by Sydney Addae
His eyes widened.
“Sarita?” David said stepping into the tent.
She whirled around and met him halfway crying in earnest. “I was so scared I’d be too late to help you. I’m sorry I was late but happy you’re okay,” she said holding him tight.
He placed kisses on her face, stared at her and kissed her deeply. Her beast leaped and growled.
His beast growled until her beast settled. Breathless they broke apart, staring into each other’s eyes.
“I have so much to tell you,” she said.
“Later,” he said. “I’ve missed you so much I just want to hold you all night.” He hugged her again.
She buried her face in his neck, filling her being with his scent. “I missed you so much. I can’t believe I stayed away so long. Please, please forgive me.”
“I forgive you, don’t do it again.”
She smiled and kissed his chest. “Promise.”
Her dad cleared his throat. David didn’t release her as he looked up. “Sir?”
“Alpha and Mistress are on the way back, Sarita has asked to tell everyone her story at the same time. Based on what has happened it’s important for them to talk to her before the two of you... disappear.”
Sarita’s cheeks warmed.
David frowned. “What happened?”
“Wait for Alpha and Mistress, have a seat.” He waved to a chair.
David pulled Sarita onto his lap and laid his forehead against her chest while she stroked his head.
“Never leave me like that again,” he whispered.
“I’m so sorry, I won’t hurt you like that again. Next time I’ll take you with me.”
He smiled. “Love you, girl.”
She melted. “Love you, boy.”
“You think I’m still a boy?”
“You think I’m still a girl?”
“I can feel you’re all woman. My woman,” he said in a low sexy voice that rolled all over her.
“Got that right.” She kissed the top of his head as a helicopter sounded in the background.
“Mama Jasmine’s here,” she said excited to see the woman who was a second mother to her.
“Yes, I’ll tell you later how she turned up the fire earlier.” They stood, prepared to go to La Patron’s tent.
“Baby?” Asia rolled on her side and looked up, blinking several times. “Sarita?” she whispered.
Sarita jumped and ran toward her mom, knocking her over on the cot. “Mama, mama.” Holding each other close the two embraced through tears. “I’m happy and surprised to see you here.” Her mom held her cheeks in her palms and searched her gaze. “It’s going to be alright, we missed you too and will always love you no matter what.” She pulled Sarita close and held her tight. “My baby, sweet baby,” she murmured and placed kisses on top of Sarita’s head. “Thank you, Goddess for watching over my baby and bringing her back safe.”
“Even if it’s on the side of a mountain,” her dad said, smiling.
Sarita laughed and wiped away her tears to see clearly. She couldn’t get enough of seeing her mom’s face and touched it, over and over. “I missed you so much. You just don’t know.”
“Missed you, too, baby. We all did.”
Sarita looked at David who remained in the same spot watching them with a slight smile.
“Can we go see Mama Jasmine? I missed everybody so much,” she said holding Asia’s hand as they stood.
“Yes, she, La Patron and the others are waiting.” When Asia stood, she pulled Sarita into another hug, waved David over to include him. Hawke wrapped his arm around them all.
When they broke apart, Asia kissed David and then Sarita. Holding both hands she smiled. “Take care of each other.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
WHEN DAVID, SARITA, Hawke, and Asia entered Silas’ tent, screams of surprise, cheers, and lots of hugs were given. Everybody talked at once. Sarita was passed around, and so was David. Tears shed, and laughter followed. Sarita was in Jasmine’s arms and held on tight.
“I’m so glad to see everybody,” Sarita said kissing Jasmine’s cheek again. “Goddess I missed you guys.”
“We missed you too, sweetie,” Jasmine said, kissing her on the cheek again before releasing her to David. “We have a lot of questions, so why not tell us what happened so we have a better understanding of what’s going on.”
“Where’s Cain?” David asked looking around.
“He’s outside talking to security and the Knights,” Silas said.
Holding David’s hand, Sarita took a deep breath and sat in his lap. “Recently, like a few days ago recent, I discovered I’m a descendant of Salah the Blessed.”
“Who?” Jackie asked.
Storm explained the legend and stared at Sarita. “My name is Storm, Renee’s mate. I’ve heard great stories about Salah and her descendants. It’s an honor to meet you.”
Heat raced through Sarita’s cheeks. “Thanks. It’s still new to me. Isodora interrupted my training because something happened.” She frowned and looked at David. “She was sending me to release you, but someone released someone. I'm not sure exactly what happened but she was really upset and sent me here.”
“Isodora?” Asia said looking at Jasmine. “She was training you... for what?”
“To do descendant stuff before it was interrupted.” Sarita turned, looked toward the opening and stiffened. “What are you doing here?”
“Sarita, that’s Logan. He was stuck in the cave, we brought him out with us,” David said rubbing her arm.
Sarita crossed her arms and moved toward Logan. “Whoever Logan is, that’s not him. That’s Kim, my roommate from college.” In a blink of an eye, Storm pinned Kim to the ground.
“And she’s my litter-mate,” Sarita said in a soft breath.
“What? He’s female?” David stood next to her staring down.
“Show yourself before he kills you,” Sarita demanded.
The next second, Kim stared up at her. “Let her go, Storm.”
Rose and Danielle moved closer, peering down. “You sure she’s your litter-mate? Recently some shady stuff went down with some chick trying to get with Razor and Storm,” Danielle said.
“That’s right,” Rose added. “That litter-mate excuse can be some straight up BS. Why did she hide who she was when she walked in and saw you just now? She should’ve said who she was soon as she stepped inside.” Rose bumped Danielle’s fist.
“We’re not having any more mess with litter-mates,” Danielle said looking at Renee. “The last one blew up the museum.”
“What?” Sarita spun around to look at Renee. “Not your museum.”
“Umhmm, it was a mad mess, Aunt Asia and mama cleaned house, kept us from whipping —”
“Girls,” Jasmine called.
“It’s true, Mama,” Jackie said. “We were two seconds off that... chick. She knew. That’s why she started begging Storm and Razor to help her.”
“She begged Razor, not my Storm,” Renee corrected.
Sarita’s gaze flew between the women she considered sisters and laughed. “When did you guys go all gangster? I’m loving it.”
“If you saw mama in action you’d know. She don’t play,” Jackie said laughing.
Sarita looked at La Patroness in surprise.
“Stuff starts flying everywhere, everybody runs for cover,” Renee said bumping Jackie’s fist.
“People start talking in tongues and stuff, trying to get out of her way,” Jackie said. The others laughed. “We got it honest, girl.”
“Girls,” Jasmine said shaking her head. “We need information. Storm let her up. Sarita, can you contact Isodora?”
Kim stood and fixed her clothes, her gaze flicked to Hawke and then landed on Sarita.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Sarita asked.
“Why didn’t you guess? Or figure it out?” Kim said.
“How would I have ever guessed something like that? I never knew Hanna or Isodora or that I had
another family, let alone a litter-mate,” Sarita said surprised by Kim’s logic.
“I knew who you were immediately,” Kim said crossing her arms over her chest.
“Well good for you. I had no idea about you. But that’s no excuse for you not to tell me the truth about everything, especially the vines. You knew I wanted to go home.”
“I told you to go home,” Kim said.
“You said I was fucking contagious and would hurt my family.” Sarita pointed her finger at Kim’s chest and pushed. “You let me believe everyone could see the vines, knowing how much they bothered me.”
“I never told you to cut or burn yourself trying to get rid of your birthmark. That was all you, your vanity. You did it to yourself, thinking you knew what was best for everyone. Hey, if you didn’t listen to him when he told you to go home and they’d help you there, why would I think you’d listen to me?”
“Because you’ve got them too!” Sarita yelled, too frustrated to be ashamed her family knew that she had damaged herself.
“But I wasn’t embarrassed by who I am, the vines never bothered me like they bothered you,” Kim said.
“Just go,” Sarita said disgustedly.
“I will after someone answers me this, is Nadira in the mountain? I don’t sense her.” Kim looked around, again her gaze landed on her sire, Hawke for a brief second.
No one said anything.
“Was that the assignment Isodora said you were on? Watching Nadira?” Sarita asked trying to get a better understanding of what was going on.
Kim nodded. “We rotated, in and out of the cavern using Logan’s persona. The cavern is warded against feminine energy, so we use a male body, so Nadira doesn’t know.”
“Why is it warded against feminine energy?” Jasmine asked.
“Because Nadira can corrupt and use it.” Kim looked around. “I must give an answer to the Priestess. “Is Nadira free from her prison?”
“Yes,” Asia said.
“How was she freed? It’s important to know,” she said.
“She negotiated the release of my son, you and Cain for the restoration of her libido,” La Patron said.
“What?” Renee said looking at her father.
He shook his head.
“Thank you, I will tell her.” Kim turned and headed toward the door.
“I am available if Isodora wishes to speak with me,” La Patron said
Kim nodded and walked out.
No one spoke for several seconds.
“How bad was Nadira?” Sarita asked David.
“Succubus. Lots of sex with the others. They called her Queen. We fought a couple times.” He shrugged. “One thing, she controlled those guys 100%.”
“She’s strong,” Asia said.
“Will she hurt humans?” Sarita asked.
“I don’t know,” David said.
Sarita exhaled, returned to David’s lap and told them about the past five years, the vines, her fears of contaminating them, how David saved her sanity, the specialists, Halas and Isodora healing her. When she finished Renee and Jackie walked over to her and the three of them held each other and cried. Sarita didn’t think she had any more tears until her sisters held her close.
“Missed you so much,” Jackie said. “Don’t ever shut us out like that. We go all the way back to the nursery.”
“I’m sorry,” Sarita said, meaning it with every fiber of her being.
“I didn’t know what to think,” Renee said. “Sometimes I get so caught up in my art, I thought I’d done something to offend you but couldn’t think what. I was mad at you for hurting David. Please don’t do that again.”
“I love him so much, girl you just don’t know,” Sarita said. “Almost killed me being away from him, from home, my family.”
They broke apart and wiped each other’s tears from their face. “Missed you,” Renee whispered and reached behind her. “This is Storm, my mate, we’re getting married in a week. I’ve always dreamed of my sisters walking with me in my wedding. I want you in my wedding.”
Sarita could barely speak for the tears clogging her throat. She nodded and hugged Renee again. “Hi, Storm.”
He smiled and Sarita could see his charm. “Nice to meet you, Sarita. I’ve never seen David move the way he did when he scented your presence once he landed. It was quite impressive.” He glanced at David and smiled.
Jackie pulled Quinn close. “This is my mate, Quinn.” She glanced at Quinn. “This is my sister, Sarita.”
“Hello, Sarita, I’ve heard wonderful things about you,” Quinn said.
“Hi Quinn, it’s nice to meet you,” Sarita said thinking the two made a nice-looking couple.
“Come here, squirt,” Tyrese said holding out his arms. “Breaks my heart that you went through all of that alone, we’re always here for you.” He hugged her close. Danielle stepped in and joined their embrace. “I know you were thinking of the pups, and that’s admirable but we would’ve worked to fix it. That’s what family does, Rita. I’m so glad you’re okay. We worried about you.”
“I’m sorry. Thank you,” Sarita whispered as she wiped her eyes.
Tyrone hugged her and kissed the top of her head. “You and David, two peas in a pod. I can see him doing what you did. What are we going to do with you two stubborn love-birds? Take care of each other and don’t let him give you a hard time about this, believe me when I say he would’ve done the same thing. Love you, glad you’re safe and back home.”
Rose hugged and rocked her. “Every person in this room would’ve stayed away before bringing home something that would hurt the pups. Hawke and La Patron would’ve moved heaven and earth to find a solution, trust in that connection. Pack always helps Pack.” Rose kissed her cheek. “Welcome home, sweetie.”
“Thanks, Rose. I missed you and the boys.”
“Ryan and Ryder are in Texas with Alpha Theron learning to ride and work a ranch,” Rose said and shrugged. “Don’t ask me why.”
Sarita smiled as she looked at her Alpha. Their gazes met as she moved slowly toward him. “Alpha.”
He pulled her close and hugged her tight. “You are my daughter, not a day has gone by that I haven’t missed your smile and the sound of your laughter. A part of us was missing but we allowed you space to grow. My heart breaks knowing how much you’ve suffered. If I’d known I would have brought you home. Your father is one of the smartest men in the world, he would’ve found a way to fix the problem. Never do that again, when one hurts, we all hurt.”
“I didn’t mean to hurt him,” she said closing her eyes.
“David’s not the only person hurt by your decision. Your mam, sire, Jasmine, me, your sisters, brothers, Adam, Damian, your entire den was hurt. When you hurt little one, we’re all affected. No one in a family lives in a bubble, we are all interconnected. Remember that.”
“I’m sorry, Sir.” Tears leaked from beneath her lids.
“No, your heart was in the right place. I’m sorry for not realizing something more was going on. I could’ve pushed. From now on I will. If you keep crying Jasmine will think I’m reprimanding you and kick me out the tent, so smile please.”
The comment was so left field she laughed.
“Thank you. I love you as my own, remember you can come to Jasmine and me for anything.”
“Yes, Sir. I love you and Mama Jasmine too.” She turned and reached for Jasmine.
“Welcome home, sweetie. You’re just as beautiful on the inside as the outside. It took a lot of strength to do what you did. I’m proud of you.” She kissed Sarita’s cheek and looked at Asia and Hawke. “We need you to contact Isodora. Initially, we planned to fly out in the morning but won’t do that until we talk with her.”
Sarita exhaled, pulling her thoughts together. “Now?”
“That would be good,” Jasmine said with a slight smile.
Sarita closed her eyes, envisioned Isodora. “Priestess?”
“Yes, Sarita?”
Sarita was surprised she
answered immediately. “La Patron and La Patroness would like to talk to you about Nadira.”
“Alright.”
Sarita opened her eyes and told them what she said.
“She’s coming here?” Tyrese asked.
“Yes, I’m here,” Isodora said appearing near the door with Kim walking in behind her.
JASMINE LOOKED AT THE Priestess for a few seconds before glancing at Sarita, then Asia. This whole thing had been her operation, Silas allowed her to handle it and supported her. Somehow things went terribly wrong.
Removing David and Cain from the mountain was successful, but if they violated a law or did anything to cause problems for the Inuit or Salah there would be problems with the Pack.
“Hello, I’m Jasmine, La Patroness.” She stepped forward with her hand extended watching Isodora.
Isodora looked at her hand a few seconds before accepting it. “Isodora, High Priestess for Salah the Blessed. Your interference has caused a problem.”
Jasmine sensed Silas displeasure as well as from her pups at Isodora’s tone. “I apologize. My son was trapped in the mountain without food, we contacted you but after waiting several hours with no response, we sent in food. Understand, the Canadian government and Inuit had given us 24 hours to bring him out and we wouldn’t leave him.”
“How was this accomplished?” Isodora asked watching Jasmine.
“A full-blood, one of Nadira’s men took it in,” Jasmine said. “Inside, Nadira admitted she could not leave but agreed to allow my son, his security detail and Lucas or Kim, to leave if we would heal her so she could feel again.”
Isodora nodded slowly and rubbed her forehead. “She tricked you. The inability to receive sexual pleasure was an important part of her curse.” She inhaled. “I was otherwise detained and answered Amynta’s inquiry when I had an opportunity.” She looked at Jasmine. “Did you get my warning?”
“Afterward, not before,” Jasmine said without admitting the message had been blocked while Asia was in the mountain. Once outside she received it and they immediately realized their mistake. “We apologize for releasing Nadira, how can we help to correct the matter? It’s important to leave Torngat in peace. The Inuit has been gracious to our visit and quest to retrieve my son.”