by Sydney Addae
“Then why are these dreams slipping through?” Jasmine’s question had been valid, one he had thought of himself. Hearing her ask it, knowing she wasn’t a true believer in the Goddess, irked him.
“Have no idea. We’re headed back to the house now.”
Silas nodded and continued his walk.
“One thing,” Angus said.
“What?”
“All three of us are BlackWolves. Different Packs but same Clan,” Angus said.
Silas thought about it. “True. So are our pups, Razor, Storm, and others.”
“It’s possible they’ve been uncomfortable too. We asked they not contact us unless it was an emergency, so we wouldn’t know but what if all BlackWolves are having bad dreams?” Angus asked.
“Good point. I’ll have Hawke do a check.” Silas said and reached out to Hawke.
“Sir?” Hawke said.
Silas repeated the points Angus had made.
“Neither of my pups has said anything, they may be too young, same with Angus’ pups. I’ll check Damian, David, Adam, Renee, and Jacki,” Hawke said.
“Storm and Razor too,” Silas said thinking of the two BlackWolves who were grandsons of Grandfather who was Alpha Nikolas’ grandson. Silas slapped his forehead. “Grandfather.”
Hawke didn’t say anything for a few moments. “Yeah. I can see him in this mix. If anyone knows what’s going on, he would. It’s possible he’s already talked to David or Storm. No, scratch that. Not Storm. But David may know something. You want me to talk to David or you?”
Silas thought about it for a moment. “If you ask I won’t be violating my request not to be contacted. Besides if I reach out to one, I’d have to reach out to them all and I don’t want to do that. Speak to David and Storm first regarding their dreams and let me know what’s going on.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Pleased that he was doing something to solve the riddle while not greatly disturbing his time off, Silas turned and ran toward the house. He needed to apologize to his mate and tell her what he learned.
He met Angus and Shyla just before they reached the porch. Jasmine’s laughter stopped him for a brief second. He and Angus inhaled deeply.
“You’ve got to be kidding,” Silas said.
“Nope, that’s him,” Angus said as they entered the house, walked to the patio just in time to see Grandfather place a kiss on Jasmine’s cheek.
Conflicting emotions flowed through Silas. Anger. Disappointment. Sadness. Resolve and determination. He crossed his arms and stared down at the man.
“You’re here because?” Silas asked.
Shyla pressed a kiss on the old man’s cheek and sat next to Jasmine while Silas and Angus remained near the entrance.
“You know why I’m here. If I’m affected, you’re affected.” Grandfather stood slowly and looked at Silas and Angus. “For now, only those a half-century and above are impacted.”
Silas breathed easier knowing his pups were alright. “Razor? Storm? No one knows how old they are.”
“They’re affected,” Grandfather said, his tone sober. He clasped his hands behind his back and stared at the floor in front of Silas a few moments. “What do you know of BlackWolf Clan history?”
Silas’ memories had been wiped clean by the Goddess when She sent him to the New World to create the Pack. Angus had shared their past with him but he didn’t know much about the BlackWolf Clan.
“I know Alpha Nikolas’ superior fighting skills gave rise to our abilities to be the best fighters across the world. We were taught as pups that all wanted to become BlackWolves because of our superior fighting skills,” Angus said with pride.
Grandfather stared at him a few moments. “You believed that?”
Angus visibly deflated. “Of course. It’s true.”
“Is it?” Grandfather asked and waved his hand. “There may be truth in that claim but not for the reason given. It’s a murky memory that I haven’t been able to see into clearly and I’ve been trying for the past two years. We’re running out of time.”
“Two years?” Angus frowned.
“Out of time for what?” Silas hated that he had to ask.
Grandfather turned and looked at Jasmine and Shyla. “I have already apologized to my daughter for interrupting her holiday like this and I must apologize to you as well, my dear Shyla.”
“How will you interrupt my holiday?” Shyla asked, her gaze flit from Grandfather to Angus and back to the old man.
“Your mate and Silas need to meet with other Clan members to discover what the problem is and how to fix it before the time runs out,” Grandfather said. He held up his hand when Angus and Silas said no. “Just as I have no choice, neither do you. This supersedes your Alpha status; it is your wolf. Your Clan. Your blood.”
Silas met Jasmine’s gaze. “Did you tell him anything?”
“Like what?” she asked.
He sensed her simmering anger. “I was on my way to apologize for the way I handled our conversation.” He held her gaze for a few moments.
“Why is it you continue doing things that you have to apologize for? If you know it’s wrong and that you’ll apologize, why do it?”
He had no real answer. “I’m not sure I know the answer for that.”
“Have you realized I don’t do that to you?”
He stared at her.
“What if I was the one who handled our conversations that way? What if I refused to listen or let you know when something was going on or ignored your offer to help? What if I decide that I’m tired of you doing the same things over and over and expecting an apology to fix things?”
“You lost me at refusing to listen, Jasmine. I cannot imagine our lives if you behaved that way. And do not say I do those things because it’s not true. On occasion I miss the mark and may keep something from you but not often. Not anymore,” he corrected when she sent several incidents in the past when he handled matters wrong. “I see you as my partner and share everything with you.”
“No you don’t.” She turned and looked straight ahead.
Oblivious to everyone else around, he pulled a chair in front of her and sat. “Yes, I do.”
“Really? Who knows the reason you sent a Pack message a few moments ago?” She stared at him and read the truth. “Angus. Hawke. You could’ve included me so I wasn’t blindsided when Grandfather showed up. I sat here and told you, not for the first time that together we’re unbeatable.” He saw the pain and sorrow in her eyes.
“Jasmine that’s not how it happened.”
Her brow rose. “Yes it is. For some reason you were upset because I asked a question that made you think in an uncomfortable direction. Instead of talking to me, working through it with me, you left to deal with it on your own.” She stood. “Well, so be it. Handle it on your own. I’m on vacation and will be on the beach.” She avoided touching him altogether by walking behind her chair. On the way out she hugged the old man and wished him success.
Shyla glanced at him, stood and followed Jasmine inside.
Stunned by the quick turn of events, Silas leaned back in his chair and stared at Jasmine’s empty seat. It had been years since they’ve had to deal with issues like this. What made him respond the way he had? What made her so angry? Had the old man said anything?
No. Silas couldn’t blame this on anyone other than himself. He felt the hurt and pain in her from his actions. He hadn’t meant to exclude her. Things just happened as he sorted them out in his mind. He rubbed his forehead to ease the ache.
“Silas?” Grandfather said.
“I’m not leaving my mate here,” Silas said without looking up. No full-blood would leave his mate and they knew that.
“I know. We’re meeting on an intermediate plane. But we need to start, the times of the day vary, and some must retire soon,” Grandfather said.
“What about Hawke? Storm? Razor?” Silas asked as he pushed his personal concerns aside for the moment. The security bubble he placed over a large
portion of the island allowed for Jasmine and Shyla to lay on the beach protected. Besides Jasmine knew how to manipulate it so that it moved with her or allowed her to come and go at will.
“None of us are exempt, once we start everyone will be forced to attend,” Grandfather said.
“I’ll tell Hawke, Razor, and Storm in case they are driving or operating heavy machinery,” Silas said sarcastically.
“Good idea,” Grandfather said and took a seat next to where Jasmine had sat before. Angus sat between Silas and Grandfather.
Silas reached out to the three men, told them to go someplace where they could either lay or sit down and expect to be out of it for a while. Rather than ask questions, they all said. “Yes, Sir.”
<<<<>>>>
Jasmine entered their bedroom, slammed the door behind her and tossed her sunglasses onto the dresser. They missed the mark and hit the floor. She stared at them for a few seconds, looked up, and closed her eyes as she released a long sigh.
Stop this. None of this is intentional. He would never hurt you, you know that, her saner self, argued.
Her disappointed side wasn’t having it. It’s never intentional. His loving me is not the issue either. When I don’t respond the way he wants, especially when it comes to his faith, he discounts me. I never do that to him. Worse, I’ve told him it bothers me, and he still does it.
When there was no response her shoulders slumped, and she walked slowly toward the bathroom. “Maybe it’s time to accept he’s not going to change. He’s changed for us in so many other ways...”
There was a tap at the door. It could only be Shyla.
Jasmine checked her face in the dresser’s mirror as she strode to the door and opened it.
“Can I tag along to the beach with you?”
Jasmine smiled. “Of course. I’m changing and will meet you out front in 10.”
“Are we taking food? I’m hungry,” Shyla said.
“Yep, take whatever you want.” She remembered the jet-skis. “We were thinking of using the skis, you game?”
Shyla’s face brightened. “Oh yeah. I need to eat, let it settle and then we can hit the water.” Smiling she turned and headed down the hall to the other side of the house to her and Angus’ room.
Feeling slightly better, Jasmine grabbed the same bag she had taken to the beach yesterday. She checked to make sure her sunscreen, sarong, book, headphones, CD player and sunglasses were inside. When she didn’t see her glasses, she remembered where she tossed them, picked them up and placed them inside.
It didn’t take long to change into her swimsuit and sandals. She pulled her hair up in a long ponytail and wore a cap with a hole in the back so her hair swung freely. Before leaving the room, she looked onto the patio. Silas and the others sat very still with their eyes closed. She tested their link. The low hum was the same as when he was on a mental conference call with several of their Alphas.
Grandfather had apologized for showing up uninvited. He hadn’t known they were on vacation or that they had been trying to get here alone for almost a year. When she asked him if his visit were an emergency, he simply said yes but didn’t tell her what it was about. She assumed it had something to do with Silas dreaming of foreign lands and hoped he would receive answers that would bring him peace. With one last glance, she left her room and headed to the living area.
Shyla had been returning from the beach earlier and had changed her swimsuit but carried the same tote. She sat at the table with a half full plate of pasta and seafood Jasmine had made for lunch yesterday. It smelled delicious.
“Almost done,” Shyla said and winked. Her eyes were an unusual shade of green. Not emerald as Silas’ became when he was at his most dangerous, or pine like the needles from the tree. Instead they reminded Jasmine of the color of moss that hung from giant oak trees. In wolf form they darkened and appeared almost black. Jasmine hadn’t seen anyone else in the Pack with eyes like Shyla.
“Take your time.” She looked beyond the table to the patio and the guys. “Have they been gone long?”
“Right after I left but before I knocked on your door. Whatever is going down is important, otherwise Grandfather wouldn’t have come.”
Jasmine knew that but the interruption still aggravated her. Rather than say something she couldn’t take back, she sat at the table, grabbed an orange and peeled it. They ate in silence.
“Now that was worth the trip,” Shyla said standing and heading to the kitchen with her dishes.
Jasmine chuckled. Shyla wasn’t big on cooking fancy meals and rarely baked. She always appreciated anything Jasmine cooked and shared. “Take some of those Danishes for a snack for later.” She pointed at the box on the counter.
“Already put a couple in my bag along with water and some fruit.” Grinning she met Jasmine near the front door and they headed down to the beach together in friendly silence.
Yesterday, the guys had pulled out several beach chairs from the storage shed and left them in a copse of trees relatively close to the shoreline. The sun wasn’t directly overhead so there was some shade from the Palms. They pulled the loungers to the beach and got situated.
Soon the lull of the waves, coupled with the gentle breezes eased Jasmine to the point her lingering disappointment evaporated. Silas was the love of her life and she wasn’t going anywhere, so why ruin her day by being mad at him?
“Can you get my back, please?” Shyla asked handing Jasmine the bottle of sunscreen.
“Sure.” She accepted the bottle, poured some in her palm and rubbed it on Shyla’s back. “I keep telling you your skin is gorgeous. Would you say it’s pecan brown or mahogany?”
“Spending the last two days in the sun it’s closer to a rich mahogany,” Shyla said moving her long braids to the side.
“Even without the sunscreen it’s so shiny and smooth,” Jasmine said. In her mind, Shyla looked and carried herself like a queen from the motherland. One day at work she listened to Vanessa and Shyla discuss old dynasties and customs from bygone eras. Listening to Shyla speak authoritatively had prompted Jasmine to ask Shyla about her lineage. Shyla had been adamant that she hadn’t descended from royalty, but Jasmine wasn’t so sure about that.
“Thank you, Mistress.”
Jasmine rolled her eyes at the title. No many how many times she asked them not to call her that when they were alone, they didn’t stop. Silas said she would become accustomed to it and with some people she had. But not her close inner circle which included Shyla.
When she finished, she returned it.
“I’ll get your back,” Shyla said as she tossed the bottle into her tote.
Jasmine dug out her sunscreen and turned over. Her thoughts roamed as Shyla rubbed liberal amounts of liquid onto her skin. What’s the emergency? Would Silas or their pups or people be harmed? Or in trouble? How would they win against the new threat?
“Done.”
“Thanks,” Jasmine said taking her bottle and stuffing it into her bag. They lay in silence for several minutes enjoying the sun.
Shyla sat up. “Mistress?”
Jasmine looked at Shyla and followed her gaze. In the distance, a mile or more down the beach a young woman crawled out of the water, looked over her shoulder and started running. Even from this distance, Jasmine knew she was human and that she was terrified of something.
“What the hell?” Jasmine murmured.
“Someone has found our island,” Shyla said stating the obvious.
“And she’s not alone.” Jasmine watched as a speedboat pulled close to the shore. An older man with salt and pepper hair jumped out and was followed by another younger man. Both held rifles.
“Mistress, we should go.” Grabbing her bag, Shyla stood.
Curious, Jasmine moved slower. Bag on her shoulder, she watched the girl run and sensed her fatigue.
“Run,” the young woman yelled as she drew closer. “They have guns and will kill you. Run!”
Jasmine heard the words, looked at the t
wo men gaining on the female and wondered why they were shooting at her.
“Run!” the young woman’s eyes were wild with terror. Her breath came in gasps as she staggered but continued moving. Someone fired. The young woman spun around and dropped a few feet in front of Jasmine. Blood poured from her arm.
The men shot again, this time it whizzed past Shyla.
Jasmine pulled the security shield closer. “Grab her Shyla and bring her with us.” The tone of her voice made it clear her order was to be obeyed immediately. Another bullet flew near Shyla as she picked up the female, turned and strode toward the trees.
Angry, Jasmine raised her arm. Sand swirled fast and high, blinding the men on the beach as she pulled their chairs and items back behind the security shield.
“Take her to the first cottage. I’m curious why they were shooting at her. She’s not armed,” Jasmine said, confident their tracks were covered, and the men couldn’t follow.
Jasmine reached the cottage first and keyed in the security code to unlock the door. Shyla entered holding the unconscious female in her arms and looked at Jasmine.
“She’s bleeding.” Jasmine looked around at the pristine floor and furniture. “Hold on, let me get something to line the bed.” She found a blue tarp in one of the closets and placed it on the bed.
Shyla laid the female in the middle and stepped back. Both stared at the woman for several moments.
“How do we stop the bleeding?” Jasmine asked.
“Mistress I don’t anything about human biology. We don’t bleed like this.” Shyla pointed to the woman.
“Do we have a first aid kit or something?” Jasmine asked trying to think. It had been years since she interacted with a person who was strictly human.
“A what?” Shyla frowned.
“Yeah right. No reason to have a first aid kit. We should clean and wrap her arm. That’s the only place the bullet hit right?”
Shyla looked at Jasmine and shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Realizing Shyla wouldn’t be of much help and the only people she could link with, Silas and Asia, were full-bloods, she fell back on how she treated the boys growing up before she discovered their wolf abilities.