Her mom nodded, not bothering to disagree. "They are." She pointed at the ring. "This is over five hundred years old." Lauren picked up the diamond studded earrings. "And these belonged to my great grandmother."
Jessica shook her head, brought her hands up and stepped away as if she was avoiding the plague. "I definitely can’t borrow those."
"It's not a loan. It's a gift."
She shook her head even more fervently and took another step back. "I can't accept those."
"Yes you can and you will." Lauren followed every step she took until she was cornered against the wall. She took Jessica’s hand, forced it open and slipped the ring onto her middle finger. "Your father gave this to me and I think you should have it."
"Really?" Lauren nodded and Jessica raised her hand to admire the piece of jewelry that within seconds had become as precious to her as the air around her.
The first thing she noticed was that the gem was the same blue of her eyes. And the second was that it was a perfect fit. Mesmerized, Jessica turned her hand back and forth; the large square cut gem sat on a simple white gold band, flanked by a rectangular diamond on either side.
It was beautiful.
She loved it.
She couldn't keep it.
Jessica smiled softly; slipped off the ring and handed it back to her mom. "I can’t keep this. It's beautiful. It's priceless. And it was a gift to you from my father, I just couldn’t take it."
Now it was Laurens turn to shake her head. "The ring is very beautiful and valuable, but I can part with it because I still have the greatest gift he could have ever given me. It's beautiful and it's priceless. You are that gift."
Her words earned her a watery smile. "Fine but only if you're sure." Jessica was too in love with the ring to really put up a fight.
"I'm sure." Lauren took the ring and slipped it back on Jessica’s finger. "I think you should have something that belonged to your father and besides, according to him the ring is an heirloom passed down to the eldest child. It was always meant to be yours; I just kept it safe for you."
Jessica fanned her eyes trying to keep the tears at bay, if she started crying she didn't know if she would ever stop. "Thank you."
"If you are really thankful, you will also accept these." She indicated the diamond studs still lying on her hand. "It would hurt my feelings if you accepted something from your father and not from me."
"Is that emotional blackmail I hear?" Jessica’s eyebrows shot up in disbelief and Lauren shrugged.
"If I must."
Jessica threw her head back and laughed. "They are beautiful mom and if you insist then how can I say no?" Jessica took the earrings and put them on. "How do I look now?"
"You look beautiful, just like a princess."
Lauren smiled but Jessica noticed that the happiness didn't reach her eyes. Jessica smiled back and hugged her mom. "I'm still going to be around. Now that I've found you I'm not going to lose you." She promised.
Now it was her mom’s turn to give her a watery smile. "You have no idea how glad I am to hear that."
Before Jessica could respond, Riley came barging in and told them it was time to go. He noticed a packed box by the door and asked if it need to be taken downstairs. Jessica nodded and trying not to laugh, she watched as a grumbling Riley headed out of her room and took the heavy box down to the garage with the rest of the things.
"Not everyone has your strength." He yelled from down the hall.
Jessica grimaced. "Sorry!"
Lauren shook her head and laughed. "You'll never know how happy it makes me to see all three of you getting along."
"Me too. I like having a brother and sister. When I first came here I was jealous. I felt like they'd gotten everything that was supposed to be mine-even my name! I feared that there was no room for me, that I was excess baggage." Jessica explained. "But with your caring, patience and understanding you showed me how wrong I was."
Lauren took a seat on the bed and patted the spot next to her. "I am only going to tell you this once and if you repeat it, I will deny it." She warned. "I love James. I love Riley. I love Dani. But your father, he was my everything. When I lost him, you were the only reason I kept going. When I lost you, my hope of seeing you again is what kept me going, without it I would have given up. When I sent you away, you took my heart. You have nothing to be jealous about because while I love everyone equally, you hold my heart." Frustrated, Lauren held one of her hands between hers. "I'm not explaining myself well, am I?"
Jessica shook her head and with the thumb of her spare hand wiped away the tear that managed to escape. "I think I understand." And she really did. It had taken falling in love with Nick for her to truly believe her mom; if the love she spoke about was anything like the love she felt for Nick, how could she not?
She loved everyone the same but Nick, Nick held her heart.
"Oh look! Now I've made you cry." Her mom wiped away another stray tear.
"Happy tears." Jessica assured her. "Just happy tears."
Lauren eyed her for a second longer before standing up and helping Jessica to her feet. She gave her a tight hug and said. "I am glad we had this talk but now you have to go fix your makeup." She stepped back and looked down at her watch. "And we are running late. I'll go downstairs and tell them you will be right down?"
Jessica nodded and watched her mom leave. Alone, she turned and looked around her pink room and smiled. It was unbelievable but she was going to miss this room. She remembered her shock when she'd first seen it, the time she'd had to fix her ankle in here and the countless times she'd slammed the door when she'd been upset.
All those memories had her shaking her head and before she could get lost in her thoughts she turned and headed into the bathroom to repair her make-up.
Minutes later she made her way down the stairs to the sound of applause and whistles from her family, Axel and Christian.
Together they made their way outside where a couple of SUVs waited to take them to Nicks home.
Today was the big day.
Today she would be introduced to the pack.
Today he would teach her to shift.
Today she would be joining her life with his.
Chapter 21
"Are you ready?"
Jessica looked at Christian who was sitting in the front passenger seat looking back at her with understanding and encouragement shinning bright in his eyes. Jessica shrugged and gave him a brave smile before turning to look out the window as they rolled to a stop in front of Nick’s house.
In the front yard people were mingling and helping themselves to the refreshments as they waited for her arrival.
Almost as one, they all stopped what they were doing and turned their gazes towards the SUV. Jessica placed a hand against her stomach, trying to calm the butterflies that were flapping like crazy.
Just then, directly in front of her, the crowd parted to reveal him standing there.
Was she ready?
In answer she reached for the door at the same time that Nick strode forward. He reached the SUV as the door swung open and he held a hand out to help her down. "Thanks." She murmured with a smile that she was sure stretched from ear to ear.
"You look beautiful." He told her when she stood in front of him.
Jessica could read the sincerity in his eyes and she could have sworn she felt the butterfly’s in her stomach do a couple of summersaults. Looking into the twin, hazel colored pools that were his eyes she felt herself going under one more time.
Like always, everyone and everything else disappeared but him.
"I missed you." He murmured.
"You saw me yesterday."
"An eternity ago."
She threw her head back and laughed, making him smile. "Laying it on a little thick aren't you?" She immediately knew the question had been a mistake when a gleam of mischief appeared in his eyes.
"I definitely want to lay something thick -"
Jessica covered his mou
th with her hand before he could say anything else. "SSShhh!" She looked around her nervously and was glad that along with their great hearing abilities, the people around them also possessed great manners.
Everyone acted like they'd heard nothing.
She blew out a breath of relief and removed her hand from his mouth.
"Come one everyone is dying to meet you." He took her hand and stepped forward but Jessica didn't move. "They are going to love you." He murmured close to her ear and gave her hand a tight squeeze.
His assurance was all she needed. She threw her shoulders back and raised her chin, with a stronger sense of self confidence running through her veins she kicked up her smile and dared them to dislike her. She told herself that she would win them over if they did, she could do anything as long as she had Nick by her side.
He led her through the crowd up the steps of his home and she didn't miss the curious glances that were sent her way. Standing on the front porch, he took a deep breath and as he released it she felt a ripple of power and command radiate out of him and pass through the crowd.
"As you know, we've gathered here today, like we have many times before to welcome a new member to the pack. I have taken a mate-or she has taken me," He added with a mock grimace as he rubbed his side that Jessica had just elbowed. The light banter between the Alpha and his mate had everyone chuckling and Nick added. "Greet Jessica Smith. You’re new female Alpha."
The declaration was met with loud cheering and applause.
Nick grasped her hand and together they descended the steps into the waiting crowd. Jessica was nervous, she didn't know what to expect -or if anything was expected of her- but she drew the necessary confidence from Nick who never left her side. Everyone welcomed her with soft words, some with hugs and to her dismay; others grabbed her hand and rubbed it against their cheeks.
She swore to herself that if anyone tried to lick her, she would run.
"They are showing you respect and their subservience." He explained to her in a low tone when he noticed her discomfort.
Jessica nodded her understanding and the greetings continued until she was welcomed by everyone. After meeting her and exchanging a couple of words, their interest slowly returned to their food and drinks and when it was just the two of them, Jessica looked around for her family.
"Where are my parents?"
"On the porch."
Jessica turned around and sure enough her family was being entertained by Matt, Axel and Christian. They went to join them and as the sun disappeared over the horizon so did the time she had before she had to say goodbye to her family. Nick had told her that the party was more for her family then for the pack. He told her that the pack ceremony would be tonight, under the moon, where she would shift for the first time.
Time flew by and before she knew it she was saying goodbye to her family. It was an emotional goodbye filled with tears and hugs and Jessica promised to visit the next day. Nick wrapped his arms around her as they watched the SUV that carried her family drive away.
When her family was out of sight Nick looked at Jessica and asked. "Are you ready."
She nibbled on her lip. "Not really, I'm not really an exhibitionist."
He threw his head back and laughed. "Glad to hear that! If you haven't noticed, where you are concerned, I'm very possessive and jealous-"
"Not you!"
He gave the tip of her nose and light tap in response to her interruption and continued. "-so I will be the only one who will watch you shift. I got you a robe that you can wear out to the woods. When we are in the woods we will go off on your own and return to the group once you’ve shifted. The robe is waiting for you in our room.”
Jessica didn't miss his use of the word 'our’ and she had to admit that it had a nice ring to it. "Alright, so I just take off my clothes and wear the robe down?"
"Yes but don't worry I made sure it was big enough to cover everything." He turned her around and gave her bottom of light tap "now go."
Nervousness and anticipation weighed down her every step as she made her way up to their room.
Their room, she really liked the sound of that.
What she didn't like was finding a strange woman sitting on their bed.
Jessica stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. The stranger stood up and they eyed each other across the room in silence. The woman wore an expensive looking black linen pantsuit with a red blouse, the same bright red as her stilettos. She looked sophisticated and Jessica couldn't help but find herself lacking in comparison. Looking at the stranger's face, the first thing Jessica noticed was the malicious glint in the woman’s brown eyes.
"Just the person I've been dying to meet." A chilling smile accompanied her words and immediately Jessica’s guards went up.
"Really?" She asked; amused, annoyed and intrigued all at the same time.
Instead of answering, the stranger turned away and crossed the room to Nick's dresser. Her long chestnut colored hair slicked back in a ponytail that swung from side to side. A rueful smile crossed Jessica’s' lips as she stood back and waited while the brunette checked her makeup in the mirror.
Her actions were a complete contradiction to her words. For someone dying to meet her she wasn't acting like it.
"Curiouser and curiouser," she murmured under her breath and smiled at the brunette.
On a different day she would have flung the stranger out the window by now.
But not today.
Nothing could ruin her day, not even the stranger’s insolence. This was her version of cloud nine and she wasn't coming down any time soon. The brunette, busy applying a coat of red lips gloss, saw Jessica’s' smile through the mirrors' reflection and she smiled back. A smile that Jessica likened to the smile she imagined the wolf gave to Little Red Riding Hood before trying to eat her.
"Dying to meet me," Jessica repeated to herself. She took a step forward and her eyes connected with the strangers through the mirror. "I'm sorry but I can’t say the same for you." She told her, injecting a light heartedness into her tone that she didn’t really feel.
The brunette turned around, poised herself against the drawer and introduced herself. "My name is Kate."
Kate said her name as if it was supposed to mean something to Jessica only a raised eyebrow. The shock that crossed Kate’s face before she schooled it back to a look of disinterest told Jessica that she had expected a different reaction.
"Nice to meet you Kate, anything I can help you with?" Jessica asked with studied carelessness. Taking a page from the brunette’s book, Jessica affected an air of disinterest and looked around the room for the robe that Nick had gotten her. She spied it on his chair and, dismissing Kate, she moved to retrieve it. Jessica folded the robe over her arm, walked towards the door and flung it open. Looking expectantly at Kate she said, "I would love to chat but I am a bit busy at the moment."
Kate looked at her incredulously then threw her head back and laughed, "You really are as naive as he told me!"
That brought Jessica up short.
"Excuse me?"
Kate shook her head as she tapped her nails on the dresser. Nails that, Jessica dully noted, were beautifully manicured and the same shade of red as her lips. "Nick told me you were naive but I didn't believe him."
Confused by the cryptic comment, Jessica watched in silence as Kate moved around the room. The aura of familiarity she exuded among Nicks belongings had her hackles rising. "Who are you?" She asked her cautiously.
"When nick told me his plans I didn't think anyone could fall for his lies. Now I see how wrong I was. And I don't think that what Nick is doing is fair to any of us."
Kate smiled but it didn't reach her eyes, cold eyes, which looked down at her with a mixture of pity and disgust. "He is willing to sacrifice all of our happiness for some misguided sense of responsibility."
Jessica grew more confused with every word. "What are you talking about?"
"I am nick's true mate."
&n
bsp; Her statement was met with silence.
Jessica thought about it for a second then decided that it was her turn to laugh. Shaking her head and wiping away tears of mirth she told her, "nice try."
She'd almost fallen for the act but the hard glint in Kate’s eyes had given her away. She didn't look or sound like a person in love. She looked like someone spurned and after vengeance. Still shaking her head, Jessica turned to leave the room, refusing to listen to any more lies but Kate’s next words stopped her in her tracks.
"He only wants you for your inheritance!" Kate shot at her retreating back.
Slowly, Jessica turned back around to face her. "What inheritance?"
Kate crossed her arms across her chest and looked smugly at her, "believe it or not, Nick and I were supposed to mate but he put me aside when he learned about your existence." Kate shrugged, "Who could blame him? I don't think anyone would give up that chance of mating with the Lykaon heir."
"The Lykaon heir?"
Kate looked at her with unhidden disgust and shook her head. "No wonder he worked so fast. You're naivety made you such an easy target. You are the Lykaon heir. If you don't believe me," She pointed at her hand. "That ring you are wearing is proof enough. Look at the encryption inside."
Positive that it was all a misunderstanding, Jessica took off the ring and looked at the inside.
What she found had her reeling back in shock and she had to work hard not to show it.
Encrypted inside the ring were two words "Lykao's Heir" she'd didn't know why she'd missed the encryption when she gotten the ring from her mom but she remembered what her mom had told her about it.
Over five hundred years old. An heirloom passed down to the eldest child. From generation to generation.
Followed by those words; Jessica also remembered what Nick had told her about the Lykaon heir.
The belief that being bitten by a werewolf will make you one, that's a myth. We are born, not created or infected. Only one person has the power to create a werewolf, the Lykaon heir. It is a gift-power- passed down from generation to generation.
The Heir Page 20