Prince Jasper

Alex's POV

All day, I couldn't keep my eyes off the clock, willing for six o'clock to come rolling around. As pitiful as it may seem , I couldn't keep my mind off of Chloe today even at training. Even as I stand in Cody and James' kitchen, my ears are trained on the door.

He's beautiful.

And full of life and joy.

But I can tell, that there's baggage that he carries around, that we all do, from our past that maybe is best left unspoken.

But it makes me curious- who is he under all the bravado and sex appeal?

'Does it matter?' Tobias challenges me, catching me off guard.

'It does if James' worries are correct and he's a spy for Satan.' I remind him, though the possibility sends shards of glass into my lungs.

'Does it? If you had to choose between your pack and your Mate... could you?" He prompts making my skin crawl. A part of me realizes that I never let myself think about what species my Mate was. Because when I was younger with the changes happening every day, I hoped it wouldn't matter. Now I feel naively sick, knowing that I may have to make that cursed choice between my family and my future.

"Alamore to Alex!" I faintly hear exclaimed, and I snap back into reality, realizing that Cody has been trying to ask me a question for several minutes.

"Fuck, I'm sorry, Codes." I groan, rubbing a hand down my face. "What did you ask, again?" I wonder with red cheeks as my Luna rolls his eyes with me.

"Seriously, Alex, pull it together!" Cody exclaims with worry. He pulled me aside earlier expressing his concern over my heart getting broken. He and I have always had a special bond, formed from trauma and loneliness, and he's been just as anxious as I for me to find my Mate.

"I know, I know." I mutter, but he just shakes his head and sighs. I move from leaning against the kitchen island, realizing I've been blocking Cody's way of setting up the food spread for our guests. Feeling guilty, I grab the plates and napkins and begin setting up the dining room table, doing my best to distract myself. After a few minutes of banter and silence, I realize that with thirty minutes until everyone shows up, James still isn't here. "Where did James go?" I ask, confused.

Cody only stifles a smile and shrugs his shoulders in a coy manner, before going to grab his famous Alfredo pasta bake from the oven.

Before I can complain, there's loud steps outside the house just before the front door slams open, and I take a step towards the hallway to try to see who's here, when a gust of wind from outside blows a familiar and long missed scent straight towards me. I'm down the hall in an instant, just in time to see Jasper, the Royal Prince of Melamor walk through the door.

"Jas!" I cry out, opening my arms for a bear hug, and with a wild grin, he returns the squeeze, giving me a hearty pat on the shoulder.

"Alex, wow, you've turned into a man this past year." He tells me with a glint in his eyes, and it only brings the memory the last time we saw him face to face, well over a year ago. Right after high school, we were all so close, and we naively assumed we would be able to stay close while doing our duties to our country.

Turns out, it takes up a lot of time and energy to run a territory.

I was starting to make peace that the next time we will see the Prince was after Artemis' return and then again at one of their weddings.

If we're still alive to see it.

So seeing a friendly asshole face like his brings tears to my eyes, that I blink away before my bastard best friends can see them.

'Screw you, Jasper came to hang out with me. Everyone else is a bunch of pansies.' Tobias huffs, reminding me of the last time we unleashed Tobias and Jasper onto Kaulike a year and a half ago.

'Yes, excuse us for not wanting any federal charges against the leaders of Divinion Territories.' I snort back but all I get is an eye roll as I turn my attention back towards our Faerie friend. "Me? You are looking very regal tonight, your Royal Highness." I say, bowing at the waist with a flourish. The Prince is wearing a cream colored blouse with tight pants, his boots shined to perfection, to his annoyance I'm sure.

Before I can react, Jasper raises two mini mountains under my heels causing me to tumble forward and crash onto the floor, face first as Jasper and James jump out of the way cackling.

"Some things never change." I hear from behind me, Cody chuckling under his breath as I get up and dust myself off with a grin, too happy to see a familiar face to be upset.

Jasper immediately notices the Luna and strides over with a soft smile before grabbing the petite man's hand and pressing a kiss onto the back. "You're looking lovely as ever, Luna, how are you?" He asks genuinely, but also to get under James' skin, the wolf in question looking seconds away from tackling the Prince.

Cody giggles, being the object of playful banter between the two men, knowing exactly what's going on. "Oh, Jasper, as charming and handsome as ever, I'm much better now that you're here." He sighs prettily with a mischievous look in his eye. His smile turns into a squeal as James chooses Cody as his target, swooping the cackling bean off his feet before sitting down at the dining room table with the Luna on his lap. He growls and nips at the air towards Jasper and he tucks his face into Cody's chest, the smaller man's arms around the Alpha's shoulders.

"Keep your lips to yourself, Princeling." James jabs and Jasper laughs shaking his head before finally entering the dining room himself.

I take my spot up on the counter, my smile still broad as he turns towards me, though the sudden seriousness in his eyes makes me pause.

"I heard that you found your Soulmate. Congratulations." He says, but from his tone, I don't accept it only smile, waiting, only now realizing that he's here for a reason besides dinner. "He's a Hybrid that's one hundred percent Nightly. Half Warlock and half Incubus, the two most freest, unbound people in Kaulike. And older than the last Daemon War." He states slowly before turning back towards James. "Did I miss anything?" My alpha shakes his head and avoids my eyes, making my heart sting.

Since he couldn't get through to me, he called up Jasper. Not to celebrate me, but to warn me.

Ice shoots down my veins, but a small part of me, a part of me I hate more than anything, sees the reasoning behind their concerns, and stands quietly as he continues.

"I hate to be that guy, but I'll be whatever necessary to protect my friends. Except for Ezra who is half Nightly, half Divinion, everyone else that is on our side and drew blood for the cause is a Divivion. And everyone that we've trusted outside of that and gotten hurt by, was not. I don't want to feed into stereotypes, but they might use that against us. Have you even tried to do a background check or get someone to follow him? He knows where the Beta lives and is getting a tour of Vollmond as we speak. Do you know for a fact that you haven't brought a wolf into a sheep's den?" He asks me, his golden brown eyes set aflame by his passion, the passion I seemed to have lost somewhere.

I cringe at the welling guilt inside of me as I answer him honestly. No use in lying to him the same way I've been lying to myself.

"No. Even when he found me on his own, I let him come into my home without even alerting anyone that he was here." I admit quietly.

"Alex, you can't take risks like that!" Jasper exclaims. "You know I get it! I'm just like you, by fate or choice, it doesn't matter, we are our leaders Right Hand Men and back up plan if they die somehow- Celeste forbid- which means we're their first line of defense. What if Chloe was using you for information about your Region and the leaders for whenever Satan is ready, so that she can take Vollmond, and assuming she already has Ameden and Indrid, she'll own the whole west coast." He explains to me and I can tell by the fire in his eyes that he's angry he has to.

We talked about this very possibility for hours in our last meeting before Artemis left. About how much danger we were all in after ruining Makalya's plan to take Vollmond and rule it as a proxy for Satan.

And yet I allowed my judgement to be clouded and manipulated by my own hopes and dreams.

How selfish can I be?

I'm supposed to be a leader.

The reality of my choices almost threaten to crush me, but as always Tobias speaks up as the voice of reason.

'Just like they may be right, they could very well be wrong. But we won't know for sure until we do as they say and double check. Don't give up so easily.' Toby chastises me.

He's right. They both are.

With a shaky breath and an even more unsteady smile and I nod towards Jasper and reach out a hand.

"As sure of yourself as ever. I'll play along, sure, but I like to think positively. Maybe we've found another concerned citizen that's willing to be an ally." I offer with a shrug and I can see in their faces how unlikely they find the possibility but I refuse to give up hope.

Even so, Jasper just laughs and shakes his head before reaching out to grab my hand with his.

"Good to see you're still ready to fight." He tells me with a wink and I laugh, just as the sound of crouching leaves and laughing voices come from outside, my blood singing at the honey like sounds floating through the air laughing alongside Tamari. Anxiety immediately pools in my gut, knowing Chloe will be here any second, but I don't allow the emotions to take control of me.

The sooner we figure out Chloe's motives and intentions, the better, for all of us.

With a reassuring smile and nod from my Alpha and Luna, I steel myself and square back my shoulders just as Timari gives a shout before opening the door. The intoxicating smell of Cinnamon and Roses rushes down the hallway, and I have the grip the edge of the counter behind me to stop my knees from going weak at the scent. It stirs something in my chest a familiar and new scent all at once, heavenly and sinful, threatening to send me to my knees.

But I hold steady as Timari leads Chloe down the hall past the foyer, and into the kitchen where we wait.

I notice his eyes go straight to me as he enters the room, my chest puffing at the fact, before swinging immediately towards Jasper. There's a look of confusion as he takes in the far ears, but one look at his caramel brown skin, golden flecked eyes and the Royal crested necklace ever present around Jasper's neck, and realization seems to hit him like a truck.

Chloe trips a step, stumbling into Timari before turning towards Jasper with alarm as he bows at the waist, right hand over his heart as he pays his respects. "Your Highness, it's an honor. Pleased to be in your presence." He recites as most Supers are taught to do from birth. The only ones who have ever rivaled Vilin's central power over the populace of Kaulike, are the Faerie Royals in Melamar. The near immortal monarchs of the Faerie Region made a deal long ago with Vilin to be their biggest investors and provide at least a fourth their recruit vacancies every five years.

One of the many reasons why Artemis and Jasper's involvement with Vollmond affairs and Satan's return have been tightly under wraps.

It would bring too many eyes and questions, and with there already being evidence of Satan's soldiers taking post in Melamar and Vilin, the more information we hold towards our chest, the better.

I watch wearily as Jasper gives Chloe a once over, allowing him to bow for a few seconds before finally breaking the more than awkward silence.

"There's no need for that here in the presence of friends. Nice to meet you, as you've already guessed, my name is Prince Jasper but my friends call me Jas. You can call me Prince." He says with that smile that always seemed more monster than man, reserved for enemies and outsiders alike.

Chloe straightens, curiosity overriding the suspicion shining in his eyes.

I expect him to grovel like most Super do, Nighlty or Divinion, but his response takes me by surprise.

He laughs, walking further into the room with a friendly nod towards James and Cody still sitting at the table.

"First you name drop the Princess, now the Prince is in your home. Here I thought Vollmond was a closed Territory with limited outside relations." He notices aloud more relaxed than expected. Too relaxed if he's as thrown off as he claims to be. "Who knew all the fun was in Vollmond?" He questions with a raise of his brows and a rare smile.

Jammes laughs trying to break the tension, but I can see the wheels in his head working overtime as he speaks. "I don't blame you for being surprised. Until I took power out region was exactly as you described. Closed off and hostile towards outside aid and connections besides the Law Mandated Vilin Visits. But I like moving with the times. Makes things more interesting." He admits with a small shrug earning an amused chuckle from Chloe.

"Oh I agree with that wholeheartedly." He hums, his watchful gaze turning towards me.

Everywhere his eyes touch fills me with excitement and nerves, my body feeling whirlwind of emotions with all that's going on.

With a clap of his hands and a warning look towards James, Jasper and I, Cody declares we all grab a seat, Timari helping the Luna bring all the finished dishes to the table as we settle in for small talk and a delicious meal.

After twenty minutes almost everything is eaten, everyone leaning back in their chair with satisfied looks as their hands rub their swollen bellies. Cody beams with pride from all the praise and appreciation from everyone over the wonderful meal. And while conversations stayed mostly polite and pleasant during dinner, I instantly feel a rise in tension once more as Jasper turns from his seat at the end of the table on the left, towards the middle seat across the table from mine where Chloe sits.

"So, Chloe, you are an Incubus? So you must live in the Pleasure District, right?" The Princeling asks, as if the others in the room haven't told them everything they already know.

I wait for a moment with baited breathe, wondering his Chloe would lie about his lineage, seeing how far he goes to hide any features linking his Warlock heritage.

I can almost see him working out the pro and cons of answering honestly, and end up catching his eye. He narrows his gaze for only a second before a small sigh escapes his lips and he answers. "Technically yes. I am a Hybrid, to be completely honest with you. Half Incubus, half Warlock. And while I didn't grow up there, I do currently live and work in the PD." He says tightly, setting down his wine he's been sipping lightly on throughout dinner. The sides of his lips turn down as he answers, telling me just how little he enjoys telling others of his heritage. Is this a sign of his attempts at building friendly relations, or is he merely feeding us crumbs so we don't ask more about the whole picture?

Jasper seems to have an easier time choosing which it is, because he doesn't hesitate to ask his followers up question.

"Wow, I've never been there before though I've heard all kinds of stories. I am curious though, what made you go live in the Pleasure District instead of in Vilin with the other Hybrids or Revelia with the Magi?" He asks as if the question within itself isn't extremely preversive and out of line.

And while Chloe grits his teeth, he doesn't balk away from answering the questions. "I grew up in Revelia with my family, traveling to Vilin every weekend with my parents so my father could try to secure a high ranking job and secure a better social standing. He had hoped for a better Soulmate match- had hoped for a Divinion- so he could live the pampered life of one of them. When his first Soulmate rejected him, he was granted another, my mother. And used her powers as a Succubus to capture wanted criminals and gain a respectable standing in Vilin. At her expense. After a few hundred years of watching her go through that, along with the abusive shaming of her heritage, and dealing with the same myself, I decided I much rather celebrate and honor the Incubus side of myself than accept anything the man has done or given me. I hope I answered your questions properly for your investigation, Princeling." He finishes bitterly, causing us all to flinch inwardly at the accusation in his eyes.

He wipes his mouth with a napkin before going to stand.

"Thanks for dinner, Luna. It was fantastic. Haven't had a home cooked meal in years. It was nice. Much to be desired for entertainment though." He mutters as he goes to push in his chair, Cody reaching out to touch his arm as he passes by, giving him a sad smile.

Chloe just scoffs and shakes his head.

I go to stand too, but he shakes his head at me and stares me down with a look that could make the proudest man feel small.

"You know, I thought I was wrong about Vollmond. That you guys had surprised me by being open minded and nonjudgmental about me being a Nightly. I see I was naively mistaken. And you know Alex, you guys are so focused on what I am and my history not one of you, not even my so called Mate, has asked me how I'm doing and feeling considering my whole livelihood and life has been upturned. Not to mention I haven't feed in about a week. If this is what hospitality and kindness look like in Vollmond, then I want no part of it." Chloe scoffs again with disgust before turning on his heel and walking out, his fox ears twitching in annoyance as he storms out.

There's a beat of silence at his words settling around the table, but of course it's Jasper to break his silence.

"He's hiding something. Don't let your guard down." He says and anger rushes up my throat causing it to burn with rage as I stand up in one motion, sending my chair falling back into the floor.

"Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. We all are, but there are much better ways to find out what a persons all about rather than fucking interrogating him at his first dinner in our home. Fucking Celeste." I curse under my breath as I turn to rush after Chloe, not caring if he already stopped me once. I open the front door, inviting in the cooling evening air, as I catch his scent going east.

My heart is beating out of my chest and fear takes ahold and squeezes my heart as I think about Chloe walking away and never returning.

I make myself run faster as I follow the trail of his scent and I spot him after I turn the corner, the pouting wolf kicking the dirt as he ambles towards the main road two miles off.

"Chloe." I call out as I slow down, grateful he didn't decide to run. He stiffens when he hears me say his name, but he doesn't take off, thankfully. I quickly catch up to him with my longer strides and reach out a hand to stop him, wrapping my fingers around his bicep. There's instantly a shot of electricity that runs down my spine to my toes, a shiver fighting its way down my spine as I come face to face with my Soulmate.

Instantly my blood heats at our proximity, and I can't help the furious blush that coats my cheeks at the feel of him so close yet so far.

I clear my throat to say something flickering my eyes up to his pink lips inviting me to reach over and taste.

Just as I feel myself leaning forward, Chloe wrenches his arm out of my grasp and steps away, red painting his cheeks as his brows furrow furiously. I reach my hands out in front of me, showing him my palms as I blanch at myself.

What the hell dude?

He's clearly upset and now he's going to think after making those assumptions that I came out here just to fuck him.

I groan to myself and throw my hands over my face, rubbing at my eyes, trying to take my eyes on the tantalizing beauty in front of me.

Dear Celeste. This man will be the end of me.

~~~~~~~~~

Ahhh! Jasper has returned! Much sooner than most of you expected, I'm sure. But instead of using Briana as a plot device and using racism, i think this falls in line with the story better and is completely in Jasper's suspicious nature. What do you guys think Alex and Chloe will do next???

Thoughts?

Comments?

QOTD: Have you watched Attack on Titan?