I thought it best not to take Jean back to the pack house tonight so I checked her in on a hotel. Thank god Jean’s father is a control freak who worries for his daughter’s safety a lot. I wouldn’t have to worry about her staying in the hotel alone. Jean always has two guards shadowing her movements regardless of where she is.
I’m glad that she’s her usual chatty self. We had light dinner at the hotel’s restaurant and stayed in the lounge listening to jazz music while catching up before going up to her room. Jean wanted me to stay for the night but I told her I have to go back to the pack house because of Cale. She didn’t want to let me go back alone so we settled with me staying until she falls asleep and picking her up first thing in the morning.
“You’re sad,” Jean said resting her head on my shoulder and molding her body on my side.
 “Why do you say that?” I asked.
“Because your laugh sounded different.” She answered hooking one of legs around mine. “It sounded… strained.”
I breathed in deeply and untangled myself from her before turning on my side so we’d be facing each other. Jean’s really quick on the uptake. I was hoping she wouldn’t notice but I really can’t hide anything from her.
“It’s nothing I can’t take care of,” I said tucking a lock of hair behind her ears. “Aren’t you tired?”
“Don’t play with me Ruari.” She swatted my hand and frowned. “Tell me.”
Shit! Where do I start?
I turned on my back, placed both my hands on the back of my head and stared at the ceiling.
I came back out of loyalty to a woman I regard as my mother and was forced back to Moonscape by my mate who almost drove me insane five years ago because of his brutal rejection. He then proceeded to tell me that there are people out to get me in order to get to him.
He told me he wants me, that he’d win me over. We had one good day and a wonderful night together. I thought we’re doing fine. But after a series of unfortunate events he’s now trying his best to ignore me because of misplaced jealousy and I’m letting him do what he likes because I’m afraid I’d get rejected again.
Damn! How do you explain all that and still sound sane?
“It’s him isn’t it?” Jean asked when I didn’t say anything. “Whenever you’re acting weird it always has something to do with him.”
Jean knows everything that happened five years ago. If it weren’t for her I don’t think I would survived that first year I went away and had to deal with the consequences of not being with my mate. She pulled me through those dark days and it hurts her when I become sad or get hurt over Ciaran.
“It’s too complicated to explain,” I said honestly. “I can’t find the words and don’t know where to start.”
“Do you still love him?” Jean asked sitting astride on top of me.
I smiled sadly and traced the line of her face with my fingers,” If I knew how to stop I would done so already. You know that Jean…”
She leaned in to my touch and moved forward to rest her head over my heart.
“Did he do something to upset you again?” She asked gritting her teeth. “Because if he did…”
“Hush, he didn’t do anything.” I murmured wrapping my arms tightly around her. “I think I’m the one who did something to upset him.”
She raised her head to look at me, her green eyes boring through mine. “And that’s what’s making you sad isn’t it?”
“Maybe,” I answered. “I don’t really know.”
Jean continued to lay over me and after a while she fell asleep. I slowly turned so she’d be lying on the bed on a more comfortable position but didn’t leave her alone until I was sure she was deep into sleep.
“I’ll see you in the morning sweetheart,” I whispered kissing her forehead.
I double-checked all the locks and windows before going out of her hotel room into the hallway. I walked the length of the corridor before pausing at the ends and saying to no one in particular, “I’d be back tomorrow be sure to guard her room the whole night.” before continuing on my way.
No one answered but I know Jean’s bodyguards heard me. I’m confident they’d do as they’re told or Jasper Gale would have their balls skewered and roasted if something happens to his precious daughter.
It was past two in the morning when I arrived at the pack house. I parked the truck in the garage and was on my way to go inside when the light on Ciaran’s workshop caught my attention. I hesitated for moment before turning and walking towards that direction.
The smell of burning metal assaulted my senses the moment I poked my head through the door. Ciaran’s back was turned to me. He’s hunched over the car he’s currently restoring and was welding something on the body.
I don’t know much about car restorations but from the way the car looked before when I first saw it and how it looks now, I can tell that Ciaran has done a lot in such a short time. It still looks like a patch of scraps of metal but it already has the shape of a proper car.
Ciaran seemed so engrossed on what he’s doing so I just stood by the doorway and watched him work. He moved with confidence, every weld was precise and although I’m a novice at this kind of work, I can easily tell he knows what he’s doing.
“What do you want Ruari?” He asked removing his welding helmet and pulling down his mask.
I didn’t think he noticed I was there so I was a bit surprised when he suddenly talked to me. I probably looked like a speechless idiot, I know I’m acting like one.
“You left the compound alone,” he said when I didn’t respond.
“I had to pick up Jean from the airport,” I answered.
I saw his the muscles in his jaws move and tightened. His hands clenched and unclenched but he didn’t say anything.
I honestly don’t know how to deal with this side of him. It would have been better if he’s shouting at me, like before, demanding to know who Jean is, commanding me even. Now he’s acting like he stopped caring about it, about me. And even if I knew it would eventually come to this, it still hurts me.
“I left Jean on a hotel for tonight but I think it’d be safer if she stays here.” I said for lack of anything to say since Ciaran doesn’t look like he’s inclined for a conversation. “Of course, if that’s alright with you.”
“We have plenty of room,” he shrugged before turning away and grabbing another sheet of metal.
I know a dismissal when I see one. But I don’t like this. I don’t want to leave. I want to stay and I want to talk. The problem is Ciaran looks like he’d rather be in hell than spend another minute with me.
“Don’t leave the compound alone. It’s not safe,” he said before pulling his mask and helmet on. He hunched over the car and went back to work. And I realized that was it, my time with him was through.
I stood awkwardly by the doorway for a few seconds before walking away.
So that’s it.
His answer…
Fine. Whatever.
I didn’t get much sleep. Most of the night was spent staring at the ceiling and watching Cale toss and turn in the bed. When morning came, I drove out of the compound with Prior on the passenger seat, leaving Cale with Bran, to pick up Jean.
“Who’s he?” Jean asked inclining her head towards Prior.
“He’s Prior,” I answered motioning for Prior to come closer and meet Jean. “Prior, this is Jean.”
Prior held out his hand and said in tight but respectful tone, “Pleased to meet you.”
“I don’t like you,” Jean said ignoring his offered hand. “You were glaring at me!”
I laughed when I saw Prior’s faint blush at Jean’s accusation. I pulled Jean away and pushed her gently inside Bran’s truck.
“Stop making fun of him Jean,” I chided. “Prior’s a nice guy once you get to know him.”
“Yeah, right.” Jean said in monotone. “He’s so nice he doesn’t understand or respect the fact that you love me.”
I laughed harder and Prior groaned out loud after hearing what Jean just said.
“Don’t tell me they’re all acting like this?” Jean scowled at me. “Because if they’ve been treating you like this Ruari, it’s much better if I take you back now! Daddy could easily arrange our flight back.”
“You’re not taking away our alpha!” Prior snarled at Jean.
“Prior!” I growled when I felt Jean tense beside me.
Prior immediately bowed his head and stepped away from the vehicle to put some distance between him and Jean.
“Forgive me alpha,” he said. “I forgot myself…”
“Jean is very important to me.” I said slowly looking at him and holding Jean’s hand. “Any slight to her is a personal slight to me. So please try to be mindful of your actions.”
“Yes, alpha.” He answered.
“It’s fine as long as you understand.” I said starting the truck. “Hop in, let’s go back.”
Maybe it’s not a good idea to bring Jean to the pack house. It’s easy to keep Prior in check since he recognizes me as his superior. But there will be others within the pack who wouldn’t be pleased with Jean’s presence and I have no influence to make them obey my command. And I doubt Ciaran would intervene on my behalf.
Jean is very outspoken. If you’re not used to frankness you’d find her too blunt and insulting. But that’s just the way she is. She doesn’t like to mince words and if there’s something bothering her she’d say it out loud and do something about it right away.
I’m not worried that someone might hurt her while she’s in the pack house. Jean could take care of herself. But I worry for the pack. Jean could be a handful when she’s on a foul mood and what triggers her bad mood is when she thinks I’m being mistreated. She doesn’t like it when people treat me unfairly. From the first moment we met she’d been very protective of me, the reason why Rothe accepted and loved her wholeheartedly.
“You know I could take care of myself,” Jean pouted taking her hand away.
“I know sweetheart,” I said touching her cheek with the back of my hand. “But you also know I didn’t do it for you, I did it for Prior. You would have bloodied his nose if I didn’t stop him and Bran wouldn’t appreciate it if Prior bled on his truck.”
“It would serve him right for making you feel bad,” Jean grinned and curled her arms around mine. “They really don’t understand do they?”
Prior’s head whipped in our direction and I just winked at him. He has a confused look on his face and since I’m a betting man, I’d bet right now he wishes he could mind link me to ask what exactly is going on.
I turned my head slightly to give Jean a quick peck on the forehead and concentrated on driving.
I knew I won’t have to explain. Everyone would start to understand the situation once they see Jean.
And like Bran, for now, I’d let Prior stew.Â
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