Chapter 0201
Jake POV
I slammed on the breaks, my senses, groaning at the distinct presence nearby. Thank
Goddess, there was no oncoming car behind me.
“What the hell? What’s wrong?” Aylin asked as I put the car in reverse.
I looked about, but Jane was nowhere in sight. That was her scent that I just picked up. It was
faint but unmistakable.
I cut into the Apple’s Grill parking lot when the door to the restaurant swung open.
Jet held the door, and her eyes met with mine as she emerged.
“Thought you said you craved Mr. James’s caserole?” My sister complained.
It was hard to pay attention.
I guess last night is not enough reason to make her cancel this lunch date.
“And what the hell kinda parking is this? Did you forget how to drive? All because I said I have to go to L.A?” Aylin continued with her whining.
I felt it when Jane’s gaze moved away from me. A quick glance, and I was met with her profile, smiling at whatever Jet was telling her.
“You need to ease up alright? I’m only telling you because I promised dad that I won’t do anything without informing you!”
I shook my head at my sister’s rant, ignoring her so I could focus. Her bickering and Jane following Jet to his car made it an effort to keep my attention on the mighty task at hand – parking properly between the two cars flanking me. I was too close to the one on my side. Getting out would be tough. They wouldn’t be able to open their door all the way too.
I turned off the engine, deciding I’d worry about it later. In a moment, maybe.
“You know I don’t need this, right? I’m a grown female. I’m only telling you out of courtesy and
because dad said-”
“That I make the rules!” I finished her sentence and started to get out of the car.
How could Jane not cancel this lunch date after what she did to me last night?
“I don’t wanna eat here. I’m not leaving the car! Hey isn’t that Jet Chase?”
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Chapter 0201
“It sure is. Let’s go say hi. JETHRO,” I called out.
“Good! Perfect. Now he’ll think we’re uncultured,” Aylin grumbled.
“What is wrong with you? Why’re you screaming his name like that?”
She raced beside me to keep up.
“Hey, Jethro! Hi. I see you found her,” I beamed like a fool.
“Beta Jacob, good afternoon,” he greeted. “I told you I’d find her.‘
He looked triumphant. I imagined wiping the smirk off his pretty face.
Jane was staring at him with raised brows, so I volunteered an explanation,
“Jet saw you that night. He wanted your phone number. I didn’t have it. Also, I wondered what someone like him wanted with a half–blood Forest Mooner. I mean, he’s from another pack. Did he tell you that? And as this pack’s beta, I’m partly responsible for everyone’s safety. Has he told you what he wanted yet?”
What the f*ck was I yapping about? The girl doesn’t know what a pack was or the fact that I was her beta. Everyone was looking at me like I had three heads now. Jane’s frown indicated that I was adding to all of her confusions.
I shouldn’t have stopped. My sister’s strange looks felt like she was tapping my arm.
“You were looking for me?” Jane asked Jet in a lowered voice.
He nodded. “The night that I saw you drunk. I asked him how to contact you, but he wouldn’t tell me.” His voice was equally low.
And intimate. Like they were close.
He looked at me and said with a proud voice,
“As you can see, the girl’s unharmed and well–fed for the afternoon, beta. What I want from her is none of your business. Miss Carlisle, good to see you. How are you?”
“Oh, I’m good. Glad to have you in the Forest Moon. And don’t mind my brother, he means
well.”
Jane was looking at everyone else but me. I noted how her face lifted when Jet addressed Aylin. I let my gaze roam the parking lot, and the other two, worried that they would catch me staring at her if I wasn’t careful.
When my eyes settled on her again briefly, I willed her to look my way. She did.
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Chapter 0201
Was that guilt I saw in her eyes? She looked away too soon. I hoped I was right. She should feel guilty for being here. A married woman, out on a date with another.
After kissing me like that?
She owed me an apology. I felt terribly victimized.
“You two are here to eat, I see,” Jet said.
“Yeah, because the beta changes his mind quite often,” Aylin mocked. “I’m Aylin Carlisle, by the way. Nice to meet you.” She held out her hand.
Jane took it firmly. “Jane Brown. Pleasure.”
“I heard this place is no good,” I said. “But seeing you here makes me wanna try their steak. Did you like the food?”
I couldn’t decide if the question was meant for Jane or her date. Why was I standing in front of the two and forcing this painful chitchat? The girl had no interest in holding eye contact.
“Yeah, it’s good,” Jet replied. “Jane loved the potato sausage, don’t you, Jane?”
She gave a brief smile. “Yeah, I did. It was really tasty.”
“Listen, we’d love to stay and chat, but we need to get going. Jane has to get back to work.”
Her name on his lips made me feel hot in the chest. Me and this male needed to have a
serious talk.
Or maybe I needed to get the girl a ring. Then she would have to explain who gave it to her and why. Would she even accept it if I did?
“See you around.” Aylin waved as Jet shut the door and went round to the driver’s side.
I watched as the car pulled away and into the road. Then, I reached for my phone to send that email I’d been putting off. Every passing second was marked with the feeling of Jane’s retreating presence as she rode away.
My sister’s voice was soft yet jarring when she spoke again.
“Alpha Derek’s own little brother with a no–name half–blood. Interesting indeed.”
Her tone was distant and thoughtful as she kept her eyes on the car in the distance. The look
on her face was that of…
Hope?
