My Mate's Joy

Chapter: Twenty Five

Chapter Twenty Five: In Love?
Vale

After the inital announcement to the pack of course a slight panic ensued. So I had to show my pack that everything would go on as normal, and that we as a pack would get through this.

As George mentioned some didn't care for the curfews, especially after a a couple of days and there was no real signs of a dangerous threat, but a week later another person turned up missing from a pack only 40 minutes away from ours.

We were on high alert, I felt in my gut that my pack would be targeted next and my stress levels were through the roof, because not only did I have the safety precautions to deal with but I also had my previous Alpha duties to fulfill as well.

"Look I know ribbon cutting ceremonies and pack parties seem a little frivolous at the moment...but you're trying to tell the pack that everything is being handled and alright...so if you want to keep up pretenses that everything is alright then you'll have to deal with the mundane things like normal." Jessa said.

I had called her everyday since we went into full blown panic mode...and to be honest, she was sorta being my sanity in all of this.

"I get it, just feel like there more important things i could be doing." I countered.

"These things are very important as well Vale, show the people nothing can shake you or the pack."

I nodded knowing she couldn't see me."And you got the itinerary George sent you?" I asked changing the subject now.

"I did but don't change the subject Vale...talk to me."

I sighed heavily, "The  fact of the matter is this shit has shaken me, I feel lost and worried, but most of all I'm scared for our pack."

There was a moment of silence before she spoke again.

"This is just the first real test of your leadship Vale, we have a large pack, with great allies standing by awaiting our call...I went ahead and breifed both Nothern Stone and Southern Stone packs so they're ready to go with just one word...and I'll be going down to go over the finances with your Brother Ash this weekend before I finally head back home."

I couldn't help but smile, truth was I didn't know how much I needed her until she wasn't right there.

"No rush or anything." I put in lightly

"Eh, i've been ready to leave back for a while Now, plus Mom's had it with my sister inlaws cooking." She laughed.

The sound of her familiar laugh made my smile grow and we hung up shortly after.

"Good call?" Wex asked as he let himself into my office and closed the door behind him.

"Just got off the phone with Jessa...I really miss her." I admitted to him.

"We all do." He said. "Uh Shelby wanted me to ask you if you'd be joining her for dinner tonight?"

I sat back against my chair.

Since this all happened I went into full Alpha mode and I knew it wasn't fair to my mate, but to be honest  as long as I knew she was safe, I didn't have the time to worry about spending more time with her...no matter how much I'd like to.

"I don't think I will...I'm gonna lead tonight's patrol, give you a break."

He nodded, "Thank you Vale...It'll be nice to have an actual bed for the night." He smirked.

I looked at him and I could see just how tired he genuinely looked. "You look like shit."

"Hey...you're one to talk." He laughed.

"I know...we're all spreading ourselves pretty thin." I smiled and continued. "But Jessa will be back this weekend so we'll be good once she's back, then you won't have to be manning the guard and acting as my assistant."

"Hey Vale can I ask you a serious question man?"

I nodded.

"So don't get like pissed or anything...but I can't help but notice, every since she's been gone you've sorta been bringing Pinky up a lot...do you like Jessa?"

"Of course I do...she's a huge help to our pack and a great person all around." I answered him. "We all rely on her so much that not having her head has been hell."

Wex shook his head, "No...i meant, ya know...do you like her as in are you attracted to her, could you see yourself falling for her...or maybe you've already fallen for her?"

"That's impossible...I have a mate."

He nodded, "You do...but where is it written that you have to be in love with your mate?"

I rolled my eyes, "Look Jessa is..." I couldn't lie, "She's a gorgeous woman and her personality sorta amplifies that, she's easy to be around so yeah...I'd say I could find myself into her...I mean she's a catch for sure...but like I said I have a mate."

"And you'll always have a mate, just like she will always have a mate...but maybe you and Jessa fell for each other... I mean it happens...you were both two young attractive people spending a lot of time together, getting closer and closer to one another...people fall in love with other people who aren't their mates all the time...I mean I don't doubt that you have love for your mate...but I don't think you're IN LOVE with your mate in the same way you MAY be in love with Jessa."

I looked at him and wanted to disagree, but to be honest I didn't really know how to respond.

"...I was just bringing in these reports from dad...but i'm taking off for the evening, I'll let Shelby know you won't able to make dinner...and call me if you need anything." He said.

I looked at him as he stood up to leave and nodded silently.

'I can't love Jessa.' I thought to myself.

Then of course I couldn't help but think about all the times Jessa made me smile. The way she made me feel when it was just us...how easy it was just to be around her in general.

But then I thought about Shelby. She's beautiful, smart, driven, and talking with her is just as easy.

I shook my head, "it doesn't matter." I said out loud, "I have a Mate...and she'll be my Luna and that's that."

'It does matter though' My wolf sounded off now.'We're Alpha...we choose our Luna.'

I knew he was right in a sense, as Alpha with no living father to have a say in my choice...It is solely up to me to decided who I want my Luna to be, to lead the pack by my side...and as much as I like Jessa and may even love her as Wex just pointed out... The fates had made this decision for me...They gave me my mate, and she's going to be my Luna.

But even I couldn't deny the way Jessa made me feel, the way I tried to bury the fact that her not being here right now was killing me, how she was the first person I wanted to check on when I found out about the rogues.

I sighed, this was fucked up.

I think I really may be in love with my best friend.