JAYDEN

I may have bitten off more than I can chew.

I confess that though I love Jake with my entire being, I probably should not have so openly challenged my mother like this, proposing to him without her knowledge. I am not saying I regret it because I don't. I had to get her attention somehow, I just never thought it would result in her embarking on a plane and coming here to Ravenwood.

Am I shaking in apprehension at her reaction to my viral proposal?

Yes, I am. It's my mom after all. She is not one to be trifled with. Just saying...

It's Monday morning. After I learned that my marriage proposal to Jake went viral on social media, I panicked. This is not what I wanted at all, I was sure no one was going to the locker room at that time of night when Jake usually showers. I know it was not a private place like his dorm room, but Seth was there and I wanted to surprise him.

As soon as my grandfather was told of the viral video, he called me to his office even before I had a chance to have breakfast. He berated me for half an hour, lecturing me on accountability and my responsibility as the future Alpha of my pack - which I won't get to be if I go through with this, he made that abundantly clear.

As if that wasn't enough, then he publicly called me out during an emergency assembly in front of all the students. He basically told me I would have to beg on the streets because I would have no support from my parents or contact with my family at all.

I know he is trying to scare me. I am aware of his tactics. But Jake was right all along. We would never make it on our own. It is not that I cannot make my life elsewhere. It's not that I cannot apply for a student loan to go to college. But what kind of future would I be offering to my prospect?

Unlike the Stronghold twins, I did not grow up with maids and a butler. But Jake deserves to be with someone who can take care of him properly. And our baby, if that ever happens. I need to think realistically about my future. I need my mom to be on my side.

With that being said, I was not about to stand idle while Skylar swept Jake away from under me. I needed to take a stand and demonstrate to Jake that I was serious about him, dead serious about our future together. Jake is the kind of person one can only dream of finding in a place like this. A true gem. And I am not going to lose him.

After the assembly was over, Jake had to stay behind to talk to my grandfather who demanded an audience with him. I was frightened about what he could possibly tell Jake, but at this point, there was nothing I could do to prepare him for it.

I really thought my proposal would have been kept private, just between us. I did not intend for any of this to happen and though I could have picked a better place to do it, I have no regrets. But now my mother is coming to Ravenwood and it's not to celebrate my engagement.

I am sure the news of my viral marriage proposal is going to make waves for Jake and me, but what it's done is done. He didn't even say 'YES'. That would be an even better outcome, but true to his character, he did not want to get engaged to me against my mother's wishes. He told me that he wanted nothing more than to tell me yes and marry me, but ultimately he could not go through with it unless both of my parents were on board.

I could be mad at Jake, but I understand where he is coming from. There is no point in doing this despite my mother. It would never work and Jake himself is too much of a momma's boy to agree with it. Not to say that I am not, but his mother raised him all by herself.

The morning classes go by slowly while all the students whisper behind my back about what my grandfather said earlier. It's his way or the highway. Either I give the ring back to my dad or face the music. And the song is a downer.

I am not afraid of standing up to my parents, but abandoning the Alpha position and leaving that to my little sister is not the right way either. She would make a fine leader to our pack, that is not in question here, but it was supposed to be me. I do not judge Skylar for listening to his father and going after his approval. Not because he is the only heir to their pack, but because it's the right thing to do.

I checked in with Jake between periods to see how he was doing. He was pretty shaken up about the whole thing but otherwise was doing fine. Fortunately, there is nothing my grandfather can do about him right now. There is no grounds for punishment of him unless being in love is a crime. *eye roll*

By lunchtime, the subject was starting to die down and the students refocused their attention on the upcoming Harvest Ball next Friday. I would love NOT to have to dance with all the students again - those who are still available, that is. I would love to have Jake secured as my prospect. But I know that is not going to happen any time soon, if ever.

"You never told us if he said yes or not." Kyle, one of the Alphas, asked me during lunch at our section of the cafeteria. Skylar perked up his ears at the question, but I know he already knows the answer because Jake told him this morning.

"He said he could never accept my proposal if my parents weren't on board with it. But as soon as my mother approves of him, he will happily marry me." I replied, honestly. I would make a mystery out of it, but I know everybody is curious about his response.

"I am sorry, man. I know you wanted to prospect him, but I am sure you can have anyone you want here." Kyle consoled Skylar, pitying him. The two of them always sit across from each other when we sit down to eat our meals. He is the only person here who is close (enough) to Stronghold.

"Why are you sorry? Didn't you hear it? Jake is still single. And I am not going to lose him to Jayden. If last weekend is any indication, they are not as in love as my roommate suggests. I still have a chance with him and I will make a play for it. I am not even remotely ready to throw in the towel." Skylar rebuked him, annoyed at his pity stare.

I glared daggers at him for the comment.

"Good luck standing in the way of true love." I growled at him.

"The only truth I see is that he is destined to be with me. I just know it." He countered, angrily. The two of us stared at each other as if we were in a contest. The rage was clear to see in our eyes, neither of us was willing to give up.

"How is the scholarship boy being disputed by the two hottest Alphas of this entire school?" Kyle was baffled at our staring contest. Skylar and I turned to him gobsmacked to hear him say this.

"I have no idea, Kyle. I could say it is because of his beautiful green eyes, but that is not it. I could say it is because he is a genuine person who likes people for who they are and not what they can bring to his life. I could say that he is the only boy in here who looked at me and saw right through me. I could tell you he is the only one brave enough to call me out in front of my parents, the most intimidating couple I know. I could say it is because of his strength of character, or even his remarkable honesty. I could say he is gorgeous, but that is not it. I could just say he is the only one for me. That is the appropriate answer." Skylar ranted and we were all gasping in shock at the speech, including Jake.

"There is something about him that I cannot quite figure out. He has such a strong spirit and an indomitable personality that refuses to quit, to let anyone treat him beneath his worth. The way he speaks to me, I know right away that he is telling the truth because he never lies. I can always count on him being honest with me and putting his best foot forward. I want that in my life. He is the only one for me." I plead my case, romantically staring at the back of my favorite Omega student.

"Oh, my Goddess!" Seth gasped in shock at their section, next to Jake who was blushing from those speeches.

"What kind of spell did you cast on my brother? I've never heard of him talking about anyone the way he talks about you. What did you do to him last weekend?" He was wide-eyed in surprise at hearing his passionate speech.

"I didn't do anything, I just treated him as if it was you who was there with me. I treated him as any person would like to be treated. Like my mother told him, I don't care that he is a Stronghold. I do not require a rich person to be my partner. All I want is someone serious who is willing to commit to me." Jake answered, sincerely.

"You treated him like you would treat me?" Seth was taken aback by his words.

"Yes, my dear friend, I did. The only difference is that you don't flirt with me." He snickered.

"And he doesn't have sex dreams with my brother." Skylar boasted with a smug grin. I got wide-eyed in shock at the revelation.

"I told you that wasn't about you! Keep boasting and the only way you will ever get close to me is in your dreams." Jake turned around to reprimand him, who immediately apologized for the oversharing.

"Wow. You are smitten, Sky. I am starting to wonder if Jake has any special Omega pheromone that is casting a spell in our most eligible Alphas." Kyle teased him.

"If he had that type of pheromones, I wouldn't have been able to resist his heat." He glared at him.

"Oh right. I forgot about that. Are you sure you two didn't even kiss?" He raised a suspicious frown at him. Jake gasped as he heard that question.

"Are you sure you want to keep your teeth in your mouth? Because I can take care of that for you." He threatened him with a raging glare.

"This is why you don't have any friends." Kyle rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"Trust me, Kyle. When I kiss Jake, it'll be an experience neither of us will ever forget. He will know he was born for me as I was made for him." He declared, confidently.

"If you even get to kiss him. Because you are not getting anywhere near my fiance." I stared at him menacingly. He scoffed and I raged at him, the two of us being ready to rumble at any second now.

Later that day, my parents arrived in a car that they rented at the airport. Two warriors were escorting my parents wherever they went. My grandfather and I were there at the front gate to welcome them into Ravenwood.

"Hi, mom. Did you have a nice flight?" I asked her, trying to be polite. My mother gave me a peculiar stare that I know means trouble.

"We will talk as soon as Dad finds us a room, young man." She stared at me with a threatening glance. The six of us walked all the way to the third tower where we would not be bothered. My mother took a drink of water from her father's mini fridge in his office. Dad was pity staring at me like I was about to face the executioner.

Then she went on to make a speech about me going behind her back to propose to a boy neither of my parents knew about - whose fault is that? - and how that was not the way we did things in our pack. She should not have to learn about her only son's marriage proposal through social media - her father actually called her immediately after he learned this - and I was wrong to defy her like this.

"I am sure my father already told you by now what will happen to you if you decide to go through with this. If you think now is the time to rebel against my authority, you are sorely mistaken. I have bested men way more qualified than you and I am still standing. I don't know what your dad was thinking by giving you the ring he got from my father, but that was not okay. I know you have suffered with the heartbreak, I am not blind. But there is a right and a wrong way to do things and proposing to a boy who I never met before is not the way to go." She lectured me, sounding aggravated.

"I know, mom. I am sorry. But I was desperate. He is already being courted by another Alpha, if I didn't act now I would risk losing him. I can't risk losing the love of my life." I told her, bearing my soul. My grandfather grunted at this statement, but my dad was quietly rooting for me.

My mother breathed out a frustrated sigh. We continued talking for a while about the events that took place yesterday and today as she and my grandfather conversed about the outcome of it. Meanwhile, my dad was forced to ask me for his wedding ring back. He tried to be on my side and he is an excellent father, but it was never going to work.

"Wait, he rejected your proposal?" Dad gasped in shock as he learned that from me. Not that I am happy to report that to my parents.

"He said he could never marry me if mom wasn't on board with our relationship. He said we should soldier on and continue to try to get her approval." I replied, sincerely. I knew this would please my mother, but it's the truth - which is a welcome bonus.

"Oh really? So, he isn't a radical like your grandfather painted him to be?" Dad took a jab at his father-in-law with a malicious tone.

"I never said he was a radical." Grandfather rolled his eyes at him.

"I am sure we are all curious to meet this scholarship Omega who was raised by a single mother and still managed to get accepted into the most prestigious werewolf academy in the country." Dad declared, glancing at his wife as he did.

"I have to reserve ten percent of the spots for scholarship students. It's the law." Grandfather growled at dad, who was low-key having a blast to go against him.

"Yes, but you didn't have to accept him in your school. So if you did, he must be an impressive young man. Am I wrong?" Dad challenged him, staring him down.

"That doesn't mean he is the right fit for my grandson!" He growled at dad, livid.

"Why? Because he is poor and comes from a small pack? Why would I need to prospect a rich candidate? None of us are scrapping for cash." I argued, peeved at him for making this case against Jake without any solid evidence.

"Enough with the bickering! I will meet with this 'impressive Omega' - she looked at dad when she said that - and see for myself." Mom announced, putting an end to the discussion.

"That is all I ever wanted. When you meet him, you'll see why I fell in love with him." I told her, unable to hide my excitement. While grandfather grunted in discontentment.

This is exactly what I wanted. I knew it was a long shot to get Jake's hand in marriage, but I had to try. I have to fight for him. He is my one true love, I just know it. He is the one for me and I am not going to stop until my mother sees that too.

Am I wrong here? Isn't this what I should be doing instead of letting Skylar break his heart? The two of them will never be together. No, Jake belongs with me. He is the boy for me, I just know it.

Now we are talking. I have a fighting chance with my mom here. Let the games begin! *so excited for this*

https://youtu.be/bg1sT4ILG0w

A|N: BOOM!

For those of you who are Team Skylar, manage your expectations.

I told you Jayden was coming like a hurricane. I warned you. Don't say I didn't tell you. #TeamJay

Next is the powerful "All The Things She Said".

Love,

Léo.