The Mate He Couldn’t Control (complete)

Chapter 8

The warm feeling of his chest going up and down under my head and his heart beating on my cheek is something I’ve missed. It was odd how much comfort and happiness I feel around him after just a few days. The common sense in me told me that this wasn’t real, that this wasn’t possible, but a little foreign part of me said that this was home. I guess this is the mate bond. Honestly, I’m thankful it’s him, our past aside. Imagine if we got together and he wasn’t mine. I would die if I had to be in Dalton’s shoes.

I slowly lifted my head a little under an inch from his chest but then Jaylon gently pushed it back down and started rubbing my hair. I instantly melted back to my spot. He already knew how to control me. I tilted my head up to meet his crystal eyes. His lips had a soft smile on them which told me that he was in the same headspace as me. “So, how did you sleep?” I asked, crawling and sitting on top of him.

“You know I sleep well with you.” His hand came up to my face and his thumb traced my lips. “Have you changed your mind? Because if not, you're really teasing me right now.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” I mumbled, going to slide off but he pushed me back.

“It’s okay baby, I love the view.” At first, he was looking at me in awe, but then his eyes darkened as they traveled down. His hands went down and slid from my hips to under my shirt. “Are you sure we can’t mate?”

“Just not yet.”

“Then just regular s*x?”

“You can have it all when we mate.”

“Ugh! Just let me worship your body!” he whined.

“I promise it won’t be long.”

“At least let me explore it. . .”

At that, I raised my eyebrows. “I doubt you’d control yourself.”

“It would be difficult, but I want to try,” he smirked up at me, removing one of his hands from under my shirt and moving my hair behind my ears.

“What if I want you to wait to do that too?”

He gently pushed me off his torso and onto his lap before sitting up so that our faces were even. “I know you think I don’t know, but deep down you want me to take you over. Your eyes fill with curiosity and excitement every time you look at me. Your lips part slightly when our faces are near. When your skin feels mine you shiver. When I’m close to you your breathing changes. The only person you're saying no to is yourself. Just let me explore you and give you a glimpse of what it will be like. All you have to do is let me,” he whispered.

“How will you do it?” I asked, unable to take my eyes from his.

“Well for starters I’m gonna show these the attention they’ve been begging for all morning,” he explained as he ripped the front of my tank top and cupped his hands around them. “Then I want to taste you while I listen to your moans.” My breath caught in my throat at his words as naturally, my mind tried to imagine it. There was no point in arguing, Jaylon already knew my answer. He knew my answer before he asked. “I love that you're mine,” he mumbled before closing our distance with a kiss that finally put an end to my innocent thoughts. Now, they wondered what more would feel like.

After Jaylon had his fun and I was now on a thin string of sanity, I was observing the bite marks all over me in the mirror. They slightly hurt at first but then began to drive me insane. I guess now I know what one of mine and Jaylon’s kinks are. Jaylon came up behind me and slid his hands down my arms until our fingers intertwined. “Did they hurt?” He asked as our eyes met through the mirror.

“No. . . I loved it,” I admitted slowly.

Jaylon leaned down and placed soft kisses on my shoulder as I leaned back on him and smiled at the sight of us. We look good together, at least in my opinion. It could just be my mate bond insanity talking though. “I have something to show you,” he whispered in my ear.

“What?” I asked as he grabbed my hand and walked me to the back balcony.

“I can’t tell you, I have to show you,” was all he said before he stepped on the railing and jumped down. He landed on all fours in the grass beside my pool. It was him! He was the wolf in front of my car. He’s been the wolf watching me.

I have never done this before, on purpose anyway, so I was scared to death. He watched me intently as I shakingly climbed on the railing. I jumped hoping I wouldn’t die and ended up landing on all fours. We were the same height, I didn’t realize I was that big the other day. His eyes met mine for a second and then he darted off towards the forest.

I chased Jaylon around the forest floor for an hour and was surprised when he came to a sudden halt. I looked down in front of me to see something folded. When I looked back to my left, I saw a naked Jaylon. Ooh. I took it that I was supposed to do the same thing. I shifted and stood awkwardly in front of him. His eyes darkened as he backed me up to a tree. “You're lucky that we already have plans,” he said, barely an inch from my face. He backed away and grabbed what I was looking at off of the ground before handing it to me. I unfolded it to see that it was an off-the-shoulder dress. I quickly put it on over my naked body before he turned around again. It was actually really pretty. I would buy it for myself honestly. Jaylon turned around wearing a nice shirt and some shorts. “You’re so beautiful,” was all he said through a smile. Because of that, I couldn’t hide my blush.

He grabbed my hand and I followed him a few hundred more feet in the forest. I was at a loss for words. The ground was covered in violet flowers. It was so beautiful and it looked so oddly familiar. I’ve never been here before, not even when I was running around, but yet I feel like I’ve been here. He walked me over to a basket hidden under the tall plants and sat beside it.

“This is so beautiful,” was all I could make out as I looked around us mesmerized.

“I will do anything to keep that smile on your face forever,” he replied as he set the stuff from the basket out around us.

“Now you know I don’t drink,” I started.

“It’s just champagne. I want you to be able to be free and do whatever you want whenever you're with me. You don’t have to restrict yourself.”

“Fine, but isn’t it a little early?” I asked since it was morning.

“That’s why I brought orange juice, to make you feel better about it,” he smirked, pulling it out of the basket.

“But my parents-”

“It’s fresh, Alison. Calm down. Like I said, you don’t have to restrict yourself,” he cut me off to ease my nerves. I watched as he poured our drinks. I was completely mesmerized by him. He’s so handsome and doing all of the right things. Saying all of the right things. I’m truly blessed.

Jaylon handed me my glass as I felt questions burning my throat. I decided that asking him one wouldn’t hurt. “So, what is all of this for?”

“I have a lot of things to make up for.”

“Like what?”

“Well, for starters I missed your birthday and scared the hell out of you the next day.”

“It’s okay, you were at almost every single one before that. Yes, you did scare me, but it was a good scare.”

“Yeah almost every single one, which is what bothers me the most. I tried to throw you a party, even though I wasn’t there. Did you like it?”

“Of course, I met new people. Why did you want to get together? Did you know we would be mates?”

“You did.”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“You knew, in your own little way. It used to make me so irritated as kids because I thought you were crazy. You said that you had dreams about us in the future and this right here was one of them. I was so mean to you because I thought you were crazy and I wanted to bring you here to prove that you were right. You’ve always been right.”

I didn’t know how to respond to that. All I wanted was to hug him. Jaylon is so dedicated to making this work. I sat my drink down and got up on my knees to hug him, only to be tackled onto my back. We laughed at my failed attempt at a hug. His fingers pushed a few strands of hair off of my face and tucked them behind my ear. “I never took the mate bond seriously,” he said softly.

“What do you mean?”

“I thought it was like how you feel for everyone you love, but the fact that someone tells you to feel it makes it different. I was wrong. Every time I look at you, I forget everything and everyone else, it’s just you. Only you. No one will ever compare.”

“Good, because I wasn’t sure if I was crazy or not for feeling that way,” I giggled, making him let out a soft laugh. A smile crept to my lips as I played with his white hair at my fingertips. “You make my thoughts so calm.” He gently pressed his lips to mine as the calm breezes hitting us made it feel even more unreal.

It lasted for several minutes before he pulled away. “I have something to ask you,” he started nervously.

“Yes?”

“Could you let down the barriers? That way I’m one thought away? Everyone here is linked, but no one can get to you because you’ve been shielding the mindlinks.”

“Oh, I mean I could try but I don’t know how to.”

“It’s the knocking noise you occasionally hear. It’s just like shifting, you just need to want it.” I sat in silence for a minute with my eyes closed, doing what he said, until I heard it. I heard a voice in my head telling me how perfect I am for them. At that, I rolled him over and covered his face with as many kisses as I could.

After breakfast, we spent the rest of the day entertaining my nephews as Jaylon’s apology for keeping me to himself. They were not happy about that. After spending most of the time in the pool, Jaylon and I were in the shower with the condition that there would be no teasing each other. Being in the room together is tempting. Being naked in the room together is even more tempting. But this, let's just say we’re both holding on by our teeth. Yes, this is my fault but I didn’t want to be the i***t in love that gives it up the first chance I get. I think I want to tonight though. Ever since this morning I’ve been thinking about surprising him. I have no idea how to do it, but I’m sure I’ll come up with something.

“Ali,” Jaylon started from behind me. I turned around and looked into his eyes, knowing that if I looked anywhere else it would be happening now. “I have something to tell you.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I swear! It’s just, tonight I told my parents we would eat dinner with them,” he explained nervously.

“REALLY?” I squealed excitedly.

“You’re excited?”

“Why wouldn’t I be? I have never met your parents, heard about them, or anything about you actually. I just figured out yesterday where you live.”

“No one has ever voluntarily met my parents, I guess ignorance is bliss.”

“I want to know everything about you. I want more than just to meet them, I want it to be how you are with my parents.”

“Ali, I seriously don’t see that happening honestly. My parents are the exact opposite of yours. Strict and unforgiving.”

“They just haven’t met me,” I smirked cockily. At that, he rolled his eyes playfully, but gave me a kiss before we turned off the water and got out. I dried off and walked into my closet before wrapping the towel around my hair while I looked for an outfit. A minute later Jaylon came in wearing a pair of basketball shorts.

“Oh, I see where this is going,” he teased, grabbing my hips and standing behind me. I sent him a playful glare and unwrapped my hair, doing it again around my body. “You don’t let me have any fun!”

“You had plenty of fun this morning,” I mumbled, thankful he couldn’t see my blush as I went through my dresses. “Do you think this dress will cover the bite marks on my thighs?”

“Why are you trying to cover them?” The hurt in his voice made me feel bad, but it’s not because of what he’s thinking.

“Because I’m meeting your parents! I don’t want them to think I’m a w***e!”

With that, he ripped the towel off of me, spun me around in his arms, and made me look into his eyes as he ran his fingers over every mark. “You are my mate with my marks. There’s nothing wrong with that. Markings come from love and you have them all over your body. I promise you, you’re the most pure thing to walk into the packhouse yet.” I hugged him as tightly as I could. He always comforted me in the most simple ways and I loved it. “Ooh, look at that view from the mirror!” he joked to lighten the mood.

I backed up and lightly tapped him in the stomach. “Jaylon! Help me find a dress and behave!”

Jaylon helped me pick out a dress and heels and then kept trying to play the whole time I did my hair and makeup. He begged me to keep my natural curls but it’s too humid outside to deal with that mess, even if we’ll only be out there for a few minutes. I absolutely love his personality. He can be so sweet, carefree, and funny with me and serious and protective around everyone else. It’s exactly what I need honestly.

Jaylon didn’t have a car here, so we took one of mine. He never lets me drive so either way it didn’t matter. “We need to discuss our living situation,” he started as we drove down my driveway.

“What about it?”

“Mates stay together. I was hoping you would consider staying with me. . . permanently?”

“Already?”

“Yes. It’s going to be difficult to sleep when I’m not with you. I probably won’t be able to manage. Please? That’s all I ask,” he begged.

“Well, I guess it’s for the best. Only if you're sure?”

“This is so perfect,” he mumbled, bringing a smile to my face. He never fails to do that.

“But, I want to stay here tonight. You can stay with me. Just, one last night with my parents? And we have to visit my nephew everyday before they go home!”

“Of course!” he agreed, leaning over to the side to give me a kiss.

It took longer to drive to the packhouse than to walk because the road was much farther out than the trails. After an extra ten minutes, we were at the packhouse. I smiled at the newly familiar faces as Jaylon and I walked in with our fingers intertwined.

Dalton walked with us towards, what I was assuming was Jaylon’s dad's office that they had set up for dinner for the evening. They were mumbling about something that I didn’t care to make out but seeing Dalton’s clothes told me that he would be joining. Right before we walked in the door my eyes met Bridget’s whose expression turned cold. Oh no.

I walked into a candle-lit circle with 5 chairs around it. Dalton quickly shut the door behind us as who I assumed was Jaylon’s mom ran up and hugged me with an excited expression. “I’m so happy to see you! I haven’t seen you since you were a baby!” she stepped back with a huge smile on her face. “Joseph and I were taking bets!” she said, referring to my father.

I couldn’t help but smile at her. My mother did say they were close. “Ingrid, don’t squeeze her to death she has no idea who you are,” a man that appeared the same age as she came into eyesight beside us.

“Hello, I’m Malachi,” he greeted, shaking my hand. Jaylon and Dalton looked completely stunned as we took our seats. Then he continued, “You look exactly like your grandmother, it’s truly amazing how genetics work.”

“Really? That is the first anyone has said that to me.”

“I guess it was her way of reincarnating, you were born a few years after she passed,” Ingrid joked, sending chills down my spine but I kept my soft smile. Jaylon grabbed my hand under the table and my whole body warmed.

“Maybe so,” was all I could pathetically make out.

“I must say, I’m sorry Ingrid for calling you crazy the past eighteen years. Now that I see you fully grown, it makes much more sense,” Malachi started again.

“It was hidden in plain sight,” Jaylon explained.

After a minute of silence, the questions started. “So how was the human world?”

“Well now that I know what my parents' real business was, I am starting to realize how much more interesting the few celebrities I met were,” I joked. “I have only known for a few days, so I have nothing to compare it to but I will say that humans aren’t as welcoming, at least not at first.”

“That’s because packs are like family, it’s our instinct to welcome new people if they come because we know they are meant to be here. We haven’t had any new people since Loren came around a few years ago,” Dalton replied but earned a face from Jaylon. I do know Loren. I knew there was a reason she looked so familiar. My parents picked her up on one of our trips and she watched movies with me the whole plane ride here. I always wondered what happened to her, but it was so brief I gradually just forgot about it.

“The poor dears parents were murdered by someone in their pack and she ran, ending up somewhere her parents would find her,” Ingrid enlightened to my confused face.

“I don’t like her,” Malachi added, taking me off guard. We’re talking about her parents dying and he says he doesn’t like her.

“Honey you can’t just say that!” Ingrid gently argued with him.

“Well I don’t! She’s been a terrible influence on the pack, especially their little group! I have to pull them in my office one a week!”

“Why does everyone keep bringing up Loren?” Jaylon asked, frustrated. I started softly rubbing my nails over his hand on my lap as I listened to his heartbeat slow.

His mother looked him up and down and then turned her attention back to me, “How are your school life and grades?” Jaylon shot her a confused expression and then gave her an annoyed look.

“I’m a straight A student.”

After dinner, they both stood to hug me and told me that I was welcome to come whenever I wanted. Malachi told me that he couldn’t see a more honorable person to be the next Luna and Ingrid nodded in agreement. They both made me feel so loved and welcomed. I have no idea why Jaylon was so stressed.

Dalton, Jaylon, and I walked into an empty living room and they both let out sighs of relief. “I guess we should start making her talk to them, that was the calmest they have been in years!” Dalton exclaimed.

“They aren’t even that nice to me! I guess the moon goddess knows what she’s doing!” Jaylon responded with a grin wide on his face.

“Maybe it's because she’s the real alpha’s daughter right? She is always the special one that is always the exception,” Bridget added while walking into the room with her cold eyes glaring at me.

I was about to say something when Loren walked out from beside her. “Where have you been? I haven’t seen you in days and then you just left town without saying a word and. . .” she trailed off when she saw me.

“Loren, this is my mate. . .” Jaylon started.

“But I thought you said it would be me! We are so perfect for each other and you hate her! You can’t stand her! All you do is complain about her and now you're telling me SHE is your mate? If anything, this just proved how wrong the moon goddess is!” she started to lose it as tears streamed down her face. She ran to the stairs and up to her room and Jaylon followed her on command without even giving me a glance.

Deciding that it can wait, my attention snapped to arguing between Dalton and Bridget. Dalton was taking my side, but either way I hate seeing either of them anything other than happy. “Bridget, I can’t help who my mate is, I didn’t choose this and you know it! You weren’t even mad when we got together!”

“Because I thought he was just f*****g you! It doesn’t make sense why everything is always you. YOU get Jaylon! YOU are the “special” one! YOU are everyone's favorite! YOU get grandmother's crown! YOU get to be Luna. The funniest part is that you had no idea that any of this existed and yet everything still revolved around you! Well, now you can have everything except my support!” She yelled out for the whole world to hear and then left to go upstairs.

In shock, I turned to Dalton who gave me sad eyes. “I’m sorry Ali, you didn’t deserve that. Do you want me to talk to her?”

“No, I can see where she’s coming from. Thank you for everything though,” I replied with a sad smile. He nodded to me and left, heading upstairs to his mate's room.

I decided that it was time I found mine, so I walked up the stairs and headed in the direction I heard their footprints go. I stopped in front of an oak door and went to knock but the door was yanked open. Jaylon stepped out wearing only his pants, which weren't buttoned or zipped. He seemed to be in a daze. His eyes were drained of all life.

“What?” was all he said boredly.

“What do you mean what? What happened to your clothes?”

“Look, this isn’t going to work. Loren should have been my mate. I don’t know why the moon goddess paired me with you, it was a mistake. I really shouldn’t have given in to it. Now leave,” he said coldly.

“Well, that was a switch.”

“Loren should have been my mate, and I will not hurt her by entertaining you. At least now you can’t judge your friends for their heartbreaks,” he glared, before stepping back into her room and slamming the door in my face. At that, I heard the loudest rage of thunder start outside and the biggest bolt of lighting I have ever seen hit the ground in front of the house, causing the whole house to light up and shake before the power cut off. I stared in amazement at the random storm screaming outside through the window. I watched as I slowly walked down the steps to the main floor and fought off every emotion in me.

“Ali, snap out of it,” Nick came up beside me, shaking my arm.

“Are you okay?” Julia asked, running up to us as our little group followed. I guess the whole packhouse heard. Of course, the only time I’ve ever been broken up with hundreds of people got to listen and witness.

“No. . . No. . . Oh hell no,” I mumbled to myself trying to process this. Now I know that he did not make me a side hoe this entire time! “Mmm, I don’t have time for this shit.”

“Ali! Ali! Calm down! We can talk through this!” Seth added in trying to help.

“I’m good! I’m good! Imma need you to throw this s**t away,” I continued to mumble, giving Benny Jaylon’s locket necklace from around my neck.

“No, no you’re not! Why are you taking off your jewelry?” Ethan questioned.

“I’m good! I’m cool! I’m just gonna say hello and we’re all gonna be fine!” I tried to say as calmly as possible as I handed off my jewelry and gave Nick my heels.

“You don’t look fine!” Jacob commented.

“Who are you going to say hello to?” Penelope questioned.

“It’s okay, I’m just gonna go say hello to Zeus real quick!” I added in quickly before shifting and darting off through the doors as they protested behind me. I respected all of them and appreciated everything they said and did to help, but at that moment, there was no calming me down. f**k Jaylon. He led me on for the past few days for nothing. He made me promises and convinced me to be vulnerable with him. This is the Jaylon I know and hate. This is the exact Jaylon that decided to f**k my friend in front of me on my birthday two years ago, which I have never gotten an apology for! What kind of i***t am I? All of this over some stupid bond that obviously means nothing! I ran through the lighting storm above me, dodging bolts as they came close. I’m pretty sure I was controlling it but I didn’t know how. My feet pushed me so fast that I was in my house in a matter of minutes, but I wasn’t ready yet, I was still pissed. I ran around as much of the forest as I could before I was ready to go home.

I jumped up to my balcony and landed as a human. I walked straight into the shower and then came back with a towel to clean up the mud on the floor. Even when I’m pissed I was still a clean freak. I grabbed my grandmother's diary and grimoire out of their hiding spot and dropped them down on the bed. Once I opened my grandmother’s diary, my necklace started glowing and I played with it while I read.