by Sydney Addae
"None of us should stop living," Jackie said with a strong conviction and the knowledge she would continue to fight against rebels. "You've been playing sports before you could walk. We'll make this work, we always do. If you need my energy to heal, or fight, I'm here for you. Accidents are a part of life."
"Notice she said accidents," Renee said dryly. "Don't do crazy stuff without thinking about us." She laughed at the finger he showed her.
"Do we tell the parents?" David asked.
Jackie looked at him. No matter his feelings he would go along with the majority. They'd always been that way.
"Not yet," Adam said. "Renee made a good point. I'm ready to leave the compound, see some of the world." He looked at them. "I promise to be more careful now that I know what can happen. I swear I won't tell anyone about our Achilles heel, not even my mate until she accepts me. But I need to get away for a bit, I hope you guys trust me enough to allow that."
"Jackie." Quinn's voice sounded like whispery wave she grabbed for their link with both hands.
Profound relief swamped her at the sound of his voice. "Quinn," she called.
"Johnson's dead..." She caught bits and pieces of his sentence.
"One second guys, I hear Quinn," Jackie told them holding up a finger. "Quinn, I'm here with my litter-mates."
"I don't understand.... Litter-mates...coming..." Quinn's words were breaking.
"I was hurt and my brothers and Renee helped me heal. Now we're stuck. Never mind I'll tell you later." She glanced at her siblings.
"Your father... does he know? ....talking about?" Quinn said.
Jackie gritted her teeth at the bad connection. She wanted to put his mind at ease. "No, the four of us, we have a quiet place we go." She repeated that twice hoping he'd pick up on it. "Almost done. Almost done," she repeated so he'd understand she was returning to him soon. She couldn't make out his next words and then there was nothing. Where'd he go?
"Quinn? Quinn?" She called his name a few more times before realizing he left their link.
"You talked to him?" Renee asked when Jackie faced her.
"Some, it was a really bad connection. I got bits and pieces. Maybe I'll be awake soon." She offered a silent prayer to the Goddess to make this happen. Quinn leaving their link wasn't a good thing. She needed to know what was going on. "Please keep him safe," she prayed.
"Renee and Adam don't want to tell the parents of the dangers we face individually or collectively. Bear in mind how long we've been in this coma-like, or paralyzed state and think how Mama would feel if she walked into my or Adam's room right now and couldn't wake us," David said.
"That's not fair," Renee said turning to face David.
He shrugged without taking his gaze off Jackie.
"Daddy will make Jackie and Quinn come to the compound for tests to see if Quinn is the problem instead of us. You know how he gets," Renee said. "This whole passing out thing will become his new mission. I want to live my life free of more years beneath the microscope on how breeds function."
"I heard that," Adam said raising his fist. Renee touched his fist with her own before looking at Jackie.
Jackie agreed with Adam and Renee but didn't say it immediately. Instead she focused on David's comments. "Your points are valid, David. Mama would be upset if she couldn't wake you. She'd be concerned about the downside to us being linked. Keep in mind there are probably more downsides that we haven't triggered and won't know about until something happens. We wouldn't have known about this if I wasn't investigating rebels."
"What?" David said watching her closely.
"Rebels? Why?" Adam asked.
Jackie waved her hand. "That's not the point. What's important is I'm finally doing something that matters a lot to me and I don't want to stop for tests to learn what else happens through our connections. I love you guys and for better or worse we're linked in a weird way that defies understanding. I suggest we deal with each new challenge as it comes along. I'll talk to Quinn; explain our quad so he'll know what's happening." She paused. "I guess we'll need a wingman or a person or someone to watch our backs who's loyal." She shrugged. "We can keep this from Mama and Daddy for now, but not for long." She glanced at David before looking at Renee and Adam. "If they don't find out before, then we tell them next New Year's Day."
David nodded. "Agreed." He looked at them. "Take good care of yourselves and watch your backs. Daddy's calling me." He disappeared.
Jackie woke to Quinn lying next to her in the bed. She breathed in his scent, allowed it to fill her with peace and prayed he would understand her link to her siblings.
"Don't leave me," Quinn murmured in his sleep.
"Never," Jackie promised and brushed a kiss against the top of his head.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Three Days Later:
Jackie and Quinn stood behind the glass and watched Kristin's interrogation. Seated next to her attorney, her arrogant mask slipped as the District Attorney opened a file and pulled out the information regarding Kristin's hidden bank account. Her arrogance disappeared completely when the more damning videos of Kristin and Johnson discussing their deeds against Bradley were played.
Not only did Kristin not know her partner in crime was dual-natured, she also didn't realize the man taped their clandestine meetings and phone calls. Aaron Johnson proved to be a sneaky bitch who kept meticulous records.
Once Jackie and Quinn broke into Johnson’s home, she found his safe with documentation of his nefarious activities. He'd never enrolled in the Nation's database and she hadn't found information regarding a den, litter, or anything from his past. He'd truly been a lone wolf living in the city. Jackie wondered if he was the money behind the rebels but found nothing to indicate he worked with rebels or anyone else.
The past two days Jackie worked feverishly using Bradley's restored documents from the cloud files and Johnson's records to put the finishing touches on a solid case against Kristin Cross. When all the pieces were in place Jackie met with the District Attorney to discuss her findings.
With Bradley and Johnson dead, Kristin was their only lead to Jonas. In exchange for the file on Kristin the District Attorney agreed to seek information from Kristin regarding Jonas' whereabouts. They waited for Kristin to tell them where Jonas was hiding.
"I told you his name is Jonas Gray but I haven't heard or seen him since the day of Mr. Bradley's death. I've been trying to find him but he's not answering my calls." She looked at her attorney. "Honestly, I don't know where he is. If I did I'd tell you. He's a bastard, the way he killed Aaron and Mr. Bradley." Eyes filled with tears, she looked at the District Attorney, a tough old bird in her early 60s. "I swear I had nothing to do with anybody dying."
"Just robbing their company?" the District Attorney asked.
"Don't answer that," Kristin's attorney said.
"We took a little here and there," Kristin hedged looking at the table.
"I have your bank records here," the District Attorney said. "It's a lot more than here and there I assure you."
Kristin nodded but didn't immediately respond. "Aaron had been doing it for years. When we started dating, he brought me in on it."
The District Attorney nodded. "How long did the two of you date?" The way she said "date" made it clear what she thought really happened.
"Three years, on and off," Kristin said, glancing at her attorney and then back at the District Attorney.
Jackie sent the District Attorney a text message. "Did she call Bradley the day he died?" The phone and everything in the house had been destroyed in the fire and since it was a throw-away phone they had no way to check incoming calls.
When asked, Kristin's eyes widened slightly. She sat back in her chair and crossed her leg. "No, I didn't talk to him that day. We talked briefly the night before, he wasn't feeling well."
"She's lying," Jackie said.
Quinn wrapped his arm around her pulling her close. He rubbed his chin against her scalp, calming her. "She's
going to prison for a very long time. Just think, she'll never spend any of the money she stole, all of that, for nothing."
"It was a gamble and she lost," Jackie agreed. Still, it pissed her off Kristin wouldn't pay for Mr. Bradley's death. They'd been unable to tie the woman to the explosion and had to settle with putting her behind bars for a considerable portion of her life on multiple counts of fraud.
The District Attorney glanced at the glass and asked another question. Kristin looked at the glass and frowned. As much as Jackie wanted to punch the woman in the face, anonymity was the one thing the District Attorney insisted on.
"Let's go," Quinn said moving toward the door. "It's too hot and humid in this city. Your parents are expecting us."
Jackie nodded and walked out with him in silence. They hadn’t learned anything new about Taurus’ whereabouts but her father sent his picture to all the Alphas, KnightForce and the Knights with instructions to find him.
After speaking with Penny and Marsha, her dad declared Jonas or Taurus an enemy of the Nation which was akin to a death warrant, except he wanted the full-blood alive. Jonas’ days of walking in the light among humans were over. In Jackie’s mind it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy, she just hoped they found him soon. For now, she had to be satisfied with what she and Quinn had done to bring about justice for Mr. Bradley.
When she'd come out of her comatose state in the hospital, Quinn had been happy, relieved and later told her how jealous he'd felt thinking she chose her siblings over him. His confession opened the door for their conversation regarding the link with her litter-mates. It had been long six hours, filled with questions and what it meant for them.
“So if you pass out in the middle of sex, it may not be my amazing skills,” Quinn had asked.
“Who knows, it could be.” Glad he accepted her quirks and all she had hugged him close. That night they finished mating.
The next day they teleconferenced with Ramos and Antwan who wanted Quinn to run the clinic Alpha Gilbert offered to build at the ranch. Jackie wasn't keen on the idea of living in Tennessee; she'd left home to see more of the world and to make a difference. Quinn told Ramos he and Jackie would be traveling before settling in one place but agreed to look over any plans before construction.
"Alpha Theron sent a car to take us to the jetport, we should be at the compound in time for dinner," Jackie said as they left the government building and veered toward the charcoal gray SUV.
"So, are we really saying goodbye to Houston? You don't have to give it all up if you're not ready." He slid in the back seat next to her.
Over the past few days, going through all the files, seeing the greed and duplicity sickened Jackie to the point she swore off the city. In calmer moments, she realized her disgust was with particular individuals and not the town. "Maybe. I told Alpha Theron I'd let him know in a month or so if we want to sell the house and car. I love that car," she said wistfully.
"We can take it to Tennessee, leave it there for when we visit the ranch. That way we'll have two vehicles there," Quinn said.
"That sounds good." Jackie and Nionis planned to get together whenever she returned to Tennessee, it'd be good to have her own car to come and go as she chose. Snuggling close to Quinn, Jackie took his hand in hers and kissed the back of it. "Nervous?"
"To meet your sire and mam?"
Grinning, she nodded.
"No. Spoke to them both and look forward to planning our mating celebration."
"You've been talking to Renee," she accused.
He nodded. "She's got me thinking a wedding isn't a bad idea."
Jackie groaned. “Don't forget I'm the bride and I'm not sure I want all that.”
He squeezed her shoulder and kissed her forehead. “I want whatever you want.”
Smiling, Jackie snuggled closer as they headed toward the plane.
Several hours later, Jackie walked into her mom's outstretched arms and received a warm, loving hug. “Mama, I missed you,” Jackie said breathing in her mom's scent.
Jasmine placed a kiss on Jackie's cheek and turned to Quinn. “I missed you too, sweetie.”
Without moving from her mom's embrace, Jackie extended her hand to Quinn who took it and moved closer. “Mama this is Quinn York, my mate. I'm a lucky girl to have him,” she added winking at Quinn who shook his head at her.
“I'm lucky.” He bent forward and brushed a kiss against her forehead.
“I'm Jasmine.” She smiled and wrapped her arm around his waist. “Welcome to my home and our family.” She looked at Jackie staring up at her mate and then at Quinn whose smoldering gaze lingered on Jackie's mouth.
“I'd say both of you are blessed to have each other. Let's have a seat. Silas and Angus are on their way,” Jasmine said moving further into the living room.
Holding hands, Jackie and Quinn sat on the love seat, grinning and leaning into each other. When Silas and Angus entered the room they stopped next to Jasmine who remained standing watching the young couple.
“I don't think they know we're here,” Jasmine told Silas. “Were we like that? I don't recall.”
“We're like that now,” Silas said taking her hand and kissing the back of it. “You're all I see when I enter a room.”
She chuckled. “Good try.” She accepted a hug from Angus and stood between the two men.
“So, you're the pup mated to my niece,” Angus said.
Quinn and Jackie looked at them and blinked. Jackie bolted from her seat with her arms outstretched to Angus who hugged her close. Quinn stood, stuffed his hands in his pockets and moved closer to his mate while glancing at the two men. He waited until Jackie hugged her sire and stepped back taking his hand. “Daddy you've linked with Quinn already. Uncle Angus this is Quinn York my mate,” Jackie said moving from foot to foot with a wide grin.
Jasmine watched her normally serious daughter laugh with abandon at something Angus said without ever releasing her mate's hand. “She's really happy,” she told Silas.
“Seems so.”
“She seems more relaxed, balanced.”
“Mating does that to you,” Silas said watching Quinn and Jackie interact with Angus.
“You'll meet my mate and pups tonight at dinner.” Angus looked at Jasmine. “He'll meet everyone tonight, right?”
“Yes, we're having a family dinner. I think Nionis flew in for moral support or to give Cameron an update of her recent activities,” Jasmine said.
Jackie faced Quinn. “My brothers are leaving soon so I wanted you to meet them. Mom opened dinner to everybody so we get it out the way all at once. It won't be bad, I promise. You'll get used to a large family.” She leaned into him.
Quinn’s arm tightened around her waist as he rubbed his chin against her forehead. His gaze met Jasmine's and she nodded with a teary smile.
“Jackie Knight, I love you and nothing else matters. It's an honor to meet those who loved and nurtured you as you grew up,” he said.
Jackie leaned back, pulled him close and kissed him.
“Well, I suppose we're keeping him,” Silas told Jasmine sounding unhappy.
“Yes, she's in love with him and he's in love with her and will make her happy. That's all I want for all of them,” Jasmine said waving good-bye to Angus.
“Happy is a good starting point, I'd like a little more.” Silas paused. “But this one works well for our Jackie, they're a good match.”
Jasmine mimicked her daughter and pulled Silas in for a searing kiss.
<<<<>>>>
Hello,
I love paranormal books and characters in general and shifter stories in particular. Throw in the romantic element, strong Alpha characters who bend beneath the power of love and I’m over the moon. Sighs…
Thank you for taking the time to read Jackie's Journey, Book one in La Patron's Den. Jackie's a strong, intelligent woman with a strong sense of loyalty and a high moral compass. If Quinn hadn't been her mate would she have turned him in for disobeying the law? Maybe.
Being able to see both sides of a coin is an excellent trait and one that serves this puzzle-fixing, serious pup. Just as family is important to Jasmine, she's taught and demonstrated that love to her children. And although their bonds are tested, so far they haven't broken. But then again, we haven't read Adam's story, which is next.
You’re invited to journey with me through all the books in this series. If you like fast paced action, suspense and great love connections like me, you won’t be disappointed. Feel free to drop me a line, [email protected] or join my Facebook group, La Patron’s Den, where discussions regarding Silas and the Wolf nation abound. Also you can find me at my website, SydneyAddae.com.
Knight Chronicles is a newsletter for my Readers Group from the characters of the series to keep you informed of what’s going on in the Wolf Nation. Each issue has a personal message from Silas Knight, La Patron, or his mate, Jasmine. Character profiles with in-depth interviews and thoughts you won’t find anywhere else. Also works in progress, new releases and special give-aways in every issue. If you would like to receive Knight Chronicles click this sign up link! Thank you. (http://eepurl.com/bb3csz)
La Patron, the Alpha’s Alpha is my first paranormal series and I’d like to ask a favor. When you finish reading, please leave a review, whatever your opinion, I assure you I appreciate it.
Thanks again
Sydney
BirthRight
BirthControl
BirthMark
BirthStone
BirthDate
BirthSign
Sword of Inquest
Sword of Mercy
Sword of Justice
La Patron’s Christmas
La Patron’s Christmas 2
La Patron's New Year – w/Catherine Marsh, & Leigh West
KnightForce 1
KnightForce Deuces
KnightForce Tres’
