me something.”

“What?”

“You have to stop being hot and cold. You have to stop calling me names. You have to stop doing this to yourself!”

“That’s a list! You said one thing!” I pushed his head back and sent him a glare before he sighed. “Baby, I’m just like that on withdrawals you can’t take me seriously.”

“Promise.”

“Fine! I promise.”

The next morning I woke to the smell of the flowers that filled my room. I slowly moved off of Jaylon who immediately wrapped a tight arm around my waist and a soft one around my neck. I could have fallen back asleep until he leaned down and began to place small kisses on my shoulder. “No.”

“I’m not trying anything. I’m just giving you kisses.”

“No. You still haven’t apologized for what you did at the party last week.”

“I’m sorry. I was upset. I would never mate with you that way, I just wanted to scare you.”

“That is a terrible excuse.”

“I know, I’m sorry. Let me make it up to you.”

“No.”

“I can take you shopping,” Jaylon whispered in my ear as he placed gentle kisses on my cheek, not bothering to hide the smile from his voice. “You can get whatever you want.” Well, I do need jeans and shorts… maybe some clothes for school.

“Aren’t you tired from all of the shopping you’ve already been doing?” I asked sarcastically which made him laugh.

“I wasn’t all there that night.”

“Obviously.” I rolled over on my back and made sure the blanket was covering me. He didn’t let me get dressed last night. “Your promise is still in place.”

“Of course.”

“There’s a lot I want to talk about today. But there’s something we need to discuss right now.” His features were filled with worry but I placed a hand on his cheek to calm him. “I want to get to know you. I want to have a friendship with you. I want you sober before we try anything else.”

“I understand,” he smiled down at me before grabbing my hand off of his cheek and placing kisses up my arm.

“Friends don’t kiss.”

“Sorry, that wasn’t in our terms of the agreement.”

“Don’t you f*****g dare!” Jaylon warned sternly as he parked at the mall. I turned back and smirked at him challengingly.

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t even think about touching that door handle!” Jaylon continued, before getting out and opening the door for me. His hatred of me opening my own door grows more amusing by the day. Every time a guy looked our way he’d grow more irritated and eventually grabbed my hand. I wasn’t going to argue, I missed our sweet moments more than I like to admit.

I stopped in one of the stores and grabbed three different sizes of everything I liked. I have no idea what my measurements are now. With some things, I couldn’t decide, so I went to ask his opinion. Instead of responding, he’d glance at me and nod before turning his attention back to his phone. Well, that’s not helpful.

“Excuse me! Could you help me?” I asked a guy that was passing by. He smirked at me, so I continued. “Could you give me an honest opinion of this dress?”

“It looks amazing on you,” he commented and I thanked him before turning back to a very irritated Jaylon.

“Don’t ever do that again,” he warned in a low growl.

“But baby you were busy,” I smirked before going back into the dressing room. I didn’t have a single issue after that. He always paid me his full attention and answered every time I was talking to him.

After trying on a hundred different things, Jaylon paid them, earning himself a glare from me. “Why did you do that?”

“I don’t know. . . I have all of this extra money saved for my girlfriend. . .” he smirked, being a smart ass from when I paid at the steakhouse.

“I told you to save it for Loren!”

“No. You said to save it for my girlfriend.”

“I am not your girlfriend. I’m your friend.”

“Oh really? Then ask the moon goddess,” Jaylon replied before taking my bags and receipt from the associate. “Come on, you didn’t get any shoes!” This was not part of the agreement. . .

I caught up to him and grabbed his arm in protest. “Jaylon, I don’t like people paying for my things.”

“Get used to it.”

“Nooo. I’m not like the other girls. I can pay for it myself. I’m not spending all of your money.”

“What do you mean? You’re the only girl I have ever taken to do anything,” Jaylon laughed. Aww. “You can try, but you won’t.” When I got to the shoe store, I went off with an associate while he sat on his phone. Every time I showed him a pair though, he would immediately look up. But, at one point, I came over and he, and my bags, were gone. He has no use for my clothes so I’m not worried.

When I finished picking out shoes, Jaylon was still nowhere to be seen. I’m not patient either. I wasn’t going to wait for him, so I went to grab my wallet from my purse. “Alison, stop insulting me.” My head shot up to Jaylon rushing over and paying.

“How am I insulting you?”

“By thinking you're paying for anything.”

“Jaylon-”

“Alison, I swear if you touch your purse again, I will take it from you!” He cut me off, before turning and talking to the lady who checked us out as if nothing happened.

1“So, do you wanna try some things on at Victoria’s Secret?” he smirked down at me. Well, I guess I should pay him back somehow. . . Just kidding.

I loved Jaylon’s good mood. We spent all day out. He basically kidnapped me, refusing to take me home. I didn’t mind it though, I loved being around him. Now that I’m with him, I’m sure he was the cause of my dull vision the other week. Everything around me looked so beautiful. Everything felt so perfect. But, in his short moments of imperfection, he wouldn’t say anything, just grabbed my hand and smiled down at me. It always seemed to work. He has supernatural healing abilities, so I have hope that the detox won’t be a long process.

I knew he was eavesdropping at dinner last night and he proved it by begging me to show him the lot I bought. It was just an empty lot, but I guess he had the same vision as me because he looked at it as if it were already built and filled with guests. Jaylon found it so surprising that I was a “business woman” as he put it. I guess we’re both learning about each other.

Once we got to my house it was midnight and he carried all of my bags inside. I watched as he took them to the closet as I anxiously sat on my couch. I’ve been avoiding asking these questions all day, but they have to be asked. When he came back, he took one look at my face and knew. “What’s wrong?”

“I was just curious about a few things.”

“Like what?” he asked, getting on his knees in front of me.

“When I first got here. . . you didn’t act like you were doing any of that. You weren’t shaking. . . Is it because of me?” Tears fell from my eyes at the thought, but he immediately started wiping them away.

“I’ve been doing it for a little while now. It helps me deal with everyone. They all stress me out and I feel like I’m going insane. When I found out you were coming, I immediately stopped. I couldn’t let you see me that way. After dinner with my parents, it tore me in half as I watched your heart break in front of me. It was the only way I could cope. I tried again on our trip to Dominic and last week, but Loren always brings me back.” My blood began to boil. I already suspect she poisoned me, but now she’s feeding Jaylon substances to control him? My necklace began to warm on my skin as the glass candle holders on the coffee table busted beside us and a rainstorm started.

“Why are you with her?” I questioned before I could think about it. Jaylon still doesn’t know, solely for the fact that Nick and I have no proof. Also, the pack is already on the verge of banishing her (hints why she wasn’t at dinner) so I don’t want to do it under false pretenses.

“No-no! Don’t get mad! It’s okay, I promise,” Jaylon started to calm me by pulling me into a hug and playing with the ends of my hair. Immediately the rain slowed its pace and began to fall calmly. “I’m still trying to end things. She always pulls the guilt card on me. But I swear once it’s over it’s done.”

“But you promised to stay sober! She’s going to do it the second you get home!”

“No. I’m going to keep my promise.”

“Every time you get tempted you better mind link me,” I mumbled into his shoulder.

Jaylon separated us enough so that our foreheads could touch. “I will as long as you know that the second it’s over, you’re mine.”