Chapter Twenty Six
Lucianna's POV
My body shivered from Jacob's icy glare. The veins in his arms are visible as he held my phone tight with his hand.
I gulped.
I made another trouble.
There was silence between us and we just continued to look at each other. His eyes, glaring at mine while I tried my best to look innocent though I'm sure he knew I'm not.
I waited then Jacob just sighed that took me off guard.
He extended his arms to hand my phone to me and I slowly reached for it. None of us break the eye contact.
"Jacob--"
"Tell me again that 'that' beta was just a 'friend'." his voice was dry and his smirk was full of sarcasm.
"I--"
"I thought I was wrong about the impression of you the first time we met. I guess old habit dies hard, huh."
My mind was lost for a moment. What did I show him at the mapping ball to say that? As far as I can remember, I kept on throwing myself at him.
"I will be out for two days starting tomorrow. I'm heading to the Prime pack to settle the treaty renewal with Aiden. Don't think of doing anything stupid while I'm away, I'll make sure there's eyes all over you when I'm away."
Prime pack?!
That was where Ashira is!
Suddenly, a light bulb popped out of my head and I completely forgot about Jacob's findings.
"Take me with you!"
Jacob frowned and the edge of his lips rose.
I cleared my throat. "Pleaseee."
Jacob snorted.
"So you can seduce more men from another pack?" he smirked painfully.
My jaw dropped.
He seriously think-- Oh, okay, I did gave him that impression now but I don't think I needed to clear it to him. What I need was to meet Ashira!
"My friend was there, I just want to see my friend!"
Jacob's brow rose full with dubious expression.
"She's a she." I quickly clarified. "Please take me with you!"
A long minute of silence plus Jacob's burning stare and my nerves are moving.
This was my chance! A once in a lifetime chance!
"Jacob, I promise, I just wanted to see my friend. I will do anything you want, just please, take me with you!"
"We'll talk about this later. I need to fix something at the Hall." then he looked around and I sensed Harley's arrival.
Jacob must've called his third-in-command.
Harley must be in hiding again since I can't see him.
"Harley will watch you while I'm away." then he turned and walked away.
Jacob was all cold and aloof. I understand why he acted that way but somehow, my chest was clenching.
I watched Jacob's back as he walked away from me. Did I got used with all the attention he has given me? Its weird, I feel like I don't want him this way…
But he was worse than this when we first met, so why am I feeling like this?
**
"What did you do this time?"
I almost jumped when Harley popped out beside me. I stayed and was seated at the hammock since Jacob left.
Was I stunned?
I am not sure but I'm aware of a guilt crawling under my skin.
"What do you mean?" I asked and straightened my back. There's something with Harley that was too formal, like I can't ply around in his presence.
Its a surprise that he was not into hiding this time. He always watch from afar.
"Alpha Jacob is throwing a tantrum at the Hall."
My jaw dropped.
Suddenly, a child rolling on the ground was what I imagined.
"You're kidding." I can't believe his words, Jacob was not like that. Was he? "How would you know?"
"Brent just told me." Harley said and tapped his temple. He sat two meters away from the hammock and took a deep breath. "So, what happened this time?"
Harley was never friendly with me. That was one of the things I figured out from the beginning but sometimes his mood swings and turns from time to time.
"A misunderstanding, I guess. He's doubting my relationship with a friend."
"You mean, the beta of Trivian pack?"
"Why do you know about that?"
Harley just shrugged.
Ugh, I can't root some info with this one.
I decided not to pry more because I don't think he will say anything, anyway.
"Whatever. Why are you even this close to me?"
"Alpha Jacob lifted his previous order. You get lonely, he said." then Harley chuckled.
I flushed from how his laugh sounded teasing but what made me flustered was what he said.
Jacob…
He did told me that he will ask Harley to talk to me from time to time so I won't feel alone. But I never thought he really will…
"The rumors about him being a strict and fearsome leader are true but you know, he have the heart for his people, too. That is why everyone respects him." I figured he was talking about Jacob from the way Harley looked proud and confident.
I fell silent.
Is Harley trying to lift my expectations about Jacob or what?
"Why are saying those to me?"
"Well, just for you to know that I'm sure you have a space in his heart, as well."
Pfft.
I can't help but laugh with what Harley said.
"It's too soon to be sure about that and too ridiculous to involve any 'heart' between Jacob and me, Harley."
Harley did not speak a word for a whole minute but then he chuckled lowly.
"Really? I think you're both late." then he stood up.
I frowned. Late? Like, what? Like we had to be hugging and kissing since the first time we met? That's absurd. Harley should be the one to know how his 'alpha' had treated me.
"Alpha Jacob will come back in a few. Won't you cook something for him?"
I pouted. "I'm not his maid."
Harley's brow rose and then he smirked. "Hmm, I just thought you wanted to lighten his mood with your cooked meal since… you wanted him to take you to Prime pack tomorrow."
My eyes widened and I cursed in my head. Oh yeah, I forgot!
Harley smirked when I stood hastily.
"J-Join us for dinner, Harley."
"I don't think that's necessary. Imagining being with you two in a table is awkward enough."
"O-Okay," I started walking inside the house.
I wonder what to cook for him that will have to make him say 'yes'.
**
Brent's POV
The sound of a vase hitting the wall echoed the entire room.
"That's the last for you to break. I swear, I won't get new ones." Brent said calmly while working on some papers.
"I don't get it!" Jacob screamed, punching on the wall which creates a hole and cracks. "I don't get her!" he growled.
I sighed.
"With all due respect, my Alpha. Do you want me to answer that?" I said without looking up to him.
Jacob growled loudly and he made sure he directed it to me. I shut my eyes tight but grinned as I looked at his more angered face.
I'm still not used to Jacob acting like this. He always control his cool but ever since Lucianna came, he changed.
Far from the stone cold alpha of the Shadow pack.
Now, Jacob was more… full of emotion.
A lot of emotion which one of it I hate to see, just like now.
"If I were you, I'd have more patience than that."
"Why do you think I'm verging my anger here than in front of her?" he retorted.
I sighed. "Then start taking pity for the vases and frames, Jacob."
I always call him with his title but sometimes, he sure acts like a child that he needed some scolding.
"Who gives a damn to those things." he hissed and slumped himself on his chair. "I'm agitated but I can't lash out my anger to her, she's…" he sighed. "…too much to handle but I can't--fuck!"
Frustration was plastered all over his face. Tss, a helpless Jacob was not one I was expecting to witness.
I decided to shut my mouth.
"I know I've made a mistake and I can't forgive myself for that. But damn it, Brent! The smiles I saw in her face are like sunshine and now its all gone."
=_=
Is he seriously saying these?!
I'm speechless.
"Her eyes are enough to make me realize I won't have her for long… and its fucking driving me crazy."
Okay, this was clearly not the Jacob I know.
"Hey, she won't forgive that easy but you know she'll come to that. You're mates. Even you didn't succeed on running away from your fate."
"I know that. Fuck."
Jacob frustratingly ran his hand on his head.
A helpless alpha right in front of me. When he get over this, I will make sure to tease him to death.
"Then what's wrong, Jake? All of these will not end bad." Thank the mate bond.
Jacob sighed.
"You won't understand. The way she do things are way dangerous, not just for her but for…" sighs again. "I'm losing my head."
"If you're thinking about Justin, you don't need to. He's healed and cured. A few more days and he will report back to the council."
Yes. Justin was not dead. And its a surprise that Jacob didn't fired him off his position as the head of trackers. I don't know what's gotten into Jacob back then but all I know was that dog was lucky to receive mercy from a merciless alpha.
Well, like I've said, Jacob changed.
"But I might do something just like that if this goes on."
I sighed. "Beta Dylan knew better than complicate his life by complicating your relationship with Lucianna. He's not a threat."
Jacob groaned. "Fuck."
"Wow, Jake. You're really losing you head. That's jealousy taking over,"
I smirked and waited for him to go against what I said like he always do.
But then my smirk faded.
Jacob just stare into nothingness as he bit his lower lip, frustrated was still in his face but…
Wait, he admit that he's jealous?! He was full of pride to do that!
"Damn it." Jacob muttered a curse and covered half of his face with his palm.
Oh heaven, Jacob was blushing!
"Oh, you're damned, aren't you? To--" I was almost laughing but that was cut off when the telephone rang.
I almost teased Jacob! Remind me to thank the caller later.
"Hello?" I answered and took a glance at Jacob who's like a puppy at the corner of the room he made a mess with.
"Brent. This is Aiden."
"Alpha Aiden." I greeted. "How may I help you?" Did he call to remind about tomorrow's event?
I know the treaty will be held tomorrow but he never called like this beforehand.
"Is Jacob there?"
"Uh," I looked at Jacob and his helpless state. "Yes, he is here."
"Good. Tell him I need a brief talk."
"A moment." I hold the intercom and faced Jacob. "Alpha Aiden is on the line, Jake."
He looked up and nodded before picking the phone so I transferred the call.
"Aiden." Jacob cleared his throat.
I enhanced my sense of hearing to eavesdrop. I guess its okay since Jacob was not asking me to leave the room. Well, not like we got secrets to keep.
"I hope I'm not disturbing anything." Aiden said on the other line.
Jacob smirked. "Checking if I'm not waging war soon?"
Aiden chuckled on the other line. "Can't wait, brother."
Jacob laughed. "So what's up?"
"Well…" Aiden paused and cleared his throat. "I heard you found your mate. Is she coming with you tomorrow?"
I watched as Jacob's jaw clenched.
See that?
I bet he's jealous again and might've thought that Aiden was interested. A life-long brother. Jacob has really fallen deep and drowned for his mate, that's for sure.
"No, she won't." Jacob answered in a cold tone. "I heard you found yours so why took interest with mine?"
Aiden laughed on the other line and I almost, too, if only Jacob was not throwing a death glare at the wall.
"I see you fancy her, huh? I meant no harm, brother. But your mate is a friend of mine. This is a request you can take formally if you'd like to, but I truly hope you invite her with you."
Jacob was silent for a moment and I watched as his facial expression softened.
This--! Ugh, I can see how hopeless his case was for acting this way.
"We'll be there, then. In one condition, Aiden."
What it was he wants now?
"Which is?"
"I want her to stay in a room, away from any contact with your wolves."
Aiden laughed on the other line.
"My, my. Well, if you say so. I know her presence here is enough to make my mate happy so that's enough."
"Okay…"
"I'll see you tomorrow."
Then the line was cut.
"Jake, I think you need to learn from Alpha Aiden."
Jacob snapped his neck to me, narrowing his eyes. "Shut your mouth, Brent."
"Aiden surely knew how to make his mate happy!" I laughed and a book came flying straight to my face, luckily I dodged. "Whoa. Temper." I laughed again.
"I'm out."
"What?! Hey! There's still more to do--"
"Laugh at it more." then Jacob was gone.
Fuck!
Why am I always punished like this?