The Mate He Couldn’t Control (complete)

Chapter 3

“So you're telling me that you walk to my house every day?” I asked, getting out of the car.

“Alison! I told you not to open the door!” Jaylon scolded me as he walked around the car. He’s so weird about doors, but I liked that there were still a few men that care about things like that. I let him talk me into eating at the diner for lunch. I’ve never in my life been here or even seen the little town that I inhabit. I feel so out of place, not because diners aren’t my scene, but because I have no idea who any of these people are. I don’t know Jaylon, but I know Jaylon. Diners aren’t his scene either, but I have a feeling he’s trying to help me adjust and he knows I didn’t want to eat lunch with my parents. It’s not like we’re too high class for a diner or anything, but my parents literally won’t let me eat anything in them and he’s just as picky of an eater as me. My parents don’t let me consume soda, fried foods, reheated foods, caffeine, chocolate, most bread, or most sweets. I'm lucky to get cake or ice cream on my birthday. Fruit is acceptable though. Sometimes I can convince my mom to bend the rules for a macaroon or something, but it can’t be a macaron because, apparently, I shouldn’t eat nuts either. Other than that, they don’t budge on anything. My diet is one of many things that they’re strict about.

“Jaylon, I can open the door if I want, it’s my car!” I playfully argued back.

“Fine then, we’ll go get my car!”

“Okay, let’s go to your house and get it!”

At that, he looked at me with an evil grin before pointing at me. “Nice try. I see what you did there.”

“Jaylon, I used to run in the forest near my house every day. I have never seen any houses, definitely none that were within walking distance. Do my parents even know where you live?” I questioned as he pulled me to the door.

“Maybe you’ve never thought about it,” he smirked. “But yes, your parents know where I live.”

“I have thought about it plenty! There are no houses within walking distance. You are a liar. Why can’t I know where you live?”

“Fine. That will be your birthday present.” I rolled my eyes at him as we walked inside. The whole building was silent as everyone stood frozen, staring at me in awe. Awkward. I knew it. I knew it! I knew this would happen. A tiny town with no visitors and I’m walking in here like a tourist. I don’t care if they’re staring in awe or hate, it’s still awkward and tense. Jaylon intertwined his fingers with mine to calm my shaking hand. As a beauty queen, I thrive in these situations, but something about this just feels off. It’s not just curious glances, it’s full-on staring. The restaurant was packed with my peers as the only adults were the ones working.

Jaylon walked me to a table and I refused to let go of his hand, so he sat beside me. They weren’t just watching me. They were watching us. Very intently. Is staring not considered rude here? Where I live, lived, if you stared at someone, you got cussed out or they’d try to fight you. There were no happy endings there. Jaylon’s face went serious for a second as he scanned the room. Each person his eyes passed turned around before he turned his attention back to me with a warm smile. I noticed that one group didn’t turn their attention away though. Most people would glance back for a second, but this group stared, studying us. They didn’t seem cold though, just intrigued.

Jaylon eventually caught on to their eyes still wondering and sat back, sighing out of irritation. “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have brought you here,” he mumbled.

“It’s fine, they’re just curious,” I smiled up at him.

“Curious my ass. They know exactly what they’re doing and they better not try anything,” Jaylon lightly growled. At that, I shot him a confused look. Maybe those are the friends Dalton and Jaylon were talking about. “I’m sorry, they’re just getting on my nerves. I just wanted to get you out of the house in peace.”

“Hmm,” I smiled to myself. “Maybe you can show me around in peace at your house?”

“I swear, you never give up,” Jaylon laughed out.

“That’s just not who I am.”

“I think that’s my favorite thing about you,” he admitted with a small smile.

“If I recall correctly, that’s your least favorite thing about me.”

“Alison, I just said that to piss you off. Like five years ago.”

“Two.”

“Five.”

“I remember it vividly. Definitely two years ago. I’m thinking mid-July.”

“Mmm. You’re never gonna forget anything, I swear,” Jaylon jokingly complained.

“Never. So you better wake me up bright and early on my birthday to keep your promise,” I smirked, making him roll his eyes.

“We will see.” As we continued talking, I looked down at the menu to see what I could eat. Surprisingly, I could eat anything. It wasn’t like a normal diner, it didn’t even look like a normal diner inside. Maybe this is where my parents got their diets from. A waitress came up to us to take our order. Jaylon ordered for me, but when she started to linger, Jaylon sent her a glare. I sent him a look for him for being rude and he apologized. “What’s wrong?” he questioned as I laid my head on his shoulder and held his arm.

“Nothing, I’m just feeling a little tired,” I mumbled. I’ve been very drained today. Jaylon did not like that answer. Immediately, he sat up and grabbed my face, checking my eyes. “Hey! I was comfortable!”

“Do you want me to take you home? Should I call Martha?”

“Jaylon, I’m fine. I think it’s just stress from earlier.” His face was full of concern and I'm not sure why. I’m just a little tired. That is a very normal thing.

Jaylon’s eyes glanced down at my neck before his hands went down to my jacket. He readjusted it and pulled my hair forward as I watched him with my own concerned expression. Maybe he isn’t well. “I just forgot that you don’t have my number, let me see your phone,” he lied, but his eyes were telling me to go along with it. I gave him my phone and watched as he typed ‘don’t let them see your necklace’.

“I wish you would have given it to me sooner,” I smiled up at him fakely.

“It slipped my mind.”

After our food came and went, Jaylon was waiting very impatiently for our check. I don’t know what his rush is, but he really wants the check. Eventually, he got irritated and got up to go pay the bill. He didn’t let me go with him because he knew I’d try to pay. He doesn’t let me do that either. To entertain myself, I looked down at my phone. My friends were blowing up the group chat about their plans. Anna is going camping. I would love to see that on video. I could feel someone walking toward me, but I knew it wasn’t Jaylon. I looked up and offered a soft smile at the dark-haired boy in front of me. “Hello,” I mumbled, pulling the end up of the jacket closer together as he slid into the seat across from me.

“I’m sorry I’ve never seen you before. I was coming over to introduce myself. My name is Jacob,” he replied before flashing me a bright smile.

“Alison.”

“Oh, Joseph and Kiana’s daughter?” He questioned as his eyes lit up and a small smirk came to his lips. He glanced back to his friends and I watched as the stares returned. “I see why Jaylon likes to keep you hidden, Miss King. You are a stunner,” he added before reaching out to grab my hand. I shook it and slightly jumped before letting go. Things, visions, popped in my head of us. I guess it will be sometime in the future. It was going by so fast that I could only make out a few of them. One of them was us sitting on the roof of what looked to be the lake house. Well, this is new. From the looks of it, we will be friends. So I can trust him. . . “Are you alright?”

“Sorry, cold chill,” I quickly responded awkwardly.

“You’re cold?”

“Yes, it’s freezing in here,” I admitted right as Jaylon came back. His face was emotionless, but his eyes were filled with anger as he looked down at Jacob.

“Come on, Ali,” he said through his teeth as he grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the booth.

“It was nice meeting you!” I yelled back as Jaylon dragged me to the car. “What’s wrong?” I asked after he helped me inside and got in beside me.

“He knew what he was doing. Stay away from them.”

“It was just one person.”

“The group. The whole group, Alison. Stay away from them.”

“Why?”

“Because I can’t stand them! They aren’t the people you should surround yourself with.”

“Jaylon, I can’t just stay away from someone because you don’t like them. They haven’t done anything for me to not like them,” I argued. “Besides, all he did was ask my name. You act as if I hang out with them every day. I don’t even know them.”

“You will.”

“Why are you so upset?”

“You better not go off with any of them alone either. Trust me, they will try,” Jaylon continued, ignoring my question.

“I’m not worried about them. I’m off alone with you. . .” I replied quietly, looking over at him.

Jaylon’s face softened into a smile as he grabbed my hand and ran his thumbs over my skin. “I just want to keep you to myself as long as I can.” I’m not sure what had gotten into Jaylon. I mean, I respect the change and I love how kind he’s been to me. It’s making this process seem more bearable. I just don’t understand how he went from hating every moment he was with me to wanting to keep me to himself. Maybe years of reflection? Who knows?

Instead of taking me home, he took me on a spur-of-the-moment tour. Jaylon took me to the ‘downtown’ part, which was maybe ten small buildings. Hardly anyone occupied them though. I guess they were here if anyone needed them but no one actually used them. It just consisted of a few shops, a movie theater, a gas station, a convenience store, and a bar. Of course. Every town has a bar. If people need one thing, it’s alcohol, but that’s none of my business. It was a cool bar though. No one was in it at this time of day (thankfully), so Jaylon took me in. It’s not like we drank or anything, but it was set up like a fun house, so the rooms were kind of trippy. He knew I would love it, and I did. The thought of someone being drunk as hell, trying to find their way out of here interested me. I guess I’m evil. Eventually, he took me on a casual mountain drive, and on the way up I saw a few houses. Of course, I annoyed the hell out of him every time we passed one by asking if he lived there. I’m determined.

To be honest with you, the idea of love scared me. How could you give someone your all and trust that they won’t take it for granted? Over the past few years, I have been on a lot of loose dates. What I mean by loose is a date with no intention of a relationship. It’s not because I did it to sleep with them, I’m a virgin, more like because they asked and I figured why not? Of course, they knew I didn’t like them in that way, but they had hope and I respected it. But what I didn’t expect was that Jaylon White, of all people, would be the one to take me on a perfect date. The craziest part is that it isn’t even a date and if it was one that was not verbalized. Younger me has dreamed of this moment, but currently, I am scared to death. Every minute I spent with him made me forget who Jaylon could be or has been. Every time he smiled, grabbed my hand, laughed, or looked at me, my heartbeat would quicken. This whole day felt so simple and breathless and I’ve never had a day like this in my life. Jaylon made me want this. I wanted it every day as long as I could do it with him. The way I felt, I could give it all up for this. It didn’t necessarily have to be love or a relationship, but his presence, his friendship, was something I adored.

That night when we finally got home, it took lots of convincing. Not just him, but also myself, that I could sleep just fine on my own. The majority of me was scared to death of repeating last night’s events. A small part of me secretly wanted to feel his warmth and comfort again. I didn’t say no for any reason other than protecting my heart. I’m feeling way too much at one time and I’m sure it’s not normal or healthy. I spent one day with him. One day! The things that I’m feeling don’t even make sense. I just hope that I’m not spiraling down the path that I spent most of my youth on.

Jaylon didn’t like it, but he respected it. He ate dinner with us and spent some time with my nephews before I took them upstairs and made them get ready for bed, while I did the same. I went back to their room and stayed with them until they fell asleep before heading downstairs to intrude on Jaylon and my father's conversation. I loved their relationship. Jaylon looked up to my father and always valued his opinion on everything. I didn’t know who Jaylon was outside of my family, but I knew that he truly wanted to make my father proud. In my father's eyes, Jaylon and I would end up together. He believed that no matter what is said or done, that we will end up being what the other needs. That’s a lot coming from my father, he can’t stand it when other boys talk to me. I fully blame that on Jaylon though.

Somewhere in their conversation, I fell asleep. I wouldn’t have known this had it not been where I was standing now. This isn’t a real place. I will say, I have a beautiful imagination though. The best way to describe it is a castle in the clouds. Fog or, I guess clouds, covered the floor. There was a grand staircase in front of me and in-between the pillars I could see the night sky, clouds, and three moons through the arches. I have never in my life seen anything so incredible. The sight brought tears to my eyes from the beauty, but my soul felt completely calm.

As I looked around in awe, a woman, or girl, who looked eerily similar to me started to walk down the stairs gracefully. The closer she got, the more similar she looked. Honestly, similarly doesn’t cover it. She looked exactly like me, but with white hair and a few natural freckles. “Hello, my love,” she smiled at me once we were on the same level.

“Who are you?” I questioned.

“My name is Juniper. I am your grandmother,” She replied with a light bow.

“Am I dead?”

“No, you are very much alive.”

“You don’t even look old enough to be a mother. You couldn’t possibly be my grandmother.” At that, she smiled to herself.

“I was returned to my youth in death. My amulet looks beautiful on you my love. I’m sorry for how you received it, but I had no choice. Your father decided to sink it in the lake. What a terrible place for such a thing!”

“My father put it there?”

“Yes. It was the last place anyone would look, I suppose. If the wrong person had gotten their hands on that, all of nature would be thrown off,” she explained, causing my eyes to widen.

“Is it destructive?”

“Oh no, my dear! It’s just that my powers are placed there. White witches are the only witches that can possess that power. We are nature's balance. We are the ones that create the balance. Now, I must send you back soon, but there is something we must discuss.”

“What?” Am I dreaming? This feels very real. It doesn’t look like it though.

“Your parent's instructions. Do not follow them. I know they are scared of your powers, and you will do a good job convincing them otherwise, but you must train. Magic isn’t a pimple that we cover up and, eventually, it goes away. If you do not learn to use it, it will use you. I’ll do my best to help you. But please, hide it from your parents for now. Especially your mother. Now, you must go home, it’s time for you to wake up.”

“Wake up, I just went to sleep?”

“Time moves much differently here. A minute here is an hour there.”

“Where is here?”

“The moon palace. The home of the moon goddess and the resting place of the supernatural. Now, do not tell a soul you were here! Good luck, my love,” she said quickly before it was all gone. That was a quick introduction.