10

I was currently sitting downstairs in the kitchen whilst Lucy made me lunch. I tell her that I am more than capable of making my own but she dismisses me.

"How are things?" She asks as she approaches the fridge.

"They're okay," I say quietly.

I nibble my lip contemplating whether I should ask Lucy the questions that I have bubbling inside me. Needing to know more about Jax but I didn't want to push my luck with him.

"Lucy, can I ask you a question?" I pose and I watch as her blonde hair flicks round her shoulder as she looks at me.

"Whats that hun?" She asks as she grabs some bread from the bread bin.

"W-Who is that woman in the picture with Jax in his office?" I feel my voice begin to shake. I was curious, they seemed close... so where was she now?

Lucy instantly puts down the bread knife and looks at me sympathetically. "Jaxon hasn't told you?"

I shrug helplessly. "Told me what?"

Lucy sighs and she walks over to me. "Jaxon had a mate before, just like you did." She states simply.

"What happened to her?" I ask as I pick at the skin on my fingers.

Lucy hums. "I think Jaxon needs to tell you this Ava."

"But I want to know," I say and she looks at me sadly.

She huffs out. "She was killed."

"Killed?!" I exclaim. "By who?"

Lucy goes back to making our lunch and turns her back to me. "A long time ago our parents got into some trouble with another pack, it was too dangerous for them to be on the radar so they went into hiding and left Jaxon to be Alpha." She starts.

"A few years later they come back for their revenge. They kidnapped Julia and led a train for Jaxon to follow and they..." Lucy sighs not being able to find her words.

"They caught Jaxon and tied him up and murdered Julia in front of him." She spurts out quickly.

Not stopping the gasp that leaves my lips, my hands begin to shake at her words.

"T-Thats awful," I say as my voice wobbles with shock.

Lucy nods her head. "It was."

"D-Did he love her?" I ask and Lucy nods instantly.

"He loved her more than anything on this planet." When she says this I can't ignore the piercing pain that runs to my heart.

I lower my head and try to calm my breathing. "But that doesn't mean he can't love you too." Lucy adds. "Mates are meant to be together for a reason."

"But I'm a human. No wolf could love me." I say quietly, their was so much pain evident in my voice.

"Don't say that." Lucy approaches me and places her little hands on my arms. "Jaxon sees the best in everyone, that's one of the most amazing things about him."

I take in a breath and try to swallow the lump that has formed in my throat. "I could never compare to someone like her." I whisper.

"Jax would never compare you," Lucy squeezes my shoulders for reassurance.

"Talking about me, are we?" Jax's voice fills the room which causes me to jump and Lucy removes her hands from me.

I keep my head down feeling embarrassed I'm getting upset about this. His presence approaches me and he places two fingers underneath my chin to get me to look at him.

"What's wrong Ava?" He questions, his eyes turning soft.

I feel my lips quiver, why when someone asks you whats wrong the water works just start?

"Leave her Jaxon, she's fine. We are having lunch now." Lucy takes my arm and guides us to the island where our lunch is placed.

As I sit down on the stool I sheepishly look up to Jax and notice how he is staring down at me intently. My brain was itching and it was like I could feel him read my mind.

I close my eyes tightly and cringe at the thought.

"We were actually talking about my wedding." Lucy says as she takes a bite of her sandwich.

My eyes snap open and look at her. "You're getting married?" I ask and her eyes bulge out at me.

"Yes," She hisses with her teeth together. "That's literally what we were just talking about." Her eyes wide as she looks between mine.

I narrow my eyes at her and then realise she's covering for me. "Oh yeah!" I exclaim.

Lucy forces a smile at me and Jax flickers his eyes between us knowing that we are completely lying.

"So next month will be the big day! We need to go shopping to get you a dress!" Lucy exclaims.

I nod at her as I begin to eat my lunch. "H-How did he propose?" I question and Jax groans beside me.

"You did not want to ask that," He says as he rolls his eyes.

Lucy's face stretches out into a massive grin. "This is my favourite story, so basically..."

Jax shakes his head. "Alright before you tell this story for the hundredth time, I'm going to take a shower."

He wanders over to the island and grasps my wrist that is holding my sandwich and quickly takes a bite. His eyes never leave mine and I just stare at him in awe.

I watch as he leaves and Lucy waves her hand in front of my face. "Hello?" She says. "Earth to Ava."

I blink my eyes a couple times and look at Lucy. "Sorry," I mutter quickly.

She laughs quietly. "So Sebastian had been like so quiet to me the week he was planning on proposing, so I thought something was wrong. Turns out he was just nervous." She smiles.

"Anyway, I get taken out of the house by Sophie and when I come back the whole house are standing downstairs by the stairs. I have no idea whats going on and then Seb comes downstairs in this amazing suit." She grins as she remembers.

"There are rose petals and balloons all around and he gets down on one knee and pops the question. I was a mess to say the least."

I smile at how happy she is. "That sounds nice." I say.

"I know! I'm so excited to marry him." She finishes her lunch.

"How long ago did you meet?" I ask.

She hums. "About 5 years ago."

"And he's your mate?" I ask and she nods instantly. "How long did it take for you to fall in love with him?" The question falls out of my mouth before I can even register what I am saying.

Her eyes beam at me. "Not long." She pauses. "Obviously our wolves were like inseparable with each other and we had that instant connection but it's also about getting to know them as a person."

"He's so sweet and caring. He's amazing." She says as she looks out the window and completely swoons over him.

"That must be nice." I say nodding at her words.

"Don't worry Ava, you'll have the same thing too. Jax is just taking things slow with you, he wants to prove to you that you can trust him."

I nod at her.

"You've come a long way since you first came here though, the bond really must be calming you down." She states.

"It is, even his voice makes me feel safe which to me doesn't make sense but," I say.

Lucy grins at me as she gets up and takes our plates. "Good because he'd kill anyone that tried to hurt you."