Chapter 5

~~Stephanie

"Want a beer?" He asked me. His deep voice shot tingles up my spine. All I could do is nod. I was so afraid to speak. I felt glued to the floor.

"Wildflower. Its ok. We are just talking." Jackson whispered.

"How can you be ok with this? After all this time?" I asked, my voice cracking.

"Its not ok. I'm not ok. I haven't been ok in years. The last time I know I was ok was your 18th birthday in that fucking cabin." Jacksons voice steadily got louder. "I have been fighting Chase since I got back. Hes been pleading with me to jus to take you home with me and force you to stay in the house and to never let you out of my sight." By the end he was growling.

"Let me talk to him." I softly cried. He looked surprised by my command.

He sighed and grabbed my hand, he looked up at me and his eyes were completely black.

"Hey Chase. Long time no see." I trailed my finger down his cheek.

"My mate. I have missed you. I stopped talking to Jackson. He hurt you. You are mine. I am yours. No one elses." His voice growled much deeper then his normal voice.

"I know. But Jackson broke me. I'm not the same girl anymore. Dont be mad at me. But Shawn has taken care of me through everything when you and Jackson left. " I stated firmly placing my hand over his heart. I smiled staring at my hand and feeling his heartbeat.

"Please forgive him hes a stupid human who doesnt deserve you. I deserve you and Cammie. And we have a pup?!?!?" He whispered happily. I laughed nodding at his statement and my wolf hummed in my head.

"She has missed you. And yes her name is Adaline and she looks just like Jackson." I whispered, "Be good and let me have the stupid human back."

Chase forcefully kissed me and let Jackson have control mid kiss. I ripped myself away and pushed Jackson back slightly.

"Damn you boys," I began. "I met someone while you were gone-" his growl interrupted me. "Shut up. You have no room to get jealous. His name is Shawn. He took care of me, loved me, and now he is ok with leaving me so Adaline can have her father. He understands what a mate means. Do you remember what a mate means? Can you do this and not hurt me again?"

"I swear on everything my love. You are my everything. Please let me show you and remind you what we have always had." He said as he grabbed me closer to his chest. My body screamed for him, my wolf went crazy, and my whole body was vibrating with how much I needed him at that moment.

I held my hand up to his chest and pushed him back. He whimpered and hung his head low.

I stepped back even farther and wiped my face, "Ok then. We can start tonight. Come over for dinner. I can't move in with you yet. Adaline needs to know you. Shes my main concern."

"I need you here." He growled.

"Jax.......please. Do this for me. Once I trust you again and we can work this we will talk about it. Is 630 ok?" I managed to spit out before giving into his wants.

"I will be there my wildflower." He kissed my forehead. I turned around and walked out of the pack house.

I walked all the way back to my house much to Damions surprise. When I got home almost everyone was there. Except Shawn. I knew in that moment he had left. I sobbed and just sat on the front steps leading to my house.

"What if I made the wrong decision?" I asked aloud. "Then we can try and fix everything again." I heard Jess say as she came up behind me. "I love Shawn. But I love Jax so much." I cried even harder.

Jess and I just sat there on the steps and she just held me. I cried probably soaking through her shirt to get most of me emotions out. It was alot to take in, in a short amount of time.

Damion slowly made his way out and sat next to us slinging his arm around the both of us.

"Hey bubba. We are doing a family dinner tonight. Jackson js coming tonight. Yall are staying for moral support so I dont murder him." I told Damion while I tried to wipe off my face.

He laughed, "Yes we will be here. I will pick up the beer when I pick up the twins. Ok Jess?" He asked

"Thanks guys. Yall mean alot to me and I'm yet again having to lean on you guys in case assface and I get into it." I laughed. Jess laughed along with me, "What are we making for dinner?" She asked.

While Jess prattled on about dinner all I could thinking about was this mess that I was in now. Shawn was gone and Jax would be on his way soon.

~~Jackson

I had her in my arms. Chase, my wolf, howled in delight. She was so close but when I looked her in eyes I knew this wouldn't be easy. She had been my soul, my heart, the reason I lived for so long. No matter what I did in college I always had pictures of her on my phone and stared at them every night.

Yes I had parties, I had other women, and I had broken every promise I made when we mated. I didn't deserve her. I didn't deserve for her to even speak to me, let alone even look my way.

I glanced at the clock. Shit I have been standing here for a while and I need to get to her house for dinner. I dressed quickly in dark jeans and a light blue button up. I needed to get flowers. I needed to get sunflowers. Where the hell do I get sunflowers?!?!?!

My head was spinning as I walked through town. I stopped at the florist and she had them ready for me. I paid, thanked her, and was at her door at 630 on the dot. She had the door open before I even got there.

She smiled up at me, "I smelled you coming down the street." I came inside and saw Adaline playing with barbies with Damion on the floor. He had small hair clips in his hair meaning they had probably just got done playing hairdresser. A pain shot through my heart and my wolf whimpered when I realized that should have been me. I should be the one on the floor laughing and playing but I never got the chance.

Just then 2 boys came running into the screaming and Adaline started screaming at them. I hadn't met them yet but I was betting money that those were Damions twins.

"Jax..." I heard her from the back if the house. She always knew when I needed to be brought out of my thoughts. I walked to the back and she stood there with a towel on her shoulder and Jess was yelling at the boys who were know running through the kitchen. Stephanie looked happy and in her element. She always loved the chaos of children, and I liked the silence.

"Can we talk?" I asked her softly.

"After dinner. I made lasagna." She assured me placing her hand on my chest. I swear if Chase had been a cat he would be purring at this point.

All of us sat down at the table and joked and laughed like we had never been apart. Adaline finished her food and she wanted to play outside so I jumped at the chance. Shit what do kids like to play?

We walked outside as I realized it was starting to get dark and the lightning bugs were starting to blink in the backyard. "Mommy said you were her mate...." Adaline interrupted my thoughts. "Yes I am little one." I said hoarsely. I was terrified. "Otay Daddy." She smiled up at me and took my hand. She toddled around the flowers with me and she picked some for Stephanie and we walked inside. As we walked inside Stephanie was cleaning up and everyone was gone. Adaline went to the couch and just laid down with the tv on in the background. Within seconds she was passed out on the couch.

"Do you want to go to the porch?" She opened up 2 beers and smiled at me. That same damn smile that got us into so much trouble over the years.

"As long as I'm with you, I will go anywhere." I whisper as I followed her outside.

I knew she heard me but she was stubborn enough not to reply.