Chapter 116
Jackson's POV
"I don't care about political training or alliance networks or any of it," I continued, my voice steady despite Orion's roaring in my mind. "Ellie is my fated mate. That bond—that connection—is stronger than any political marriage could ever be."
Miles's expression shifted into something harder, more calculating. "The bond is strong, yes. But is it enough? When you're facing challenges from rival packs, when you need support to hold your territory, will Ellie's family be able to help? Or will you be standing alone because your mate comes from a family with no resources, no influence, no—"
"Enough." I cut him off, my eyes flashing gold. I knew he could see it—the wolf rising to the surface. "If I can't win the Alpha challenge based on my own strength, then I don't deserve the position. I'm not going to build my future on a political marriage to someone I don't love."
"Love." Miles said the word like it was naive. "Jackson, you think you're in love now, but—"
"It's not about age. It's about the bond." I stepped forward, and Miles actually took a half-step back. "The fated mate bond doesn't lie. It doesn't make mistakes. And you're asking me to ignore it—to potentially betray it—for political convenience."
"I'm asking you to be strategic," Miles countered. "Your parents weren't just strong—they were smart. But—"
"Maybe the problem wasn't lack of political marriages." The words came out bitter. "Maybe the problem was trusting the wrong people."
Miles's face went carefully blank. "What are you implying?"
"Nothing." I grabbed the gifts from where I'd set them down. "I'm going to Mapleton. You can tell the Frosts whatever you want—that I'm sick, that I had an emergency, I don't care. But I'm not going to that dinner."
"Jackson." Miles's voice turned cold. "If you walk out that door, if you insult the Frost family this way, you're burning a bridge. A bridge you might desperately need in eighteen months."
"Then I'll build my own bridges," I said. "With people who respect my choices. Who understand that my mate comes first."
I walked past him toward the elevator, but his voice followed me.
"The Frost family will see this as a declaration, Jackson. You're choosing a lone wolf family over them. That's going to have consequences."
I pressed the elevator button, not looking back. "Then let them see it that way. Let everyone see it. Ellie is my fated mate, and I'm done pretending that's something I need to compromise on."
The elevator doors opened and I stepped inside. As they began to close, I saw Miles standing in the hallway, his expression unreadable but his posture tense.
Good, Orion growled. He needed to hear it.
In the parking garage, I sat in my car for a moment, hands gripping the steering wheel. My heart was racing, adrenaline from the confrontation still pumping through my system.
I pulled out my phone and texted Ellie: Just handled something with family. All good. Heading to your place now.
Her response came immediately: Everything okay?
I typed: Will explain later. Can't wait to see you
Three dots appeared, then: Same. Drive carefully. It's snowing.
I started the engine and pulled out of the garage. As I drove past my building, I saw Miles standing outside, phone pressed to his ear. Probably calling the Frosts to cancel. Or maybe to spin some story about why I wasn't coming.
I didn't care.
The streets were quiet, most people already home with their families. Christmas lights reflected off the fresh snow, and "O Holy Night" was playing on the radio. Under other circumstances, it would have been peaceful.
But my mind kept circling back to Miles's words. Lone wolf family. No resources. No influence.
Had he always seen Ellie this way? As a liability? Or had something changed when he realized I was serious about her?
He fears what he cannot control, Orion observed. Mate bond is beyond his manipulation.
"Yeah," I muttered. "That's exactly what scares him."
My phone buzzed. Unknown number.
"Mr. Wilson, this is Valentina Frost. My father just informed me of tonight's cancellation. I understand you had a prior commitment that couldn't be rescheduled. I hope your Christmas Eve is lovely. Perhaps we'll have the opportunity to meet in the future—on better terms."
I stared at the message. It was polite, diplomatic—nothing like the insult or anger Miles had predicted. If anything, she sounded... understanding?
I typed back: "Thank you for your understanding. Merry Christmas."
Her response came quickly: "Merry Christmas, Jackson. And congratulations on finding your fated mate. That's rarer than any political alliance."
I blinked at the screen, surprised. Then I smiled slightly and put the phone away.
Maybe not everyone in the pack world was like Miles. Maybe not everyone saw mates as negotiable.
Through the bond, I felt Ellie's anticipation growing—she could sense I was getting closer. The warmth that flooded through our connection settled something in my chest, easing the tension from the confrontation.
Home, Orion said simply. Going home to mate.
And despite everything—despite Miles, despite the burned bridges, despite the political games I knew were waiting for me—that felt exactly right.
A few hours later, I pulled up to the Green family home. Every window glowed with warm light, and I could see a Christmas tree through the front window, decorated with what looked like homemade ornaments. Garland wrapped around the porch railings, and a wreath hung on the door.
I grabbed the gifts and stepped out into the softly falling snow.
This was where I was supposed to be.
With my mate. With her family.
On Christmas Eve.
Everything else—Miles's plans, the Frost family, the politics—could wait.
Tonight belonged to Ellie.