by Bryce Evans
“You like?” Quinn asked.
“I have to say that I do, but I can’t let you pay for this, Quinn. I will pay for it.”
“Okay, let’s make a trade. I love the new starburst bracelet you made and it will be equal in value. How’s that suit you?”
Jade ran to the counter and took her new bracelet, starburst, out of the case and put it on Quinn’s wrist. “It will look great with your dress.”
Holding her arm up to the light, Quinn smiled. “Jade, you do beautiful work. You make all the stones sparkle when you put it together with the gold beads. How do you know which ones to use?”
Shrugging, Jade said, “I don’t know. I get an idea in my head and I add the stones that most resemble the piece I name. I love color. It makes me smile when I don’t have anything to smile about.”
Quinn put her arm around Jade and turned her toward the mirror. “Look at you. You are so beautiful, Jade Cross. We all have scars and marks, but it’s what’s inside that is considered real beauty. You are just lucky enough to have them inside and out.”
Jade smiled and leaned her head against Quinn. She loved her alpha’s mate. She knew what to say at all the right times.
“Are you ladies ready?” Arden, her alpha, leaned against the wall, waiting.
“Hey, baby.” Quinn rushed over to her mate and planted a kiss on him. Jade blushed as she watched the couple. They were truly in love. She felt like a fool just staring.
Arden glanced at her and smiled. “You look beautiful, Jade.”
“Come on, you slow pokes.” Simone and her brother were at the adjoining door of the bakery. As Jade walked to the door, Bane’s eyes widened.
“Look at you, little sister. You look beautiful, Jade. The dress is pretty too.”
Her hand went to his as they stood staring at each other. “Thank you, big brother.” Bane always told her she was beautiful, but she saw something in his eyes tonight. Maybe he really meant what he was saying.
“I love that dress, Jade. It looks perfect on you. Quinn was right when she said she thought of you when she bought it,” Simone said.
“Thank you.” Jade glanced down at herself. “I think it’s quite pretty myself.”
“Let’s go.” Arden motioned for everyone to walk out.
“So, we still don’t know what Lennox wants?” Bane asked, changing the subject.
“Maybe he just wants to fellowship at Get Your Grub,” Quinn said.
Jade and Simone both looked at each other. They knew what was coming.
“You know, maybe he needed some grub at Get Your Grub and wanted to fellowship with the best pack ever,” Quinn added.
“Please, please, I beg you to stop saying, Get Your Grub.” Arden turned, pleading with his mate.
Quinn pointed at Simone. “I win. I told you I could get him to say it.”
“Dang it, Arden. I bet Simone that you wouldn’t say it and now I have to pay up,” Bane said, pulling his wallet out.
“I can’t believe you still think the name is so funny, Quinn. I wake up in the middle of the night and find her laughing. When I ask what’s so funny, she just says, let’s go to Get Your Grub tomorrow to eat. This is all the time. You would think the amusement had worn off the name by now.”
“Never,” Quinn said as they walked inside.
“Welcome folks to Get Your Grub.” Teresa Goodwin, the waitress, yelled from behind the counter. “Your party is already in the back.” Jade waved at Teresa as she passed. She’d always loved T. She was a member of their pack and her babysitter when she was young. When Bane had to work, T volunteered to take care of her. She was fun, too, with a wicked sense of humor.
“Thanks, T,” Arden said as they passed.
Jade told herself to calm down. Her stomach felt like she’d swallowed a barrel of grasshoppers. Why was she so nervous? She had been in the same room with the Alpha of the Death Hunters before, but for some reason this felt different and now he was always staring at her.
As soon as they entered the room, the alpha stood. He was taller than her brother and much bigger.
Of course, his beta Cosmo Fitzgerald was with him. She hoped he never said anything about their meeting today. The least amount they knew, the better. Plus, she wasn’t going anyway.
But the one she wanted to see was Lennox Bartley and his beautiful black hair and green eyes. His beard was pretty awesome too. She liked how it was longer than most men wore it. It wasn’t too shaggy but it wasn’t close to the skin either. There it was again, the intense staring.
Why did he focus on her? Because of the scars. How stupid was she? Of course, it was the ugly disfigurement down her face. Why else would he be staring? Jade wanted to kick herself. She thought that maybe. . .no, stop it. Lennox Bartley, Alpha of the Death Hunters, wasn’t staring at her because he liked her or thought she was pretty. No, it was because of the scars. Like most people, he couldn’t stop staring once he noticed them. Now she felt like a complete idiot.
Chapter Four
“Lennox.” Arden nodded at the alpha. It took him a minute to look away from her, which was strange. In fact, everyone glanced in her direction.
Clearing his throat, Lennox motioned toward the chairs across from him. “Alpha, please sit. I know you’re wondering why I asked you here today.” Then he did it again, he turned and glared at her.
“Whatever you need to tell me, you can say in front of Jade if that’s what you’re worried about,” Arden advised.
Lennox looked away and sat. “I’m not much on chitchat so I’ll get right to the point. I have purchased the land to the south of you. Mark Brantley’s land. He sold it to me two weeks ago and I plan on moving the Death Hunters there, permanently.”
Jade held her breath waiting for her alpha to explode, but nothing. In fact, Arden was too quiet and her brother too. Nobody was saying anything and that made her nervous. She could feel the power coming off her alpha, traveling out through the link that connected all of the pack to him.
“Why?” Arden asked. His voice was filled with dominance. She grasped her hands together under the table and squeezed. The power in her alpha’s voice had that kind of effect on her and all the pack. In fact, she wanted to crawl to the floor and show him her obedience. It was stifling hot as the two dominant alphas continued to stare at each other.
“It’s time for the Death Hunters to find some land of our own and make a home for ourselves. The pack is restless and we need some stability. It’s been way overdue. I got the council’s approval yesterday.”
“Why did you choose the land next to mine?” Arden asked.
“I like the area and the land calls to me and the Hunters. We all felt it when we came to your territory. Just so you know, the council has also allowed for us to have mates,” Lennox added, looking to her again.
“Why do you keep looking at my sister,” Bane growled. His voice was low, but everyone heard the annoyance in his voice, including Lennox.
“Because she is one of the reasons I chose this land.”
“Oh shit. Bane calm down,” Simone said, grabbing her mate’s hand.
“What are you talking about?” Arden asked, putting his hand on Bane’s shoulder.
“Jade Cross, your sister, is my mate.” Lennox’s eyes never left hers as he said her name.
“You son of a bitch. You can forget that. You will never have my sister.” Jade jumped as Bane’s chair slid across the room crashing into another table. Her instincts told her to run, but she had to hear him say it again. She was sure she misunderstood what he was saying. The smell of fur brought her out of the haze. Bane was breathing hard and his nostrils flared and she knew what that meant. Her brother was about to lose his cool. She had only seen it a few times, but when he blew, it took days to get him back from his wolf.
Arden was trying to calm him down but nothing seemed to be working. She had to do something. Standing, Jade slammed her hand against the table. She let her wolf give her strength, getting everyone’s attention a
s the table cracked in the middle. Even Bane turned his head in her direction at the power she showed. Then they all looked at the table. How did she do that?
“Jade, how—”
“Stop it, Simone. It was already cracked or something. Now let’s all calm down.” Jade put her hands out to both sides of the table. “That includes you, brother. Just because someone says that they’re your mate, doesn’t mean we have to accept it. Isn’t that correct, Alpha?”
“Yes, Jade, you’re correct, but…”
Holding her hand in the air, Jade cut her alpha from speaking any further. “I’m my own person and nobody will tell me what to do.” Jade pointed at Bane. “Brother, with all due respect, that includes you.” Then she pointed at Lennox. “Does everyone understand that?”
Lennox never said a word, his lips turned upward into a smile. He would consider this a challenge. She saw it in that sadistic smile he was giving her. Didn’t matter. She was her own person. He was mistaken and there was no sense in getting excited about something that would never happen.
“You can’t have her. Do you hear me? I won’t allow it,” Bane shouted.
“Bane, will you take me home? I’m tired,” Jade asked.
Pointing his finger at Lennox, Bane’s voice became dangerous. “You leave her alone. She’s been through enough in her life and she deserves someone who will cherish her. Not a killer like you.”
Jade moved around Simone and grasped her brother’s hand and gently pulled, getting his attention. “Let’s go, Bane. Let the alpha do his job.”
Bane hesitated but Simone helped Jade by placing herself in front of her mate’s view. She grabbed his face and pulled it toward her. “Look at me.” Bane had no choice but to obey. This was his mate. “Now start walking, bad boy.”
Jade glanced back and found Lennox watching her as she walked around the corner. She never expected that. Oh my, what will I do now? He said I was his mate. That can’t be true. She wasn’t an alpha. She didn’t like to fight, and she sure didn’t like drama. She wanted to be happy working and having fun with her friends and family. Lennox Bartley made a huge mistake. Maybe he was just attracted to her. Boy, this was such crap. All she could think to do was run. Yeah, big mate material.
Nothing was said as they walked back to Southern Treasures. This couldn’t have been real.
“Don’t you worry, Jade. He won’t ever touch you. I will make sure of it,” Bane said, pacing in front of the store.
“What?” Jade was thinking about something else.
“I will never let him near you. He’s wrong. He can’t be your mate,” Bane said.
Jade heard her brother loud and clear. This proved to her that her own brother had so little confidence in her. His words hurt her more than he would ever know. She knew he wasn’t her mate, but couldn’t he at least give her the benefit of the doubt?
“Like you said, Bane, the alpha wouldn’t choose anyone like me.” Jade walked toward her car. “See you both tomorrow.”
Bane ran over and put his hand on her arm. “Jade, that’s not what I meant. I didn’t mean that he wouldn’t choose you because of…”
“What, Bane, because of this?” Pointing at her face, Jade laughed. “You said it right the first time. Don’t you understand? I see what everyone else sees. I look at myself in the mirror all the time. It’s okay, though. I know my place in the pack and I know that Lennox Bartley is off his rocker. He doesn’t have to worry about me being mad or trying to make him honor what he said.” Jade fought back the tears. She wasn’t going to cry. When she was alone, she would break down, but not here, not now. She didn’t need to see the pity in her brother’s eyes, again and again.
Jade grabbed her brother’s hand. “I won’t embarrass you. Let’s just forget this ever happened. Okay?”
Bane pulled his sister to him. She could feel the tears as they slipped down her face.
“You, silly girl. Nobody would dare think you weren’t good enough for him. I’m saying you are too good for him and the scars are battle wounds and anybody who says any differently, I will beat them to a pulp. You are beautiful, don’t you see that?”
Jade huffed out a laugh. It sounded muffled because Bane had a death grip holding her against him. “You have to say that. You’re my brother and I know you love me. But stop lying to me. I’m all grown up now and you are supposed to tell the truth.”
Simone put her hand on Jade’s shoulder. “Lord, girl, you are so mixed up in that head of yours. I could beat the crap out of those girls who teased you when you were younger giving you that misguided attitude. Boy, they did a number on you and now you are continuing the trend.
“Stop thinking you’re not special, Jade, because you are. And when I say special, I’m talking about how lovely you really are.” Simone’s eyes sparkled like the sun. Her wolf was close to the surface. “You know, Jade Cross, I’ve seen beautiful women in my life but none compare to you.
“So, what? You have scars. That gives you character, and let’s not forget that vibrant personality you have. Even when I don’t want to be happy, your smile always puts me in a better mood. You are beautiful in every way that counts. I haven’t met many women who fit in every category that matters. You’re beautiful, smart, honest, talented, hard worker, and most of all, you are loyal, Jade. Does that make sense? I can’t tell because Bane has your face shoved against his chest.” Simone pulled Jade away from Bane. “Let the girl breathe, dude.”
“Silly girl. I love you and I will do whatever it takes to make sure you’re happy,” Bane said, looking back at the restaurant.
“Bane, I can handle this. Please don’t start something with the Death Hunters. That’s all the alpha needs. We have come so far in getting along. For once, let me handle my own problems. It’s time for you to step down and let me take care of my life.”
Simone snorted, but Bane was going to be a problem. She only hoped he didn’t do anything that would ruin the harmony.
“That man has lost his mind if he thinks he is going to mate with you and make you the queen of his pack. I’m sorry, baby sister, but that’s non-negotiable. He would eat you alive. The man is crazy and never in their history have the Death Hunters been able to take a mate. The council knew what would happen. These men are wilder than most shifters. That’s why they are chosen. Don’t you see it in his eyes? Death and more death. They thrive on it, Jade. They need it to survive.”
“Like I told you before, brother, you are not my boss. I will make my own decisions.”
His expression hardened as he stared back at her. Knowing that look, she knew that Bane would never let her out of his sight now. “No, Jade. It’s not going to happen. I’m sorry to tell it to you like this, but I don’t want you to want something you can’t have. Now, let’s go home,” Bane said, his mouth set in a hard line. He opened the door for his mate then waited for her to get in her car.
“When are you going to stop treating me like I’m ten years old? I’m a grown woman. A grown woman.” Jade snapped. Before he could say anything else, Jade turned around then ran to her car and left her brother and Simone in the parking lot. Looking in the rearview mirror, she said to herself, “And If I want him as my mate then nobody is going to stop me. Take that. Now, I don’t want to talk about this anymore,” Jade said, turning up the radio. Anger traveled through her body. Bane wasn’t going to control her life anymore. It was time everyone realized that.
She needed to run. She needed to be free. Her wolf would calm her down.
“What are you doing, Lennox? Have you lost your mind, telling me and my beta that Jade is your mate? You have to be incorrect,” Arden said. He gritted his teeth almost to the point of breaking.
Lennox leaned in and said, “I don’t make mistakes. Jade Cross is my mate and there is nothing you can do about it.”
“Woo, hold on a minute, boys. Let’s look at this and talk about it before someone gets hurt,” Quinn said, rubbing her mate’s arm.
“I like you. You’re the
smart one of the bunch,” Cosmo said, smiling at Quinn.
“Lennox, how do you know Jade is your mate?” Quinn asked.
Lennox Bartley pulled his death stare away from her mate. “I have scented her, and that’s not something we can change. You know that.”
A flush crept up her face, recognizing what he said was true. Dear God, he was telling the truth, and from how her mate blew out a deep breath, he knew it too.
“How long have you known?” The color drained from her mate’s face. This was bad. Jade wasn’t alpha enough for this man. He would kill her.
“Day one arriving on your land. I scented her before I saw her, but once I did, my bear knew and he won’t settle until she is ours.”
“Jade is…”
“Special! I know what kind of person she is. I’ve watched her and I know she’s not an alpha, but she can handle her own. I won’t let anything or anyone treat her wrong or hurt her in any way.”
Picking up a bread stick and taking a big bite, Cosmo smiled. “That’s why he purchased the land next to yours. That way she would always be close to family and the store. He knows that’s important to her,” Cosmo said, winking at Quinn.
“You can’t make that promise, Lennox. When your enemies find out you have a mate, you will put a big bull’s-eye on her head. You know I’m right.”
“My pack will handle that. I won’t ever leave her unprotected. She can stay with her brother when I have to go out of town. I will be with her all the other times.”
“You don’t understand. Jade is special, yes, but she doesn’t think like a shifter does. She’s very traditional by human standards, not by ours. She wants to get married like humans do, and she wants her own home to decorate and take care of. Jade is very nurturing. She tries to take care of everyone in the pack. She’s one of the best people I know. I don’t want her to get hurt. She has to be held with kid gloves,” Quinn explained.
