Chapter 10

***Jackson POV***

My father was in hospital, and it was all my fault. I knew he was under a lot of stress. He had been trying to sort out the warring factions within certain packs. My father, mother and the Alpha’s of more than five packs were involved. And it wasn’t going well. Not wanting all out war to start again, my father had been working day and night to solve the problem.
And now this. My mother was annoyed with me. Obsidian was annoyed with me. We may as well add a third.

I phoned Eva, I had to tell her I couldn’t come over tonight and discuss the ceremony with her. I knew she would understand, what with her being so patient. Although her tone had been one of understanding, I still couldn’t shift the guilt I felt. Leaving her in that house. Especially now that her sister was home. Apparently she had been hit with a car and had been in hospital. There was no way the pain I had felt the other night was linked to it. I had rejected her. And she had accepted.

It would all be different when Eva and I, had the ceremony. Eva would move in here, with my family. And never have to see her wastrel of a sister again.
After checking, and double checking that my father was going to be okay. I decided that I will go over to see Eva this evening. I was still feeling guilty, about my father, about upsetting mother. I couldn’t leave Eva upset too. So I left the hospital and drove south.

***Eva POV***

My phone smashed into a hundred pieces as I hurled it at the wall. I was known for my temper, which is why, those that know me, do not annoy me. I had hidden it well from Jackson. He was none the wiser.
My mother came rushing up the stairs at my yell of frustration.

‘Eva, what ever is the matter. What happened to your phone, precious?’
‘Oh, shut up mom, I need to think.’ I knew I had upset her with my attitude. But Jackson had to come over tonight. I only had enough herbs for one cup of tea. I couldn’t make it again. I had to have Jackson tonight. Or I could lose everything I have worked for over the last few months.

***Jackson POV***

I made it over to Eva’s house, just before dinner. My stomach was in a knot as I walked to the front door. Knocking firmly, I was determined to ignore Julia. And focus solely on my chosen mate. I knew I had done the right thing, coming over, as I saw the tear streaked face of my intended. The smile I then received was enough to ease my guilt. Eva threw herself into my arms. Crying, what I hoped were happy tears.

‘I thought you couldn’t come over? How are you here? Is everything okay with your father, darling?’
I ushered Eva back indoors. Not wanting to have any conversation about my father on a doorstep. Eva’s mother, Maria, stood as I entered the sitting room. Maria gestured to a comfy chair and bade me to sit down. When I did, Eva followed me and sat on my lap. Although I should have been ecstatic at the intimacy, I also felt a little awkward, knowing that Julia was around, somewhere.

I explained to Eva and her mother that my father had been taken ill. I did not go into detail as to the nature of the illness. If it got out that the Alpha of our pack was incapacitated, for any reason; It would leave the whole pack vulnerable.

I accepted Maria’s offer of dinner. As we had not dined at home, I was hungry. I hated to admit it, but the food did not taste the same as the last time I dined here. I’m sure Eva knew, as some excuse was made, followed by gesturing eyes, staring pointedly at Maria.
Eva and I offered to clean up and once we were alone, in the kitchen, Eva explained that Maria had cooked tonight, and she wasn’t exactly sober. I could see Eva getting teary so I pulled her into my arms, hoping to sooth her.

I heard her sigh and I kissed the top of her head, which only reached my chin. ‘Jackson, I’m so sorry about this. All I seemed to do is cry at the moment. The stress of living back in this house with a mother who can’t stop drinking and a sister who is treating me like an omega, as she is bedridden after her accident. And, of course, the news that our beloved Alpha is sick. It’s just all a bit much.’

I was making soothing noises, something I had seen my father do to my mother, if the latter were upset. I rocked her gently back and forth, not really thinking of anything. Trying to ease the tension in my body. Eva snuggled closer. It was nice. Nice? It should have been better than nice. I should be panting after such a stunning girl. What the hell was wrong with me.

Julia, that is what is wrong. Julia. It was when this thought entered my head that I recalled something Eva had just said. ‘Treating you like an omega, what do you mean; Eva?’

I grew tense as I listened to her answer. How Julia had been driven home by one of the pack doctors, then she had taken to her bed. And subsequently been demanding things from Eva. Apparently, Eva had been running around all day after her sister, who seemed to be milking her accident for everything she could get. I felt enraged. How dare she treat her future Luna in such a way. I was not going to stand for it.

When Eva and her mother were deep in ceremony planning, I excused myself. Saying I needed to use the restroom. I didn’t go there though. I made my way to Julia’s bedroom. I knew where it was located, having seen it the previous night. I listen through the door, thanking the goddess that these doors were not soundproofed like the doors in the pack house.

I could hear deep steady breathing. My heart kicked into high gear, and I had to remember why I had come up here. When I opened the door, I did not expect to see the most gorgeous curves on a woman I had ever seen. Julia was naked in the bed, and the quilt was hanging off her. I couldn’t see her lower half as the corner of the quilt covered her. But I could see the upper half. I swallowed, hard.

As I took in the large rounded breast. Topped with a rosy pink nipple. It was budded and begging to be sucked.
I walked over to the bed and looked down at her. My hand itched to touch her. But I couldn’t. This thought though, made my temper flare. I could feel the blood rushing through my veins as I looked at her slightly parted lips. She didn’t have a scrap of makeup on, not like Eva, who I had never seen without a full face of the stuff.

My anger flared again, as I looked down and blamed this woman for being who she was.

I wasn’t thinking straight, when I bent down and captured one of the ripe nipples in my mouth. I let my tongue roll around the peaked bud, relishing the feel of it in my mouth. I was suddenly aware of a gentle hand, holding me to the breast. And a soft moan left Julia’s lips. I smiled as I reached out to caress her.

Julia POV

I was woken by the strangest sensation. Something wet, but warm was touching me. I wasn’t fully awake when I realised that Jackson was kissing and caressing my breast. Is this a dream? I grabbed onto his hair, trying to make out if it was real or not. But the onslaught of his warm tongue on my nipple had me sighing. This felt right.

Wait; no, this wasn’t right.

Waking up I pushed Jackson off me and scrambled up my bed. My heart was hammering through my chest as I looked at the pure desire in his eyes.

‘What the fuck do you think you are doing to me? You can’t just walk in here and start molesting me. How dare you!’ I finished. I had meant to yell, but my throat seemed a bit tight and sore. I saw Jackson’s eyes darken in anger. I didn’t know what I had done to deserve this, but I was sure I was about to find out.