Jupiter's Shadow

by Tl Reeve

  “To me?”

  “Yeah.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “On the surface, it looks like I am here to cockblock you guys, but I’m not. I’m here to protect you.”

  Mace snorted. “More like your dick is in a bind over Jupiter. You want her. Please don’t act like you’re going to be the hero here.”

  “Okay. Enough. I get. You all want me. Lighten up.” I dragged my fingers through my hair and tugged. “I’m still not sure this will work and this added pressure won’t help things. It’ll complicate it.”

  “I’m s-so, so s-sorry,” Jessy murmured. “I didn’t know where else to go.”

  “You did the right thing,” I assured her.

  “Yeah,” Bowie replied. “Go home and relax. We won’t let anything happen to you.”

  I couldn’t believe my father. Women, as much as I hated to say it, weren’t the same as men. This reversal my dad thought would be an excellent idea, might end up getting one or all five girls hurt. What if the male was a dick? What if he forced himself on the females? I glanced around the room at each of the men in my house and realized any of them could do the same, yet something inside me like a tendon, tugged. I was right where I needed to be with the men I was supposed to be with. A male, however, would devour Jessy. She was one of the softest omegas I’ve known. Her ability to say no, even when she was uncomfortable, didn’t exist.

  “Come on, I’ll walk you out.” I held my hand out to her and waited for her to take it.

  “Thanks, Jupiter.” Jessy gave me a small smile.

  “Don’t thank me yet.”

  Chapter Four

  Since Jessy’s little announcement in my living room, I had been working overtime trying to catch a killer saboteur and figure out what we were going to do about my dad.

  It was one thing to put me, the alpha’s daughter into this situation of trying to find a mate, however, promising another for this same experiment pissed me off.

  “I think I found our suspect.” Silvi placed two photos in front of me. Stoplight cameras had taken both. Interesting since he was standing on the corner, watching the accident here in Chattanooga and in Los Angeles. The guy got around. Seeing him there added more questions to my already long list.

  “Holy shit.” I stared at the man, gob smacked by his presence. “We need to get his face out there. Anyone who saw him at the scene might be able to identify him.”

  “We also have a name now. Jaime Sanchez.”

  “Go with it. Release it to the press. Let them disseminate it.” I handed her the photo back. “And you should go home when you’re done.”

  “I will when you do.” Again, with this stalemate.

  I laughed. “As a matter of fact, I’m leaving now. I have a date.”

  “Oh?” She leaned against my desk and crossed her arms. “Who is he?”

  “Not he. Girls’ night.” I turned off the monitor of my computer. “I’d invite you, but…”

  “Pregnant.”

  “Well, I was going to say, in a relationship. Anyway, it’s for a friend. She’s in this situation, and she’s feeling pressured to find a boyfriend.” I hated lying to Silvi. In the ten years I’d been with the sheriff’s department, I’d hidden everything.

  “Biological clock or overbearing parents?”

  “Overbearing parents.” Liar, liar. “Her father thinks she needs to continue the line. Blah, blah, blah.”

  “The line?” She laughed. “Wow, sounds like old school parents.”

  “You have no idea,” I muttered, switching off my computer. “Anyway, we’re going out to say screw men and expectations.”

  “Sounds like fun.”

  “Loads.” I grabbed my bag from the bottom drawer. “Did you tell him yet?”

  Silvi smiled. Her brown eyes sparkled, and her skin practically glowed. “Yes.”

  “And?” Pulling my keys, I pushed out of my chair and stood. “What did he say?”

  “It wasn’t what he said, per se,” Silvi replied.

  “Wow, look at you.”

  “When you got it, you got it,” she laughed as we walked out. “Have fun tonight.”

  “We will,” I answered.

  * * *

  Classic country music blared from the speaker system wired into the rafters of the bar. Jessy sipped on her fruity drink, Cag nursed her beer, and none of us were happy. This time away from the guys was supposed to be a chance for me to clear my head. Get away from it all and try to figure out what to do. Instead, we sat here moping.

  “Okay, time to stop sulking,” Shanon stated, placing shot glasses in front of us. “Drink up, ladies.”

  “When did you get to be Miss Party Animal?” I picked up the shot glass and put it to my lips.

  “Since you’re not loosening up and telling us about the men your father brought to the pack.” She swallowed down her drink and slammed the glass on the table.

  “I wouldn’t call them my men.” The alcohol burned all the way to my stomach when I swallowed it. “It’s only been a couple days.”

  “But they’re hot,” Cag added. “If you don’t want them, I’m sure we could settle up. Right, ladies?”

  Shanon and Jessy nodded.

  “I have thirty days to figure out who I want.” I shrugged.

  “Mates know mates, we’ve been taught it all our lives,” Jessy said. “How do you not know which one is yours?”

  I didn’t have an answer. All of them smelled like mine. I couldn’t explain it. Over the last two days, the scent of mating pheromones permeated my house. It reminded me of those bath bombs: once one hit the water, they became this fizzy bubble bath filled with oils and smells and goodness. Okay, so I indulged, sometimes. “It’s complicated.”

  “How is finding your mate, complicated?” Jessy took another sip of her drink, ignoring the shot next to her.

  “Well, I—”

  “Good evening, ladies.” Bowie crowded into my side. “Having fun?”

  “We were,” I grumbled.

  “Hey, don’t stop on our account,” Scout added. “We were hoping to have a little date with you.”

  Jessy smiled while sucking down more of her drink. “Too bad you didn’t bring the others with you.”

  Bowie cocked a brow. “How many of those has she had?”

  “One,” I answered. “She’s…”

  “A lightweight,” Cag supplied. “It’s why she gets the fruity stuff.”

  Scout grabbed the tequila next to her, then swallowed it down. After placing it on the counter, he motioned for the bartender. “A round of beers and a cola for the lightweight.” He nudged Jessy and grinned.

  “So, what brought you guys here?” Shanon sat on the stool next to Jessy.

  “We couldn’t stand being in the house and work is…work.” Bowie wrapped his arm around my waist, tucking me against his body. The warmth along with the scent of oak and wild musk ruffled my wolf’s fur. It also filled me with a sense of rightness I couldn’t explain.

  “I understand,” I answered.

  “Speaking of work, how’s the case coming along?” Bowie took the beer Scout offered and I swore something passed between them. More than being twins—fraternal or otherwise, knowing almost.

  “It’s good. We got a name. It’ll be out soon. We also have a picture of him at the scenes.” I accepted the beer from him, but not before he drank from it first. A primal wash of possessiveness flowed through me, and a growl rumbled in my chest.

  Scout’s answering growl vibrated through me. “Good. Maybe you’ll catch him now.”

  “I hope so. Tips will be the key to breaking this wide open.” I took a pull from the bottle and glanced at Bowie.

  “So, Chatty McChatster,” I said. “Did you come here to drink with us or to have fun?” I tilted my head and glanced up at him from beneath my lashes.

  Even though I wanted a night away from them, the idea of both Bowie and Scout making an effort to spend time with me felt good. Like they were willing to take a chance with me. I s
uppose the others would have, too, if they’d had any idea what was going on tonight. But I’d kept this outing to myself. Which had me curious. Who spilled the beans?

  I glanced at Jessy who kept her head down while drinking her soda. Ah ha. “Thank you, Jessy.”

  Her head popped up and her eyes grew round with guilt. I should have known better than to think I could have one night away where I could just let go and forget. How stupid was I to believe all of this could be genuine coincidence?

  “She meant well,” Scout stated. “We have to be aware of her wellbeing, too.”

  I frowned. All the anger building inside me, evaporated. Scout had a point. If we didn’t figure out how to make this work, Jessy would be shipped off. “You’re right, you’re right.” I sighed and took another sip of my beer.

  “How about a dance?” He took the bottle away from me. “It’ll take your mind off everything.”

  “Fine.” Following him out to the dance floor, I couldn’t take my gaze off his ass. Yes, I had a penchant for rumps, and boy did he have one. Round and tight. I bet I could bounce a quarter on it. I’d been half-tempted to.

  “Are you staring at my ass?”

  “If I am?” I teased.

  “It gives me permission to look at yours.” He motioned for me to spin around.

  I spun in a slow circle and he growled again. “You’re beautiful, Jupiter.”

  “Flattery will get you everywhere.” I laughed, taking his hand as he held it out to me. “Can I ask you something and get a straight answer?”

  “You can ask me anything.” He drew me into his arms and we swayed to the music.

  “What’s going on with you and Scout?” They might look alike a little, but they weren’t brothers. At least, not by the vibes I was picking up on.

  “He’s my brother. I’d do anything for him.” His thumb brushed over my hip in a soothing motion. “We did this to get away from our alpha. If you think your father put you in a sticky situation, he is nothing compared to what some are like.”

  “I wouldn’t know. My father keeps me away from the politics of it all. I think he wants me to mate so a male can become alpha of our pack.” I didn’t understand why I found it easy to open up to Bowie, but everything came tumbling out.

  “This is your pack. No matter what happens, you should run this pack. It’s quite obvious you are the only one who is willing to take care of your pack mates.”

  “Thank you. Dax wants the job, too. I think he would make a great alpha.”

  “But?” He cocked a brow.

  “But sometimes he’s more beta than alpha and people can take advantage of his niceness. They see it as a sign of weakness,” I sighed. “They see his age, and they think they can run all over him.”

  “Are you sure you’re not projecting?” His grip tightened as I tried to step away. “It’s not a bad thing. You see everything wrong with your pack and you want to fix it. Dax is a good guy, as much as it sucks to say it. He’d make a good Alpha.”

  “Aren’t you supposed to be buttering me up so I pick you?”

  He shrugged. “I have a feeling no matter what happens, we’ll always be connected.”

  Strange words. I mulled them over trying to figure out the man with graceful moves and a sharp edge. He had a keen gaze and gave sage advice. He wasn’t at all the kind of man I saw myself with, but the longer we stayed on the dance floor, one song bleeding into the next, I saw myself falling for him. And perhaps I was supposed to.

  Still, the fact remained. I had to pick someone. When the music stopped, he led me back to the table where everyone was sitting. Cag and Shanon were lobbing questions at Bowie while Jessy kept to herself, not fully engaged with her surroundings. I hated what my father was doing to all of us. When this was all over, new rules would have to be put into place to fix the injustice.

  “Would you mind dancing with Jessy?” I whispered. “She’s had a hard week, and I feel like I am making it harder for her.”

  Scout grinned. “Of course.” He kissed my temple and crossed to where Jessy sat. “Would you like to dance?” He held his hand out to her, and waited.

  “Oh, I…couldn’t. I mean, it wouldn’t be right with, you know, things and um, stuff.” She curled her fingers into the hem of her shirt, and fidgeted in her seat.

  “Go on, Jessy, live a little. You deserve to have some fun, too,” I urged. “Dance with Scout.”

  Her gaze slid from his to mine and back again. “O-okay, if you’re all right with it.”

  “I am. Now, shoo. Cut a rug.” I motioned for her to go with him.

  “You look like you’re a two-step kind of girl,” Scout stated, pulling Jessy towards the dance floor.

  “She’s more than scared,” Cag said. “She’s afraid she’ll be forced into breeding and won’t be able to do anything she loves to do.”

  “Bullshit,” Bowie growled. “I’d take her as my mate before I’d allow her to fall into those trappings.”

  Well, I knew where his loyalty was. With my friends. “Good to know.”

  He put his beer down. “Sorry. I hate assholes who think they know what’s best for a person. Look at the situation you’re in.”

  “We’re all in it, remember?” I took a seat next to him. “This is less than advantageous for any of us.”

  He nodded. “You’re right. Sorry.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “The stress of this shit is getting to me.”

  “Which part?” I laid my hand on his thigh. The warmth radiating from where we touched traveled up my arm and settled over my heart. I couldn’t explain it. Couldn’t rationalize any of this.

  “All of it,” he muttered. “Trying to fight for your hand. Protecting my brother. It’s like a tornado has landed in the middle of our lives and ripped everything apart.”

  For some reason, I sensed his words held a deeper meaning than what he said on the surface. He was hiding something. “We’ll figure it out. We have twenty-seven more days.”

  “Seems like all the time in the world when you have no time at all.”

  “True. I guess we should make the most of it then, shouldn’t we?” I squeezed his leg and winked at him. “Are you as good a dancer as your brother?”

  A mischievous glint filled his brow eyes. “You know it.”

  “Prove it.”

  Chapter Five

  The conversations I had with Bowie and Scout made me realize one thing. I had to get a move on. Not only did my pack depend on me, so did Jessy and the guys. I’d been avoiding the whole pick a guy due to the fact I didn’t want to pick anyone, and the inexplicable yearning to have them all confused the hell out of me.

  I’d yet to figure it all out.

  However, I had to make some changes and decisions if I planned on moving forwards with my life. Decision one: save Jessy. If she left pack lands, I’d never see her again. Deep down, I knew she’d be dead within a month’s time, and I wasn’t being dramatic. She was too soft. Too gentle of a wolf to be forced into a mating. It would kill her.

  So, I came up with a plan.

  Today, I’d start dating them all. Figure out what these feelings I had towards each of them meant, then figure out who made the most logical choice for a mate. My wolf bristled at the idea of choosing one over the other, though. It also didn’t like the idea of dating them either. What the hell am I doing? None of this made any sense, but if I didn’t take action now, it’d be too late.

  “Meeting, now,” I barked, walking down the short hall towards my kitchen. The scent of fresh coffee greeted me and I sighed. I was never any good without a burst of caffeine in the morning.

  “What’s wrong?” Dax came up behind me first.

  After pouring myself a cup of coffee, I took a sip. “Nothing is wrong. We have some things to discuss this morning.”

  “Does it have to do with last night?” Benning joined us by the coffeemaker and poured himself some.

  “Yes. A little.”

  “You’ve made your choice then?” Mace lumbere
d in behind Benning.

  “No. I haven’t.” I grinned at him over the rim of my mug.

  “It takes more than a smile from a beautiful woman, to turn me into a fumbling boy.”

  “You think I’m beautiful?” I teased.

  “Don’t start.” He opened the refrigerator and grabbed the juice off the door.

  “I’m still taking your compliment.”

  He snorted. “You would.”

  I laughed. “You should have coffee. Maybe it’ll take the bitterness out of you.” Stepping behind him, I wrapped my arms around him. He smelled good. Felt even better.

  “What are you doing?” He glanced back at me.

  “Hugging you.”

  “Why?” He held my gaze. Curiosity sparked in his icy-blue eyes.

  “Why not?” I held onto him for another beat before letting him go.

  The same tingle of awareness I’d felt with Scout and Bowie, even Dax ran through me while touching Mace. There had to be some truth to what I was experiencing with them. What if they all belong to me? The staggering thought left me a little off balance, but also gave me the determination to see where all this went.

  “You are odd,” he grumbled pouring himself a glass of orange juice.

  “Thanks.” Taking a seat at the table, I waited for everyone to join me. Once we were all sitting, I laid out my idea. “We can’t keep going this way. I figured out last night, this is bigger than me.”

  “It’s bigger than all of us.” Dax grasped my hand.

  I glanced down at where our hands were connected. Strange, a few weeks ago, I’d have removed my hand from his, and chided him for being so forwards. Today, not so much. Truth be told, it gave me the strength I needed to push through. “If we can’t figure out what to do, a female from all our packs will be put into this situation, and you’ve seen what Jessy is like. She won’t survive it.”

  “What’s your suggestion?” Benning braced his arms on the table.

  “We date. Figure this out. Like I told Bowie and Scout last night, we have twenty-seven days to find a solution.” If things turned out like I suspected, it wouldn’t take us long to settle into our new life together.