Chapter 69 - Jason's Mate
**Jason -
It finally happened, the day I have been longing for has finally arrived. I finally what the fuss is all about, what makes men turn into simpering fools for a single woman, I also finally understand the draw I have been having to Cassie's office, that incredible yet subtle scent that has been driving my wolf crazy, my mate, how has she been here for over a week and this is the first time I am seeing her?
Standing at the dais, with Jack beside me glowing with happiness, I admit, I felt a twinge of jealousy, I'm not too manly to admit that, I long for my mate, I have for years now, I long for that connection, the connection so deep and unbreakable that it has one of my best friends radiant with peace and joy. I've always wanted my mate, even before I met the moon goddess. I always believed, I knew she would choose someone who was perfect for me, as I would be for her. I vowed at a very young age that my mate would be my world, that nothing would come before her and now was my chance to keep that promise. She appeared at the end of the aisle, slightly behind Daisy and slightly in front of Cassie. As soon as my eyes found her everything stopped, time stood still, the creatures in the trees behind us went still and silent, the breath caught in my lungs as I watched her slowly make her way towards me. She wasn't looking at me, I was standing slightly behind her Alpha and standing downwind meant she couldn't smell me either, but I was entranced, unable to do a thing. My wolf is practically screaming at me, telling me to go to her, to gather her in my arms and run to our room, but I am frozen in place, barely even breathing.
Just as Cassie begins her walk towards us, I am suddenly struck with the urgency that has been pushing my wolf.
"Mate," I called out, taking several steps towards her and pulling her into my arms. She doesn't pull away, but she is tense. Cassie halts in position and has a huge grin on her face, and an ‘I told you so’ glint in her eyes.
"Go, go, we can manage without you for this, you've done all you have to, go, be happy and I will see you both tomorrow…or the day after maybe." I scoop my mate into my arms and turn away from the ceremony. As I walk away I hear Cassie tell Jack she told him so, I chuckle, a soft rumble in my chest, at that and make my way to the deserted pack house with my world in my arms. My preference would be to whisk her to my suite and begin the process of claiming her for myself, but I sense this would be a bad decision, so I stop in one of the rec rooms on the ground floor and seat us on a loveseat. She is still in my arms, resting on my lap as I gaze at her in wonder watching her face. I see fear, worry, hope, panic and resolution flitter across her face, all in rapid succession, all instilling fear in my own heart. Does she not want me? Is there someone else?
**Tara** -
My mate is a Gamma, I should have seen that coming I guess, but my mate wants me, for now, I can't believe this is happening, I thought I was done with this, I assumed since I was 23 and had been to multiple packs already that maybe my mate had died before I had the chance to meet him or that the moon goddess had skipped over me when handing out mates, I didn’t feel sorry for myself when I thought I didn't have a mate, I wasn't sad about being missed. I was grateful when I believed I was skipped, not having a mate means not having to break someone's heart by simply being who I am. Now I will have to tell him my story, now I have to face rejection yet again, but this one will be that much harder to bear, being rejected by my mate will hurt so much more than being rejected by my family. There is no way he will want me when he hears what I have done, no way he will want to tie himself to me for the rest of his life. I could not tell him, but I don't think I would be able to live with the secret. I have managed so far, but I can't bring him down with me, I can't destroy another pack, I have to leave, I will have to make my escape and hope to find another pack that will accept me. I can't return to Twin Lakes, he will search for me there, and Daisy would tell him if he asked. No, I need to go, now!
But wait, if I run now I will ruin dear Cassie's big day, I know how much she has longed for this day, spending time with her this last week has given me a friend, my first in a very long time and I don't want to ruin her day, I won't ruin it, maybe if I can convince him to wait a while, I can bide my time, really plan my escape, get away while everyone is busy, it will give me more time to disappear.
Pulling myself from my musings I find myself sitting in my mate's lap, his arms wrapped firmly around my waist, firmly but tenderly as well, as though he is worried he might be hurting me but more worried I might dash. Widening my consciousness I see we are in a rec room in the pack house, ground floor, large couches and bean bags shattered about, and snooker table off to one side, a ridiculously large flatscreen TV hung on the wall above a glorious fireplace. Finally I allow my eyes to meet his, to clash with his beautifully framed orbs gazing at me in wonder. I scan his face, I see the love already blossoming there, the joy, the admiration. I turn away, I can't see those feelings flashing across his face, if I do, and I allow myself to hope, it will hurt us both so much more when I leave. And I have to leave, I have no choice, I can't bring my past to this pack, not now, now I have friends here. I won't.
Finally after an eternity, he speaks to me in a calming tone.
"Tara, please, give me a chance? I promise to take things slow, I just needed to be with you and didn't want to cause a distraction at the Luna ceremony, please don't be angry I took you from it."
"I'm not angry, a little sad to miss Cassie's big moment perhaps, but not angry," I reply quietly, I need him to think all is well, I need time to make my move.
"We can take things slowly like Cassie and Alpha Jack did," he clearly senses something from me that urges him to say this, why else would he offer to go slowly when he so clearly wants his mate. He brushes his lips over my forehead, "you don't need to say anything, I can see your concern in your eyes, I promise, we will do this at your pace, just give me a chance to prove myself to you." He says in a pleading tone. I visibly hesitate then nod my head sliding from his lap. He lets me go, his arms dropping to the couch.
"Thank you," I whisper, "I need…um…I need to go," I dart from the room as quickly as I can, seeing him get to his feet as I move, but he doesn't follow me, he simply watches me go, a slightly defeated expression on his face, I can see his disappointment in the droop of his shoulders.
*Author's note - Tara's Tale will be continued in the follow on book I plan to write in the coming months, Broken by the Beta which will take us through Tara's life story up until the end of this book. Followed by Deceived by the Delta which will be an extension of both books.*