“What if I helped?” she finally asked, and Willow felt that knot in her stomach relax somewhat.
“How?” she asked. She needed plans. She wasn’t as obsessive about lists as her sister-in-law Melanie, but she needed concrete plans if she was going to find a way to help Jasper.
“I’m not connected to the Pack like he is, but I can help anyway.”
Cailin shrugged, but Willow could tell from the way she tried to blink it away, that the lack of a special bond bothered Caitlin, even if she tried to hide it. One day, if Willow was ever able to breathe normally again, she’d talk with her sister-in-law about it. Right now, though, she needed to think about her mate.
“I know you can, Cailin,” Willow said. “I’m sorry I sounded snippy just then with asking how, but I need to know. I need to go back to him with a plan, or he’ll just tell me he has everything under control. We all know he doesn’t. At least not right now.”
“No, that’s okay. What I can do, though, is take some of his responsibilities. He might need to care for the Pack, but he doesn’t need to do every little thing himself. We can force the Pack to start calling me or someone else if they need things. I know Jasper also knows when Pack members need help before even they know it, so I can’t help there, but I can help with the others. He doesn’t and shouldn’t have to do everything on his own. So I’ll help. I need something to do anyway because, as much as I love babysitting my nieces and nephews, I need a purpose that’s more than that. I need a goal and plan just for me.” She gave a small smile. “And then, when I have one, I can help my family and Pack out at the same time. It’s a win-win.”
Willow sucked in a shaky breath then launched herself around the table, wrapping her arms around Cailin. “Oh my God, thank you so much.”
Cailin hugged her back. Hard. The woman might look standoffish to others sometimes, but she loved to hug just like the rest of the Jamensons. She also did it with all of her heart.
“We’ll take care of your mate, Willow.”
Tears slid down Willow’s cheeks, and she pulled away, wiping them quickly before Brie noticed from over in the little play area. The last thing she wanted was her little girl to be worried over her momma’s feelings.
She sniffed once then smiled. “Okay then. So you’ll help. Good.”
“I’ll help her as well,” Maddox put in.
Willow shook her head. “No, you have your own powers and responsibilities. I don’t want to overwork you.”
Maddox just smiled. “Yes, I do, but for the next week, I will help her with some of the needs that I can tell from her emotions. All of our powers are tied together in certain ways that allow the Pack to function. This will give you time to steal Jasper away for a little while and actually enjoy your mate. All of our matings are new, and because of the war, we haven’t been able to relish them like we should have.”
“I’m sure Mom and Dad would love to have Brie for that time too. Yes, they’re busy like the rest of us, but they love grandbabies.”
Willow closed her eyes, the warmth and love of her family filling her and making her want to weep again. She hated crying, and yet she seemed to do it at the drop of a hat when she was stressed.
“Go home with Brie and see your mate,” Cailin said. “Let me and Maddox figure out what I’ll need to do. I’ll even talk with Dad about watching Brie and what our plans are. That way he’s in the loop.”
Since Edward was the Alpha, it only made sense that he would need to be in the know with any changes or Pack matters. Willow was glad Cailin and Maddox would be helping, but she also didn’t want to put everything on their shoulders.
“I don’t want you to have to do everything.”
Cailin shook her head. “We aren’t. We’re working as a family to make sure one of our own is happy. Go home to your mate and breathe again. When we have the planning finished, you can kidnap him and make it worth his while.” She wiggled her eyebrows, and Willow snorted at the pained look on Maddox’s face.
“Don’t do that again. For the love of God, stop talking about things like that when it has to do with my brothers. Which, by the way, dear sister, are your brothers too.”
Cailin rolled her eyes. “Yeah, but I don’t think about that. I was thinking about Willow. Gah.”
Willow just shook her head and left the two of them bickering with one last hug. After saying goodbye to her employees who had entered the building a few moments before, she picked up Brie, said goodbye to Charlotte, and walked out of the bakery. She was off shift, and because it was a small den-run place, she knew it would be in good hands when she left.
Since it was a nice walk to her home, she’d decided not to drive that morning. Usually when she had Brie, she would drive just so her little one didn’t get cranky. However, today, Brie just laid her head on Willow’s shoulder and mumbled sweetly on their journey.
When she walked into the front room, she almost swallowed her tongue.
Jasper stood shirtless, wearing his jeans, tool belt, and boots.
Oh. My.
He turned to her, his long hair tied back with a leather strap. “Hey, there’s my girls. I’m fixing something on our deck then I thought we’d head to Adam and Bay’s for dinner. That way we don’t have to cook.” The bright smile on his face didn’t hide the shadows on his face, and Willow knew that, even though she was hiding her plans, they were for the best.
She’d do anything to protect her mate.
Even from himself.
Chapter Three
Jasper’s head snapped back, and he blinked, the little birds dancing around his face telling him maybe he should sit down. He staggered back, opening his jaw wide and feeling around his mouth with his tongue to make sure he didn’t knock lose any teeth.
“Shit, Jasper. I didn’t think I’d hit you that hard.” Kade gripped Jasper’s elbow and forced him to sit on the nearby rock.
Jasper shook his head then winced. Nope, shouldn’t have done that. “I know you didn’t mean to. I just didn’t move fast enough.”
Logan came down to eye level, pushing Kade out of the way. Considering neither Kade nor Logan was a doctor, it didn’t really matter which one looked at him, but whatever. Jasper just needed a nap.
“You’re really sucking at this fighting stuff, Beta,” Logan grunted. “I thought you were the mighty Jamenson and could fight like no other.”
Jasper flipped the man off then leaned against the tree trunk that stood behind the large rock he sat on. He still wasn’t quite sure how he felt about the other wolf. The man was a good fighter and had proven over and over again that his loyalties ran to the Redwoods. He also took care of his sister, Lexi, and nephew, Parker, better than anyone had before, though now that North was mated to Lexi, Logan was backing off a bit to let the new family gain their balance.
Jasper didn’t have a problem with any of that.
The problem was that Logan’s wolf happened to be sniffing around Jasper’s little sister.
What made it worse was that Cailin was sniffing around him, too.
Cailin might be in her twenties, but she would forever be Jasper’s baby sister.
His wolf nudged along his skin, wanting to beat the other wolf to a pulp for even daring to look at Cailin, his perfect, precious baby sister. The man, though, had a fucking headache because he’d been too tired and too slow to duck Kade’s punch during training.
He’d just have to hurt Logan later.
Jasper rubbed along his jaw, the ache already going away. Kade hadn’t hit too hard since they were only training, but the punch shouldn’t have landed at all.
“You need to go home and get some sleep,” Kade said as he rolled his shoulders. “No. First, you need to go make love to your wife, get some food in your system, and then, sleep for a week. You’re too fucking tired these days to do anything.”
Jasper growled, not liking the fact that his brother was right. “You’re just as tired as I am.”
Kade shook his head and sat next to hi
m on the rock. Logan paced back and forth in front of them. The other man had a lot more energy than they did, but then again, Logan’s wolf was different—not that Jasper knew exactly how yet. That was something else on his list to find out about the other man.
“All of us are tired because of this damn war, but we’re not as exhausted as you,” Kade said softly. “You need to give yourself a break.”
“How? How the hell am I supposed to do that, huh? If I don’t continue to do what I’m doing, then I’m letting down the Pack. I won’t have them in need because I can’t handle my duties. The moon goddess gave me the power to do this, and damn it, I’m going to fucking do it.”
“And kill yourself in the process?” Logan asked.
“I’m fine,” he lied.
“You’re lying,” Kade said. “But if you’re gonna lie to yourself as well as us, then there isn’t anything I can do. I will be by your side if you need me though.”
“I’m fine. Really.”
“Are you?” Logan asked.
He closed his eyes and ran a hand over his face. “No, no, I’m not fucking okay. I’m pulled in too many directions, and I can’t even train with Kade and you without getting my ass kicked. What if I can’t protect my family?”
That was his greatest fear. If he was too exhausted to complete his daily tasks, how was he going to protect Willow and Brie if something happened?
His wolf whined, and Jasper knew his wolf had the same feeling sliding through him as well.
“Jasper…” Kade sighed and shook his head.
It seemed not even the Heir knew what to say.
“Can we just drop the subject?” As much as he loved his brother—and tolerated Logan even though he happened to be a little too close to Cailin for Jasper’s tastes—he needed to get his mind off his troubles. That was one reason he’d come out to train and fight a bit. He needed to keep his skills up for when they went into hand-to-hand combat with the Centrals, knowing something big was coming.
And they would be going hand-to-hand with the Centrals. They’d already done it a few times, and the powder keg was ready to burst.
Kade raised his brows but gave a tight nod. “Okay, I’ll drop it for now. Not forever though.” He turned to Logan. “So, what would you like to discuss now?”
Logan narrowed his gaze. “Not whatever is on your mind from the look on your face.”
Since Jasper had a feeling he and Kade were on the same page when it came to Logan and Cailin, he could see Logan’s issue. It wasn’t that they didn’t want a mating. It was that they needed to make sure Logan was good enough for their sister.
And since no one was good enough for Cailin, approving a mate choice was a herculean task.
Jasper’s head hurt too much to deal with that, so he changed the subject. “How is Melanie?”
Kade snorted and rolled his eyes. “We’ll let the other thing drop for now then. As for Mel? She’s great. Well, as great as she can be since we’re all stressed.”
“She’s a good Heir’s mate,” Jasper said. “She’ll make a great Alpha female when Dad steps down.”
Kade smiled. “Yeah, yeah, she’s amazing.” He let out a breath. “I feel like I just met her, and yet I know her better than I know myself some days. I can’t believe everything that’s changed in such a short time.”
Jasper nodded, his head finally feeling normal. Thank the goddess he was a werewolf and healed quickly. He felt the same way as Kade when it came to his Willow. He loved the woman with every breath he had and knew his life would have been far darker without her. His wolf nudged at him, wanting to go back to their mate.
The snap of a branch reached his ears, and all three men went on alert. They stood back to back, their fists clenched as they took in the scene. Jasper took a deep breath, inhaling the scents around him then froze, a smile forming on his face.
Cinnamon.
“Willow,” he whispered.
She came out from the trees to the small clearing where the men stood and smiled. He noticed a gleam in her eye that meant she was hiding something, but he ignored it for now because she also looked happy. All he wanted was to pick her up and never let her go. It was as if they had just mated.
Gods, he loved her.
“Hey, you, I’m glad you’re still here.” She came right up to him, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed his chin. He lowered his head and met her lips, having missed her more than he could say.
He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and studied her face. “What’s going on? Is everyone okay?” He felt Kade and Logan still behind him, but the other men were giving them space thankfully.
She just smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Everyone else is fine, but you aren’t.”
He started. “What?”
“I’m kidnapping you, Jasper Jamenson, and there’s nothing you can say or do that will change my mind.”
Jasper’s wolf nudged along his skin, liking Willow’s plan. In fact, Jasper liked the sound of her plan as well.
“What do you mean you’re kidnapping me?”
Willow pulled away slightly and looked behind him. “Can I have a moment with my mate?” she asked.
Jasper turned around to see huge grins on Kade’s and Logan’s faces.
Kade came to Willow’s side, pulled her from Jasper’s arms, and smacked a loud kiss on her lips. Jasper couldn’t help the possessive growl that ripped from his lips.
“Get your hands off my mate and on to your own.”
Kade just winked and handed Willow to Logan, who proceeded to kiss her too. Jasper reached out to wring the wolf’s neck, but Kade held him back.
“Have fun with your mate, Willow. Don’t tire him out too much.” With another wink, he and Logan walked away, leaving the two of them in the forest alone.
“I’m going to kill that wolf for touching you.”
Willow’s mouth twitched. “Which one?”
“Either one. Maybe both.” He rubbed his lips against hers than pulled her into a hug. “I don’t like their scents on you.”
“Then you better find a way to get your scent, and only your scent, all over my body.”
Jasper’s cock hardened, pressing against the zipper of his jeans. “We could arrange that, but, first, tell me what’s going on in that head of yours.”
“I already told you. I’m kidnapping you.”
“You can’t just kidnap me, Willow. I have responsibilities. We have responsibilities.”
She just shook her head. “It’s all taken care of. All you have to do is follow me to our SUV and jump in, and then we’re driving to one of the cabins on the corner of the den.”
“What? When did you plan all of this?” He didn’t understand what was happening, though the idea of being alone in a cabin with Willow for any period of time made him want to howl with glee.
His wolf howled a little anyway.
Apparently he was in agreement.
“I’ve been planning for a little while. I want us to enjoy some time together. Just the two of us. Then, when we get back, we will spend time with Brie. Just the three of us.”
He cupped her face and kissed her softly. “You know that’s what I want too, baby. I just don’t know how you’re doing this. We haven’t been spending much time together as it is because we can’t.”
“We’re taking care of all that. Now come on. I’m kidnapping you, and since you’re bigger than me, you’ll just have to go along with it so I don’t have to knock you out and drag you. You’ve already had a few too many hits to the head recently.”
He blinked down at his mate. “You’re joking about that? What’s up with you, baby?”
“If I don’t joke and make plans to make things better, than I’d just curl in a ball and cry. That’s not how it works, so we’re going to figure things out. You can’t do it yourself because you’re in the middle of it. If you do focus on how to fix things rather than doing it, you’ll just end up getting another concussion because you’re too scattered
.”
“You are remarkable. I love you so fucking much. You get that, right?”
She tilted her head, the concern in her eyes mixed with the determination she must have used to make the plans she’d made.
“I get that, and I love you just as much. Now let’s get out of here. We’re going to one of the cabins in the den, but it’s really far out and close to the border.”
The words he’d said to Kade and Logan just before her arrival floated through his mind. “Is it safe?” Was he strong enough to protect her if the time came?
“It’s as safe as any area of the den these days,” she said, not a hint of fear in her tone. It held only resignation.
He hated that he’d brought her into the Pack right at the time of war, and ever since. their world had been fighting around them, and he’d been powerless to stop it. He needed to put that in the back of his mind, though, and focus on what Willow was trying to give him.
Peace.
The walked out of the clearing to where Willow had parked their SUV and got in.
“You drive since you know the area better,” she said as she slid into the passenger seat.
“Where are we going?” he asked, starting the engine and inhaling her sweet scent. It seemed to fill the inside of the car quickly.
“The old Clemens cabin.”
He knew the place and nodded before heading out.
“What about Brie?” he asked as he gripped Willow’s hand. He’d been thinking about Brie since Willow first mentioned her plans, but he hadn’t said anything because he knew she’d take care of their daughter first, above all else.
“Your parents have her. She’ll be fine, and Mom gets to spoil her.”
That sounded about right, and Brie would have a blast.
“What about my Beta duties?” Those he couldn’t just forget, and there wasn’t another Beta to help him. Hence the situation he was in.
“Cailin is working on them with Maddox. Your family is taking care of you, honey. And when you get back, we will all work to find a way to help you deal with everything. It’s not fair that you’re doing so much and not asking for help. You know we’d give it to you.”
A Beta's Haven Page 3
