Jaxson's Justice

by Dawn Sullivan

  Jade ducked her head shyly, her cheeks turning slightly pink. “I’m glad I could help.”

  The woman was a contradiction. So strong and giving, but also slightly unsure of herself. “If only there was something we could do about all of my scars,” Raven said with a sigh.

  “Scars?”

  “I never really thought about it before, but I saw them when I was in the shower earlier.” Sliding the covers down, Raven showed her one of her legs. “The scientists did a lot of experiments on me to try to figure out what kind of shifter I was. I think some of them really enjoyed it. I could smell their excitement.” Raven slowly traced over one of the deep scars on her lower thigh, sighing before she slowly pulled the blanket back up. “What will Jaxson think?”

  “He will think they are badges of courage,” Jade said confidently, and Raven scented the truth in her words. “He is lucky to have you as his mate.”

  12

  Jaxson slipped into the hospital room, shutting the door quietly behind him. He lifted a hand to Jade, but then his mind went blank when his gaze settled on his mate. Her eyes were closed, and she seemed to be sleeping peacefully, something she hadn’t done since they arrived at the compound. She was so beautiful it made his heart hurt.

  “She’s been asleep for the past hour,” Jade said softly. “I’m afraid to leave.”

  His gaze flew back to Jade, and he quickly crossed the room when he saw how pale she was. Small beads of sweat stood out on her forehead, and he could see she was in pain. “Jade, what are you doing?”

  “I didn’t want her to have to hurt anymore. I’ve been blocking the pain as much as I can, but it’s going to come back full force when I leave,” she confessed.

  “You feel what she’s been feeling?” he asked, knowing that wasn’t good.

  “Yes. I can’t take her pain from her. I can’t make her better. I can just block it for a while. I wanted her to get some rest. All the suffering she’s been through, she deserves it.”

  Jaxson swore softly, knowing there was going to be hell to pay when Jade’s mate got there. Then he thought about his own mate feeling that pain again, and he had to fight back the loud roar that wanted to break free.

  “I can’t do this much longer,” Jade admitted quietly, her breathing becoming ragged. “I am so sorry.”

  “Don’t be,” he told her gruffly. “You’ve given Raven a small respite. It will help her more than you realize.”

  Reaching out, he connected with Trace, including Angel on the telepathic link, knowing he might need her help to keep the panther calm. Trace, I need you at the hospital right away. I just got here and found out your mate’s been blocking Raven’s pain. She’s feeling it herself, and she’s going to need you to get her home.

  Dammit! Trace snarled. Why the hell would she do that?

  Because that’s who my daughter is, Angel said. You can’t change her any more than I can, and you wouldn’t want to.

  Fuck. I’m on my way.

  Me, too, Angel said, severing the link.

  “Your mate is on his way,” Jaxson said, before glancing back over at Raven. She looked… happy. His jaw clenched tightly when he realized that look would be replaced by one of pain again soon, and he had to hold back a growl of anger.

  Jade leaned her head back against the chair, her eyes closed, her hand clutching the arm rests tightly. “Thank you.”

  Moving around to the right side of the bed, Jaxson removed his boots, and then his weapons, setting them on the small table next to where Raven lay. Pulling back the covers, he slid in next to her and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. Kissing her gently on the forehead, he smiled when she opened her eyes to look at him.

  “No, thank you, Jade,” he said quietly.

  He heard the door open, but didn’t take his gaze from his mate’s.

  “Jade, you’ve done all you can for now,” Angel’s voice was full of pride, but also sadness. “I am so proud of you, Daughter, but you need to let Raven bear her own pain again.”

  “But she hurts so much,” Jade rasped, tears in her voice. “How does she do this? Feel this agony, every single day? How can anyone live with it?”

  Jaxson was aware the moment Trace entered the room, low growls of anger coming from his chest. “You will break away now, my mate,” he demanded.

  “What’s going on?” Dax demanded, stalking into the room, Sable and Rubi right behind him. “Is Raven okay?”

  “I’m fine,” Raven said softly, gently tracing Jaxson’s features with her fingers. “Better than I have been in a long time.” She kissed him softly, before turning to look at Jade.

  “You are so strong, my friend. Thank you for blocking my pain enough so that I could get some sleep, but it’s time to give it back to me.”

  “I don’t want to,” Jade whispered, moaning softly when Trace picked her up gently, and then sat down in the chair with her in his lap.

  “You have to,” Raven said, a small smile tilting up the corners of her lips. “You don’t know how much it means to me that you are willing to shoulder the pain for me, but I’ve been handling it for the past year. I will be fine.”

  “No one should suffer like you do,” Jade argued, small shudders racking her body as she fought to keep blocking the pain.

  “You’re just prolonging it, Jade,” Angel said quietly. “You know you can’t keep this up indefinitely.”

  “No, but I can just for a little longer.”

  Angel knelt beside her daughter, placing a hand on her arm. “Jade, I would take Raven’s pain if I could. Any one of us would. But we can’t. We don’t have that ability. You have to give it back to her.”

  Jade looked over at Raven, shaking her head as she cried in despair. “I don’t want you to feel this again.”

  “It will be fine,” Raven promised, reaching out a hand to her. “I can handle it.”

  Tears tracked down Jade’s cheeks as she grasped Raven’s hand. She stared at her for a long moment, a loud moan tearing from her throat before she let go. “I am so sorry, Raven. So very sorry.”

  Jaxson knew the moment the full force of pain hit Raven again. Her back arched up off the bed, and a silent scream stuck in her throat, but no sound escaped. He held her close, whispering to her, unsure what he said. His heart clenched at the sight of his beautiful mate in so much agony, but there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it.

  “God, Raven!” Jade cried, clutching her hand tightly. “Let me try to block it again.”

  “No!” Trace yelled. “You will not, Jade!”

  “No,” Raven rasped, burying her face in Jaxson’s neck. “Listen to him, Jade. I’ll be fine. I just need a minute.”

  “Oh, Raven,” Rubi whispered, her voice trembling, “what can we do to help?”

  “There isn’t anything you can do,” Raven gasped, holding her body stiffly against Jaxson’s. He stared down into her eyes, swearing he could hear her soul crying out in misery.

  “Maybe I can help.”

  He heard the soft voice but didn’t recognize it. Holding Raven close, he turned to see a small woman with long brown hair that hung past her waist and chocolate brown eyes that seemed to see deep inside him standing in the open doorway. He inhaled, catching the scent of bear, and his brow furrowed.

  “Alanna, no, we can’t ask that of you,” Angel said, moving toward the woman. “It’s very sweet of you to offer, but we won’t take advantage of your gifts.”

  Alanna Miller. The bear Chase’s team rescued not too long ago. He’d forgotten all about her and her friend Fallon, who recently became a part of their pack. He wasn’t aware that she had any gifts.

  “You didn’t ask anything of me,” she said, walking passed Angel to the bed. “I want to help.”

  She was so small, but the power flowing from her wasn’t. How had he not noticed that before?

  “Alanna…”

  Alanna ignored Angel, smiling down at Raven. “I can feel your pain, dragoness. Will you allow me to help?”


  Raven stared at the beautiful woman, wanting nothing more than to accept her help, but she couldn’t. Not if it meant it could hurt her.

  “I don’t want you to feel this,” Raven whispered, laying her head weakly on Jaxson’s shoulder.

  “You don’t have to worry about that,” Alanna promised, running a hand gently down Raven’s hair.

  “It won’t hurt you?”

  “Not the way it does you.”

  “What’s going on here?” Chase demanded, walking into the room

  Alanna turned to smile at him, her hand resting lightly on Raven’s shoulder. “Alpha, you are just in time.”

  “In time for what?” he growled, his hands going to his hips as he glared around the room.

  “In time for me to help ease Raven of her pain,” Alanna replied, sitting on the side of the bed and placing her other hand lightly on Raven’s stomach. “I will need help back to my apartment after I’m finished, please.”

  “No!” Raven said, trying to pull away. “You said it wouldn’t hurt you!”

  “I said it wouldn’t hurt me like it is hurting you,” Alanna corrected, a gentle smile curving her lips. “There is always some pain in what I do, and I will feel very tired, but I will not suffer the way you are.”

  “You hurt when you took my pain?” Chase asked, a small hitch in his voice.

  “A little.” Alanna shrugged. “It is part of my gift. Now, let’s begin, shall we?”

  Raven looked over at Chase, unsure what to say. She didn’t want this kind, caring woman to hurt, but the bear didn’t seem willing to take no for an answer. When Chase nodded once, Raven’s eyes went to Jaxson.

  “I would appreciate any help you can give my mate,” Jaxson told Alanna, his eyes never leaving Raven’s. “I will be in your debt.”

  “There is no reason for that, wolf,” Alanna replied. “Get comfortable, this could take a while.”

  Jaxson leaned back against the pillows, and Raven snuggled into his arms, fighting the tears that wanted to fall at the excruciating pain the movement caused. “Are you sure?” she asked one last time, giving the bear one more out.

  Alanna closed her eyes and nodded. “Hush, dragoness, let me help you.”

  Raven immediately felt the power that began to flow in her. It was as if something ignited within her, flowing through her, and everywhere it touched, she became free of pain. She clutched tightly to Jaxson’s shirt, crying out when she felt one of the worst areas in her stomach tighten in agony, and then seem to pulse as the pain slowly ebbed away.

  “What is it? What’s happening?” Jaxson demanded.

  Tears leaked from Raven’s eyes, and she tilted her head up to look at him. “It’s working.”

  “There is always pain in healing,” Alanna said, a low moan escaping as she moved her hands, one settling on Raven’s chest above her heart and the other on her thigh. “You poor woman. The things you’ve been through. Let you live free of all of your pain and suffering. You deserve it. I will allow no less.”

  Raven cried out again as Alanna’s power met a spot in her chest, where she had thought the scientists were literally going to carve out her heart one day. “Hurts!”

  “Yes, I can feel it, dragoness. I promise, it won’t much longer.” True to her word, soon the pain seemed to come to a head, and then ebb away again, just as it had before. “We’re almost done,” Alanna whispered, moving her hands one more time. “I’m sorry this is taking so long. You have been through so much. I need to make sure you are completely healed, and that no more pain will bother you.”

  It took fifteen more minutes, but finally, Alanna stepped back, swaying slightly on her feet. “There. It is done.”

  Raven lay glued to Jaxson, afraid to move. She was so tired, and it was a struggle to open her eyes, but she felt better. Her body ached slightly, but the unbearable pain was gone. How the hell had Alanna done that?

  “She will need a lot of rest for the next few hours. I’ve never encountered anything like her pain before.”

  “Thank you so much,” Jaxson said gruffly. Raven felt him kiss the top of her head gently. “You ever need anything, Alanna, you call me.”

  “Me, too,” Dax growled. “Anything. I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for my sister.”

  “Thank you, but as I said before, there is no need. I’m just glad I could help. She is definitely worthy of it.”

  “Let’s get you back to your apartment,” Chase said quietly. “You look like you are about to fall over.”

  Alanna laughed softly. “I won’t deny it. This healing took a lot out of me.” Raven felt the woman place a gentle hand on her arm as she said, “Sleep, dragoness. I will be back to see you in a few days.”

  Raven tried to thank her, she really did, but she could form no words. Exhaustion beat at her, and slowly she succumbed to it, feeling safe in her mate’s arms.

  13

  Jaxson woke up to hands trailing over his chest and down lower, to rest on his lower stomach. Slowly, they inched his shirt up, and then he bit back a groan as they slid sensuously over his skin. “Raven.” He breathed her name, loving the way she was touching him, needing more.

  “Jaxson,” she murmured, sliding his shirt up, urging him to take it all the way off. “Please, I need to touch you.”

  Groaning, Jaxson slipped it off, and then let his hands slide down over her sides, grasping the hem of the hospital gown and sliding it up. He paused, having the presence of mind to ask, “Am I hurting you?” He wanted to touch her, to feel her silky skin, but not if he was going to cause her pain.

  Ignoring his question, she trailed kisses over his chest, her tongue circling his nipple, before she gently bit down on it, her other hand sliding down to cup his growing erection.

  “Fuck! Raven!”

  He felt her grin against his skin, and then she looked up at him, her amber eyes glowing, reminding him of a bright gem. “No, you aren’t hurting me. The pain is gone, Jaxson. All of it.” There was happiness in her voice, and a deep contentment that he hadn’t heard from her before.

  “I’m glad.” He slid his hand into her thick hair, loving the way the reds and golds swirled together. She smiled at him, a pink blush settling in her cheeks. “You are so beautiful, Raven.”

  The brightness of her eyes seemed to dim slightly, and she shook her head. “Maybe I used to be, but I’m not anymore. Jaxson, I have so many scars now. They may fade, but they will never go away.”

  “You think I care about that?” Jaxson asked, leaning in to touch his lips to hers, before slowly trailing kisses from her mouth down her neck, to her shoulder. “I see who you are, Raven, deep inside. Kind, caring, loving. Those are the things I care about. Who you are deep down, not what you look like.” Reaching behind her, he undid the tie to the gown, and then slid it down her shoulders. “We all have scars. I have acquired a few of my own over the years. Does that matter to you?”

  “Of course not.”

  He raised his head to look at her, “Then, why would you think it would matter to me?”

  “I guess I wasn’t thinking,” she whispered.

  “Well, I don’t want you to think about anything right now,” he said, lowering his head to capture one of her nipples in his mouth. He swirled his tongue around it, before sucking on it, then biting it gently. When she cried out, he pulled back to say, “All I want you doing right now is feeling. I want you to remember what it’s like to feel pleasure instead of pain.”

  “Jaxson!” she gasped, clutching at his shoulders, moaning as she arched into him.

  Grinning, he lowered his head again, playing with her nipple. Sucking, nibbling, biting down gently. As he did, he slipped the gown off, leaving her body bare for him to explore. Rising up on all fours, he grinned at her, loving the way her head was flung back, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. Slowly, he licked his way down her body, groaning when she slipped her fingers into his hair, clutching it tightly as she encouraged him to go lower.


  “Please, Jaxson, I want your mouth on me.”

  If his dick wasn’t hard enough before, it was rock hard now. His woman knew what she wanted, and she wasn’t shy about asking for it. “I got you, baby,” he promised, licking his way over her navel, and then lower to where she really wanted him. Spreading her legs, his tongue flicked out, playing with the small bud, and Raven moaned, raising her hips to push into him. He fucking loved it.

  “Jaxson, I need more!”

  Groaning, he tasted her, sinking his tongue into her wetness, a low growl slipping free when the flavor of her coated his tongue. The small noises she made as she clutched his hair tightly while moving her hips and begging him for more drove him wild. Licking up her folds, he slid a finger deep inside of her, and then flicked her clit with his tongue.

  “Oh, God, Jaxson! Like that!”

  Adding another finger, he began to slide them in and out of her, moving his tongue faster. After a moment, he felt her stiffen, and then a scream left her lips as she came, pulsing against his fingers. He continued to lick her, lapping up her juices until she was spent, and then he slowly slid back up her body and held her close.

  When she began to slide her hand down toward his aching cock, he captured it in his and raised it to kiss her knuckles. “Not yet.”

  “But you didn’t get…”

  “I have everything I need right here,” he promised, holding her body close to his, loving the way their chests felt pressed together, skin against skin. When she didn’t respond, he tilted her head up to meet his gaze. “Trust me, baby, I want you so much right now I ache. I want to feel your lips on my cock. I want to be deep inside of you. I want to sink my teeth in your skin and claim the fuck out of you. I want all of it. But, not here. Not in a hospital bed.”

  “Oh!” Raven’s cheeks darkened a deep red, and she glanced toward the door. “I wasn’t thinking. Do you think they heard?”

  Jaxson burst out laughing, reaching down to pull the blanket over her. “Honey, I think the entire White River Wolves compound heard you.” When she covered her face with her hands, Jaxson pulled them away and grinned. “I fucking loved it. Now, every male in this pack will know you are mine.”