Page 88 of Alpha Jax

You’d think the downtime at home would be relaxing, but really, I’m just bored. Theo has been spending a lot of time with Dad- he’s teaching Theo everything he knows so he can transition him into the role of Alpha this spring- and while Brooke spends her evenings here with us, she spends her days at her parents’ house a few streets over. So basically, it’s just me and my thoughts. And my phone.

Of course, I’ve been texting with Jax quite a bit, but I’ve also been exchanging a lot of messages with Kyla and Logan. I had to fill them in on the Jax saga, after all. I was hoping I’d see Logan for the full moon run on Monday, but he’s staying in Goldenleaf in hopes that he might get lucky and find his mate there. It isn’t hard to read between the lines with that one- pretty sure he’s hoping little Vienna is his mate. He’ll be in good company, because Kyla is staying at the complex for the run, too, rather than returning to Stillwater. She wants to avoid Tony, and I don’t blame her one bit.

By the time Monday finally rolls around, I’m itchy with anticipation, eager for Jax to arrive for the run. After dusk, members of our pack start arriving at the packhouse, gathering in the large living and dining rooms. The packhouse was designed with an open floorplan precisely for things like this- we’ve got enough space to fit everyone for large pack meetings, and in a pack of hundreds, that’s saying something.

I got all dolled up for tonight; anything to pass the time as the hours leading up to the run ticked by. I’m dressed to kill in a tight yellow tank dress, long hair in loose curls and makeup on point. I made the look a little more casual with white sneakers instead of heels, but I know Jax is still gonna eat his heart out. I can’twaitfor him to walk through the door.

That’s precisely the thought that’s running through my mind when I’m standing off to the side of the dining room and I hear someone call my name.

“Quinn.”

The familiar voice sends prickles down my spine, and not the good kind. I spin around to meet a pair of familiar green eyes, taking in the handsome face they belong to.Clay. Why does my heart still ache when I see him? I certainly don’t mourn losinghim- he’s a prick and I’m glad he’s out of my life. I think it’s more about the loss of innocence- the loss of youthful hope about what could’ve been. My first true heartache.

“Clay,” I grind out. He didn’t dare speak to me at the last full moon run, but at that time I was flanked by Theo. I moved up to the complex a few days later and haven’t had the unfortunate pleasure of seeing Clay since.

“How are you?” He steps closer, running a hand through his light brown hair. He’s got it cropped short on the sides and long on top- a new look for him. Back when we dated, he wore it longer all over. I remember how much he liked when I ran my fingers through the silky strands- he’d tip his head back and close his eyes and hum as I massaged his scalp.

“Fine,” I reply curtly.

He takes another step toward me, and it suddenly feels too close. Like I can’t breathe.Damn, maybe this breakup fucked me up more than I thought.I’ve been fine without seeing Clay, but with him standing in front of me, my anxiety is skyrocketing.

Clay reaches a hand in my direction, stroking the backs of his fingers down the side of my arm. “I miss you.” Damn, he almost looks sincere.

“Don’t.” I flinch under Clay’s touch, jerking out of his reach.

His jaw stiffens. “C’mon, sweetheart… you can’t honestly say you don’t miss me too. Missus. Can’t we give this another chance?”

I cringe inwardly at his use of ‘sweetheart’- the stupid endearment he’d always call me. I can’t believe I actually used tolikeit. Now it just sounds condescending as hell.

As smooth talking as he may be, I’m not about to fall prey to Clay’s charms. For one, this is what the guy does- he speaks sweetly and manipulates and gaslights the shit out of you until you don’t even know who you are anymore. And for two- I’ve moved on to bigger and better things, quite literally. With a man like Jax, how could I possibly need or want anything else? He’s incredible and I’m the luckiest.

I shake my head at Clay, folding my arms across my chest protectively. “Idon’tmiss you, actually,” I say coldly. “And there’s no way in hell you’re getting another chance. Even if Iwasn’tseeing someone.”

I derive the teensiest bit of satisfaction from the look of surprise that plays across Clay’s face when he registers my words- though it’s quickly masked by a scornful frown.

“Yeah right,” he scoffs. “Who?”

“What’s the matter, your buddy Drew didn’t tell you about that?” I roll my eyes. “Real mature, having him spy on me for you.”

Clay’s features soften. He steps closer to me again, but I take a step back, preserving the gap between us. “I did it because I care…”

“Oh my god, you’re unbelievable!” I throw my hands up with an exasperated sigh. “If you cared, you wouldn’t have stuck your dick in someone else!”

Clay’s eyes go dark as he darts his gaze around wildly, leaning in closer and reaching out for me. He grabs my wrist roughly in his large hand, wrenching it toward him. “Will you keep it down?” he mutters through gritted teeth.

A deep voice cuts through the chatter of the crowd in the packhouse and a wave of relief washes over me when I immediately recognize it as my knight in shining armor.

“Get your hands off of her,” Jax growls, menace in his tone as he stalks up behind Clay.

“Who the fuck areyou?” Clay sputters, whipping his head around to get a visual of my rescuer. His movement only wrenches my wrist further and I flinch, trying to pull it away.

Jax’s eyes flicker down to Clay’s grip on my wrist, then back up to his face. “Don’t make me tell you twice.Off.”

He puts just enough alpha command behind his voice that it makes Clay flinch- hell, it even gives me goosebumps- and he relinquishes his grip on my wrist.

I yank my arm back and rub the offended skin of my wrist with my other hand, looking up at Jax and smiling warmly. “Hey baby.”

Damn it feels good to rub Clay’s face in this. The expression that crosses it when it dawns on him who Jax is to me is fuckingpriceless. I can’t help but grin smugly as Jax moves in beside me, slipping an arm around my waist. He tucks me into his side protectively, murmuring “hey beautiful” and dropping a kiss on the top of my head.

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