“Dad,” he said looking up at him, “I am going to stay in here with Emily tonight.”
“Sasha can stay with me in my room,” Mark added as Sasha leaned against him heavily.
The parents could not say anything to the arrangements made because there was nothing to say.
Back in their room, Cass sat down on the bed while Stan paced.
“She is his mate, “she said softly watching her husband freeze, and turn stricken eyes to her.
“But she is human,” he began.
“Just like I was when I met you,” Cass interjected, and watched him flinch.
“Do you regret it?” she asked softly, and Stan did not hesitate to come over to her. He knelt down in front of her, “Never, not in a million years; but I do regret the pain you had to go through just to be with me.”
Cass shook her head as her hand reached out to touch his cheek, and she looked loving into his eyes, “I don’t because if I had not endured the pain then I would not be here with you now, or have our beautiful children and grandchild. Remember, you did not force me to choose you; I chose you of my own free will because I wanted to be with you. Let Jay and Emily find what is best for them.”
Stan paled, “What if she cannot handle it, or does not choose him?”
Cass chuckled, “She has already chosen him just by her actions tonight for it was his touch alone that calmed her down, and as for being able to handle it, she is strong. I think she will be just fine. But you will have to tell Jay when the time comes.”
Stan nodded, “When he absolutely needs to know, I will.”
Stan leaned in to kiss his mate as he thought about what he had to tell his son. In their world, it is uncommon for a werewolf’s mate to be a human for a human mate could be a dangerous liability as they had no defense besides their mates, but in their line, it seems that some of the male wolves had the tendency to be destined with human females as their mates. Because of this, the males in their line are given a special gift if their mate is human than they can change them as they mark them. In other words, they had the ability to make their mates not full wolves, but to give them the abilities like enhanced reflexes and senses to help them or give them a chance to survive as their mate. The downfall of this is that the human female willingly has to accept the mark from their mate and they must be able to survive the ordeal of what happens after the bite. Stan knew that some of these human female changes were not successful for the woman was too weak or their bond was too weak; in other words, both the love they share and the woman have to be strong enough to make the change work.
Cass knew that this is what worries Stan the most; that Jay would lose her during the change for Cass knows that Stan almost lost her.
She hugged him to her as she suggested that they go to bed for tomorrow they will deal with everything else.
“What did you find out?” a cold voice said as he turned to the servant that he had spying in Alpha Caine pack.
The servant spoke in fear, “They have a human female who from what I have heard has the ability to see into the future. Her mother and father fear for her life for she is not of their blood but adopted.”
“She can see into the future,” the Alpha exclaimed with cold satisfaction.
“It is what I heard,” the servant said nervously.
“How old is this female?” the Alpha said with malice.
The servant swallowed nervously as she answered, “I do not know, Alpha although I do understand she has a birthday coming up.”
The Alpha laughed in triumphant as he said, “Two for the price of one. I shall have everything that I have been dreaming of,” then with a look at the servant, “Thank you for your service, but I do not need you anymore. Kill him.” He motioned to one of his men, and then he turned away as his man with a conscious killed the servant before turning his face away in sorrow at what he had been ordered to do.
The Alpha rubbed his hands together and in the silence of the hallway, you could hear this:
“Oh the hunting we will go; oh the hunting we will go; to find a little girl and young woman to give me all that I deserve; oh the hunting we will go” then malicious laughter that even his men shook in their boots.
Chapter 8
Emily’s eyes opened slowly as she started to stretch in her bed only to freeze when she felt the hard warmth of someone in bed with her. Her eyes flew opened to see the long arm over her holding her tightly to that hard warmth, and she felt secure if a little wary for she had a good idea of who was in bed with her.
“Good morning,” a soft voice said although the masculine tones were more than evident.
“Good morning,” she stammered slightly.
Jay snuggled her closer to him as he recalled what happened last night. Right now, the only thing he could think about was her lying in his arms for he had the strangest feeling that after finding her he could lose her.
“Did you sleep okay?” he whispered in her ear, and he smiled as she shivered from the contact.
“Yes, thank you,” she stammered again. Then she sighed, and with ease, she flipped herself around so that she was facing him.
She looked into those green eyes, and then she hesitatingly raised a hand to his cheek, “I see these eyes in my visions. Always when I am scared and it feels like I cannot go on, I see these eyes, and they give me strength. Why?”
Jay was startled to hear that she had visions of him. He hesitated for a second before he decided to tell her, “Because of this” pulling her into his body. Emily gasped at the contact because it felt like every nerve ending had come alive. She arched into his body as if she was trying to get closer, and Jay gritted his teeth from doing that which his wolf wanted him to do; claim her immediately.
“Please don’t do that, baby,” he growled, and Emily could see those green eyes darken until they were almost black.
“Why?” she said softly thinking she already knew the reason behind the sensations every time he touched her.
Jay’s laughter came out in pain, “Because if you don’t, I will mark you now. I don’t want to do that because I want you to be sure this is what you want; not because right now are bodies are in close contact that we cannot think of anything else.”
“Oh,” was all that Emily could think to say. Then her eyes widened as what he said finally penetrated her need for him, and she said quietly, “I am your mate.”
Jay nodded slowly, “I knew the night you arrived when you bumped into me, but I tried to ignore it…for the night at least.” He joked, and she had to smile although it was a little stiff.
“I thought werewolves were not supposed to have human mates,” she asked quietly resting both her hands on his chest although she had to admit that it all made sense now that she though about it; the sensations she got when he touched her and the fact that he was there in the back of her mind, her shadow man.
“That’s what I thought to,” Jay admitted, and looked at her attentively, “Do you think it is possible for you to give me a chance?”
Emily looked at him and she admitted to herself, she wanted for nothing less. That was why when she thought Victoria was his mate she had felt so disappointed. Remembering Victoria, she frowned.
“What” Jay asked urgently when he saw her frown.
She bit her lip as she looked into his eyes, and then she softly, “I thought Victoria was your mate.”
Jay sighed, and pulled her closer until her head rested against his chest, “When I turned sixteen, I was so ready to find my mate that I misread the feelings of lust I felt for Victoria for the feelings I would have for my true mate. She used that for she wanted me, but what I did not know was that she already had a mate; he had not marked her, or mated with her at that time. He was an alpha-to-be for his pack, and since at the time, I was trying to distant myself from my father, I never told her that I was the next in line for Alpha.
You met him the other night at the Fair.”
“She is not from your pack, but from his,” Emily stated, and Jay smiled.
“No, she is not from my pack which was one of the reasons I was enchanted by her,” he admitted.
“So, are you still enchanted by her?” Emily asked tilting her head back away from his chest.
Jay lifted a hand and ran it down her hair, “I can honestly say that no, I am not still enchanted by her. When we were at the mall, and she came up to us, I was so surprise when for the first time since I met her, I did not feel a damn thing for her. I think that was because of you for after we touched that one time, whenever you are near me you are the only thing on my mind. I wanted so bad to touch you in that bookstore, but you were not dazed like you were that first night, and I did not want to scare you away before I knew for sure. By the time of the Fair, I was positive and I could not stop myself from touching you.”
“Now that you know,” she asked shyly.
Jay tightened his hold as he placed a soft kiss on her lips, “See if you can get rid of me.”
Emily laughed lightly as he leaned down to kiss her lips again until he heard his father’s voice: It is time to talk. Mark, Jay, bring your mates and get down here.
He groaned as he leaned back, and Emily looked at him in confusion.
“We are being summoned,” he commented, and she continued to look confused for second until it dawned on her.
“I always wondered how Sasha knew when to get her butt downstairs seconds before we had to leave,” she muttered as she climbed out of bed, and Jay just laughed which became strangled as he watched her stretch.
He hurriedly got out of bed remarking as he headed for the door, “I will meet you downstairs.”
“Jay,” she said softly, and he turned to look at her.
She came over to him, and rising on her tiptoes since he was a good four inches taller than she was she kissed him lightly on the lips as she whispered, “Thank you.” Jay crushed her to him as he kissed her with all the passion he had been restraining. He pulled back and they were both breathless, and he smiled arrogantly, “You’re welcome” before stepping away from her and headed out the door to his room.
He caught the scowl that crossed her face before he closed her door behind him, and he chuckled as he headed to his room to change.
Fifteen minutes later, they were all downstairs. Emily and Sasha had taken quick showers while the guys had just gotten dress. They both were planning to work out later so they would wait for their showers.
Grabbing a cup of coffee, Jay sat down next to Emily who was sipping on orange juice. Sasha was sitting back on the loveseat with Mark’s arm around her drinking tea, as Mark was drinking coffee like his brother.
“Okay, down to business” Stan said
Emily stiffened slightly next to him, and Jay laid a hand lightly on her thigh for comfort. Emily relaxed, and sat back against the cushions of the couch they were on as Jay settled next to her, his hand not leaving its position on her thigh.
“This is what we know, Emily, about your birth parents,” Cass said, and proceeded to tell her what Stan and her told Stacy and Jacob only the day before.
Emily paled but she sat there next to Jay without breaking down.
“So I AM seeing the past then,” she confirmed.
“We believe so, yes,” Stan said.
“He will come after me for he sees me as an asset to him,” she remarked, there was a slight tremor in her voice, which Jay heard, and putting down his cup, he placed an arm around her shoulders.
“Yes, sweetheart, there is the possibility of that,” Jacob, her father confirmed, and he was having a hard time seeing both of this daughters finding their mates at the same time. The only ironic thing was that their mates would keep them together.
“Will he still go after Michaela?” Emily asked bluntly.
Jay and Mark froze at her words, and she said, “I know that Michaela is not your sister. She made the mistake the first night when she called you two uncles, but I didn’t think about until later.”
Stan groaned as Cass said, “I forgot about that because we were focused on her and the kitten.”
Sasha grinned at Emily, “Emily is good at remembering things that others tend to overlook.”
Emily grimaced, “Do not remind me.”
Sasha laughed as she settled more comfortably against Mark, and Emily noticed the look in her eyes, and how she seemed to glow. Emily gasped quietly as Jay whispered in her ear, “Yes, he must have marked her last night when they mated.”
“Isn’t that a little too soon?” she mouthed back because Jay’s mother was talking.
“No,” Jay whispered, his lips touching her ear as he spoke, “for you and I know that they have been fighting it ever since you and your family arrived.”
Emily nodded her head to agree with that statement.
“Are you two even listening to me?” Cass said with heat, and two pairs of eyes swung to meet hers; a green pair so much like her own, and a brown pair that had amber highlights in them.
“Sorry, mom” Jay said with humor as Emily blushed saying, “Sorry, ma’am.”
“Pay attention,” Stacy snapped, and Emily and Sasha’s eyes widened at their mother’s tone.
“Yes, ma’am” they chorused as Cass continued with what she was saying.
Later that day, they were all sitting in the living room when Stacy announced, “We are throwing you girls a birthday party.” Sasha shouted with excitement as Emily groaned.
Jay frowned at her as Sasha said, “Come on, Emily. Let yourself enjoy one party.”
Emily scowled at her as she said, “It’s not the party I mind; it is the fact that you will want me to dress up for it.”
Sasha smiled evilly, “Exactly, which means…”
“No,” Emily muttered as Sasha exclaimed in delight, “SHOPPING!”
Emily dropped her head into her hands as Sasha said, “I saw this fantastic dress for you when we are at the mall the last time. I think it would look awesome on you.”
“Mom, Dad,” Emily pouted, “Please make her stop.”
Jacob laughed as Stacy said seriously, “Sorry, dear, but I agree with your sister. You need to look good for your nineteenth birthday as does Sasha.” Sasha whooped at this, which brought a smile to Emily’s face as she said, “You do realize that is the only reason you want to dress me up.”
Sasha looked at her and winked, “Of course. Besides, I think I can find something that will make Jay drool.”
“Really,” Jay said looking at Emily, “then I can’t wait to see it.” Emily glared at him as he sent her a cocky grin.
Emily sighed as she looked up at her sister, then she said, “Well, I guess we can’t forget about Mark than, and find something that will blow him out of his shoes.”
Sasha tossed her hair over her shoulder and said, “I have the perfect thing. Neither one of them will be looking at any other girls that night, I promise.” With a wink to both guys, she grabbed Emily’s hand, pulled her up and out of the room. They heard Emily cry, “We are going now” before the door was closed behind them.
Jay and Mark started to laugh although Stan saw Jay’s eyes linger on the door a little longer as if he was afraid to let her out of his sight. Cass catching the same look turned toward her husband, and nodded her head.
“Jay,” Stan said standing up from the chair. Jay turned around to look at his father with a question in his eyes.
“We need to talk, son. Let us go into my study,” as he headed out of the living room, and Jay’s eyes narrowed as he stood up to follow his father.
Jacob and Stacy looked at each other, then at the door that had closed behind father and son.
“He is not going to…” Stacy began while Mark looked at them with concern.
Cass smiled, “No,
he is not going to tell Jay not to get involved with Emily. There is something he just needs Jay to know.”
Chapter 9
In his study, Stan turned around looking towards his older son as Jay closed the door behind him.
“I will not give her up, dad,” Jay began walking forward to him.
Stan’s eyes widened at Jay’s words then he started laughing.
“Oh, son,” he said, “I don’t have any problems with Emily being your mate. In fact, I like her very much, and of course her parents are our closest friends.”
“So why,” Jay asked in confusion as Stan sat on the corner of his desk.
“Her being human is the biggest obstacle the two of you will have to face,” Stan started then frowned, “Also with you becoming Alpha, it is going to be harder on her.”
“Then let Mark become Alpha in place of me,” Jay said seriously.
Stan looked at his oldest, and he knew that Jay would make a great Alpha.
“You would be content with being second-in-command,” Stan asked him.
Jay smiled at him with humor, “Dad, Mark is the leader here. You and I both know that, and I happen to like working without having to constantly being scrutinized by others. Being second means I follow Mark, but I do not have to bow down to anyone else and I can do as I please to keep the pack safe with the Alphas okay, of course.” Stan laughed as he thought that was true. He sobered up, and asked, “Victoria?”
Jay sat down in the chair, and admitted, “You were right there; I just didn’t want to see it. When we met her in the mall, I didn’t feel a thing which surprised the hell out of me because although I felt the connection with Emily, I thought for sure I would still feel something for Victoria, but there was nothing.”
“Good,” Stan said then he hesitated, “What I am going to tell you is a decision you and Emily have to decide as did your mother and I. Nobody can tell you what to do and if you do it, you have to see it through to the end.”
Marked in a Vision Page 5
