Vera smiled at Rhea, putting a hand on her shoulder. “I trust you, hun. I’m just a little more anxious than normal, I’m sorry. Kennedy is getting the medical kit, she should be back up any second,” she said, returning to Jaii’s side. “And as for being alpha,” she murmured, leaning down so she could be at eye level with him. “that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I’m still with my pack of course, but the others…have you formed a pack yet? I’ve never seen anyone break off and immediately join another, so I wondered if you all are just a bunch of lone wolves or if you’re together,” she explained, trying to distract him from the pain with conversation.

More than that would probably help. Vera hesitantly reached out and ran her fingers through his hair, though she looked a bit uncomfortable with the action. They [i]really[/i] needed to be alone before the day was over. “How does it feel? Can you really feel everyone connected to you in a way?” she asked, glancing at the others in the room. “Choosing a beta would be a wise decision, I agree.”

It was then that Kennedy came back up, placing the supplies on the table and bringing her surprise guest along with her. Jasper was slouching with his hands in his pockets, though it did little to help him stay unnoticed. Course [i]Kennedy[/i] announced his arrival as soon as they reached the top of the stairs! Great.

Their eyes met instantly, Jasper looking at Vera over Kennedy’s shorter figure. “Where the h-“

“Before you get mad,” Jasper quickly interjected, stepping around Kennedy so he could talk properly to the woman, “please keep in mind I left on good terms. Vera, I- hear me out,” he sighed, to which she rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips.

“This had better be good…”

“It is. Well, good excuse, bad for me. Vera, I lost my job a couple months…you know how hard it is for a lone wolf, it’s like appearing in a new country with no real identity or connections. I’m getting back on my feet but I needed a place to live. I never thought anyone would show up here…much less you,” he sighed, rubbing the back of his head. He was usually a confident, excited being but right now he was looking a little broken down. “You a part of this pack now or somethin’?”

Vera groaned, rubbing her temple with her index finger. “Not yet,” she answered, looking back at Jaii. “Look, I need to get him some water. Let’s talk…” And so the two went over to the fridge, Vera letting out a curse when she realized he’d been using electricity and water. “Forget it, I’ll take the blame,” she murmured before going on to explain the situation…and her mating. Honestly, she felt bad for the guy. He’d been through a lot, losing his fiancée when she, a week before the wedding, found her true mate. Bond or no bond, he’d loved her, and while everyone understood why she left and that that was part of hooking up when there was no real bond present, it was still painful to watch. He’d left soon after that, wanting to get away from it all. Who wouldn’t pity him?

Eventually Vera came back with a damp rag and a glass of water, though she didn’t really know if Jaii even wanted it. “Guys, this is Jasper…he ah, used to be part of my pack, but now he’s on his own. He’ll be sticking around for a while,” she said before turning her attention on her mate once more.

“My stuff is in the master bedroom,” Jasper laughed, glancing toward the stairs. “Guess it’s yours now, you’re the alpha, right?” he asked Jaii before nudging Vera, “and yours too, hm? I’ll move it now”

“Shut up, you idiot,” Vera hissed, though her cheeks turned a light shade of red.

Jasper turned his attention back to Kennedy, the same lopsided grin present that he’d worn downstairs. “Want to come help me? Things are a bit too gloomy down here for my taste.”