Jared nodded “Yes and location.”
“I wasn’t planning on leaving NOLA. Do you want to? I mean your life is here right?” Rolling onto her stomach, she blew raspberries on a cub’s belly as it swatted at her face. “Do you want to move?”
He shook his head no. “No. I want to stay here.”
“Good.” She glanced up from the cub with a smile and play bit its paw. “Now that I’m off the compound, I’d like to stay there.”
“Well, you can stay here. If you want.”
“Here. Here. Or NOLA?” She laid her face on the floor, next to the cub, she thought it was Justice, and blinked lovey eyes at her. Yup, Serra was all about the getting shit clear today. Why? She’d lived too long with her life in limbo and was sick of it.
“Here. In this house.” He smirked at her.
Serra smirked back and swatted his leg. “You do like me, after all.” She laughed at his expression. “Seriously, I want to be where you are, especially at night.” She blushed slightly. “What about your other son, what does he think about it?”
Jared laughed. “Perv Daniel will be okay with it.”
Nodding her head, she crawled over and kissed him purring against his lips softly. “I would like to live with you, Jared. Not so sure about the perv thing, but we’ll work it out.”
He kissed her back and laughed.
Sitting beside him, she leaned against him and brushed her fingers over his thigh. The Cubs keyed on the movement and pounced, making her smile. “I know that we started off rough, but I’m happy that it worked out like this. I wouldn’t want anyone else.”
Jared wasn’t sure if she was being for real or not, but it was nice to hear. “Me too,” he answered honestly, a little shocked himself.
Purring, she pulled his arm around her and rubbed her face against his chest. “It’s okay if you don’t believe me, Baby, we’ve got time for me to convince you.” Smiling she tilted her head up to nip his lip. She wasn’t sure where all of these sappy feelings had come from. It had started when they bonded and grew stronger when he stood up to Pops. No other male ever had, and that alone made Jared one of a kind. That he offered her the chance to have a real life again? That made him priceless.
He purred and smiled at her. The Cubs started to yowl and fuss. “What’s wrong? You can’t be hungry again.”
Serra laughed, looking down at their upturned faces. “I’m going with what you know about them. But the ones back home eat 24/7 when they’re growing. Or maybe they just feel left out?” Scooping them up, she pushed Jared onto his back with her elbow playfully, placed them on his chest, and curled against him to pet them.
Jared petted them too and wondered if this would last. The peace he felt as Theo chewed on his fingers, with his mate at his side.
It had been a good morning, her first Christmas with her new family. Wiping the sleep from her eyes, she’d followed the call of coffee’s alluring call to the kitchen only to find her mate, trying to keep the cubs from the overflow of presents leaking out from under the tree. Smiling softly, she’d sat beside them, nuzzled Jared and taken a sip from his mug. Then it was game on. Even Daniel had joined in. Wrapping paper shards were tossed into the air as the Cubs shredded it to find what was inside and nine times out of ten, had more fun playing with the boxes their toys had come in.
As much as Serra enjoyed every minute, she couldn’t shake the sadness of not being with her other family and it was Pop’s fault. She still didn’t understand what had happened between her father and mate that had ended with Jared in flames. It was unforgivable and that had put a stop to her plans for Christmas at home with the whole family. Jared didn’t want to subject himself or his young to the open hostility and Serra couldn’t ask him to.
As her mood spiraled, she excused herself before her sourness infected them too. She claimed that they could probably use a little private family time together. Jared’s arguments died when she rolled her eyes to Daniel and arched a brow. The young panther had only spoken five words to her since she’d moved in. “I’m not calling you Mother.” Yeah, it was like that. Kissing Jared and the cubs, she nodded toward Daniel, who was doing his best to ignore her existence and ghosted out.
She walked around the house she had lived in since arriving in NOLA. Serra had been spending a lot of her time at Jared’s, but it wasn’t home yet. Hell, here wasn’t home either, but it was hers. Home, that place where her heart was, was back at The Asylum.
Life had changed so fast that she felt like she was racing to catch up. Going from just a chick who met a hot guy while kicking it in a new town to mated with cubs was a hell of a jump that she was still wrapping her head around. Not that she’d change it. Jared was amazing. Serra loved his Cubs and thought that she and Daniel would work out a peaceful coexistence, once he got used to her being around.
Stepping outside, she blinked up at the sun, before sliding onto the porch railing, leaning against the column and crossing her bare ankles as her phone blew up. Sighing, she scrolled through the texts and the pictures, smiling sadly. She missed them all, but most of all Pops. She hated when they argued. Not enough to give in, but a lot.
Damion always knew the right thing to say or do, when she felt like she was in over her head. There was nothing Serra wanted more right now than to lay her head on his shoulder and let him work his magic. But setting her mate on fire wasn’t acceptable. And as much as she wanted to be with them today, if she showed, it would be admitting defeat. Monica was right, they were too much alike for their own good, but that wasn’t going to change.
Jared had told her to go to see her family and she couldn’t blame him for not wanting to go with her. Instead, she’d come back here. She needed a little time just to be sad without anyone trying to make it better or feeling they were the cause. If Pops couldn’t accept that Jared was now part of the family and try to be civil, then Serra didn’t belong there either. Pushing her hair back, she smiled at the newest pic, Mom, and Pops by the fireplace. Tracing the image with the tip of a finger, Serra smiled sadly. Damion was playing dirty sending these pics, and she was not going to be the one that caved this time. No damned way.
“Hello, Little Bit. I have a gift for you when you come home again.”
Serra jumped at the voice she wasn’t expecting and had to scramble to hold her perch on the rail. Her face broke into a broad smile when she looked up to find her uncle. Squealing slightly, she threw herself into his arms and hugged him tight. “Gods, I’ve missed you.”
Rafael hugged her back. “I miss you too. I hope you like it.” He held out his phone showing her a piano, the one instrument she could play without bringing shame to the family name.
“I love it, and I love you. I wish I could have been there today. Hug the little ones and Aunt Ara for me.” She stepped back, trying to remember that she was an adult now and was supposed to act like one. For him to see her standing strong and happy was important to her. Especially after how much of a basket case she’d been the last time he saw her.
“I will do that. I love you too. You should come to visit soon. The girls called from college asking about you. Maybe you can text them your new number.” He held out a card with all their numbers between his index and middle fingers.
Serra nodded and slid the card into her pocket. “I will. Any chance you can get Pops to stop setting my mate on fire? He might be more willing to come home with me if I can promise him that.” She grinned and tucked the hair behind her ear, still not used to saying the word mate out loud.
“I’ll have a talk with my little brother. Monica will not be happy about this.”
“Thanks. I need all the help I can get.” She pouted and sighed. “Hug Mom for me too, please.”
Rafael nodded “Done, but the last time I hugged her, she tried to steal my wallet. Something about me owing money for Sabastian and Tristan using her laptop. Be thankful your brothers and sister aren’t like your uncles.”
Serra laughed and hugged him again. “Trust m
e, I am. Do I want to know what they did to it?”
“All I got from your mom was Asian porn and dead Panthers. I left before she started smashing things.”
Serra made a face and shook her head. “I was gonna guess porn of some kind.”
“You’re Uncles are sick.” Rafe laughed.
“And predictable. She should have had that thing password protected.” She snickered.
Rafael smiled. “She did. They hacked it.”
Serra shook her head and laughed. “Y’all can visit me here anytime too. You know that, right?”
“I think we might. Ara has friends here I believe. Love you kid. Don’t be a stranger. I need to check on the boys.” He hugged her and ghosted out.
Serra stared at the vacant spot her uncle had filled and felt even more homesick. Blinking back the tears, she pushed the hair back from her face and sat on the step with a thump. Maybe this was better. Facing Pops and guarding her secret wouldn’t be easy. Yeah, maybe this was better for them all.
CHAPTER 9
Jared clocked in and went to wipe down the bar. Some of the Cubs had made a mess. Growling at once again having to be the one to clean up after grown Garou and Sainday, he concentrated on getting things ready for the humans to arrive.
‘Panther I need your help.’ Jared’s head bolted up. He heard a deep voice inside his skull, and he wasn’t sure who it was.
‘Who the fuck are you, and why would I help you? Why don’t you show yourself?’ Jared linked back.
A growl filled his head. A man stormed out from the bathroom and started for him. He stopped in front of Jared, flexing his hands into fists before releasing them and shaking the dark hair back from his face with an annoyed glare.
“So, who are you?” Jared asked, crossing his arms over his chest. The power of the male vibrated around him the same way it did when Salvation entered a room, telling Jared that this was no man or shifter, but one of the original and most powerful of the Ghardians.
“My name is Zev Ghuardian, but most call me Z.”
Jared’s brow arched as he wondered why Z would need him. “Nice to meet you, I guess.” Although, he doubted it.
Z sat down at the bar. “Look, Panther, I wouldn’t usually bother any of you outsiders with anything, but I need help tracking one of your kind, and I’ve been told you’re good at that sort of thing,” the Ghuardian said.
“Once upon a time, yes. I was good at it. I haven’t done it in a long ass time. Why come to me? Why not ask one of the Enforcers? That’s their job, to track and find things. Or ask one of the Alpha Pride Special Ops to help you out?” Jared could see the stress on Z’s face.
Zev’s jaw tightened as he looked at Jared. “I need someone they won’t see coming. Look, if you help me out, I’ll make it worth your time. I promise. Having an IOU from a Ghuardian is a great get out of jail free card.” He leaned his elbows on the bar and stared at Jared.
“Gee, where were you when I was in jail?” He sighed. “Okay, I’ll help you, but I have a mate and children to think about.”
“I know.” Zev made a file appear on the bar between them. “I need help finding Zander Landon. Have you heard of him?” Z asked as Jared took the file and opened it.
Looking at the file, he saw the list of Zander’s crimes. “I don’t know him. He’s an Assassin? Christ. And he’s older than dirt too? What makes you think I can find him? This would be something for Brian or Reese to handle!” Garou and Sainday grew stronger with each passing year they lived, and evil fucks like this just got nastier. Jared’s brother was born an Enforcer, genetically designed by the gods to track, hunt, capture and dispatch those who needed to disappear.
“If you’re too much of a pussy to do this, I can ask the bear. But I thought you’d be able to help me better. You’re both on the same wavelength.”
Jared’s eyes narrowed at Z. “How do you figure? I’m not a murderous psycho!” He growled out.
“Not yet Panther, but all it would take is one small push, and you’d be roaming the countryside killing hookers with a spoon. I know it, and you know it. I know more about you than you think I do. I know about your past. And I do mean all of it. I did my homework before coming to you. I know things not even Sal does. You walk the line of sanity well, but we both know what prison did to you and your mind. If your son, brother, or mate knew the truth? They’d be scared of you. They should be.” Zev’s voice was cold, and it echoed in Jared’s head.
“You know you’d catch more flies with honey than shit. Right?”
Zev smiled. “I’m just speaking the truth. The last time I saw Zander, he was in Ireland. Not far from your parent’s home, in fact.”
As his words came out, Jared’s eyes flared with rage. “What?” He ground out. “Why would he be close to my family’s home?”
Z shrugged. “That’s what I want to know too. Your parents are okay. I promise you that. Last I knew, anyway.” He reached out and pulled a menu closer, sorting through the food options and ignoring the panther.
Staring at him for a moment, Jared tried to calm himself. “Look here, you fuck. If my parents are hurt, and you did nothing to stop it, I don’t give a shit if you are a Ghuardian. I’ll make you pay for it.” He snarled his words.
“Calm down. They’re fine. For now. I have eyes on them,” Zev said. “You need to leave for Ireland tonight. Tell no one the real reason you’re going. You may be away for a while, so make sure the family here is taken care of.” Z stood and walked away, tucking the menu into his back pocket.
Watching him leave through the front door, Jared took the file in his hands and looked at Zander’s picture. “Well Happy New Year to me.” Jared glanced up when Brock and Brandon came behind the bar, he closed the file and slid it into the back of his jeans. Pulling his shirt down to cover it, he headed past them to Reese’s office. Making sure he was alone, he ghosted the file home.
“How the hell am I going to track this prick and not send my family into a shit fit?” Jared’s temples started to throb as his mind spun with everything he needed to do before tonight. Who was going to take care of the cubs and make sure those fucks that shot him didn’t come anywhere near Serra? “Fuck.” Jared punched the wall. As his fist went through the drywall, the door opened, and Rycker came in and jumped a bit.
“Jesus Panther, you scared me.” Rycker closed the door and saw the hole. “You know the boss lady is going to be pissed you fucked up her office.”
“She can bill me.” Jared shook his hand as a platter, and some stuff fell and crashed to the floor. “If you’re looking for Ozzy or Reese they ain’t here. Brock is around I think.”
Rycker shook his head. “I need to speak to Koen about that fucking djinn.”
Jared nodded “Okay. Well, good luck with whatever he did, this time.” He said and left the office, deciding that he needed to speak to Serra first and then go from there. ‘Baby, when you can, I need talk to you. I’m at work.’ He linked her and tried to find Brock.
Brock looked up from sweeping the floor when he heard footsteps coming closer. His brow arched when he saw that it was Jared, and the panther looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Stopping in mid sweep, he watched the male for a moment before speaking. “Hey, Catnip. Who tied a knot in your tail?”
Breton came out of one of the many doors along the hall and playfully shoved Brock. “Who decided to have a party and not invite me?” He smirked at Jared and tried to knock the broom out of Brock’s hands. “What’s with the long face, kid?”
Jared looked at both bears. “Kiss my black ass Bret.” He shook his head. The cub was half Jared’s age if that. “My mother just left me a voicemail asking me to come home to see her and my father. That’s all.” Yeah, that sounded good. He wasn’t lying because his first stop was to see his parents. “I’m worried about how my parents will react to Serra and I being mates.”
“She can’t be worse than the last two. Can she?” Bret snorted.
Brock stared a
t Jared. He wasn’t buying it. He’d never known the Panther to give two shits what anyone else thought, about anything. “Well, be careful and keep us in the loop. We’re here if you need anything. Okay?” He grabbed Bret in a headlock. “And what the hell are you doing Bro? You’re late for work.”
Hearing the commotion and the Cubs scratching to get out, Braxton opened the door and let them free to run down the hallway. Following behind, he pulled his long dirty blonde hair back and secured it with a tie. He winced as the Cubs screamed the names of the shifters they saw, through mind link, the broadcast loud enough to make anyone within linking distance’s nose bleed. Brax shook his head. How did these things survive in the wild? “Now that we know who everyone is, what’s up?”
“Get the fuck off me, Bro.” Bret glared at Brock, tripped him up and laughed.
Serra ghosted to the second floor of The Pit as soon as she heard the mindlink. She looked around at the bare-bones wooden tables and chairs of the no humans allowed section of the bar. She was slightly confused and worried. For the love of the Gods, please tell her that Pops hadn’t done something else to her mate. The way shit was going down lately, she had a sinking feeling that whatever Jared needed to talk about with her probably wasn’t good news. Sighing and pushing the hair back from her face, she took a deep breath and started down the stairs, scanning the bar for her mate. She mindlinked him, ‘I’m here. At the bar, Baby.’
Jared smiled at the Cubs as they let go of their father and jumped over their uncles fighting in the hall. The boys latched on to his legs and Nicole jumped into his arms. “Well, what a pleasant surprise! How are you three doing? Giving your old man gray fur yet?” They giggled as he walked with them down the hall. He heard his mate’s voice in his head. ‘I’ll be right there. I’m being mauled by rabid bears right now,’ he linked back as they boys and Nicole growled and climbed on him.
The Mating (Black on Black, #1) Page 16
