Chapter 13

Jasper Hartford’s POV
I am so happy. I have been walking around with a huge grin on my face ever since I told the pack that Lizzy was my mate. I declared her mine, I even kissed her and she didn’t push me away or tell me to leave her alone. She may not have come to bed with me but that didn’t matter to me. I would wait for her for as long as it took for her to be ready to take that step.
I took longer than usual to get ready this morning. I wanted to look perfect for my mate. I kept trying on different outfits but nothing felt right. I didn’t want to look too formal but I didn’t want her to think that I wasn’t making an effort for her.
I spent so long worrying about it that by the time I got down to breakfast she had already eaten and left. The only people left in the dining room were my parents. I sat down opposite them and poured myself a cup of coffee from the jug.
“I am not sure that was the best way of telling Liz that you two were mates.” My mom said.
I groaned, it was far too early to deal with this. I took a long sip of coffee, enjoying the heat and the bitter sweet taste in my mouth. It would be a few minutes before the caffeine would start to take effect, it was a shame that I couldn’t postpone this conversation until then.
“Why would that be?” I asked.
“She almost looked terrified when you named her as your mate in front of the whole pack. You should have probably told her you were going to do that.” My dad replied.
Oh great they are going to gang up on me now. I took another long drink from my cup. There wasn’t enough coffee in the world to deal with my parents when they were in a mood like this but maybe drinking the whole pot would help.
‘Help? That much coffee would probably put you in the hospital.’ Garnet said. Maybe he was right but on a plus note, I wouldn’t have to listen to the upcoming lecture.
“You are going to have to do something really special to apologise to her.” My mom suggested. I smiled at her.
“I have that covered. I am taking her on a date tonight and I am pulling out all the stops.” I said.
“Good because that girl deserves to be spoiled. Did you know she has never been on a date.” My mom said, looking between my father and I.
I nodded my head. I didn’t know for sure but I had suspected as much. It was all my fault. I knew that I couldn’t be with her, she was basically my adopted sister but that didn’t mean I would let anyone else touch her.
If anyone even spoke to her I would hurt them and make sure that they never went anywhere near her again. I basically isolated her from everyone in the pack and almost forced her into the arms of that boy. I know that I treated her badly and I know that I didn’t deserve her but now she was mine and I would spend the rest of my life worshipping her.
“I can’t believe that. A beautiful girl like her should have men falling over each other just to spend some time with her.” My dad said. If only he knew what a jerk I had been, he would probably disown me.
“How did she seem this morning?” I asked, changing the subject.
“She was a little quieter than usual but other than that she seemed fine.” My mom answered.
She was probably thinking things over, I didn’t like it. I didn’t want her to think about the way I treated her in the past and come to the decision that I wasn’t worthy of her. I needed to find her and attach myself to her side like a barnacle until she fell madly in love with me.
‘This is exactly the kind of psychotic behaviour that got you into this situation in the first place.’ Garnet complained.
I was offended by his comments but even I had to admit that he was probably right. When it came to Lizzy I was often guilty of acting without thinking and messing things up. The problem was, I didn’t know how to act any other way.
‘You should give her some time and space to think, even if it is only a couple of hours.’ Garnet suggested.
As I finished my breakfast I tried to think of something I could do to take my mind off her for a few hours. Nothing seemed right. I could go out and see my friends but I didn’t like the idea of being so far away from Lizzy when she was feeling so vulnerable. What else could I do though?
‘You said you wanted to find out why I am an omega, maybe you could look into that.’ Garnet suggested.
That was a great idea. I would have to go to the library. Most of our records had been put onto a computer system and pooled with the other pack’s data. Unfortunately the only people in the pack who had access to the site were the alpha, luna and beta. If I asked to use my father’s access he would get suspicious so I had to do this the old fashioned way.
I finished my breakfast and headed straight to the library. Lizzy was sitting on the sofa by the window. She gasped and jumped to her feet when she saw me walk into the room. She had a book in one of her hands, she must have come in here to read.
“Jasper, what are you doing here?” She asked.
She was slightly breathless from the surprise of seeing me. Hearing her saying my name in that breathless voice sent chills down my spine. It made me think of what it would be like to hear her saying my name while I made love to her, I imagined it would be in the same breathless voice.
“I ermm, I am just doing a bit of research into our history.” I said.
I tried to take my mind away from the thoughts that were running through my mind. I wanted to taste her so badly but I had to keep my composure, I didn’t want to scare her.
“Oh, do you want me to leave?” She asked.
“No, I like having you near me.” I said.
She nodded her head then sat back down and started reading her book again. I watched her for a moment, she looked so beautiful with her attention focused on her book. I reluctantly pulled my attention away from her and went over to the book shelves.
I quickly scanned through a book of family trees, looking for anything usual. I started with times when someone who was next in line for the alpha position didn’t take up that position. Looking back over the last few hundred years I could only see five cases where this had happened in the packs we had on record.
I noted the years and pulled out the records from these packs and took them over to the sofa where Lizzy was sitting. She looked so peaceful while she was reading, I just wanted to hold her in my arms and stroke her hair.
‘Read the books, if she catches you staring like that she will get freaked out.’ Garnet said. I listened to his advice for once, Garnet seemed to be better at this kind of thing than I was.
I spent the next hour or so flicking through the books. Two of the leads that I found were dead ends. The alpha’s in question didn’t take over because of a scandal. One of them killed a nearby alpha and started a war, the other didn’t want the responsibility of being alpha so he ran away. Neither of them helped me.
The last three however were more interesting. They were a lot more vague in their accounts but they all mentioned the alpha turning eighteen discovering they had a weak wolf. They didn’t go into details but what was interesting was that all these potential alphas had a reputation for being bullies.
Also, in every case their mate had an unexpectedly strong wolf. In two of these cases their mate ended up leading the pack with them by their side taking the luna position. In the final case his mate rejected him and led the pack alone.
‘My mate will be a great alpha.’ Garnet said with clear pride in his voice.
I glanced at her. Was she really going to lead this pack one day? Would I be strong enough to step aside and let her lead? She was so innocent, I couldn’t see how she would be able to stand up for herself in a room full of alphas.
As I was watching her she must have reached an emotional part of the book because tears started leaking from the corner of her eyes. I put the book I was reading on the table in front of me and pulled her into my arms. I felt her freeze in shock.
“It’s ok, I am here for you.” I said, slowly stroking her hair.
She remained tense for a few seconds before relaxing into my chest. I could hear Garnet purring like a kitten in my head, he was so easy to please.
‘Like you aren’t enjoying this as much as I am.’ Garnet replied.
I was, not that I would ever admit that to anyone. I could happily stay here forever holding my mate in my arms. I gently kissed the top of her head as she read. I knew right then that I would do anything for her even if it meant giving up my pride and being her luna.