Jaded

Chapter Five

By the time they reached the estate, exhaustion sat heavily on Jade's shoulders.

The massive wrought-iron gates had already been opened by security, allowing Luca's Mercedes to glide up the long winding drive without slowing. Morning light spilled across the immaculate grounds, turning the fountains and trimmed hedges golden beneath the clear sky. Water danced softly from the grand fountain positioned in front of the mansion's entrance, the sound carrying through the otherwise quiet morning.

As soon as Luca parked near the circular drive, Jade was already reaching for the straps of her heels.

A groan escaped her as she slipped them off. "These things are medieval torture devices," she muttered.

Luca glanced over as she climbed out of the vehicle barefoot, her heels dangling from two fingers. A low laugh rumbled from his chest. "You say that every time."

"Because every time it's true." Jade shut the door quietly before turning toward the east side of the mansion.

The main entrance glowed warmly behind them. Massive windows illuminated the front lawn, and she knew Walter was probably still awake somewhere inside. The man seemed to operate on three hours of sleep and pure stubbornness.

Unfortunately, she had inherited enough of that stubbornness to think she could outmaneuver him.

Just this once.

She adjusted the overnight bag on her shoulder and began sneaking around the outside of the east wing.

Luca watched her for a moment. Then he laughed again. Not loudly. Not enough to draw attention. Just enough to make her narrow her eyes at him.

"What?" she hissed.

His grin widened. "Nothing."

That single word made her immediately suspicious.

His dark eyes practically sparkled with amusement.

"You know something."

"I know lots of things."

"Luca."

He merely lifted both hands in surrender before turning toward the main entrance. "Good luck."

Jade stopped walking. Her eyes narrowed further. "Good luck?"

But he was already heading up the steps.

The bastard.

A soft chuckle followed him as he disappeared through the front doors.

Jade stared after him for a moment before continuing toward the pool house.

The closer she got, the more hopeful she became.

No guards.

No Walter.

Perfect.

Her muscles practically sagged with relief. Three hours of sleep was finally catching up with her. Her head felt heavy. Her thoughts sluggish. All she wanted was a glass of wine and perhaps twelve uninterrupted hours unconscious. She reached the front door of the pool house and carefully unlocked it. The hinges barely made a sound as she slipped inside.

Still clear.

Good.

She stepped into the spacious sitting room, already thinking about opening a bottle of wine. Then she looked up. And froze.

Walter stood directly in the center of the room.

Waiting.

Busted.

The smile slid off her face instantly. Slowly, very slowly, she reached behind herself and pushed the door shut. The click sounded absurdly loud. Without saying a word, she walked over and set her overnight bag beside the entrance.

Walter remained exactly where he was. Arms crossed over his broad chest. Olive skin stretched taut across powerful muscles. His expression carried the same intimidating authority that had sent countless wolves running throughout the years.

And unfortunately for Jade, it still worked.

Even now.

"Care to explain?" he asked. His voice was calm.

Jade stared at the floor. "I lost track of time." A pause. "I am sorry."

Walter released a long sigh. His head tipped back slightly before one hand dragged through his salt-and-pepper hair.

The gesture was familiar.

So familiar that it immediately reminded her of Luca.

Same frustration.

Same exasperation.

Same inability to deal with her without wanting to simultaneously protect her and throttle her.

"This cannot continue, Jade."

She lifted her head.

Walter's amber eyes locked onto hers.

For a moment neither of them spoke.

Then Walter finally broke the silence. "You have two days until you are able to sense your mate."

Jade's stomach immediately tightened. There it was. The conversation she had been avoiding. Before Walter could continue, she cut him off. "Luca hasn't found his mate."

Walter's expression remained unchanged.

"It has been almost three years," she pressed. "What if I don't find mine?"

A long silence followed.

Walter simply stared at her. Then one dark eyebrow lifted. "Jade." His tone alone warned her she was testing his patience. "I am inviting every unmated male from every pack within a thousand-mile radius."

Her eyes widened.

Walter continued without mercy. "If you do not find your mate, then you can have whatever human you want."

Jade immediately looked horrified.

Walter pointed toward the floor. "But until then, I want your ass here." His gaze hardened. "Do you understand me?"

Jade groaned. Every part of her wanted to argue. Unfortunately, experience had taught her that arguing with Walter when he was in this mood was about as productive as arguing with a hurricane. She looked away. "Fine," she grumbled.

"Good." Walter gave a single nod. Some of the tension eased from his shoulders. "And good job getting what I needed."

Jade blinked.

The sudden change in subject caught her off guard.

Walter uncrossed his arms. "I don't think she would've confessed to anyone else."

A small smile tugged at Jade's lips. The praise wasn't common. At least not directly. She turned and headed toward the kitchen. "I just knew what buttons to push."

The kitchen lights illuminated the marble counters as she crossed the room.

Reaching the wine rack, she selected a freshly imported bottle from France. The familiar routine helped settle her nerves. The corkscrew twisted. The metal worm slid into the cork.

Pop.

The sound echoed softly through the room.

Behind her, Walter frowned. Not because of the wine. Because of her. Because he knew her too well. "Jade."

She glanced over her shoulder.

Walter's expression had softened. Only slightly. But enough. "I know you're terrified of being bonded to a mate."

Her fingers stilled.

The bottle remained suspended above the counter.

Walter continued carefully. "You think you're losing something." His voice had lost its edge now. "You think your choices disappear."

Jade looked away.

Because that was exactly what she thought.

"You'll find," Walter said quietly, "that what you're looking for in these human men will be in your mate."

The room fell silent.

Only the distant sound of the fountain outside filled the space between them.

Jade poured herself a glass. Dark red wine swirled against crystal. "And if I don't find it in him?" The question came out softer than she intended. More vulnerable.

Walter closed his eyes briefly. A weary chuckle escaped him as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Another Luca habit. Or perhaps Luca had inherited it from him. "Jade..." There was affection in his voice now.

Affection.

Frustration.

Concern.

All tangled together.

"Please." His eyes met hers. "Don't fight me on this."

Jade stared down into her wine glass. The deep red liquid swirled slowly as she rotated her wrist. The scent of berries and oak drifted upward, but she barely noticed it. Her thoughts were elsewhere. Always elsewhere when this subject came up.

Walter remained silent.

Waiting.

Patient.

The same way he had waited for her to come to him after a nightmare when she was younger. The same way he waited now, knowing there was something she wasn't saying.

Finally, she sighed. "What if I hate him?"

The words landed heavily in the kitchen.

Walter blinked. For a moment, genuine surprise crossed his face. Not because of the question. Because of how quietly she had asked it.

Jade laughed once. A humorless sound. "You all keep talking about this bond like it's some magical solution to everything." She lifted the glass and took a drink. "What if he's arrogant?"

Walter opened his mouth.

Jade wasn't finished. "What if he's cruel?" She set the glass down. "What if he's controlling? What if he's one of those males who thinks every female should fall in line behind him?" Her pale-green eyes lifted to Walter. "What if I can't stand him?"

The silence stretched between them.

Long enough for the grandfather clock in the sitting room to tick several times.

Walter leaned back against the marble island. His arms uncrossed. His posture relaxing slightly. Not because he was comfortable. Because he realized they were finally having the conversation she has been avoiding. "That's not how it works."

Jade snorted. "Convenient answer."

"It is the truth." Walter's voice remained calm. "The bond doesn't make you blind."

That caught her attention.

She frowned.

Walter continued. "If your mate is an asshole, you'll know he's an asshole."

Despite herself, Jade barked out a laugh.

Walter's lips twitched. "The bond isn't mind control."

"Easy for you to say."

"It is." His expression grew more serious. "You think a bond changes who someone is." He shook his head. "It doesn't."

The kitchen grew quiet again.

"The male you meet will already be the male he is." Walter looked directly at her. "If he's kind, he'll still be kind. If he's honorable, he'll still be honorable." His jaw tightened slightly. "And if he's a bastard, he'll still be a bastard."

Jade stared at him. The answer wasn't what she had expected. Not at all. Her fingers tightened around the stem of her wine glass. "What if he's from the pack?" The question slipped out before she could stop it.

Walter went still.

Completely still.

For the first time since she had walked into the pool house, he hesitated. That hesitation told her everything. Jade's stomach sank. "Oh God."

Walter closed his eyes. "Jade."

"No." She immediately began pacing. "No, no, no." A hand dragged through her blonde hair. "Half the unmated males in this pack are insufferable."

Walter pinched the bridge of his nose. "I am aware."

"What if it's Mason?"

Walter grimaced. "Unlikely."

"What if it's Trent?"

"Please stop."

"What if it's Darren?" Walter's face actually twisted. "Now you're upsetting me."

Jade pointed accusingly. "See? See? You know exactly what I'm talking about." She threw both hands into the air. "What if I spend twenty-one years becoming my own person only for the Moon Goddess to look down and decide, You know what would be hilarious? Darren."

Walter stared at her. Then, despite himself, a laugh escaped. A genuine one. The sound startled both of them.

Jade groaned dramatically. "I'm serious."

"I know."

"What if I get stuck with some pack male who follows me around breathing through his mouth?"

Walter rubbed a hand over his face. "I sincerely hope your mate knows how to breathe."

"I'm making a point."

"I know."

Jade dropped back into her chair. The humor slowly faded. Her gaze lowered. "What if I don't get a choice?" The vulnerability returned. Rawer this time. More honest.

Walter's smile disappeared. He looked at her for a long moment. Then he walked around the island. When he spoke, his voice was quieter. Gentler. "You always have a choice."

Jade looked up.

Walter rested a hand against the countertop. "The bond may tell you who your mate is." His amber eyes held hers. "But it doesn't decide what kind of life you build together."

The room fell silent.

"And if he hurts you?" Walter continued. "Then he'll answer to me." Something dark flickered behind his eyes. Something ancient. Predatory. "And Roman."

Jade winced.

Walter nodded. "Especially Luca."

A reluctant smile pulled at the corner of her mouth. "That's not comforting."

"It should be."

"Why?"

Walter's answering smile was slow. Because it carried absolute certainty. "Because if your mate turns out to be an i***t, Luca will make it his life's mission to ensure he never forgets it."

The smile on Jade's face lingered for only a moment before fading. She stared down into her wine glass. The crimson liquid reflected the morning sunlight pouring through the kitchen windows. Beyond the glass, she could see the gardens stretching toward the tree line, dew still clinging to the flowers.

Everything looked peaceful.

Too peaceful.

Because her chest still felt tight. "What if you were wrong?"

Walter's amusement faded.

Jade swallowed. "What if the Moon Goddess makes mistakes?" The question was barely above a whisper.

Walter became very still.

Not offended.

Not angry.

Just thoughtful.

Jade turned the stem of her wine glass between her fingers. "You speak about mates like they're perfect." Her eyes remained on the wine. "Like finding one fixes everything." A pause. "You loved your mate."

Walter didn't answer immediately.

Jade finally looked up. His expression had changed. The hardness she was accustomed to seeing was gone. In its place was something older. Something sadder. A grief that time had softened but never erased.

For a long moment, Walter simply stared out the kitchen windows. When he finally spoke, his voice was quieter than she had ever heard it. "No."

Jade blinked. "No?"

A faint smile touched his lips. "I didn't love her."

Now it was Jade's turn to stare.

Walter looked almost amused by her confusion. "I loved her eventually." His gaze drifted toward the gardens. "But not at first."

The admission hung in the air between them.

Jade had never heard Walter talk about her.

Not really.

Everyone knew she had died, everyone knew Roman had survived, everyone knew Walter had never taken another mate. But nobody spoke about it. Not in detail. Not around him.

Walter exhaled slowly. "When I sensed her, I was furious."

Jade's eyebrows shot upward. "You?"

"Yes, me." For the first time all morning, a genuine smile appeared on Walter's face. Small. Wistful. "I was twenty-three. Arrogant. Convinced I knew everything."

Jade snorted.

Walter pointed at her. "Do not."

"You walked right into that."

"I know." The smile lingered for another second before fading again. Walter's gaze grew distant. "As Alpha, I had plans." His fingers tapped lightly against the marble countertop. "Political alliances. Expansion. Territory negotiations." His jaw tightened slightly." I had my future mapped out."

Jade watched him carefully. "And then?"

Walter chuckled. A soft, private sound. "And then I walked into a bakery."

Jade blinked. "A bakery?"

Walter nodded. "A bakery." The corners of his mouth twitched. "Your generation thinks everything important happens during battles." His eyes drifted toward the ceiling. "It doesn't."

Jade couldn't help smiling. "What happened?"

For a moment, Walter looked decades younger. "I walked in." His smile widened. "She was yelling at someone."

Jade laughed.

Immediately.

Loudly.

Walter shot her a look. "What?"

"Your mate was yelling at somebody?"

"She was terrifying."

That only made Jade laugh harder.

Walter shook his head. "The customer deserved it."

"I'm sure."

"He did." The affection in Walter's voice was unmistakable now. The kind of affection that survived death. The kind that never left. "She was standing behind the counter covered in flour." His eyes softened. "There was flour in her hair." A pause. "On her nose." Another pause. "And she was threatening to throw a loaf of bread at a grown man."

Jade grinned. "Oh, I would've liked her."

Walter's smile became genuine. "You would've loved her."

The kitchen grew quiet. Not uncomfortable. Just reflective.

Jade watched him carefully. Watched the way his expression shifted. The way memories seemed to pull him somewhere far away.

"I hated the bond."

The confession startled her.

Walter laughed quietly. "I fought it for months."

"What?"

"I thought I deserved someone stronger."

Jade frowned. "That's awful."

"It was." Walter didn't try to defend himself. "I was an arrogant idiot." His gaze lowered briefly. "I thought I needed a warrior." His smile returned. "The Moon Goddess gave me a baker."

Jade leaned against the counter. Listening. Completely absorbed now.

Walter's eyes drifted toward the gardens again. "And she was the strongest person I ever knew." The words were simple. But they carried weight. The kind of weight that only came from absolute certainty.

Jade's throat tightened.

Walter continued. "When Roman was born, there were complications." The warmth left his voice. Not entirely. Just enough. The old wound was there now. Visible. Raw. Even after all these years.

Jade remained silent.

Walter stared through the windows. As though he were looking at something nobody else could see. "The doctors told me to prepare myself." His voice grew rougher. "I remember sitting beside her bed." A long pause as he gathers his words together. "I remember holding her hand." The kitchen felt impossibly quiet. Even the fountain outside seemed distant now. Walter swallowed. "I remember promising her everything would be fine." His jaw clenched. "And I knew I was lying."

Jade's heart broke a little. Because she had never heard Walter sound helpless before. Not once. Not in all the years she had known him. She was much too young to remember his Luna, Charlotte.

Walter was the man who solved problems, the man who protected everyone, the man monsters feared. Yet here he stood. Remembering the one battle he had lost. "When she died..." He stopped. The silence stretched.

Jade didn't interrupt.

Didn't move.

Didn't breathe.

Walter stared at the marble counter. "I wanted to follow her." The words landed like stones.

Jade's eyes widened.

Walter laughed softly. A bitter sound. "Not immediately." His gaze shifted toward her. "But eventually." There was no shame in the confession. Only honesty. "The bond doesn't disappear, Jade." A muscle flexed in his jaw. "You carry it." His hand settled over his chest. "Every day."

Jade's eyes burned.

Walter looked away again. "For a long time, I hated the Moon Goddess." The admission came quietly. "I hated fate. I hated the bond." His expression tightened. "Because if she hadn't been my mate..." He stopped. Unable to finish. Because they both knew the end of that sentence. If she hadn't been his mate… It wouldn't have hurt so much. Walter released a long breath. "But then I realized something."

Jade waited. "What?"

A sad smile touched his lips. Walter looked directly at her. "If she hadn't been my mate..." His voice softened. "I never would've had her at all."

The room fell silent.

Jade felt tears prick her eyes.

Walter's gaze drifted toward the family photos Jade has displayed along the far wall of the pool house. Photos spanning decades. Birthdays. Holidays. Roman. Luca. The family they had built. The life his mate had left behind. "I would live through losing her a thousand times." His voice never wavered. "Just to have those years again."

Jade's throat tightened painfully.

Walter smiled. Small. Sad. Certain. "That's why I argue with you." His amber eyes met hers. "It's not because I think mates are perfect." He shook his head. "It's because I know what it feels like to find the person you were meant to have."

A long silence followed.

Then Walter's smile became slightly amused. "And because if your mate ends up being Darren, I will personally challenge the Moon Goddess to a duel."

Jade laughed through the sting in her eyes.

Walter chuckled too.

And for the first time since the conversation began, neither of them felt quite so afraid.

Jade laughed through the sting of tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

Walter's expression softened immediately. There was something almost heartbreaking about that look. Because it reminded her that beneath the Alpha. Beneath the businessman. Beneath the terrifying male who could command an entire pack with a single word. He was still just Walter.

The man who had raised her.

The man who had taught her how to ride a bike.

Who had sat through dance recitals.

Who had scared away every boy that had ever looked at her for more than three seconds.

The man who had spent years pretending he wasn't worried every time she walked out the front gates.

Walter pushed away from the counter and slowly approached her. His heavy footsteps echoed softly across the marble floor. "Jade." His voice was gentler now. The anger was gone. The frustration was gone. Only affection remained. When he reached her, he rested a hand against the countertop beside her. "The Moon Goddess isn't cruel."

Jade lowered her eyes.

Walter waited until she looked back at him. "She would never bond you to someone who wasn't compatible with you."

A skeptical look immediately crossed Jade's face.

Walter snorted. "Yes, I know."

"You don't sound convinced."

"Because I'm not."

That earned a chuckle. A small one. But enough.

Walter shook his head. "Your mate isn't going to be some male who expects you to sit quietly in a corner and agree with everything he says."

Jade raised an eyebrow. "He better not."

"He won't. "Walter's smile tugged at one corner of his mouth. "Frankly, I don't think such a male would survive twenty-four hours with you."

Jade gasped dramatically. "That is rude."

"It is accurate."

Her mouth fell open.

Walter continued before she could argue. "Your mate will be someone who can handle your chaos." His smile widened. "Which, admittedly, narrows the field considerably."

"Walter."

"He'll be someone who can keep up with you." His amber eyes softened. "Someone who won't be intimidated by you." The teasing faded from his expression. "Someone who sees every ridiculous, stubborn, reckless part of you and still thinks you're beautiful."

Jade's chest tightened.

Walter reached over and gently flicked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "He'll look at you and wonder how he got so lucky."

Her eyes immediately burned. Damn him. Walter always knew exactly what to say.

Then his expression shifted. Ever so slightly. "And he'll need an exceptionally strong stomach."

Jade blinked. "What?"

Walter's face remained completely serious. "For all the trouble you're going to cause him."

A bark of laughter escaped her. "Excuse me?"

"Jade." He held up both hands. "You once climbed onto the roof because you wanted to see if the chimney was haunted."

"I was twelve."

"You convinced Roman to help."

"Roman agreed."

“You bribed him."

"Allegedly." Jade laughed harder.

Walter pointed at her. "Exactly." A smile spread across his face. Warm. Genuine. The kind she rarely saw. "Your mate will need the patience of a saint."

Jade rolled her eyes. Then she swung at him. Not hard. Just enough to smack his arm.

Walter effortlessly dodged. Years of training making the movement almost insultingly smooth.

"Hey!" Her second attempt fared no better.

Walter caught her wrist before she could connect.

Jade gasped. "Cheater."

"Alpha." Before she could pull away, Walter tugged. The movement was unexpected enough that she stumbled forward. Straight into him. His arms wrapped around her immediately. Secure. Protective. Unyielding.

For a brief moment, Jade froze. Then something inside her cracked. Her arms slid around his waist. She pressed her cheek against his chest. The familiar scent of his cologne surrounded her. Woodsy. Expensive. Comforting. Home.

Walter's chin settled lightly atop her head. One large hand moved to the back of her hair. Slowly stroking through the golden strands. The same way he had when she was little. The same way he had after nightmares. After scraped knees. After heartbreak. After every terrible thing life had thrown at her.

Jade closed her eyes. The lump in her throat became impossible to ignore.

Walter continued running his hand through her hair. Patiently. Without rushing her. Without demanding anything. "You worry too much." His voice vibrated through his chest beneath her cheek.

Jade huffed out a laugh. "That's rich coming from you."

Walter chuckled. "Fair."

Silence settled between them again. Comfortable. Safe. The kind of silence that only existed between people who had loved one another for years. Then Walter's hand stilled. His fingers lightly squeezing the back of her head. "Listen to me."

Jade swallowed.

His voice had changed again. More serious now.

She nodded against his chest.

"If your mate is worth having, he'll treasure you." His hand resumed its gentle movement through her hair. "And if he isn't..." The Alpha slipped briefly into his voice. Cold. Dangerous. Ancient. "Then he'll answer to me."

Jade smiled despite the tears threatening to spill. The tears she had been fighting all morning finally escaped. One slipped down her cheek. Then another. And another. Jade squeezed her eyes shut. Embarrassed. Frustrated. Exhausted. Terrified. All at once.

Walter didn't comment on the tears. Didn't point them out. Didn't tell her not to cry. He simply held her. Tighter. Safer. As though he could somehow shield her from every terrible thing in the world. "You don't have to be brave all the time, sweetheart."

The words shattered whatever control she had left. A broken sound escaped her. Her shoulders shook.

Walter immediately wrapped both arms around her more securely. Holding her against him. Anchoring her. "I've got you." His voice was barely above a whisper. "I always will."

Jade buried her face against his chest. The tears came freely now. Years of fear. Years of uncertainty. Years of pretending she wasn't scared.

Walter stood there through all of it. Patient. Steady. Unmoving. Holding her exactly the way a father should. And when the tears finally came, Walter held her for as long as she needed.