Not-So-Fated Mates

Chapter 34: Unsolicited Advice

Layla POV

Layla had spent several hours in the indoor gym of the pack house, doing everything she could to keep her mind off the entire situation. Currently, she was beating the crap out of one of the many punching bags situated next to the sparring ring. She absolutely refused to sort through the myriad of emotions currently trying to take her over. It was too much to deal with, and, truth be told, she’d much rather hit something than deal with it.

It had been her go-to method of dealing with anything of an emotional nature ever since Zach’s rejection had threatened to claim her life and Chelsea had suggested this as an alternative. The way she figured it, it was a damn sight better than a lot of other methods shifters ran to in similar situations. Some got addicted to wolfsbane, which most shifters could take in small doses and be fine, if a little loopy. Wolfsbane worked much like opioid pain medicine did for humans, actually. In little, sparing amounts, it kept a shifter’s brain from processing pain signals, decreasing the stress that pain inevitably caused on even the shifters’ tough bodies through an addictive feeling of immense pleasure. Of course, when a shifter got addicted, it also worked very similar to human addictions to opiates. Then, there were the others who smoked, drank, slept around, all the typical vices that seemed so much more attractive when you felt you had nothing to live for.

Just as she landed yet another punch on the bag, her ears caught the sound of the gym door opening to her right as someone walked inside. “Having fun?” Jackson asked, his typical grin on his face as he walked to her side.

Letting out a breath, Layla pulled out of her stance, grabbing a nearby towel to wipe the sweat from her face. “Hey, what’s up?” she asked, avoiding the lighthearted question as she threw the towel back down and preoccupied herself with putting up some of the weights that had been left out by some of the other shifters, avoiding his gaze as much as possible.

“Not much, though we’re about to leave,” Jackson shrugged, watching her. “I thought I’d come let you know so you could see us off.”

“I’m surprised Chelsea didn’t come get me,” she said, her voice devoid of any emotion.

“I told her I’d handle it,” he responded simply. After a moment of silence, he sighed. “If you don’t want to, I don’t blame you. I know you overheard what he said.” At his words, she stilled for a moment, then continued what she was doing. Damn it, she was going to have words with Chelsea. “Yes, she told me,” he said, seeming to read her thoughts. “She didn’t want to, but it’s kinda hard to hide things from your mate.”

“I wouldn’t know,” she responded dryly.

“Yeah, I know. Look, whether or not you decide to come see us off, I think there’s something you need to know.” He paused for a moment, as though he was deciding how to say what he wanted to say. “I think we are all very well aware that Drake’s an idiot.” A small laugh escaped her, but even that seemed pained. “But he has good reason to be. You aren’t the only one who has been rejected by their mate.”

At that, she finally turned to look at him. That was news to her. Though, looking back at everything, it suddenly made a lot of sense. After a moment, she asked, “What happened?”

“That’s not really my story to tell, but I will say that he got to have a taste of what it was like to be mated before having his heart ripped out,” Jackson sighed, running his hand through his hair. “And it’s something he hasn’t gotten over. Honestly, I was starting to think he wouldn’t, before he met you.”

“Me?” she asked, genuinely confused.

“You,” he confirmed with a nod. “Since he met you, he’s been more himself than I’ve seen in years. I know what he said the other night must’ve hurt, but you should understand that, no matter what does or doesn’t happen between you two, you’ve made a hell of a difference in his life. I can’t say he’ll get through his issues enough to try to see where things go with you, but I can tell you it would mean a lot to have you there to at least say goodbye. Some unsolicited advice, though? If you feel about him the way it seems you do, it’s worth fighting for him. I think, if ever there were someone worth him, who could help him heal, it would be you. But it’s up to you.”

She fidgeted with her hands for a moment, trying to sort through everything. Her own fears, her emotions that were all over the place, her scrambled mind, it all threatened to overwhelm her. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes before opening them again to look at Jackson. “I don’t know about the rest, and it’ll take me a while to figure all that out, but I can at least say goodbye.”

Jackson smiled kindly, appreciation shining in his eyes. “That’s all I ask. And just so you know, whatever you decide about the rest, I count you as a friend. You can always call if you need anything, and I know my i***t alpha would agree.”

“Thank you,” she said with a humble smile. “Whatever happens, I’m glad I met you guys. Also, thank you for being good to Chels. I know you’ll take care of her, whenever she decides to stop being stubborn and go with you, anyways.”

Jackson chuckled. “As much as it sucks that she isn’t coming with yet, I do love how stubborn and loyal she is. And damn, is the s*x goo-”

“Alright, alright, I get it,” Layla laughed, holding up a hand to stem his words before she got more information than she wanted. Then she narrowed her eyes at him, walking closer to put her finger in his face as she said, “But if you do hurt her, for whatever reason, I will beat the brakes off of you.” His eyes widened, and she laughed, shrugging as she continued, “Just a little disclaimer so we’re all clear on the terms.”

He barked a laugh. “Don’t worry, I don’t plan on hurting her. And if I do, I’ll willingly submit myself to whatever you plan on doing.”

“Good. How long do we have until you guys leave?”

He dug his phone from his pockets, looking at the time. “About thirty minutes. You gonna go get all pretty to show that bastard what he’s missing?” he asked with a wink.

“Perhaps,” she responded with a wink of her own. Jackson simply laughed as he made his way out of the gym, with Layla close behind.