My Alpha's Mark

182 I do

We could have linked the kitchen for a meal to be brought up. It would have been easier and I could have stayed a in bed and been a gremlin. I wanted to stay comfy in bed and wait for Jake to come back. I wanted to stay in Viktor’s arms and have dinner in bed. I knew I needed to get up and walk around, so when he stood up and put me down on my feet I didn’t complain. When he offered me his hand, I ignored the instant need to whine and crawl back into bed. I grabbed his hand and he smiled knowingly. He turned without another word and I followed him toward the door. When we got downstairs we walked past pack members who were worried. Viktor hadn’t made an announcement to explain to our people so they didn’t know what happened. Some came up and wished me well and others thanked me for appearing okay. A few thanked the Moon Goddess, bowed, and said they were happy to see me. I needed to be better. I made a note to keep the pack members in the loop in the future. We would need to make an announcement soon. It would put their worry to rest and hopefully bring happiness to the people.

When we walked into the kitchen, dinner was already cooked. We were greeted and told our food would soon be ready. I thanked them before following Viktor to the seating area. I watched as they prepared the food and thanked them again when they placed our plates in front of us. My mouth watered as the smell wafted around me.

After we ate, we walked around the packhouse so I could be active. We couldn’t stay out there long, we couldn’t help but feel antsy. We rushed back up to the room. I couldn’t wait to see him and I knew Viktor felt the same. So I waited, we waited. We waited until the sun began to set and my heart started to panic.

I couldn’t help the onslaught of fears that ran across my mind. I worried he wouldn’t come home tonight. I wondered what I would do if that happened. I had agreed to give him another chance but what if he blew it before it could be given? As much as I wanted to have him I wouldn’t budge. I would follow what Viktor and I agreed on. I wouldn’t let him do this again and hand him another chance.

No, if Jake didn’t come back tonight, we would be over. I could see the shadow that crept across Viktor’s face. I could feel his anxiety, his fear, the flame of hope as it flickered. His thought aligned with my own. If Jake didn’t come home tonight, we would both stand by what we agreed on. It pained me but I still had hope that Jake would show up, that he would open the door and walk through it. I had hope he would come back and fight for us.

Every footstep we heard on the other side of the door caused us to freeze. We held our breath and looked toward the door and hoped it would be him. When the door handle finally turned, I felt like I could sob. Slowly the door opened and out of the corner of my eye Viktor visibly relaxed as Jake walked in. His head was bowed and he didn’t lift it as he strode across the room. He stopped at the edge of the bed and audibly gulped.

“I know you said you need time,” Jake whispered. “I know that means I’m supposed to stay away, but I can’t. I can’t stay away. I can’t get the look of pain on your faces out of my mind. I want to fix this. I spent the last few hours running and trying to sort out my thoughts. When I realized I’m being stupid. There’s nothing to sort or figure out. I turned around and rushed back here. I rushed back to you. I want to make it better. I’m sorry for fucking up because I did. I fucked up. I fucked up so bad but I hope that you can forgive me. I don’t want to lose you. I didn’t choose her. I don’t want her. I don’t want to share my life with her. I don’t want her. I’m going to officially reject her. I’m sorry for letting my insecurity about not being your fated mate ruin things for us,” Jake said. He raised his head, his eyes burned with passion and un-shed tears.

Viktor looked at me and I at him. I smiled and stood to my feet. I walked over to Jake and grabbed his hand. I lifted his hand to my lips and kissed it. I could feel Viktor at my back. I saw his hand to Jake’s face and I watch as Jake’s tears escape and drip down his cheeks.

“There’s nothing you need to do. You are here because you belong here. None of us are perfect. We all have our own things we need to work on. We want you to be here if you want to be here,” I said.

“I do. I really fucking do,” Jake cried.

“I—” Viktor said but was cut off at the sound of feet rushing toward our room.

The three of us turned as someone knocked on the other side of the door. Nerves turned to fear as I wondered who could be on the other side. Insecurity told me it was Clara, here to claim what she thinks is hers, to claim what’s mine.

“Come in,” Viktor said in his Alpha voice.

The door swung open with a bang. I wasn’t expecting who walked in. I had expected the worst. I had expected a witch, but who walked in was Jamie. She bowed and bent over. She rested her hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath.

“I’m sorry to disturb you, Viktor,” Jamie gasped out.

“Speak sister. What’s wrong?” Viktor asked, worry was laced in his tone. He jumped to his feet and ran over to her. Jamie straightened her back but clenched her stomach in pain. “Are you hurt? Tell me,” Viktor insisted. Jamie looked at us across the room before she turned back to her brother.

“We’re under attack,” Jamie panted.