by Storm Cree
Jagger could feel Nick tense slightly beside him. He guessed Nick was just as surprised as he was to hear that Ezra had heard him.
Ezra smiled as he chuckled. “As vampires, we have incredible hearing as you know, Jagger, but it seems that since I have become Re, my powers have increased, and my hearing has become even more advanced at times. And I have a confession to make. Nick mentioned that he heard what you and Jewel were saying when we walked into the club. Well, I heard a bit of it myself. But I didn’t want to call my mate out in front of everyone, especially people we just met, and embarrass him. I figured he and I would have a long talk when we got home,” Ezra explained.
“So, you heard everything?” Jagger asked nervously.
“Not everything, but some. And know this. I would never let Jewel, or anyone for that matter, call in the Imperial guard on you and take your life. I never even put you on rogue status when you left. You’re my best friend, Jag, and I couldn’t do that. You didn’t leave because you betrayed me or our people. You weren’t a defector or traitor, and I was hoping you just needed some time before you returned to the clan. I thought you were jealous of Jewel and I, and when I heard the little I did from your conversation down stairs, I thought maybe that was the problem when I heard Jewel say he wouldn’t let you take me from him.”
Jagger was beyond shocked by Ezra’s words. He was never on rogue status. His best friend had protected him. Just like they had always done for one another. Ezra deserved more than what Jagger had given him. He deserved a reason for Jagger leaving the clan, but how was he supposed to tell his best friend that the man’s mate had made his life hell? “Thank you. And I’m sorry I just left without saying a word.”
“There’s a way you can repay me,” Ezra said with a teasing smile.
“Oh yeah, and what’s that?” Jag asked with a smirk.
“Answer a few questions for me. One, what in the hell did my mate do to you that made you leave? Two, do you hate me or Jewel? Three, are you happy? And four, how the hell did you eat all this food and are sitting here fine?”
Jagger and Nick both chuckled, as they looked at one another, then back to Ezra. “First, no I do not hate you. I could never hate you, Ez, you’re still my best friend, too. Second, I don’t hate Jewel, but…I…,” Jagger hesitated and looked to Nick for strength. Nick squeezed his hand and gave him an encouraging smile.
Jagger turned back to Ezra and continued. “I don’t hate Jewel, but I don’t like him either. I’m sorry, Ezra. I know you love him and I know he loves you. I know he makes you happy and that’s all that matters, please don’t make me tell on your mate,” Jagger pleaded.
“It was all of his insecurities and sharp tongue that drove you away, wasn’t it?”
“It was just easier for me to leave, Ez, so there wouldn’t be animosity between us. I meant it when I said I was happy for you that you found your mate, and I only wanted you to be happy, but if I had stayed, eventually we would have all been miserable. Yes, Jewel has a problem with our relationship. But as you said, it comes from his insecurities. They make him jealous and doubtful. He is afraid that you will leave him. That you won’t love him. And if I had stayed it would have made it worse.”
“So, you left everything behind for me? For Jewel?”
“I wouldn’t go that far. Yes, I did it for you, but also for our people. For our clan. I had started hearing some whispers among our clan members about the discord between Jewel and myself, and how it would weaken you and it may be the perfect time for someone else to step in and take over. Some said that as your rule was still new, it may be the perfect opportunity for a mutiny. I couldn’t let that happen, Ez. So, I took myself out of the equation, hoping it would stop all the talk and you and our people would be okay. But after talking with Jewel, it seems that I may have left for nothing. You need to be careful, Ez. I’m afraid that…” Jag stopped as he sighed heavily.
“What is it, Jag?”
“I had hoped with my not being there it would bring Jewel peace and he would feel more secure, but that doesn’t appear to be the case, and I’m afraid that if Jewel continues on as he is, then those whispers I had overheard could become more, and you and our people will pay the price. And…I had selfish reasons for leaving as well, but…” Jagger said and shrugged a shoulder.
“Yeah, and I have a feeling I know what those personal reasons were now. I’m sorry if Jewel caused you pain, Jag, and that you felt you had to leave. Thank you for still trying to protect me by not wanting to speak badly about my mate. I promise you that I will speak with Jewel and put his doubts to rest once and for all. And to put your mind at ease, I have also heard a few grumblings from a certain few and have been keeping an eye on the situation. But you’re right. I need to stop this from going any farther before our people suffer. If you and Nick do decide to leave Maddox and need a place to go, you are more than welcome to return to the clan and have your old job and position back. I trust you more than anyone, Jag, and the fact that you left everything behind for our clan, proves that you deserve that trust. And we could always use a fire station ourselves. I would gladly give you the job of running that, Nick. You and all your men would be welcomed into our clan, and I wouldn’t disrespect your position as alpha of your band,” Ezra offered.
“I appreciate the offer, Ez, but it’s too late for me to come back, even if we do decide to leave Maddox, but thank you.”
“Well, just know that the offer always stands for both of you,” Ezra said with a smile.
“Thank you, Ezra,” Nick replied.
“So, now answer my other questions,” Ezra said with a smile.
“And what were they?”
“Are you happy?” Ezra asked Jagger, his eyes filled with hope.
Jagger looked at Nick, and even though he was a little upset about Nick forcing his hand and bringing Ezra up here to talk to him, he knew Nick had been right. He needed to talk with his best friend and get these things out in the open. He turned back and met Ezra’s gaze. “Yes. I am very happy. I have the most wonderful mate in the world, whom I love. I have a nice home here with him, and a great job. Plus, I am making a lot of new, amazing friends from all breeds of paranormals,” Jagger answered happily and honestly.
“I’m glad, Jag. That’s all I want for you, you know that, right?”
“I do know that, Ez, and thank you,” Jagger replied as he gave Ezra a soft smile, and tears built in his eyes.
Ezra cleared his throat, and Jagger could see the emotions swirling in his friend’s gaze. Ezra nodded, then gave him a bright smile. “So, now tell me about this eating food. What in the hell, Jag?”
“Have you tried it since you mated?” Jagger asked mischievously.
“Um, no. Food can cause us great pain, and make us violently ill, Jag, you know this.”
Jagger smirked and picked up a quart of Rocky Road ice cream and dug a spoon in, taking out a big portion and shoveling it into his mouth. “Mmm, yet I am eatin’ it and I’m fime,” he mumbled around the mouthful.
“But how?”
Jagger dug a smaller amount out of the carton and held the spoon out toward Ezra. “Since you have become Re you said your hearing has improved, what about any of your other abilities? Like your sense of smell? “
“Actually, yes. As well as my vision and my strength. And I have noticed the smells of food now when we are not within the clan,” Ezra replied confused.
“You mated Jewel only days after becoming Re. I don’t think it has to do with your new position, Ez, but your mating. Since Nick and I mated, I can smell food and it is wonderful. I can also eat it. As much as I want. Oh, and one more thing. I can…um…walk in…the…sun.”
Ezra’s eyes went wide. “You what?”
“It’s true, Ezra. Since we mated, Jagger can be in the sun without harm or worry and he can eat. But he needs to make sure he feeds from me every day to be able to do it. And I have also gained since we mated. I now have all the advanced powers that you just said. Hear
ing, vision, smell, speed, and strength, so long as I bite Jag. But we have come to find out that if I take too much of his blood, then the powers are overwhelming and cause me pain. With just the right amount it’s not so bad, and I am learning to control them,” Nick added.
“But Jewel didn’t get anything. I seem to have gotten all of that. Do you think I can eat and…walk in the sun, too?” Ezra asked hopefully.
“I’m not sure, but I think a safe way to start testing the theory is to take a small lick of this heavenly ambrosia,” Jag said and held the spoon closer to Ezra’s lips.
Hesitantly Ezra leaned forward, then stuck out his tongue and gave the spoon a small lick. He sat back and Jagger could see the confused look in his eyes as he let the ice cream sit in his mouth. Suddenly Ezra moaned as his eyes closed slightly. “Holy fuck, that tasted amazing.”
“Right? If you can taste the food to begin with, then I think you can actually eat it like I do. Would you like to try a little more?” Jagger offered, as he scooped more ice cream out and handed Ezra the spoon.
Ezra accepted the offering and quickly stuffed the spoon in his mouth, then closed his lips around it and pulled the clean spoon out. Again, his eyes closed as he moaned his appreciation. “This is amazing. Can we wait a few minutes to see if I get sick, and if I don’t, may I have more of that?”
Jagger and Nick both smiled bright as they laughed. Jagger held out the carton to Ezra and he took it. If Jagger was right in his guess, it was the mating that caused them to gain these abilities. But the question still remained, how did Nick get the powers he did, but then so did Ezra? Why didn’t Jewel get them? And if he did, why hadn’t he said anything to Ezra? And if he didn’t, why not?
CHAPTER 14
“What is going on with you, Dain? Holding back information from me, disrespecting others, and ordering around an alpha? For the love of the gods, Dain, you cannot walk around talking to the other leaders like that. What in the hell were you thinking by ordering Nick, an alpha bear, to his home? And what were you going to do, ground him, punish him?” Destrain hissed angrily under his breath so others wouldn’t hear.
Although Nick and Ezra went to talk with Jagger and Wyndingo went to the front to wait for Illan and Justice to arrive, there were still a few patrons in the club, and the vampire Re’s mate, Jewel, was still sitting at the bar about ten feet from them. Destrain had assumed Ezra’s mate was also a vampire, but was shocked as shit to find out the little man was elven. Would that cause problems in this alliance they were hoping for with the vampires? Could they even trust the vampires?
“I’m sorry, Destrain. I wasn’t thinking. I know I never should have spoken to Nick that way, and I will apologize,” Dain said tightly, his jaw clenched and anger in his eyes.
“You bet your ass you will apologize. You will fucking grovel if you need to. We cannot afford to lose Nick or his men. This town needs them. If Nick leaves he takes Jagger with him, and although Jagger has some issue with Ezra and his mate, I still believe that Jagger is our best bet to forging an alliance with the vampires. But you will not only apologize to Nick, you will to Jagger as well and beg for his forgiveness if need be. How could you disregard the man’s wishes, Dain? Even I could see the worry and stress in him when thinking about dealing with his old leader. And as Nick pointed out, we have no idea what those issues are, or how severe, so how could you just ignore what Jagger wanted? And how could you hold things back from me?”
“I said I was sorry, okay, Destrain? I will apologize to both Nick and Jagger. Now we have more important things to focus on then this petty shit. We need to focus on this meeting and find a way to convince the vamps to join us,” Dain hissed as his gaze moved around the club.
Destrain grabbed Dain’s arm tightly, forcing his brother to meet his gaze. “That’s enough. Now you are speaking to me like I am your subordinate. If you weren’t my brother, and I didn’t know how much stress you were under, I would have you locked up, at the very least. At the most, I would have you killed. You have been doing too much, Dain. Putting too much pressure on yourself with this move back to the human realm―”
“That is my job as your Regent, Destrain. It is up to me to make sure our people are safe and comfortable in their new home. I need to make sure they all learn how to live here. There’s so much for all of us to catch up on. There’s too much work to be done, so I am sorry if occasionally I forget to tell you something, or I snap at someone. I am trying my―”
“That’s my point, Dain,” Destrain interrupted. “You are doing too much. I have asked you to find someone to assist you, but you are too damn stubborn. You don’t have to do everything yourself, brother. With what I have witnessed here today, I now know you need a break.”
“I don’t need a fucking break, Destrain,” Dain insisted.
“Yes, you do. I have asked too much of you and for that I am sorry, but you should have listened to me and found yourself an assistant. So now I will order you instead of asking. Dain, you are to find an assistant, even if they just handle the menial stuff so you can focus on the more important things. And I don’t mean a month from now, or a week. I mean now. After the meeting, you will find someone to cover for you so that you can take some time off―”
“I don’t need to take any time off, Destrain,” Dain hissed angrily as he yanked his arm free.
“Don’t interrupt me again,” Destrain ordered. “Now, you will find someone to cover for you, and you have one day to do it. By this time tomorrow you are officially on leave for two weeks. Then once you return, you will interview others to be your permanent assistant, in a timely manner. Do I make myself clear?”
Dain just stood there staring angrily at Destrain, as his chest heaved. “Do. I. Make. Myself. Clear?” Destrain asked again heatedly.
“Crystal,” Dain replied between clenched teeth.
“Good.” Destrain’s eyes and features softened. “Now, please, brother, get some rest. You are too important to me, and to our people, for you to burn out. I need you, Dain. I couldn’t do any of this without you. I’m worried about you, brother,” Destrain said gently.
Dain sighed and all the anger drained from him. His shoulders relaxed and he ran a hand down his face. “You’re right, Destrain. I can’t keep going like this. I have hardly slept since we came here. And the added worry about both our sons being pregnant and the threat against them has been exhausting. I really am sorry I forgot to talk to you about Jagger not being in the meeting. And I am sorry I didn’t take his wishes into consideration and tried to force him into doing something he didn’t want to do. I will talk to him, and Nick, and apologize for my actions. I will also apologize to the vampire Re and his mate for causing such a scene,” Dain offered.
“Thank you, Dain. I know you worry about me and our family, and all of us, but I worry about you. I think a little time off will be good for you. And I really do want you to have an assistant or two from now on to help ease some of this burden. With me being a part of the council now I will need to call on you now more than ever and it will kill me if you get so stressed again.”
“I know, and I agree with you, Destrain. I’m not thrilled with taking time off, but I think you’re right. And thank you, brother, for always worrying about me,” Dain said in appreciation as he gave Destrain a loving smile.
“Aren’t we missing a few?” Illan asked as he and Justice approached Destrain and Dain.
“Hopefully, everyone will be gathered soon,” Destrain replied, greeting his friends with a smile.
“You look a little worried, my friend. Is everything alright?” Illan asked.
“Not yet, but it will be once I talk with Nick and Jagger,” Dain offered.
“Speaking of Nick, have you spoken to him yet about what we talked about, Destrain?” Justice asked.
“Um…No, not yet. I was planning on approaching him privately before the meeting, but things got a little off track.”
“What did you need to talk to him about, if you don’t min
d me asking?” Dain asked.
“We would like for Nick to join us on the council, and be the voice for shifters,” Illan answered.
“What?” Jagger asked in surprise.
Everyone turned to find Nick, Jagger, Wyndingo, Ezra, and Jewel standing there. Shock was written all over Nick’s face. Pride shown on Jagger’s, and happiness on Ezra’s. That reaction from the vampire king was both surprising and confusing to Destrain.
“You want Nick to be on the council? Like an actual council member? Like the three of you?” Jagger asked excitedly.
“That’s one of the things we wanted to discuss with him, yes. Justice, Destrain, and I think you would make a great addition to the council, Nick. You’re honest, loyal, and don’t take shit from anyone. I have known you for a very long time, Nick, and I know you care about everyone without prejudice, and always take others’ concerns into account. We think you would make the perfect representative for shifters of all breeds,” Illan replied.
“So, what do you think, Nick?” Justice asked.
Destrain looked at Nick nervously, remembering the man had only just threatened to leave their town, and tell all of them goodbye.
Nick’s gaze moved from him to Dain, and his eyes filled with anger, then to his mate, where Nick’s eyes filled with love and concern. He then turned his gaze to Illan. “Thank you for the offer and your faith in me―”
“But,” Justice hedged with concern.
“But, I would like to talk with my mate about it first, as it concerns him, too. And I need a little time to think about it, if that’s alright?” Nick answered.
“Of course, it’s alright. Definitely discuss it with Jagger. I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, Nick, then to take time to weigh all the options before deciding on something this big. That’s also one of the things about you that made us think of you in the first place,” Illan added.
