Chapter 1 - Worthy
Chapter 1 - Worthy
Jaydon POV
I stare off into space as my mate runs away into the woods. I'm lost as to what to do, afraid to chase her after what she has been through. Afraid not to, for fear that she is putting herself in danger. She is my fated mate, a gift from the moon goddess. She should not run from me, but she does. She is broken inside, pain evident in her eyes when they meet mine. She does not want me, but not for reasons some might think. What am I even saying, hardly anyone would know why she ran. Only those of us who know of her struggles, her pain, the torture she endured so many years ago, only we can begin to understand. My wolf is itching at my mind, begging me to go after her. But I don't. I know it as sure as I know my own name, the second my sister Melanie looked at me and then ran after Charity in my stead, I knew that all I could do was to wait.
"Jaydon?" my mother places her hand on my shoulder. "Let's sit down son." She forces me to sit in the nearest chair. When my eyes focus, Amara stands in front of us wringing her hands. Amara, Charity's mother, looks more hurt than I do. I'm sure I just look shocked but Amara is crying, sobbing really.
"I'm so very sorry Jaydon. She's hurting you know," Amara says.
I sense my mother step between Amara and myself, whispering quietly to her that it is not her fault and just to be patient. Before I know it, the only people remaining in our yard are my family and Amara's mother. I have no recollection of the people that were her at the party, quietly exiting our yard and returning home. I only know it must have happened because it is suddenly very quiet. I sigh, almost in relief. I've always been one who enjoys the quiet and the solitude. I am not like my brother Max, who thrives on being around people. I much prefer more intimate settings and for me, just my family being here is more than enough for me.
"Do you think Melanie will be able to bring her back?" I finally ask.
"I'm sure of it Jaydon, just give her time. Your sister is very good at this type of thing, besides being a doctor, she suffered her own trauma. She can help Charity, just give it time," my mother reassures me.
"Do you want to go talk to her in the woods?" my father asks. "Maybe without the crowd, she would be okay."
"I don't know if that's a good idea. I would think she's afraid of most men. Am I wrong?" I look to Amara for the answer.
"It's hard to say. She's okay in our pack, but she's never left alone with any male, aside from her brother or father. I could send one of them to fetch her, but I think your mother is right. It's best to let Melanie try and handle the situation." Amara seems certain on this, and no one argues.
"We still need to get ready to go to Italy," Max reminds us. "Is Jaydon staying here now? To deal with his mate?"
"No. I can't abandon my sister! I'm going," I blurt out. I can't stand the thought of my own selfish needs making me leave my sister to die, in a country that is not even her own. She's my twin, my best friend. I can't let her down.
"Jaydon, don't be ridiculous. She isn't going to die!" my mother insists. "You would not be abandoning her and she would understand about Charity. We must think all of this through and make plans accordingly."
I look at everyone, one at a time, determined to make the right choice. This is a test of my abilities to put others before myself, my pack before myself. Isn't that what the Alpha is supposed to do? "What would you do Max?" I finally ask.
Max looks uncomfortable, and I'm suddenly reminded that he sent our sister to look for his mate, even though he didn't know at the time that Ginger was his true mate. "I can't make that choice for you Jayden. You know you have a mate, and yet you also have a twin who you have been through so much with. I think that perhaps you need to talk to Charity when they return. See where her head is at."
"IF they return," I say.
"Look, I've charted a private plane to Italy. We are going to find Selene. Jaydon, it's your choice if you want to stay behind. I won't fault you. That being said, perhaps you can convince Charity to come with you. Work on whatever is happening between the two of you, while we are in Italy. It might be a distraction though and I can't bear for something to happen to any of my children. Think about where your head is at," my father tells me. "Give me your decision in the next hour." He walks away and into the pack house, leaving us all standing there.
"I think you should stay," Dirk says suddenly. He holds his hands up like he is surrendering. "I only say this because it could be a distraction. That could get you killed or maybe others. You can always join us in the search in a couple of days, if we haven't found her."
"You mean you're going?" my mother asks Dirk surprised.
"Yes Luna, if that's okay with Melanie and I can't imagine she will say no considering it's her little sister. I'm well trained in many survival tactics, and I'm a skilled warrior. Vikings are known for that."
"Yes I know," she shakes her head. "But if something were to happen to you, Melanie would be broken."
Dirk looks around before turning back to me, "Jaydon, I'm taking your place. Melanie will agree. Stay and take care of your mate." Dirk turns and heads back to the house.
"He seems determined," Amara says. "It's okay if you want to go though," she turns to me. "I can't say that Charity is going to be very receptive yet. Maybe she needs time to process it all."
"As I said, we should wait until her and Melanie return." My mom grabs my arm. "Let's go inside." She pulls my arm until I stand and follow her in. Max, Ginger and Luna Amara trail behind. Max and Ginger are whispering together, but I am so lost in my thoughts that I don't even know what they are saying. I could try to focus and then I'd hear them, but at the moment I'm trying to make a decision.
I decide to try and mind link with Melanie, perhaps she is with Charity now and can tell me whats going on.
"Melanie, did you catch her? How is she? We really need you both to come back. It's an emergency."
She doesn't respond but I know her mind link is open, I don't feel her blocking anyone out. Ten minutes go by before she mind links me in return. At this point, I'm in my room with a suitcase open on my bed as I stare into my closet trying to decide if I am packing or not.
"Jaydon, we are on the way back. Max also messaged me about an emergency but would not tell me what it was about, care to elaborate?"
"It's Selene, now please come back as soon as possible."
I wait, hoping she says more about Charity. She doesn't. So I ask again.
"Is Charity going to talk to me? Give me something here, please."
I hear Melanie sigh in my mind before she replies. "She will talk to you, but be gentle with her. She is scared and she doesn't want to reject you but she thinks she doesn't deserve a mate. You will have to convince her otherwise. That is unless you don't want her, but she won't be mad if you reject her. That's what she said."
I scoff. Reject her? I would never do that. What happened to her was awful. Any wolf who could blame her for it and reject her because of it, they do not deserve a mate chosen by the goddess. I can't help but think that the goddess chose me for her because of the kind of man I am, which is the kind who will love her unconditionally. She's not broken, she's strong. She walked away and still walks through this life, many she-wolves have ended their lives in times like what she went through. I will show her that she is worthy.
"I would never reject her Melanie, you know that."
"Yes. I know. You're a good man little brother. See you shortly, we are taking the long way, walking slow to give her time to catch her breath and wrap her head around this."
That makes up my mind. I put my still empty suitcase back in my closest and then make my way to the Alpha's office, where I am sure to find my father and my brother making plans.
