“We do have time. There's a store near the airport she could run into.” Ralph stared at her mates.
“We can't risk being attacked. We don't have enough men.” Dane stated, but the limo pulled into the store anyway. She got out of the car before they could stop her. She ran for the door and ignored her mates, heading straight to the women's department of Bloomingdales. She knew they were expensive, but she didn't care. Dane could pay for it. Grabbing three pairs of jeans, four sweaters, eight pair of thongs, and a couple of bras, she laid them on the counter and told the women she'd be back to start ringing them up. She gestured towards Dane to let the woman know he would pay for them.
Jaycee went in search for boots, tennis shoes, a winter coat and a couple of dresses. She had never shopped so quickly in her life. She had everything done in fifteen minutes. All the while, she could hear her mates grumbling.
The saleslady had just started packing her bags when she noticed her bras weren't in there. “Okay, who took my bras out?” Jaycee glared at her mates.
“You don't need them.” Dane dared her to say something. She noticed a couple of teddies slipped into the bag that she hadn't picked out. “But I need those?”
Remi smiled. “I picked those out. I can't wait to see you in them.” Remi smirked at her. Jaycee just shrugged her shoulders and grabbed the bags while Dane paid the bill.
She smiled at its total: $8,769. 59. Mark grabbed a couple of her bags and laughed at her smug face.
“That didn't even touch our bank account, baby. That was pennies.” Mark laughed at her as she stuck her tongue. She climbed into the limo and felt supreme satisfaction while Ralph laughed at all her bags.
“Boy, for a woman, you sure know what you want. I'm impressed. That was quick.” Jaycee smiled.
“When you're on the run for as long as I've been, you learn to grab and go. It's been my life for the past fifteen years.” No one said anything in response. Jaycee looked back out the window. They rolled up to the airport fifteen minutes later. Dane and Remi covered her body as she made her way into the jet. Grabbing a pair of jeans and a sweater, she headed for the bathroom before they could take off.
Jaycee felt much better stepping out of the bathroom in jeans. She noticed the men talking as she took a seat next to Dane. She curled up next him, and he handed her a diet Pepsi. Smiling her thanks, she laid her head onto his shoulder and listened to him talk. Dane glanced at her a couple of times, but she held back from participating in the conversation. She waited for him to finish talking.
Chapter Fifteen
“Okay Jaycee. What do you want?” Dane glanced down at her, a frown on his face. Everyone waited for her response.
“Actually, I don't want anything. I just wanted to be near you. Sorry if I disturbed you.” Jaycee shrugged her shoulders and got up, moving over to an empty seat away from them. Pulling on a blanket that lay atop her seat, she curled up on the chair and watched the warm weather slip away from her view.
The men had stopped talking and were getting out their coats and boots ready for the cold weather that would greet them. The plane was landing, and not one of her mates had said anything to her.
Jaycee watched the snow fall from the window. Mark handed her the new boots and coat. She smiled her thanks, put them on and headed to the door of the plane. A second limo waited for them on the tarmac. She descended the stairs, Remi in front, Dane and Mark behind her. The wind blew snow all around her as she stepped into the limo. Shelly was waiting for her. She didn't say anything at first, just stared at her.
“Listen, I'm sorry about what I did. I had to try and finish this. I didn't want to hurt you, but it was the only way I could think of to end it. I'm sorry about your clothes. These stupid wolves love to tear my clothing up.” Jaycee smiled and sat next to her. Shelly's mate pulled her into his arms and frowned at her.
“Shelly brought you some clothes, but I can see you got your way again and bought some new ones,” he snapped at her. Shelly didn't say a word. She just sat there for a minute as the shock of that statement wore off.
“Hmm, yes, I really got my way, didn't I? My mother had to be destroyed, and I have another psycho after me. Oh, and let's not forget that I didn't get any time to get used to my new mate. He was forced on me, but hey, who's complaining? I just love putting other people in danger all the time.” Jaycee snapped.
“Jaycee, enough. You'll not treat my sister's mate with such disrespect,” Dane ordered, sitting beside her.
“Oh, but he can more or less call me a spoiled brat?” Jaycee glared at him. Dane shrugged his shoulders. She looked around the limo. No one said a word. Except Ralph who smiled, “You know, Jaycee, I'm a bit spoiled, too. It's nothing to be ashamed of. Matter of fact, I am proud of it.” Ralph laughed. Jaycee just smiled at him as she sat there.
Twenty minutes later, after the longest ride of her life, Jaycee exited the car and walked up to the house, not even bothering to speak to anyone. She was hungry. It was lunch time, and she hadn't eaten anything. Throwing her coat on the coat rack, she walked to the kitchen, and ignored her father as she strolled by him. Jaycee proceeded to make a sandwich for herself. She noticed Kate come in and sit down at the table with her.
“If you're here to tell me I'm spoiled, too, it's already been said. I don't need a lecture, please,” Jaycee mumbled, eating her sandwich.
“Who called you spoiled? I'll flatten them. I was worried about you. I heard what happened with your mom,” Kate said, and reached over to grab her hand.
“Everyone thinks I'm spoiled, Kate, Shelly's mate called me it more or less, and not one of my mates said anything in defense. You're the only one so far who's worried about what I'm feeling about my mom. No one has asked or even brought up the subject. It's like they don't want to hear about anything.” Jaycee got up and threw away her napkin away. “But that's okay. I'm used to it. I'm just someone they can spread my legs and take. Listen, I have to get ready for Pierre's burial. I heard them say they wanted it to be during the day, since it would be safer.” Jaycee walked to the door.
“Shit! They didn't tell you, did they? They're not going to let you go to the burial. They said it's too dangerous. They've already left.” Jaycee stood there in stunned disbelief. The assholes wouldn't even let her say goodbye.
Jaycee was silent as her tears fell. She walked upstairs to her bedroom, her prison. The room had been cleaned. She turned and locked the door behind her. Her body was numb. They'd done it to her again, lied to her and tricked her. She walked to the balcony door and gazed outside. She could see the two packs walking up the hill to the grave site. She spotted Remi immediately. He looked up at the window, and she turned to walk away. Jaycee fell onto the bed and cried herself to sleep.
Jaycee woke to pounding on the door. “Jaycee, get up. It's time for supper. We're to eat in the pack house tonight,” Dane yelled through the door. Jaycee looked at the clock; it was already six. She walked to the bathroom, threw water on her face, and realized she didn't care how she looked, fuck them all. She dried her face and brushed her hair.
Jaycee opened the bedroom door to find Dane and Remi waiting for her. She lifted her chin and stalked right past them. Hell would freeze over before she'd give them the satisfaction of speaking to them.
“You didn't change your clothes? We do have guests tonight. And, after all, I did buy you new clothes,” Dane snapped, but she ignored him. Her father and Kate stood at the bottom of the stairs, and she could tell Kate was furious with her father. Kate and Sam hugged her. They both took an arm and accompanied her to the pack house.
“I'm so sorry, Jaycee. I'm furious with your mates and my husband. I refuse to talk to them,” Kate proclaimed.
“You shouldn't do that, Kate. At least he loves you. I don't want anyone to suffer for me anymore. I'm tired, Kate,” Jaycee whispered to her as they entered the pack dining room. Twice as many people stood there, waiting. Remi's pack stood in attendance with Dane's.
Jaycee stopped waiting
for her mates to guide her. On cue, they came up to her and escorted her to their table. She quietly sat down as Dane went up to the microphone to talk. Jaycee ignored it all until Mark elbowed her and growled, motioning to the stage. She got up obediently, going to stand next to Dane.
“Do you have something to say about Pierre?” Dane asked. She didn't even look at him.
“I only knew Pierre for a few days, but he was part of me and will always be. His strength and humor shined out all around him, making everyone want to be around him. Maybe he shouldn't have met me; otherwise, he would be here now for you. All I can say is that I am sorry my life has affected you in such a horrible way. I love you, Pierre, and I'm sorry I couldn't see you laid to rest.” Jaycee walked away from Dane and to her seat. There were no more tears, just her heart ripped in shreds.
Jaycee pushed her food around her plate and tried to eat, but her stomach just wouldn't let her. She felt the stares and glares from the pack around her. No one said anything. She left as soon as she was finished eating. Her mates were so busy talking to various pack members that they didn't even notice her leave. Her guards followed her as she made her way back into the living room. Grabbing a glass of wine, she sat on the sofa and sipped it.
“Alpha, may I come in?” A woman's voice broke her trance. Jaycee looked up and saw the two females that had confronted her waiting to talk to her. Jaycee nodded, and the guards let them in. Jaycee sat up.
“What can I do for you?” Jaycee sighed, laying her glass of wine down and motioning for them to sit in the two chairs. They both sat and glanced down at the floor.
“We wanted to apologize about the last time you saw us. We were wrong,” one said, not even lifting her face to look at Jaycee.
“Did my mates ask you to come here and apologize?” Jaycee asked. She watched them fidget around in their seats.
“You don't have to answer. I can see it in your actions. You know, maybe the both of you were right. I should have never come here. You know, I tried to leave, but they dragged me back again. I love them, but that won't be any good when they're six feet under the ground like Pierre. I thank you for coming. I hope one day we can be civil to each other,” Jaycee said, and walked to the window, looking outside.
“Alpha, he was happy with you. We talked afterwards. He told me a little about his feelings. I was wrong, and I shouldn't have stood in the way of your relationship.”
“I, too, have talked to Mark. I see the way he watches you. Even tonight he couldn't take his eyes off you. You give him something I couldn't. You're where you belong. Never doubt that.”
Jaycee turned to look at them both. “Thank you. That means a lot to me, because I know it came from you, not my mates. Go have dessert with the pack. You don't need me around.” She watched them leave the room. Then Kate came into the room with Sam, who hugged her legs.
“Mommy brought our dessert with us so we could share it with you.” Sam pulled her to the sofa where Kate sat with three plates of black forest cake. Jaycee picked up her plate.
“Wow, this looks great. Thank you. I needed this.” Jaycee laughed as Sam attacked his cake. Kate also laughed.
Her father came in with her mates. Jaycee set her plate down, not hungry any more.
“Hey, you're not eating it. What's wrong?” Sam looked up and saw the men in the room. “Oh, you're angry at them, aren't you?” Sam asked and stared at her. Jaycee looked down at Sam and smiled.
“No, I'm not mad at them. Just disappointed. There's a difference,” Jaycee whispered to him, knowing they had heard her as the moved into the next room.
“But you need to eat your cake. It's good for you.” Sam shoved her cake back at her. Jaycee laughed, picked up the plate, and took a bite. He watched until she finished the whole thing and smiled.
“Now don't you feel better? Cake always makes me feel better,” Sam said. He grabbed the game boy and ran to a chair to play. Jaycee smiled at him and took their dishes to the kitchen.
“What are you going to do? You know this can't go on like this. They walk into the room and the tension goes so high someone could come along and blow all of you away,” Kate said as they washed the dishes.
“I don't know. How can I get past what they've done? You know on the plane I tried, but I was more or less shoved aside. All I wanted was Dane to hold me while he talked, but I was an interruption to him. Then he yelled at me for confronting Shelly's mate after he yelled at me.” Jaycee sat down at the kitchen table and stared at Kate.
“I don't know what to say, but you need to talk to them and explain how you're feeling.”
“Tried that last night, but they didn't say a word. They just told me it was time to go to bed because we had to get up early. It seems all they want is to have sex. Hell, Kate, I don't know anything about any of them expect for what Shelly has told me about her brothers. And Shelly won't even talk to me now. I tried to apologize, but she didn't forgive me.” Jaycee ran her hands through her hair.
“Maybe if you meant what you said, I would have talked to you. But you attacked my mate,” Shelly said coming into the room. She handed them both a glass of wine.
“Shelly, you know I'm sorry for doing what I did, but I wouldn't change it. I had to deal with my mother. Remi killed her. They wouldn't let me do it myself. After all she has done to me, they wouldn't even let me finish it.” Jaycee stood up and paced back and forth.
“Maybe they didn't want you to regret killing your own mother. I understand you wanted to confront her, Jaycee, but why couldn't you have just told me instead of doing what you did?”
“Tell me something honestly. Would you have gone and disobeyed your Alpha, your brother. I didn't want to put you in that position. Don't you understand? This way they blamed me, just as they blame everything else on me.” Jaycee kneeled down at Shelly's side. “You're my best friend, Shelly. I couldn't ask that of you. My life's a mess, and yours is just beginning with your mate. You needed time with him without having to worry about me.” Shelly hugged her tightly.
“I'm sorry, Jaycee. I missed you. I couldn't believe those assholes wouldn't even let you go to the funeral. I haven't talked to them since you got back. Hey, how did you find out Remi was your mate?” Shelly winked and smiled at her as she pulled back.
Jaycee pulled out of her arms, hugging herself instead.
“You don't want to know,” Jaycee whispered.
“What did they do? Tell me now; so help me god if they hurt you,” Shelly demanded. Jaycee laughed as tears rolled down her face.
“I thought I was having sex with Dane and Mark. They had my back turned. It wasn't them, though. It was Remi, and he took me. That's all there is to it,” Jaycee whispered, gulping her wine down and setting the glass in the sink. She heard both Kate's and Shelly's gasps.
“You mean they didn't tell you about Remi? They just… I'll kill them.” Shelly yelled, and jumped out of her chair, making it slam down on the floor. She ran out of the room, followed by Kate. Jaycee sighed and took after them, but they had a head start. By the time she caught up to them, it was too late.
Shelly had run and attacked her brother, throwing him down on the floor and hitting his face. Kate was right behind her and had pinned Remi against the wall with one finger. Jaycee didn't know what to do, but she watched her father pull Kate back. Mark pulled Shelly off of Dane.
“Enough! What the hell is going on?” Dane bellowed, and glared at Jaycee. Jaycee laughed and glared right back.
“Don't you even glare at her, you jackass. How dare you take Jaycee without letting her know you were there! Don't you know that's rape?” Kate yelled at all of them. Jaycee didn't say a word. She walked to the sofa and sat down. She heard her father growl and come towards her.
“Jaycee, did they do this?” her father snapped.
“It doesn't matter, dad. What's it going to change? He's my mate now. It's done.” Jaycee shrugged her shoulders and curled up on the sofa. Her father knelt down next to her, cupped her chin, and lifted her f
ace until she looked at him.
“It matters to me. You've been hurt enough.” He looked into her eyes. A tear slipped out and rolled down her face.
“I want him, dad. He's mine, it would have been nice if they'd told me and maybe courted me, but I guess they don't know how to court. Maybe there wasn't enough time. It doesn't matter anymore, don't you see? They won't even talk to me,” Jaycee whispered and pulled away from her father. She ran up the stairs to her room, slamming and locking the door.
She walked to the balcony and stripped her clothes off. The door flew open. She shifted, jumping off the balcony to the ground, and ran towards Pierre's grave site.
Jaycee lay down on his grave, and the tears fell from her eyes down to his place of rest. I am so sorry I wasn't here earlier. They wouldn't let me come. They'll probably kill me for being here now, but I need to be here. I am so confused, Pierre. They won't talk to me or hold me. They don't know anything about me, and they don't want to know. I've tried! Jaycee's mournful wail released some of her grief. The sun set behind the mountain. Is this what it's going to be like for the rest of our lives, Pierre? Because if it is, the running hasn't stopped.
The wind howled in the distance. Gentle fingers caressed her fur. Jaycee, you must remember that Dane, Mark, and Remi have both been trained to always put the pack ahead of anyone or anything else. Give them time. Show them what it's like to be loved unconditionally.
Slowly lifting her head, Jaycee stared at Pierre's ghostly body as he kneeled down next to her.
I'm not saying it's going to be easy. There will be times when you won't know what to do, but talk to them and make them listen. I'll be watching, and I'll always be in your heart. Just know you're not alone, my pet.
Pierre, please don't leave me. Jaycee tried to move in closer, but he slowly vanished from her sight.
Remember, Jaycee. They all love you, as did I.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Running in Fear Escaped Page 15