She pointed to the scars on her face.
“Your... father? Why would he do that?”
“He—When I was sixteen, he was going to auction me off to an Alpha because I was a virgin.”
“What?”
“He wouldn’t listen to reason, so I ran away. I ended up in Hoyden Territory. Aleksandr found me and he allowed me to stay with his Pack. I wanted to be a Soldier, so he trained me. When I was eighteen, my father discovered I was in Aleksandr’s Pack and he came to collect me. I refused to go. He demanded my return but Aleksandr told him I was a Soldier, part of his pack, so he had no claim on me any longer. He thought Aleksandr was sleeping with me and he gave me these scars so Aleksandr would send me back to him.”
“That son of a bitch!”
Jackson’s golden wolf eyes flashed brightly in the darkened room.
No wonder she was angry with me and refused my claim. I sounded exactly like her father, seeing her as nothing more than a pussy with a womb. My mate is much more than that. So much more.
“I will go with you tomorrow, Bella. I want to see the look on that bastard’s face when he sees that you are a Hoyden Soldier.”
“Me, too,” she admitted quietly.
“Bella? I’m sorry for the way I acted, the things I said. I was just as ignorant as your father.”
Izzy’s eyes widened and she nodded. She reached for him, holding him close to her. She kissed him gently as she pushed him down to the bed.
She straddled him and pushed his hands above his head. She reached into the top drawer of the nightstand and pulled out a pair of handcuffs in a clear plastic package. She removed the package and swirled the handcuffs around her forefinger.
“So you’re into bondage, huh?”
Jackson raised his brow as she slipped the cuffs on, securing his hands to the iron headboard. Blood rushed to his groin and Jackson grinned.
I might like submitting to my mate.
Izzy took his nipple into her mouth and sucked tightly, earning a groan from Jackson. She chuckled and kissed her way down to his belly, tugging on his other nipple.
I like where this is going....
“Ah, Honey? You do have the keys, right?” Jackson asked.
“Uh-uh.”
“What?”
Panicking slightly, he pulled at the handcuffs and tried to get up.
“Relax, they’re not real. There’s a little button you can press to open them. Here, I’ll show you.”
She reached over and pressed the little button, opening the handcuffs. He brought his arms away from the headboard and raised a brow.
“I thought you weren’t into bondage?” He asked.
“I’m not.”
“Then why did you get these? And when?”
“Not mine. They come with the hotel room.”
“What?”
“I—I know the owner. We were discussing one day about how to make the rooms more...appealing for guests and we started joking about adding surprises for the guests to find and of course the conversation drifted into...kinky stuff. Like handcuffs.”
“Shit. I’ve never been in a hotel like this one. What other little surprises are there?”
Izzy nodded to the top drawer of the nightstand then moved to sit next to him. He opened the drawer and peered in. His brows shot up in surprise and his cheeks colored slightly.
“Interesting toy,” he said as he held up something that made Izzy blush.
“We’re in the honeymoon suite. Not every suite has that...um...stuff. And no, we’re not going to use that thing.”
He chuckled and put it away.
“I am interested in this however,” he said as he held up a tube of oral gel and wiggled his eyebrows up and down suggestively.
“You would be.”
“Come on, try it, everyone’s doing it. You might like it.”
“If that’s your sales pitch....”
“OK, I guess I need to work on it. But for now—” He returned the tube to the drawer and laid on his back. With a wicked grin, he slipped his hands through the headboard, reattaching the handcuffs.
“—I’m all yours, Love. Do your worst.”
Izzy chuckled as she kissed her mate, her mind devising man ways to tease and torment him the way he had tormented her earlier.
Chapter Eleven
The next morning, while Izzy was taking her shower, Jackson slipped on the shirt she wore the night before and headed down to the dining area. Aleksandr was already at a table, drinking a cup of coffee.
“Sir?”
Aleksandr raised his brow at the unfamiliar term. Jackson stood at attention, back straight, hands at his side, eyes straight ahead, staring at the spot right above Aleksandr’s head.
Aleksandr replied, “At ease, Soldier. Have a seat.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
“What’s on your mind, Jackson?”
“As you know, Isabella and I are mates.”
“Yes.”
“I...no longer have any respect for Damian. His poor choices could have prevented the attack on Mary Ann. I wish to leave my Pack so I can live with Izzy in yours.”
“That won’t be a problem, Jackson. As Izzy’s mate, you are welcome in my Pack.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
Jackson hesitated and Aleksandr asked, “What’s bothering you, Jackson?”
“I—in my Pack, I was a Soldier. What will I be in yours?”
“Hmm....”
“I am hoping—I’m hoping Izzy will want pups. I know that you won’t allow a pregnant Soldier to endanger herself or her child. I thought perhaps if she becomes pregnant, I could take over her duties or assist on dangerous tasks? I will do whatever you ask of me to prove my loyalty to you and your pack, Sir.”
Aleksandr didn’t hide his astonishment at Jackson’s revelation.
“And what does Izzy say to this?”
“She’s still deciding on whether we will have pups, Sir,” Jackson replied.
From the slight sag of his shoulders, Aleksandr realized Jackson was disappointed that Izzy had not immediately rejoiced at the idea of becoming pregnant.
“She doesn’t know that I was planning on offering my services should she become pregnant.”
“You didn’t tell her because?”
“She would be very angry with me for suggesting it. I’m not at all implying she’s incapable. I don’t want anything to happen to our baby, should she agree to have one.”
“What about Minerva’s Minions?” Aleksandr asked.
Jackson gave him a blank look.
“Your mate is here,” Aleksandr said quietly with a nod in her direction.
“Good Morning, Aleksandr. Jackson, why didn’t you wait for me?” Izzy inquired as she sat in the chair next to him.
“I wanted to tell Aleksandr that I renounce Damian as my Alpha.”
“I told Jackson he is welcome in our pack. He wants to prove himself to me, Izzy,” Aleksandr said quietly.
“You want to be a Soldier?” Izzy asked, a little surprised. “I thought you were going stay home and raise the kids,” she teased.
Jackson’s eyes lit up and Aleksandr said, “Are you planning on having pups right away, Izzy?”
“Well, not really, I mean...ah, that is, we are talking about having kids. I don’t want to give up my position as a Soldier, Aleksandr. I worked too hard to get where I am. I don’t want to give it up just to be a housewife.”
“Who says you have to? Besides, what’s wrong with being a housewife?”
Izzy refused to look at Aleksandr.
“Izzy, look at me.”
She turned to face him.
“Your father is an ass. There is nothing wrong with choosing to stay home and care for your pups. It’s entirely your choice. I’m not going to force you to stay home, but if you do become pregnant, I will not allow you to do anything dangerous. Don’t let that ass keep you from doing what’s best for you. Besides, what about Minerva’s Minions? How will you divide y
our time between being a mate, being my Soldier and running Minerva’s Minions? I know there has been an increased demand the last few days for Minerva’s Minions.”
“What’s Minerva’s Minions?” Jackson asked Izzy.
“A security firm I run. We offer protection to women by women.”
“You mean you are the owner? Of a business?”
“Yes.”
Jackson was impressed and didn’t hide it.
“Wow, a Soldier and a business woman. Is there anything you can’t do, Bella?”
He beamed, proud of his mate.
“Bella?” Aleksandr asked, shocked at Jackson’s nickname for Izzy.
Jackson looked at him, puzzled.
“Hell, even I could never get away with calling her ‘Bella’.”
Jackson grinned as he slipped his arm around her and pulled her close.
“We’ll figure it out, Bella. Let’s get through today first.”
The waitress brought their order and during breakfast, Aleksandr asked softly, “Does Jackson know about Orin?”
Izzy frowned as she nodded silently.
“I spoke to him last night. He was...excited about seeing you Izzy. You and your mate.”
Izzy choked on her food and began coughing. Jackson anxiously patted her back.
“What?” she squeaked.
“He’s planning on having a feast to celebrate your mating, Izzy.”
“No. He—no way! That Son of a Bitch is up to something.”
“I agree, Izzy. I’m just not sure what he’s planning on doing.”
“If it doesn’t benefit him, he’s not interested. Being Jackson’s mate can’t further his power or add to his wealth. What could he possibly be planning?”
They finished their breakfast in silent contemplation. After breakfast, all three of them returned to the Honeymoon suite. In the bathroom, Jackson took off his shirt and exposed his tattooed arm to Aleksandr.
“Are you sure about this, Jackson?” Aleksandr asked.
“Yes, Sir. I’m no longer a Clodpoll wolf, Sir. I wish to join your Pack and I pledge my unwavering loyalty. Only the life of my mate comes before yours, Sir.”
“I accept your oath of fealty to me and my Pack.”
Aleksandr extended his claws and slashed through the Clodpoll Soldier tattoo on Jackson’s left arm. Jackson hissed at the stinging pain. Izzy quickly wiped his arm with a large antiseptic laden bandage. She tossed the blood soaked bandage away, replacing it with a fresh bandage before taping it to his arm. She smiled at Jackson and he pulled her against him for a deep kiss.
“Ahem.” Aleksandr cleared his throat loudly, interrupting them. Jackson chuckled as Izzy blushed and put his shirt back on. A few minutes later, they left the hotel. In Jackson’s car, they followed Aleksandr to Epicene, Izzy’s hometown.
Chapter 12
Five hours later, after stopping briefly for lunch, they drove into Epicene, Izzy’s hometown. She stared out of the window, looking at once familiar shops and homes that lined Main Street. Some older wolves looked vaguely familiar, but she couldn’t recall any particular names or anyone who had been her friend when she lived there. Jackson turned and drove along an empty road, following Aleksandr to the Alpha House. Tall oaks on either side of the winding road soon obscured the town. A few minutes later he parked in front of an old antebellum mansion. The two story sprawling mansion was bright white, indicating it had been repainted a few years ago. Deep forest-green paint covered the old-fashioned louvers on either side of the large windows and the ceiling of the wraparound porch.
Izzy’s fists were clenched so tightly, her knuckles were white.
“Bella?” Jackson said softly.
Lost in a memory, Izzy continued to look at the imposing mansion, her birthplace and childhood home she had run away from fifteen years ago.
Jackson unbuckled his belt, leaned over and gently turned her face toward him.
“I know this is difficult for you, Bella. You don’t have to do this alone.”
He leaned in and kissed her gently. He smiled reassuringly and reminded her, “You are a Hoyden Soldier. Nothing fazes you.”
Izzy took a deep breath and returned his smile.
“You’re right. Let’s go.”
They left the car and Izzy followed Aleksandr up to the Alpha House. As they climbed the steps leading up to the front door, Orin came out, flanked by two of his Soldiers, Marley and Lorne. Orin walked to the end of the porch so he could look down on Aleksandr, Izzy and Jackson, who remained standing on the steps. In Orin’s mind, this position gave him more power over Aleksandr and his wolves.
“Orin.”
“Aleksandr.”
They greeted each other with as much civility as each could muster, nodding their head slightly to each other in deference to their rank. Orin’s eyes moved swiftly to Izzy, noting the new scars on her face and arms then stared pointedly at Jackson. Slowly his gaze returned to Izzy.
“Hello, daughter,” Orin finally managed to say. “Aren’t you going to introduce us?”
Izzy grit her teeth and stood straighter before addressing her father.
“Father, this is my mate, Jackson. He was a Soldier of the Clodpoll pack.”
She turned to Jackson.
“Jackson, my father, Orin, Alpha of the Epicene Pack.”
“Jackson, hmmm. I don’t think we ever met.”
“No, Sir. I am proud to meet the father of my mate.”
Even Jackson was surprised at himself for managing to be polite to a man he thoroughly despised.
“What does Izzy mean, ‘was a Soldier’? Did Damian disown you?”
“No, Sir. I renounce Damian as my Alpha. I am now a member of the Hoyden Pack.”
“I see.” Orin frowned before continuing, “So you gave up your rank as a Soldier to follow my daughter into her pack. Do you think my daughter deserves to have a mate without rank or honor?”
Jackson clenched his jaw.
Orin is right. Izzy deserves a mate she can be proud of. I’m not a Soldier any longer. I’m nothing.
“Father—”
“Don’t interrupt me, child. You don’t understand the ways of men.”
Infuriated, Izzy clamped her mouth shut before she said something she might regret.
“You wish to prove yourself to Izzy and to earn my respect?” Orin asked in a honeyed voice.
Jackson nodded.
Izzy might hate Orin, but he is still her father, and his approval means something to her.
“Are you man enough to execute the Clodpoll wolf that raped those women?”
Jackson hesitated briefly.
The Clodpoll wolf was a relative. But he raped Mary Ann and other women. A wolf like that has brought shame to our name. He deserves nothing less than death.
“Yes, Sir. I will execute him, unless my Alpha says otherwise,” Jackson said.
Aleksandr frowned, sensing something was wrong but since he had no valid reason to object, he slowly nodded in agreement.
“Excellent!”
Orin clapped his hands together and rubbed them excitedly.
“My Soldiers found only one Clodpoll wolf with a missing patch. He already confessed to raping four women, so a DNA test won’t be necessary. You are still welcome to take a sample and test him if you wish.”
“I will speak to him and if he confesses, we will take a sample to verify, but there is no need to wait. We can dispense justice now if he admits his guilt,” Aleksandr agreed.
“Follow me,” Orin requested as he stepped past them, leading them toward the back of his mansion. Aleksandr, Izzy and Jackson followed Orin and his Soldiers walked behind them.
The backyard was extensive, allowing large pack gatherings. Today, only two men were in the expansive backyard. An Epicene Soldier stood beside a shirtless wolf, kneeling on the ground with a large black bag over his head. His hands were bound behind his back and his head hung in defeat.
As they neared the two wolves, Orin called out,
“Remove the bag.”
“What the fuck?”
Jackson stared at his twin, kneeling on the ground before him.
Izzy gasped as she surveyed the wolf.
Jackson? How is this possible, Izzy wondered.
Stunned, she gaped at the wolf.
“Jefferson?”
“Jackson?” Both men said at once.
Izzy glanced from one to the other, finally realizing Jackson was staring at his twin brother.
“Did you rape anyone, Jeffy? Did you rape Mary Ann?” He shouted as his rage built.
“Untie him,” Orin commanded.
The Soldier sliced the rope that bound Jefferson and he stood. Jackson ripped off his shirt, dropping it on the ground behind him.
“I never knew their names, Jackie. I didn’t care,” he replied coldly.
“Mary Ann, the woman you raped two nights ago, was my girlfriend, you son of a BITCH!” He roared and leaped toward his brother, claws extended.
As Jackson fought with Jefferson, Izzy finally found her voice. She called out to him, begging him to stop attacking his brother. Caught up in a blind rage, Jackson ignored her and continued attacking his brother. They were equally matched, each brother delivering bone crunching blows to the other. Sharp claws sliced into skin, blood dripped on the lawn, covering the green grass.
Izzy shook with frustration and Aleksandr grabbed her in a reverse bear hug, keeping her from getting between the two brothers. Aleksandr cursed Orin. Orin knew Jackson’s brother was the rapist. He manipulated Jackson into executing his own twin. Aleksandr accepted his share of the blame. He suspected Orin had a dastardly plan and should have objected the moment he gave his little speech to Jackson.
Jackson lunged at his brother and they ended up sliding and rolling on the blood covered grass. They were both so bloody, it was difficult to differentiate Jackson from his twin. Suddenly the wolf on top growled and pressed down as hard as he could on the throat of the wolf under him, strangling him. The wolf on the ground gurgled and gasped for air, clawing at his twin, fighting for his life. Time seemed to slow as the wolf continued to struggle. His arms began to flail wildly and his strikes became weaker. Eventually, his arms fell limp at his side and his body was completely still.
The surrounding woods went from total silence to a deafening roar and Jackson realized the deafening roar came from him. He stood, silently backing away from the body of his twin.
Isabella's Dilemma: Wolf Secrets Book 1 Page 9