~Ariana's POV~
I finished dressing up and examined myself, I was putting on a black long sleeved body con cropped top, a black skinny jean and a black heeled boot, I had styled my hair a bit differently, this time braiding the roots a bit, before letting it end in it's usual afro, picking up my African wax print (Ankara print) bomber jacket, I put it on and picked up my phone and wallet before leaving my room.
I headed down the stairs, Leo was there already, he'd be taking me to the pride house, it was about time I discussed with Jaylen my reason for being at the ball, of course that wasn't the only reason, grinning I walked to him.
"You promise you'll find a way to let us vacay in the pride house soon right?" Dan asked pouting at the fact that they couldn't come with since it was highly possible they wouldn't leave in one piece, I chuckled.
"Yea Dan, Leo said his parents wanted to see me, I intend to recruit them to join the team, if that works out, which I'm pretty sure it will, we're gonna find a way to let us all stay for a bit." I assured, he nodded, hugging me before I walked out the house behind Leo, Mia had a class so she wasn't home, getting into the car, Leo shut the door behind me and got into the drivers side and we were on our way.
I stood before the intimidating mansion once again, Leo waited behind me patiently as I took deep breaths to calm my surprisingly racing heart, relaxing myself, I put on a confident smirk and sashayed into the building, Leo shook his head in amusement earning a glare from me before following me in.
The moment I walked in, everyone on that floor stopped and stared,
"they aren't used to a human being in the building." Leo explained, I rolled my eyes
"well they had better get used to it, I'mma be in their faces a lot from now on." I replied and he laughed and nodded towards the elevator, I headed in that direction ignoring the stares, once we were safely in the elevator, Leo turned to me,
"where to first?" He asked, I thought for a bit,
"your leader and I have serious business to discuss, I think I'll see him first." it sounded like a good idea to confront the Lion in the room, or at least the biggest Lion in the room first, Leo nodded in agreement before pressing a button and up we went.
Leo was about knocking on the door but I raised a hand to stop him, telling him to stay back, I pushed the door open and walked in like I owned the place, Leo following in and shutting the door. Jaylen was already staring at the door, probably had picked up my scent the moment I entered the building, so much for surprises, for a while he just stared at me and I did the same, him in shock and confusion, while I was busy checking him out, don't blame me, I had to look again, Damn now I was sure he was worth my stress, I thought smirking slightly.
"aren't you gonna offer me a seat?" I asked in amusement and he just blinked, rolling my eyes I took a seat in front of his desk.
"Btw you look like someone ran you over." I stated dryly, he blinked again before chuckling softly,
"hello to you too" he said, I smiled, nodding in response,
"I think we got off on the wrong foot, so let me back up a little bit, the name's Ariana, Ana for short." I introduced, stretching my hand across the table for a handshake, grasping my hand firmly he smiled,
"Ana.... I'm Jaylen, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit." he asked drawing my name a bit, I shivered unconsciously to which he smirked.
"it certainly has nothing to do with your dripping in sexiness, that's for sure, I'm actually here on serious business which Leo will give you a briefing on, Leo?" I said turning to him and motioning him to begin, he stared at me dumbly and Jaylen did the same, before both began laughing loudly, I frowned,
"what exactly is so amusing?" I asked,
"I'm not really sure you heard what you said." Leo replied chuckling, I ran my previous words through my head and rolled my eyes in realization,
"I really didn't come due to that though, no harm in just making sure we were on the same page." I grumbled, they laughed again and I sighed rubbing my temples, when the laughter finally died down, I felt eyes on me and looked up to notice Jay staring at me, a sparkle in his eyes that wasn't there earlier but definitely should stay.
"I understand, you are not here because I am dripping in sexiness, so would you care enlightening me a bit?" he said in amusement, the final part referring to Leo, Leo nodded, explaining my situation to him, which we had enlightened him on when we all met and I gave them my decision, Jaylen nodded in understanding, once Leo was finished, I began
"so I'm totally unwilling to play the wiping game with my memories, I promise your secret is safe with me so can y'all leave me out of that shit?" I asked hopefully and he smiled nodding,
"I have no problems with that, I will speak on your behalf to the council." he replied and I nodded, standing up and saying my thanks, I turned to leave.
"Wait, is it possible for us to... maybe talk...?" he asked hopefully and I stopped, smirking I gave Leo a secret evil look to which he rolled his eyes, schooling my features I turned, scowling as if unwilling, he gave me a pleading look and I sighed in defeat while grinning within.
"I actually heard your parents wanted to see me, I will go to them now, in the meantime I will only speak with you if you're looking presentable, you're a serious mess right now, I won't be around long though so if you catch me before I leave then we'll talk." I stated, referring to his messy hair, clothing and generally, his totality, he nodded in response.
"Alright, I'll work on it now.", turning around without a word, I left his office, Leo leading the way to their parents.
Finally, after 5 minutes of their mom fussing over me, we were seated in their living room, they had a cozy house of their own, just a little walk from the pride house. Jaylen's father Jake had been quiet, just observing me, while his wife Leona was elated at my presence.
"So you are my son's mate?" Jake asked and I raised a brow at his tone, but bit my tongue to prevent any wrong words from coming out,
"that's what I'm told." I replied trying to keep the edge out of my voice, I wasn't sure I was successful though, because his eyes narrowed and Leo moved closer to my side.
"if you are my son's mate, why is it that he is in such a condition after meeting you?" He asked again , his wife nudging him, probably due to his tone which was beginning to annoy me,
"I don't know, perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I rejected him?" I replied sarcastically, he raised a brow at me this time while Leona gasped,
"why?" She asked sadly and I turned to Leo giving him room to explain.
_________
"Unbelievable." Jake muttered while Leona simultaneously squealed.
"I knew it, there was definitely something more to what was going on with those boys." she said in excitement and I gave her a puzzled look,
"I believe you just found out your son is into men..." I trailed off and Jake rolled his eyes,
"we don't care who he is into and he knows it, I actually quite like that kid Talon, besides fate doesn't make mistakes, whoever is gifted to my son as a mate, we will accept without question." he said, I nodded,
"so the pride wouldn't be against it either?" I clarified,
"of course not, the members of the pride adore Jay, his leadership has been the best we've ever had, that is untill now..., It really wouldn't make a difference to them which gender his mate is, besides it's been quite obvious they had a thing for each other since they were kids, labelling it as close friendship didn't fool anyone." Leona said, frowning, I looked at Leo,
"if the pride and your parents aren't against it, what could be their problem?" I asked, he shrugged,
"I don't know but something tells me the answer to that question will be found on Talon's end." he replied, I nodded thoughtfully,
"the sooner we know the problem, the sooner we fix it." I said,
"fix it?... I thought you rejected them." Leona asked, and I nodded,
"I did, I was reluctant to be involved in whatever it was going on, but after sometime and hearing from Leo and the rest, I realized, it's unlike me to give up so easily, or to run from difficult situations without even trying, no matter how I look at it, there's more to the situation than meets the eye, besides Leo informed me about the situation in the pride, whether I like it or not, it's related to me and I can't deny that fact, or turn a blind eye, I personally dislike forcing things, but some people need a little more push than usual, this is me giving that push so if it doesn't work out, I walk away, without looking back, knowing I tried my best and even if I do walk away, I want to do that knowing the pack and pride are both doing fine, besides who the hell do they think they are to contemplate rejecting me, they feel I'm that easily forgotten, well we'll see how that works out for them, they'll figure out soon enough that when I want something, I get it, no two ways about it and unfortunately for them, I want them, I didn't want to but I do, I'm not one to decive myself and say I'm not attracted to them, cause I am, so it's challenge accepted and believe me I take challenges very personal, in short, it's either I win or I win." I ranted out my thoughts.
Looking around, the three people just stared at me before Jake's booming laughter was heard, Leona was all smiles while Leo grinned from ear to ear,
"I knew whoever would be my son's mate would definitely have to be something." Jake said in amusement, the look in his eyes now warm and accepting, turning to his wife he smirked,
"I like her, 1000 dollars she'd have both guys wrapped around her fingers in two months." he said mischievously, Leona smirked back,
"1000 dollars she gets them together as well." she replied just as mischievously, turning to Leo, I motioned him closer, whispering something, looking at me in shock, he saw I was serious and nodded with a smirk,
"a thousand dollars she both has them wrapped around her fingers and gets them together in a month." he said, Jake and Leona stared at both our smirking faces before nodding,
"it's on." Leona said excitedly,
"so what's the plan..." Jake asked and I chuckled darkly,
"first off, I work my way into their hearts individually, in the meantime, now that you're on the team, please do me a favor and get all the extra rooms in this mansion cleaned up.", Jake raised a brow at me,
"all?", I nodded, grinning evilly "I think a certain somewhere will soon need emergency renovation,we should be expecting a lot of guests very soon".....
~Author's Note~
😲😲 A lot of guests??, What does Ariana have in mind 😏😏 btw African wax print or Ankara print is a cotton fabric with vibrant patterns, it's a commonly used material in Africa and has also come to be known internationally as a representation of things African. I have a bunch of clothings made from the fabric as well, most Africans do and it's a really beautiful fabric possessing tribal like patterns and motifs 😁😁😁