Chapter 28

Jasper Hartford’s POV
Lizzy was setting out cups and drinks for the party with her friend at the other side of the dining table. I was supposed to be setting out the snacks but I wasn’t getting anything done. All I wanted to do was stare at my beautiful mate.
She looked so perfect in her party dress but then again she was always the most beautiful person in the world as far as I was concerned. I loved everything about her but it also worried me sometimes. She was far too good for me and I was worried that she would work it out and reject me.
That wasn’t my only concern, I was also worried about my wolf. As much as I tried to keep control of him, he is still possessive. He doesn’t understand why she wont accept his mark and it is making his temper very short. Every time anyone even so much as glances in her direction I can feel him fighting me to take control. I was constantly worried that the next time someone looked at her would be the time that I would lose control and end up killing someone.
Garnet had been getting more and more possessive in the three weeks since he recognised the bond to her. I think that I have been doing a good job of hiding it from those around me but there have been a few close calls. Last week I almost snapped at one of the omegas for lingering a second too long after giving her a glass of water.
That’s why I didn’t want to stay for this party tonight. It was hard enough to control myself in everyday situations, what chance did I have at a party? This was going to be a disaster. I sighed as I placed the plate of snacks down on the dining table.
The noise drew Lizzy’s eyes towards me. She stopped what she was doing and walked over to me. Without saying a word she wrapped her arms around me and held me close.
“Do we have to stay? I would rather have you all to myself.” I whispered into her hair.
“I guess…..”
Just as Lizzy started to reply Oliver walked into the room with the first group of guests. It was Bev and a few of her friends from our pack. Bev was holding onto Oliver possessively while her friends were heading straight towards the dining table.
“Luna, can we borrow you for a while?” One of Bev’s friends asked. Lizzy snuggled closer into me and hid her face against my chest. I growled to make them back off.
“We aren’t trying to steal her from you alpha, we just want to get to know her better.” Bev’s friend clarified.
They tried to take her hand but she just held on to me tighter. I could sense her anxiety through our bond so I held onto her tighter. I wasn’t going to let them take her away from me, not even for a few moments. So I growled louder, causing them to scatter to different corners of the room.
After a few minutes everything settled down again and Lizzy’s friend Patti approached us. She didn’t seem at all concerned by my behaviour, I guess that must have something to do with growing up around so many werewolves. Well, either that or she had a problem with her fear response.
“What is with all the growling, I have always wanted to know.” Patti asked.
“Errmmm, I think the boys just have too much testosterone. Probably from playing football all the time,” Lizzy replied, causing me to laugh loudly beside her.
“I guess that is one explanation,” Patti said.
“I think it is a good explanation,” Adam responded as he came up behind her. Patti was so shocked that she physically jumped.
“Or maybe we are the monsters that go bump in the night,” Nico added, as he joined us.
“No, that is just you with one of your many, many conquests.” Lizzy replied with a laugh. Everyone stared at her in shock for a second then burst out laughing.
She had come so far over the last couple of weeks. She wouldn’t have dared to say anything like that before we were mates. In fact she only managed to say one or two words at most. I feel like I missed out on so much for not seeing this side of her earlier.
We could have been friends and lovers for years. The thought made Garnet growl. He hated the way I used to treat Lizzy and he hated that Lizzy might one day reject us as a result of my actions. What he didn’t seem to realise was I would do everything it took to stop that from happening.
I watched her as she spoke with my friends, kissing the top of her head every so often. Everyone seemed to be getting on really well and for once my wolf and I didn’t feel on edge. I even felt comfortable enough to have a few beers.
Lizzy had been smiling for most of the night but the smile suddenly fell from her face. I followed her gaze over to where her friend was now standing with Adam. At some point during the party they had moved a short distance away from us.
Patti was talking to Adam, she had manoeuvred herself so that she was standing only a few centimetres away from him. Right now she was touching his arm and leaning in as though she was about to kiss him.
Adam had a look of panic in his eyes as her lips got closer and closer to his. I was worried that he would go through with it out of sheer terror until he reached out and took hold of her arms and pushed her away from him slightly.
“I don’t think this is a good idea,” he whispered.
“Why not?” Patti asked.
She didn’t match Adam’s quiet tone, she was too hurt to be that composed. Unfortunately for her werewolves have excellent hearing and she was talking loud enough for almost everyone in the room to hear. As most of our year group at school had ended up showing up to this party I was sure that she was going to regret this little outburst later.
Glancing around the room I could tell that most of the werewolves were listening to their conversation with interest. I held Lizzy closer and ran my fingers through her hair, hoping that it would distract her enough so she wouldn’t notice the extent of her friend's humiliation.
“I am waiting till I meet my soulmate before getting involved with anyone,” he told her.
“That makes no sense. How do you expect to know if someone is your soulmate if you won’t even date anyone?” She shouted.
“I will know her when I see her.” Adam stroked her arm with his thumb. He was trying to comfort her but the intimate gesture pushed Patti over the edge. She sharply pulled her arm away from him, her jaw was tense and she was giving him one of those looks that girls give right before they slap you across the face.
“Why can’t you just be honest and tell me you aren’t interested,” Patti screamed.
“It isn’t like that. I would be interested if….”
“Save it for someone who is gullible enough to listen to your bullshit,” Patti interrupted.
Patti put her hands on her hips and glared at Adam for a few seconds before turning around and walked away. Adam watched her, I could tell he was thinking about going after her but what would that solve? He would probably end up saying something even worse. He was an absolute disaster when it came to women.
“I should probably go after her.” Lizzy said.
I nodded my head in agreement. Lizzy smiled at me then turned to go after her friend but I pulled her back before she could get anywhere. I pressed my lips against hers softly, running my tongue along her lips until she opened her mouth to give me access. I ran my tongue over hers until we were both breathless.
When I eventually let her go so she could find her friend she was a little unsteady on her feet. It was good to know that I could affect her like that. I watched until she had crossed the room and had disappeared out of sight.
“I think I handled that poorly,” Adam said.
“It is more difficult with humans, they don’t really understand us. Maybe it is better this way,” I suggested.
“No. I should have taken more time and done this better,” he replied.
“Then I only have one suggestion. Let’s get a drink and forget all about it.” I started to walk over to the dining table, pulling him along with me.