Shifter In Ascent (Louisiana Shifters)

by Wood, Vivian

  And that was assuming he didn’t find her out before that. He wouldn’t show any mercy to a traitor, much less some human who’d manipulated him like she had.

  Tessa had been sure she’d understood the risks of getting close to Jace. She’d been certain that as long as she just remembered Maddie’s captivity, she’d be able to walk away without a second thought. Now she wasn’t so sure.

  You could just come clean. He might forgive you.

  Tessa imagined Camilla’s brassy voice, pointing out the obvious as was her wont. She always did know exactly what to say.

  A forlorn tear welled up, and Tessa brushed it away before it could break loose. She’d spent her whole life daydreaming, imagining what it would be like if things were different. And where had it gotten her?

  Snared by an incredibly handsome but also deeply twisted man. James had seen Tessa’s need, her desire for the fairytale that money couldn’t buy.

  And Tessa had fallen for it, every word. She’d walked right into James’ snare and dragged Camilla along for the miserable ride. And now it seemed Tessa was about to throw Jace in the fire as well.

  In that moment, as quick as a single beat of her heart, Tessa realized that she could never betray him. She peeked over at him, her heart aching. He’d fallen soundly asleep and looked like her idea of heaven come true.

  Resolute, Tessa reaffirmed her decision. She’d give herself this precious bit of time, but it Resolute, Tessa reaffirmed her decision. She’d give herself this precious bit of time, but it

  had to end. As soon as they woke, she would confess. And with her words, she’d destroy any chance she had for happiness with this man. A soft rustling sound gradually awoke Jace in the deepest part of the night. Opening his eyes, Jace silently pleaded with the universe.

  Gods, don’t let it be raccoons again. Those things are a menace. They’re so aggressive, I swear they’re mutants.

  Pulling out his smart phone, he quickly checked his email. The receipt for his impulse splurge popped up, stating that the package was being overnighted. Jace took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying not to panic. Tessa would like it, without a doubt. Right? Shit, but he was no good with women.

  His thoughts pulled together slowly as he listened to the quiet movement outside. He had to suppress a languorous stretch as he scanned the room, feeling as if something important was missing.

  Oh. They definitely weren’t in his bed, as he’d first assumed. And double oh, Tessa wasn’t curled up against him as she had been before. She really needed to stop disappearing from bed, or Jace was going to have a heart attack.

  Jace heard a couple of soft footsteps and almost leapt out of bed until he saw Tessa come through the door from outside. A jolt of warmth shot through him as he realized she was wearing his oversized tee and possibly nothing else.

  “Hey,” she said softly as she slipped back into bed.

  “Hey,” he echoed as he moved over to make room for her.

  “I went out to get some air and when I got back I realized I don’t know where I put… well, anything,” she fretted, brow furrowed.

  “I’m pretty sure it’s all back at the house. I figured you left it on purpose,” he said, catching a stray ringlet of golden hair and smoothing it back.

  Tessa caressed his hand briefly before pulling back from his touch. Frowning, she gave him a sour look.

  “What girl would ever leave her stuff anywhere on purpose?” Tessa asked wearily, flopping back onto the bed.

  She’d given up her innocence to him just hours before, and yet she showed not a hint of regret. She wasn’t even shy or self-conscious about Jace ogling her, which was good as he couldn’t even pretend that he wasn’t staring at her every moment.

  Earlier Jace had barely, barely managed to keep himself from burying his teeth in her neck; he hadn’t even thought twice about spending himself inside Tessa like a lovesick teenage boy. Shifters couldn’t get STDs, but there was still pregnancy to worry about. Jace had always sworn he’d never do something like that to a female, and until now he’d kept his word.

  He and Tessa might be growing close, but they still weren’t mates. Although… she’d been so sated and pliant afterward that he could have easily gotten her to complete her part of the ritual. Just an exchange of bites stood between their being bound for life.

  Selfishly, Jace had wanted to claim Tessa as his own. He kept coming back to the thought that he probably ought to just mate her now and let her be upset later. The only thing stopping him was the knowledge that she’d hate being tricked into such a serious commitment.

  Not to mention that the rest of the pack would probably be out for Jace’s blood if he didn’t give them courting rights. Unfortunately for the other men, Jace didn’t particularly care what they wanted. He was having a harder and harder time imagining her lying in anyone else’s arms. Especially after today, watching Tessa shake as she was overcome with passion.

  Jesus, he needed to think about something else or Jace was going to need to see it again and again… and a thousand times after that. He’d already taken her innocence, and he didn’t have a thing to offer her in exchange.

  There was his problem, right there; he actually wanted to offer her more. He could never be her knight in shining armor, the mate she truly deserved, but he wanted to give her what he could. Even without being mates, they could be something good. It wasn’t entirely unheard of for Shifters to casually date.

  Unfortunately, he’d knew himself well enough to know that there was nothing remotely casual about his interest in Tessa. He cursed himself, closing his eyes against the reality.

  The only thing left to do was to show her everything. Once she saw how scarred and ruined he was inside, she’d understand why he couldn’t give her anything more. It would probably hurt like crazy, but it was better for her if she understood that he was damaged goods. In the long run it’d be better for both of them.

  “Jace?” Tessa asked softly, her face turned away from him. He hadn’t even realized she was still awake.

  “Yeah?” he answered, turning to look at her. She turned her head to face him, displaying her reddened and tear-stained face.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, reaching out to her. How the hell had he been lying right next to her and not realized that she was obviously miserable? Had he hurt her earlier and not realized that either? When she didn’t answer right away, he became alarmed.

  “Are you hurt?” Jace demanded.

  “No. Nothing like that,” she whispered, rubbing the back of her hand blearily over her face.

  “I don’t understand. Why the tears?” he asked, stroking her hair and face soothingly. She seemed to soak up his affection for a moment before she reached up and stilled his hand.

  “I have to tell you something, and I don’t think you’re going to like it.”

  Jace’s entire body tensed and he sat up. Tessa sat up too, covering herself with the sheet. Her expression was anxious, her eyes sad.

  “Well?” Jace asked, rubbing the back of his neck and watching Tessa intently.

  “I haven’t been honest with you,” she said, her eyes dropping to where her hands twined in her lap.

  “You have a human mate?” Jace asked, looking ominous.

  “No. I meant… when you saved me from McDonough the first time. That wasn’t an accident. You both followed me because I found out where you both hang out and waited around to catch your eye,” she said, her voice quiet.

  “You were trying to find a Shifter? Why?”

  “Not just any Shifter. You, or McDonough. My orders were very specific. I was to lure at least one of you, and call a team in take you down.”

  Jace stood up and grabbed his jeans, slipping into them. He waited a few beats before responding.

  “I don’t know if this is supposed to be some kind of joke, but it isn’t funny, Tessa.” His voice had gone hard and cold as steel.

  “It’s not a joke, Jace. I was abducted by a religious cult last yea
r, and they knew I was an Ascendant. They told me how to get your attention, made me do it. I’m not sure exactly what they want from you, but I know it’s not good,” Tessa said, her voice breaking on the last word. She sniffled and stared into her lap miserably, unable to look up at Jace.

  Jace was dumbstruck, staring at the female who… hell, he’d really thought he’d started to like her.

  “What are you saying?” he asked, clenching his fists and trying to keep himself from flying into a mindless rage.

  “I think… I know now, they must be the Legion. There can’t be two groups like them, can there,” Tessa said flatly, wiping at the tears streaming down her cheeks.

  “You work for the Legion?” Jace asked, red haze flooding his vision again.

  “No. I mean, I don’t work for them. They blackmailed me.”

  “How long?” Jace ground out, his jaw clenched so tight it was painful. He was such an idiot, such a careless moron.

  “I don’t..” she started, but Jace cut her off.

  “How long have you been planning to betray me?” Jace asked, his voice harsh. There was a long pause, and a half-stifled sob before she replied.

  “Long enough,” she said, her voice quiet.

  “Then there is no need to tell you why I want you out of my sight,” Jace hissed through his clenched jaw.

  “Jace, I can explain-“

  “Don’t. Don’t use my name. Don’t talk to me like you know me, traitor.”

  Jace heard the harsh inrush of Tessa’s breath.

  “You don’t understand,” she said, hurt coming through in her voice.

  “I’ve heard enough. I don’t care what your reason is for being with the Legion. Money, power- it must have been pretty good for you to open your legs for the first time. Or was that a trick, too?” Jace spat, his vision going red. He grabbed the first shirt he came to, and tossed it to her along with her jeans.

  “Get dressed,” he ordered, looking away from her devilishly perfect curves. Tessa stepped forward into his line of vision, her expression furious.

  “What happened between us has nothing to do with the Legion. Don’t bring that into the equation. I wanted-“

  “Just stop. Honestly, I have never laid a hand on a woman before in my life, but I am a moment away from breaking your neck with my bare hands,” Jace said, his voice softening to a deadly threat. “Now get dressed, or you’ll walk into the Den naked. Or perhaps that would suit you?” he accused.

  Tessa’s eyes narrowed into slits, and she rushed to pull on the shirt and jeans. Jace clenched his fists again to keep his hands still though they itched to throttle her, shake her, turn her over his knee and blister her bare ass. God he would like nothing more than to…

  Cursing himself, Jace rose and turned to Tessa, an expressionless mask slipping into place over his features. He pulled out his phone and spent a full minute texting Shaw what he’d just found out, and explaining that he wanted Tessa removed and jailed until something more permanent could be done with her.

  Then he turned and looked at her again, intentionally covering his hurt and shock with a look of disgust. She didn’t need to know that she’d really gotten to him.

  Tessa was pale and shaking like a leaf, but she still stood her ground. Damned woman had no idea how stupid she was being right now.

  Jace took a deep breath and looked away from her. Ignoring that she was still wearing his favorite shirt, he pointed to the door. Tessa’s bottom lip quivered a long second before she schooled her expression, turning and marching out of the cabin.

  Jace half-jogged the whole way back to his house, not stopping to look back. Tessa dragged herself inside several minutes after he did, looking worse for the wear. Jace could also see a faint bruise on her neck, almost certainly from their lovemaking. He averted his eyes, refusing to feel guilty. She’d seduced him. She’d betrayed him. She could grin and bear everything that came along with it. The Legion could patch her up for her next conquest.

  Jace opened the sliding glass door on his back patio with such force that it shattered, raining tiny pieces of glass everywhere. Tessa jumped, but her expression remained indifferent. He looked out into the yard, summoning the strength to speak to her.

  “I want you gone,” he growled.

  When she didn’t respond Jace pointed to Tessa’s purse lying on the counter, and she picked it up without saying anything. Jace watched her steel herself for a moment before turning to face him.

  “Will you give me a chance to explain?” she asked, her voice cool and unemotional. She’d been playing him every second, making him think he felt… it didn’t matter what. Here was the true Tessa Anderson, a manipulative ice queen. No wonder the Legion had picked her to take Jace down. And she wanted to stand here and make excuses to him?

  “No. There’s nothing you can say to me.”

  “Where am I supposed to go?” she asked.

  “I’m turning you over to Shaw. I don’t know what he’s going to do with you,” Jace replied stonily. A knock sounded at the door. Tessa’s eyes widened, and she made one last attempt to sway him.

  “Jace, please. You’ve got to at least hear me out. You don’t understand,” she insisted, panicked.

  Jace stepped in close, staring down at her through his haze of contempt.

  “You don’t understand, traitor. You’d better hope Shaw has better intentions for you than I do. I’d as soon see you put down,” he lied smoothly. A flash of shock flitted over her face before she replaced her calm façade, looking toward the door.

  “There’s no need to be cruel,” she said, her gaze traveling anywhere except Jace.

  “Apparently there is. You keep talking instead of getting the point. I don’t want you. Earlier, that was a mistake. A huge mistake. And believe me, I’d rather spit on you than touch you again. There’s no reason for you to ever grace my doorstep, and that’s final.”

  Tessa finally turned, her grey eyes burning into his.

  “You’re a coward. Everyone else thinks you’re just damaged beyond repair, but I know the truth. You’re scared shitless, and you can’t stand it. Grow the fuck up, Jace Copeland.”

  She stared him down for a long moment, and Jace felt a sick bit of pride. The girl certainly had the backbone to be a Shifter female. He couldn’t say whether it had been there all along, but it was certainly a disadvantage for Jace. He’d half expected her to burst into tears and beg for forgiveness.

  There was a tremendous thumping at the door, and Tessa didn’t space Jace another moment of regard. She calmly walked over and opened the door, not batting an eyelash at Shaw, who of regard. She calmly walked over and opened the door, not batting an eyelash at Shaw, who

  honestly did look murderous. She didn’t so much as glance back when a grim-faced Declan confiscated her purse and put her in the back seat of a black SUV. Declan nodded solemnly at Jace and then they were gone, leaving Jace alone on his doorstep.

  Jace slammed the front door just as hard as the back and pulled up a stool between the kitchen island and the refrigerator. A palpable weight pressed against his chest, making it hard to breathe. Suddenly all his muscles ached, and his limbs felt heavy. An ominous feeling settled itself in his mind, like stepping too close to the edge of a cliff.

  Jace dragged in a deep breath. He needed to calm down, and he needed to do it before he lost control. He wasn’t sure what would happen, but it definitely wouldn’t be good.

  He always kept his fridge fully stocked with beer and liquor, which in this case was a godsend. Jace was planning on getting good and smashed, and staying that way until he couldn’t remember that Tessa had ever existed. The human, he corrected himself. Until he couldn’t remember that the human had ever existed, ever kissed him or touched him…

  Jace shotgunned a whole beer in one go, and chased it with a shot of cold whisky straight from the bottle. It was going to be a painful couple of days, but he’d get through just like he always had. Alone.

  FIFTEEN

 
; “Tell me the whole story again from the beginning, Tessa. Don’t skip a single detail. You could know more than you think.”

  “I’ve already told you the whole story, Rhett. We’ve been going over this for four friggin’ days. If you guys don’t believe me by now, telling it another time isn’t going to help,” Tessa answered, leaning back in the metal folding chair and crossing her arms.

  “I’m just trying to make sure I understand,” Rhett said calmly, splaying his massive hands out on the sleek oak desk between them. They were in someone’s office-turned-makeshiftinterrogation-chamber. Declan, Rhett, and Shaw had been taking turns asking her questions and discussing different angles of her experience for over half a week. At the moment Declan had finally gone to get some sleep, so Rhett was doing the asking and Shaw was sitting in the corner behind Tessa’s back, probably glaring at her some more.

  “I told you everything, Rhett. I promise. Why would I lie at this point?” Tessa pointed out, raising her arms and stretching them over her head. She rolled her neck, catching a glimpse of Shaw in the corner. He wasn’t glaring at her anymore, he was digging through her purse now.

  “Don’t steal any of my tampons,” Tessa said snarkily. She’d started off this session being as helpful as possible, but at this point she just wanted it to be over. There was nothing more to be learned, so Shaw should either punish her or cut her loose.

  Assuming that she wasn’t going to be “put down”, she needed some food, a good hard cry by herself, and a long nap, preferably in that order.

  Shaw’s chair scraped loudly, jolting Tessa from her reverie.

  “Where did you get this photo?” Shaw boomed, suddenly in Tessa’s ear. He stuck Tessa’s disposable cell phone in front of her face, displaying a grainy photo of James.

  “Uh, I took it myself. That’s the guy I’ve been telling you about, the one who I saw the most.”

  “The one you said was an Ascendant?” Rhett asked, standing up and coming over to look at the phone. Shaw passed it over, and whatever he’d seen apparently stuck out to Rhett too. Rhett cursed low under his breath but didn’t comment further.