Jasper was tense beside me. “Where is he now?”
“Still in the hall. Melana’s orders are that no one leaves that hall until Hayden has scanned them. My men are watching his. I’m sure he is loving that!”
“So why the look that passed between you two?” I looked form one to the other.
Jasper grinned. “Remember how I was explaining about the second shift?”
I nodded.
Matthew smiled. “We trained together under Parker. If there is such a thing as black sheep among Namaels, it’s us. Actually, the whole second shift is considered to be outcasts. Well, except for Taylor.”
“But you are two of Melana’s best captains!”
Jasper shrugged. “We get the job done with minimal casualties on our side. It’s the way we go about it that the higher ups don’t appreciate. I’m sure that had it been up to Parker we would have gotten kicked off of the guard. I think it helped that Marilynn took a liking to us. She’s his mate. I think if she had been a man she would have ended up on the second shift as well. You should see the two of them together. He’s so proper and she’s so…well, you’ve met her.”
I smiled. “So the two of you changed orders and now the two of you are bond free or close to it. I think I’m starting to see a pattern. Is there anyone else out there who might be joining our crew?”
Matthew looked at Jasper. “Kendall?”
Jasper nodded. “That’s a good possibility. How about Cole”
Matthew started to laugh. “Definitely.”
I looked at the rip in his pants. “Did he use his dagger on you?” The thought of someone attempting to kill Matthew had my adrenaline pumping.
“No. I broke a chair against him and he used a piece of it to try and stab me.”
“How hurt is he?”
Matthew shrugged. “He was unconscious when I left. I know I broke his arm.”
I took a deep breath to calm down. “Alright. Let’s go down there. He’ll need fixing and hopefully we don’t find any humans in his pack.”
We headed down to the hall, the two of them side by side ahead of me. I could see the tension building in their shoulders and backs the closer we got to our destination. Jasper reached for the door.
“Jasper. Matthew.”
They turned to look at me.
“Relax. A spy isn’t the worst thing I’ve been called.” I smiled. “Jasper, your bonds are broken. Matthew, yours are breaking. You’re able to accept things more willingly. Those who are still bound to Melana don’t have the luxury of deviating from the norm around here. Now, when we go in there, no fighting. If they want to insult me, let them. We’ll do what we are here to do and leave.” I looked from one to the other. “Understood?”
Matthew glanced at Jasper. “I forgot how bossy she was.”
Jasper grunted and smiled at me. “Get used to it.”
I stuck my tongue out at the two of them. Jasper swung open the door and we made our way into the large room. The first thing I did was scan everyone’s auras. Matthew looked down at me and I shook my head.
“They’re all good.” I started walking toward the man who, by the looks of him, I assumed was Parker. Jasper and Matthew stayed right behind me.
Parker was a very well built man. He looked to be in his forties. His hair was black with a hint of silver. His dark brown eyes glared past me to Matthew as we neared. He was leaning against the wall, his right arm cradled in his left. A cut on his left temple was leaving a trail of blood down the side of his face and soaking into his shirt. I spotted a broken chair a few feet away.
I stopped and looked at him. “Parker?”
He nodded.
“Could I speak with you a moment?” From the way he was keeping the pain off of his features and the looks he was throwing Matthew, I knew he was a proud man. It would take a bit of convincing to get him to let me heal his injuries. I started to walk to the far corner of the room.
Jasper and Matthew made to follow and I held up my hand. “Just me and him.”
Matthew frowned and Jasper opened his mouth then closed it. They each grabbed a chair and sat down where they could still see us.
The older captain started to lead the way to the corner and pulled a chair out for me with his good arm before sitting on one himself.
“Thank you.”
He nodded, looked at Jasper and Matthew, and looked at me curiously. “Does your whole pack listen to you that way?” Everyone insisted on calling our group a pack and I had given up trying to correct them.
I shrugged and he laughed.
“Those two have been a pain in my rear since they became of age and joined my pack. When Melana promoted them to captains and gave them their own packs, I was glad to be rid of them. I’m impressed, young lady. I don’t think I even got those two to look in the direction I wanted them too.”
It was my turn to laugh.
“What can I do for you?”
“Matthew told me about your conversation before your, um, disagreement.”
Parker surprised me by turning red. “Yes, well, no harm meant really. I was really just trying to get under his skin. I try not to judge any being until I’ve actually met them. I meant no disrespect to you.”
I waved off his apology and smiled. “I’ve been called worse than a spy.”
He pressed his arm against his temple and wiped the blood away.
“I was hoping you would let me heal you.”
“You have a magic wielder’s amulet. A sorceress can’t heal.”
“I can.”
“You don’t have a healer’s tattoo.”
I cringed. “I’m getting that tomorrow.”
He chuckled. “I don’t envy you. Hanna had to stitch me up once. I think I’d rather die than let her do that again.”
“Thanks. That made me feel much better.” I smirked at him. “And with that piece of information in my pocket, I can tell you that if you don’t let me heal you, I’ll have to stitch you. What in the world did he hit you with?”
“Well, the chair broke my arm. My head split open when I fell and hit it against the corner of the table. He always was good at hand to hand combat.” He shook his head and I had to laugh. “Bastard.”
“So what do you say?”
“Well, with the threat of needles being thrown in my face, I’ll take the option of letting you heal me.” He smiled.
“Thank you.” I pulled my chair closer to his and let the green waves flow in front of me. He sucked in a breath and kept his eyes closed for a few moments before nodding and looking at me.
“No, Miss Hayden. Thank you.”
“So, now that you’ve met me, can I get your opinion on my character?”
Parker grinned and looked at Jasper and Matthew who hadn’t moved a muscle since sitting down.
“They may have been a pain in my rear, but they are also two of the best at what they do. I should know. I trained them.” He chuckled. “They are also good men. If they believe you are to be trusted, I’ll not argue with them.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “But don’t tell them that.”
I started to laugh and his dark eyes glinted with amusement.
“They have been sitting there for ten minutes. If you can get them to follow orders that well, then you’ve got my respect and admiration.”
I smiled. “I’ve seen the men you helped turn them into. If they were as hard headed then as they are now then you must be an amazing teacher.”
Parker took my hand and kissed my knuckles softly. “You’re flattering an old man.”
I smiled. “I don’t flatter unless I mean it and I can’t lie to save my own life. Trust me, I’ve tried.”
He laughed. “I like you, Miss Hayden.”
“I’m glad. I like you too.”
We made our way back toward Jasper and Matthew, who stood at our approach. Parker nodded to Jasper who nodded back.
“Parker.”
“Jasper. It is my understanding that you are fated to Miss Hayden.�
�
Jasper nodded again. Parker glanced down at me and grinned. “Lucky man. She’s a rare little thing, isn’t she?”
I blushed.
“And what is she to you, Matthew?”
Matthew put a hand on my shoulder. “She’s a friend. A sister.”
The elder captain frowned and looked back to the two younger ones. “If anything I have ever said makes it into those thick skulls of yours, let it be this. Keep her safe.”
Jasper and Matthew looked at each other then back to Parker and nodded.
Parker took my hand again and gave me a small bow. “Miss Hayden, it has been my pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
I smiled and gave him a hug. “The pleasure was all mine. If I don’t see you again before we leave, stay safe.”
“Same to you, Miss Hayden, same to you.”
“Alright, men,” Matthew addressed his pack. “They’re all clear. Our shift is over, everyone go home.”
Some of the men from Matthew’s pack came to say hello before leaving. Quite a few of them had been with us on our quest to rescue Jasper from the Maj cave. More than a few of Parker’s men looked at me warily before making their way out of the room.
“Captain?”
Matthew turned to look at the speaker. “Yes, Roger?”
Roger had just tuned of age a year ago and had been a part of Matthew’s pack ever since. He was pale with sandy blond hair and dark brown eyes. I had to look up when I talked to him, but not much.
“I had a question for Hayden, if that’s alright.”
I wanted to laugh and would have had he not looked so serious. “What is it, Roger?”
“Well, it’s no secret, really, that Matthew will be leaving us to join your pack soon.”
Matthew and Jasper looked at each other over Roger’s head and smiled.
“I was just wondering, if when he did, would it be alright if I came, too?”
I smiled and nodded. “If you feel your place is with us then you are more than welcome,” I reassured him.
His whole composure relaxed.
“Alright. Run along, Roger. Take advantage of the next few days. Who knows when we’ll be back here again.”
“Yes, sir.” Roger saluted Matthew and Jasper then stopped short when he got to me. “Um, Hayden?”
“Hmm?”
“Do I salute you?”
Try as I might, I couldn’t stop the laughter this time. “Oh, god, please….no! Don’t ever salute me!”
Roger stood awkwardly and I took a deep breath to stop the laughter. “Just a hug will do.” His eyes widened in surprise as I wrapped my arms around him then stepped back. “Have fun on your days off, Roger.”
He cleared his throat, his face red. “Um. Yes. I’ll do that.” He turned on his heel and headed out of the room.
“So any big plans for the afternoon?” asked Matthew.
Jasper took my hand and shook his head. “We were actually just about to lay down for a nap when you came to the room.”
I smiled. “Yes. Let’s do that. Do you want to meet at the pub for supper, Matthew?”
“Sure. I’ll see you there.”
We parted ways with our friend and made our way to our room.
“Now, where were we,” whispered Jasper as he nibbled on my ear.
I lay back onto the bed and pulled him down to me. “I believe we were right about here.”
*****
Jasper’s heart jumped and he smiled to himself. How did she do that? All she had to do was look at him and he had to remember to breathe. Greg, one of the younger guards in Matthew’s pack spun her away from him on the dance floor then pulled her back. Her laughter floated over to him. Her hair was loose and flew in long dark chestnut waves around her as she moved. The firelight caught in her eyes and highlighted the gold in them.
Jenny, Greg’s mate, sat across from him, watching the pair on the dance floor. She brushed some of her dark auburn hair out of her face. Her pale green eyes were full of her smile as she watched her mate try to blow blond bangs out of his midnight blue eyes without losing his step. The door opened and she turned to see who was coming in. She smiled nicely then turned to Jasper and frowned.
“I told her not to bother. She knows how it works. She insisted she would come see for herself; that obviously the rules were changing and that maybe things weren’t set in stone anymore.”
He frowned, confused, and looked up to see who had entered the pub. He swallowed his groan before it made its way up his throat. It never failed. If he was in Pinsaber, it was guaranteed that Leah would find him. He remembered how he had thought her to be one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen the first time he had met her. She stood a couple of inches taller than Hayden with long raven black hair and light blue eyes. He had been nineteen and just been promoted to captain. She was a year younger and had been determined that the two of them were meant to be together. He had tried. She couldn’t take that away from him. Yet deep down, he’d known; there would be someone else. The first night he had dreamed of Hayden everything had fallen into place; for him, at least.
His first instinct was to stand politely. He decided against it. Leah smoothed her dark red very form fitting dress and sat beside him, pulling her chair closer to his.
“Hello, Jasper.” She smiled one of her inviting smiles, one of the ones that had made his stomach knot in anticipation. He wanted to grin at the fact that it had absolutely no effect on him now. Instead, he nodded politely and pulled his chair a bit farther away from hers.
“Leah.”
The song ended and the music started up again, slower this time. Greg came to find Jenny. Jasper looked up, hoping to use the distraction to get Hayden on the dance floor, only to find that Matthew had already gotten to her.
“Is something wrong?” Leah breathed into his ear.
“Not at all. I was going to see if Hayden wanted another drink, but Matthew has her dancing already.”
“I thought that was her name. I can’t remember who told me.”
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, wishing that this situation would simply go away. His eyes flew open at the feel of her hand on the inside of his thigh.
“By the moons, Leah, why are you here?” He pushed his chair even farther back.
“You know why I’m here. You were mine first.” Her full lips pouted.
“Leah, I’ll tell you I’m sorry again if that’s what you want to hear, but we both knew it might happen. We were both young and the chances that at least one if not both of us were going to fate were very good. I’m sorry that I did and you didn’t, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t find someone else. You have to stop hoping that I’ll become unfated, it just doesn’t happen.”
She pulled her chair closer to his again and she shook her head. “The rules are changing. You can’t deny that. I’m betting I can get you to change your mind.” The pout was gone with a quick flick of her tongue over her lips. She bit her bottom lip lightly and moaned low in her throat. “I’ve missed you, Jasper.”
He looked toward the dance floor and saw Hayden laughing at something Matthew was saying. Matthew glanced over to him and frowned. He had never liked Leah.
Jasper turned back to excuse himself and found himself face to face with her. She laced her fingers behind his head and pulled herself up to him. Her lips melted against his and her tongue sought entrance into his mouth. He stood, scrambling backwards, only managing to trip over his chair and fall onto his back, Leah on top of him. The music paused and everyone stopped to see what was happening. He turned his head to the side to get away from her, a deep growl rumbling through him.
Leah pulled back, her eyes wide. He pushed her off and stood quickly.
“By the moons, Leah, this is enough!” His voice echoed in the quiet pub. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself. He looked back and wanted to disappear, to get away from the shocked look on Hayden’s face. Matthew had a hand on her shoulder and was whispering something in he
r ear. He turned back to Leah.
“I will say this one last time so listen carefully.” He took a deep breath, knowing that Leah was not the only one listening. “I am fated to Hayden. She is my heart and soul and I love her more than life itself. This will not change. The truth of it is, Leah, even if I hadn’t been fated to her I would have fallen in love with her. Now, for your own sake, let this be. It’s been almost ten years. You need to move on.” He felt a small hand press lightly against his back and some of the tension left him.
Leah’s wide stare narrowed into a wicked glare and honed in on Hayden.
“He was mine.”
Hayden nodded. “And now he’s mine.”
Jasper tried to keep the surprise at Hayden’s words from showing on his face. Leah growled low in her throat.
“You know, all I have to do is get rid of you and that will change.”
Jasper tensed, seeing that she meant it, ready to stop anything she might try. Hayden shrugged.
“You could try.”
This time, he wasn’t able to hide the shock. What was she doing? She hated fighting! Could she be feeling her drinks? No, she’d only had one with supper and her second one was still half full on the table. Her arm went around his waist possessively. He looked down to see her face but couldn’t from this angle.
Journey 'The Chosen One Trilogy: Book Two' Page 20
