JENNAWe got into the cart with Jason and the rest of the guys. It was so obvious there was something wrong between us, but no one could ask. Thank God.I’d wanted to get on the other cart, away from Jason. It felt like too much so I got on the one he was in while Amaya went on the other one. I felt betrayed for a second before it clicked in my head that I had nothing to feel betrayed about.She was doing her job to the best of her ability. And staying with me while I sulked isn't part of it.When we got back to the main part of the resort. I got off the cart and more or less ran to our room. While thinking to myself if I could ask for a different room. Or even a way to leave.The latter option was the best right now.As soon as I’d gotten into the room, Jason followed suit. I was expecting it but I still felt the hairs on my body stand at attention when he walked in.He stood by the door, not rushing towards me. Even from that distance, he was stealing all the air in the room and I f
JENNA“Do you think this is okay?” Claire eyes the dress I’m holding, her lips pursed before she shakes her head.We decided to switch to video call.“Don’t you have anything else?” I sighed and shook my head.“Mostly summer dresses.” I replied. “I'm not about to wear that to a bar.”Yes, you heard right, a Bar. Claire convinced me the best way to get my mind off Jason and whatever I was escaping from was to go out and have some fun. She didn’t ask what exactly happened but it shouldn’t be that hard to guess.I didn’t agree at first, knowing that was her default advice for anything that is going on with you. ‘Go get drunk, sis. Life will be better in the morning.’ Was her motor for everyday life situations.I once asked her what you’re supposed to do if that doesn’t work out for you and she said to repeat it. “That is a one way street to becoming an alcoholic, Claire.” I recalled telling her. She’d only shrugged and said maybe it wouldn’t work for me. But it worked well for her and sh
JENNAI knew the direction of the bar from the tour Amaya gave us when we first arrived. I found it easily. But for some reason, going in didn’t seem like the right thing to do.I wished I was on call with Claire right now, she would have given me the words of encouragement I needed.No, I didn’t need any encouragement. I said to myself. I didn’t need anybody to push me when I ran for miles on foot. I left the only home I have ever known with barely enough money to get a solid meal. And I’m still standing.I own a restaurant. I’m a proud mother. I’m loved in my new home. I’m good. I’m fine.I kept repeating the words until I felt better. Until the fast pacing of my heart reduced to a gentle thrum. Then I huffed out a breath through my mouth and looked at the entrance again. No one is going to catch you, Jenna.It is just a club. I said for the last time. I took a step forward but didn’t fully go in.“You know, there isn’t a monster in there, right?” I was startled when I heard the dee
JENNAReed, as I came to learn his name was, said he was here alone, for business. He’d laughed when he saw my expression after he said that. Of course, I thought he was lying.This is a resort and most people you see are couples. He didn’t ask who I was here with, to his credit. We sat and chatted, well, he mostly spoke and I listened. He was proving to be a really good distraction.This is probably not what Claire meant when she said I should put myself out there. But this is better than anything she would recommend.He ordered a martini for me, saying it would be best if I didn’t want to get tipsy. It would take a lot of alcohol to actually get me drunk, but I didn’t tell him that.He may have good humor and an amazing smile, but I’m not about to make myself seem like prey.“See, that woman right there is looking for a good time.” He motioned to a redhead who had been sitting alone at a booth in the end of the room.I shook my head no then turned back to him. “She is sitting alone,
JENNAAfter Reed dropped that bomb and we went out, I didn’t know what I was expecting to come out of his mouth. But I was somewhat looking forward to it. He was unpredictable in the best way.The sky was littered with shining stars. And the sight of the moon, along with the few candles lighted around the tents on the beach, made the place look ethereal. Like something out of a fantasy novel or book. It was almost like a dream come true.I made a mental note in my head to bring the kids here sometime, when they are back safely. This is something Nina would like specifically. And maybe Kai too. I could see him trying to get into the water and me following him and pleading for him to not do anything dangerous. Ryan will sit on the beach and paint or draw. Or play his games.I fought the urge to smile when I thought of that. Something tells me it’ll look even better with them here. My babies have the power to make everything they touch seem magical.He was right about the people being by
JASONI went down to the beach after leaving Jenna alone. I kept asking myself every hour if I was ready to go back. But I couldn’t.Call me a coward. Because it is who I am. I couldn’t stand her looking at me the way she did. I didn’t want to see her label everything that happened in the past few days as a mistake. To watch her regret all the special moments I know I would carry the rest of my life believing they were the best to me.And knowing I did this to myself. That hurt the most.If I hadn’t fucked up seven years ago she would still be by my side. She would still be mine.But we probably wouldn’t have a pack to stay in. The treaty was important and people’s lives depended on it.I try to think of what my mother would have said. And all the possible answers that came to my head made me loathe myself a little more.I felt lost. I had nowhere to go. No one to talk to because no one would understand. I didn’t know what else to do. What I felt right now seemed an awful lot like how
JENNAI didn’t see him until it was too late and we were too close. Not I would have known what to do if I’d seen him. But saw us first.Jason’s green eyes were widened and his jaw clenched. I didn’t need extra lighting in the dark to tell me he wasn’t happy with what he was seeing.Not happy sounded too simple. The right sentence should be, he was pissed. He looked pissed and seconds away from throwing hands.He must have calmed his wolf down as he stalked toward us. Closing the little distance that stood between us. He stood in front of me, completely ignoring Reed as he stared me down.My stomach knotted. Something akin to guilt making a bitter lump form in my throat. I felt like I was cheating on him. Which didn’t make sense because we weren't together. We couldn’t even be together, even if we wanted to.“What is the meaning of this?” He asks through gritted teeth. His eyes throwing daggers at me.“Hey man, what’s your problem?” I bit my lip so hard that I tasted blood.Reed shoul
JASONI have already fallen off the deep end, so what if I kept going downhill from there.Never in my twenty five years of life did I think I would ever raise my hands on someone out of jealousy. But at that moment, I wasn’t thinking. It didn’t make it right, I know that. I should get a better grip of my emotions for next time.I sure hope there won’t be a next time. Because just the thought of that has my hands itching, wanting to do more damage. Again.There is no way I’ll stand by and let him have her. And yes, she isn’t a possession or mine to keep. But I don’t fucking care, I’m going to have her either way and I’m keeping her with me. By my side.I couldn’t stand another man touching her. Thinking of him seeing her secret smiles, knowing her heart. Knowing what it felt like to be loved by her.The days we spent here and her letting down her walls, letting me see her heart. It made me feel like she was in love with me for real. Not as a teenager with a stupid crush. But a woman w