Unrelenting Destiny

7. Get Our Stories Straight

Jasper Orion Deveraux

Jasper entered Sunset Waters Pack house, wary and not entirely sure what he was going to say or do. He was met with a bustling foyer and common room, wolves looking up at the movement and openly staring at the stranger. The noise of conversation dulled to a flurry of whispers. Jasper suddenly became very conscious of every eye that was on him.

"I'm looking for Alpha Clark and Gamma Quentin." Jasper inquired, his deep voice bellowing over the sound of the gossiping wolves. An Omega helper scurried deeper into the house, emerging soon after trailed by Sunset Waters royalty. Jasper stood straight, clearing his throat as he extended a hand to the three men and Gamma Quentin's mate.

"Beta Jasper of Astral Twilight." Alpha Clark shook his hand. Alpha Clark was large, round man. He looked to be someone who was once fit and favorable but took on a steady dad gut throughout the years.

Jasper bowed his head slightly in greeting, "Alpha Clark, Beta Ray, Gamma Quentin, Mrs. Moore."

Alpha Clark gestured towards his office, Jasper obliging. He noticed the Gammas eyes searing into him. Surely they smelled their daughter on him. They sat within the large office, exchanging pleasantries as an Omega made his rounds doling out drinks to them. Jasper took a particularly long time to prepare his coffee, focusing on the perfect amount of cream and sugar just to stall. He had no idea what to tell them and hoped Luciana wouldn't be long.

Alpha Clark settled in his chair, "To what do we owe the pleasure, Beta Jasper? I hope The Claiming went well last night?"

Fuck. They weren't going to beat around the bush with this one. After all, there was no other reason for him to be there. Jasper took a long sip, "Ah, yes. The Claiming was...good. Normal." He winced a bit, struggling with exactly what he should be saying. He didn't want to say anything that would contradict whatever Luciana was going to tell them. "The largest turnout I've seen so far. There was actually a substantial amount of true mates who found each other." Inhaling sharply, he fought the urge to widen his eyes as he thought, myself included.

"That's good to hear." Alpha Clark's eyes narrowed, "Any good news regarding our pack in particular?"

Jasper took another sip of his coffee, mind racing for an answer, "The wolf Jeffrey. I remember hearing he had left without claiming anyone last year. He was very quick to find a mate this year. Thankfully." His words were choppy, trying to avoid the subject of Luci.

Alpha Clark nodded, "Yes, he returned this earlier this afternoon with his mate. We were...relieved to see his results."

Jasper nodded in agreement. A long stretch of silence made him sweat.

"Why are you here, Beta Jasper?" Gamma Quentin practically growled, clearly growing impatient.

Jasper lifted the half-empty mug to his lips, setting it back down as his stomach churned. He wasn't usually so bad on his feet. Usually, he was good with small talk, with facing demanding presences without faltering. It's what made him a good Beta. But he was worried about his mate, worried about his own skin. It was far too much to process in such a small amount of time. It probably didn't help that he had spent more than half of their long drive thinking of all the ways he wanted to take Luci over and over again.

Luckily, a rap on the door drew their attention. "Come in," Clark called out.

Luciana's blonde head popped in, her skin flushed and chest heaving as if she had run there. Bianca was close behind her, "S-sorry, Alpha Clark. I don't mean to intrude."

Gamma Quentin and Aisla moved to welcome their daughter, hugging her close. They greeted her with a flurry of questions, still wary of the stranger who sat by them.