The Choice

Chapter Two

As her gaze wandered towards the rose bush, Octavia’s heart skipped a beat as a tall figure emerged. It was him, the beautiful, handsome male she knew so well. Clad in a tight white t-shirt that hugged his muscular frame and black jeans that tugged on his lean legs, he exuded an aura of confidence.

She couldn’t help but be captivated by his striking features. His chiseled jawline, perfectly sculpted cheekbones, and those striking caramel eyes holding her in place as they locked onto hers. His dark curly hair was sticking in all directions giving him a boy-ish look. However, she knew there was nothing boy-ish about this male.

The two children instantly stopped wrestling and ran toward him. He slowly bent to one knee and spoke with them face to face, holding his hand open before them.

“I think I overheard Mrs. Reid saying she was baking a fresh batch of cookies.” He smiled while he was talking with the young boys. Making my heart flutter. “Why don’t you both go to the kitchens and see if they are ready? Conan, let me have the notebook, please.”

The boys exchanged a mischievous glance at one another, contemplating his words. After a moment, Conan handed over the coveted notebook before they both dashed off towards the kitchens, tripping over themselves to see who would get to the pack kitchens first.

“Thanks Jasper, however, I’m now going to have to hear Mrs. Reid lecture me again on why we need an age requirement to enter the kitchens.” Maggie groaned.

Jasper rose from the ground, clutching Maggie’s notebook tightly in his hand. Octavia’s heart raced has she met his gaze. He grinned, a sense of mischief evident in his eyes. “Don’t worry, Mags. I will take care of Mrs. Reid.” He playfully bumps his arm against hers handing over her notebook.

“You’re damn right you will, Jasper Stone Luca.” Maggie takes back her notebook and then proceeds to place both hands on her hips, contouring her face into a stern scowl.

Jasper bit slightly on his bottom lip, looking as if he was trying to hold in a laugh. “It’s Jasper Luca Stone, my ever terrifying Luna.” He teased.

Octavia couldn’t hold in her laughter. She threw her head back and released a deep laugh. “Mags, you know you can’t be stern with us,” she said wiping a lose tear that had escaped. “Especially if you can’t remember our names.”

Maggie blushed, her pale cheeks turning a slight shade of pink. “Oh, screw you both.” She retorted by rolling her eyes and throwing her hands up in exasperation.

Octavia was still chuckling when Jasper turned his attention towards her. His caramel colored eyes locking on her deep grey ones. She couldn’t help but feel a magnetic pull towards him.

As he leaned in closer, their bodies almost touching, Jasper’s warm breath grazed against her ear. “I wouldn’t mind doing just that.” His voice low and seductive, whispered, “Screwing you.” His breath hot against her skin. “Oh wait, I believe we already did.” His fingers gently grabbed her chin, slightly tilting her mouth towards his. “Just this morning” he leaned down, brushing his lips ever so slightly against her own. The sweet smell of mint washing over her. “Twice.”

Octavia’s breath hitched, her pulse quickening, as she felt an intoxicating mix of desire and excitement at the thought of what they had done this morning. Her heart fluttered at the memory of his hands roaming over her skin, the way his teeth lightly nipped at her neck, the moans that ripped through her throat in pleasure.

A deep predatory growl interrupted her train of thought. The way Jasper was looking at her, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, sent a slow shiver down her spine. Octavia’s cheeks instantly flushed a deep crimson.

“Wanna make it a third time, Octavia?” His words were like silk, wrapping around her senses, igniting a flame of desire that pooled deep in her core.

She tried to maintain her composure, but Jasper had a way of breaking her. She chewed on her lip to keep the small smile from spreading wildly.

The action caused Jasper’s eyes to dart to her lips, pulling his head slightly back so she could see the hunger that now swirled in his eyes. He brushed the pad of this thumb lightly along her bottom lip, pulling it gently from her teeth. He smirked as a small gasp escaped her at the tingling sensation left behind from his thumb.

Octavia held her breath in anticipation as he ducked his chin to lower his lips to her own. However, the sound of a throat clearing stopped them both in their tracks. She whipped her head towards the sound and there was Maggie, arms crossed over her chest and the biggest grin plastered on her face.

Jasper laughed loudly, “Apologizes, Luna,” he gently grabbed Octavia’s chin again and turned her gaze back to him. He whispered so only she would be able to hear, “I’ll see you tonight, O,” before releasing his hold on her and walking towards the pack house.

His presence alone was enough to make Octavia’s heart beat wildly. But now, with his words teasingly whispered in her ear, she found herself unable to resist the allure of what was to come and her heart beat uncontrollably.

“So, I see things are going well.” Maggie says with a raised eyebrow and a knowing smirk.

“Y-yeah,” Octavia stuttered putting her hands to her cheeks to help cool down the heat that had risen to them. “You could say that.”

She could feel her cheeks flushing more with embarrassment as Maggie’s eyes grew into the size of saucers. She quickly cleared her throat and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Maggie’s smile widened. “Oh, Octavia, I’m so happy for you! I knew it was only time before you both realized you were meant to be.”

Jasper is the newly appointed Beta of the pack. Growing up with her brother, Troy has led to them sharing countless adventures and experiences, forming an unbreakable bond. Troy trusts no one else more than Jasper which is why he appointed him to be his second. Throughout their childhood, Octavia was merely seen as a little sister to Jasper. She often found herself at the receiving end of pranks or jokes. However, about a year ago, something shifted. Jasper started to go out of his way to spend more time with Octavia, finding opportunities to joke with her instead of at her. His attempts at flirting were met with both amusement and curiosity from Octavia. Over the course of a few months, Jasper’s persistence eventually won her over. She agreed to go on only one date with him, but that one date turned into many more.

Octavia’s embarrassment deepened further as she started to fidget with her hands. “It has only been four months, Mags. I’m afraid things might be moving too fast.”

“Octavia, you know four months to us is basically committing to marriage.” She laughed, warmly “Just look at Troy and I, mated and married within three months.”

Maggie was right, of course. A four-month serious relationship with anyone from the pack would be basically announcing and accepting a lifetime commitment to one another. The only problem was, Octavia wasn’t like the other members of the pack.

She was human.