Page 103 of Alpha Jax

Things have been a little chaotic lately, with the Denver wolves seeking refuge arriving in the six-pack territory. Hundreds of them needed to be placed and every pack opened their doors to help out. It’s only for a few weeks, but the sudden explosion in our population has definitely shaken things up around here.

“Y’know, after all of this, we should think about doing something fun to celebrate the kids,” Damian says, nodding toward Jax and me. “Maybe throw a little get together or something, bring some of our people together.”

Jax’s mom perks up at his dad’s suggestion. I think Jax mentioned once that she’s big on event planning. “That’s a great idea!”

I glance over at my dad hesitantly. He’s not really the warm and fuzzy type, so I’m surprised when his face spreads into a grin and he nods enthusiastically, saying “absolutely”.

Jade, Jenna, and Juliet exchange glances- and from the looks on their faces, I can tell they’re excited about the prospect of a party.

“It’s settled then,” Jax’s mom chirps.

We spend the next ten minutes discussing who would be invited to this hypothetical party that apparently is being thrown in me and Jax’s honor, but the topic isn’t what matters- it’s how seamlessly my family seems to fit with Jax’s, how easily the conversation flows. How we can all talk and laugh and share a meal like we’ve been doing this for years. How everyone seems comfortable around each other- except Jade, who still can’t seem to take her eyes off of my brother. When he looks her way and flashes a smile, she nearly falls out of her chair. The girl is boy crazy; Jax is gonna have his hands full with her over the next few years.

This is something I’ve always wanted. My mom’s death fractured my family, and growing up like that, I always dreamed of having something like this someday. I used to go to dinner at the twins’ house and imagine what my family could have been like if I’d had both of my parents for longer, how much happier we could’ve been. It may have taken a while for us to sort through our shit and find a way to be close, but I feel like me and Theo and my dad have finally made some headway, and now I’ve got Jax’s parents and sisters as a bonus family to boot. Not only am I incredibly lucky to have a guy like Jax, but having his family, too? I hit the mate jackpot.

After we’ve all eaten our fill, we shift over to the living room to melt into the couches and keep the conversation going. An hour passes before my dad suggests that it’s time to head out, and we slowly say our goodbyes and make our way toward the door. I give Dad a big hug before he climbs in his SUV and pulls away to head back to Summervale, then say a quick goodbye to Theo and Brooke before they get on Theo’s motorcycle to ride back to the complex. Jax and I are headed back there, too, and a few minutes later we’re in his truck, driving away from the Westfield packhouse.

We’re both quiet as we pull out of town, lost in thought. It’s a comfortable silence, though- as long as I’m with Jax, I feel at ease. He’s my person; my home. I glance over at him in the drivers’ seat beside me, watching the way the streetlights flicker across his face and illuminate his sharp features. It reminds me of the first time I saw him across the bar in Stillwater, the DJ’s lights revealing his impossibly handsome face in quick flashes. What started as my rebound one-night stand, my ‘sexy stranger’, is now my mate, my everything. I can’t help but smile as I gaze at him through the dark.

He must feel my eyes on him, because Jax flicks me a sideways glance, catching me staring. “What?”

My smile only widens at getting caught. “Nothing.”

“Quinn…”

“It’s nothing!” I laugh.

Jax gives me a look like he doesn’t believe me, but he doesn’t press. Instead, he reaches out for my hand, sliding his underneath and lacing our fingers together. This is what he always does, and what makes him perfect for me- he doesn’t push, he just lets me know he’s here.

It works every time. After a beat, I sigh, giving his hand a little squeeze. “I’m just so…happy.”

Jax glances over at me again, the adoration in his eyes and the smile on his face worth a thousand words. “Me too.”

I swallow hard as tears spring to my eyes. They aren’t sad tears, though… I’m so overwhelmed by my emotions, by the connection between Jax and me, that they’re tears of joy. As I feel one slip out and slide down my cheek, Jax’s nostrils flare and he whips his head in my direction.

“Babe…” his deep, velvety voice reaches inside of me, soothing my soul. He lifts our intertwined hands, extending a finger to swipe the tear off of my cheek.

I laugh, shaking my head. “They’re happy tears, I promise. I just… I can’t believe I’m here right now, with you. After Clay…” my voice trails off, my words catching in my throat. I lift Jax’s hand in mine, pressing a soft kiss to his knuckles before continuing. “I just never thought this would be my life. I never thought I’d find someone like you, someone who completes me. And I never knew how this would feel, to just be completely, truly,happy.”

Jax looks over at me, his eyes a little shiny.Is he…?

“I feel the same way,” he says, his voice gravelly. “I love you so much, babe.”

He gives my hand a squeeze, and I squeeze his back.

“I love you too,” I whisper. “And thank you.”

The corner of his lips tip up into a half-grin. “For what?”

I smile, bringing his hand up and pressing another kiss to his knuckles. “For making me so happy.”

In that moment, I feel like my heart could burst. I reach out for that feeling, holding onto it, committing it to memory. Knowing that big things are coming, and life won’t always be this perfect. To get through those times, I’ll think about being right here, right now.

This man. This moment. This feeling.

Happiness.

CHAPTER FIFTY

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