Leisl Leighton - [Pack Bound 01]

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Leisl Leighton - [Pack Bound 01] Page 11

by Pack Bound (epub)


  It was so tempting to say yes. For that reason, the answer would always be no. ‘I’m not that easily swayed.’

  His eyes glinted as he took a step back and smiled at her. ‘Then all I’ve got to do is find how to sway you. This could be fun.’

  ‘Jason.’

  He turned to face Adam, who’d come out of the kitchen with two boys in tow. She grabbed his arm to stop him moving away, but let go immediately, the heat of him a burn on her fingertips. ‘It won’t be fun. I’m not swayable.’

  ‘We’ll see.’ He smiled at her and turned to his brother again. ‘All done?’

  ‘Yep. I’ve never seen two little monkeys pack away so much fruit.’

  ‘I’m a wolf, Uncle A. Not a monkey.’

  Adam looked down at Tom, a glint of humour in his eyes. ‘I don’t know about that, matey-o. I’ve never seen a wolf chow down on as much banana as you just did. That’s kind of a monkey thing.’ He bent down and tickled Tom’s stomach. Tom squealed. ‘See? A monkey noise. You’re a monkey.’

  ‘Uncle Jase!’ Tom said, his face crinkling with laughter. ‘Tell Uncle A I’m a wolf.’

  ‘A wolf?’ Jason leaned in and gave Tom a tickle too, making the boy collapse in a giggling heap on the floor. Then turning to Andy, he asked, ‘If Tom’s a wolf, what are you?’

  ‘I’m a lion. Rooaarrr!’ His roar was cut off midway when Adam tickled him too. Andy fell to the floor laughing next to Tom, and Adam continued to tickle them both until Skye stepped forward.

  ‘I think that’s enough. You’re going to make them sick—especially if the monkeys ate as much fruit as you say.’ She smiled warmly at the two boys as they stopped rocking and laughing and scrambled to their feet. ‘Now, how about that tour?’

  ‘That sounds like a marvellous idea.’ Jason’s smile flashed again.

  She remembered that smile as he’d looked down at her in bed, telling her to look at him as he thrust himself deep inside her. Blinking rapidly to dispel the image, she met his smile with her own.

  Where was Jenny? Over with the children making sock puppets. Damn! ‘I can see Jenny is busy again, so that leaves me. Andy? Do you want to help me show Tom and his uncles around?’

  ‘Yeth!’

  ‘Terrific. What will we show them first?’

  ‘The picture wall.’

  ‘Great idea. Let’s go.’

  She turned away from Jason and his charm offensive. It could never happen. She must never give in to his ‘swaying’. That way lay madness—and heartache. Because, no matter how attracted she was to him, she couldn’t be with him. She wasn’t a fling kind of girl. She also wasn’t the marriage and kids kind of girl. She couldn’t be. Couldn’t involve someone else so intimately in the insanity her birthright had given her.

  Especially not a man who threatened everything she’d ever believed about herself.

  As Andy showed his paintings on the wall, Jason turned, a gentle smile on his lips as if aware of being watched. His wolf-blue eyes lit as his gaze met hers.

  Gulping, she hurried them through the tour, desperate to get away from Jason and the temptation he offered. Finally, she stood with the two men at the front door—they’d left Tom happily painting with Andy under the watchful supervision of one of her staff.

  She shook Jason’s hand, pulling hers out of his grip as quickly as possible and turned to Adam. ‘I think Tom will be happy here, but if you have any concerns, please just give me a call.’

  Adam’s gaze darted in confusion to Jason. Jason nodded. ‘I will.’

  She put out her hand. A spark of warmth flew from her hand into Adam’s. He snatched it away as if he’d been burned.

  ‘Holy f— I mean, hell! That’s quite some static charge.’

  She looked up at him. For a brief second, she thought she saw red glow in the amber of his eyes and a golden haze spill out from his skin.

  But then he shook himself—like a dog—and grinned at her. ‘You sure pack a wallop. I envy my brother. I really do. I can’t wait to welcome you to the pa—to the family, Skye.’

  She glanced between them and stepped back. ‘I don’t think …’ She shook her head. She had to get a grip. He was just teasing, like Jason said he liked to do. ‘Very funny. I’ll see you this afternoon when you pick Tom up.’

  She turned away.

  ‘Skye?’

  She turned back to Jason, brow raised. ‘Yes?’

  ‘I’ll be seeing you.’

  ***

  Adam followed Jason into the study, slammed the door shut and crowed, ‘That was fucking fantastic!’

  Sighing, Jason rubbed his hand over his face. ‘She’s still channelling power and has no idea she’s doing it. I don’t know how to stop her.’

  Adam stared at him. ‘I don’t know why you’re cracking the sads, Jase. Cordelia said staying away would help and it obviously did. She didn’t flare out or faint or get sick when she channelled that power. And you weren’t so concerned while we were there. I mean, the sexual tension was so overpowering I was surprised you didn’t jump her. You certainly weren’t averse to prodding her into using her power.’

  ‘That’s because I was testing her, you idiot. I wanted to see how safe it was to be around her and if she’d remembered anything at all.’

  ‘And? What did you discuss in that hot little tête-à-tête?’

  Jason glared at Adam. ‘Nothing you need to know.’ He raked his fingers through his hair again. ‘I need to talk to Cordelia.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because while Skye didn’t get sick or flare out, she was upset and surprised about the show of power until I made out it was static electricity.’ He shook his head, trembling. ‘One touch. I almost turned there and then. She’s so strong.’

  ‘No shit, Sherlock,’ Adam said. ‘She touched me too.’ He leaned forward. ‘I thought I wasn’t going to be able to pull the old boy back.’ He clapped his hands together and laughed. ‘Can you imagine the look on her face if I’d changed? Perhaps it would’ve been best if I had. Maybe it would’ve jogged her memory. Made her remember what we are and who she is to us.’

  ‘Are you serious? It wouldn’t have helped at all. Not to mention we would’ve scared all those children and made the evening news.’

  The sparkle in Adam’s eyes faded a little. ‘Yeah, okay. You’re right. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t use what she gave us. Stop brooding, Jase. Come for a run.’

  Before Jason could answer, Adam lowered his head, a golden glow shimmering around him. His clothes shredded as the glow intensified and then it faded as fast as it had come and a huge black wolf stood in his place. The wolf looked up at Jason, challenge in his eyes.

  Jason knelt before his brother and gripped the fur on either side of Adam’s wolf’s head, something he’d been unable to do for far too long, thanks to the Curse. ‘You’re on.’

  Adam let out an excited bark as the glow of change swept over Jason. Then they were off.

  As Jason’s paws pounded the earth, sending up the scent of dirt and bark and wattle and eucalypt, he remembered Skye saying she was having dinner with her grandmother. But that was impossible, because her grandmother was dead.

  Morrigan Collins had run away from the pack and disappeared just after Paul was born, her bones turning up on the edge of their land six months later, identified by her sister, and a necklace she always wore. What happened was still a mystery, but there was no doubt, Morrigan Collins was long dead.

  Somehow, he didn’t think Skye had lied. So was this the person who had kidnapped Skye when she was eight? He had to find out more about this so-called grandmother. And the best person to find out this information from was Skye herself.

  He smiled.

  Another reason to make certain she swayed his way. As if her being his mate and their Pack Witch wasn’t already enough. She was also the key to finding those responsible so he could exact his revenge.

  He just had to figure out why she was frightened of her power and how on earth she wa
s holding it back.

  The only person who could help him with that was Cordelia. He needed to see her.

  He sped up, putting his all into the race with Adam, pulling up first by a nose right at the end of the designated lap. In the privacy of their backyard, he changed, the golden-rainbow shimmer of the change casting colourful patterns on the foliage around him. Turning, he faced Adam, whose tongue was lolling out of his mouth, a stupid grin on his face.

  ‘You’re out of shape, brother. You better do another lap. I’m going to drive out to see Cordy.’

  Heading inside as Adam took off, Jason got dressed, grabbed his leathers and helmet then went to the garage to jump on his Triumph Rocket III Roadster. He could call Cordy, but he couldn’t read nuances over the phone.

  Besides, he really needed to see if Marcus would still back him. Not to mention putting some distance between him and Skye was a good idea right now, otherwise he knew he’d go back there—which would only serve to make her dig her heels in even more.

  The growling roar of the Roadster matched his mood as he started it and with a squeal of wheels, he was off.

  The McClunes’ hereditary land ran adjacent to the McVales’ on the peninsula in Red Hill, but they’d most recently bought up a new tract of land past Coldstream that led into the national forest and part of the Great Dividing Range. Marcus had moved many of his central people there to help rebuild after the devastating Black Saturday fires had ravaged the land more than a dozen years ago. It had become his main base of operations—out of the way, plenty of room to expand and for his pack to roam and be safe. Jason knew that’s where he’d find Marcus and Cordelia.

  The drive there was uneventful, the day mildly chilly despite the sun. As he flew along the black roads, the Roadster purring under him, Jason revelled in the wide open spaces. Farmland surrounded him, the green pastures where sheep and cattle roamed a wild contrast to the dark marching rows of grape vines from all the wineries now situated in this glorious part of the country. But even though he appreciated the beauty and simplicity of the farmland, it was the rise of undulating hills around him leading into the wilderness of mountain ranges to the north that spoke to his soul.

  Maybe, after everything was sorted, it was time to think of expanding again.

  He became aware of the sentries following him the moment he crossed the border into McClune land. He acknowledged them with a wave, but drove on. They wouldn’t stop him. While he was an Alpha of another pack, the McVales and McClunes had long been, if not friends, then allies.

  Twenty minutes after he’d crossed the McClune border, he pulled up in front of the old Victorian homestead that was Marcus’s packhouse and home.

  As he cut the engine, Cordelia appeared at the front door, a smile lighting up her freckled face. She had hair of fire not unlike Skye’s, but it lacked the rich shift of gold to burnished copper that Skye’s hair had and it was dead straight, where Skye’s was wild and full of untameable waves. He preferred the wild.

  ‘Jason.’ Marcus appeared behind Cordelia, his darkness a marked difference to her flare of brilliant colour. ‘Cordelia told me you were coming.’

  Jason wasn’t surprised she knew he’d come here today. She’d been keeping a close eye on the situation. ‘I need her counsel. I hope you don’t mind.’

  Marcus watched him for a moment and then a smile broke across his face, transforming the brooding seriousness into something close to friendly. ‘Of course not.’ He walked down the stairs and held out his hand.

  Jason gripped Marcus’s hand, held it. ‘I am welcome then?’

  Marcus shifted his grip, his fingers wrapping around Jason’s wrist. ‘You are welcome.’

  He glanced behind him at Cordelia, who rolled her eyes at him as she jogged down the stairs to join them now the formalities were over.

  ‘For Goddess’s sake, Marcus. Jason would never let me be harmed. He, more than any Alpha before him, understands the value of a Pack Witch. When he brings Skye into his fold, I’d like to meet her. She will need my help.’

  ‘No. It’s too dangerous.’

  Cordelia sighed again and tucked her arm through Jason’s, ignoring Marcus as he stiffened. ‘It is not good to stifle your Pack Witches or your mate,’ she said to Jason as she led him forward and into the house.

  He nodded, even though he knew she was speaking to Marcus. ‘My father mentioned that many times.’

  ‘Yes. He understood the value of certain freedoms.’ She sent a pointed look over her shoulder at Marcus, who was stalking quietly behind them.

  ‘Marcus is right to protect you and the others.’

  ‘At last! Someone of reason speaks,’ Marcus said.

  Jason held back the chuckle that rose into his throat at the man’s aggrieved tone.

  ‘Yes, but it is unreasonable to hold me back from doing my job,’ Cordelia countered.

  ‘I’m not holding you back. I’m sure Jason will agree you have been of great help to him and I’m happy for you to continue doing so.’

  ‘Yes, but from a distance, which is not really the same thing.’

  ‘It will have to do for now.’ Marcus’s tone was implacable. Final.

  Jason completely understood. In fact, when he had Skye back in the embrace of pack, he knew he would be far more protective of her than Marcus was being of Cordelia and her coven. ‘And I appreciate everything you are doing for me.’

  Cordelia sighed again as she led him into the fully refurbished kitchen. Gesturing for him to take a seat at the table, she headed over to the stove. ‘This room is the only one that no longer resembles a construction zone. I wish we had somewhere quieter to talk, but it will have to do. Now, tell me what brings you here today.’

  As she busied herself making tea, Jason related what had occurred over the last few weeks, leading up to his interaction with Skye today.

  When he finished, Cordelia sighed. ‘She’s blocking her powers herself.’

  ‘How can she be doing that without using them?’

  ‘Well, you need another witch or warlock to help set the spell. They must have helped her create a tap to keep her powers from flowing out. The tap would have to be left open a little, allowing drips of her magic to reinforce the spell, but no more—otherwise we would have sensed it and tracked her down before now.’

  ‘Okay. But why is she spilling magic out now?’

  ‘Over the years, because that tap hasn’t been turned on, the washer has got stiff and unyielding; so stiff and unyielding that even if she wanted to, it would be difficult to open the tap and let the magic flow freely. But then you come along and knock the tap a degree by your presence—and the fact that her father bound her to you. Magic gushed out, but because the tap is so tight, she can’t turn it off again. Nor can she turn it on full without help. It’s trickling out. It would probably go unnoticed for longer, except that your presence makes it manifest, because not only is she tied to you as the Pack Witch, she is your mate.’

  ‘Is this dangerous? This trickling of power?’

  ‘No. The trickle is good. As was tying her power into the spell. Whoever canted it cared about her to some extent. Because if they dammed it up entirely, her power would have exploded long before now, killing her and anyone near her. Which it still might do if we don’t open the dam and allow her powers out. Despite the trickle, the pressure inside her will be building inexorably every year until it gets to a point where it will explode regardless.’

  ‘No.’ Jason’s wolf growled, hackles rising. ‘I won’t let that happen.’

  ‘So how does Jason undo this tap spell?’ Marcus asked, commenting for the first time.

  ‘He doesn’t. You can’t uncant another witch or warlock’s spell unless they are dead. And Skylar isn’t dead.’

  ‘But you said another witch—’

  ‘I said another witch helped her with the spell. But the power used—it’s hers. It couldn’t have lasted so long if it wasn’t. She has to undo the spell. But to do that, we need her to tu
rn on the tap to full.’

  A chill chased through Jason. ‘Didn’t you say that could kill her?’

  Cordelia reached out, gripped his hand. ‘It would, if it was released into the elements with no control to channel it through. But, don’t you see?’ She squeezed his hand, met his gaze with a smile of hope. ‘You are her channel. You can take in the excess of power while she brings it under control. You can help her in a way no one else can. As long as you are there to channel it as the tap is opened, then it will be fine. But she will need to be trained so that she doesn’t pour all of herself into you as she did when the mating bond snapped into place. Too much power and it could kill you. Not to mention she can’t be allowed to flame out again. Getting her to read the Pack Witch Diaries will be a start, although, another witch or warlock to train her would be better.’ She glared at Marcus. ‘We’ll talk.’

  Marcus simply shook his head. ‘You can talk all you like right now. I’m not changing my mind on this. Not until I know it’s safe. That she’s safe.’

  Cordelia opened her mouth to argue, but Jason turned his hand in hers, squeezed. ‘It’s okay, Cordy. Despite how much I’d love you to come and help with Skye, I support Marcus’s stance. He is right to protect you and your coven.’

  A tear slipped down her face as she returned his squeeze. ‘I wish I could do more.’

  ‘You are doing more than enough.’ He brushed his thumb over the back of her hand and then let go, unable to stand the contact. The only witch he wanted to touch was his own. Taking in a deep breath, he said, ‘So, I need to find a way of making Skye accept her powers and getting her to a point where she can pull back the flow of power to me when it’s released. But how do I get her to release the power in the first place?’

  ‘You have to get her to cant this spell.’

  Marcus handed her a piece of paper and a pen without being asked. A stab of jealousy slashed through Jason; to have that kind of connection was his dearest hope.

  Cordelia scribbled a few lines on the paper and then passed it to Jason. As he read the words, a strange hum of power tingled through his fingers. He folded it and put it in his jacket pocket. ‘She’s not going to want to read this in her current state of denial.’

 

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