Chapter 2: A Familiar Storm
1712 Words
Jasper strolled into view, sun at his back, curls still damp from his morning shower. The same curls she’d run her fingers through only hours ago.
He looked like something out of a dream: tall, broad-shouldered, tanned skin. His white shirt clung to him, half-tucked into dark jeans. A casual look—effortless. But there was nothing casual about the way he moved. Or the way his caramel eyes zeroed in on her like a target.
Octavia’s cheeks warmed.
He didn’t slow down as he approached, eyes locked on her with that lazy, self-assured swagger that always managed to unnerve her in the most irritatingly thrilling way. His presence hit before his voice did—like a familiar heat curling around her spine.
“You left before I could properly say good morning,” Jasper said, stopping just in front of her with a lopsided grin. “I was going to make you coffee. Maybe even be charming.”
Octavia leaned back against the bench, squinting up at him like she wasn’t already melting. “Were you going to make me coffee, or were you going to fall back asleep and pretend you dreamed about it later?”
He feigned offense. “Excuse you. I’m an excellent multitasker. Dreaming and brewing? Please.”
She rolled her eyes, but her lips tugged upward anyway. “Sure. Next time, dream me a croissant too.”
Jasper chuckled and stepped behind her before she could shoot off another comment. His hands found her shoulders without hesitation, strong and warm, thumbs drawing slow, lazy circles at the base of her neck. She shivered, betraying herself.
“You left me,” he murmured, lips brushing the shell of her ear. “Again.”
“I had things to do,” she replied, not trusting her voice.
“Like pretending I didn’t have you wrapped around my fingers last night?” His fingers skimmed along her collarbone. “Twice.”
Her cheeks burned, but she didn’t stop him. Didn’t move when he leaned down further, his breath warm against her jaw. “You’re insufferable,” she said quietly.
“And you love it.”
She did. She hated that she did.
Jasper walked around the bench, eyes never leaving her. He sank onto the seat beside her, one arm stretched casually along the back, fingertips grazing her shoulder. His knee brushed hers—intentional, steady—and the warmth of it made her pulse stumble.
Octavia gave him a sideways glance, lips curving despite herself. “You always show up like you own the place.”
He smiled, slow and unbothered. “Do I?”
She arched a brow. “Confidence isn’t the same as entitlement.”
“No,” he said, reaching for her hand. His thumb traced slow circles against her skin. “But confidence gets me what I want.”
Her pulse fluttered at his touch, at the look he was giving her—half-tease, half-truth. His hand slid beneath her hair, fingers curling gently at the nape of her neck, and he tugged her gently forward. Their lips hovered inches apart.
Their breath mingled, and for a second, it felt like they were back in her bedroom, tangled in sheets and gasps and the heady quiet that came after. Her skin tingled.
“You’re dangerous,” she whispered, not quite trusting her voice.
Jasper’s lips curved. “Only with you.
Her breath hitched, but before she could answer, a very loud, very theatrical sigh cut through the garden like a blade.
“Oh, Goddess, please tell me you two are done,” Maggie groaned, finally breaking her silence from the other end of the bench. She lifted one hand to shield her eyes, the other braced on her pregnant belly. “I’ve been sitting here this whole time, trying to pretend I’m invisible. I came out here for fresh air, not a front-row seat to foreplay.”
Octavia groaned, dropping her forehead to Jasper’s shoulder in mortification.
Jasper didn’t flinch. He smirked and pressed a kiss to the side of Octavia’s head, entirely unbothered. “Good morning to you, too, Luna.”
“Don’t you ‘good morning’ me. I’ve seen less groping at a full moon mating ceremony,” she said, shifting with a dramatic sigh. “You two make me feel celibate.”
Octavia rolled her eyes, cheeks still warm, but didn’t move away. Jasper’s arm remained draped over her shoulders, his thumb now lazily stroking her upper arm with the confidence of someone who knew exactly what he was doing.
“We were just talking,” Octavia offered weakly, trying for innocence.
Maggie scoffed. “Oh yes, you were talking—with your mouths an inch apart and your hands migrating south by the second.”
Jasper raised both hands in surrender. “I was just saying good morning.”
“Sure you were.” Maggie rolled her eyes. “Your version of ‘good morning’ comes with a warning label.”
“She started it,” Jasper said smoothly, not even blinking.
“I absolutely didn’t,” Octavia muttered.
Maggie gave them both a look. “Please. The pack can feel the tension radiating off you two. It's like watching a soap opera in real time—but with more hormones.”
Octavia elbowed Jasper, who laughed as if she’d complimented him.
He stood and stretched, slow and unhurried, like he hadn’t just been accused of setting off mating-season-level pheromones in public. “Some of us know how to set a mood.”
“Some of you need to take a cold shower,” Maggie replied without missing a beat.
Jasper winked. “Or a warm one. Depends who’s offering.”
“Gross,” Maggie and Octavia said at the same time.
He grinned, brushing off imaginary lint. “Alright, I’m going. I’ll catch you both later.”
He leaned down, pressed one final kiss to Octavia’s temple, and then strolled off with all the smugness of a man who knew exactly the effect he’d left behind.
Octavia exhaled, slumping back against the bench.
“I swear, he’s allergic to behaving in public,” she muttered.
Maggie shook her head. “I swear, if he wasn’t such a good Beta, I’d exile him just for being too confident.”
Octavia gave her a sidelong glance. “You’re just mad because you’re hormonal.”
Maggie smirked. “I’m mad because I haven’t gotten laid in a month and I had to witness that.”
Octavia laughed, “Come on, it wasn’t that bad.”
Maggie snorted beside her. “Sweetheart, you’re the one who was about five seconds away from mounting him like a prize bull.”
Octavia whipped her head toward Maggie, scandalized. “I was not!”
“You absolutely were.” Maggie just chuckled from Octavia’s side, shifting as she stretched out her legs with a tired sigh. “Honestly, I’m just impressed it took you this long to forget I was sitting right here.”
Octavia groaned again and buried her face in her hands. “Moon above, I’m never showing my face at a family dinner again.”
“Oh, come on,” Maggie said, laughing. “This is nothing compared to the time Jasper tried to ‘casually’ join Troy at the gym just to watch you run laps.”
“Or that bonfire where you two disappeared for, what, forty-five minutes?” Molly added. “The pack clocked it. Edwin had bets going.”
“I hate all of you,” Octavia muttered into her palms.
“Don’t be dramatic,” Maggie said, nudging her knee. “You know we love you guys. Besides, it’s not like it’s a secret. You and Jasper have been stuck to each other like glue for four months now.”
“That’s not true,” Octavia said weakly, still mortified.
Maggie gave her a pointed look.
Octavia sat up straighter, cheeks burning but a reluctant smile tugging at her lips. “Fine. Maybe a little true.”
Maggie chuckled, “So. That being said… how are things really going?”
Octavia blinked. “You mean… with Jasper?”
“No,” Maggie said dryly. “I meant your secret second boyfriend hiding in the supply closet. Yes, with Jasper.”
Octavia hesitated, then let her shoulders relax as she glanced toward the woods where he’d gone. “Honestly? It’s good. He’s been… different lately. Softer, but still him. And I think I keep waiting for that to change.”
Maggie’s smile gentled. “You think he’s going to disappear?”
“I think…” Octavia paused, choosing her words carefully. “I think part of me still believes I’m an experiment. The human girl. The Alpha’s sister, who’s just close enough to his world to reach—but never quite inside of it.”
Maggie reached over and smacked her gently with the back of her hand. “Stop that. You’ve been pack since you were born. And if Jasper had any doubts about you, he’d have shown it by now.”
“He’s right for you,” she added, her tone softer. “Even if he drives your brother insane. Which, honestly, is just a bonus.”
Octavia huffed a laugh. “You know Troy’s just waiting for an excuse to ban PDA.”
“Oh, absolutely,” Maggie said. “Man gets one whiff of contact, and suddenly he’s invoking pack law.”
They laughed together, the sound easy and unhurried, echoing through the trees around them.
Octavia glanced at Maggie and smiled, warmth blooming in her chest that had nothing to do with Jasper’s hands or stolen kisses.
“Thanks,” she said quietly.
Maggie reached out and squeezed her hand. “Alright, enough feelings. Let’s go find the others before Liam tries to convince everyone that shirtless wrestling is a valid pre-summit bonding ritual.”
Octavia groaned. “Again?”
“Oh yeah,” Maggie said, already standing. “It’s shirtless o’clock somewhere.”
Octavia stood too, brushing off her jeans. “You know we could just not invite him next time.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Maggie said with a grin. “He brings the snacks and the drinks.”
- Writer
