The Falcon Ridge Series Book 2 Not Just A Girl
Chapter 21

(Chapter song ‘People Watching’ by Conan Gray)

JAYSON

Sitting around this table is something I didn't think I'd actually enjoy.

Living a life in the pack house, we didn't have these close-knit dinners. They were always fancy, catered and spread out.

Sitting in this intimate setting with Sarah's family, makes me realize that this is what we're fighting for. The love I feel from these people is worth me risking my own life over.

"Mmph... This is so good, Marie." I say as I chew a mouthful of my third helping of her amazing roast. "You'll have to give the recipe to our kitchen. I don't think I can go long before I have this again." I swallow and cut another piece.

"No way, Mister." Marie says. "It's a family secret. You want more, you knock on that door."

I point my fork at her. "I'm going to hold you to that."

Marie laughs as she drinks her wine.

Shane swallows his mouthful. "So, when's the next weapons training. I never got to fire anything off the first time."

My dad drops his fork. "Shane, must you talk about weapons at the dinner table."

"What? They're cool. You should see Jayson. He's freaking awesome." Shane grins.

I rub my head. "Yeah, well, years of military service makes you a good shot. I'm not sure when the next target practice is coming up. I'll let you know."

Maddie laces her fingers and rests her chin on them. "So, Jayson. Did you get any medals for bravery in the military?"

She looks at me with major doe eyes and a sultry smile. Her eyes are very similar to her sisters, but a slightly different shade of blue.

"No. I have my Alpha rank, of course. I was supposed to go for Operations Leader, but that fell through. I'm glad it did or I wouldn't have met Sarah." I turn to Sarah and smile, squeezing her hand under the table.

"Yes. Speaking of that. How long have you been seeing my daughter?" Adam pops some roast in his mouth.

I kind of start to sweat it a bit. I don't really know how to answer that because I'm really not sure when it was this started. I go for the safe play.

"Just after we got here for break. I saw Sarah and realized how beautiful she was and something just clicked." I drink my water.

I could see Maddie's face darken a bit out of the corner of my eye.

"I see. Now, my wife tells me you two are going to the pack house tonight?" He crosses his arms.

I clear my throat. "Uh... Yes, sir. To meet my family. I know how much Sarah likes the pack house, so I thought it would be cool to let her stay in one the rooms in the guest wing for the night."

"My daughter alone, in a pack house filled with three unmated, much older, Alpha males. You can see why I might have a problem with this." He nods.

I put up my hand. "Sir, I swear. She'll be completely safe. We house families in the pack house. It's constantly busy and of course, my parents are there."

He relaxed. "I suppose it's alright if your parents are home for the night, but if that changes, I want her brought back here immediately. " He warns.

"Yes, sir. Don't worry. Sarah is safe with me." I grin.

"She better be. You maybe Alpha, but I'm a father. When it comes to my daughter there will be nowhere you can hide from me." He shoots me a wink and a smirk.

"Dad. It's fine. I'll be on my best behavior. I promise." Sarah rolls her eyes.

He cuts his roast. "You better be. You're going to be in the pack house. You better be very respectful while you're there."

"I will." She says. "I'm going to go pack." She kisses my cheek and runs upstairs.

"Well, now that that's settled. Maddie, can you help with the dishes?" Marie stands up and grabs some plates.

Maddie sits back and whines. "Why do I always have to do it? Make Shane do it."

Marie stares at her daughter. "Both Shane and Sarah help with dish duty. The only one who doesn't is you, Miss."

I arch a brow. "Maddie, help your mother. She made this wonderful dinner, it's the least you can do."

She sighs. "Fine." She grabs plates and takes them into the kitchen.

Marie looks at Maddie leave and looks at me. "Thanks." She smiles.

I nod. "No problem."

Adam hands me a glass of brandy. "Come sit while you wait for Sarah."

"This was very nice. Thank you." I say as I sink into the couch.

"So. I see a lot of young faces at the training center. You sure you're not going to involve the Unit?" Adam sips his brandy.

I shake my head. "I can't. I'm sure you've noticed the constant border breeches and pressure from Falcon Ridge. They want our territory. If I allowed them in, they wouldn't leave."

Adam nods. "I understand that. I just hope these kids are good enough."

"I know they are. My Alphas are the best trainers going. We've trained these kids. They're good." I sip my drink.

"I'm trusting you. You keep my little girl safe and make damn sure she comes home to us." He shoots me a warning glare.

I lean on my thighs. "Adam, I will die before anything happens to Sarah. I promise you that." I look at him with a dead serious face.

"You come back, too, son. I don't want my daughters heartbroken." He claps my back.

My mouth ticks up in a quick smile. I kind felt warmed that he would even consider my safety in all this. "I intend to. The last thing I'd ever want to do is break Sarah's heart."

Sarah breaks the moment by bounding down the stairs. "Ready?" She drops a stuffed duffle bag and it thuds on the floor by her feet.

I look at her and her bag. "You're not moving in." I snort.

She looks at her bag and shrugs. "I know. You never know what you might need."

I smirk. "I can see going on any kind of trip with you is going to be a blast for my back."

She crosses her arms. "Shut up and get in the car."

I set my glass down. "Yes, dear." I stand, chuckling. "Adam, this was great. I can't wait to do it again sometime." I shake his hand.

"Always a pleasure, Jay. Take care of my girl." He claps my hand.

Marie walks out of the kitchen. "You're leaving?"

"Yeah. We have to go." I go in for a hug. "Thank you for the delicious meal. I'm definitely coming back and you better have a big roast in that oven." I smile.

"I will. Drive safe." She hugs me back. She heads to Sarah and gives her a hug. "Be a good girl. If you need anything, just call."

"Mom. It's one night." Sarah giggles.

"I know. Still." Marie kisses her cheek.

We wave bye as I put Sarah's duffle in the trunk.

I open Sarah's door and she climbs in and I hop in the driver's seat. As I start down the road, Sarah laces her fingers with mine. Looking at me smiling.

"What?' I smile back. Keeping an eye on the road.

"You said you were the lucky one. You're wrong. I'm the one that's lucky." She lifts my hand and kisses the back of it.

"Trust me. You are the best thing that's ever happened to me. I'm the lucky one." I shoot a smile to her quick and turn back to the road.

"Ok, fine. We're both lucky. I just can't get over how much my family loves you."

I chuckle. "I'm a lovable guy, what can I say?"

She looks out front. "I hope yours likes me."

"Baby, they're going to love you. Trust me." Now it's my turn to kiss her hand.

"I hope so." She smiles as we turn heading for the square.

****

"Holy!" She enters the pack house and I drop her bag in the foyer. "I forgot how huge this place was inside. Did it get bigger?"

I scratch my head. "Uh.... little bit. We added an expansion on the back about three years ago. Added more rooms. A gaming room for Nate. As well as extra offices for staff."

"Jeez... You Alphas really know how to live." She walks in. Her head travels all over the common room.

I hang her jacket up and shrug mine off. "I'm glad you like it."

She spins around. "Who lives here?"

I walk in with my hands stuffed in my pockets. "Well, my brothers, my parents. Derek, of course. The Delta and his family. The Gamma and her mate. Plus, some service staff. I wasn't lying. This place is always crawling with people."

"Well, hello there." A voice comes down the left side staircase.

Victor’s dressed in a hoodie, track pants and sporting a cool smile.

He saunters over to Sarah. "And who do we have here?" He eyes Sarah up and down.

I instantly take her by my side. "Sarah. This is my older brother, Victor."

"Hi, Victor." She smiles.

"Please, call me Vic." He grabs her hand and kisses the back of it. I catch a faint blush come across her cheeks.

"Back off, Vic." I growl.

He rolls his eyes. "Oh, relax. I'm just saying hi."

Sarah's eyes flip between us. "I'm so amazed at the family resemblance. It's uncanny."

I snort, nuzzling her head with my nose. "Says the twin."

Vic’s brows go up. "You have a twin? A single one?" He grins.

She smirks. "Yeah. I do, but he likes girls."

Vic’s smile fades. "Damn it."

I chuckle. "Thank God. I wouldn't want you dating a girl that looks like mine anyway."

Vic crosses his arms. "Why? Afraid I'd treat mine better?"

I shove him. "Whatever." I turn to Sarah. "Come on. Let's see if there's anything in the kitchen to eat."

I grab her hand and pull her through the common room. "But you just had like half a roast!" She reminds me.

I pull her to me, putting my forehead to hers. "If what I think is going to happen tonight, happens, I need the fuel."

She makes an ‘O' face and giggles.

We walk into the dining hall. Both my parents and Nate are in there seated at their usual table at the front of the hall.

"Son, you're back! Come." My dad waves me over. I bring Sarah with me.

My mother's brows go up. "Jayson, who's your friend?"

My dad leans back and crosses his arms. “The Terror of Black Lake.” He smirks.

Sarah blushes. “Hi, Alpha Duke.”

“I trust you got your bike back?” He arches a brow.

She swallows and glances at me. “Uh… yep. No, harm done.” She nervously chuckles.

“Except a sad flower garden.” He eyes her.

“Sorry.” She blushes again.

I shake my head with a chuckle. "Mom, dad. This is Sarah Reynolds. Sarah, these are my parents, Alpha Edward and Luna Heidi."

My mom smiles. "Nice to meet you. How do you know my son?"

She tucks her hair behind her ear. "At the camp. Jayson's my trainer."

My dad arches a brow. "You're a recruit?"

I wrap my arm around her. "Yep. One of our best fighters."

"Wonderful!" My mother chirps. "Are you hungry?"

"Starving." I groan.

Sarah slaps my chest. "You're not starving. You practically had my parents' dinner to yourself."

My mother stands. "Trust me, darling. The men in this family love to eat. It's all the muscle, I swear."

She grabs Sarah's hand. "Come. I'll show you how to order."

She leads Sarah off to the counter.

I take a seat next to dad. "So, I discussed the situation with my Alphas and all are on board. The recruits are all in agreement and awaiting orders."

My dad nods. "That's good." He turns to Sarah. Watching her and my mother interact. "She's not fighting, is she?"

I sigh leaning on the table. "I can't stop her. The girl's a good fighter and she knows it. She also does whatever the fuck she wants. Even if I did stop her, she'd show up anyway."

My dad smiles. "I can tell she's one of those women. I hope you know what you’re getting into."

I nod. "Yep. Trouble with a capital T. But, dad, I don't know. There's something about her. She's literally drives me crazy. I haven't slept properly since I met her and I fucking love it. I must be a glutton for punishment, I swear."

My dad laughs. "Trust me, your mother used to drive me insane with hair brained stunts and just stuff that, normally, I'd lose my shit over. But I almost started to crave it. Like my day wasn't complete unless she wasn't making my brain hurt in some way."

I hold my hand out to my dad. "Right? I don't know what it is?"

My dad leans in. "It's called love, son. The biggest weakness of us Alpha males. If our women aren't chaotic, we aren't in love."

He pats my arm with a laugh.

I turned to watch Sarah throw her head back and laugh at something my mom said.

Could I actually be in love with Sarah? I care about her a lot, but can I say it's love?

I know I want to be with her. Only her. Whether it's love or not. Sarah's mine.