“You two are sickening.” Ben teased.
“You’re just jealous. You want a mate of your own,” she told him. “Are you sticking around?”
“No, we’re having the bonfire tonight.” He tossed the Dalmatian onto the stack. “If you need anything just holler, otherwise I’ll see you in the morning.”
When the door closed behind Ben, Jinx nuzzled her neck. “Umm, to be alone with you finally.”
“Not actually alone,” she reminded him. Gosh, she couldn’t wait until they weren’t sharing the room with Claire, and she could have her way with him again. “We’re doing the right thing for her, aren’t we?”
He stopped what he was doing and looked at her. “Yes. You’re what’s right for her.”
“But taking her away…”
“Away from what? She doesn’t know this place or anyone here. Now is the best time to get her away, let her start fresh somewhere else. Which is why as long as Lukas keeps things on track, we are flying out the day after tomorrow.”
Her heart skipped a beat with the thought of going to West Virginia. In the mix of everything she had forgotten she still had to meet his clan. What if they didn’t accept her? Or worse, what if they didn’t accept Claire?
“I see my little worrier is back.” He teased. “Everything is going to be fine. They’ll love you, just as I do. Word is already spreading around the clan. Everyone is excited I’m bringing a mate and child home. It’s a big deal when the Alpha finds his mate. It brings new life into the clan, and the clan’s population increases with new births.”
“What about Lukas? Has he made a decision about your offer?”
“Not yet.” He frowned at her. “I told you before I didn’t hold high hopes for it. He enjoys his work with Connor, the Nerd Crew, and being in the field. If he took the position of Lieutenant he’d be out of the field for the most part. If work with Connor could be done remotely, it might sway him, but I’m not sure any of that’s the same for him.”
“He’ll come around.”
“If he passes on this chance it might be too late. He’s one I’d trust at my back, to keep you, Claire, and the clan safe if anything happened to me.” A knock at the door stopped him for a moment. “There he is.”
She stopped him as he tried to get up. “Nothing’s going to happen to you. Things are going to work out with the Lieutenant position. Just like they worked out for my clan, and for Claire.”
* * *
Jinx planted a smile on his face and pulled open the door. He didn’t want Lukas to know he was worried if the Lieutenant position would be filled or not. Lukas still had roughly forty-eight hours before Jinx was leaving for West Virginia.
“Hey brother, you better be bringing me good news.”
“A little of both.” Lukas stepped into the suite, his arms loaded with paperwork and his laptop. “Ahh, you must be the woman who finally got Jinx to settle down.”
“Summer.” She held out her hand to him.
“I’m Lukas. The more handsome one if I do say so myself.” Lukas took her hand and kissed it.
“Quit flirting with my mate,” Jinx ordered. “Sit down and tell me this news.”
“Duty calls,” Summer said, before going to the pile of things she needed to go through.
“Frequently, when Jinx is in charge.” Lukas placed his things on the coffee table and sat down. “Mating hasn’t changed you one bit, you’re still all business. Where’s the play, old man?”
“There’s a time for play and a time for work. Don’t call me old man.” Jinx grabbed the can of soda he had abandoned earlier and took a swig. “So on with it.”
“Very well. I have things in place for Larry to start with the cameras tomorrow morning. All the spots are marked, and once in place the whole resort will be covered. Tex has also requested some of the outside and clan areas be covered under a different monitoring system, which I’ll begin working on tomorrow.” Lukas handed him papers with all the camera locations listed.
“How about the resort computer system? Keyless entry cards for the doors?”
“The computer system should be up and running tomorrow night. I’m just waiting on a few pieces to arrive, which are due here by tomorrow noon. The keyless entries, well…”
“What?” Jinx pressed.
“All the doors will need to be replaced, and the new ones will take a week from the manufacturer. That’s going to push it back. In the meantime the clan can start getting other things in place, cleaning the rooms, painting, everything else. That way, when the new doors are in place they can reopen the resort.”
“Has Tex decided who will head up security?”
“Ben’s going to be in charge. He’s very good with computers. There will also be a guy named Barry handling the day-to-day security details. I’ve already brought Ben up to date with everything.” Lukas pushed the papers aside and powered the computer up.
“I won’t be here to oversee everything, but I can leave Larry behind to help.” Jinx looked over the papers.
“Look at this.” Lukas turned the laptop. “Here’s a three-dimensional diagram of the resort. The red circles are where the cameras are going. The top floor will be Tex and Ben’s private quarters. They are also keeping one there for you and Summer when you visit. The next floor will be quarters for any workers or single members who wish to remain in the building. The rest of the clan will take up residence in the other building around back. It’s more suited for families with more apartment living, and there are also some stand alone homes.”
“Seems like they have everything worked out.”
“That’s sweet of them to keep a place for us.” Summer moved a pile of stuff aside.
“According to them, there will always be a place for you here.” He clicked a few buttons and the screen changed. “These will be the changes once everything is complete. A total renovation, giving the resort a new image to show the new Alpha.”
“Whose idea was that?” Jinx looked over the design. It was perfect, a clear way to say it was under new management, and would get people to return to check out the changes.
“Tex. He sketched out what he wanted for the logo, design, and ideas for the rooms. I put it together. There’s a team ready to start right way, the sign and other supplies should be here soon.”
“Everything is coming together. It’s all going to work out for them.” Summer leaned over Jinx’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t interrupt you.”
“You’re fine, lass.” He laid his hand over hers. “It’s nice to see, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” She nodded. “To know the clan will be fine once we leave…that means a lot to me.”
“They’ll have weeks before things are complete but when it’s done it will be like a new gem. Everyone will be coming to see it.” Lukas’s eyes sparkled as he spoke. “I’ve added some other touches, mostly with activities and things that I believe the clientele will enjoy. Tex is considering them as we speak. In the meantime I’m going to work on a new website for them, which I’ll maintain, instead of outsourcing it.”
“You’re going to be busy with all of this.” Jinx had to swallow his disappointment; his brother would have no time to accept the offered position.
“It won’t take much time, plus I’ll have weeks before the website needs to be complete. Actually I wanted to…”
Jinx’s phone began ringing, interrupting their conversation.
“One second.” Jinx grabbed his cell phone off the table and brought it to his ear. “Yes?”
“Boss, we’ve just pulled up out front. Where would you like us to meet you?” Jackson’s husky voice came through the line.
“Just wait there, I’ll be down in a moment.” He slid his finger over the screen, ending the call before turning to Lukas. “Could you stay with Summer and Claire for a few minutes while I go meet Jackson and the guys and show them to their rooms?”
“No problem. Take as long as you need.” Lukas nodded. “I’ll leave copies of all this for you on the
coffee table.”
Jinx rose, slipping his arm around Summer’s waist. “I’ll be back in just a few minutes. Jackson might be coming back with me to meet you and go over a few things, depending on how tired he is.”
“I’ll be here.” She kissed him. “There’s a lot more I need to go through, so take your time.”
Chapter Thirteen
Clothes and toys were stacked in piles of what was going and what wasn’t. The stack they would bring with them was getting fuller than she expected. Two empty suitcases sat off to the side, but with the height of the pile she was doubtful there would be enough room.
“Penny for your thoughts?” she asked Lukas, who sat on the sofa, the laptop in front of him. But he wasn’t working, instead he was gazing into space.
“I’m thinking about West Virginia, my home.” He sat the computer aside and looked at her. “I never expected to leave the clan, but when I got the chance to stay in Alaska to help with their cause I jumped at it. For the first time I felt like I was needed, that I was doing something good.”
“What changed?”
“Jinx…” He let his head fall back against the sofa. “This opportunity…well, it’s got me thinking. I miss home, and it’s a once in a lifetime chance. If I turn it down, I might never be offered the chance again.”
“But?” She provoked him when he went silent.
“I’ve grown a lot since I’ve left West Virginia. I’m not sure I’m willing to give everything up. I still want to have a part in all the changes. At the same time, my duty lies with the family clan. I feel so split.”
“Have you talked to Jinx about this? Maybe there’s a way to do both. He’s very committed to the changes, and the Alaskan Tigers. I don’t see why it wouldn’t work for you. You could continue working with them, maybe remotely?”
“I was going to mention it, but then Jackson called.” He glanced over at her, giving her a halfhearted smile. “I shouldn’t be bothering you with my problems when you have your own.”
“It’s fine. What else are families for?” She tossed the Dalmatian into the keep pile. “How about a cup of coffee?”
“Sure. It might help clear my mind. I’ll get it.” He stood and went to the small kitchenette.
“I know Jinx is hopeful that you will take the position, but in the end you have to do what’s right for you. If the two of you can work out something so you’re both happy then all the better.” She got up from the floor, stepping over the piles she’d created. “He cares about your happiness, and he’ll understand, no matter what you decide.”
“What about you? You’re Alpha Female of the clan. Did he give you any say in it?”
“He mentioned it to me before he asked you, but as for anything further…no. We didn’t discuss any others he might have in mind if you decline the position. Not that I could have been much help since I’ve never met any of the clan members.” She took the coffee mug he offered and sat down at the table that was now clear since everything was in piles on the floor. “I’m aware he does have another in mind because he doesn’t feel you’ll take the position. I also know he doesn’t have the same faith in the other person as he does you. He believes you’ll keep the clan safe if something happens to him.”
“That’s the other thing…” He brought his own coffee over and sat down next to her. “Heaven forbid something happened to Jinx. I don’t think I could stand by and see the clan fall into someone else’s hands. But since I’m not even a clan member I wouldn’t have the right to challenge whoever took over. When the Lieutenant is forced to take over the clan, only a current clan member can challenge him.”
“I’ve heard of outsiders challenging before.”
“True, but it’s not the way of our kind. Most times they are desperate to lead, and the clan will overthrow them within weeks. A clan normally won’t stand for an outsider coming in to overthrow their new Alpha without them at least giving the new Alpha a chance or challenging him themselves.”
She sat there listening to him and felt like an outsider. These were her people they were talking about, and she barely knew anything about them. Avery had brainwashed the clan, making them believe they were stuck under him and that no one could overthrow him. Ben had tried to get people to see that if they rallied together they could defeat Avery but everyone was too far-gone to listen to him. They wouldn’t risk Avery’s wrath on a chance. Instead they’d rather hide in the shadows hoping they wouldn’t catch his attention.
“You might not like to hear this, but I’m going to say it anyway.” She leaned forward, placing her hand over his. “If you don’t want to see someone else possibly running the clan, then you need to take the position.”
“I love that you make it sound so easy.”
She nodded, and picked up her mug. “It can be if you want it to be.”
Jinx opened the door before she could add anything more.
Behind him was a tall man with the greenest eyes she’d ever seen, his hair cut in military style. His muscles strained against his flannel shirt and tight jeans. Just by looking at him she knew he didn’t get them from hours in the gym; everything about him screamed he was an outdoorsman. Any workout he did was in the fresh air.
“Summer, this is Jackson, the Captain of your Guards.” He glanced behind him and tipped his head in her direction. “Jackson, my mate.”
Jackson came to her, dropping to his knees in front of here, and took her hand in his. “I’m in your service now and always.”
She glanced at Jinx. The realization of what he was doing was overwhelming.
“Do you know what to do?” Jinx asked.
“I’ve seen others do this in front of Avery, but I never expected…”
“You are my mate, the clan’s Alpha Female.” He let his gaze shift between her and Jackson who was still kneeling in front of her. “He is offering you his neck. When a lesser shifter comes into the presence of their Alpha, or Alpha Female, for the first time, they are supposed to offer you their neck. You then bend and sniff it. This act shows they are subservient to you, and that you accept them as part of your clan. This marks your scent on them as well, so another Alpha or rogue knows they are messing with a clan, not a lone shifter.”
Summer felt her heart speed up with the thought that the clan was hers as well, not just Jinx’s. She’d have people depending on her, duties to the clan. Now she completely understood what Lukas was going through.
“Jackson, I didn’t consider how much rule Avery had over his people, I should have prepared her,” Jinx explained as she delayed.
She leaned forward and sniffed Jackson’s neck. The scent of crisp fall leaves, cedar and maple trees, mixed with the clean smell of air after a rainstorm filled her. It was strong enough that she almost believed she was there, with the wet dirt under her feet, surrounded by woods. She longed to be there, to be…home. For the first time in her life, she felt as if she actually belonged somewhere.
Not wanting the feeling to end, she took another deep breath of it, and everything clicked into place. Jackson’s emotions slipped into a file, all nice, neat, and together. No longer was he lost in the jumble that was the rest of the clans.
While her eyes were closed, Jinx came to her and placed his hand on her shoulder, as if he was trying to ground her. “You’re smelling the clan. It’s heavenly, I know, but don’t lose yourself to it. We’ll be there soon and everything else will come together.” He squeezed her shoulder, pulling her back from the edge of bliss. “If you mean Jackson no harm, kiss his neck and welcome him to the clan. If you find him a threat or wish him harm, this is your chance to bite his neck, at least until you draw blood, depending on the situation and the punishment you see fit.”
She knew with everything in her that he meant no harm to her, Jinx, or Claire. He’d protect them with his dying breath. She leaned in, allowing her lips to touch his neck, and placed a soft kiss there.
“You have now accepted Jackson as subservient to you. This is how the pack greet
s the Elders when they have been away for a while or they’re receiving judgment over a crime.”
Jackson stood. “It’s an honor to serve under you.”
“Thank you.” She shot a look behind her to Jinx. “Not that I need guards.”
“Let’s not do that again.” He rubbed her shoulder. “I want you and Claire protected.”
“Very well. Jackson, I’m sorry about the mess, but feel free to make yourself at home. If you’ll excuse me I’m going to take a hot bath.” She rose and kissed her mate before heading to the adjourning bedroom. On the way, she shot Lukas a look and mouthed, Talk to him.
* * *
Jinx fought everything in him not to go after her. Knowing she was in the next room, getting naked and stepping into a steaming hot bubble bath, made his shaft harden. Instead, he forced himself to clean off another chair and deal with the security detail.
“Have a seat, Jackson.” He nodded to the empty chair before seating himself. “Lukas, I’d like to continue with what we started after I go over a few quick things with Jackson, unless you have somewhere you need to be.”
“No, I’m done for the night. While you do that, I’ll just mosey over there and work on my computer.”
“Very well.” Jinx turned back to Jackson. “I’ll cut straight to the point because I know you’re tired. I asked you to be the Captain of Summer’s guards because I know you can protect her. The safety of her and Claire is the most important.”
Over the next few minutes, he brought Jackson up to speed. He went into the details of Tabitha’s coming announcement as Queen of the Tigers, to why he had been spending so much time in Alaska, to how Claire had come to be his adopted daughter. Everything that was relevant to keeping his family safe was on the table for Jackson to absorb.
“I know this is a lot to take in,” he added, “but you need to know everything in order to keep her safe.”
“I understand, and even with the challenges ahead I’ll do what you ask.” Jackson clasped his hands on the table. “However, I have to suggest that we add more guards to their protection.”
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