Page 85 of Campfires & Canines
"Sorry," Flint mutters.
"Don't worry about it," I rush.
Jasper releases him, glaring at Aries.
"If you look at her again, I will cut off your dick."
I choke, somewhere between a gasp and a laugh.
Jasper walks to my side, scattering their sidekicks. I take his hand and we abandon our trays on the table.
He leads me across the road towards his cabin. We reach the front and he stops. "I have to kiss you." His voice is barely audible. It's a warning, not a question.
"Not a chance," I growl. But the eyes of half his pack are on us, with varying expressions from smirks to hunger.
"I have to show that I'm claiming you." He pushes my back against the door.
"I can't," I argue. He rests his forearm above my head and leans into my space.
A lithe form with red lipstick is standing behind the gaggle of jeering idiots. Watching, judging.
“Fine.” The word feels like a betrayal.
I rest my head against the door and close my eyes, resigning myself to this compromise. Praying Slate will forgive me.
Kissing Slate is like grabbing a live wire, full of sparks and electricity. Kissing Jasper is like curling up with a warm blanket. He is gentle, tipping my face up with his hand on my chin. His lips are soft, pressing to mine and not demanding more. He holds me still until we hear cat calls from his packmates.
When he releases me, his sea-blue eyes softly glow. Pushing the door open, I stumble inside. The door slams and I leap away from him.
"You okay?"
"Obviously not." I'm at my breaking point. I miss Slate so much it's like a physical wound, worse than my broken wrist. And now I’ve kissed someone else. It might have been for my own survival, but I feel like slime. My voice is shrill. "Your packmates threatened to stab you.”
Jasper grabs my shoulders, keeping me at arm’s length. “Hazel, breathe. You’re okay.”
“Okay?” I repeat. My breathing is shallow and quick.
“I’m going to keep you safe," he murmurs.
I try to glare at him, but the room has started to spin. My cheeks are wet. “I can’t handle this,” I gasp.
Jasper drags me to the sofa and I collapse. My body shakes with another uncontrollable sob. He presses a cup to my lips. “Drink.” I manage to obey. The cold water pulls me out of my spiral and my breathing levels out.
"I'm sorry my pack is full of assholes," he says. I focus on his face. His lips are a thin line.
"Does that kind of thing happen a lot?"
"The disrespect?" he asks.
"The violence," I clarify.
Jasper shrugs. "My mom encourages it. Keeps us strong." I stare at him. "It's how things are." He turns away, face closed off.
"It doesn't have to be," I say weakly. “Jasper, this is insane. The cruelty and ruthlessness - none of that is normal. My uncle's pack isn’t like that at all.”
His back still to me, he throws his hands up. "Look, I can't change anything. I've tried."
"Seems to me that you're adding to it," I argue weakly.
