💘( Mending the King! )✨

THIRTEEN

[ Widening Gyre ]

( 🤴🔨👸💋💑🏍 )

" There's just...something about her. Ever since the first time I met her, I couldn't shake her. She's different, you know? She's wild, fierce, but there's this softness underneath all that fire. It pulls me in. "

~ JAX TELLER to OPIE WINSTON 

☆《》¤

THE MORNING SUNLIGHT STREAMED THROUGH THE BLINDS IN JAX'S DORM, casting a soft glow over the cluttered room. Jax sat on the edge of his unmade bed, elbows resting on his knees, cigarette dangling loosely between his fingers. He looked up as the door creaked open, revealing Opie's tall frame.

Opie stepped inside, shutting the door behind him. His expression was a mix of curiosity and concern, "Heard there was some fireworks this morning," he said, leaning against the wall, arms crossed. "What the hell's going on, man?"

Jax exhaled a cloud of smoke, rubbing the back of his neck, "It's complicated, Ope."

Opie raised an eyebrow, "Complicated? Sounds like an understatement. Word around the clubhouse is that Tara caught you sticking it in Juice's little sister." 

Jax let out a short, humorless chuckle, "Yeah, she did. Walked right in. It wasn't exactly the way I planned to start my day."

Opie smirked slightly, but his tone remained serious, "So...you and Alu? What's the deal there? Is she just...a distraction, or is it something more?"

Jax took a long drag from his cigarette, staring at the floor as if the answer were written there, "I don't know, man," he admitted, his voice low. "There's just...something about her. Ever since the first time I met her, I couldn't shake her. She's different, you know? She's wild, fierce, but there's this softness underneath all that fire. It pulls me in."

Opie studied his best friend for a moment, then moved to sit on the chair across from him, "You've always had a thing for chaos, Jax. Alu...she's a lot of things, but she doesn't seem like someone who's gonna settle for half-measures. You sure you know what you're getting into?"

Jax shrugged, running a hand through his blonde hair, "I don't know if I've ever been sure of anything, Ope. But with her...it's like everything else disappears. When I'm with her, it feels real. No masks, no bullshit. Just...her and me."

Opie leaned back in the chair, nodding slowly, "I get that. But you've got a lot on your plate right now. Tara, Abel, the club. This thing with Alu—whatever it is—it's not gonna be easy."

"Nothing worth it ever is," Jax replied quietly, flicking ash into the tray on the nightstand. "I know it's messy, but I can't help how I feel. She's got this way of getting under my skin, Ope. And for the first time in a long time...I don't want to fight it."

Opie's gaze softened as he looked at his friend, "Well, whatever happens, you know I've got your back. Just...don't lose yourself in the middle of it all." 

Jax gave him a small smile, the weight of the conversation easing slightly, "Thanks, brother."

Opie stood, clapping Jax on the shoulder, "Just don't let this blow up the wrong way. You've got enough fires to put out as it is."

Jax nodded, watching as Opie left the room. Alone again, he sat back, letting the cigarette burn between his fingers as his mind wandered. No matter how messy it got, there was no denying it—Alu had a hold on him, and he wasn't sure he'd ever want her to let go.

***

The front door slammed shut behind Jax as he stepped into the house. The sight of Tara, furiously packing her belongings into a duffel bag in the living room, made him stop in his tracks. He sighed, running a hand through his hair, already bracing himself for the storm.

"Tara..." he started, his voice calm but laced with guilt.

She didn't look up, shoving clothes into the bag with sharp, jerking movements, "Save it, Jax. I don't want to hear it."

He stepped closer, shoving his hands into his pockets, "What happened with Alu...it wasn't planned. I didn't mean to hurt you."

At that, Tara let out a bitter laugh, finally looking up at him. Her eyes were red, not from tears, but from sheer fury, "You didn't mean to hurt me? That's rich, Jax. You screwed her in the dorms of the clubhouse where anyone—everyone—could hear, and you're telling me you didn't mean to hurt me?"

Jax sighed, shaking his head, "I'm sorry, Tara. I know it doesn't fix anything, but I am."

She zipped the bag aggressively, standing tall as she turned to face him fully, "You're not sorry, Jax. You're just sorry you got caught. And don't stand there and try to play the apologetic boyfriend. You've been checked out of this relationship for months, and we both know it."

His jaw tightened, and for a moment, he said nothing. Finally, he spoke, his tone soft but firm, "You're right. I've been distant. But this thing with Alu—it's not what you think."

Tara scoffed, crossing her arms, "Oh, I know exactly what it is. She's new, she's exciting, and she makes you feel alive. But guess what, Jax? That thrill doesn't last. It never does. And when it's gone, you'll be standing there, alone, wondering why you threw everything away for some cheap whore." 

Jax's eyes darkened, his calm beginning to fray, "Don't call her that."

Tara smirked bitterly, "Why? Because she's not just a fuck? Because she's different'? Spare me. I've seen this before. You fall for some chaotic girl who lets you forget all the responsibilities piling up around you. But deep down, you know you're just running away."

His fists clenched at his sides, but he forced himself to stay composed, "I'm not running away, Tara. I've been trying to figure out my place in all this—my son, the club, my life. And yeah, maybe I've handled it like shit, but don't stand there and act like you're innocent in all this. We've been falling apart for a long time, and we both know it."

Tara's face twisted with hurt, but she quickly masked it with anger, "And instead of trying to fix it, you jumped into bed with someone else. That's the man you've become, Jax. Congratulations."

He stepped closer, his voice dropping low, "I never wanted to hurt you, Tara. But I can't change what's already happened. If you're leaving, fine. I get it. But don't pretend like this is all on me."

Tara held his gaze for a long moment before shaking her head, a bitter smile playing on her lips, "You always were good at twisting things, Jax. But don't worry—I'm leaving. And when you wake up one day and realise what you've done, don't come crawling back to me."

She grabbed her bag and brushed past him, her shoulder bumping his as she walked out the door. Jax stood there, the echo of her words ringing in his ears, feeling a mix of guilt, anger, and something he couldn't quite name.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair again, and sank onto the couch. Tara was gone, and there was no going back now. 

***

Gemma's hospital room was quiet except for the steady beeping of monitors and the faint hum of machinery. Tara sat in the chair beside the bed, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, trying to mask her frustration and pain. Gemma glanced at her with a knowing look.

"Alright, out with it," Gemma said, her voice raspy but firm. "You've got that look. What happened?"

Tara hesitated, her jaw tightening as she looked away, "I walked in on Jax this morning," she said flatly, her tone dripping with bitterness.

Gemma raised an eyebrow, "And?"

Tara let out a humorless laugh, shaking her head, "He wasn't alone. He was with her." She cut herself off, anger flaring in her eyes, "With Alu."

Gemma's lips pressed into a thin line, and she leaned back against the pillows, "Jesus Christ," she muttered. "That boy's a damn mess right now. Abel's still missing, and he's spinning. He doesn't know which way is up anymore. Alu's just...a distraction. That slut won't mean shit to him once he learns about that baby."

Tara's eyes snapped to Gemma, her expression guarded, "I'm not telling him," she said sharply.

Gemma frowned, "What the hell do you mean you're not telling him?"

Tara shifted uncomfortably in her chair, "Not yet. Not until I figure out what I want to do. I'm not bringing a child into this chaos unless I'm sure it's the right thing. And right now? With Jax screwing around with that bitch and everything else falling apart? I don't think it is."

Gemma's eyes narrowed, "Tara, you can't just keep this from him. That's his child. He has a right to know."

Tara stood, pacing the small space at the foot of the bed, "Does he? Because right now, it doesn't feel like it. He's checked out, Gemma. He's drowning in the club, in the search for Abel, and now in her. If I tell him now, it'll just be one more thing he can't handle."

Gemma watched her, her expression unreadable, "You're stronger than this, Tara. And so is Jax. Yeah, he's lost right now, but he loves you. He'll come back around. That baby could be the thing that pulls him out of this spiral."

Tara stopped, her back to Gemma, and crossed her arms again, "Maybe. Or maybe it'll just push him further away."

Gemma let out a long sigh, her frustration evident, "You think you're protecting him by keeping this from him, but you're not. You're just giving Alu more time to sink her claws in. Don't let that happen, Tara. Don't let her win."

Tara turned, her eyes cold and resolute, "This isn't about her. It's about me. And until I know what I'm doing, you will not say anything, you understand me?" 

Gemma shook her head, her lips pursed, "You're making a mistake, baby. But it's your mistake to make. Just don't wait too long. Jax may be lost, but he's not gonna wait forever for you to bring him back."

Tara said nothing, her silence heavy with unspoken thoughts. She grabbed her bag, casting one last glance at Gemma before heading for the door.

"Think about it, Tara," Gemma called after her. "Think real hard about what you're doing."

Tara didn't respond, disappearing into the hallway without a word, leaving Gemma alone with her thoughts and the quiet hum of the heart monitor. 

***

Adela's kitchen was tense, the silence heavy and full of unspoken words. Alu leaned against the counter, arms crossed over her chest, her jaw tight as she avoided her mother's piercing gaze. Adela, seated at the small dining table, tapped her fingers against the wood, her disapproval radiating in waves.

"You're leaving now? When everything with Carlos is a mess?" Adela finally said, her voice sharp and accusatory.

Alu sighed, running a hand through her hair, "I don't have a choice, Ma. This isn't just some casual trip. It's my job. I'm helping Jax find his son."

Adela scoffed, leaning back in her chair, "Your job? Don't kid yourself, Ana Lucia. This isn't about your job. This is about you running again, like you always do when things get tough."

Alu snapped her head up, her eyes flashing with anger, "That's not fair. I've been here. I've been trying. But Moss—he won't even look at me. He shuts me out completely. What am I supposed to do?"

"You fight for him," Adela shot back, standing now, her voice rising. "You're his mother, Ana. You don't get to walk away just because it's hard. He needs you, whether he'll admit it or not."

Alu pushed off the counter, stepping closer, "And what good am I doing him by staying? He won't listen to me. He doesn't want me here. Maybe if I give him some space—"

"Space?!" Adela interrupted, her tone incredulous. "What he needs is his mother to stick around, not take off halfway across the world. You're just giving him one more reason to feel abandoned."

Alu's jaw tightened, her fists clenching at her sides, "You think I want this?! You think it's easy for me to leave?! God, Ma, I'm trying to hold everything together, but I can't. I'm not enough for him right now. But I'm not running—I'm doing what I have to do."

Adela stepped closer, her expression softening slightly, though her voice remained firm, "You're letting him down, mija. Again. Carlos is hurting right now. He needs his mother." 

Alu's eyes flickered with guilt before she shook her head, "And what do you want me to do, Ma? Force him to let me in? Pretend I have all the answers?"

Adela's gaze bore into her, heavy with disappointment, "I want you to stay. For once in your life, Ana, stay and fight for your son instead of running off to chase someone else's battles."

The words hit hard, and Alu took a step back, her expression conflicted. She inhaled deeply, her voice quieter but no less firm, "I have to go. I made a promise, and unlike you, I don't break my promises."

Adela shook her head, her lips pressing into a tight line, "And what about the promises you made to your son? To be there for him?"

Alu flinched but didn't respond. She grabbed her bag from the chair and turned, pausing just long enough to say, "I'll come back, Mom. I always do."

Adela's voice was soft but filled with sadness as Alu walked away, "One day, you won't. And that's what scares me the most."

Adela stood alone in the kitchen, her heart heavy with worry for both her daughter and her grandson.

***

Alu stood in the doorway of Moss' room, her hand gripping the frame for support. The fight with her mother still simmered in her chest, but it was nothing compared to the ache she felt seeing her son sitting on his bed, back turned to her. His silence was suffocating, a punishment she felt she deserved but couldn't bear any longer.

"Moss, baby," she said softly, her voice catching. She took a hesitant step forward, "I know yor're angry at me. You have every right to be. I've let you down in ways I can't even begin to make up for."

He didn't move. His little shoulders remained tense, and his hands were clenched into fists at his sides.

"But I gotta go away for awhile," she continued, her voice breaking. "I have to go to Belfast to help a friend." She stopped herself, shaking her head, "No. That's not an excuse. Nothing is. You deserve better than me running off again." 

Moss shifted slightly but didn't turn to face her.

Alu took another step closer, swallowing the lump in her throat, "I promise you this, though," she said firmly, her voice gaining strength. "When I get back, I'm going to fix this. I'm going to fix everything. I don't care what it takes or how hard it is. You'll finally have the mami you deserve. I'm gonna make you proud, Carlos Mateo Ortiz. I swear it."

For a moment, the air in the room shifted. Moss' head tilted ever so slightly, and Alu's heart leapt. She thought she saw his shoulders relax, a flicker of hope igniting in her chest.

"Moss?" she asked, her voice trembling with cautious optimism.

He stood up abruptly, and Alu's breath hitched. Maybe this was it. Maybe he'd say something, anything—yell at her, cry, tell her he hated her. At least it would be something.

Instead, Moss walked to the door, his face unreadable, and with a swift, resolute motion, he slammed it shut in her face.

The sound echoed in the hallway, leaving Alu standing there, frozen. Her hand hovered near the doorknob, but she didn't reach for it. She knew better. He'd made his feelings clear.

She closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against the wood, the sting of rejection cutting deep, "I love you," she whispered, her words muffled by the door.

With a deep breath, she straightened herself, wiping away the tear that escaped down her cheek. She couldn't fall apart now. Not when she had so much to fix and so many promises to keep.

Turning on her heel, Alu walked down the hallway and out of the house, her heart heavy, and the weight of the world on her shoulders once more. 

***

The airstrip buzzed faintly with the hum of distant engines and the cool, night air carried the scent of fuel and asphalt. Alu leaned against the hood of her Mustang, arms crossed tightly over her chest as she stared at the horizon. Juice stood beside her, one arm slung protectively around her shoulders.

"You okay?" he asked quietly, his voice tinged with concern.

Alu shrugged, her jaw tight, "I'm fine."

Juice gave her a look, the kind that said he wasn't buying it, "Ma didn't mean half of what she said, you know that, right? She's just scared. She's worried about Moss, about you."

Alu exhaled sharply, the weight of their earlier fight pressing heavily on her chest, "Yeah, well, scared or not, she doesn't get it. She never has." 

Juice squeezed her shoulder gently, "She'll come around. She always does. You just gotta give her time."

Before Alu could respond, the distant sound of tires crunching on gravel drew their attention. A black cutlass pulled up, dust kicking up in its wake. As the doors opened, Jax, Gemma, and Clay stepped out, their expressions grim.

Gemma's sharp eyes immediately zeroed in on Alu, her face twisting in anger, "What the hell is your whore doing here, Jackson?" she snapped, her voice cutting through the air like a whip.

Alu straightened, her eyes narrowing as her defences went up. Juice's arm tightened around her as if warning her not to retaliate.

"Gemma," Jax said firmly, stepping between his mother and Alu. "Back off."

Gemma's glare shifted to her son, "Don't tell me to back off! That little tramp has no business stepping foot on that plane, Jax. She's not an old lady, she's not even a sweet butt—she's just trouble. Sleeping with you, threatening Tara, and dragging the club's name through the mud? She's already broken enough rules, and now you're letting her tag along like she's earned a seat at the table."

Alu clenches her fists, pushing off her Mustang as her voice rose with fiery defiance, "You think I give a damn about club rules, honey? I've never been the type to play by anyone's rules, least of all yours. I'm here because Jax asked me to be, not for your petty drama. You think I'm just some throwaway to be discarded because you don't like the situation? Well, guess what? I'm not Tara—I'm not some little girl you can control—"

Before she could finish, Juice stepped in front of her, his hand firmly on her shoulder, his voice calm but firm, "Alu, stop."

She glared at him, her chest heaving with anger, but Juice held her back, his grip tight enough to ground her, "You can't go at her like that. She's Clay's old lady!" 

Alu burned with frustration, taking a deep breath, she reluctantly nodded sharply, but she didn't let go of the tension in her shoulders as she continued to glare at Gemma. 

"She's here because of Abel, Ma," Jax interrupted, his voice calm but resolute. "If it wasn't for her, we wouldn't even know he was in Belfast. We'd be heading to goddamn Canada!" Gemma's mouth opened to argue, but Jax held up a hand, stopping her, "She's the one who figured it out, Ma. She's coming with us, end of discussion."

Gemma's lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes darting between Jax and Alu. She looked like she wanted to say more, so Clay rested a hand on her shoulder, giving her a subtle shake of his head.

But Gemma being Gemma didn't listen, taking a threatening step forward, getting right in the twenty two year old's face, "You might have Jax's dick wrapped around your little finger, but I see you for what you truly are. Whore," she hissed in Alu's face, but Alu didn't flinch, holding her head high, unaffected by the woman's words. "You need to keep your legs closed, little girl. Stay away from my family. You've got no business with any of them, and you sure as hell don't belong here. You're nothing but a distraction, and the club doesn't need some tart like you causing any more trouble than you already have. So, do everyone a favour and keep your wrank pussy to yourself." She looked Alu up and down with disdain, before turning toward the plane.

"Listen here, you bitter old—"

"Nope." Juice stepped in quickly, grabbing Alu's arm and pulling her back as she took a step toward Gemma, fire blazing in her eyes.

Alu glared at Gemma's back, breathing heavily, her fists clenched, before reluctantly backing down.

Jax turned to her, his blue eyes meeting hers with a steady gaze, "Don't let her get to you," he said softly. "She'll come round."

Alu gave him a small nod, though she wasn't entirely convinced. Juice gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze before releasing her.

"Alright," Clay called out, his gravelly voice breaking the tension. "Let's get this show on the road. Time's wasting."

As the group began to move toward the plane, Alu lingered for a moment, her gaze following Gemma. Jax fell into step beside her, his presence grounding.

"You good?" he asked, his voice low enough that only she could hear as he wrapped an arm around her, placing a kiss on her forehead. 

Alu met his eyes, her lips quirking into a faint smirk, "Now I am."

Jax chuckled softly, shaking his head, "Careful, darlin', or I might start to think you're quite fond of me." 

"In your dreams, Teller," she said, flashing him a sly smirk, before turning and heading up the stairs to board the plane. 

Jax paused, his gaze following the curve of her hips as she moved, each step perfectly timed, the sway of her ass drawing his eyes. A smug smirk tugged at his lips as he admired the view. 

***

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