Chapter 5

Jasper Hartford’s POV

I had been looking for Lizzy all afternoon. She had skipped classes, she never skipped classes so I was naturally worried about her. I know I had upset her and her friend, I wanted to apologise to her although I wasn’t sure exactly how to go about it.

I couldn’t find any trace of her scent in the school so I had come home hoping that she would be here. When I couldn’t find any trace of her here I started to panic. She was never late home, if anything has happened to her it would be all my fault.

I needed some air. I was planning to go on a walk but once I stepped outside I could hear a car approaching. Lizzy can’t drive but maybe one of her friends is bringing her home. I watched the car pull into our driveway and then I saw him.

She was in a car alone with that boy she hung around with. I had seen the way he looks at her, I would have to be blind not to. He was constantly watching her when she wasn’t looking and his eyes always lingered too long over her body.

Lizzy didn’t seem to look at him the same way but that didn’t make me feel any better. He wanted her and I didn’t trust him. For all I knew he might get her drunk and take advantage of her. I wasn’t going to give him the chance. I had to protect her from him.

He stopped the car directly in front of the house, only a few metres away from me. He stopped the engine and turned around in his seat. He had a huge grin on his face as he spoke about some cheesy romance that they had been watching together.

My lizzy had skipped school to watch romantic movies with this guy. I felt the sting of betrayal thinking of them snuggled together watching a film. I imagined him leaning over and kissing her on the lips. The way I had wanted to every time we were in the same room as each other.

“So did you enjoy this afternoon?” He asked.

I need to stay calm. I took a series of long breaths. I was still holding onto the front door knob, my knuckles were turning white as I gripped it too tightly.

“It was good to spend time with you and Patti. Maybe next time we can invite Mia too.” Lizzy replied. I relaxed slightly. That was a nice deflection, she clearly wasn’t interested in him.

“I was thinking of something more intimate. Just you and me in my room.” He said.

I wanted to kill him. He was trying to steal her from me and she didn’t even seem to realise what he was doing. She looked so uncomfortable. How dare he treat her like that, he had to pay.

I hadn’t made a conscious decision to move but I had already crossed the short distance to his car and opened the door. I dragged him out of the car.

“What are you doing?” He asked, his voice was high and squeaky with fear. I still had a tight grip on his collar.

“You will keep your hands off Lizzy.” I said.

I saw Lizzy getting out of his car. She looked worried about her friend so I let go of him but I didn’t back off. I glared at him, I wanted him to know how serious I was. He couldn’t have her, she is mine.

“I won’t and there is nothing you can do to make me.” The boy shouted.

I saw red. I punched him in the face, hard. He staggered backwards into Lizzy. Lizzy was knocked off balance and went head first into this boy’s car door. Her head made a dull thudding sound as it hit the metal door. She lost consciousness instantly and she collapsed to the floor like a ragdoll.

I pushed the boy away from me and ran over to lizzy. I checked her breathing and her pulse. It was slow and steady, she was fine, just unconscious. I sat on the floor next to her and cradled her head in my arms, there was a trickle of blood falling down her forehead.

“Oh my god, is she ok?” The boy asked.

I ignored him and scooped Lizzy up into my arms. Her body was so light and fragile. I kissed her hair, I wanted to hold her in my arms and never let her go.

“I am so sorry baby, I will never let anything hurt you ever again. I promise.” I whispered as I carried her towards the house.

“Maybe I should drive her to the hospital.” The boy said.

“I think you have done enough.” I snarled without breaking stride.

He put his hand on my shoulder to stop me. This fucking boy had a nerve. He was lucky that I was too busy looking after my Lizzy to worry about him otherwise I would truly make him pay.

“You can’t possibly be blaming me for this.” The boy said.

“This is all your fault, you were trying to steal my mate from me. Now leave before I put you in the hospital.” I said. I shrugged off his hand and started walking towards the house once more.

“Take her to her room.” My mom said.

My mom and my dad were waiting just inside the house, I wasn’t sure how much of what had gone on they had seen. I felt a little embarrassed. I had always tried to hide my feelings for Lizzy from them, from everyone.

“When you get her comfortable, meet me in my office.” My dad said.

I took her into her room. I haven’t been in Lizzy’s room before. It wasn’t as grand or spacious as mine. It was decorated in the pack colours, just like the rest of the house and it looked pretty cosy.

She didn’t have anywhere near the amount of electronics as I had. Those she did have looked older but they were beautifully maintained. Now that I think about it I never remember her asking for things the way me and my brothers did. She always seemed so content with what she had.

I laid lizzy down on her bed and kissed her forehead. I didn’t want to leave her. I wanted to get into bed next to her and hold her until she woke up. Of course then I would probably look like a complete creep for being in bed next to her. I sighed.

“She will be fine. I will keep an eye on her while you speak to your father.” My mom said.

I hadn’t noticed that she was standing in the doorway. I considered refusing to leave but I guess it would look weird if I did that. I stood up and walked away from her reluctantly, taking one last glance at her unconscious body as I left the room.

My dad was waiting for me outside of his office, he ushered me into the room and closed the door behind me. His facial expression was neutral so I knew I was in trouble.

My dad hardly ever showed any outward signs of anger. He had too much self control for that but when he stopped smiling you knew he was annoyed at you.

“I saw what happened.” He said. Oh, I really am in trouble now.

“What makes you think she is your mate?” He asked.

I called her my mate? I didn’t mean to say that, particularly not in front of a human. It would make sense though. It would explain why her presence drives me crazy and why I can’t stand any other males near her.

“It’s hard to describe but it is like she is the air I need to live. Whenever she isn’t around I feel like I am drowning.” I said.

I am glad that this room is soundproof. If anyone heard me talking like this then I would be a laughing stock. Nobody would ever take me seriously as their alpha.

“Oh, you are in serious trouble.” My dad said.

“What are you going to do?” I asked, in shock. I was confessing my deepest hidden feelings and my dad wanted to punish me for it. How was that fair?

“Not from me. If Liz is your mate and if what you said is true I think she might be, then you're in trouble.” He said.

“Why?” I asked.

Surely it was a good thing that my mate was so close by. I wouldn’t have to search the whole country looking for her. She was right here.

“Do you really not know?” He asked.

I looked at him blankly.

“You and your future beta have bullied her for years, even after I told you time and time again to leave her alone.” He said, his eyes changed colour for just a few seconds as his wolf fought him for dominance.

“That wasn’t bullying. The other men in the pack were showing her too much interest and I couldn’t let that happen.” I said. I could feel my anger rising just thinking about the way some of them looked at her.

“That doesn’t justify the way you treated her and even if it could you, you didn’t exactly show her the same consideration.” He said.

“I thought that I was discrete.” I replied.

“Really?” My dad asked, raising one eyebrow at me.

“I guess not.” I mumbled.

“You have quite the reputation in the pack. Everyone thinks you are a violent bully who only cares about chasing women. If Liz is your mate then you will have your work cut out to convince her you are anything else.” He said.

I really was in trouble. I needed to change my ways before I lost her for good.