by Storm Cree
"When's the last time you slept, brother?" King Destrain asked as he walked into Nick's office.
"Your highness, what are you doing here?" Dain asked in shock.
Destrain walked into the office. "Wyndingo sent me a text. I do love this new century we are in. Did you know that you can do this thing called going online and talk to people all over the world? Fascinating. Truly fascinating. And there is this site you can go on and make so many friends. I think our people would benefit if they could make some friends. Don't you?"
Not giving anyone a chance to answer, Destrain waved his hand. "Anyway, that's for another discussion. I've already spoken to Illan and Justice about creating a way for us to speak to those that choose not to come here. It will help us help all the shifters and paranormals in this realm, to maintain their safety and give them a way to call for help if they need it. Now, what is going on with these fires and what does it have to do with that distasteful business we were told when purchasing this town?"
Dain told Destrain everything they had discovered and about the message sent to Jagger. When the king looked in his direction, Jagger couldn't help but get closer to his mate. He was so afraid that Destrain would blame him for the fires and problems going on in Maddox and he would be asked to leave.
"Calm yourself, mate. No one is going to hurt you," Nick whispered soothingly in his ear.
Destrain's eyes widened. "You will not be harmed as long as I am king, Jagger. We told you, you are a part of my shimmer now, and I, along with Dain, Wyndingo, and your mate, of course, will make sure you are safe. This is your home and homes are meant to be comforting."
Jagger's eyes misted when he saw the sincerity in the king’s eyes and heard it in the man's voice. He really did have a home. He had a mate, he had family.
"Now, you said that the door automatically locks. Tell me, who has the key code to your office?" Destrain asked.
Shaking his head, Jagger replied, "No one. I have mine and Rhys has his. Other than that, no one is allowed in my office."
"Well then, who all has been in your office since you became manager?" Wyndingo asked.
Jagger had to think. Sometimes with everyday movement, a person just didn't pay attention. It was like breathing, you know it happens, but you don't think about doing it. "Blake, my bartender Axel, and Zen, the head bouncer, we meet regularly to talk about promotions and security. Oh, and Nick was there, of course, and I'm not going into detail on why that was."
Angelo snickered, wiggled his brows. "There is nothing better than office sex. Have you and Nick ever──"
"That's none of your business. Jagger, baby, don't forget about Gage, Logan, and Sut. They helped me put in the new sprinkler system," Nick replied.
Destrain turned to Wyndingo. "I want you and Nick to speak to the people Jagger mentioned. See if any of them spark a misleading signal or something."
"Hey, that should be my job!" Dain objected.
Shaking his head, Destrain said, "Dain, when is the last time you had a full night's sleep?"
Jagger watched as Dain pursed his lips and his left eye twitched.
Destrain looked at his brother and the sadness in his eyes was evident. "I thought so. I'm a fool. For so long I have looked to you to help me keep our people safe and watch over those that might fall into despair. I never noticed that you, brother, are the one needing right now."
"I am your Regent. It is my duty and honor to assist our kingdom," Dain replied firmly.
Destrain smiled softly. "True, and you are phenomenal at your duties, Dain. However, you cannot continue as you have been. I am ordering you to appoint a director in Crystal. This person will do what you have been doing there, and report to you daily."
Dain went to object, but Destrain remained firm, "Dain, this is not a suggestion, it is a direct order from your king. Some of our shimmer have chosen to stay in Crystal and should have someone that they can speak to and get assistance from if needed."
"But Twix──"
Destrain shook his head, quickly interrupting, "With Twix expecting a child, I think he has enough on his plate already. We have good men out there, Dain, that can be our liaisons between there and here. Then I expect you to take two weeks off and rest."
Dain's eyes went wide. "Rest? Destrain, I don't have time to rest. We have a lot to get done. Especially with Ezra and his mate arriving today."
Jagger gasped, "Ezra and Jewel are coming in today? He said he wouldn't be able to make it for another week or two."
"We received notice from his Scion, Vasile, this morning. It seems the Re has some things he feels need to be expressed. Also, he expects you, Jagger, to be present when he arrives," Dain replied.
Shaking his head, Jagger quickly replied, "No. You wanted to speak with him, now you can. I want nothing more to do with the clan."
"Jagger, he was very clear with his request. We need his assistance with the elves and fairies. If you snub him, it could come off as rude and then Ezra might pull his assistance," Dain stated in a hard tone.
Looking at Nick, Jagger asked, "Am I or am I not a part of your band?"
"Of course, you are, but if the shimmer needs for you to meet with the Re, Jagger, then it might be best if you do as he asks," Nick explained calmly.
Jagger stood up, not looking at Nick or the others. He didn't want them to see his turmoil or pain.
"Jagger, come back here. We need to talk about this," Dain called out.
Ignoring the Regent, Jagger continued out of the office. He couldn't do it. Leaving his clan had been hard enough and he had done it for the good of his people, not because he had yearned for a new life. Finding his mate had made that choice well worth it, but he still felt a deep loss within him and wasn't sure he could control himself if he was to come face to face with the cause of his turmoil. His issue was not seeing Ezra, they had been friends since they were children. He understood that a mate's happiness came first. Jagger just didn't like that Ezra's mate's happiness came with such a loss to Jagger. No, Jagger had no wish to speak with or see Jewel for as long as the fates deemed his life to be. Jagger felt his anger rise just by thinking about the man. That little fucker had taken everything from him, his best friend, his position in rank that he had worked so hard to achieve, and finally his clan──his family.
"Jagger!" Nick yelled out.
Ignoring his mate, Jagger continued into the apparatus bay, passing Logan and Tyler. Suddenly he was grabbed and turned. Instinct had Jagger hissing as his fangs dropped. Nick dropped his hand, looking hurt and confused. "Jagger, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."
Jagger closed his eyes. He didn't like hearing or seeing the pain coming from his mate. "Just leave me alone, Nick."
"I can't do that and you know it. I don't like seeing or feeling your pain the way I am right now. I'm just trying to understand where it is coming from. I thought you were happy in Maddox. I thought you were happy with me," Nick rasped painfully.
Jagger's anger deflated at the painful tone in his mate’s voice. "I am happy with you, Nick. I am more than happy with you and I love being in Maddox, but I can't do it, Nick. I just can't. I can't be in the same room with Jewel without wanting to rip his throat out for all he took from me without thought or care. It's unfair of you guys to ask me to do such a thing. That man took everything from me. I had a life, and it was a good one. The only good part of leaving my clan was finding you. However, it does not take all the hurt and pain away from losing everyone else I have ever loved or cared for. It doesn't give me back my parents, best friend, or status that I worked my entire life to build. I just can't be in the same room with that man pretending all is well, when it is not that way."
The catch in Jagger's throat was as unexpected as the tears forming in his eyes. Gods, he hadn’t realized how much he missed his friends and family until this moment.
Nick took Jagger in his arms, held him close, whispering, "Then you don't have to see them. If being around Ezra and his mate is too much for you, th
en you don't have to do it. We can find another way to get Ezra to help us and if he won't, then we will find another way to achieve what we need to fight our enemies."
Nick placed a gentle kiss on Jagger's lips, softly saying, "Why don't you go back to our place and I'll talk to Dain and the others. I'll tell them that under no circumstances are you going to meet with Ezra unless you want to. I'll see if Wyn can find me some coverage and do my best to get home early."
Wiping his eyes, Jagger only nodded and then turned, doing his best not to show his embarrassment over airing his dirty laundry.
It didn't take long to get back to the club. Blake was talking to someone at the bar. Doing his best not to draw attention to himself, Jagger tried to make it to his office quickly. He wasn't so lucky. "Jag, a friend of yours has come to see you."
Jagger's brows wrinkled in a frown. "I have no friends, Blake."
Just as the words exited his mouth the man on the stool turned to Jagger. "That's not true. You have many friends, Jagger. Many of them that miss you a great deal and want you to return home, where you belong."
A gasp left Jagger's lips, his eyes widened, and Jagger's breath picked up speed. "What the fuck are you doing here, Jewel?"
CHAPTER 12
The little fuck gave him a sugary sweet smile as he placed his hands in his lap, trying to look all sweet and innocent, but Jagger knew better. He knew behind that pretty face was a vengeful little bitch, and Jagger just wanted to slap that fake smile off his face.
“As you well know, being the consort to the Re makes me his liaison between Ezra and the clan. It is my job to make sure that our clan members’ voices are heard and that they are taken care of and happy. So, seeing as you, the Regal of the clan, just up and disappeared one day without a word, screams of a problem. We had no idea where you were until now. With my mate and I coming here to meet with the new council and leaders, I thought it would be a good idea for me to come talk to you,” Jewel answered sweetly, but Jagger could see the hint of hatred in the little man’s eyes, as well as see the tightness of his jaw as he spoke.
“Yes, I am sure you have been so concerned about my whereabouts and have searched high and low for me,” Jagger replied sarcastically, then turned and started toward his office again.
A small hand grasped his arm and pulled. The little shit had more strength to him than anyone would guess with his size, but he was no match for Jagger’s larger frame. On his own, not from Jewel’s strength, Jagger stopped and turned his head to look down at his arm where Jewel held him, then he looked up and met Jewel’s gaze. “Let’s cut the crap, Jewel. You could care less whether I was ever heard from again. So, what do you want?”
Jewel just stared at him for a moment, studying him with cold eyes. “You’re right. I could care less if you were ever heard from again. And I definitely never wanted you found.”
“But Ezra did, didn’t he? That’s why you’re here alone. You wanted to make sure I stayed away from your mate. I would think the fact that I left my clan would have been proof enough that I don’t have any interest in Ezra,” Jagger replied tightly.
“Just because you took off like a thief in the night without a word, doesn’t mean you don’t want my mate. And yes, I want to make sure you stay the hell away from Ezra. He’s mine,” Jewel hissed.
Jagger pulled his arm from Jewel’s grasp. “I am very aware that Ezra is your mate. I have been very aware since the moment he found you. And you know Ezra and I never did a damn thing to harm your mating. It’s your own insecurities controlling you. And if you’re not careful, they will damage your relationship.”
“Bullshit,” Jewel hissed. “I know you’re in love with my man. I saw it every time you looked at him.”
“I’ve already told you this, Jewel. I was never in love with Ezra. Never. He was my best friend my whole damn life, so of course I love him, but not like that. And how many times does Ezra have to tell you that before you stop this childish bullshit?”
“He may have never been in love with you, but I can see it in your eyes. You want my mate back. You wanted me gone so that you could have him, and I am here to make sure that never happens. No matter what I have to do, I will make sure you stay the hell away from my man,” Jewel threatened.
“And what are you going to do, Jewel? Kill me? Because that’s all you have left. You already took everything from me. My clan, my best friend, my family, my home, my title. You made my life hell. You made people look at me as if I were garbage and did something wrong. You and your sharp tongue destroyed my life. You forced me to leave and become rogue. There’s nothing left but my life. And I did nothing wrong. Nothing, to gain your ire,” Jagger argued, getting angrier by the second.
Jewel’s eyes filled with anger and he took a step closer to Jagger. “Well, I wasn’t going to just stand around like a stupid little housewife and let you swoop in and take my mate from me. And now you’ve conveniently made nice with the new council and have called Ezra here for a meeting. Well, I don’t care how many powerful friends you have now, I won’t let you take him from me,” Jewel fought back.
“I would never. And for you to have such little faith in Ezra is deplorable. You had nothing to worry about then and you have even less to worry about now. I’m gone. You made sure of that. So, why don’t you just go home and stay the hell out of my life. Stay away from me,” Jagger hissed, then turned to walk away, but Jewel grabbed his arm roughly, stopping him.
Jagger spun back around, his jaw clenching as fury consumed him. “You have three seconds to get your hand off me,” Jagger warned calmly, but inside a tornado was building.
Jewel gave him a sinister smirk. “Or what? Are you going to hit me, Jagger? I don’t think you would do that in fear of what my mate would do to you.”
“I don’t give a rat’s ass what Ezra had to say if I did. But I don’t make it a habit to go around beating on anyone. Especially someone so much smaller and weaker than me. Even though you deserve it,” Jagger replied with a smirk of his own.
Jewel’s face contorted in anger as his eyes narrowed. Jagger knew he hit him where it hurt. Jewel, like most smaller men, had a problem when you pointed out their height challenged stature. But if Jewel could pointedly use the ‘My Mate’ card constantly, like Jagger didn’t know, then he would use the ‘your short as hell’ card.
“Fuck you, rogue. I may be smaller than you, but I can have you put down like the dog you are with a snap of my fingers and be in the right, seeing as you took off and have no clan to back you. So, you will mind your tongue with me,” Jewel hissed angrily as he released Jagger’s arm.
Jagger stood there staring at the small pain in the ass, as he tried to control his anger and remind himself where all Jewel’s anger came from. Even though that anger was unjustified. Jewel had a stick up his ass because Jagger knew Ezra on a physical level. They had been best friends all their lives and as they got older there were many times they turned to one another for comfort and pleasures of the flesh. Neither of them loved each other in that way. They were just friends with benefits. But that was before Ezra had found his mate. From the moment Ezra found Jewel, their relationship returned to just friendship. There were no more sexual escapades between them. Jagger would never do something like that. And for Jewel to even think that Ezra would spit on their mating made Jagger even angrier.
Jagger turned to face Jewel head on and took a step closer so that they now stood only a few inches from one another. Then Jagger gave Jewel his own sugary smile. “Go ahead, little man. Try it.”
Jewel’s head flinched back slightly and his eyes widened, but he covered up his surprise quickly then gave Jagger his best angry look. “One phone call to the Imperial guard and I will have them pick you up and finally put you down,” Jewel threatened.
“Oh, really? Okay then, big man, do it, let me see what you’re made of,” Jagger replied.
When they just stood there staring at one another, their angry gazes locked for a few minutes, and Jewel never
made a move, Jagger knew all his threats were hollow. Jewel was right, with one call to the Imperial guard he could have them come for Jagger and kill him, but Jewel wasn’t moving. This told Jagger that even if he were rogue status, which Jewel thought he was, Jewel couldn’t call for his extinction. Which meant that Ezra had forbade him from doing it. That thought gave Jagger a good feeling, but also a bad one. If Ezra was still protecting him, even in this small way, it only gave Jewel more ammo against him, to hate him.
“Jagger?”
Jagger’s eyes closed from the surprised voice that came from behind him. He didn’t want to see Ezra. He didn’t want to talk to him. He just wanted them to stay away and let him get on with his life. Jagger was afraid to see Ezra. He knew his best friend would get him to talk and he didn’t want to tell the man why he had left. He didn’t want Ezra to know the things his mate had done to destroy him. That would put a strain on their mating, and that is why he had left.
“What’s going on here?” Nick asked from behind him.
Jagger turned to find his mate standing there, but he wasn’t alone. Dain, Destrain, Wyndingo, and Ezra were with him. Jagger’s heart sank and filled with pain. His mate had promised he wouldn’t have to do this. Nick promised he wouldn’t have to be in on this meeting and face Ezra and Jewel and now here they were.
“Nothing,” he answered tightly, refusing to look at Nick or anyone else.
“Jagger, I was hoping you had a moment to meet with us seeing as you are acquainted with Ezra,” Destrain asked politely.
But Jagger didn’t care how nice the man asked. He had told Dain that he wouldn’t do it and Nick had promised him he wouldn’t have to. “No, actually, I can’t. I’m sorry, Destrain. But you are more than welcome to stay here in the club for your meeting, or you could use my office for privacy if you’d like,” Jagger offered in a cold, emotionless voice as he dug into his pockets and pulled out the keys to his office, then tossed them to Nick.
