My Runaway Mate

Chapter 14

Bailey's POV

I woke up the next morning with a smile on my face. Jax is my mate. My heart is pounding and I just keep replaying everything he said to me yesterday.

I suddenly remember our almost kiss. I can't believe I almost kissed him! It's not that I don't want too kiss him, because I really really do, it's just that, honestly I don't even know why I'm debating this. He's my mate, and I believe him when he said he's not going to let Grayson come between us.

I know that he, along with Kip and Nick, are going to come up with a plan to stop Grayson. The sooner Grayson is taken care of, the better. For everyone.

I get up and walk over to the laptop Jax gave me. He's so thoughtful. I was so touched when he first brought me here, and gave that to me knowing that's how I kept in contact with Ben. How did I get so lucky?

I notice that I'm walking better too. I actually feel like my old self again. Maybe later today, I'll ask Jax where the gym is. I really miss working out. It was always one of my stress relievers

There's a slight tap at my door. I can guess who it is, his scent is already driving my wolf crazy.

"Come in"

Jax walks in the room holding a cup of coffee.

"Good morning, sweetheart." he says to me, causing my heart to race.

"Good morning" I really need to think of a pet name for him.

"Brought you some coffee" he says as he comes and sits next to me on the couch. He puts his arm around my waist and brings me into a quick side hug.

I love being close to him. I can tell he's trying to go slow and not rush me into anything and I appreciate that so much. More than he'll ever know.

"How's Ben?" He asks me, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"He's going back to Red River. The deadline Michael gave them could be up any day now, and he's going back to help who he can."

My heart sinks at the thought of Ben going into a war. Sure, a war could break out at anytime, that's why we train, but the thought of Ben getting hurt had me very scared and worried. He's going to be a target in this war. Not only is he the Beta, he's my brother. They could use him to try and draw me out, or torture him into talking. There's so many things that could go wrong.

Jax pulls me in tighter and uses his index finger to tilt my chin up to meet his eyes.

"Don't do that. Don't let your mind go there. If Ben is anything like his sister, then nothing is going to happen to him. Because he's strong, and smart. He's going to be ok"

How does he always know what to say to make me feel better? Seriously, the guy is perfect. I suddenly feel very lacking. What could I possible bring to the table for him?

"You're right." I tell him. "Ben is pretty strong. He's actually the one who taught me to fight. He's been my training partner since day one."

"See, anyone who trains the girl to fight a rouge in human form, is a complete badass" he says.

I break out in a laugh, which I'm sure was Jax's goal.

"So," I start, as to change the subject to something more positive, "Do you think you could show me the gym today?" I ask.

"Sure, I could show you."

"Thank you. I'm actually feeling pretty good today. I'd like to get a small workout in, if I could."

"Sure, how about you get dressed, and I'll take you in ten minutes?"

"Ok" I say excitedly.

Jax takes my hand with a smile, and brings it to his lips, before he stands up and walks out of the room. My heart is beating so fast right now, and I have butterflies in my stomach.

I took a minute to collect myself and then ran to the closet to get dressed. As I look at my clothes, I realize that I really didn't pack a lot. Not that I had a whole lot of time to.

Thanks to Mrs. Betty, She grabbed all my favorite tops and leggins and threw them in the bag for me. I really hope she's going to be alright. I would hate for anything to happen to her in this fight.

I shake my head at that thought. Jax was right. I needed to stay positive. Ben is going back and he'll protect Mrs Betty, as well as all the innocent people there.

And with that, I grab my outfit and get dressed.

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The gym is actually on the first floor. It has everything you'd expect a gym to have, free weights, leg press, bench press, even punching bags and training mats.

I'm in heaven right now. This is one of the biggest gyms I've ever seen.

There are a few people in here training and as I look over, I see Maddie and Hannah are here as well. They are excitedly waving me over.

"Hey girl. Glad to see you" Maddie says.

"Yeah, how's it going?" asks Hannah

"Good, thank you. I was hoping to get a small workout in today, you know, get back to my normal routine." I say back to them.

" Yeah, sounds great. We can help you with that." Maddie said.

"Well, I'll leave you ladies at it then." Jax said. He looks at me then " I have some things to take care of today, but we can talk later tonight?"

"Ok,sure" I tell him. I'm suddenly sad he's leaving, but I understand. He's the alpha. He has a job to do, and babysitting me isn't it.

" Ok, tonight then" he says,smiling at me as he's walking backwards. After a second, he turns and walks away.

"Oooh, someone's got it bad" Maddie says.

"What do you mean?" I ask her.

"Jax. He's never been this happy before." she tells me. "It's all because of you. Ever since you got here, he's been different."

"What do you mean different? He wasn't always this kind?" I ask very worried all of a sudden about the man who I'm mated to.

"Oh no, nothing like that!" Maddie exclaimed, "he's always been kind. He doesn't like to lord over us. Not that he's not strict when he needs to be. He doesn't just let us do whatever we want or anything..."

"What Maddie is trying to say is that Jax is a fair and just alpha." Hannah interjected. "He's laid back for the most part, but he will act if he needs to. He believes in free will."

That had me relieved. Not that I thought Jax was dangerous or anything, I just don't know much about him. I'd like to learn all I can about him.

"So, the mystery girl makes an apperance" some girl says walking up to us. Something about this girl seems off. She seems very hostile.

"Take a hike Rachel." Maddie tells her.

Rachel ignores her as she's glaring at me. If looks could kill and all.

"So, who are you?" Rachel asks.

"Bailey"

"What a stupid name." She says back. Her friend she brought with her starts laughing.

I'm getting very angry. I haven't done anything to this girl to get this kind of hostility. I don't even her, but for some reason, she is going out of her way to make me feel unwelcome.

Just then I heard a loud growl and a voice boom.

" RACHEL!! STACY!! You will show the proper respect to your Luna!!" I saw Kip say behind them.

They turn to face him, with their heads down and eyes wide.

"Beta, I--" Rachel started to say,but Kip interrupted her.

"No excuses. This is your warning. Both of you. Next time, it's kitchen duty for a month."

Wow..kitchen duty. Sounds like a cake walk compared to the stalls, but then again anything would be. They seemed to hate that idea though as they both dropped their jaws.

"Yes, Beta" they both say, then walk away glaring back at me.

"You ok Bailey?" Kip asks me.

"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you"

"You don't have to take that from them, Bailey. You're the Luna. You need to put them in their place when they challenge you like that." Maddie said

"No, really. It's ok."

"Jax won't think it's ok. He'll make sure they never do it again" Kip tells me.

Even if it's just kitchen duty, I don't want anyone being punished because of me.

"Really, I don't want to cause any trouble for anyone." I say, although I knew exactly why this Rachel is acting this way. I've seen too many girls fight over Grayson like this. She's letting me know, Jax is off limits.

I suddenly get very angry and jealous thinking about it, and my wolf wants to go over to her and rip her head off for even thinking about my mate.

"Bailey, you can't let them disrespect you. You need to stand up to them" Kip said.

"Yeah," Maddie added ,"especially desperate she bitches like Rachel."

I only smile at her. I know she means well. I honestly feel very lacking when I compare myself to Rachel. She's very pretty, and it seems her and Jax had something going on in the past, if not still currently.

I feel my heart sink to think about Jax and Rachel being together, along with anger, jealously, murderous intent.

I can't blame Jax for having a past. Just because I'm still a virgin didn't mean he still is. Of course he wouldn't be. He is so handsome, I don't doubt she wolves have been throwing themselves at him.

I should ask Jax about his relationship with Rachel, but do I even have that right? He might get upset with me for asking him. He is allowed his past, after all, he didn't know me up to a week ago.

I go through the motions of working out, but I suddenly no longer feel good. I feel sick and I want to just go back to my room and cry, but I don't want Maddie or Hannah to worry about me. I just put on a smile and will save the crying for later.