Chapter 27
Jackson stormed into Marcus’ office. Whatever happened in here caused Amelia to not say a word to him, even though he had tried to get her attention before she disappeared into the elevator. He went to the balcony and watched as she packed up her things and practically ran from the building.
“What the hell is going on?” Jackson demanded as he puffed his chest out a bit and planted his fists against his hips. If Jackson was not Marcus’ Beta he would have had him by the throat for such a show of blatant disrespect to his Alpha. Instead, he lazily looked at his lifelong friend.
“I removed a threat.” Marcus' voice was deceivingly calm compared to the anger that had laced through it moments ago while speaking to Amelia.
“REMOVED A THREAT?! What on earth are you talking about? She’s no more of a threat than a flea on your mangy ass! Now we don’t have a receptionist! I need an explanation,” Jackson ranted, his hands moving with his words to accentuate his annoyance at the situation. Taking a deep breath through his nose and out his mouth, the Beta waited for Marcus to give a reason for his behavior.
“I told you, I removed a threat.” Marcus still did not bother to look at Jackson. With and exasperated sigh, the muddy-haired wolf plopped down in a chair opposite Marcus, before leaning towards the desk.
“Marcus, we are partners in this. We talk about things. I need to know what happened,” Jackson pried further. Marcus finally took the hint that his friend was not backing down and explained the situation, even handing him the reports from IT. Jackson shook his head.
“This is not a light matter, Jax. That is sensitive information. Anyone could track down those pack members and that threatens their safety. Plus,” he paused, rubbing a hand behind his head, “my wolf became extremely restless after catching another wolf’s scent on her the other day. It took every ounce of willpower I had to keep him in line. I couldn’t live like that for a month. AND what if she was working for that other wolf? Hmm?”
Jackson stared at him. “You’re a fool, Marcus.” With that, the Beta stood from the chair and slowly turned from the office. Marcus released a sigh and returned to his paperwork.
“Rowen,” he called through their metal link.
“Yes, Alpha?” the scout answered back.
“Do we still have eyes on Amelia?” Marcus questioned. Knowing that the next month would prove who she was, if he kept a close eye on her.
“Yes, sir,” Rowen replied.
“Good, let's keep it that way for a bit.”
“Yes, Alpha.” The line went quiet. Marcus knew if anything happened, Rowen would give him a full report. He scoffed mentally as he questioned why Jackson could not be more like Rowen—follow orders and not question his motives. But then again, Jackson would not be his second in command if things were that way.
Sighing, he leaned back in his chair and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Why couldn’t our mate have been from our pack?” he questioned his wolf through their connection. But there was no reply. Not even a snort of annoyance from his other half. “Are you there?” Marcus called again to the depths of his mind, but again heard nothing. The silence worried him a bit.
This was not good.
After an agonizing bus ride, where she tried her hardest to avoid the sympathetic faces of the other riders, Amelia stumbled through her apartment door. Her belongings stayed where they landed as she slinked down the hall to the bathroom. A shower would help her feel better, and the warm water would wash her tears away. But even as the steaming liquid pulsated on her skin, she could not help but to sink to the bottom of the tub and sob into the knees folded against her chest.
Her heart ached. She had been humiliated and hurt. The kind, caring man who had slowly wormed his way into her feelings snatched the rug right out from underneath her. She should have known better.
While she had her own pity party in the shower, her roommate entered the apartment. Noticing Amelia’s purse and shoes, a confused expression crossed Jasmine’s face. Hearing the water running, she headed that away and knocked on the door.
“Amelia?” Nothing but sniffles answered her. Slowly she pushed the door open, where she found her friend in a heap. “Oh, Emmy.”
Jasmine crawled into the shower, clothes and all, and wrapped a towel around Amelia. They both sat there as the water pelted against them. But Jasmine did not offer anything else, just allowed Amelia to cry against her shoulder. Later they could talk about it.
“H-he made m-me leave, Jaz,” Amelia sputtered as she attempted to gain control of her tears. “J-just tossed me out l-like I was g-garbage. O-over a s-stupid mistake.”
“Shhh, honey. It's okay.” Jaz smoothed Amelia’s wet hair with her hand. “We’ll figure things out. We always do.”
Amelia sniffled again, as Jasmine cupped her cheeks with her hand, pulling the blonde to face her. “He didn’t deserve you anyway.”
Amelia knew Jaz was just trying to make her feel better, like they always did when the other felt broken. Nodding, she glanced over her friend, noticing the wet clothes clinging to her skin.
“Oh, Jaz. You’re soaked, your clothes.” Amelia pulled from Jasmine’s embrace and turned the water off.
“They're just clothes. They’ll dry. My sis needed me,” Jasmine added as she stood up and held a hand out to Amelia, bringing her back to an upright position as well. Amelia shook her head, exchanging the now-wet towel for her robe, and handing a fresh dry towel to Jaz.
“Thank you,” Amelia whispered, “for being here for me.”
“I wouldn’t be a good friend if I let you suffer alone.” Jaz offered a smile, as she scrunched her wet hair dry. “Now, how about we get cleaned up and changed? Tonight we’re gonna drink our problems away, and forget about that asshole!”
“Jaz, I don’t know if I fe—"
But Jasmine cut her off. “I’m not taking no for an answer this time, Emmy. You’ll either get dressed in something snazzy or I’ll drag you there in your PJ’s.” Jasmine waved a finger at Amelia for emphasis. Amelia knew when not to argue with her, so giving a sigh she reluctantly nodded her head. “Good. Let the drinks flow and the men ogle! Tonight we dance till we drop!”
Amelia shook her head with a smile, as her roommate danced and beatboxed her way down the hall, leaving Amelia to trudge her way to her own room. “Thank God for friends like her,” Amelia thought to herself.