BirthStone

by Sydney Addae

  “Silas?"

  He swallowed back the bitter taste of defeat and looked up at the beams in the ceiling to gather his thoughts. He had not been able to save one of his own. His enemies had taken Jennings, locked him down and loaded him with a bomb with the intention of sending him back into the public. What if he had been at the park where there were no detectors?

  “Silas?”

  Or the grocery store? How much longer before his people realized he was a failure, that he could not protect them from their enemies.

  “Dammit Silas, thinking like won’t help, answer me,” Jasmine shouted through their link.

  “Yes?”

  “Where are you?”

  “I want to be alone right now.”

  “No. Where are you?”

  “I have to go to the police station. Jennings just exploded. Part of the police station’s destroyed, some deaths, some injuries. I…I need to go assess the damage.”

  “Okay.”

  He turned toward the entrance. She stood framed in the arched entryway. Overhead lights created a soft glow behind her making her appear angelic in a light pink dress that fitted her curves. For a moment he stared at her image wondering how she could appear so clean when the world had turned so dark, so dirty. His chest burned with anguish over the loss of innocent lives. Good men and women had died needlessly. Today was a dark mark for his people.

  She moved toward him, dropped to her knees, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Inhaling deeply, the scent of gardenias mixed with her natural scent and filled him. He closed his eyes as she pulled him close and pressed the side of his face against her breast. The solid thump of her heart anchored him as he struggled to maintain his composure. Her warmth seeped into his skin, chasing away the cold that had started the moment he heard the echo of the explosion through the link. Flashbacks from the previous month ran in a continuous loop in his mind, the deafening sound, the shaking of the ground, the bloody aftermath.

  “We’re losing,” he said, his throat so tight the words sounded garbled.

  “We’re just starting,” she countered, drawing her fingers through his hair. The steady strokes on his scalp soothed and steadied him.

  Releasing a long held breath he spoke. “They have weapons we can’t match.”

  “We have weapons they don’t have.”

  He glanced up at her. “Like what?”

  Their gazes met and for a second he thought she wasn’t going to answer.

  “Wolves, baby. We have wolves and all that goes with that… they use wolves. There is a big difference. I bet a wolf would’ve smelled those bombs a mile away. Why not have security work in teams. One in wolf form and the other in human. Allow the wolves to scent what a bomb smells like, have them patrol public areas.”

  Silas stared at Jasmine for a few moments, stunned by the simplicity of her suggestion. The top minds in his nation worked on a solution and he had overlooked something as basic as this. When in wolf form, their senses were much stronger than when human.

  “What about the humans? What will they think when they see wolves on leashes?” It could work.

  She waved it off. “They live in our back yard, chances are they’ve seen wolves already, if not they’ll get used to seeing them do security work, like police dogs, only bigger.”

  He scowled at the reference.

  She smiled and threw up her hand. “Just saying.”

  “It could work, I’ll have Froggy look into it.” He pulled her close and hugged her tight. “Thank you.”

  “You hurt, I hurt. You’re blaming yourself, and I can’t let you go through this by yourself. How could I not come to you?” Leaning back, she cupped his face in her hands. “No matter how hard this gets, we are going to beat this thing. You are La Patron.” She nodded, emphasizing her point. “A Goddess-given position. We both have your back.”

  He nodded slowly. “You’re right.” Losing, being at a disadvantage was new for him. The technology, implants, humans invading his world to such a degree… mind-boggling. But Jasmine was right, he had been so intent on fighting his enemies on human terms he had all but neutered his wolf. It was time for him to use the innate talents of the wolf and have the scientists create weapons that complemented their natural abilities.

  “I wonder…”

  He looked up at her when she remained silent. “What?”

  “Why Jennings? I mean he was a cop, so that gets the police involved. But obviously they’re not worried about that, so why Jennings? Why blow up the police station? Was there someone locked up they wanted taken out?”

  Silas grabbed onto her words with the tenacity of a lifeline. He needed to channel his thoughts into a more productive arena. “They could’ve found an easier way to take out one or two people in prison. I think this was more…Jennings had left to go see Merriweather—”

  “Merriweather?” She stared at him.

  He nodded slowly. “Yeah. The guy whose brother or son was in the cave, he’s been pestering me for a meeting. I told Jennings to close the case.”

  “I talked to him. Rose wasn’t feeling good, remember?”

  Silas turned to face her fully, remembering she had shut him out of an exchange that upset her. “Rone had the shot, go on.”

  She repeated the conversation she had with Merriweather for him. “What do you think?”

  “I agree with you, he’s crazy. But he did say talking to you confirmed the timing or something, next thing I know Jennings is taken and a bomb placed inside him.”

  “Are you going to pick up Merriweather?”

  “I bet he would love that. No doubt he’s locked and loaded as well. I can’t chance anyone getting close to him. Not right now anyway. But he will be dealt with, that’s for sure.”

  “What if you sent in a team?”

  Silas shook his head. Jennings’ death was too fresh to contemplate allowing any wolves to go after the man. “Too dangerous. I need Jacques here now; we need a new set of eyes on the information.” He stood and assisted her up.

  “He’s on his way,” she said, looking around the empty gym.

  “I know. But with Rose taking care of Rone, and Tyrese coordinating security, I’m shorthanded.”

  “I’ll work the office.”

  His head snapped up and he narrowed his eyes. What was she up to? She had never worked his office before. He asked the only thing he could think of without sounding suspicious. “Who will watch the babies?”

  “Their nurses.” She waved him down as she moved away. “I’ll handle the office and keep things running smoothly here while you take care of the town. Once you leave, I’m locking the place down, so let your people know.”

  Stunned into silence, he couldn’t think of a solid reason to say no. He stared at her back as she moved with purposeful strides toward the elevator. “Yes, ma’am,” he teased, ignoring her mocking frown and balled fist.

  Chapter 12

  “I will have him call you, Jayden. If he isn’t answering his link it’s because he’s in a situation where he can’t. But I can assure you he is well.” Jasmine wrote the message on the note pad. In the past three hours forty-nine Alphas had called, almost frantic because they couldn’t reach Silas through their links. Once they heard her voice they calmed somewhat, but were concerned over the bombing incident.

  “Thank you, Madam Jasmine. I received my first shipment of detectors this morning. My people are busy installing them now. If La Patron requires anything from me, he only has to ask.”

  Jasmine nodded. Every Alpha had offered a similar remark. “We know you will, Alpha Jayden and appreciate it. Thank you for your offer and the call. Warm wishes to Maureen and Callum.” She wasn’t pushing him off, but she was tired of saying the same thing repeatedly. She had complained about not talking or interacting with other adults, and now that she was in position to do that, she wanted the simplicity of the nursery. In the back of her mind she heard her sister mocking her with a 'be careful what you wish for' comment.


  Once she clicked off, she called the nursery. Missing her babies, while being happy for the break, worked her nerves. Guilt and pleasure ate at her. She asked the nurse who answered, “What are they up to?”

  “They're resting. They ate all of their food and fell asleep.”

  Jasmine glanced at the clock and stifled a groan. It was nap time. She had been so busy she hadn’t noticed. “Alright, call me when they wake. I want to come over and spend some time with them.”

  “Yes Mistress.”

  Grimacing at the name, Jasmine hung up and went to grab something to drink from the refrigerator when the phone rang.

  “Hold on,” she said, placing the bottled water on the desk before replacing the earpiece. “La Patron’s office.”

  “Jas? Jasmine?”

  “Mom?” Frowning, she straightened.

  “Yes. We’re at the airport. But I don’t see you or the boys.”

  What? Her mom wasn’t supposed to be here until tomorrow. “What airport?” She turned to look out the window, wondering how she got the dates wrong.

  “Yeager. What happened, you forgot we were coming?”

  Jasmine frowned. “No, you and Renee were arriving tomorrow morning, at least that’s what you said when the three of us were on the phone a week ago.”

  “Oh… I must’ve gotten my dates mixed up. You want us to stay at a hotel and come tomorrow?”

  Jasmine shook her head at her mother’s antics. There was no way she would allow her mom to stay in a hotel. “No. Give me a minute and I’ll get someone out there to pick you and Mark up… he is with you, right?”

  “Yes, he’s waiting for our luggage. Give me a call and let me know what to do.”

  “Okay.” Jasmine clicked off, wondering who was available. She made another call. It was answered on the first ring.

  “Mom?”

  “Hi, Rese. Sorry to bother you.” She explained the situation. “I need someone to pick them up.”

  “Alright, let me get cleaned up a bit and then I’ll head over there. I’m going to take a couple of guys with me for this pick up. Security is tight and Nana could be targeted as the mother-in-law of La Patron.”

  Jasmine groaned. With the bombing, the timing sucked. “Security is in place for tomorrow, when she was supposed to arrive.”

  “I know. I’ll call the airport and have them ushered to a secure location until we arrive. Tell her I’ll be there in an hour, give or take fifteen minutes for traffic.”

  She bit her lip, wondering if him leaving was the best course of action. “Is this going to cause a problem with Silas, he said he was short-handed.”

  “I finished the job he had me doing and was on my way back to shower. I’ll let him know, but other than pulling Rone out of bed, I’m the only other person who can pick them up.”

  “I hadn’t thought of Rone. You think he can ride with Rose? Or would that be too much?”

  “I can do this, plus it’ll be easier with me scanning them. Rone might not be up to taking them through the paces.”

  “Okay, thanks honey.” Relieved to know he was going with security to pick up her mom, she breathed long and deep. “How are you feeling?” She had stopped asking every day about the aftereffects of the kidnapping when he told her in clear terms he was fine. It had been difficult not to hover when he returned from being taken, but Silas had insisted she give Tyrese space to cope with the changes to his body.

  “I’m good. No problems.”

  “Have you seen Asia?” She changed the subject since his tone didn’t encourage more discussion. Jasmine really liked the young girl and wished Tyrese took more of an interest.

  “Yes, I have. But nothing is gonna come from it. I don’t like her that way. She’s good people, been through a lot, and will be a great catch for someone. Just not me, so please…just stop. Please.”

  Had she been pushing? Hearing the sincerity in his voice gave her pause. “You really aren’t interested?”

  “She’s a friend, maybe someone to work with on a team, nothing more.”

  “Okay, I’ll leave it alone. Plan to have dinner with us tonight. Your aunt is going to want to see you before the christening, so plan to also spend some time with her after she arrives tomorrow.”

  “Will do, looking forward to it. I hate Mandy couldn’t come. Maybe next time. So…Nana’s married again?”

  “Yes. I think so. Mark’s with her at the airport. Silas has a file on him somewhere if you’re interested on some lighthearted reading.”

  Tyrese chuckled. “I don’t blame him. There’s some crazy stuff going on.” He paused, she heard someone talking in the background before he returned to the phone. “I just cleared the gate. I need to pull a team together and call the airport. Tell her I’ll be there soon and until I arrive, someone will be coming to take them to a secure place to wait.”

  “Okay. I’ll let Silas know they’re here.”

  “Good idea, he didn’t answer me a moment ago. I know he’s busy in town.”

  Exhaling, she disconnected, and then called her mom.

  “Jasmine?”

  “Yes. Tyrese is coming to pick you up. He should be there in an hour or an hour and a half, depending on traffic. Someone at the airport is going to take you to a waiting area so you’re comfortable.” She hoped her mom didn’t balk, this was the best she could do on short notice.

  “You’re not coming?”

  “No, the babies just went down for a nap. I’ll see you when you get here... we have to talk.”

  Her mom released a long sigh. “I know. I know. I’ll see you soon.”

  Closing her eyes, she argued in her mind whether or not to tell Silas now or wait until later. He was adamant about doing deep scans on Mark and the minister. Her mom and sister he was willing to give a pass, well, he had scanned Renee when he met her in the hospital. He hadn’t really said he wouldn’t do a personal scan on her mom now that she thought about it.

  They were a team. Releasing a pent-up breath, she reached for him.

  “Silas.”

  “Yes.” He responded immediately, which lightened her spirits and bolstered her courage.

  “Mom and Mark arrived a day early; she got her dates mixed up. They’re at Yeager, and Tyrese is taking a team to pick them up. I just wanted to let you know,” she added when he didn’t say anything.

  “They need to be sequestered until Rese gets there. I’ll have security cover them until then. Is everything alright at the compound?”

  “Yes, all forty-nine Alphas have called and offered assistance, the phone lines have been busy dealing with them. The kids are all asleep, it doesn’t seem as though they missed me today.” She pushed away that sobering thought. The fact that it bothered her became the deciding factor for continuing to take her medication. Now was not the time for a relapse. “I plan to check on Rone before mama gets here. I haven’t seen Cameron or Lilly, they with you?”

  “Yes. I’ll send them back if you need them.”

  “No. No, I was just doing a mental roll call, that’s all. You okay?”

  It took him a moment to respond and she sat heavily in the chair, tempted to delve deeper into their bond to see what he had experienced. But she had explained last night that she didn’t want to do that. She wanted him to talk with her instead.

  “I will be better when I am with you,” he finally said in a heavy tone. “It’s important for me to be here, people are looking for answers and confirmation that everything is okay.” He paused, “I’ve implied the situation was contained without scaring everyone with the truth.” His anger slammed through their connection.

  Her heart wept for him.

  He continued before she could say anything. “I implemented the wolves on leashes program, which has sped up things. Everyone has been accounted for. The damage was contained to the back of the building, unfortunately that was also were the mechanical rooms were housed.”

  She closed her eyes at the extent of the damage.“How long to get the bo
mb detectors replaced?”

  “The replacements are on the way from Arizona. Four days is what’s quoted. The brick masons feel they can have the walls rebuilt in ten. We’ll see.”

  “That will be great if they can work that fast.” She hoped it could be done for the morale boost alone.

  “I will return shortly.” Silence filled their connection.

  Jasmine sat slumped in the leather chair, her thoughts on Silas. These violent outbursts hit him hard. She was sure Merriweather was involved in some way but how? Was there a message behind Jennings’ death? What did they hope to gain? Unanswered questions raced through her mind until she gave up. Placing a call to housekeeping, she made sure the rooms for her mom and Renee were ready, and checked on dinner for tonight. “Place a bowl of fruit in my mother’s room and some chocolates, she likes those.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Thanks,” Jasmine said and clicked off. Pesky thoughts that she had missed something continued knocking at her. Finally, she turned the phone to voice mail, locked the office, and headed for the labs. A few minutes later, she walked up behind Matt and tapped him on his shoulder. He had been so engrossed in reading some paperwork that he jumped at her touch.

  “Jasmine,” he squeaked, jumping away from her. His face reddened until it blended with his red hairline.

  “Hey Matt.” She looked around at all the activity. Silas would be pleased. “I want to talk to Asia.”

  His eyes widened. “Asia? Why?”

  “I have a couple of questions I want to ask her. Some things have been on my mind and she might be able to clear up some things for me.”

  His eyes darted around the room, no doubt searching for Silas. She smothered a grin at his nervous reaction.

  “Okay…wait a minute.” His eyes narrowed. “I thought there wasn't a door here that you could not open,” he said, repeating a statement Silas had made to him last month. “Why are you asking me if you can talk to Asia?”

  This time she frowned. “I wasn’t asking, I was telling you that’s where I’ll be for a few moments. That’s protocol when Silas or I are in the lab.”