by KM Lowe
“Yes,” I say.
“No.”
Again, Karina and I looked at one another with smirks on our faces. I shake my head and hold my hand out for her to continue. Jasper hears our exchange and comes to stand beside Carlos.
“No. We’re staying. I mean, I’d like to visit Jasper’s house from time to time, but our life needs to be here.”
“Okay,” says Carlos, clearly as confused as Jasper and me. “Well, if you need anything to help this transition within the pack work, just let me know.”
“Thank you,” says Karina. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
I do a double take and watch her walk up to Carlos’s seat and sit beside Bull, who is to her right. Jasper, Carlos, and I can’t take our eyes off her.
“Hi.” She speaks softly to Bull.
“Hi,” Bull replies and sits forward, making Karina sit back slightly.
“I just wanted to apologise for the way I reacted to you the other day. I don’t know what came over me. If you’ll forgive me.” She holds a shaky hand out to Bull, and he studies her.
He holds out his hand and lets her take the plunge to take his. She shakes his hand and sighs with what must be relief.
“I’m the beta of this pack, sweetheart. I will never hurt you. No one will ever hurt you on my watch. This pack is going to be one of the safest places in the world to be, because look around this table.” Her eyes meet mine and I beam at her.
I follow her eyes around the table. Markus, Joel, Jasper, Carlos—they all smile and nod at her.
“Every single one of these guys would die to protect you. Not one of them would let anyone hurt you. I know how hard it is to transition into a new pack, and if you ever need a friendly ear, some advice, or just someone to hit, I’m your guy.”
Karina giggles, and I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding.
“Thank you, Bull. I’ll be sure to let you know if I need a sparring partner.”
I step around Jasper and hold my hand out to Karina. When she stands up, she wraps her arms around my neck and I breathe in her perfect vanilla scent.
“Have I told you tonight how much I love you?”
“Nope.” She pulls away and I place a kiss on the side of her mouth.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
My concentration is broken when cheers erupt around the table. I guess they behaved long enough.
“I’m so happy for you both,” says Lisa as she wraps her arms around Karina.”
I wrap my arms around them both, and when I look up, I see Darcy sitting on Carlos’s porch with Chardonnay. Darcy looks sad and upset. She doesn’t look like the girl that helped me in Canada, but that isn’t my problem right now. I’m just glad my girl is settling in slowly.
All I know is I’d move mountains to make her happy.
Chapter 29
Kevin
Karina and I have been awake since five a.m. I don’t think either of us got much sleep last night, and in the end, we just held each other close.
Carlos couldn’t give us any details of what this meeting is about today, but we know it’s not going to go down well. Even though we’ve been expecting it, it still doesn’t cushion the blow we’re about to receive.
It’s now six a.m., and we’re leaving our cabin to wait with the pack outside of the Alpha’s cabin. I’m hoping Jasper, Lisa, and Markus are there already, because we’re going to need each other. I’m nervous, because I think the punishment Jasper and I did isn’t over. I’m sure of it. It kills me, because I know I won’t be able to leave Karina alone. I shudder at the thought.
“You’re very quiet this morning,” says Karina.
I squeeze her hand and look out in front of us. Pack members I don’t even know yet are here to support us today. That’s what I call loyalty to Jasper.
“I’m good, babe. I’ll be even better when we get this impromptu meeting out the way. Are you okay?”
“I’m okay. My wolf doesn’t like seeing you sad.”
Yeah, I know what she means, because my beast plays up when it sees Karina upset or hurting.
“After today, we’ll never be sad again.”
We walk up the porch steps to take our places with Jasper. Lisa is sitting on Markus’s knee. He nods in our direction and I follow suit.
“Morning,” says Jasper. “Sleep okay?”
Karina and I say no in unison.
“Yeah, we didn’t either.”
“How’s this being played this morning?” I ask.
“Carlos wants me to take the lead. We’ll see what they have to say. Joel has promised to keep Darcy out of easy reach.”
“That’s something, I suppose.” I look behind us to see Joel standing beside Darcy. He’s saying something to her, and when she scowls at him, I roll my eyes. “I see their attitude to one another hasn’t changed.”
“Nope. I’m going to bang their heads together, before Lisa kills Joel,” says Jasper, making us laugh.
“Look.” Karina points to the clearing where a car pulls in. I pull her to my side and Jasper walks down the steps.
Stracey steps up beside me. I’m not sure if Jasper told her to be beside me, or if she feels safer with me and Karina, but I’m not about to ask her.
“Jasper.” Braxton steps forward, leaving Julian a few feet behind.
I turn around and push Stracey and Karina together. I kiss her cheek and take my place beside Jasper. Karina gasps, but I need to face this head on.
Someone pats me on my back. Jasper and I look over our shoulders to see Callum behind us. He’s telling us he has our backs, no matter what happens.
Jasper looks at me curiously and nods his approval. We’ve been through too much together for me to stand back. Between me, Callum, and Jasper, the council is grating on our last nerves.
“Braxton. What do we owe this pleasure?” Jasper faces the council member and folds his arms over his chest.
“You didn’t think you’d let the pack dictate to us, did you? Your pack is pissing me the fuck off this year. It isn’t hard to follow orders.”
“Piss off with your orders. We’re a pack. We stand with one another. If one is hurt, upset, lost, we step up to the plate and do whatever we can to mend it. That’s what a decent pack does. Maybe you should use your power and take control of all the fucking rogues that cause issues for our kind. Why are you here?”
Jasper sounds pissed off. Probably the worst I’ve ever heard him. He’s not standing for any bullshit this morning, and right now, I don’t blame him.
“I see you have your trusted team beside you.”
“Yup. It’s good to have back up. You should try it,” Jasper snaps.
“I wouldn’t push my patience, Jasper. I want you, Kevin, Callum, and Darcy in my office. Now!”
“Not going to happen,” says Callum.
“Are you defying me, Callum? You do know that’s the death sentence, right?” Braxton smirks.
“Bring it on, ol’ man.”
“You’re not getting any of us in your office. You want us, you’ll have to come for us.”
“That can be arranged, Jasper.”
“When that day comes, Braxton, you’d better be ready, because I will be challenging you for your place on the council. And believe me, the only person that will be sentenced to death is you.”
The whole pack whispers. I never once saw this coming. I look over my shoulder to see tears rolling down Stracey’s cheeks. Karina wraps her arm around her and I turn back to face the front.
“You really think you can take on the council and win?” Braxton laughs hysterically.
“I am the fucking council!” Jasper roars, standing forward and coming face to face with Braxton. All laughter ceases. “Without me and Callum, you’d be nothing. We do it all. We’ve fought your battles, protected our kind, executed our own because you didn’t like their way of life. Well… fuck you! This ends between us. You name the time and place and I’ll be there.”
/> Carlos, Joel, and Markus run down the steps and join Callum and me. The council will see us a united pack once and for all. They take Jasper on, they take us all on.
“Fine. I’ll get back to you with the details. In the meantime, I’m taking the witch with me.”
“What witch? If you hadn’t noticed, we’re accumulating them within the pack.”
“Don’t get smart with me, Jasper. You know fine well which witch. The one who used black magic. The one who nearly killed you. The one who is living under your pack now.”
“Over my dead body!” shouts Joel, dashing forward, but Jasper catches his arm and pulls him to a stop.
“You want Darcy, you go through us to get her, and by the looks of it, you’re outnumbered.”
I look around us, and out of nowhere, all the male pack members circle us. Even the elder pack members who usually take a back seat join us. Hamish takes up Joel’s other side and holds his hand on his chest.
“Today, I walk away. But be warned, when I return, and when I kill you, I’m taking the witch. This isn’t over, Jasper. Not by a long shot. You mark my words. Your days are numbered. Your pack is finished.”
“You keep dreaming, Braxton, because we both know who will walk away from this.” Jasper smirks.
Braxton turns on his heels and walks back to his waiting car. “Julian! Move!” he yells.
Julian smiles at Jasper and nods his head. Even he knows how this is going to play out.
“Julian,” Jasper says before he steps into the car. “I have no problems with you. I feel sorry for you. Rest assured, no matter what he tells you, you’ll always have a place on my council.”
With a nod of his head, Julian gets in the car and drives away. I stare at the car, just like everyone else does. Not a word is spoken until Stracey takes her place in front of Jasper. Her face is like stone. Tears are rolling down her cheeks. Her hands are trembling when she points a finger in his chest.
“What happened to walking away from the council?”
“I…”
Stracey cuts him off. “That doesn’t mean you challenge the fucking paranormal council to a duel. Are you off your head, you eejit! We need you. Those kids need you!” She points to us all behind Jasper.
“Stracey!” Jasper grasps her arms, shutting her up completely. “I am doing this for the kids. For us. For the pack. For our kind. This is never going to stop for as long as that bastard is running the council. Don’t you see, he’d just find excuse after excuse to make our life hell? None of us can take any more. We have vulnerable people in this pack. We’re planning on opening a health care facility for our own kind. We can’t afford to have them charging in here whenever they feel like it.”
“They’ll kill you,” sobs Stracey.
I can only bow my head, because this isn’t going to be an ordinary fight. Jasper and Braxton have their own powers. It will be a fight to the death. The one who still stands will win the battle.
“No one will kill me, Stracey. Not rogues. Not Braxton. Not black magic.”
“Black magic nearly killed you, you big-headed, stubborn arsehole. We sat at your bed! We fought the fight with you! We cried, and we counted the hours. We did that!”
“And I can’t stand back and let any more happen. I take control of the council. We have the power behind us. We live our lives the way we want. We protect our kind.”
“Where do we fit into this plan? Your family…”
“Don’t turn this into something it isn’t. My family will always come first. I don’t want to leave you all again. I’m sick and tired of doing missions. I’m sick of being the one to watch kids die. I’m tired.”
“So you take on the paranormal council. I don’t get the logic.”
I smirk, because Jasper has played a blinder here. “It means he has a team of monkeys to do his dirty work, while he plays God, father, husband, pack mate. You get the drift, Stracey?” I ask smugly.
“Was this your plan all along, Jasper?” asks Callum.
“Nope. It was something that was said this weekend. One wise woman told me to stick up for what I believe in.”
We all look at Stracey, but Jasper turns and holds his hand out to Karina.
“I don’t believe in our council anymore, and it needs to change.”
Karina steps down and takes Jasper’s hand then holds her spare hand out for me. I accept it. The whole camp is quiet. You’d hear a pin drop.
“We all believe in you Jasper,” she whispers.
“Thank you, sweetheart. You made me see that our lives can’t carry on the way they were. We all deserve a better life.”
“Just tell us what you need us to do, Jasper, because as crazy I think this all sounds, we’ll back you the whole way,” says Carlos.
An echo of ayes surrounds us, and I wrap my arm around Karina.
“All I really want is for you all to be there if and when I need you. I won’t ask you to fight, but I do ask that you support my decisions. I won’t make decisions lightly. They’ll be made with the pack in mind.”
“We trust you, Dad.” We all turn to Markus who has a crying Lisa in his arms.
“Thank you, son. Right now, I need you all. We all need one another. Callum, Kevin, will you train with me? You know what’s involved in council work, and it lets us build your strength up in the process. We never did get to do that before we left for Canada.”
“Of course,” I say.
“You don’t even need to ask me, Jasper,” says Callum. “I’m with you the whole way. I’ll even do the fucking missions so you can stay here and play happy families.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Jasper smirks, making us all laugh.
He takes Stracey’s hand and pulls her to the side of the cabin. Our pack members start to disperse, but I’m left standing with my woman in my arms. Joel holds his hand out to Darcy, and I watch carefully to see this exchange. Maybe, just maybe, this will be the making of them too.
“About time, Joel,” Lisa smarts off. “Praise the Lord.”
“Don’t jinx it, babe,” says Markus.
“Can I have the pleasure of your company, Miss Carmichael?” I whisper in Karina’s ear.
“Of course you can, Mr Witlock. Where are you taking me?”
“I’d like to say to a tropical island in the middle of nowhere. Just me and you, sun, sea, sand…”
She giggles, making my dick stir to life.
“But that’s not going to happen in this crazy life. So, what do you say about a little trip to our cabin, a nice hot bath, and a day to ourselves to absorb what’s become of our life?”
“Sounds good. I’m proud to be a part of this pack. Whatever happens with the council, we’ll get through it, because we’ve been through much worse, and nothing will break a soulmate’s bond. Ever.”
“I’m beginning to realise how strong soulmates are, babe. We’ll be fine. I know we will be. Jasper wouldn’t have done this if he didn’t think he could win. I think it will be the making of our pack.”
“Exactly. Now, take me to bed or lose me forever.” She winks.
I pick her up and place my lips on hers. I don’t care who sees us, or what they say. I love this woman with my whole being and I want the world to know about it.
Until our next chapter starts, I want to show this woman what she actually means to me.
Music Play List
1 -You Are The Reason – By Callum Scott and Leona Lewis
2 – Rise Up – By Andrea Day
3 – Just The Way You Are – By Bruno Mars
4 – Someone Like You – By Adele
5 – Just Give Me a Reason – By Pink and Nate Russ
6 – Stay With Me – By Sam Smith
7 – Photograph – By Ed Shearan
8 – Piece By Piece – By Kelly Clarkson
9 – Million Reasons – By Lady Gaga
10 – Issues – By Julia Michaels
11 -Meant To Be – By Bebe Rexha
12 – My Immortal –
By Evanescence
Summer 2018
Joel – Alive and Kicking (book 4 of The Guardian Shifters)
Joel has always led a simple life in the Highlands. Since he was rescued as a toddler, he lived with his guardians in a pack he now knows as home. He’s loved, cared for, and a part of the family. He never thought his life would change again. Well, that was until he entered Canada. When he comes face to face with a witch who was rescued from evil rogues, he doesn’t understand his thoughts and feelings for her. Even more so when he realises the witch was the one who could have killed his guardian, Jasper.
Joel sets out hiding his feelings, biting at everyone, making life miserable for himself and the pack. It isn’t until the threat of the council sets in, the thought of losing Darcy, and never seeing her again makes him see that his life needs to change.
Soulmates will overcome anything, but that’s only the case if you want a mate.
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