My Runaway Mate

Chapter 9

We left the hospital and walk back to the pack house. I give her a short tour of the pack lands, but don't want to get too distracted. She's still very weak and in pain. She insisted on walking herself,but is leaning on me for support.

I love being this close to her. The sparks and tingling sensations on our skin as we touch, her sweet,intoxicating scent. She smells like vanilla and cinnamon. If she'd let me, I'd hold her in my arms for the rest of my life.

In the back of my mind, I'm still thinking about what she told me back at the hospital. She's upset her previous Alpha and he's seeking punishment.

No matter what she's done to upset him, he's never going to lay a hand on her. He'd have to get through me first. Now that I've found my mate, nobody is taking her from me.

We reach the door to the pack house, and I open it for her. I can hear talking and laughing coming from the cafeteria as everyone seems to be finishing up breakfast. As we walk in, everyone stops eating and is now looking at us.

I can tell Bailey is very uncomfortable, as she's trying to hide behind me now. I know my pack is curious to know who the mystery woman is that was chased by rouges onto our land,and has had my full attention since then,but I don't want to force our rush Bailey into anything she's not ready for yet. So I nod to let them know they can return to eating.

I lead Bailey towards the table where Kip, his sister, my head gamma and third in command,and his mate were all sitting.

"Hey guys, I'd like you to meet Bailey. Bailey, this is My beta Kenneth, but everyone calls him Kip. His sister Maddie, my head gamma Nick and his mate Hannah."

They all say hello to her with waves and nods. Bailey says hello back, still very shy and nervous as she keeps her eyes low.

"Are you hungry?" I ask her.

"A little."

"What do you want to eat? I can have the staff cook you whatever you'd like."

" No,please don't go to any trouble," she exclaimed " Whatever is up there is fine with me. Thank you."

"Ok, I'll be right back." I say as I stand back up and head to the buffet line.

******************************************

Bailey's POV

As Jax left to go get food, I'm left sitting here, with what I'm assuming are his inner circle. They seem really close.

"So Bailey," the girl Jax introduced as Maddie started. " Where are you from?"

"Um," How do I answer this question?? I can't tell anyone where I'm from. What if they know Grayson? They couldn't tell him I'm here. I shifted my gaze to the ground.

As if sensing my discomfort, Hannah spoke up. "How about an easier question, how old are you?"

"24" I tell her.

"Really, me too" she said excitedly. It makes me smile.

"Bailey here, is pretty badass," Kip stated "Not only did she out run a rouge in human form, she also fought him off until Jax got there"

They are all looking at me with wide eyes and impressed looks on their faces. I really didn't feel like a badass. I was just trying to survive.

Just then Jax walks back to the table with a plate of food. Yum, bacon and eggs, my favorite. This is usually what i eat for breakfast anyways. My stomach growls as he sits down next to me. Will I forever be embarrassed in front of him?

He just smiles as he looks at me.

"I hope this is ok" he asks me almost worried that he made a mistake.

"It's perfect, thank you" He seemed to relax after that.

"So, they aren't bothering you too much are they" he said jokingly.

"We aren't bothering her" Kip snapped at him. "you on the other hand,"

I dropped my fork on my plate. He just insulted his alpha!! They are all looking at me very confused and Jax is looking at me with a worried look on his face.

"Is everything alright Bailey?" Jax asks me.

Great. I didn't mean to make a scene. I didn't mean to drop my fork. It scared me that he insulted his alpha, and I'm not sure what Jax is going to do. They really weren't bothering me, and i wouldn't want Kip to be punished for that.

"Um, sorry. He's really not bothering me" I blurt out.

"I know, we are just kidding each other" Jax says to me.

Now I feel really stupid. Of course not every pack would run the way Grayson runs his.

Way to make a good first impression Bailey. Now I've made everyone here uncomfortable.

"So Bailey," Maddie starts, "tells us about yourself"

"Um, there really not much to say" I respond. I can't tell them much about me. I needed to leave as soon as i was recovered enough.

That thought alone had something pulling on my heart. It was weird. I knew i had to leave,but I didn't really want to. This pack felt different. I just couldn't figure out why.

"Do you have any siblings?" Maddie asked.

"Yes actually, I have a twin brother"

"Your a twin?? How cool" Maddie exclaimed.

"Where's your brother at?" Hannah asked.

"Guys!" Jax interrupted, "Take it easy with the third degree here. Let her breathe for a second"

I was suddenly very grateful for Jax. I wasn't expecting all the questions the pack members would have. I mean, I'm sure they would have them, but to actually be able to voice them out loud, and not be punished for it??

"Sorry" Maddie said as her face fell a little bit. Not out of fear, more like disappointment. I suddenly felt guilty.

"Hey, it's ok Maddie." I say to her. "I'm just not use to many people wanting to know about me"

"Really?" Maddie asked. "Why not?"

"Maddie,stop!" Kip elbowed her.

"Oh, sorry. I really don't mean anything by it Bailey. You seem so nice, I don't understand why people wouldn't want to get to know you" Maddie says.

"No Really, it's ok." I say back. I know i have to tell them something. They keep giving me weird looks.

"At my old pack, we didn't really socialize. We spoke to each other when it was necessary, but otherwise, we had jobs or training to keep us busy."

I didn't think it was possible, but that made them all stare at me with even more shock then they already had.

"Well, I think that's enough interrogations for the morning" Jax said. as if sensing my discomfort. He seems to have a knack for this. It's very impressive.

" Kip, I want to see you and Nick in my office in twenty minutes" Jax said

They replied with an "okay". Jax seemed to be fine with that response. If anyone responded to Grayson that way, he would of attacked them and possibly sent them to the stalls. I could tell Jax was a much kinder alpha.

" Let's get you settled in your room" Jax said to me as he took my hand and helped me stand.

" It was nice to meet you all" I say to everyone.

They all say their goodbyes, while they finish their breakfast.

As we walk away, Jax scoops me up in his arms bridal style, causing me to gasp.

"Seriously Jax, I can walk"

"I know you can, But you also need rest and your room is on the top floor, the fifth floor"

When I saw the stair case he was leading me to then mentioned we had to go all the way to the top, I didn't object. As a matter of fact, I really liked being in his arms.