Wrong Turn, Right Path

Chapter 10 - Nick's POV

"If I stayed in there any longer I would have done something that she's not ready for me to do." I admitted before mumbling "This would be so much easier if she was a wolf"

Apparently I didn't mumble it quiet enough because all three of those fuckers started laughing at me. "Not every wolf pair goes off without a hitch. Make her happiness a priority and everything will work out." Peter shared that nugget of wisdom.

"Who wants to spar for a bit? I have to burn off this tension." I say making them all laugh again. We head down to the basement where it's set up as a full gym with weights, machines and what I'm looking for, a large mat.

After a little time that was more like a warm up and not a full workout it was time for us to go back up for the ladies. I missed being near Jemma. The mate pull was stronger than I had ever imagined. We cleaned up our mess in the gym and headed back.

Mitch knocked on the door before opening it and saying, "You ladies about ready to go?"

All the ladies paired up with their respective mates with greetings of hugs and kisses like it has been days and not less than an hour since they had last seen each other. Jemma stood there watching the scene with a mixture of longing and embarrassment.

I didn't want to be away from her but I didn't want to rush and scare her off either. "You look.. different, I mean you look nice." Way to make it awkward dickhead. I thought to myself. She looks so beautiful, I wanted to shout from the rooftops that this gorgeous woman was my mate but I couldn't say anything until she and I had a very real conversation about what I am, what we all are, and what she means to me and I didn't want to have that conversation without Nate.

"Um, thanks. You look nice too." She replies. She seems so unsure and I have no idea how to reassure her.

"Come on guys let's go, I'm starving" Shay says grabbing Blake's hand and pulling him out the door.

As we all exited her room I saw all the guys wrap their mates in their arms and I was jealous. I wanted to do that with Jemma so badly but held myself back. We neared the elevator and I was concerned that she may get tired so I asked "Would you like to take the elevator down?" while opening the door.

"No, I think I'm strong enough now to take the stairs." she replied sharply.

"Like yesterday?" Why did I say that? Goddess I sound like a complete dick.

"Don't worry, I won't touch you this time. If I start to fall just let me hit the floor." She shot back with a glare.

Shit, I can't seem to not fuck up. I want her to touch me, I want her to trust that I would never let her fall. She sped up her pace so now she was in front of me. I appreciated the view but I would rather have her beside me. I quickly caught up to her and placed my hand on the small of her back. I relished the tingles touching her gives me. Her scent, the feel of her next to me calms my wolf.

We walk into the nearly full dining room. I notice she glances over to Clay who's watching us. That's right buddy, she's mine. I feel her hesitate so I press my hand a little more firmly on her back guiding her towards her rightful place at the head of the table next to me.

I pull out the seat that will be to my right, the one reserved for my mate. I can hear the whispered questions wondering why Jemma is now sitting in this particular seat. I want to tell the whole room, the whole pack, hell the whole world that Jemma is my mate but I hold back. They will know as soon as Jemma agrees to stay with us.

As I say "Thank you Goddess" I'm meaning it for more than just the food. I mean it for my mate, for her healing, for her willingness to sit next to me. After Mitch dished up Selene then himself, Jemma started to reach for the food. I got her attention and asked respectfully "Would you please allow me to serve you?"

"It's okay, I'm healed enough to serve myself." she said with a smile and started to reach for the food again.

I rested my hand on her thigh the tingles are more intense and she must feel them because she gasped causing some of those further down the table to turn towards us. My pride is pricked "So you would allow Clay to serve you but not me?" I quietly asked barely controlling Kol. The possessiveness and jealousy that I feel is insane.

She turned towards me, she's so close I can see the flecks of dark green mixed in with the light green of her eyes and how there is a slight ring of gold around her pupils that sparks when she's angry, like now "Clay filled my plate to help me out because I was too sore and overwhelmed to grab my own food. Now that I'm healed up more I can take care of myself, I've been doing that for a long time."

Goddess I want to kiss her so bad and I almost did, I stopped myself right before our lips connected. I didn't know if I could trust myself to stop at just a kiss right now. "Then pretend you're still hurting and allow me to serve you, or do you want to disrespect me in front of everyone yet again. An Alpha can only tolerate so much." Shit, I sound like a dick, again. This is where Nate would be helpful, he knows how to be smooth where as I'm blunt to a fault.

"So that's what this is about. You're punishing me for winning the staring contest last night. So now you want me to sit here like a good little girl and prove that you're what? Stronger? More powerful? Oh that's right that you're the 'Alpha' well if that's what this is about I think I may just go eat in my room." She fires back then slides her chair back and is about to leave. FUCK! That is not what I was trying to say! I reflexively tighten my grip on her leg to keep her from leaving, I want to make this better and I can't do that if she leaves.

She gasped in obvious pain. I looked at where my hand was on her leg and instantly saw her in the car bleeding and barely breathing. My hand is exactly where the steering wheel was. GODDAMMIT! I hurt her. I caused my mate pain. I let go immediately. I wouldn't blame her if she walks out that door and never talks to me again. I sigh and say "I am not trying to prove anything nor am I trying to punish you.I... I am... I am having..." I try to explain but I am at a loss of words and start muttering about how much of an asshole I am. I close my eyes, I don't want to see the pain in hers knowing that I put it there.

As I'm sitting there in self loathing I feel her hand gently touch my face. The tingles from that simple touch instantly pulls me out of my spiral I open my eyes and look in her eyes that are shining from unshed tears. Then she whispers "May I please have some eggs and sausages?"

I sigh in relief, leaning slightly into her touch and smile at her, "It would be my pleasure, Jemma." I turn and feel a sense of pride at filling my mate's plate for the first time. The first of many times. Who knew that this simple act would feel so satisfying.

 By the end of breakfast a part of me wanted to dump what was left in the pitcher of orange juice over Mitch's head for telling Jemma some of my most embarrassing moments from my growing up years the only thing that stopped me was the laughter those stories brought out of my beautiful mate. I would endure all the embarrassment to hear her laugh, to see her smile, to catch her shy glances at me. It was all worth it too see her happy.