Don't Let Go

Chapter 7

Jamie's POV

He wasn't wrong with what he said. I just didn't want to quite accept that fact, at least not just yet. The stars were still twinkling, glistening upon the flutter of the water as everyone calmed down. The moonlight reflected off the water into our eyes too peacefully for me to be stressed. I pulled away from him swiftly after that and sunk into the water. I wanted to wash away my face paint and my worries. I didn't want to see the moonlight bouncing off of his intoxicating and ravenous eyes anymore. I don't think I could have handled it either. Except it wasn't for me to decide, my body went as quick under as it did up as he gently pulled me up from the water. He rubbed away the face paint dripping down into my eyebrows and trickling near my eyes. 

"Look, I'll be as cooperative as much as you will be. Is that a fair deal?" He offered in a more calm tone.

In a whiny, bratty tone I responded back to him, "It is but I don't want to be. I don't want to leave my life behind for an alpha I just met. I don't want to stop seeing my friends or go to your shit in pants inducing kingdom. I want to stay here and annoy my family. And if I have to meet anymore of your crew, I think I'll legitimately run." I never was one for throwing a tantrum but it wasn't truly hitting me like it was before how big of a change this is. I really didn't want to leave my family and friends behind especially for a guy who can barely dance! 

My breath hitched and picked up its pace, in the moment I should have came to the realization I was hyperventilating except my mind was flooded. I saw his mouth open and soft buzzing sounds hit against my ears but none of it was registering. I started to bawl my eyes out as tears descended down my cheeks. River came swimming towards me since I wasn't making my emotional breakdown a private affair like I should have. He swam up to me with Jason drifting behind him. River took me in his arms, prying me away into his chest and ran his hand through my hair. Jason brought the both of us into an odd three-way. I hiccuped into their clothing before they pulled me away to examine me and my faded paint. 

"You'll be okay. I hate to say this especially with such a dangerous guy but I believe in you. Jamie, you'll be more than okay. Just take his pathetic kingdom by storm and with your head held high. If anything happens or you get mistreated, come back home. We'll always be here with open arms tucked away in the forests. I promise you have it in you," River's words flowed into my heads crystal clear. It was warm and reassuring unlike Zander's dagger like words. I promptly slowed my breathing down to a soft tempo that I could take control of. I could feel the village staring at me with pools of pity. I didn't want my crying to be their last impression of me before I leave. Jason surprisingly took Zander aside, I don't know what they were talking about and I don't know how Jason was so composed. Zander came back and picked me up to carry me out of the lake. The village collectively and simultaneously attempted looking away. Zander grabbed a towel and swaddled my body in it. He wrapped me into a burrito of a boy. Everyone eventually left as we sat quietly on the ground. It wasn't until it was the two of us left at the lake Zander decided to speak up. 

"I know you don't want to come with me. I really do get it...well not completely but I think I can? It's not really your choice whether you go or stay which in retrospect seems frustrating. I guess I was expecting more of a submissive omega to just follow along with me," his voice joked around lightly before continuing, "but I shouldn't have just thought you'd be okay with leaving right away. I don't normally do this and don't expect this kindness all the time. There is a reason why I'm in charge of a kingdom and I have an image to maintain. I still want you to reach the standards that'll be set for you but I'll try my best to make it at your pace. Do not test me on this or anything else. I shouldn't even be saying this. There's just something about your glassy eyes that make me want to scream. Now, let's get back so we can sleep. It'll be a very long journey before we get to our kingdom."

When he said "our" kingdom, a ripple of shivers went down my spine since I wasn't really thinking of the fact I have to be a model omega. If anything, I was everything BUT a model omega. I appreciated what he was saying about the whole ordeal and letting me go at my own pace. Zander leaned in to scoop me up into his lap. He tucked his head on my shoulder and buried his face in the crevice. I felt a spike go through me the moment he made intimate contact with me. He tilted his head to leave a small, lingering trails of kisses on my neck. He lightly bit on my neck, making me shift on his lap and pleasurably whine. He chuckled quietly near my ear, "We need our sleep and I hope you're ready to go into my kingdom tomorrow with a new life." 

He wrapped his arms around my legs and lifted me into a princess carry. My consciousness started to slip as I was tired from all the panic of the day. I don't know when I ended up falling asleep on him but I distinctly remember waking up cleaned with a fresh set of clothes on me. When I woke up, he wasn't in the bed which led me to search until I saw him outside getting his men ready to leave. I started to pack (yes, I procrastinated packing but don't we all?) and gather all my items. River came over to help me with my clothes. We didn't talk much about where I was going or what will happen. I didn't want that to be one of the last conversations we have. His men trashed the small village, leaving trash as a trail to state they were here. I was ready to be out for my village's sake. I snatched a couple of keepsakes from my village and gifted multiple items throughout. I packed them all into Zander's cars. River and I made the last breakfast for my village together. It was a valiant effort and a lot of begging but River let me lick the spatula for the brownies he baked me. We held a village breakfast, excluding Zander's crew because they didn't deserve our pancakes! 

Max and Colton lingered their hugs after breakfast. I was slowly approaching the time I had to leave. I went to everyone, even the grumps of the village, to say goodbye and wish them well. They all prayed for good luck for me which I was thankful for yet scared they felt compelled to. During one of my goodbyes Zander interrupted it, "We have to leave. I don't want it to be dark by the time we get to my kingdom. I'll be waiting in the car." Zander walked away leaving me cold because in a way, it felt surreal until he told me we were leaving now. Colton shook Zander's hand somewhat grudgingly before threatening him. He went into such a dad mode, "Don't hurt our Jamie. He better be in the best shape when we visit. We better not hear he's been crying his heart out either." He wouldn't stop until I told him to. I said another solemn goodbye to him before running to River jumping on him. I was slightly taller than River so tackling him wasn't the best idea but the only one that could demonstrate my love for him. 

"Remember to use the walkie talkie thingy he gave us. You have to contact me all the time. Don't forget lube either. You're very forgetful, I can make a list for you?"

"River, I don't need a to do list and I already know that!"

"I know but I want to make sure you won't just survive but thrive! I'm going to miss you. I promise I'll visit you guys too. I already talked to Jason about it and he agreed to it. No dick sucking either until you get him to pay for a fancy meal. Shows him what you're worth- I mean you're worth more than a fancy meal but still!" His words jumbled out but it was the River I knew and loved. I hugged him tightly to shut him up before pulling away. We were both letting tears slip by as I waved bye to him and the village. 

I awkwardly walked to the parked cars and got into one with Zander in it. I couldn't look out the window any longer or else I'll want to say bye for a third time. 

"You know where to go driver. Back to the kingdom and make it quick," Zander demanded in a monotone voice to him. I instinctly grasped onto him and yanked him closer to me for comfort. I didn't want or need to but my body had the urge to protect itself with Zander. 

---------------------------------

Sorry for such a short chapter and all but I'm going to be posting a second chapter tomorrow! I felt bad because this was so short and relatively slow burn thus far. I swear I have more angstier and love filled chapters to write/planned out already. Thank you for sticking so far!

Knight out~