Jessa looked at her in confusion and Abella blew out a frustrated breathe until a sudden though popped into her head.
“Your brother asked that you call him so that he knows you are all right. Ask him about the concept I mentioned and see what he says. As an experienced man, he should know more about dating than either of us.”
She was stunned to watch a weird expression cross Jessa’s face before Jessa put her head down.
“Caden is 26,” she informed Abella.
Abella got up from the table and said softly, “He has the experience so ask him, Jessa” before she walked out of the room heading upstairs. If Jessa was staying the night, she needed to check the guest bedroom and make sure to put clean sheets on the bed. He was 26, huh, she thought to herself before shaking her head clearing it of its thought. She focused on the task, and that was preparing the guest bedroom for her visitor.
In the kitchen, Jessa sat there for a moment before she got up and walked over to the phone on the wall.
Picking it up, she dialed her brother’s cell number and waited as it rung.
“Hello,” she heard him say tersely.
“Caden,” she whispered a catch in her voice.
“Jessa, are you okay?” he asked in a worried voice all terseness gone.
“I am fine, Caden,” she answered with a weak laugh.
She knew her brother would know that she wasn’t, but he would pretend for a while that it was the truth.
“I am glad,” Caden responded running a hand through his black hair. Then he said, “I am also glad that you shifted back before you arrived at your friend’s place. Did she ask you why you showed up at her door naked?”
Jessa didn’t correct his assumption that she shifted before she arrived at Abella’s place, and she answered truthfully, “No, she didn’t ask although she did look at me strangely.”
She heard Caden’s sigh of relief and she shook her head at his relief knowing that once he found out the truth, he was going to be very upset.
She bit her lip as she thought about what Abella had told her to ask him and then she said slowly, “Caden is there a difference between being kissed and kissing someone?”
Caden, on the other end, was startled at her question and asked, “Why do you ask?”
“No reason,” she said with a sigh before she admitted, “Abella turned around and asked if Jenna was kissing him, or if Timothy was kissing her. She believes that there is a difference, but I don’t see the difference. She said I should ask you as you would have more experience than either one of us and probably could explain it to me better.
Caden shook his head as he settled down in his office chair and he heard his wolf purr at the idea of Abella founding them experienced.
“Jessa, remember a few months ago when at that conference, the young man Aidan grabbed and kissed you just as Timothy and I walked in the room,” he reminded her.
“Yeah,” she said frowning in thought. “Timothy had been madder than hell and it took me most of the day to calm him down, and stop him from attacking the man. I had to assure him that he kissed me not…” she suddenly stopped in midsentence.
Caden said softly, “Exactly. There is a difference to being kissed and actually kissing someone of your own choosing.”
“Why would Jenna kiss him all of sudden though?” Jessa asked in confusion. “She always told me that he was nothing important and she would never look at him twice.”
Caden sighed again as he explained to her what he had told Timothy a few hours before.
After he was done, Jessa was silent but he could feel her fury vibrating through the phone.
“If you mark her Caden,” she said in a deadly voice, “I will personally make it my mission in life to make both of your lives a living hell.”
Caden laughed as he assured her, “You don’t have to worry about that, baby sis.”
Jessa made a face at that but she asked, “Has anyone captured your attention like Leana?”
“No, Jessa,” Caden said without hesitations although in the back of his mind his wolf was snarling lightly, You are lying to her…and to yourself as well.
He ignored his wolf as he listened to his sister sigh before she muttered, “One day hopefully you will.”
He changed the subject quickly, “We have the council and a few fighter wolves coming in another hour.”
She gasped as she admitted, “I am sorry. I completely forgot about them coming tonight.”
“I will make your excuses for this evening, Jessa, but please be here tomorrow,” Caden requested although Jessa knew it was more than that.
Jessa was frowning as Abella returned to the kitchen about ten minutes later.
“What’s the matter, Jessa?” Abella asked as she walked over to a door that opened off the kitchen.
Jessa explained what Caden and she talked about as Abella loaded the laundry into the washing machine.
“Caden believes that I shifted back before I arrived at your door,” she stated looking up at her and Abella shrugged her shoulders.
“He assumed that you did so I let him,” she confirmed.
Jessa nodded her head with a sigh before she continued, “We have visitors tonight. I was supposed to act as his hostess and as the Alpha’s sister.”
Abella asked, “So if you are not there, who acts as his hostess?”
Jessa jumped up from the table after a moment of thought and she snarled, “Jenna most likely for Caden has been busy with some other matters to really think about it.”
Abella waited for the conclusion she had known was going to occur when Jessa told her about the meeting.
“I have an hour to get there and get ready,” Jessa stated looking at the clock.
“I can help you with that if you would like me too,” Abella told her with an uplifted eyebrow.
Jessa chewed on her bottom lip for a moment before she nodded her head.
“Did you have something picked out for tonight?” Abella asked ushering her out of the kitchen and through the living room as they headed upstairs.
Jessa scowled as she said, “Not really.”
Abella nodded her head and with a thoughtful look, said, “Come with me. Maybe something in my closet may fit you although some alterations will probably be needed.”
Jessa followed Abella up to her bedroom and she liked what she saw as she stepped in.
“Very cozy and feminine,” Jessa said with a laugh.
Abella blushed slightly as she shrugged her shoulders.
“Go take a look and see if there is anything in my closet that you like,” Abella said indicating the closet before walking over to her dresser.
Jessa nodded her head and headed for the closet stopping for a moment to look at the picture beside the bed. The couple in the picture was very good-looking while the young child was cute as a button.
Jessa smiled before opening the closet and looking through it.
“You actually have some decent clothes,” said an astonished Jessa.
“Geez thanks,” Abella commented in a dry voice that caused Jessa to laugh.
She eventually found a simple black dress and she walked it out of the closet remarking to Abella, “This dress still has the price tag on it.”
Abella looked over and rolled her eyes as she retorted, “My cousin thought the dress would look good on me so she bought it for me, or she said she did anyway. That was three days before I left hence the tag still on it.”
Jessa shook her head as she placed it up against her, “So what do you think?”
Abella turned to look at her and advised, “Let’s see how it fits. Go try it on.”
Jessa took the dress to the bathroom and changed. She was amazed that the dress fit her until she maneuvered to see the size and she frowned heading back to the room.
“So did your cousin do that often?” Jessa asked as soon as she entered the room.
Abella didn’t pretend to misunderstand what Jessa was talking about as she said without
anger, “It was an incentive for me.”
Jessa only shook her head as she smoothed down the dress as she observed, “It could use a belt.”
Abella turned to look at her and she frowned as she said, “You are right a belt would look nice with it.”
Her frown deepened as she turned back to her dresser looking through the top drawer.
“What about this one, Jessa?” she asked turning around with a wide black belt with a silver clasp.
Jessa looked closely at the clasp and she chuckled as she noticed what it was looking up at Abella.
“It was a gift,” Abella admitted handing it to her.
For the next forty-five minutes, they tried and discarded different items to accompany the dress. Finally, they decided on the belt with a flower design as the clasp although both liked the first one better and matching earrings and necklace. Unfortunately, for shoes, Jessa had to wait until she got back to the pack house because Abella’s shoes were one size too big.
“Sorry about that,” Abella said as they went back downstairs. “I have big feet.”
“One problem,” Jessa said after she chuckled at her comment. “How do I get home without messing up the outfit?”
She muttered to herself, “I could call Caden.”
She stopped when she saw Abella grimace at the idea.
“Okay, smartass, then how do I get home?” Jessa said putting her hands on her hips.
“Oh yea, of little faith,” Abella quoted before telling her, “Think about your room for me.”
Jessa rolled her eyes but did as she asked and thought about her room.
“Have a good evening, Jessa,” Abella said, and Jessa looked at her in confusion as Abella smiled. Then she began saying a spell and after a movement of her hands, the room began to spin on Jessa and she gasped before closing her eyes.
When she opened them a few minutes later, she was standing in the middle of her own room.
“What?” she whispered softly startled before she remembered.
Laughing aloud, she went to her closet to find her black heels. Slipping them on, she walked over to her mirror to check her appearance and satisfied she headed out of the room going downstairs.
Caden flinched inside as the council members began to arrive with their own fighter wolves behind them. Caden knew it was customary for the Council members who were all capable of taking care of themselves to have at least four fighter wolves with them when they visited other packs. Jenna had made her position as his hostess known so when he felt a presence at his side, he stiffened slightly, which the head council member noticed until his sister spoke.
“I am sorry that I am late,” she said in a soft voice. “Mr. Aldermen, it is a pleasure to see you again. I hope the journey wasn’t too tiring.”
Caden was relieved tremendously and if he only knew it that relief was evident in his eyes for all of the council members to see, he would have been angry with himself for showing even that much emotion to any one else.
Jessa saw the anger and resentment in Jenna’s eyes later that evening as they settled down for dinner.
Did you really think that you could be more than his bedmate, Jessa taunted her through the mind-link although she knew that Caden may choose her if given no other alternative.
Jenna stiffened before she shot back, I will be his Alpha Female. Watch me.
Sitting next to Caden, Mr. Aldermen listened in on their conversation and his eyes gleamed with a knowledge that only a handful of individuals knew.
He looked toward Caden out of the corner of his eyes and wondered if this Alpha could handle the chaos his life was about to enter.
Chapter 5
The next morning, Jessa made breakfast for the members in the house. Jenna came in as she was finishing up with the cleaning after she placed everything into the warmer until everyone came down.
“What are you doing?” Jenna hissed at her from the doorway.
“Cleaning, and good morning to you, too, Jenna,” Jessa said politely as she continued her task.
“I was going to make breakfast this morning,” Jenna said with a frown and a little sniff.
“I have already made breakfast this morning, Jenna,” Jessa said in an apologetic tone.
Jenna was seething with rage that she hid quickly when they heard footsteps heading for the kitchen.
“Good morning, ladies,” Mr. Alderman said with his silver eyes gleaming.
“Good morning, sir,” Jenna said with respect.
“Jessa, dear,” he said overriding Jenna who was about to say something, “You looked fabulous last night and I hope that your mate told you so.”
Jessa blushed although her eyes turned sad and Mr. Alderman noticing it just shook his head with a loud sigh.
“Mates fight, dearie,” he advised as he sat down at the table. “If you don’t fight then something is seriously wrong between the two of you.”
Caden had come in behind him and headed straight for the coffee pot as he nodded to his sister.
At the council member’s words, he frowned down into the coffee he had just poured.
Jenna laughed saying in a teasing voice, “Mr. Alderman, why would mates fight?”
“My dear young woman,” he said before nodding at Caden as he gave him a cup of coffee. “All couples fight even those who are destined to be together. If you don’t fight, then that means one or both of the individuals in the relationship are merely going along instead of thinking for themselves.”
Jenna tilted her head to the side and Mr. Alderman knew that she was dismissing what he said, but she wouldn’t admit it.
“Of course, sir,” she said with a bow of her head. “If you will excuse me, I have a few things that I need to do.”
He nodded his head in dismissal not missing the wink and kiss she threw towards Caden or the snort that it elicited from Jessa.
“Jessa,” Caden said in a warning voice that made Jenna throw her a smug look before leaving the room.
Mr. Alderman waited until she was gone from the house before he said, “The young woman is determined to become your mate, Caden.”
Caden flinched as Jessa stiffened where she stood fixing their plates. She shook her head sharply and continued fixing the plates bringing them over, and sitting them down in front of them. She went back over to the counter to grab her own coffee cup before coming back to the table to sit down.
“You don’t think she would make a good Alpha Female and mate for Caden,” he asked her after she settled in her chair.
She spoke honestly, “No, sir, I do not.”
He nodded his head as he began to eat and he said in astonishment, “You have gotten better since the last time I was here.”
“Thank you, sir,” Jessa said not mentioning Abella.
“So where were we?” He asked as he focused on the conversation that they were having before he interrupted it. He ate a little more before exclaiming, “Oh, yes, the question of Jenna being your Alpha Female, Caden.”
Caden stiffened in his chair as Mr. Alderman looked over at him with his silver eyes, and asked, “Have you thought of marking her as your Alpha Female?
Jessa stilled in her seat as Caden narrowed his black eyes at him, but he admitted honestly.
“Yes, I have thought about it.”
Mr. Alderman nodded his head as he finished his breakfast before continued speaking.
“You are not going to like what I have to say, Caden, but I would appreciate if you would hear me out before you get up and walk out of the room,” he asked leaning back in his seat with his coffee.
Caden nodded his head, but his face was hard with tension and he could feel his wolf getting angry at what was coming.
“The other council members believe that you should mate and mark someone as your Alpha Female,” Mr. Alderman said bluntly, and he raised a hand as Caden sat up in his seat and opened his mouth to speak.
Caden snapped his mouth closed, but his eyes gleamed with anger as his wolf snarled and t
ugged at his control.
“I know how you feel, Caden, but as an Alpha who has the responsibility of an entire pack on your hands, you need someone to be there for you to aid you in your position. Believe me, I know that you can handle the pack without a mate, but you shouldn’t have to and the Council wants to make sure that the pack doesn’t deteriorate because of the fact that you don’t have an Alpha Female.”
Caden bit out, “Is having an Alpha Female that important for the survival of my pack?”
Mr. Alderman sighed in sadness before admitting, “I don’t believe so, but the rest of the Council doesn’t share my opinion. They prefer that you choose an Alpha Female for the pack.”
He sighed again before he put down his cup and leaned his elbows on the table to look at Caden directly with his silver eyes.
“Caden, I suggest you choose a female you have some feelings for more than just as a bedmate,” he advised him.
Caden’s eyes narrowed farther into slits as he grated out, “What if I don’t have any feelings for any other woman besides my sister?”
“Well,” Mr. Alderman said slowly, “I have to admit we would frown on you mating and marking your sister as your lover and partner.”
Jessa eyes widened with shock and suppressed laughter as Caden shook his head as a rueful grin showed on his face.
“No, I wouldn’t do that to Jessa,” Caden admitted. “As much as I love her, I don’t love her in that respect.”
He turned to Jessa with a teasing smile, “Sorry, Jessa.”
“That is a relief,” Jessa said putting a hand on her head. “Because I think, no offense brother dear, that is just gross.”
Caden laughed before turning to Mr. Alderman and the laughter wiped off his face just as quickly as it came.
“How long do I have to decide?” Caden asked.
“We are going to be here until the end of the week. You have until we leave to make your decision,” Mr. Alderman told him.
Jessa paled, “That does not give him much time,” she uttered quietly.
“We know, but we would like to have this settled as soon as possible,” Mr. Alderman said agreeing privately that the council should give him more time.
The Witch Prophecy Page 4
