Page 33 of Jasper

Jasper had always wanted a big family too.

They finished getting dressed and walked into the kitchen, where he fixed coffee in travel mugs for them both while she called her parents.

“Okay, see you in a few minutes,” she said, ending the call. “They’ll meet us at the employee cafeteria.”

“Sounds good.”

He pulled her close and stared down at her. “Just because we haven’t been together for seven years doesn’t mean I want to skip anything between us. I want to spend time getting to know you again and to build a relationship even stronger than we had when we were younger. Starting a family has been a dream of mine since I knew you were my soulmate, and whenever it happens I promise to be the best dad to our kids. And the best mate too.”

Her eyes darkened, the violet turning a deeper purple. “You’re already the best mate, Jasper. I know you’ll be a great dad when the time comes. Whenever it is. I can’t wait to get to know you better too.”

“Let me take you out tonight, somewhere special.”

“I don’t have anything nice to wear.”

“We’ll figure that out,” he said. “After breakfast.”

“Perfect,” she said. “I can’t wait.”

He couldn’t wait either. To get to know his soulmate all over again.

They’d loved each other before, but it would be better now. Sweeter, deeper.

Melody coming back into his life was the best thing that had ever happened to him. Ludo might be a murderous asshole, but he’d paved the way for their reunion and that was the silver lining Jasper was going to be happy for. Whatever else happened, Melody was safe with him in the park, and that was the only thing that mattered.

Melody huggedher mom in greeting and smiled at her dad as they joined them in the employee cafeteria. They grabbed food, Melody choosing a steak and egg bagel and a bowl of cut fruit, and Jasper picking an omelet with crispy potatoes.

After her parents had chosen their food and drinks, they sat at a table near the wall of windows that looked out into the park. She couldn’t wait to explore the park and meet Jasper’s pack.

“So right off the bat,” Melody said, clearing her throat. “I wanted to let you know that Jasper and I are mated now. I’m going to join up with his pack and stay here in the park.”

Her mom gave her a soft, almost sad smile. “We thought you would.”

“It’s probably for the best,” her dad said. “I’m not sure what we’re going to be walking back into with our pack. While I wish you were willing to come back to the pack and be my second-in-command, Jasper, I understand you have a life here and you don’t want to return to Northbelle.”

“It’s not home for me anymore,” Jasper said.

He’d asked her if she wanted to go back to her pack, but she hadn’t wanted to. Knowing that her parents had kept such important things from her, and that her alpha and his people had wanted to keep her alone and unmated for her entire life,made her never want to go back. She’d miss Ellie and her mom, but they could always come visit.

In essence, the Northbelle pack wasn’t home for her anymore either.

Her home was with Jasper.

She smiled at him, then looked at her dad. “What are you going to do?”

“We’re going to go back and help the other high-ranked males get free.”

“You said you gave Cray the keys to the cells,” she said. “You don’t think he got himself and the others to safety?”

“I think if he had, they would have reached out. Even though your mom and I don’t have our phones, you do, and they would have known we were with you.”

Her mind spun a little, wondering what was going on in the prison.

“Do you think Ludo knows you’re gone?”

“Definitely,” her dad said. “But he wouldn’t know where we went or how we got free.”

“Couldn’t you stay here?” she asked.

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