by KM Lowe
“That was then, this is now. When you’re a part of my team, we work together. That means you get a say. No one would think badly of you for saying you don’t want to do it.”
“It’s weird.” Kevin shuffles in his seat to sit up straight. “I feel like I have to say I’m coming with you. I don’t know why, but my beast is making this decision for me. I… I guess my decision is made.”
I study Kevin’s stiff posture and tilt my head to the side. Usually, when our wolves act up, it’s either because they want out, or they sense their mate is around. It could be that Kevin’s wolf is tired of being shut away the last couple of days, but I don’t want to say anything on the latter one.
“If you’re sure.” My eyebrows raise. I need a solid answer from Kevin.
“I am, Jasper. I’m coming with you.”
“Okay. Callum, I take it you’re on board.”
“Absolutely. You know I live for these missions.” He rubs his hands together.
Callum is an outdoors kind of guy. He’s happiest in wolf form, protecting his kind, destroying the evil.
“Can I ask you something?” Kevin turns his whole body to face Callum.
“Shoot, kid.”
“Do you miss pack life? I mean, you don’t live in a pack, do you?”
“No and no. I guess you could say that Carlos’s pack is my go to home, but I live for the moment. Each day is a new day, and I never take for granted that I’m going to be here tomorrow. I work for the council and we never get short of shit to do. The last two days has been torturing me because I’m not used to being stuck in this compound. My wolf is jumping around happy now, because we’ll be free out in the wilderness,” Callum explains excitedly and drums on the table.
I roll my eyes at him, shake my head, and sit back. It’s crazy, because there was a time I was exactly like Callum when it came to council assignments. Now, I have no fire for it. I’ve served my purpose. Lisa, Markus, and Joel are all set up with a decent life. I just need to be there for them when they need me. That’s my sole focus.
“Have you both been to Canada before?”
“We have,” I answer for both of us. “Canada’s a beautiful place. The scenery, the mountains, the wildlife… it’s amazing.” I smile as I think about Canada. I haven’t been for at least a year, but anytime I do go, it’s hard to leave. I must take Lisa and Markus on a trip there soon.
“Isn’t it bad for our kind to mix with vampires?”
Callum and I laugh, but we aren’t laughing at Kevin. We’re simply laughing at the perception he has on the whole shifter/vampire ethics.
“You’re as bad as Lisa. You’ve been reading too many books.”
“I don’t read books,” Kevin jumps in quickly.
“Well, too many movies then.”
“Try living with a rogue that thought every paranormal being was evil. I didn’t know any better.”
I fold my arms back over my chest and sit forward in my seat. “Although vampires and wolves don’t commonly come into contact with one another, it is possible. We do join forces when either side’s in trouble. Vampires aren’t the big bad monsters people perceive them as. In fact, Lelland and Lavina are the best examples for you to be introduced to, because they still lead a human life out in Meadow Springs. It’s a small village, but it’s home for them. They train vampires to live off animal blood instead of human blood. They have a big house in the middle of nowhere, and it’s housed hundreds of vampires over the years. You’ll probably meet Ashley and Dale Black. I believe they’re the latest creations of Lelland, and they live close by with their family.”
“Ah, I see you’re teaching the young Kevin already,” says Julian as he pushes through the door. “I take it you’ve all had a chance to discuss our offer.” He takes up his usual seat.
“We have,” we say in unison, which makes Braxton and Julian smile.
“Thank you. I know Lelland will be glad to have you on board, Jasper. He did ask for you personally.”
Anyone I’ve worked with before asks for me. I don’t just do the job I’m on, I care. I take the time to help my people. I build relationships, because we never know when that time will come when we need their help.
“So, the plan of action is?” I ask.
“As I said, you’ll fly out at 1300 hours. You’ll land around 2000 hours. Lelland will be there to collect you all, and he’ll transport you back to his house. You’ll be there for as long as he needs you. On your return, you’ll go home.”
“Just like that? So, we spent the last forty-eight hours in those cells for nothing.” I push my chair back, making it scrape off the stone floor.
“No. Not just like that, Jasper. We had to be seen acting against your pack for breaking rules. It’s over with. Finished. We won’t apologise for keeping order within our world,” says Braxton sternly.
He might think he acted accordingly, but we all know different and I’m done talking about it. “Can we get freshened up before we leave?”
“Of course. I’ve had your belongings brought in from your car. You have two hours to freshen up, eat, and get ready to fly out.”
“What about the witch you said you need?”
“We’ll sort something out and get back to you with that information,” Julian says. “Callum, show the boys to the guest house.”
“I know where I’m going,” I snap, and stand on my tired legs. “But, thank you.” I’m done with all the arguing and bickering. The quicker we get this done, the quicker we can go home.
CHAPTER 8
Stracey
The last forty-eight hours have been a blur for me. I’ve tended to the chores I had, kept up to date with the elders in the pack, and tended to anyone who was ill or needed my healing hands. I so desperately wanted to tap into my magic to see Jasper, to tell him that I do love him, to let him get his mind on the job, but I’m afraid to lay my heart on the line. I don’t think I can take any more heartache.
“Stracey!” I hear my name being yelled from a small distance away, so I open my front door and stand on my path. Running towards me, blond locks flying through the air, I spot Chardonnay. “Thank God! You need to come with me. Carlos needs you! Come on!” Chardonnay pulls my hand and I just manage to pull my door closed as the air flies past me.
“Chardonnay, what’s the hurry? Who’s hurt?”
Worry crosses my features and my mind works overtime. Chardonnay is usually a calm person, even in an emergency, so I know something terrible is wrong.
We stop dead in front of the Alpha’s cabin, and I try to get my breath back. I bend over just as the front door opens. Chardonnay leaves my side to go to her Alpha, and I smile when his arm circles her shoulders and a small kiss is placed on her forehead.
“What’s going on?” I puff and pant like an old woman.
“Come in, little one. I need to talk with you.” Carlos turns and leaves me standing at the bottom of his stairs. I climb them slowly and enter the cabin. My heart is pounding in my chest as every scenario enters my overactive brain.
Carlos turns to me, holding his hand out for me to take a seat.
“I’m fine standing, thank you.”
“I’m sorry to drag you here in a hurry, but I need to tell you something important…”
“Don’t. Please don’t tell me Jasper’s hurt.”
“He isn’t. The council have assured me of his safety, but this is a matter for you to think about.”
“What is it?”
Carlos leans against his table and grips the sides with his hands. His knuckles turn white, and I can’t take the suspense anymore.
“I’ve just come off the phone to Julian. Now, please hear me out, because it’s very important.” Carlos pauses. “Jasper and Kevin have been locked in the cells for forty-eight hours.” I gasp and hold my hand over my mouth. “They’re fine. In fact, they’re flying out to Canada at 1300 hours.” I look down at my watch and notice he’ll be leaving in forty-five minutes. “The thing is, Jasper, Kevin, an
d Callum, have agreed to go to Canada to help on a very delicate case. If they do this, their punishment will be over with. They’ve all agreed to do this mission.”
I let out a breath. Chardonnay is back by my side, squeezing my hand in reassurance. “I get the feeling there’s more to this.”
“There is. They need a witch to go with them.”
“But I can’t leave your pack without a healer. I also don’t associate with the council.”
“Not even to help Jasper come home sooner? Besides, Lisa has agreed to come and help until you return.”
“Lisa hasn’t got a grasp of her power yet. It isn’t fair to throw her into the deep end head first without a float.”
“She knows how to heal shifters. She healed Markus. She’s healed a couple of the pups’ scrapes and bruises. She can cover until you get back.”
I shake my head and pace up and down the room, biting my nails as I go.
“It’s up to you, honey. Jasper did tell the council not to ask you. I believe he told them to use their database.” Chardonnay breaks through the fog that was clouding my judgement.
“So, Jasper doesn’t know that they’ve asked me.”
Carlos shakes his head. “I think he’ll be furious at Julian and Braxton for going against him. However, it’s for a good cause.”
“Can you tell me what the cause is?”
“I can tell you what I know. There’s an issue in Canada regarding rogue wolves. They’ve been kidnapping young girls between the ages of fifteen and seventeen. Shifters, vampires, and any other paranormal beings are targeted. They’ve been kidnapped, raped, and abused. Some disappear with no trace, which is why Lelland and Lavina couldn’t intervene before.”
“Now they need the council’s help,” Chardonnay finishes off for her mate. “We know this is a big thing for you. We don’t particularly like putting you in this position, but Carlos had to be seen as asking you.”
“Okay. I’ll do this for Jasper and Kevin. I want you to make it clear that I’m not doing this to help the council. I return home when this is over with and I never get asked to help them again.”
“Agreed. I’ll tell them now. Do you want to go pack and we’ll get you to the airfield? It’s about thirty minutes from here so we need to act soon.”
“Okay. I’ll go now.”
I can’t believe I’m doing this. Not only am I helping the council, but I’m going to see Jasper. I get to make my peace with him. I get to tell him how I really feel. The Goddess really does want us to be together.
CHAPTER 9
Jasper
It’s amazing how quickly the last two hours have flown by. It was even better getting a roasting hot shower. Just the feel of the hot water cascading down my aching skin was pure bliss. It just shows what we take for granted in the real world, because I never once imagined missing a shower, or a comfortable bed.
Now, all three of us are standing in the hangar, waiting for the pilot to let us board. Julian and Braxton have kept their distance from us since they explained the mission in the conference room. Maybe that’s a good thing, because they’d just make me angry, and my head doesn’t need to be messed up with that as well.
“How long does it take to get there?” Kevin asks.
Before I can say anything, Callum says, “About seven hours. You can get some shut eye while we’re up in the air.”
I’m distracted by a Jeep pulling up outside the hangar. A Jeep I know well–Carlos’s. What the hell is he doing here? I take a step forward as he gets out of the running motor and opens his back door. I feel Kevin and Callum at my back, clearly curious to see what’s going on.
“What are you doing here, Carlos?” I ask, continuing to step forward.
The moment I see long black hair, I know exactly what’s going on. I turn on my heel, grab Julian by the throat, and hold him against the wall. “You bastard! I told you not to drag her into this mess. What will it take for you to fucking listen?”
“Jasper!” Carlos yells and drags me off Julian. “Do you want to sign your own death certificate? Calm the fuck down!”
I shrug out of Carlos’s grip and pace back and forth with my hands on my head. “If anything happens to her, you rest assured, I’m coming for you.” I point at Julian as he straightens up his shirt and jacket.
“Jasper.” I look at Carlos, and he holds his thumb over his shoulder. I turn to where he’s pointing, and Stracey stands very still at the front of his Jeep, her suitcase on the ground beside her, hands clasped in front of her chest. Without another word, I step towards her and wrap my arms around her. Her arms wrap around my torso. Her body relaxes and her warmth spreads through me.
“Why did you agree to this?” I pull back slightly and place my hands on her cheeks.
“Honestly?” I nod, and she blinks several times. “I needed to see you first and foremost. But, I want to help those girls. I want to be by your side. I…”
“If you’re here, who’s taking your place at the pack?” I stop her from saying anything else because I won’t leave our pack high and dry while we go off playing knights in shining armour.
“All under control, buddy.” Carlos comes up behind me. I feel his presence before his hand pats my back. “Lisa is stepping in to help with her healing powers.”
“What? She can’t, she has exams. She doesn’t have control of her power. She’ll kill herself to save someone else,” I say. This has disaster written all over it.
“She’ll be fine. It was either Stracey come to Canada or Lisa, and I knew if Lisa came, Markus would be with her. I gave Stracey the choice first. You nearly decapitated Julian for bringing Stracey here. You’d have done damage if it was Lisa standing here.”
He was too fucking right. Lisa doesn’t need to be thrust into this dangerous lifestyle. She’s better off with Markus at home, or in the pack.
“And that brings me here.” Stracey smiles at me and I feel the ice around my heart break, my agitation eases up slightly, and my walls lower. “Lisa will be fine, Jasper. Morag will be her shadow if she needs to perform any form of magic or healing.”
“We could be in Canada for weeks, or even months. Carlos, are you prepared for that? I won’t hurt your pack.”
“We’ll be fine. We have no threats against us. Just go. Keep in touch. I know Markus and Lisa are dying to speak with you.”
“I’ll call when we arrive at Lelland’s. Just keep an eye on them, Carlos.”
“Nothing’s changed. They’re a part of my family and I’ll do anything I can until you return.”
My hands drop from Stracey’s cheeks and I turn to give Carlos a pat on the back. “Okay. Go. Get back to the pack.”
“Take care. Call if you need anything.” Carlos says before heading back to his Jeep.
I bend to pick up Stracey’s suitcase and we head back to Kevin and Callum. I don’t acknowledge Julian or Braxton. I can’t be responsible for my actions, and right now, I’m more than pissed off.
“Let’s get going,” I say, as I start my ascent up the steps to the entrance of the jet. “We have a long trip ahead of us.”
I have to try and compose myself. I have to lock down my anger, because I don’t want Stracey to pick up on it. I’m not angry at her; quite the opposite. If we weren’t facing danger, I’d be more than happy that she’s here. I just can’t bear to lose anyone else.
I need to spend the next eight hours getting my head around this mission. Everything will be fine. I’ll repeat that mantra in my head until we’re all making our way back to Scotland.
CHAPTER 10
Stracey
I’ve spent the last sixty-three minutes watching Jasper sleeping beside me on the relaxing reclining chairs. Anyone can see he’s absolutely shattered. I don’t even want to think about the way he was treated, because that just boils my blood and leaves me feeling out of control, and my grandmother taught me to never lose control, because it makes me vulnerable. I rest my head back, imagining what my grandmother would say to
me right now. She would’ve given me a piece of her mind for treating Jasper the way I did last weekend. My flight mode kicked in, leaving my fighting side defenceless. I couldn’t see another way to protect me and Jasper, but I fear I’ve pushed him away for good.
I lift my hand slowly and place it over his. His hands are large, very soft, and for a man, they’re beautiful. I can just picture these hands on my body, taking my clothes off, making me forget everything bad in this world, because just having Jasper around starts that process.
I close my eyes, never releasing Jasper’s hand. I want him to wake up and feel our connection. I want him to see that I need him more than anything in this world. I don’t just want to be his soulmate. I want to be his friend, lover, and protector. I want every title known to man. I can’t help the way my mind works when I’m this close to the only man I’ve ever loved.
The only man I ever will love.
***
“Strace…”
I jerk myself awake and try to sit forward, but a large hand on the side of my cheek stops me. “What time is it?” I ask groggily.
I can’t believe I fell asleep. I never sleep up in the air because I hate flying. I’d rather walk a million miles than fly, no joke.
“We’re going to land in thirty minutes. I didn’t want to wake you because you looked so peaceful.”
I’m distracted by Jasper’s hand caressing my cheek. His head is a mere centimetre away from mine. I can smell his aftershave, and that sets a fire burning in my stomach.
“I don’t usually sleep on planes.” I shake my head softly. “Did you get enough sleep?”
He nods, a smile creeping across his handsome face. “I did. You know why?” I shake my head and concentrate on his lips. “Because I felt your hand on mine. Because I could smell that floral perfume you wear. My wolf was relaxed for the first time in days. He still is.”
“Th… that’s good. I’m glad you feel rested. You looked terrible when I met you at the hangar.”
“I felt terrible. I guess I’m getting too old for pulling all night stunts like that. How about you? How do you feel?”
