04

Regardless of whether it was the Moon Goddess or genes, Darren’s ultimate conclusion was that the bond was more of a suggestion, not an order like many packs treated it. It was extremely rare, but you could potentially meet another perfect match one day. The problem was that werewolves preferred to stick with the first option, because to them, the bond was sacred and not to be questioned. Plus being mateless was considered an absolute horrid fate.

Before Sophie had a chance to grab him, Darren turned tail and booked it back down the hall. He was sure Jasper felt the bond as well, but he wouldn’t know who it was without seeing him first.

Annoying as it was, Darren’s instincts were screaming at him to run away just as much as they were screaming for him to turn around and face the music.

« Wait ! » His aunt called behind him, but he was outside and on his way to the parking lot already. Pausing to take a breath, he eventually let her catch up. « What the hell was that ? »

He glowered up at her. « Jasper was there. » He explained.

« Oh… » Was all she said as understanding dawned on her. « Okay, look, I know you two have a terrible track record, but we’re not here for Jasper, we’re here to help find the missing kids. We just need to focus on getting Alpha Liams attention first. If we have to work with Jasper to make that happen though, then I can do the talking…But just so you know, Jasper’s changed quite a lot since you left. »

Darren quirked an eyebrow, disbelieving. « I doubt that. »

« Darren, please. This is serious. We need to talk to the Alpha right away and I don’t think the receptionist is going to let me barrel my way to his office a second time. «

He ran a hand through his hair and leaned against the car to think. He couldn’t go back in there. He had no idea how Jasper would react once he found out they were bonded, but knowing the pack’s mentality, everyone would insist they hold the bond just as sacred as their ancestors did. It didn’t matter that they were both males, or that they hated each other. He knew exactly what everyone would say. That the bond would change their hearts or some sort of Disney Fairytale bull crap. Darren didn’t believe any of that. He would not be forced to work for any Alpha, he would not be forced to join the pack, and he absolutely refused to be bonded with Jasper. He had to do something to hide it.

Groaning in annoyance, he stood back up and opened the passenger door. « I forgot something in my bag. »

« What ? »

« We need to go back to the house. I left it there. » He explained.

« Can’t we get it afterwards ? »

Darren shook his head. « No. I need it now. It…Helps with my powers. » He lied.

His aunt stared at him for another moment before sighing and getting in. They drove back to the house and he flew inside to his backpack that was still sitting near the front door. Digging through his clothes, he found it.

Clasping the band around his neck, he felt instant relief wash over him as that burning urge subsided.

What he wore was essentially a dog collar made of thin black leather with some other unknown material woven in. It had no engravings, no chain links, no hoops. Just the metal clasp on the back.

It was called a Rogues Collar, and he had gotten it from his uncle Don before returning to the pack. According to his uncle, the collar was used by rogues to help protect them against Alpha Commands. It also helped hide their presence from other werewolves. Since it was something his uncle had given to him at the last second, he had forgotten about it until now. Mostly because it looked like something a BDSM Slave would wear and thus stuffed it in his bag as soon as his uncle was out of view.

With this, he could face Jasper and the guy would be completely unaware of who he was bonded with…Hopefully.

« That’s it ? » Sophie asked as she entered the house. She didn’t seem phased at all, despite the collar’s supposed effect on him. Perhaps it only hid certain parts of his presence ?

Darren turned. « It’s better if you don’t ask. »

The woman raised her eyebrows, but didn’t say a word as they returned to the car and drove back to the Town Hall where there was an obvious change in everyone’s demeanor. Walking in, the people they passed were whispering among themselves.

« He rushed out of here like a maniac ! » One of the girls in the waiting room whispered to another.

« I heard he circled the building three times before the Alpha retrieved him. »

« I wonder what it was about ? »

Darren was curious what happened after they left. Jasper didn’t so much as look at Darren in the split second that he was standing in view when the bond happened, but did he actually come running after him when he left ?

The girl behind the reception counter glared at Sophie. « Gonna wait in line this time ? » She all but growled in annoyance.

Sophie put on her most apologetic smile. « Sorry about that. I was in a hurry. »

The hall that they had barreled their way into last time was now blocked by a rather large looking Beta with a permanent scowl etched onto his face, which was probably why Sophie actually bothered to speak to the receptionist this time.

« Well I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to schedule a meeting like EVERYONE ELSE. » The receptionist slapped down a piece of paper.

Sophie gave a quick grin and made sure to maintain eye contact as she snatched it up. « Will do. »

Then she turned and handed it to Darren. « Fill this out. » She ordered.

« Why me ? »

« Because I drove. »

Darren rolled his eyes and sat down in one of the waiting chairs as he filled out all the information. His aunt took out her phone and started talking with someone as he did so.

There was quite a bit of information to fill out, and just when he was about done he noticed a shadow loom over him. Glancing up, he all but snorted at the sight of Jasper staring him down curiously.

« I haven’t seen you around here before. » The man spoke in a husky voice, deeper than Darren remembered. It reverberated in his head, nearly striking a chord but not quite hitting. The collar seemed to be working.

It took a moment for him to calm down and realize his old bully didn’t recognize him. He probably approached Darren thinking he was from another pack, which annoyed him to no ends. How the hell do you make someone’s life a living nightmare, then go and forget what they looked like ?!

Gritting his teeth, he glared up at him. Jasper looked surprised at the open hostility the smaller man was showing.

« Fuck off Jasper ! » He snarled angrily. « I’m here to see the REAL Alpha. » It was a pathetic display of rebellion, but Darren felt he was entitled to at least one outburst after all the years of bullying he had endured.

Jasper didn’t quite take a step back, but he was clearly blown away by his audacity. He then squinted his eyes as though to get a clearer look at the man in front of him. « Do…I know you ? »

Having his words brushed aside like that stung Darren’s ego, but he didn’t have anything more to say. Darren huffed through his nose, then pointedly turned in his seat so his back was facing the man as he finished filling out the paperwork. Then he felt a slap on his head. « OUCH ! YOU MOTHER FU-« He swallowed his words when he realized it was his aunt who smacked him, not Jasper. « Sophie ?! »

Sophie had a look on her face that said ‘Stop blowing our chance !’, but what she said out loud was, « I see you’ve bumped into Mr. Trotter. »