Chapter 48 Mate Over Alpha
Wynter's POV
The first punch landed before I could even process what was happening.
One second Jax was standing rigid beside me, his grey eyes locked on Chase with barely contained fury. The next, his fist connected with Chase's jaw with a sickening crack that echoed across the courtyard.
Chase's head snapped back, blood spraying from his split lip. He staggered but didn't fall, his eyes flashing molten gold as his wolf surged to the surface.
And Jax's collar exploded with light.
The silver band around his neck blazed so bright it hurt to look at directly, pulsing with harsh blue-white energy that sent visible shocks through his body. His eyes flickered between grey and that dangerous amber-red, his canines lengthening as his wolf clawed against the suppression.
"You've got some fucking nerve showing up here," Jax snarled, his voice cracking with barely controlled rage. "After making her cry again. After hurting her again."
He moved in for another strike, his movements wild and furious.
"You always do this, Sterling. You always find a way to break her heart. And you still have the audacity to come looking for her?"
Chase blocked the second punch, but barely. "Jax, I can explain—"
"Jax, your collar!" I lunged forward, grabbing his arm. The silver was blazing so bright now that students were stopping to stare, phones coming out. "If the patrol sees you like this—"
He shook me off, his attention fixed entirely on Chase. His movements were growing wilder, less controlled, and the collar's shocks weren't slowing him down anymore.
"Jax, please!" I threw myself between them just as he swung again.
His elbow caught me across the cheekbone.
Pain exploded through my face and I went down hard, hitting the cobblestones with enough force to knock the air from my lungs. Stars burst behind my eyes, and I tasted copper—my lip had split.
The collar's glow dimmed instantly.
"Sis." Jax dropped to his knees beside me, his hands hovering over me but not quite touching, as if he was afraid he'd hurt me worse. "Oh god, Sis, I'm so sorry—"
His fingers trembled as he gently touched the side of my face where he'd hit me. When his hand came away with blood, something in his expression shattered completely.
Without a word, he pulled off his jacket and pressed it carefully against my bleeding lip, his movements reverent, desperate. Tears tracked down his face as the fierce Rogue who'd been ready to tear Chase apart vanished, replaced by the terrified little boy I'd saved all those years ago.
"I swore I'd protect you," he whispered brokenly. "And I hurt you instead."
"It was an accident." I caught his wrist, squeezing gently despite the throbbing in my head. "Jax, look at me. I know you didn't mean to."
Behind him, Chase had gone very still. Through the Bond, I felt his concern for me warring with his fury at Jax, but he didn't move. Didn't speak. Just watched with those golden eyes as Jax tended to the wound he'd caused.
"We need to go," I said, forcing myself to sit up despite the way the world tilted. "Before this becomes an even bigger mess."
---
We found Rosalie near the fountain, out of breath from her successful diversion of the patrol guards.
"Oh my god, what happened?" Her eyes widened as she took in my split lip and the blood on Jax's jacket.
"Accident," I said before Jax could spiral. "I got in the way. It's fine."
I looked at Jax and Rosalie, then at Chase who stood a few feet away, blood drying on his face.
"Jax, Rosalie," I said, keeping my voice steady despite the throbbing in my cheek. "Wait here for a minute. Chase and I need to talk. Privately."
"Sis, you don't have to—" Jax started, his collar pulsing.
"I need to," I said firmly. "Just... give us a few minutes. Please."
Jax's jaw clenched, his eyes moving between me and Chase with obvious distrust. "Five minutes. And if he hurts you again—"
"He won't," I said, though I wasn't entirely sure myself.
Rosalie touched Jax's arm gently. "Come on. Let's give them space."
I turned to Chase, whose face was a mess of blood and guilt. "Follow me."
---
We walked to the far side of the courtyard, behind a stone archway that provided some visual privacy. But even here, we were maybe fifty feet from where Jax and Rosalie waited—and werewolf hearing was sharp enough to pick up whispers from much farther away.
Chase seemed to realize this at the same moment I did.
His eyes met mine, and I felt it—that pull through the Mark, that invisible thread connecting us since the night he'd bitten me during the full moon.
Then his voice echoed in my mind, clear as if he'd spoken aloud but without making a sound.
Can you hear me?
I nearly stumbled, my hand flying to my neck where his Mark lay hidden beneath my collar.
I can hear you, I thought back carefully, watching his eyes widen slightly.
Wynter, about this morning—
Explain, I interrupted. Fast or I'll go.
He took a breath, and through the link, I felt him gathering his thoughts.
I never gave Anne that code, Chase said, his mental voice tight with frustration. Ethan did. Months ago, before I even met you. He thought he was helping—thought Anne and I would end up together eventually because of the alliance between our families.
And you didn't know? I asked.
I had no idea about that. His guilt bled through the Bond, sharp and bitter.
Stop.
I cut him off, my thoughts firm.
You can't control everything Anne does. You can't predict every way she'll try to manipulate the situation.
But I should have protected you better, he insisted. I should have made sure she couldn't just walk into my space like she owned it. Like she had any right to—
What matters is what you do now, I said, watching his face as emotions flickered across it. Are you going to let her keep doing this? Keep inserting herself into your life like she has a claim on you?
Through the Bond, I felt his resolve crystallize into something hard and unbreakable.
I called right away to get someone over to change the password.
Good.
And I'm telling my father, he added. About us. About the investigation.
He pulled out his phone, his fingers moving quickly across the screen. Then he held it up so I could see the message he'd typed:
Father - I'm investigating the Vaughn case with Wynter. I decided to be with her for good. If you have a problem with that, we can discuss my succession later. - C
He sent it before I could respond.
I stared at the screen, something tight in my chest loosening even as disbelief washed over me.
You just...
Told him I'd give up being Alpha heir if he tries to stop me, Chase finished, his mental voice steady. Yes.
Through the Bond, I felt his absolute certainty. This wasn't a bluff or a dramatic gesture. He really meant it.
Why? I asked, my mental voice barely a whisper. Why would you risk everything for this?
Because you're my mate, he said simply, and the weight of that word—mate, not just Bond or Mark but mate—settled between us. Because what happened to your father was wrong. And because I'm not my father. I won't let politics and alliances matter more than justice. More than you.
His phone buzzed in his hand.
He glanced at the screen, and through the Bond, I felt his grim satisfaction.
We’ll talk when you’re back. Don’t do anything reckless. Until we uncover the true mastermind, ensure the girl’s safety. – A.S.
Chase pocketed the phone without responding.
Action, not just words, he said, meeting my eyes.
I studied his face—the cut above his eyebrow from Jax's punch, the blood drying on his lip, the unwavering determination in his golden eyes.
I need your help, I said finally. To catch whoever killed my father. To find out the truth about what happened five years ago.
You have it, he replied immediately. Whatever you need. However long it takes.
Before I came back, my father actually told me to protect you, because you’re tied to the safety of several packs. He also deeply regrets your father’s death
Then come with me, I said.