Delicate (Jasper Whitlock Hale)

Chapter 17

I am finally done with midterms so long updates are here again!

The next few weeks drug by for me, even with Jasper and pack runs always giving me something to do. The whole pack was upset right now, some more than others, but you could tell how closely knitted all of us were in this time. The day the wedding invitation had come in the mail, we all knew something bad was going to happen, even those who hadn't received an invitation felt that way, and we were proven right when it happened.

-

It was, as per usual, raining in Forks. I had the day off from runs and it was one of the few days I wasn't occupied with someone in the pack needing help. I was more than happy to help, but an occasional lazy day was always appreciated. Jasper and I were back at the cave today. I was in wolf form while Jasper leaned against my side, my tail laid across his lap and my eyes closed even though I was far from asleep. I was listening to Jasper talk about one of his stories of when he lived with Peter and Charlotte and how they had once gone to Africa. My eyes shot open and I was on my feet in less than second when Jacob had phased.

They're actually getting married! Was one of the only thoughts we could hear over his snarling and barking. Flashes of the invitation flew through his mind.

You knew this was coming Jacob. Paul said.

Always one to help, Paul. I told him, Jake, you need to calm down. This is her decision, whether we agree with it or not.

C'mon, Jake, it could be worse. She's going to be one of the good ones. We can still be friends with her. Seth thought out.

All of you, quiet! Sam snapped suddenly. All of our thoughts went quiet at the same time, not having a choice in the matter. Give Jacob some time and leave. Now. You don't have to go home but phase back. Seth, I'm on the way to pick you up. He was gone after that and we had no choice but to change. My howl wasn't the only one to break through the night before we changed back, we knew Jacob wasn't coming back for a while.

"Jake's left." I said once I was human and dressed again.

"What do you mean?" Jasper asked, looking down at me, having stood up when I shot up.

"He got Edward and Bella's wedding invitation and he's leaving. None of us know when he'll be back." My voice cracked as Jasper pulled me to his chest.

"He'll come back, Laela." He tried comforting me. It was one of the few times he actually used my name instead of his nickname for me.

"I don't know, Jazz. He was hurt and pissed and didn't say where he was going. Something doesn't feel right." I wrapped my arms around his waist, fighting back tears. The pack was family, especially seeing as most of us were dealt shitty hands at home and this was our escape from it all.

-

We all tried acting like everything was okay, but Jacob's absence took its toll on us all. He wouldn't talk to us, he was living like a wolf, letting his instincts take over. Jasper felt what we were all feeling whenever he came to the reservation, which was most of the time since Alice and Esme were going crazy with Renee on the phone, constantly planning the wedding.

The time together for Jasper and I had spent together had only helped further our relationship. He started to understand just how intertwined the pack was and how deep our emotions tangled together sometimes. He helped us all with it, not even by physically changing our emotions, but by constantly doing anything he could to help us. He was doing everything from helping Emily and I with things around the house, to, and only when asked, helping me sleep at night by helping ease the pain. Over the last two months we'd grown closer than I could've asked for.