by Sydney Addae
Chapter Eighteen
“The last item on my agenda is an announcement,” Silas said to his Alphas. He cleared his throat and looked into the monitor. “The Goddess has blessed me with my first litter of pups.” Silence, followed by enthusiastic applause and well wishes trailed his announcement.
Smiling, he held up his hand. “In light of the increased rebel attacks against half-breeds and human breeders, you should know my litter is from a human female.”
The silence, coupled with the look of shock and distaste on some of the faces of his Alphas, disappointed him. Jayden was the first to clap, then Theron, Lyle, and pretty soon all of his Alphas were clapping, but it lacked the enthusiasm of the initial announcement.
“You are over three hundred years old, La Patron and the Goddess has rewarded you with pups. It doesn’t matter to me if they are breeds. I celebrate your gifts with you and stand with you against any opposition,” Jayden said.
There were nods of agreement, although many faces were filled with apprehension.
“Once it’s known that La Patron’s litter, his first litter, is not full-bloods, it will fuel the rebels rage. We need to prepare for more violence,” Theron said. “The half-breeds on my lands are a part of my pack. Also, I have half-breed packs in my territory who work beside the full-bloods to make a better life for all wolves.”
“Things will get worse before they get better,” Silas said. “I will say this once and only to you and those in this room. It was not my intention to breed with the human, but it happened. I do not understand why now after all these years or why with this particular human. I have bedded humans before in my youth. They are supposed to be safe.”
“There are those in my territory who will never accept this,” Alpha Chan from Oklahoma said. “You’ve visited and know the history of some of the packs there. I celebrate your gift, Sir, but I see more bloodshed.”
“Davian Bennett was thrown out of his Oklahoma pack for impregnating a teenaged human over twenty years ago. He was beaten and left for dead. I’d say blood has been shed over mixed breeding for a long time,” Silas said.
“Understood, Sir,” Alpha Chan said nodding. “But the Bennett’s are vicious predators who’ll turn against anything or anyone they feel threatens them. Half-breeds threaten them. The idea that one of their own created breeds embarrassed them. That shame turned to anger, and now vengeance. They have left my territory to join the rebels. From what I know of them, they will not rest until half-breeds are all dead. Kinfolk will destroy kinfolk to stop this change, that’s unstoppable. All life comes from the Goddess, I know that. We all know that. But the rebels are scared and fight to remain the same.”
“I agree, Alpha. That is the core of the protest. The Goddess says change is the one thing that is definite, and that it comes with a time of testing. I submit to all of you, this is our time of testing. We do not challenge the Goddess who gives us life. We protect her creations whether they are full-bloods or half-breeds. We all belong to her. Those who defy her will suffer her punishment.” He stared into the monitor. “This is our mission, our mandate. Uphold the Goddess’ wishes in all things.”
“Yes, Sir.” The enthusiasm had returned to their voices.
“Is she your mate?” Alpha Chase asked, causing a hush to settle in the room.
“Can wolves mate with humans?” another asked.
Silas released a breath. “I understand only mated wolves breed, but the mated pair we met in Texas proved that theory false. The male impregnated the human female and his mate was aware of his transgression. To answer your question, I don’t know.”
“There’s more to being a mate than the ability to procreate,” Alpha Chase said. “It’s important that we know if there’s a possibility of her being your mate, La Patron.”
Silas nodded in agreement. “I’ve never had a mate, so walk me through it, and if those elements exist within my relationship, I can give a better answer.” Silas checked the minds of his Alphas, most were more concerned over the human breeder than the pups. Given Arianna’s flagrant display of birth-control, he understood.
“Mates have no sexual desire for other females. His life is intertwined with his mate. He becomes a part of her and she, him. They hear one another’s thoughts, feel their emotions, a mate is the true definition of two becoming one. That’s why if one dies, so does the other.” Chase paused. “She’s human and the likelihood of her surviving an attack is slim. If she’s your mate, she’d take you with her.”
Silas felt the sadness and disappointment through his connection. Tyrese and Tyrone stood near the door. They’d been surprised by the line of questions. He sensed their curiosity. Chase’s definition of a mate matched Silas’ side of the equation, but he had no idea if Jasmine was intertwined with him. It took both of them being connected to the other, didn’t it? Since the conversation with Jacque, she’d changed toward him.
“On the flip side,” Silas said into the quiet, “she has access to all that I am and cannot do me or mine any harm. I am not an easy target and I cannot accept the Goddess would allow my seed to flourish inside a womb, any womb that was defective. As for her being my mate, I only know of me, not her.”
“If she were your mate, you would know. Your wolf would tell you,” an Alpha said.
“I know,” Silas said and cleared his throat. “Thanks for your support, I appreciate it. I am excited and nervous about having pups. It’s a new experience that I’m grateful for. So far they are healthy and should arrive on time. I plan to make a public announcement after their birth, I ask that you wait to do the same.”
“Yes, Sir,” they said.
He adjourned the meeting.
* * * *
Jacque had been gone for six weeks. There was still no sign of Arianna or Cameron. Silas had increased the search even as he wondered if Cameron’s mind had snapped and he was lost in the woods somewhere. It was that possibility that had him combing hundreds of acres for a clue.
Rose walked in his office and handed him some files. She and Tyrone lived in a suite in the north wing. Together, with Tyrone, she handled Jacque's former job.
“Those are the latest numbers of registered wolves, including half-breeds. You have messages from the Alphas of Tennessee, Colorado and Wyoming. I sent them to you. Also, Alpha Jayden and Alpha Lyle would like a conference call with you sometime today.”
He flipped open the file. “Thanks, Rose. Have you heard from your sister?” He didn’t know why he asked her the same question every day, but she always smiled as she said no.
While reading about the state of his financial affairs, his mind drifted to Jasmine. Ever since Jacque claimed they were mates, things had been different between them. She no longer allowed him into her deeper areas, where her true feelings lay. The most he got these days were a superficial smile that rarely reached her eyes. Did the fact that he missed that intimate connection mean they were mated?
Every night they slept in the same bed, and she only turned to him in her sleep. His wolf was saddened by the distance between them, but he didn’t know how to fix this. In a few weeks Jasmine would birth his first litter and he wasn’t sure if she’d move out or stay. Would she kick him out of her bed? Her life? The possibility that she would, made his wolf anxious. Rubbing his forehead, he came to a decision. They would talk tonight.
Two hours later, Silas was in a meeting with Lyle and Jayden when he heard Cameron calling him. “Patron? I need some help. I’m…I’m in one of the caves and can’t get out. Can you hear me?”
Heart racing with joy, Silas answered as he stood. “Yes. I hear you. Are you on pack land or in the mountains?”
“ I’m not sure. I was on pack lands, probably still am. Can you send help?”
Silas ran his hand through his hair. “Yes. There are men in the forest looking for you now. Do you have coordinates? Or an idea of where you are?”
“No…I’m not sure. I’ve been here for so long, I can’t… can’t get my bearings. I fell
and crawled into this cave. I was too far back and crawled closer to an opening to contact you. How long have I been gone?”
“That’s not important. We’ll get you out. Let me set some things up and we’ll come get you, okay?”
“Okay. I’m hungry. Can you bring some food? There’s water in the underground spring, but no food.”
“Yes,” Silas said, his heart heavy thinking of all Cameron'd endured to survive. “I’ll make sure there’s food."
“That was Cameron?” Jayden asked.
“Yes,” Silas answered slowly, his mind racing with a dozen different scenarios. “I’m going to go get him.”
“Sir, what about the report I just gave you regarding the rebels. They know about Jasmine and your pups. They'll see this a perfect time to strike a blow by killing your offspring. You can’t leave the compound until after the pups are born,” Lyle said.
Silas turned and looked at the wall behind his desk. Years ago he'd made a promise to watch over Cameron and he’d failed in so many ways. He never should’ve allowed Cameron to join the military. It had been a mistake that had crippled a full-blooded wolf to the point he had no idea where he was in the woods.
“I’ll leave a veil of protection over the compound. No one in, no one out. But I can’t not try to save him.”
“Why can’t the twins go? Or Hank? Why do you need to go?” Jayden asked.
“Because I can find him through our link. No one else can do that. He never shared blood with anyone else.”
“Damn,” Jayden said.
“Right. I’ve got to put some things in place before I go hunting. We’ll finish this discussion later and thanks for the update on the rebels.”
“Yes, Sir.” He nodded and disconnected. Tyrone. Tyrese, he called the twins. Within moments they entered his office and he brought them up to date.
“I’ll have Thorn brought to mom’s wing, where we’ll lock down until you return with Cameron,” Tyrone said, picking up the phone to call Stefan.
“Good. I’ll surround the compound with a shield, but if anything happens to me, it’ll disappear. If that happens, don’t think. Just move and get your mom into the tunnel. She knows how to access the one that’s specifically for my family. No one else can enter.”
“Did you add Thorn?” Tyrone asked.
“The day you mated with Rose.”
“Who are you taking with you?” Tyrese asked.
“Hank and Brad. There’s a group already in the forest. I’m calling them toward my search area. It should be more than enough.”
“You think this is a trap? He contacts you after six weeks of silence. Where’s he been all this time? With the rebels? Or the human females who are still trying to get mom to move in with them?” Tyrone asked.
Silas sat back and looked at Tyrone. He’d become close to both young men and considered them family. But he couldn’t name Cameron a traitor. “I don’t know. I only know I have to try.”
“Can’t you read his mind? Filter through his thoughts, find out what’s really going on?” Tyrese asked.
Silas shook his head, wishing he could change certain events that had led him to this point. “His PTSD messed up his thought patterns. When I enter his mind, everything is garbled, disorganized. His reality has been realigned and if he can’t tell what’s real and true, then neither can I.”
“No offense, but that’d make him a perfect scapegoat.” Tyrone stood. “Call us if you need us.”
“No. Under no circumstances, don't you leave your mom or your mate.” Silas pointed at them. “Are we clear on that?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Silas waited a beat, then nodded once he was certain they understood. “Good. Get to her wing. I’ll be by before I depart.”
The twins left, leaving him alone in his office. Inhaling, he offered a prayer for protection to the Goddess and then prepared to go find his godson.
Jasmine knew something was wrong the moment Tyrese walked in the living room and slumped on the sofa. The news was on and he pretended interest about the economy tanking in some foreign country. Five minutes later, Tyrone, Rose and Thorn entered.
“Hi,” Jasmine said, surprised to see the brother and sister together.
“Hi,” Rose said, taking a seat next to Jasmine while Tyrone sat on the other side of her. Thorn walked through to the kitchen. She heard the refrigerator open and smiled.
“The cobbler’s still in the oven,” she yelled.
“Bring me some,” Rose called out to her brother.
Jasmine looked at each of them and clicked off the TV with the remote. “Okay, what’s going on?”
Tyrese and Tyrone filled her and Rose in.
“Cameron contacted him? That’s great, right?” she asked, not understanding why they weren’t happy.
“It just seems off, and too convenient, that’s all,” Tyrone said.
“And Cameron might not be telling the truth?”
Tyrese shook his head. “Doubtful. This stinks and we all know it. Problem is, Silas is doing a blood search. That means he can’t send anyone else. He has to go.”
A sliver of unease went through Jasmine. She wasn’t sure if it originated within her or if it was a by-product of the nervous energy bouncing off the twins. Tyrese paced and constantly looked out the window. Tyrone sat next to Rose with his elbows on his knees and his hands hanging between them. Rose sat quietly nibbling on her bottom lip. Even Thorne appeared subdued.
She stood. “I’m going to lay down for a while.”
“Mom?” Tyrese stopped pacing and looked at her, a question on his face.
“I'm good, just want to put my feet up for a while.”
He nodded. She smiled at Tyrone and Rose, who looked up at her with similar looks of concern. The only person who sent her a genuine smile was Thorne.
Jasmine closed the door behind her and opened her senses. These past few weeks she’d become good at controlling her access to her links. She’d spoken on several occasions with the human females. Her opinion of them hadn’t changed, they were fanatical, but she’d questioned them extensively and had a better idea why they believed what they believed. Julie? She called for the leader of the small group of three human breeders.
Yes, Jasmine?
What’s going on?
Pardon?
Where’s Cameron?
I…I don’t know what you’re talking about. Jasmine sighed. Julie was a horrible liar, which was one of the reasons their quest would ultimately fail. The women were believers, but couldn’t devise or execute plans worth a damn. They’d told her of their many failures, ending with Samantha at the hospital. These three women were the last of their group and that was because they never risked themselves.
You’re lying and you know I can tell. Where’s Cameron?
Lost in a cave somewhere.
Can you find him?
No. Okay, thanks. I’ll take care of it.
What? No…no, it’s too dangerous. You can’t be in the forest.
Jasmine lay on the bed and looked up at the ceiling. Why not? I’ll take my sons and some other wolves to bring him back. Unlike Julie, Jasmine could lie when she thought it necessary, and Silas needed to know as much as possible before he walked into those caves.
There’s…there are wolves searching for Cameron already. They’ll find him. Let them do their job. You have to remain safe. It won’t be long.
Jasmine rolled her eyes. Why do people always tell pregnant women how to carry their babies? I know better than anyone else how much longer I’ve got, thank you.
“Jasmine.”
“ I’ve got to go,” she said, sensing Silas.
“Promise me you won’t go in the woods,” Julie said, her voice anxious.
“I’ve got to go.” Jasmine cut the link as Silas sat on the side of the bed and then lay next to her.
“I heard from Cameron.”
“The twins told me, but they’re worried. Should they be worri
ed?” She tried to keep the fear from her voice but it must’ve slipped through because he grabbed her hand and squeezed.
“No. There’s some risks, but I’ve minimized them.” He kissed the back of her hand. “Just in case, I need you to access the personal tunnels for you and everyone else. The twins can access the tunnels, but not my private areas, not unless you let them in. You’ll need to place your palm on the keypad and it will take you to that level. Jacque showed it to you before, remember.”
Her throat tightened as she nodded.
“Good. Stay there until I come for you.”
“There’s something going on in the forest, I don’t know what, but it’s not good.” She turned to face him.
His eyes darkened to an evergreen color as he ran his tongue over his lips. “You’re open…and scared. Don’t be. I’ll be back. I can’t miss the birth of my pups.”
Ironically, hearing his concern over their babies, rather than her, didn’t bother her this time. As long as he had a reason to fight to return, she was okay with it. “Okay. But you have to promise to stay open the whole time, no matter what. I…I need that connection or I’ll come to some wild conclusions. I want to promise I’ll stay put, but I can’t say that if I lose that link.”
“Does it bother you? Being bone deep linked to me?” His eyes searched hers. She wasn’t sure what answer he expected, but she told him the truth.
“No. It’s comforting in a way. I feel less…less alone.”
“Even when you block me?” He stroked her face with his fingertips, leaving goosebumps in their wake.
“I only block certain parts.” Whereas he remained open unless it was pack business.
“And those are the parts I crave the most.” He kissed her hand.
Her brow shot up. “Really? You want to know how I feel? What I’m feeling?” After his reaction with Jacque’s declaration of them being mated, she didn’t think he wanted more than a shallow relationship. Whenever she touched his mind, his thoughts of her were mainly sexual.
“Yes. Yes, I do. It bothers me that I can’t. It makes me feel I’ve failed in some way when I can’t share your deeper emotions with you.”