The Mating Rights

Chapter 23

Taya's POV

This chapter mentions some things that may be triggering; sexual abuse, violence, etc. Don't read if these are triggers for you - Jojo

   Yesterday was a crazy day I got the love of my life back and then almost lost him again. I'm still unsure of why Jasmine is so stuck on him if Jesse says it was just sex. They had never even kissed so why was she so in love with him? I've been confused about it all day but I try to ignore the feeling. 

   Jesse is being very clingy today and not letting me out of his sight. Not even to pee. I told him I had to pee and walked away this morning. When I turned around he was literally right on my heels. It is now lunch time and he's cooking me some pasta. My favorite and something we can both eat easily. 

   He places a plate down in front of me. We are in the movie room and I've put on the new Aladdin movie. I have no idea how he's gotten it on DVD because it was still in the movies but I don't ask. He sits down and places my legs in his lap. I smile at him and take a bite of my pasta.

   "Oh wow Jess, this is really good", I tell him. 

   "You sound surprised", he tells me. 

   "Maybe a little", I say back. 

   We finish the movie and our food. He reaches his arms out for me and I jokingly roll my eyes and crawl into his lap. I rest my head against his shoulder and look up at him. 

   "Tell me what happened to your parents", I asked him.    

 He looks at me and then stares off, "they were the best really. I love my mom and pops. They went to go claim the land that they had rightfully won from another pack through negotiation with the Council. They wanted to scope out the area. It was an ambush though. The other packs Alpha took my mom and"... he paused and took a deep breath, "you remember how it felt to watch Jasmine kiss me"?

   "Yeah it was excruciating. My breath was gone, my body was on fire, and it felt like I was going to die", I told him honestly. 

   "Well, that's what happens to mates when one steps out on the other and it happens whether they willingly cheat or not", he told them. 

   "...Jesse..", I said sympathetically, "I'm so sorry".

   "They used to mate bond my parents had to weaken my pops by raping my mom", he told me, "Once they were done. They killed my pops and my mom died from the loss of her mate".

   "Jesse. I can't believe what they must've gone through. Or what you go trough. I'm so so so sorry", I say feeling my heart break for him. 

   "It was a long time ago and I got revenge on their Alpha. I know that I made my pops proud. And I know my mom is up there with the moon goddess watching out for me. I mean they sent me you, right" he asked. 

   I nodded my head while my heart swelled even more for this man, "yeah and my Dad sent me you". 

   He smiles at me and pecks my lips. We cuddle and he falls asleep before me which is a first. He's adorable when he's sleeping and my mind starts to wander.

   I keep thinking about Jasmine and why she's so obsessed with Jess. There has got be a reason she feels that way. I decide to go down to the prisons to ask her some questions. 

   I creep out of his arms and he catches my hand. I immediately shut off my mind to him. "Sorry babe, I just really need to go to the restroom", I tell him. 

   He mumbles something I don't quite understand but loosens his grip. I walk out quietly and go to the ground level then exit the pack house. I walk over to where the warriors train and see Caleb and Nick. I wave at them excitedly. I run over and hug them. 

   "Hey guys. I missed you. Quickly, could you take me to the pack prisons", I ask sweetly. 

   "Sure has Alpha approved it", Caleb asks me. 

   I shake my head, "no and I'm not going to ask him. Just please take me. I need to talk to Jasmine. I'll make you guys brownie volcanoes", I try to bribe them. 

   Caleb looks over at Nick. I can tell they are talking to each other using their mind link. 

   "Hey, don't be rude", I say. 

   Caleb sighs, "shit you know I have a soft spot for you. This is unfair".

   Nick laughs and ruffles my hair, "come on sport, let's go so we can hurry up and get our ass beating by the Alpha over and done with".

   I follow behind them and say, "I promise I won't tell him who took me if he catches me in there".

   "Oh you think we are leaving you in there alone", Nick and Caleb make eye contact with each other and burst out laughing. Caleb continues, "no way Taya. That's not even kinda what's gonna happen. We are going to take you down there, and wait until you are done talking and then we will leave with you".

   "Well fine. I was just trying to save your asses. Still thank you. I won't let him punish you. At least not too badly", I tell them both. 

   We reach a big metal door that is on the ground. Nick pulls a metal stand from the ground and scans his fingerprint, then says some words in a weird language and we're in. There is a stair way at the entrance. We walk down the stair case and Nick and Caleb lead me to Jasmine's cell. All of them are coated in wolfsbane and more constantly seeps out of little holes on the bars to keep the prisoners from trying to get out. 

   Jasmine is sitting in the corner with her arms wrapped around her middle. She looks at me, "so princess has decided to pay a visit, what do you want"?

   I look at her, "you have hated me since I got here. You have tried to ruin my relationship with Jesse countless time. Jesse told me you were just a quick fuck. Something to do when there was nothing to do. Why are you so obsessed"? It came out meaner than I intended but I truly dislike her. 

   "Jesse is my soulmate, he just doesn't realize it yet", she tells me. 

   "But he has never even kissed you", I say incredulously. 

   "Yes, but he's saved my life. You don't do that for someone that you don't care about. My father was a cruel, evil man and Jesse save me from him. From his abuse and rape. Jesse ripped his head off for me and ever since that day I have vowed to be everything Jesse needed and more. He took me and the rest of my pack in when he didn't have to and he made me strong. We worked out as a team. I got so strong that Jesse thought I was worthy of being Warrior Leader. Then you come and all of that is supposed to change? No! He still cares for me. I know he does", she tells me. 

   I'm shocked and I understand why she feels what she feels for him, "was your father an Alpha"?

   She looks shocked, "how did you know that"?

  "Jasmine sweetheart, I'm so sorry. But I don't think Jesse killed that Alpha because of you. He killed him because your father killed his parents", I tell her as sympathetically as I can. 

   "NO! He did it for me! Don't lie", she shouts. 

   She stands up from the floor and walks over to the bars. She has grabbed a hold of the bars and her hands are sizzling but she doesn't seem to care. "Jesse cares for me and even if he didn't kill my father for me, I still owe him my life", she shouts. 

   I back up and hear a loud growl. I look down the hall and see Jesse. 

   "Fuck", I look back at Jasmine and she's smiling at Jesse. 

   "Jesse you came for me, Taya is trying to lie-", she cuts herself off when Jesse pulls me into his arms and stands in front of me.

   He turns around towards me with his back to Jasmine and inhales my scent. I see Jasmine start to cry then she laughs slightly. Her smile turns sick and evil and I can see she is planning something. 

   "I can't believe this", she says. "But I'll have you back in no time Alpha Jesse", she smiles at him. 

   He turns back around and he looks furious, "I never wanted you Jasmine. It's always been Taya".  

   Jasmine make sharp eye contact with me and says, "I, Jasmine Spencer Valentine, challenge you, Taya Samson, for the mating rights to Alpha Jesse Cave".