She ran to the top of the mountain, breathing heavy. She looked out at the surrounding mountains and howled. The packs howled back, knowing her pain. She fell to the ground, whining. She lay there for about ten minutes. Her mates were behind her but she didn't move.
You need to come home and rest, Remi said, nudging her with his nose. Jaycee snapped at his nose.
I'll come home when I'm ready. Don't worry, master, your slave will be there tomorrow.
Jaycee, come now! Remi said, using his alpha voice on her. Jaycee whined as her wolf went crawling towards him. Remi shifted to his beast and picked her up. He carried her to the house.
Jaycee's heart broke and she was numb. As they walked past the two packs, their heads lowered to show respect. She did nothing, just continued to stare forward. Remi hopped up the stairs to the house and pushed the door open. Her father stared at her, but she ignored him as Remi took her up the stairs to the bedroom. She shifted as he put her into the bed. Jaycee pulled the covers over her, then closed her eyes and tried to find sleep.
Chapter Seven
Jaycee opened her eyes and knew she must have been exhausted. She didn't remember anything after she closed her eyes. Her mates were gone as usual. Jaycee got up going to the bathroom and took a quick shower. Drying her body, Jaycee walked out into the bedroom.
Kate was there, sitting on the bed, her head lowered. Jaycee could see tears running down her face. She sighed.
“What's wrong?” Jaycee said, jumping into jeans and a sweater.
“I'm so sorry, Jaycee. Your father just told me what he was going to do. I was furious. I kicked him out of our room. I don't know how he can do this to you.”
“I don't want you fighting with him. This is my problem. I don't have a father anymore, at least not the one I remember. I'm not going to fight anymore. They won. I'll be their slave, but the part that wants and needs love is buried deep in me now. They won't get that.” Jaycee sat down beside her, hugging her.
“I'm numb, Kate. All my life I believed I could have someone who would love me, not just my body, not just my stigma. And I guess I always dreamed Dane would be my knight and shining armor. You know come to my rescue, give me all the romance that I never had.” Jaycee pulled back and smiled at her. She wiped her tears.
“I don't know if Dad told you, but my dream was to have a human wedding, to wear Nana's dress, to have a horse drawn sled take me to the groom. I even dreamed of the night he proposed to me. There would be candles all around us…well, I guess it doesn't matter anymore. I have it in my fantasies.”
Jaycee grabbed Kate's hand and pulled her to the door. They walked down the stairs. Her mates were there talking to her father. She ignored them and walked to the pack house. She might as well eat there. She wasn't going anywhere.
“You're going to eat at the pack house this morning?” Kate asked, walking next to her.
“Why hide anymore? They're bound and determined to do this.” Shelly stepped up next to them, and they entered the pack house and walked to the buffet tables. The room got quiet as they grabbed their plates and piled on the food. She saw the man who had asked her out. He had a couple of black eyes and a broken nose.
Jaycee sighed and walked up to him. “I'm sorry about this. It seems every time I get to know someone, they get hurt. Maybe you should just stay away. They won,” Jaycee said walking away. Her mates had heard what she had said. They had just come into the room when she went up to him.
Jaycee sat with Kate and Shelly and ate her food, ignoring her mates. Her father and the other members of the National Council came in to eat also. Jaycee noticed Mr. Black walk up to her. She raised her head.
“I understand you've changed your mind that you'd like to help my mate with the New Year ‘s Eve party?” he asked, staring at her.
“Yes, I would be honored to help. Just have her give me a call and we can start right away. I have some ideas already written down.” Jaycee said and took a drink of milk.
“Great. I think you two will get along great. She's just as strong willed as you.” He laughed, walking away. Jaycee just shook her head and continued to eat.
“Are you really going to do that?” Shelly asked.
Jaycee shrugged her shoulders. “I've always liked to plan events, so why not get some enjoyment out of my life as a slave?” She looked up, giving Shelly a sad smile. That was when she noticed all the females of both packs stand around her table, with Grace and Camille standing in front of her.
“Jaycee,” Grace said. “We have all agree, if this bonding ceremony goes through, we're banning our males from any contact, sexual or otherwise. We're not standing for it.” Jaycee was shocked she looked at all the females. All of them. There had to be about one hundred and fifty of them standing. Jaycee saw the males standing at the other end of the hall glaring at them. She couldn't do this to the pack. Jaycee shook her head, getting up. “I really appreciate your support, but I can't let you do this. I'm alpha of our packs, which I hope will one day be united. Who knows? Maybe the men are working that out now. I don't know, but I won't be the cause of this size of a rift. I want my mates to do this on their own, not have to do it because of pressure from the pack. It wouldn't mean anything if it doesn't come from their hearts.” Jaycee sighed, looking at her mates. They watched, doing nothing.
She looked at Camille and Grace. “There is one good thing that is coming out of this bonding. I will have great mothers, and I now know I have friends in both packs. Thank you.” Jaycee whispered, tears slipping down her face. “If you will excuse me now, I need some air.”
Jaycee walked past her mates into the living room, grabbing her coat. Her guards followed close. She smiled at them, turning to take her walk. She walked to the north, a different way she had never been down. It was beautiful outside; animals scurried about as she walked. The trees blew in the light wind, and the sun shone, making the snow looked like crystal.
A gazebo appeared up ahead, a pond off to the right of it. It was beautiful, all hand-carved, with a swing in it. Jaycee sat down on the swing, staring out over the pond. This would be a perfect spot for a spring wedding, with flowers blooming all around and plenty of room for guests. Why the hell are you even thinking that? It will never happen! Jaycee yelled in her mind.
She curled her feet up in the swing, resting her head against the wooden post that connected the swing to the frame.
“I was wondering if you would find this place,” Dane said, coming up to the gazebo. He looked so handsome.
“Am I not allowed here? If you want me in house, just say so.” Jaycee got up to leave, but he grabbed her arm, halting her.
“No, please stay. Talk to me, Jaycee.”
“What is there to say, Dane? You've taken everything away from me but my heart. Don't worry, I have it tucked away, buried where it won't get hurt again. I'll do what I'm supposed to. There will be no more running, no more complaining, and no more tears. I'm just numb and your slave.” Jaycee whispered, sitting back down and looking out at the pond.
“You're not our slave, baby.” Dane sat down next to her, pulling her into his lap. She grew stiff, but gave up. She rested her head against his chest.
“I want to thank you for what you did in the dining room. We could have had a mess on our hands.”
“I'm their alpha. I couldn't let them break up the packs even if I wanted to. I know my duties, Dane. I'm not stupid. I didn't do it for you, Remi, or Mark. I did it for them.”
Dane didn't say anything for a while. “Will you tell me what you did after you ran away from Curt? How did you survive? Did you finish school?” he finally asked.
Jaycee debated telling him anything, but he did ask. “Well, as you know, my friend helped me get the money and transportation I needed to leave California. At first I couldn't face anyone, even Gaston. I worked picking fruit to keep the money coming in. I rented a small hotel room. I stayed there for about six months. I got some help from a rape crisis center for a little while, but I didn't
want to bring humans into our world so I left. There were times I didn't have anything to eat but the apples I picked. After that I went to Gaston. I needed someone who knew me. They took me in, didn't push me or anything like that. I got my GED online so I wouldn't have to face anyone. Gaston arranged for me to talk to one of his friends, a counselor. I worked with him for about two years.” Jaycee stretched her legs out, standing up walking towards the pond. Dane followed her.
“I really never dated, didn't have time and actually was a little afraid to. I left Gaston's home the first time when I was eighteen. I moved into my very first apartment. I was so proud. That's where I got my job with the mayor all on my own. I loved it. I planned all the major parties for the city and personally for the mayor, until—well, the mayor, he wanted more. Even though he was married, he kept grabbing and wouldn't stop. So I quit my job packed my bags and left that city. That's when I moved to Farmington and worked at a department store. I loved it. It was close to the pack even though I knew I couldn't come. I felt safe knowing you were close. I got another apartment and it was beautiful. I lived there for a year, until someone recognized me and contacted my mom. I heard Curt coming up the steps, and that was when I jumped out of the second-story window and ran. I had placed some money and clothes in a locker in the neighboring town. I ran all the way there, sleeping during the day in the woods. I didn't eat for two days. I finally got my money and clothes. I ended up in the same apartment that Shelly lived in.
“Gaston came to visit me one day and asked if I had even been on a date. Of course I hadn't, so he asked me to visit his friend. Well, he helped me get my confidence back, and he noticed I was a submissive, so he trained me.” Jaycee started to walk back to the house. Dane took her hand, walking back with her.
“How did you meet James?” Dane asked quietly as they walked.
“Well, I never really meet him. One night I was depressed, so I went to this different club. Somehow he drugged my drink and the next morning I was moved into his apartment. He had all my things—the fake documents, everything. I couldn't leave. I didn't want to draw attention to our world, but at first he was fine. He was gentle, but when I started to work again and I kept my friend ship with Shelly, he got jealous. That's when the beatings and the men came. He would handcuff me to the bed for days. The last time I got away and called Gaston. He and Frank came and got me. They saved my life. And the rest, well, you know.”
As she walked up the stairs to the house, he opened up the door for her and they walked into the house.
Dane stopped her. Pulling her into his arms, he kissed her gently, “Thank you for sharing that with me,” he whispered to her. Jaycee shrugged her shoulders.
“Will you have lunch with us? We thought we could eat in the family room and just talk,” He stared into her face.
“Why are you doing this? Are you doing this just to make peace with the pack females, or do you guys really want to know about me?” Jaycee asked, pulling away from him taking a few steps. She stopped and turned to him. “I'll be there for lunch, but if you're just doing this for the pack, I'll know and it won't make a difference. I won't be hurt again.”
Jaycee walked away, not looking back, but her father stepped in front of her.
“Can we talk?”
“We have nothing to talk about,” Jaycee said, walking around him and going upstairs to her room. When she walked in she noticed Nana's dress lying out on the bed. She heard her father behind her; she spun around, glaring at him.
“I told you I don't want it. It was a dream I know it will never happen. You took that away from me and so did they. Take it out of here now!” Tears threatened to come, but she refused to let them fall for anyone to see.
“Remi agreed to have a human wedding tonight. You can wear it,” he said coming up to her. She backed up, staring up at him.
“I will not have a human wedding. No one has asked me to marry him and I told you, I will not get married.” She used her powers to pick up the dress, floating it out of the room and down the stairs to the couch where she dropped it.
“Leave now! And if my mates are planning to ask me at lunch to marry them, tell them to forget it. It's not going to work. Never mind, I will.”
She stomped down the stairs straight to Dane. She got close to his face, her other mates next to him. She reached back, bringing her hand up and smacking him across the face.
“So you lied to me again. The only reason you asked me about my past was so I would marry you three tonight. Well, you three can go to hell. There will be no wedding. You can make me bond with you, but I refuse to marry you.” She jumped back when Dane tried to grab her hands.
“I'm done. You have hurt me for the last time.” Jaycee turned to the other National Council members. “I've agreed to the bonding. Do I have to have the wedding also?” she asked.
They all fidgeted, but Mr. Black spoke up. “No, you don't have to have the wedding.”
Jaycee nodded her thanks, glaring at her father as she stomped halfway up the stairs. She stopped, turning to look down at her mates.
“Forget the lunch. It was just a trick, as always.” She ran up the stairs, tears flowing down her face. She threw herself on the bed, crying so hard she couldn't breathe. She needed air. She stripped her clothes from her body, then used her powers to unlock the locks on the balcony door. She shifted, jumping from the deck and landing on her four paws. She looked up at the window one last time and disappeared up the back of the house, away from all of them. If she could just get away for tonight, she wouldn't have to go through with the bonding ceremony.
Don't do it, Jaycee. Give them a chance. Pierre's haunting words filled her brain.
I have no choice. I can't be hurt again.
She cried and ran.
* * * *
Jaycee knew where the money and clothes were stashed. She had been running for four hours, taking occasional breaks. She knew they would be coming to get her ready for the bonding ceremony so she had to hurry. She had a mile to go, and her hidden stash of money and clothes would be there. Hidden in the cave she found three years ago.
She knew where she was going: the only place that ever felt like home, to Montana. She loved it there. She had visited there once, not telling Dane.
She knew now that they would eventually find her, but she needed to think. They would have to drag her back.
Chapter Six
Jaycee sat on the plane, waiting for it to take off. So far, so good. She didn't sense them yet. It was a four-hour flight. She already had a car waiting for her in the fake name on her Montana license. She even had a cabin she been given years ago in her fake name, in the mountains of Bear Paw Mountain.
Jaycee woke up to the flight attendant's announcement that they had arrived. She stretched, rubbing her belly. We'll be in our little cabin in a bit, little one. Through the years I have sent my favorite things there, knowing that one day I would end up there alone. But I'll never be alone with you by my side. I love your father, baby. I'm sorry he doesn't love me.
She jumped into her rental car, throwing her knapsack into the back seat. She couldn't wait.
* * * *
Pulling up to her little cabin, she smiled. It was beautiful and the repairs had been done. There was a huge porch off the front that wrapped around the cabin. Grabbing her knapsack, she walked up to the door and pushed it open. Marsha, her second mom, had come by and cleaned it. She always did know when to send things or what Jaycee needed. Jaycee walked to the kitchen table and noticed the note on the table.
Jaycee, There's a casserole in the oven and my son has stacked wood for you. I'll stop by tomorrow. I stocked the fridge. Take care of that little one you carry. We're going to get a storm tonight, so be careful. Love, Marsha
Jaycee smiled, slipped off her coat, and walked to the oven. She pulled open the oven and noticed the huge casserole dish. She laughed, grabbing it out of the oven. There was enough for ten people.
She froze. Did Marsha know her mates w
ere going to come? Crap, not this fast. Jaycee decided to ignore her thoughts as her stomach growled. She dished out some food and grabbed a cup of milk, then sat in front of the blazing fire on the floor. She looked at all the things she had sent here. God, she was home. Stuffing her mouth, she heard the truck pull up, and knew her mates had come. She didn't know how they had gotten her so fast. Shit, Ralph's jet. She would never win.
Jaycee jumped when they pounded on the door. She used her powers to open the door not moving from where she sat. She stared at the photo album of all the old pictures she sent here.
“Get up. We're going home,” Remi said quietly, standing next to her.
“No. Do you see all this stuff?” Jaycee pointed all around the cabin. “Over the years, every time something made me happy I would send it here, to my special place. There's food on the oven. My friend made enough even for you. She has this way about her. She knows what's going to happen before it happens. She said she would see me tomorrow.
Remi's cell phone rang. “What?” he demanded.
Jaycee went to the kitchen, dished out food for her mates, and took three beers from the refrigerator. Placing everything on her favorite tray, she carried the food out to the living room and set it on the floor. Remi was still on the phone.
“What do you mean we're stuck here?” Remi demanded, pacing back and forth. “We have a ceremony to attend. … Fine. Let me know when we can leave,” he shut the phone. “Are you happy? We're going to miss our own bonding ceremony,” he yelled at her.
“Yes, I am. Now there will be no interference for a little while. I can relax. Sit and eat.” Jaycee started to eat, looking at her pictures again in the photo album. Her mates stripped out of their boots and coats and sat down by the fire. At first they didn't say anything.
“You never told me about this place,” Dane said, taking a sip of his beer.
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