"Jacob… are you Alpha Damon's mate?"
Jiro's question came so suddenly that it caught Jacob off guard, pulling his attention away from the quiet rustling of leaves above them. He turned his head slowly, meeting Jiro's gaze.
After the introductions inside, the four of them had stepped out to give the Alphas some privacy. Now they sat beneath the wide tree where Jacob often spent his time alone. It was the one place in the pack where he could breathe a little easier, away from the weight of expectations and the constant presence of others.
For a brief moment, Jacob said nothing.
The question lingered in the air, heavier than it should have been.
Then, finally, he answered. "No… I'm not." His voice was calm, almost too steady. "I'm just his personal assistant."
He looked away as soon as the words left his mouth, fixing his gaze somewhere ahead as if the ground held more comfort than their eyes.
"Personal assistant?" Clyde echoed softly, the confusion in his tone barely hidden.
