The Exception

Chapter 23

*Jake POV*

In a familiar room, I laid there on a futon. I had often come here when I needed to talk or just when I needed to vent. Looking up at the ceiling, I contemplated many of the feelings swirling in my head. How do I feel about Selena? That's the million dollar question.

At that moment, a red haired friend opened the door, only to be startled by my presence. 

"So, how would you feel if you started to have feelings for your best friend since birth, and then she kisses you for no apparent reason?" I questioned.

"Oh my gosh! Don't scare me like that Jake! You could have warned me before you came sneaking into my room like that!" Nicole replied with a hand over her heart.

Ignoring her shock, I continued, "It's just odd, you know?"

Nicole now fully entered the room, "So I take that to mean that you are starting to have feelings for Selena?"

"See, that's the thing, Nicki. I don't know what I feel. I mean, she has a mate. He might be a jerk of a guy, but she has a mate. Whether I like her or not, it won't ever matter because they are destined for each other," I sighed laboriously. 

"So, why are you here then, you seem to have figured things out yourself?" She noted.

Sighing, I stood to my feet, inches from Nicole's face, "Why does everything have to be so difficult? Why can't things be simple. We have feelings for each other, yet neither one of us can afford to pursue those feelings."

Matching my gaze, she stared back supportively, "I know. She has a mate, but so do you. Even if you pursue these feelings you have for her, you know this will only lead to heartbreak."

"But, we could be the exception to that rule. We could-"

Stopping me mid-sentence, she placed her hand on my shoulder, "Are you really willing to risk this life long friendship for feelings that may not last?"

At her question, everything fell silent. As I looked deeply into her eyes, she searched mine for the answer I had yet to give.

Before any answer could be given, Nicole suddenly turned her head toward the door. I could tell that she was focusing intently on something.

"What's going on?" I questioned.

"Shh!" she held a single finger up.

Looking at  her profile, I tried to see if I could pick up on what exactly she was focusing so intently on.

Finally breaking the silence, she looked back to me, "Selena's parents are coming over to our pack."

"What? Why?"

"Alpha Jordan called a state of pack emergency," she somberly admitted.

In bewilderment, I took a few steps back, "But that means-"

"Yeah. We're going to war."

I looked back at her surprisingly calm complexion.

We're going to war?

Although we've trained for this scenario many times before, it's strange to me that this is actually happening for the first time. I shook my head and refocused on the current task.

"Ok. I'm going to head back to the pack and check on everyone. No doubt my dad is acting as temporary leader while Alpha Jordan is away. I need to go back and make sure that everything is ok."