Rogue

Chapter 43

Today was Jayson's Birthday.

He didn't know it was his birthday and neither did we, but Roger begrudgingly updated everyone through Aiden. It was a harsh reminder that Jayson was still recovering, he was still fixing parts of him after everything and some pieces were ought to be forgotten. But I wouldn't let him do it alone.

Once I informed the rest of the family, they were all quick to help with pulling together a last minute birthday party. Damon didn't protest, so I assumed it was his version of being on board.

Josey was the one who suggested inviting all our close family friends as a way of inducting him into the family. It was a tradition to have a big meal with all our loved ones at some point during our birthdays and Jayson wouldn't be an exception.

With Uncle Beckett and Uncle Emitt on decorations, Uncle Mickey and his mates on gift hunting, Aunty Katty and her family on sleeping and the rest of our family on cooking - things were coming to fruition.

It was a madhouse. Sam and I only took a few minutes to escape for a moment to catch up. But with the prompt reminder of Jayson, I was on my feet and offering her a hand so we could get back to work.

She took it begrudgingly and followed me back to the large kitchen for her to help Peter and dad create their feast. I instead made my rounds throughout the large property, making sure that no one was going off course.

I stop short when I find Nikola watching Hagen from the corner of an open doorframe. A small smile creeps up my lips as I walk up behind him and tap his shoulder. He jumps slightly and turns around with wide eyes when he realizes he'd been caught.

I crook a finger as a gesture to follow me while I walked away, leaving an unknowing Hagen in peace while he set the large dining table for everyone.

I slip into one of the laundry rooms and close the door behind us. I give Nikola my best scolding expression but his cold front didn't waver.

"I didn't do anything." He says calmly after a moment, the protest making me smile a little.

"So you've been keeping your promise?" I ask raising a questioning brow. He nods despite the way his eyes darkened and a few objects in the room toppled over.

After I told Aunty Katty about Hagen's complaints in regards to Nikola's hands-on expression of affection, she'd had a talk with him. One which resulted in Nikola promising to stay away from Hagen and to stop interfering in his life.

We were all shocked at the result, not sure what Aunt Katty said to make the kid back off. But in truth, he had really backed off and Hagen was rejoicing because of it.

"You do know this wouldn't have happened if you weren't so controlling?" I ask sympathetically but it seemed to have only angered him more. I was vaguely aware that I was trying to reason with a ten-year-old but brushed that face aside.

"He's my mate." He says firmly and so surely that for a moment I almost believed it.

The only reason I didn't believe that they were Crescent Mates was because the feelings weren't reciprocated on Hagen's side of things. But sometimes it was almost easy to overlook that fact with the surety that Nikola had the potential to carry both of them.

"I know he is." Nikola says as a whisper, his fists clenching before he opens the door and leaves.

I watch after him and can't help rooting for the kid a little, what can I say - I'm team Nikola in that love story.

I can't wait to see you - I jump slightly at Jayson's voice. My heart racing at the sound, it had only been a few days but I missed my mate. The feel of his skin against my own, the sultry smell he carried and the kind eyes he held.