The Packless Wolf

Chapter 10

Jasper got up to move towards her, but Reika took a step away from him. 

“Why,” she choked out.

“I’m sorry-“Jasper started to say, but Reika didn’t let him finish.

“I didn’t ask for an apology, I asked why.” Reika demanded. “Not even an hour ago you were telling me how you wanted to win my heart, then this. Why?”

“It’s not the right time," Jasper looked away. "It should happen after we’ve mated. What if you decide you still want me to reject you?” Jasper spoke with a silent fear. It was true, he had thought of that, it wasn’t the main reason, the main reason she couldn’t know just yet. But it was a fear he had ignored and hopefully, voicing it would repair some of the damage. 

Reika starred at him for a minute. Her breathing started to slow, and her tears started to dry. It would be unfair to him. 

If he joined the pack and he failed at winning her heart. Not only would he lose 1 bond, but he would lose 2. She decided she would forgive him. She and Conri were still mad, and Jasper had to have some consequence, but she would forgive him.  Satisfied with this arrangement, Conri retreated to his space, wanting to be alone and sulk in his pain. Maybe she would make him work extra hard at winning her heart? No, that would be too cruel. It'd have to be something else.

Reika looked at a desperate Jasper. She knew he was waiting for an answer. She wiped tears from her face as the last one rolled down. She breathed in his scent, fresh rain. With hungry eyes, she trailed down his body. Maybe she should let him mark her now. It would give him enough time to tell her dad he had reconsidered it. 

Reika walked within an arm's reach of Jasper. He stood there frozen, watching her like she was a puzzle. She reached her hands out and she slowly ran them across his abs and up his chest. Not only had he looked like he was chiseled from stone, but he felt like it. She unbuttoned the first 2 buttons on his shirt to reveal the mate mark. She used the thumb on her left hand to trace the mark, studying it. Her fingers tingled and she felt him tremble under her touch, confirming he also tingled whenever they made skin contact. Her eyes met his hungered eyes. She started to lean up.

Reika, we asked Alpha Eric to help with some of the decisions for tonight, but he’s busy, so we were told to ask you. A voice she didn't recognize said in her mind. It must've been a new wolf.

The mind link pulled her out of her trance. No, bad mate bond, she thought to herself. We’re mad at him. She pulled her hands away then lifted her right hand to the side. Slap, the sound of hand meeting check rang throughout Jasper’s room.

“Do…not…ever…do anything like what you did back there again,” she scolded Jasper with a finger pointed. “I will forgive you this time.” She turned and left the room. "And, that was for breaking my heart." Reika called back over her shoulder. Yes, that consequence will do. Though she didn't want to make a habit out of it.

Jasper was too shocked to move. He rubbed the side of his face. He was sure there was a handprint. His lower lip throbbed and he tasted the metallic taste of blood. It didn’t’ worry him though, it would be healed in a minute. He agreed that he deserved it and he was glad that she was willing to give him a second chance.

He had been sure she was ready to reject him regardless of the outcome for her. If the wolf that did the rejection was also the wolf that marked the mate, it would cause unbearable pain, sometimes even death. He laid back down on the bed, but this time with new determination. He would not waste this chance she gave him. 

Her touch was torture. It took all his strength, and most of Cyfrin’s levelhead to keep himself from pulling her towards him and crashing his lips into her. He would’ve carried her to the bed, pleasured her until she couldn’t take it anymore and completed the mate bond. That’s what he wanted to do. He wondered if she would want that too. It didn’t matter though. Cyfrin was right. She had to be alpha. There would be 2 outcomes if they mated before then. Either the title would be given to him or given to someone else. That couldn’t happen.