New Territory

Mate. (7)

Jackson's POV

"Harold, I know my father told you to keep me safe, but I need to be at that party. I don't know why but I need to. I feel like I'm gonna explode. If you don't step on the gas now I'm gonna jump out and run." Knowing I wasn't kidding he punched the lock button on his door, not that that would stop me, and slammed on the gas. 

I had been a complete mess, getting more and more antsy as time went by. We were nearly back on pack grounds. It was 11:50 and I could tell Harold was getting annoyed by the constant tapping of my fingers on the dashboard and the thump-thump-thumping of my foot on the floor as my leg shook. 

*ring* *ring* "MOTHERFU-" I noticed Harold looking over at me before I picked up the phone. "Hello. Jackson speaking, who may this be."

"Son, I know you had plans tonight but I need you in my office as soon as you get back. I noticed yall are nearby from the car tracking system. Please come straight to me, some details for the pack agreement you just had signed need to be finalized asap."

"Yes sir, I'll be there." I slammed my phone on the dashboard. I saw Harold looking worriedly out of the corner of my eye but was glad he kept his thoughts to himself because I was about to blow.

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Jericho's POV

Everyone got excited when I said we should go for a run. The boys led the way to a pack trail that was nearby, behind the pack house. We all got undressed behind some fences that were built for this specific reason and changed into our wolves, bones cracking and all. As I walked out I looked at everyone who was already changed to see them all wide eyed. I cocked my head I heard Isabella and a few others behind me who hadn't changed yet, "Jericho, you're a white wolf?"

I didn't understand why they had this reaction. I knew it was rare but they had to have seen a couple white wolves before, right? This was a huge pack. I hung my head out of embarrassment, unable to respond with words.

"It's nothing to be embarrassed about. You're gorgeous!" I could feel myself blushing inside my head. At that Dominic and Ashton's wolves, large brown wolves, howled in agreement so I perked my head up and barked at those who hadn't changed, urging them to hurry up. Once they did I let out a howl and the others joined in.

I began to run down the path. It felt amazing. Since my connection between me and Leia and been completely opened I could smell, hear, and feel everything a million times better. The air whipped past me as the others followed, catching up, bumping each other around. I let out another howl. 

This was the best night ever.

"Mate!"

At that I dug my paws into the ground and tumbled over myself. "What?!" Then I smelled it. Pine and fresh rain overtook my senses. I began sniffing the air, everyone looking at me confused. I turned around and took off, sprinting as fast as I could.

The others followed me, confused as I went off the path. I let out a howl. Then I came to a sudden stop, we had reached the road outside the border of the pack, no one in sight.

"I swear he was here. I know he was here!"

"I believe you Leia, but he's not here now. We should go back. Enjoy the time right now with the others. If he's nearby then he's probably apart of the pack, which means we will see him soon!"

"You're right. I know you're right. We should spend time with our friends. We will find him soon." 

I knew Leia was disappointed in my response. To be honest I was too. But I was having such a good time with my friends, and I'm sure he was close. But I'm also a bit nervous to meet whoever he is. What if he doesn't like me? Or omegas in general? What if he rejects me?

I shook the awful thoughts from my mind. Right now I want to focus on this.

Once again I howled and the others joined in. We made it back to the trail and continued on our way, forgetting about what just happened for a while. Then as we began to head back to the pack house I became more and more antsy again, but this wasn't a feeling I could run off. There's something, or someone, at the pack house that I need to get to.

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Jackson's POV

The second I was back on pack grounds my wolf became almost unmanageable, rearing to get out. "What is wrong with you?"

"She's here. I know she's here."

"Who? Who is here?"

"HER! I need her!"

"Well whoever SHE is , she needs to wait. Father needs us to clarify this. Then we are going to Jericho's party. Get yourself together."

"Jericho's party. Yes." Then Bryn, my wolf, growled and went quiet in my head. An odd way to end that conversation but I shook it off, and pushed the antsy feeling to the back of my head.

I quickly ran up to my father's office and banged on the door.

"Come in Jackson."

"Hey dad, I've got the contract signed and ready to be filed. Obviously I haven't had a chance yet to scan it and send a copy to the other pack but I can do that first thing in the morning."

He nodded his head at me as I handed him the contract, my foot tapping on the floor.

"This is great. And don't worry about scanning it and all that, I can get that done. On another note, are you alright? You seem agitated." I huffed as he turned around to put the papers in a filing cabinet.

"I'm fine. My wolf is just extremely restless for some reason and I'm upset I'm missing the party for Jericho. It's her 18th, a big deal, and at this point I missed 12 o'clock to see her."

"I'm sorry about that son, I just have one more question and you can be on your way. What took you so long? We didn't get to talk much on the phone yesterday. I want to know why this ended up being more than a one day thing."

Once again I huffed before answering, "He wouldn't sign the document. Kept bringing up other things to talk about. He even asked me to meet his daughter cause 'she might even be my mate'." 

"Well you have been 18 for a while. Maybe it would be a good idea to search outside the pack for your mate considering you haven't met them yet."

"NO!!!" I snapped my mouth shut, completely surprised by myself, and Bryn. "Dad I am so sorry! I don't know what just came over me." My father had a surprised look on his face, taken aback by my outburst and use of my alpha tone.

He blinked a few times before responding. "I'm sorry for intruding. Obviously your wolf knows something I don't. I won't bring it up again. It's alright, and thank you for letting me know what was going on. You're free to go to your friend's party."

I quickly went up and hugged him over the desk. "Again, I am so sorry. I love you dad."

He chuckled and patted me on the back. "It's okay. I love you too Jackson. Now get going. You don't want to miss the whole party."

I nodded and headed for the door, running down the hall to my room, the antsy feeling coming back again. I threw on a white long sleeve button down and some black slacks before sprinting down the stairs. As I reached the bottom my head snapped towards the back door. Something was telling me to go back there instead. 

Then I heard a howl, and my heart practically leapt out of my chest.

I slammed the door open and stepped out to see the most magnificent white wolf. I thought I was dreaming for a moment.

"Mate!"