Awakening Hope (Book 2 of the Bloodmoon Academy Series)

Chapter 17: Jake

I couldn't help but to watch as Belle swayed to the beat of the music, she was really enjoying herself and I was happy. "No way, is that really you Jake?" Someone asked from behind the bar and I instantly turned with a smile.

"Took you long enough to notice." I said looking over at Knox. I had seen him here working behind the bar just like he used to the second we walked in, but I was wondering how long it would take him to recognize me. 

I looked him over, but he really hadn't changed much since I last saw him. He still wore his dark hair long pulling it back in a man bun that me and Ace always used to make fun of him for, and he kept up with his lean physique. His light green eyes followed mine for a moment from where I had been watching Belle before he looked back at me.

"Hey now, it's been over six months dude, how have you been?"

"Honestly, even with all of the shit at home, pretty damn good." 

"That's good to hear, when you disappeared on us I honestly thought something had happened, but I see that you've just been busy with other things." He said, pointing out the ring on my hand and I couldn't help the smile that instantly came to my face.

"Yeah, I've been pretty busy." I said and he grinned at me.

"Hey, you're supposed to be helping me Knox." I hear another familiar voice pop up from beside me and I couldn't believe it when I looked over at Ace.

"Holy shit," I mumbled more to myself than anything as I looked him over. He looked completely different from the last time I saw him. Ace had always been a little different, but I wasn't expecting him to change this much in just six months. His short blonde hair had been dyed blue on the tips and he had apparently taken up the whole gothic vibe considering he now had several piercings and wore black ripped skinny jeans with a band shirt that I didn't recognize. They clung to his thin frame leaving very little to the imagination.

"Look beside you dumb ass, my god he hasn't changed that much other than just not looking depressed all the time now." Knox said, rolling his eyes at Ace who had taken the seat beside me and didn't even pay attention. Ace rolled his eyes at Knox before locking his bright blue eyes on me and muttering the same thing I did about him.

"Damn you really do look less depressed now." Ace said and I couldn't help myself. I flipped both of them off before glancing back out at Belle, but she was perfectly happy talking and laughing with the girls. They both just laughed at me. "Honestly though you actually look happy, it's a good look on you." I just grinned at them.

It was really nice to be able to just talk and catch up with them for a while. I found out that Ace was officially out in the open about his sexuality now and still wasn't afraid to jokingly hit on me and Knox both. While Knox was telling us about his latest relationship with a seriously psychotic girl that he just broke it off with.

"So don't look now, but the head psycho bitch is coming this way with her little crew of handsy whores." Knox said, leaning into me and letting me know. I immediately knew who he was talking about considering Claire tried and failed to do this every night she ever saw me here, but this time I almost wanted her to make a scene considering now I had a lot more people to back me up.

I turned facing the dance floor and looked right at Belle. I knew she would want a piece of this drama and I would be more than happy to once more watch her run the she devil off. "Dude, what are you doing? Now she's going to think you actually want her." Knox said sounding a little worried as Claire was slinking closer. I smiled as I caught Belle's eyes and glanced over at Claire. Belle smiled and I knew she got my signal.

"Just wait and watch, I'm not stupid you know." I once more held my hand up flashing the ring Belle put on it to him and he grinned.

"So she's feisty then?" 

"Oh, you have no idea." That was when Claire decided to interject herself into our conversation.

"Your little mate isn't up here with you Jake, did I scare her off the other day?" She tried to lean on me, but I moved not letting her touch me.

"You know I was under the impression that it was the other way around. You were the one that sorely lost that battle Claire." I wasn't letting her blatantly disrespect my girl like that.

She once more tried to lean into me but that was exactly when Belle walked up. "Damn you really are desperate aren't you? Do you just need dick that bad that you have to hit on a very taken man, cause if that's the case then I'm sure someone out there would probably fuck you. They might have to blindfold themselves, but I'm sure with enough alcohol there is someone desperate enough for that poisonous hole." Belle said glaring daggers at Claire. Ace spit out his drink laughing his ass off and not even Knox could hide his laughter as hard as he tried.

"Damn, I love her." Ace quipped and I couldn't help but to chuckle at the look on Claire's face.

"What the fuck did you just say to me bitch?" Claire spat at her, but Belle just sauntered right up to me leaning in against my chest with a grin.

"I'm sorry did I not speak slow enough for you? Hold on let me see if I can put it in simpler terms for you. Fuck off of my man Barbie." Belle said slowly enunciating every word. "Next time I won't be so nice as to give you a warning."

"Fuck you, you're ugly as hell and tiny to boot, guys like curves unlike you billboard."

"Oh no, I'm so hurt." Belle clutched her hand to her chest in mock pain and rolled her eyes. "While you're correct guys do like curves, good job, but it's not nearly as fun to play with plastic." Claire gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. Then Belle looked up at me with a cocked eyebrow and I knew what she was asking, she wanted to go all the way this time. We were both over it, it was outside of pack property and Claire was a female anyway, so I gave her a small nod.

"I'm not fucking plastic you whore, it's silicone." Claire said, making everyone including Belle laugh at her.

"My point exactly, but let's put it this way." She leaned in to where she was inches from Claire with a smile, but it was all teeth. "If I catch you around my man again I will cut you open and we will find out how much is plastic and how much is real, deal?" Belle asked with that crazy gleam in her eyes and I smiled. I knew Claire wouldn't take her up on that considering she didn't know the first thing about actually fighting.

"You're... you're a psychopath." Claire stammered but backed away form the open threat before retreating entirely. Belle giggled and waved her off as everyone laughed at her hasty retreat.

"Damn I need some of that in my life." Ace said with another laugh as Belle looked over at him before looking back up at me.

"Remember how I told you I had old friends that I used to meet up with here?" I asked and she nodded with a smile. "Well, that is Ace," I pointed over to him and he gave her a wink with a huge smile. "And this is Knox." She winked back at Ace before smiling at Knox.

"Sorry for the rather rude first impressions, but I'm Belle, his mate." She poked me in the chest and Ace laughed at her.

"Rude?" Knox asked with a grin. "I think that was probably the best first impression I've ever had with a girl. Like damn we've been trying to run that thing off for years and you did it in a few sentences that's skill right there." He held out his fist for her to bump and she did with a giggle.

"Where did you find this gem? Cause I really need one of those in my life. Like damn even I would go straight for that, sorry man, but I would for sure take her over you." Ace said, smacking me on the shoulder and giving Belle another wink as she burst out laughing. 

"Sorry, but I really don't think you could handle my girl Ace, not to mention that you aren't going to find this anywhere." I said with a chuckle before pressing a kiss to her cheek.

"You underestimate how feisty I can be Jake," Ace quipped with a laugh.

Then Belle grinned and I knew it was once more going to be interesting. "You underestimate how feisty I am." Belle said and Knox laughed.

"You better be care there Ace. I know quite a few people that would pay good money to watch this little thing kick your ass." Knox said and we all laughed.

We all just ended up sitting around and talking for a long time. Belle was rather happy just relaxing with me while talking to the guys. It wasn't long before the others came over and we all just talked and had a good time.