The Unwanted: Changing Fates (Rewriting)

33.

However she wasn't alone for long even though Gatlin didn't mind the solitude amongst the plants and she was feeling more at peace with setting things straight with her mother and now clearing the air with Onyx leaving on better terms was even better but her thoughts were quickly cut short and the silence disrupted at the all too familiar deep voice “Pryce” Jaxon stood only a few feet away still looking dishevelled but not as bad as he was before, he still hadn't shaved but it wasn't often he did anyway and the formal attire wasn't ironed, the shirt unbuttoned two from the top and he looked like he hadn't slept but somehow he still looked good.

“Marks” Gatlin replied flatly. she wasn't sure how to speak to him since their last charming conversation “where’s the blonde?” she asked trying to sound casual but there was a harshness in the tone.

He let out a breathy laugh stepping closer along the stone path “a mistake I won't make again, Pryce don't worry” his dark eyes seemed to linger over her body taking all of Gatlin in. Perhaps it was because he usually only saw her in work out attire and today she was all dressed up in a dark maroon dress, makeup done and her usually wild hair was tamed down and styled “you look good.”

“So do you” she flashed a polite smile at his words unsure how to take it after all it wasn't common she received a compliment.

“I feel like s**t” Jaxon spoke as he rubbed one of his large hands at the back of his neck.

“You look it too I was just being nice” Gatlin couldn't help but tease and he laughed in return finally stepping to the spot beside her. Dark eyes watching her snickering face.

“Gatlin...” with the single word she stopped and fell silent her first name was so unfamiliar when they spoke but she knew whatever he was about to say was serious “I'm sorry, for being a d**k to you... I'm just sorry.”

Observing his tired features but the regret and sincerity were obvious, she sighed “I know” then Gatlin shook her head thinking of Jaxon’s behaviour as she turned to face him “you're a mess, Jaxon Marks.”

“Yeah, I know... I'm going to try though I will train again and take the test to be Beta again. You were right I shouldn't just give up on what I want” he admitted it was odd to see him serious but it was nice at the same time.

“No you should never give up on what you want, Marks is too important--” before she could finish the words one of his large arms were on her hip pulling her closer. Her eyes wide in surprise as his other hand gently placed over her cheek while leaning down to claim her lips with his. They were as soft as she thought they looked but strong against her inexperienced ones so she let him lead, Gatlin’s eyes fluttered closed, there was no sensation of the mate bond but it certainly wasn't disappointing and Gatlin practically fell into him at the cloudiness that filled her head all she could focus on was the movement of his lips against her own which was enough to make her melt like jelly in his hands. As Jaxon pulled away she didn't move and she wanted to protest him pulling away, maybe it was crazy in their world to want another who wasn't their mate but what was she to do when she was already denied by her mate, a mate she didn't want in the first place at least with Jaxon she knew she felt something because of herself not from some strange claim of destiny.

His usually hard eyes had softened as his forehead was pressed against her own “Should I go for everything I want, Pryce?” the question was merely a reminder that tomorrow she was leaving that leaving peacefully thing suddenly seemed a distant memory with an ache forming in her gut at Jaxon’s sudden decision to make a move on her now.

“Jaxon...” her voice came out so much weaker than she intended but he smiled it wasn't big frankly it was almost sad only the one corner of his lips raising.

“I know you're leaving and I'm not stopping you” Jaxon ran his fingers through the curls of her hair “I wasn't lying when I said I was a screw-up, Pryce because I am I always mess everything up I have my entire life but I wanna change that now make better choices and make a better life for myself... I know you want a better life too, Gatlin and I would never stop you from pursuing it that wasn't what the kiss was about...” he gave her a brief kiss once more before completely pulling away and Gatlin had to force herself to let him “you are amazing, Gatlin Pryce and maybe one day I could deserve you.”

“Wh...What if you have a mate out there somewhere?” she asked but her words were all but a stuttering mess. Jaxon wasn't usually so serious it had completely thrown her.

“I’m a half cast, Pryce its doubtful I even have one--”

“But what if you do?”

“Then I will go looking across the world for them and when I prove I'm right and I don’t have one...” a grin crept across his lips “I will come looking for you, Pryce and that's a promise” words she never thought she would hear especially from someone who wasn't her mate came as a surprise but not unwelcome they warmed her heart and she couldn't help but smile. Gatlin had never cared much about a romantic life but as she watched Jaxon walk back to the party she felt she wasn't as closed off to the idea as she originally thought.