Fighting For A Goddess

I'll Miss You

Monica finished styling Jade’s hair and turned her chair around, Jade gasped. Her hair had never looked so beautiful, it fell softly down her back. Monica was smiling in the mirror at her.

“You’re a magician,” Jade exclaimed. Monica giggled.

“No girl, your hair is naturally beautiful, just like you. You just need a little product to tame it.”

Monica’s phone dinged in her pocket. She pulled it out and checked her messages.

“Food’s here! Do you want me to have Xander bring it up, or do you want to eat in the kitchen?”

Jade looked around Xander’s immaculate room, she’d feel terrible if she got pasta sauce on anything.

“Let’s eat downstairs. I don’t want to make a mess in here,” Jade admitted.

“Alright, let’s go stuff our faces!” Monica said happily.

Xander put his phone down and waited for the girls to come down. Eric was pulling the food out of the delivery bags. He’d text Monica a few times to check on Jade, she reassured him that she was okay. They’d finished up their talk with Kyle 20 minutes ago, Kyle had been quiet the entire conversation. Xander and Eric had laid down ground rules with him about how Jade was to be treated from here on out. Kyle nodded but kept his head hung low. He left immediately afterward. Xander told Kyle he’d bring Jade home later. It was already close to midnight, so he would need to get her home soon. Just then the two youngest warriors in the pack, Elijah and Logan walked in the front door.

“Damn, it smells good in here!” Elijah exclaimed.

“Hey Alpha. Hey Eric,” Logan greeted them.

“Hey Logan, there’s a human guest here right now, so it’s just Xander,” Eric instructed.

“You guys hungry?” Xander asked. Logan and Elijah were only 18 and they trained twice as hard as some of the other warriors just to prove they deserved their positions. Xander admired their dedication.

“Starving,” Elijah answered.

“You ate right before our run,” Logan rolled his eyes.

“I ran it off,” Elijah shrugged his shoulders as he picked up a plate and started loading it up chicken parmesan.

Just then Monica tapped Xander on the shoulder and cleared her throat from behind him. Xander turned around and she wrapped her arms around him. He returned the hug.

“Holy s**t! Who’s the supermodel?” Elijah cursed with his mouth full of food. Even though Elijah had said it under his breath, it was loud enough for the five werewolves in the room to hear.

Xander looked up and saw Jade standing there. She looked breathtaking. Xander’s eyes traveled from her sparkling green eyes down to her beautiful curves. Her body was unbelievable. Her dress was short, and her toned sexy legs were on full display. Her hair fell away from her face, so he could see every detail of her smooth skin, her button nose, her plump lips… she looked like a goddess.

Ares was purring like a damn kitten.

Jade locked eyes with Xander and gave him a small smile before she walked past him. Monica pulled away from him, breaking him out of the spell Jade had put him under.

“Doesn’t Jade look gorgeous?” Monica asked excitedly. She was happy with her handiwork. The next step would be harder, getting Jade to come out of her shy little shell.

“Yes, she does,” Xander said softly as he looked back at Jade. Monica’s brow pulled together when she noticed the look of longing on Xander’s face.

“Xander… how old is Jade?”

“17. I think she'll be 18 soon though.”

“Hmmm,” was all Monica said. She pulled away and walked back over to Jade. Helping her find a plate and utensils. Both girls piled their plates with pasta and then went to sit down at the table. Xander followed behind them with two plates of lasagna, chicken parmesan, alfredo, and garlic bread. He sat down on the right side of Monica, Jade sat on her left.

Elijah stood up from his seat and sat next to Jade, “Hey gorgeous, haven’t seen you around here before… What's your name?”

Jade blushed and looked away, “Jade,” She answered shyly.

His blue eyes lit up, “I’m Elijah.” When he smiled at her his cheeks dimpled. He had dark wavy hair, it was messy and fell in his eyes as he laughed. She wasn’t surprised that both Elijah and his friend were built and tall, like all the other men here.

Jade took bites of her chicken piccata as Elijah asked about how old she was, what she liked to do for fun. Jade answered all his questions politely.

“So Jade, do you have a boyfriend?”

Xander and Eric both growled at him.

Jade paused. Did someone just growl? She could have sworn she heard someone growl. She glanced up and looked around the room. Eric and the other younger-looking guy had both stopped eating. They were both watching her like they were waiting for her to answer.

“No…I actually don’t date,” she replied.

“You’ve never dated anyone?” Elijah asked, with one eyebrow raised.

“No,” Jade answered.

“Well, if you ever change your mind about that, I’d love to show you a good time,” Elijah winked at her before moving back over to sit by Logan.

As soon as Elijah was out of earshot, Monica leaned into her.

“Jade… Elijah is such a fun guy and you two are the same age. You should let him take you out,” Monica whispered to her. Xander stiffened. Jade just nodded her head.

“I’ll think about it.”

“Time to spread those wings, girl. Pop that first date cherry,” Monica giggled into her ear. Xander dropped his fork onto his plate. It clattered loudly.

Jade exhaled. She wasn’t afraid of dating. She just didn’t need any attachments holding her to this town.

“It’s more of a timing thing, Monica. I’m moving away after graduation next week. I haven’t dated anyone because I don’t want it to be harder to leave than it already is.”

“Oh,” Monica replied.

Xander stood up, “I should get you home, Jade. It’s after midnight.”

Jade gasped, “Oh goodness, I didn’t realize how late it was.” She quickly stood up and walked her plate to the sink to wash it. Eric came up behind her.

“Let me take care of that,” Eric told her as he took the plate out of her hand. He also slipped a piece of paper into her hand. She looked at him questioningly.

“It’s my number. If you ever need anything, give me a call.”

“Oh, okay. Thanks,” Jade replied softly.

“No problem, Angel,” Eric grinned at her. Jade walked back into the dining room to find Xander. Monica had put her wet swimsuit in a bag for her. Xander was leaning against the door that led to the parking garage waiting for her.

Jade took the bag from Monica before wrapping her arms around her again. “Thanks for everything Monica, I’ll bring the dress back to you tomorrow morning.”

“You’re welcome, Jade. And, keep it. It looks better on you anyway,” She smiled.

“No way.” Jade shook her head. “I’ll bring it back tomorrow. You’ve done so much for me already. I’m not keeping it.” Jade argued.

“Yes, you are. And you’re keeping the lingerie too,” Monica said loudly. Jade’s face went red, making Monica giggle. Jade turned and nearly ran out of the room. She didn’t dare glance around or look at Xander’s face as he opened the door leading her outside. She walked ahead of him all the way to his truck.

Before she could open the passenger door, Xander’s hand slipped around her waist, pulling her back against his muscular chest. He reached over and opened the door for her before releasing her. As she stepped into the truck, the tight dress climbed up higher on her thigh. She quickly pulled the hem down, hoping Xander wouldn’t get a glimpse of her bare bottom.

As soon as she sat down in her seat, Xander closed the door and walked around the truck. He didn’t say anything to her as he started up the truck and drove her to her house. Jade was relieved that her car was still gone, she wanted to sneak back in before her dad got home. She’d never been out this late before and she didn’t want to give her drunk dad a reason to be angry with her.

Xander opened her door, helping her down from the truck. He left one hand on her waist as he quietly closed the truck door with the other. He brought up both of his hands and placed them on the truck on either side of Jade, trapping her between his body and the truck. Her eyes snapped up and stared into his dark ones. His heated gaze turned her on, causing an unfamiliar need to bloom inside her. Xander inhaled deeply a smile forming on the corner of his mouth.

Her arousal smells so f*cking sweet Ares hummed. Xander forced himself to focus.

“You’re leaving?” Xander questioned, his voice much deeper than usual.

“Um…Yes.”

“When?”

“After I turn 18 next week.”

“Where are you going?”

“I…I’d rather not say.”

“What?!” Xander protested. “You’re leaving, and you don’t want to tell me where you’re going,” he reiterated in a dangerously low tone.

“Not just you. I’m not telling anyone where I’m going. It’s just easier this way,” Jade exhaled.

“You’re not leaving me.”

Xander dropped his hands to her lower back. He pulled her against him, hugging her tightly. Jade resisted for a moment before resting her head on his chest. She felt her heart tighten. She hated the butterflies in her stomach. She didn’t want to feel this way about him anymore. She’d foolishly hoped that once she turned 18, Xander’s kindness towards her would turn into something more romantic. She’d thought maybe he was holding back because he was 5 years older and she was underaged. She’d even fantasized about him kissing her on her 18th birthday. She cringed at her own naivety. Xander was in a serious relationship. She thought about Monica as she pushed away from Xander. Her striking green eyes stared into his with conviction.

“Monica’s really great, Xander, I’m happy for you,” Xander stepped back, a pained look crossing his face.

“Thanks for saving me tonight…and for everything. I’ll miss you when I leave,” Jade’s green eyes watered as she turned and walked into her house. She checked on Aidan before climbing the stairs to her room. She changed into her pajamas before sinking into her bed. She was physically and emotionally exhausted and now her heart felt so heavy. She heard a distant howl as she drifted off.