The Alpha’s Curvy Cinderella - Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Jordan POV
It was Friday. I stared in the mirror of the girl’s bathroom at school, barely recognizing myself. There were dark circles beneath my eyes, my hair was a rat’s nest, pulled up into an untidy ponytail without being brushed, my clothes swimming off me, long and overflowing, my trusted hoodie on as usual. My hands shook slightly as I washed my hands and slapped water on my cheeks. Tears shone in my eyes as I fought to keep them back. My nerves were completely shot. After the attack, I had spent the last few days trying to avoid reality, becoming detached and walking around on autopilot. At night, I had nightmares that had me waking up screaming and covered in sweat, resulting in cold showers in the middle of the night. I was lucky that my father or Sarah never heard me, certain that they would not only be angry at the disruption to their sleeping but also that I would be punished for it. They wouldn’t give a damn as to the reason why, only that I had inconvenienced them.
Everyone knew the football boys had taken me, but not what had happened afterward. The ones still alive had been threatened by Alpha Grant and Jaxon with death if they so much uttered a word about what went on inside the locker room along with the removal of a certain part of their anatomy if they so much as looked in my direction again. It didn’t stop the instant feeling of panic when I came across them in the hallway accidentally though, or spotted them in the distance. Those who had classes with me had been placed in different ones, and I wasn’t sure if that was Alpha Grant’s or Jaxon’s doing. Either way, I was extremely grateful.
There was a tentative knock on the door. “Jordan, you okay in there?” came Jaxon’s gruff voice.
He hadn’t left my side at school since the attack. He picked me up in the mornings just outside my pack and dropped me off after school. At school he stuck to me like glue and dropped me off at each of my classes, picking me up afterward and escorting me to the next one. I knew he felt guilty but there was no reason to. What happened wasn’t his fault. No matter what the boys had said. But because he was late coming to the cafeteria, he felt responsible for what happened to me, and he’d turned into an even more overprotective friend. To be honest, it made me feel a lot safer, even though it wasn’t exactly encouraging me to be independent. I was scared to be on my own again. Hell, I couldn’t even go to the bathroom without Jaxon standing guard outside. How pathetic was that?
I cleared my throat. “I’m okay,” I said hoarsely, grabbing the handle and opening the door, heading out into the hallway” Sorry I took so long,” I said dully.
“It’s fine. Are you ready to come to my pack?” he said, grabbing my backpack.
I nodded. He sighed. I suppose I didn’t look overly enthusiastic, but I was going through a really hard time at the moment and felt overwhelmed. The struggle to forget what happened was enormous. He grabbed my hand, and I flinched on instinct. For a second his jaw tightened and then it relaxed. He gently led me towards the exit and I slowly followed him, my mind drifting away as we headed toward the car.
“Aww look at that. You know she’s spending the weekend with him and you know what that means” My sister’s voice drifted through the crowd as I stiffened.
Jaxon’s nostrils flared. There was the sound of laughter. “Seriously, you think he would?” A girl asked, sending a snooty look my way “I mean look at how she’s dressed” she complained, “hardly attractive.”
“You don’t have to be attractive for someone to f**k you,” Sarah said bluntly as tears pricked the corners of my eyes Otherwise ugly people would never get pregnant.”
Titters from the crowd. Jaxon spun around as I tried to hold him back, not wanting to suffer any more humiliation.
“Don’t” I whispered “you’ll only make it worse. The more you deny it, the more they’ll believe it. She’s trying to get a reaction out of you or me.”
“b***h” he snarled.
“It’s not just looks that can make someone look unattractive” came a growl from behind Sarah, whose eyes widened in shock.
Jaxon and I looked as Grant stepped out of the doors, his hands in his pockets, his eyes glowering at her as she stared at him stunned “Your words are extremely insulting, to another Alpha no less” he spat out “Do you know the ramifications of what you are saying? He would be well within his right to hurt you and I wouldn’t step in to defend you because you invited trouble without thinking of the consequences” he hissed “I have no desire to start a fight between my pack and another’s because you can’t keep your damn mouth shut.”
Whoa. Sarah’s mouth was flopping open and closed like a fish. Jaxon was smirking. I was frozen in place. The crowd fell silent.
“Grant” she stammered “I um…” she trailed off, her face paling as she glanced around, embarrassed. For once she was speechless as everyone avoided her eyes.
Grant nodded to Jaxon and me. “Apologize” he growled.
She gaped. “You can’t be serious” she gasped.
“I’m deadly serious” he barked “I’m tired of the nonsense and the bullying. Not to mention showing disrespect to another Alpha. Do it now, or don’t bother coming back to the pack” he advised her coldly.
Sarah’s eyes flashed with anger and hurt. She stiffened and drew back her shoulders, her eyes glittering with contempt as she forced herself to stride toward me and Jaxon. She stopped in front of us, breathing heavily, glancing over her shoulder, to see Grant watching her carefully, his arms folded over his chest.
“I’m sorry,” she said snidely.
Jaxon c****d his head at her. “That didn’t sound like a proper apology,” he said snidely “and I would prefer you apologize to your sister as well. She is the one who is being disrespected the most by your hurtful and cruel words.”
She gritted her teeth. I smiled, for the first time in days, enjoying my sister’s discomfort.
“I’m sorry Jordan” she breathed, her eyes narrowed “For my hurtful words” she concluded.
I nodded. “Now apologize to Jaxon,” I said cheerfully, wanting to clap my hands gleefully and barely refraining.
“I apologize Alpha Jaxon,” she said stiffly.
He inclined his head. “Next time, I will rip your head off. The only reason I didn’t is that you are family to Jordan” he said meanly “Although with the way you treat her, she is far better off without you. She’s much too nice for her own good” he hissed.
She blanched. He turned to me and then tugged me towards the passenger door, opening it smoothly. “My lady,” he said calmly as Sarah watched in disbelief.
“Thank you,” I said automatically, sliding in and buckling myself up as he shut the door and then got into the driver’s seat. Sarah shuffled away, back to her group of girlfriends who looked at her with sympathy. Grant had walked away by then and she glared at the back of him, no doubt angry that he’d embarrassed her in public like that. Quite frankly I thought it was the least of what she deserved.
“Alright, let’s go,” Jaxon said with a determined look on his face, peeling out of the parking lot.
He turned the stereo on and I half listened, staring out the window, until we pulled up in front of a huge pack house that looked like a large mansion. It was glorious, with beautiful flowerbeds around it. I was in awe. Jaxon opened the door for me and I hopped out of the car while he grabbed my bag.
“Wow” I breathed “it’s beautiful Jaxon.”
He grinned “Wait till you see the inside.”
I laughed, feeling happy for the first time in days, my body relaxing slightly as we wandered into the house. He sat me at the kitchen table as a woman came wandering in. She exuded an aura of radiance, her smile brilliant as she grinned at Jaxon, angelic in appearance, with long blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes.
“Jaxon” she squealed rushing forward and hugging him “And this must be the infamous Jordan” she cried, startling me by hugging me as well.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Luna Serena,” I said politely as she drew back and examined me, a rueful look on her face.
“Oh sweetheart, just call me Serena” she exclaimed loudly “You’re practically family after all. Jaxon never stops talking about you, I feel like I practically know you” she gushed.
Jaxon groaned. I giggled. I really liked his mother. She was so full of life and vibrancy. A man, strong and kind looking wandered into the room, a placid expression on his face.
“Darling” shrieked Serena as we all winced from the shrillness in her voice “Darling come and meet Jordan here.”
The man came and extended a hand to me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said gruffly.
“It’s nice to meet you, Alpha James,” I said quietly, a little overwhelmed at his tallness and powerful aura. He looked like he could easily bend me in two like a little twig without much effort. No wonder Jaxon was so strong!
“Isn’t she gorgeous” Serena continued as an omega piled plates in front of us all, Alpha James sitting his wife down with a look of extreme patience on his face “Just look at that hair and those eyes” she enthused.
I blushed. I was very aware of my matted and bird nest hair now and I touched it feeling self-conscious. Jaxon rolled his eyes at me. See, he mouthed as I fought back my giggles, I tried to tell you.
“Mother, you’re making her feel bad” Jaxon growled.
Serena looked confused. “But how?”
I looked down at the table. “I’m sorry, I know my hair is a mess” I blurted out, my eyes shining “I should have brushed it before coming here.”
A lone tear trailed down my cheek. Damnit. Jaxon looked stricken. Alpha James glanced at his wife who looked stunned. Suddenly the tightness in my chest snapped and the dam broke. I burst into tears.
“Oh honey” Serena whispered, as Jaxon and Alpha James stared at each other, slightly panicked, coming to me and holding me to her chest, rocking me back and forth, stroking my hair “I hope you don’t mind but Jaxon told me what happened. I’m so so sorry” she whispered as I cried, “it should never have happened and those bastards should have their manhoods ripped off and stuffed down their throats” she snarled as Alpha James and Jaxon both flinched. I would have felt betrayed that Jaxon had violated my trust by telling her, but she was comforting me so much that the initial anger I had over it faded away.
“I can’t stop thinking about it” I sobbed “I have nightmares and they seem so real. I’m scared all the time” I whispered as Jaxon listened stunned “and I don’t know what to do. I thought I was safe” I wailed, and Serena’s arms wrapped around
me.
“Darling, no one is ever safe, it’s unfortunately how the world works. I can’t take your pain away from you, and I know Jaxon wishes he could” she said glancing at her son who was nodding miserably “But I would be happy to brush your hair for you if you’ll let me.”
I glanced at Jaxon feeling embarrassed. He rubbed his chin and gave me a reassuring smile.
“It’s okay,” he said quietly “How about I go do some training while you and mum work on your hair?” he offered.
I nodded, Serena still holding me as Alpha James and Jaxon quietly got to their feet and headed out of the kitchen, their footsteps fading away. Slowly Serena let go of me.
“Let’s go to my room” she suggested quietly “We can clean you up a bit and then get that hair of yours brushed out.” She grabbed my hand and excitedly led me upstairs.
I felt nervous being in her bedroom but she seemed perfectly accepting of it. It was easily double the size of the basement I lived in. She sent me into the bathroom first to wash my face, then had me sit at her makeup vanity, brandishing a hairbrush at me. I swallowed hard as she pulled my ponytail out, cringing, expecting her to be rough but she surprised me by starting at the very bottom of my hair with gentle hands.
“I always wanted a daughter to dress up, do hair with, and put makeup on,” she said kindly “and now I have one.”
I almost started blubbering again. This woman barely knew me and already she was trying to claim me as a daughter. ” But, you barely know me” I whispered.
“Honey, if Jaxon has claimed you as a friend, then that’s good enough for me. He’s always had an excellent taste when it comes to friendships. Plus, you’ve kept his secret even with everything that’s happened at school. That takes loyalty. I can tell that you’re going to be a good fit if you should ever choose to live in our pack” she said leaving my mind whirling with new possibilities.
“Done,” she said triumphantly and my mouth fell open. My hair was now sleek and straight, shining down my back and it hadn’t hurt one bit.
“You have such gorgeous hair,” she said enviously and then c****d her head and regarded me thoughtfully “Have you ever worn makeup before?”
I shook my head. “I don’t own any,” I said reluctantly, not willing to tell her my father refused to buy me any and that due to my size, I didn’t really see the point.
“Oooh” she squealed “Please let me do a makeover on you. You’ll like it I swear and I won’t make you look like a street hooker, you have my word” she added seriously.
Well, I hadn’t even considered that but it was nice to know she wasn’t going to make me look like a prostitute. I gave a small laugh and shrugged. If it made her happy, what was the harm? Besides she’d just done me a massive favor, so I felt like I should do the same.
“Okay,” I said quietly, wondering what a makeover would entail as she began to dig through her makeup drawers and pull things out “But um what about Jaxon?”
She waved a hand in dismissal “he’ll be fine” she said calmly “By the time I’m finished he’ll be beating the unmated males away from you with giant sticks” she bragged, winking at me.
Oh boy, what had I let myself in for? I swallowed hard as she began to wave a makeup brush at me menacingly. “Let’s begin” she shrilled, bouncing up and down “I’m going to show you just how much of a badass goddess you are by dinnertime” she warned.