Hidden Wolf

12 Ours

The ride home was quick, I think Chris made a good impression on dad so that's a bonus at least.

His buzz made my dad quite talkative and he was pretty free with his thoughts on the dinner. Apparently Chris wins the seal of approval and has been given the 'treat her like a princess' talk. He was less then impressed with Karen and Alisyn, commenting about 'she's lucky she was moms sister'.

We settled in for the night and he was out in no time. I however, couldn't seem to nod off. It's strange, I slept ok when Chris was in New Moon, but it's almost like my mind refuses while I knew he's so close but not with me.

After an hour or so of tossing and turning I threw on some yoga pants and headed out onto the deck for some fresh air. I spotted a wolf out back, felt like Jude, so I walk over to him.

"Draw the short straw and got midnight guard duty eh?" I ask earning a wolfy grin. He rubs against me pushing me to towards the house.

"I came out for some fresh air Jude, I can't sleep," I try to explain.

He sits and cocks his head before whining slightly.

"Nothing major, I don't know why I just can't fall asleep," I complain. "Shorts are at the back of the barn if you want to shift."

I watched his massive silver grey wolf lazily lop off to the barn and Jude walked back a few moments later. He sat down on the grass beside me as I watched the fireflies dance.

"The more things change the more they stay the same eh?" I asked. He just raised a brow. "You used to check up on me way back then too, now your on official business," I teased.

"Nate and Liam are running wild somewhere, I just came by out of habit I guess," he joked.

"So how was dinner?" He asked.

"Chris didn't say?" I asked skeptically.

"Mmm, I'm more interested in your version."

"It was fine, my family was my family," I said with a sigh. "My cousin tried to pick Chris up at the bar and told me he was way out of my league... Oh and later called me a country bumpkin in the most offended tone ever." His face was screwed up strangely at that last part.

"Hmm, what else... Oh aunt Karen implied I was too rough and simple to be with him, oh and cut me off mid way through ordering to tell me to have a salad-"

"Are they for real?!" He snaps.

"Yep," I say emphasizing the p.

"I thought Chris was just being Chris, but he didn't say half of that," Jude says thoroughly annoyed.

"Oh? What did he say?" I asked, curiosity piqued.

"Just that it went fine but he didn't care much for half of them, said your dad was a good guy."

"Well after my aunt did the salad part he was done playing nice, ordered dinner for me and gave her the look. Then proceeded to wow them with his global business prowess. Of course that just made my aunt push me on him more," I groan.

"Really he came off great, I'm pretty sure if we split up they'd pick him over me," I say burying my head in my hands.

Jude laughs at that.

"What?" I snap annoyed that everyone finds it more amusing then I do.

"Chris isn't going anywhere, like ever. You know that right?"

"Yeah I know he said that too and had everyone cooing," I said with a sigh.

"No Jess, I mean you're it. You're his mate, games over in his eyes," Jude says soberly.