Jasper_United Together_Book 2 of The Guardian Shifters

by KM Lowe

  The bolt on the door makes a clicking noise as it opens from the outside. I don’t move my eyes from the ceiling. I don’t really care who’s walking in. I’m past caring.

  “Jasper?” There’s a whisper from the door. “Here, get this down you.” Callum hands me a bottle of water and a pre-packaged sandwich.

  I sit up from the mattress I’ve hardly moved from. “You know you’ll end up in one of these if they see that you’re helping me.”

  “I couldn’t give a shit. What they’re doing is not right. Those fucking monkeys that have kept you awake should know better. Maybe the broken nose I gave one of them a couple of hours ago will make him see what side he should be on.”

  I laugh at Callum’s outburst. I’m a strong wolf, but even I wouldn’t like to tackle Cal, because he can hold his own. I just wish I was a fly on the wall to see the guard getting his nose broken.

  “Thanks for making me laugh, buddy. How’s Kev?” I ask while I open the sandwich to give Kevin the rubbish so it looks like I’ve had nothing.

  “He’s bearing up. I’ve just left him with the same as you. He told me that his father had a room like this and he was kept in it for six months until he submitted fully to his father’s wishes. This must be hell for the poor kid.”

  “Shit!” I yell and stand up quickly.

  Now I know why Kevin’s been on edge since Friday. He was terrified in case he was transported back into memories he’s kept locked away. Memories he never wanted to relive. But being down here is going to unlock every piece of physical and emotional abuse he’s worked so hard to forget.

  “That’s why I’ve been coming down regularly to check on him. He’s a good kid, Jasper.”

  “Yeah.” I sigh and sit back down on the mattress. “You don’t need to tell me that, Cal. Those bastards will pay for this.”

  “They’ll get their comeuppance. Right now, I need to be getting off. I’ll come back later to check on you and Kevin. One more day in here. You can do it.” He walks back over to the door.

  “Cal.” He peers over his shoulder. “Thank you.”

  “No need, Jasper. You’ve been there for me plenty of times. I don’t forget who’s good to me.” I smile at him with my big cocky grin he usually chastises me for. I nod in his direction before he leaves me alone again. There was nothing else I could say to him.

  I sit back on the mattress, my back hitting the stone wall. My thoughts drift back to my pack at home. What I would do right now just to see Lisa, Markus, and Stracey.

  Stracey. She’s frustrated me so much over the last couple of days, but I can’t get her out of my head. Her long dark hair that looks so soft and silky. Her hazelnut eyes that sparkle when the sun hits them. Her gentle touch that sends shockwaves through my body. Fuck. Even right now, my dick has a mind of its own where that woman is concerned. I feel like a horny teenager going through puberty again. I just need to get through the next few months and get back to my family.

  We need to be together.

  Chapter 6

  Stracey

  Two days. Two days Jasper has been away from me and I feel like I’m dying inside. I can’t eat. I can’t sleep. I can’t concentrate on the tasks I’m meant to do. I’m a healer, for God’s sakes. What’s the point of me being a part of this pack if I can’t heal the wolves that need me?

  I’ve shut myself away since I closed my door on Joel. He hasn’t been back, but I know he’s angry at me. I don’t blame him now that I’ve had time to think about my actions. If anything happens to Jasper, it’s my fault, because I made him leave here without a clear head. I’ll blame myself if he comes back a shadow of himself, because he left the security of the pack thinking I don’t love or care for him, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I love him more than life itself. That’s why I pushed him away on Friday evening, because I care too much. I just didn’t think about the way he would interpret my actions.

  They only people I’ve seen since Monday are Chardonnay and Lisa. Lisa came to tell me that she and Markus were going home for a while. They have exams coming up and they need to study. I wouldn’t like to be them right now, between their exams and the worry they hold over this situation with Jasper and Kevin. It’s hard for me because of Jasper, but Lisa could lose Jasper and Kevin if this goes wrong. Then she must think about her mate, because he feels lost without his guardian around. Jasper is all Markus has depended on in his life, and now he doesn’t have his father figure around.

  Chardonnay keeps popping in, encouraging me to leave my cabin and mingle within the pack. She’s tried to settle my nerves by telling me the pack doesn’t blame me for anything. Joel was just upset and angry. He’ll calm down when he sees things clearly. Well, I hope he calms down, because I really like Joel. I have a lot of respect for him. I wouldn’t like to lose my friendship with him over this, but I totally understand his loyalty to Jasper. After all, Jasper was the one who found and saved Joel. If it wasn’t for Jasper, Joel probably wouldn’t be here today.

  Gosh, even I owe my life to Jasper, because if it wasn’t for him, I would have taken my own life after my grandmother passed away. I felt empty and alone, and I didn’t see a future for myself. It was Jasper who introduced me to this pack, when Carlos’s father, Carl, was the alpha. I’ve been here ever since. I’ve found my feet and fit in nicely. Well, until now. Now, I feel lost all over again. I don’t feel like I belong here anymore. I don’t see a future for myself without the pack and Jasper, and I don’t know what to do for the best. It wouldn’t be so hard if I could have some contact with Jazz. Even a text message would suffice, but, oh no, the council have taken every privilege from Jasper and Kevin. I bet they’re being tortured as I’m sitting here having my pity party for one.

  I rest my head back against the wall and think about the man who has stolen my heart.

  I lay in a crumpled ball, sobbing my heart out. I got the dreaded knock on the door from members of the paranormal council, alerting me of my grandmother’s heart attack. Their sincere apology meant nothing to me, because if they didn’t put her heart under stress and strain, she would still be with me now.

  “Stracey!” I try to lift my head off the floor, but it feels too heavy. In fact, my whole body feels like that. “Stracey! It’s me, Jasper. Open up, honey.”

  “Jasper!”

  The next thing I know, my front door is kicked in, I’m scooped up into Jasper’s arms, and he’s sitting down on the couch with me on his lap. “I’ve got you, honey. Let it all out.”

  “She’s gone, J-Jasper. What am I meant to do now?”

  “Sshh! Don’t think about anything past this moment. Grieve for your grandmother and then I’ll help you get back to a better place.” His big, calloused hands run through my hair, making me relax into his body. My head fits perfectly in the crook of his neck and I inhale his masculine scent. “That’s it, let it out.”

  “They killed her, Jasper. They did this to her.”

  Jasper’s arms tighten around me and he lets me get out every bit of anger and frustration. He doesn’t rush me or tell me I’m wrong. He just sits there and listens to me spill my guts.

  For all these years, Jasper has been my security blanket. Even when he was at home with Markus, he would send me an email or letter. We’ve never lost contact throughout everything, but now the council has done it again. They’ve taken the one person who means the world to me. It’s like they’re punishing me for loving people. Maybe I should stop showing love. Maybe I should be a hard-faced bitch, keep my distance, and not form any kind of relationship. Maybe then I’d stop getting hurt along the way.

  CHAPTER 7

  Jasper

  Our first forty-eight hours are up. We’ve managed to get through the harsh conditions we were given, and now we need to show these bastards that we’re no weaklings. We’re fucking wolves. They can hit us with anything, but I know for sure we’re getting the fuck out of here after it.

  Right now, I feel like I’ve been ten rounds with a heav
yweight champion, but that’s what happens when you get left in these conditions. I’m not used to sitting around doing nothing, and my beast is driving me up the wall, whining to get out. It’s easy to see why shifters go crazy when they keep their wolves locked up, because it’s only been two days since I went for a run, but even now, my head is banging. The beast gets into a routine with you, and it isn’t normal for me not to treat my wolf with the respect it deserves. This is just cruelty of the highest form, and the council know exactly what they’re doing.

  Bang! Bang! Bang!

  I watch the door closely to see who is letting me out of this hell hole.

  Mario. I’ve never liked this prick, and I’ll be sure to remember that I’ve got to get him back for his mistreatment down here.

  “Let’s go, Jasper,” he barks at me. I barge past his arm and knock him into the doorframe. “I’m only following orders. No need to be such a dick!”

  I spin around on the balls of my feet, grab Mario by the scruff of his neck, and bang him against the wall. “I’ll be whatever the fuck I like. It’s true what they say, you figure out quickly who your friends are when you need them. I won’t forget who didn’t stand by me through this.” I push him hard against the wall and let him go. I’m angry. I’m tired. Hungry. Agitated. God help anyone that gets on the wrong side of me today.

  “Jasper.” I look over my shoulder to see Kevin and Callum coming up behind me. Kevin looks just as bad as I feel, if not worse.

  “You okay, son?” I pull Kevin into an embrace and his hands clamp down on the back of my shirt.

  “Aye. Please tell me we won’t be going back in there. That is pure torture.”

  I pull back and place both of my hands on his cheeks to make him look at me. “I don’t know what the plan is, but whatever it is we’ll do it. Payback is a bitch.” I smirk.

  “I’m coming to train with you today. I thought you might need a friendly face,” Callum says. “I hope you gave that prick a piece of your mind.”

  “Aye. He pissed off the wrong person this time. Let’s hit the gym.”

  I turn right and leave Kevin and Callum to follow me. I know I might be in the worst shape possible, but I still know my way around this goddamn fortress. I know where the gym is, that’s for sure.

  If you didn’t know your way around this place, you’d easily get lost, because all the corridors look the same. It just so happens that I have a good memory, and I doubt the council ever expected me to be locked up in their dungeons.

  “Good morning, Jasper,” says Braxton, appearing from nowhere in front of us.

  “There’s nothing good about it, Braxton. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m heading to the gym.”

  “Would you all please join me in the conference room?” he asks, holding his hands together like he’s praying.

  “Is this a work-related issue? Or a punishment-related issue?”

  “If you agree to help me, call your punishment finished.”

  I raise my eyebrows and look back at Kevin and Callum. I can take any punishment this bastard throws at me, but I need to get Kevin out of here. This place will tear him apart.

  “I’ll hear you out. On one condition.” I widen my stance and cross my arms over my broad chest.

  Braxton smiles cockily and nods once. He looks deep in thought, but he isn’t stupid. He obviously wants me on board for something, and he’ll listen to my demands.

  “What’s your condition, Jasper?”

  “If I do whatever you want, you’ll let Kevin go back to Carlos’s pack.”

  Silence surrounds us, and I wait patiently for Braxton to acknowledge what I’m saying.

  “Your punishment will be squashed. I’ll give you proper accommodation, but I want Kevin with you. Please, Jasper. Hear me out.”

  “I’ll come with you, Jasper. I won’t leave you here.” Kevin speaks up loud and clear, showing no signs of the anxiety I saw on his face not five minutes ago.

  “Just because I’m hearing you out doesn’t mean I agree to anything,” I say. I know too well how these bastards twist anything we say to their own gain.

  Braxton nods. “Understood.”

  He turns on his heel and walks down the corridor, showing the grace and power he holds over us. I don’t understand why that bothers me, but it does. I would never make anyone feel like they’re weaker than me. I’d never use my authority to pull rank. Never. I don’t know why power goes to people’s head, but it does. We all breathe the same air. We all bleed the same colour. No one is inferior to anyone. Not in my book.

  We enter the conference room where all big council meetings are held. The room looks too big for only four of us, but we follow and pull out a seat. Braxton takes the head of the table, not that I’m surprised.

  “Julian will be here at any moment. Why don’t we wait for him? Can I get you gentlemen a coffee?”

  “So we’re gentlemen because you want something. No, I don’t want a coffee. But since you’re offering us things, can I get my phone to call my son?”

  “That can be arranged when we’re finished here.”

  In other words, you’ll hear me out first, and if you don’t accept my terms, there won’t be any phone.

  I sit back in my seat and fold my arms over my chest. My legs are sprawled out in front of me, and I won’t be sitting to attention for Braxton or Julian. I know Braxton would’ve had the power over Julian when it came to our punishment, but he could have spoken up. He isn’t any better, in my opinion.

  Kevin is directly across from me. His arms rest on the table, and he’s twiddling his thumbs, clearly less amused than I am. Callum sits beside Kevin, identical to the way I’m sitting. He looks me up and down, clearly thinking the same about my position.

  “Sorry to keep you all. My call lasted longer than expected.” Julian rushes through the door and takes up his seat beside Braxton.

  “I’ve not said anything yet. Do you want to start?” Braxton asks Julian.

  “Of course. Thank you for coming to this meeting today, Jasper.”

  I hold my hand up and cut Julian off. “Don’t thank me yet. I’ll tell you the same as I told your sidekick. Just because I’m here, it doesn’t mean I’m going to help.”

  Julian stares me out but drops his eyes to the folder on the table. “Understood. As Braxton told you the other day, after your training, we were sending you to Canada to help out with an issue they have. However, things have changed somewhat since the last time we spoke. We still want you to go to Canada, but we want you to go tomorrow. After this is dealt with, your punishment will be forgotten about.”

  “What’s happening in Canada that you can’t take care of?” I sit forward and rest my elbows on my knees.

  “There’s a lot going on at the moment. I’ll fill you in as best I can. Can you remember Lelland and Lavina from Meadow Springs?”

  “Vampires? Why does that concern me?”

  “Well, they’ve got a big issue in Canada. A couple of rogue wolves set up camp in the mountains. The only thing is, these rogue wolves are preying on any young paranormal beings. Many of Lelland’s vampires have been taken. Also, young wolf shifters, between the ages of fifteen and seventeen. They need the back up from the council, and we know this is right up your street. We didn’t know this was as big as it is. Humans are suspecting foul play. As you’re aware, Canada houses a lot of paranormal beings, especially wolves and vampires. We can’t afford for their cover to be blown. Lelland does have some help with his vampires, but he needs the backup of the council, wolves, and a powerful witch.”

  “Well, you have the council.” I point to myself. “You have the wolves.” I point to Kevin and Callum. “But I don’t see any witch here, unless you have her cloaked?”

  “We thought you might like to help us there.”

  “Me…?” I pause for a few seconds before I realise who they are talking about. “Lisa. Abso-fucking-lutely not.”

  “No, not Lisa. I meant Stracey.”

  “The answ
er is still the same. Besides, Stracey is needed with Carlos’s pack. Are you forgetting that she hates the ground you all walk on, and she isn’t exactly on speaking terms with me? No. You need to find someone else.”

  I wouldn’t ask Stracey to step out to help the council. It wouldn’t be fair, because I know how much she hates them. We’ve discussed it a million times.

  “We need someone we can trust, Jasper.”

  “You’re the fucking paranormal council. You have a full database of witches, wolves, vampires, and any other mystical creature. Use it.”

  Julian and Braxton stand up and gather the folder. “Stay here. Give us five minutes to see what we can come up with. We’ll have the jet ready to leave the runway at 1300 hours.”

  “Are you forgetting that I haven’t agreed to help you? In fact, none of us have. We’ll take this five minutes to discuss it.”

  “Jasper, I don’t need to remind you how important this mission is. Young shifters and vampires are being kidnapped, raped, and abused. This has been going on for some time, but Lelland wasn’t aware of it until recently.”

  “As I said, we’ll discuss it as a team. There is no I in team, Julian. Usually that’s what happens when we go on missions, or we work as part of a pack. We’re wolves, we work better together. If one of us doesn’t want to do it, none of us will. Now, I believe you have a call to make.”

  Julian and Braxton glare at me and nod in my direction before leaving the room. The moment the door shuts, all three of us sit forward and sigh with relief.

  “You’re going to help, aren’t you, Jasper?” asks Callum.

  I roll my eyes. “Of course I am, but they don’t need to know that. Kevin, what do you think?”

  “Erm.” He shrugs his shoulders and continues to twiddle his thumbs. “I’ll do whatever you want me to do. I’m not used to getting a say.”