Chapter 32
“ARE YOU REALLY GOING?” Beta Jarren asked, watching Priscilla as she dolled up herself, getting ready for her prior engagement today. She glanced at his reflection in the mirror, feeling her heart race as she remembered their conversation from the previous day when they had abruptly left.
Flashback/
“W–what are you doing? Where are you taking me?” She asked as they walked off towards the gazebo where they used to enjoy the fresh air together during spring and summer. When they reached their destination, Beta Jarren gently guided her to sit down on a chair while he remained standing in front of her. “Seriously what’s wrong with you all of sudden-”
“I like you, too,” His words left Priscilla in shock, her mouth falling open and her cheeks instantly flushing a deep shade of pink. The surprise and embarrassment crept up her neck like a heat wave, making her feel exposed and vulnerable.
“W–what? What nonsense—”
“I’m telling the truth.” He released a deep breath and dropped down onto his knees in front of her, gently grasping her trembling hands in his own. “I was just trying my best to deny it because you were my friend’s little sister, and I was way older than you.”
“On my 25th birthday, you came wearing the bright yellow dress that I gave you for your twentieth birthday. That was when your presence made my heart flutter for the first time, and I realized I saw you as a woman, not just the kid I used to tease.” Beta Jarren hesitated, unsure if this was the right way to confess his feelings.
But with another man lurking around her and the knowledge that their feelings were mutual, he couldn’t hold back any longer. He had to get everything off his chest, even if it meant taking a risk and being vulnerable.
“I used to think it was just a fleeting emotion, but as I spent more time with you, my love for you grew stronger. However, that feeling tormented me because it didn’t seem appropriate. Even though I only developed romantic feelings for you when you became an adult, it still felt wrong given that I had known you since you were a kid,”
He continued, gently stroking her fingers with his thumb, trying to calm her nerves as her hand shook in his grasp.
“I felt like I was committing a crime by having feelings for you, so I did my best to push them away and ignore them. I even attempted to find my destined mate in the past few days, just to distract myself. But when I saw you with another man earlier, it stirred up a mix of emotions inside me, especially when I realized you were planning to start pursuing a relationship with someone else.”
“I’m sorry if I annoyed and hurt you earlier, I didn’t mean to behave rudely. I was just jealo-” Beta Jarren’s words were cut short as Priscilla’s soft, warm lips pressed against his own. His thoughts and words instantly vanished, lost in the sensation of her kiss.
He remained frozen, unable to comprehend her sudden actions, until she abruptly pulled away. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes sparkled mischievously as she looked at him, leaving him completely dumbfounded by her boldness and unexpected gesture.
“You don’t have to explain, I already get it.” She smiled, tears of joy forming in the corner of her eyes, “Aren’t we both acting foolish? I guessed that even if we’re not fated mates, we still have a connection between us.”
“Does that mean we are dating now?” Priscilla wondered, staring at his still surprised expression, “Come on, answer me. Don’t tell me you just confessed but have no intention of dating=”
“Of course, I do,” Beta Jarren let out a deep, low chuckle before pulling her close for another kiss. The warmth of his lips on hers sent shivers down Priscilla’s spine, but she couldn’t help but melt into the embrace. Her arms wound around his neck, fingers tangling in his soft hair as their bodies pressed together.
When they finally pulled away, both wore matching smiles that radiated pure joy and affection. Without hesitation, they wrapped each other in a tight hug, savoring the moment and the connection between them.
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Chapter 32
With intertwined fingers, they made their way back inside the packhouse, announcing to all that they were officially a couple. The nervousness and hesitation in their hearts dissipated as they were met with smiles and warm wishes from the pack members. Even Perez, seemed genuinely pleased for them, causing the packhouse to buzz with excitement and well- wishes for the couple.
“I TOLD YOU; I can’t cancel on Axel at such short notice. It would be rude.” Priscilla explained as she stood up from her vanity chair and approached Beta Jarren, who was still standing in his spot. “Besides, I plan on kindly rejecting him since it appeared he was about to confess his feelings for me.”
“Well, that’s precisely why I’m concerned about you going; what if you were to be influenced-”
“Excuse me?” A frown creased her brow as she leaned forward, flicking his forehead playfully. He quickly covered it with his hand, trying to hide a smile that threatened to break through. Seeing her act like this towards him made him pleased.
“Were my feelings for you perceived as so shallow that I could easily be influenced by someone else I barely knew?” Priscilla’s brows furrowed with frustration, but the feeling quickly dissipated when Beta Jarren wrapped his strong arms around her waist and pulled her in close.
The warmth of his body against hers sent a rush of tingling sensations through her skin. It was foreign yet, she didn’t dislike it.
“Of course not, I’m sorry I didn’t mean it that way.” he sighed, feeling pathetic for being overly protective and jealous. “But can I come with you? I promise to keep my distance. You are radiantly beautiful today, and I fear that some bastards will try to approach you.”
“Ugh, why are being cringe?” Priscilla giggled, finding it adorable,
“Alright, you can come, but don’t interrupt my conversation with Alex, no matter what may happen.”
She playfully nudged his pointed nose with her finger, causing him to nod in agreement. However, their flirty banter was interrupted by a familiar voice clearing its throat. Startled, they turned their heads to see Alpha Perez leaning casually against the doorway, his impressive frame casting a shadow over the room.
“W–what. How long have you been there?”
“When you started flirting.” he answered nonchalantly, “I knocked but no one’s answering.”
“Still, you shouldn’t have opened the door without my permission,” Priscilla grumbled, feeling mortified to be caught by her brother while she was flirting with his beta.
“Well, you should have locked the door,” Alpha Perez smirked, obviously enjoying teasing them both. “Anyway, I need my beta. Can I borrow him for a moment?”
“H–he’s all yours,” Priscilla gently nudged Beta Jarren towards his brother, motioning for them to leave her room. Once they did, she quickly shut the door behind them, feeling her face flushing with embarrassment.
“Your sister will hate you if you keep teasing us like that.” Beta Jarren said as he walked alongside Perez on their way to his study where Serena was waiting impatiently for their return.
“You can’t blame me; it was such a sight to see my beta and sister ended up being together.” He shrugged, “By the way, you don’t plan on dating her without considering marriage, do you?”
“Come on, what do you think of your friend?” Beta Jarren nudged him by the arm, “You sister was my first ever relationship, and I hoped it would be my last. Of course, I’m dating her with marriage in my mind, but it was too soon to bring it up when we were just starting.”
“Besides, I’m also your sister’s first boyfriend. I want to take things slow, so she doesn’t feel overwhelmed. Since I’m the older one, it’s my responsibility to be sensible and considerate of her feelings.” he explained, feeling necessary to clarify his intentions for dating his friend’s younger sister.
