The Grove
I could see the Grove in the distance, the huge metal gates which always brought me happiness now gave me dread. For behind those gates was a wolf, who I’m certain is my mate, but he doesn’t even look at me.
Why doesn’t he want me? Why is he fighting this? Whenever I see him I feel a pull for him, a want to be close, yet all he does is move in the other direction. I’ve had enough of feeling sorry for myself. I’m angry now and I will do something about it.
First, we had to see how Valerie was and then plan a mission to the wolves hidden village to check no vampires had found it. I may want to figure out this with Rhett but I knew what was more important and that was protecting the wolves.
As soon as me, Samuel, Weston, Gregory, Cathy, Leo and Jax approached the gates they opened. As the metal creaked open my heart flurried when I saw Valerie standing there. Me and Cathy squealed when we saw her and ran instantly into her outstretched arms.
We embraced her hard while she giggled and held us back.
‘You’re awake’ Cathy stated with a shaky breath. Cathy’s had an emotional few days and she’s obviously only just holding it together.
‘I am, and you smell of Jax’ Valerie said into her shoulder while smirking at me.
I smiled widely, ‘she moans almost as loudly as you Valerie.’ Me and Valerie laughed loudly, as Cathy blushed.
I heard footsteps approaching behind us, ‘are you embarrassing my mate girls?’ Jax asked in his soft smooth voice. He really was suited to Cathy. I placed my hands on my hips playfully and stared at him.
‘What if we were Jax? What are you going to do?’ I asked with a raised brow.
Jax smiled at me and pulled Cathy into his arms, I watched as she melted into his touch and instantly smiled. I couldn’t help but feel a tight pain in my chest knowing I could have that if Rhett wasn’t avoiding me.
‘Enough, we need to see Tristan straight away Valerie.’ Gregory said as he kissed her cheek to say hello.
Sensing the urgency Valerie nodded. ‘He’s waiting for you all in the meeting room.’
Weston and Samuel both kissed Valerie’s cheek and walked beside her asking how she was after her magic drained her.
As we walked Kira slot beside Cathy. ‘I knew it.’ She whispered. ‘I knew you and Jax had a thing.’
I watched as Cathy playfully nudged her side while she held Jax’s hand firmly. My gaze lingered on their entwined hands for too long.
Samuel noticed and moved from Valerie to wrap his arm around my waist dragging me slightly away from the newly mated pair.
‘You’ll find it too Jen.’ I smiled at him weakly, he didn’t know about me and Rhett and I’m not sure it would be a good idea if he did, he has a protective temper with us girls. ‘Maybe even I will find a mate. Stranger things have happened!’
I smiled genuinely at him and gave his waist a squeeze. ‘Any woman would be lucky to have you Samuel. Any of you guys.’
We exchanged smiles and walked into the meeting room with our arms still wrapped around each other. My eyes instantly found Rhett in the room.
He was leaning palms down on the table, looking ruggedly handsome, his hair was half tied in a bun. His beard was messy and looked like it hadn’t been trimmed since the celebration, but it only added to his sexiness. His shirt was half open exposing most of his broad muscular chest. There was a tattoo on his shoulder I could just see through his shirt. How I wanted to see what it was.
Rhett’s eyes found mine and then moved to Samuel’s arm around my waist. I watched his jaw tense, his nostrils flare. He looked angry. So he didn’t like other men touching me? Hilarious considering he won’t touch me himself.
In complete defiance to him, I stared at him and leant my body further into Samuel. Unfortunately Samuel wasn’t aware of the mind games I was playing and pulled away to stand closer to the table in the centre of the room.
I huffed internally and made a mental note to see if jealousy will force Rhett to stop ignoring me.
Valerie moved across the room to stand next to Tristan. After a kiss on the lips they stood so their arms were touching, as though they couldn’t bear to not be touching one another.
‘So what happened?’ Valerie asked Gregory.
‘We found the group of vampires quickly thanks to Leo’s excellent tracking skills. We killed all of them except one.’
There was silence in the room. It was clear our group didn’t know whether to mention it was Ivan. Valerie looked between all our faces searching for why we had tensed.
‘Who was it?’ She asked, as she looked between us all again, her gaze fixed on Cathy. ‘Ivan?’ Valerie whispered.
I watched as Cathy nodded and moved closer to Jax who was tensing slightly. ‘He is dead now. He will no longer be able to cause my sweetheart any pain.’
Jax said it very matter of fact. After watching what he did to Ivan, I knew he would destroy realms to protect Cathy. I couldn’t ask for a better mate for my friend, and his name for her? Sweetheart. He couldn’t have chosen a name more suited.
I turned my gaze back to Valerie but it was Tristan who caught my attention, he looked shocked and then he basically roared with excitement.
‘Jax! How did I not notice! Congratulations! Another mated pair, I’m so happy for you both!’
The room erupted in cheers and happiness. Yet my gaze was solely on Rhett who was clenching his teeth, his lips formed a tight line and his eyes were staring into mine with an intensity I didn’t know what to do with.
Before my mind had an opportunity to decide what he was thinking and what I should do, Gregory spoke to the Alpha.
‘Before he died, he told us that your father knew where the Alpha’s army came from and he sent vampires there.’
The room fell silent until Tristan growled so deeply the table shook.
‘We all leave in an hour. You need to wash before we leave.’ He commanded. I sneered at him and then looked down. I was covered in blood, he was right, we should wash.
‘It’s time the village moved here anyway. Pack light, we’re moving quickly.’ Tristan added before we all filtered out of the room.
As I walked towards my home here at the Grove, I studied my armour properly, there were a few gashes in the leather. Dried blood was almost covering the entirety of my torso and shoulder pads. How did I not notice how gross I was?
Preoccupied with trying to wipe it semi clean with my wrist I didn’t realise Rhett was standing watching me.
I glanced up quickly when he spoke to me. ‘Were you hurt?’ His deep, rough voice caused my stomach to swirl and my skin prickle. How cruel for him to affect me so much. Then again was he asking because he cared? Has our time apart made him accept what we could be?
‘No, it’s not my blood.’ I answered, studying the emotions that flickered on his face. It looked as though he was relieved and then annoyance or anger replaced it almost as quickly as it came.
‘Good’ he muttered before walking off. What the hell?
I should have followed after him but I was so shocked at him talking to me for the first time since the celebration that my mind froze.
