“What do you mean let go?” Janna glanced at each one of them. She was right. She didn’t want to hear this. “Let go so we can be on our way or let go to be…”
“Hunted,” Marcus finished her sentence, a look of concern on his face.
“Continue,” Garrett ordered once Jonah seemed to calm down.
“A few of us went out for a drink after a long day of meetings,” Jonah continued, the rage still creasing his face, but the shaking had stopped. “There was a large group who had been at the meeting that afternoon, along with others I hadn’t seen. When they moved to leave, I followed. The further from the city we got, I knew without a doubt what I had been hearing wasn’t bullshit. It was a blood moon and I was walking head first into a Reaping.”
The room grew quiet, all eyes on Jonah as he seemed to struggle with the memories of that night.
“I found a good vantage point downwind so my smell wouldn’t carry. There were maybe five humans already there, tied up and blindfolded with ten shifters standing around laughing and planning their strategy.” Jonah’s eyes narrowed. “It wasn’t long before others arrived with more humans. And that’s when I saw her.”
“My mother?” Janna sat up straighter. Fear for her mother, even though she was dead, hit her so hard that she trembled. Garrett stepped closer to her, the heat from his body oddly comforting.
Jonah’s eyes brightened slightly. “She fought with everything she had, even blindfolded and with her arms tied behind her back. While the other humans cried and begged for what—they didn’t even know—she cursed and fought.”
“That doesn’t surprise me,” Janna replied with pride.
“I couldn’t take my eyes off her, and at that moment, I knew she was mine.” Jonah’s tone became dominant as his eyes shifted to Garrett. “Even as Jasper Simone stepped up as the one who marked her, I knew she was mine.”
“But she was human.” Marcus, who had sat quietly listening, spoke up. “When you say mine, do you mean mine in a wolf mating kind of way?”
Janna glanced at Marcus. “What do you mean ‘wolf mating kind of way?’” Janna asked, even though she was anxious to hear the rest of what happened to her mother.
“Wolves have one mate, and until they find that mate, they make no commitment to anyone else,” Marcus replied with that bit of information.
“So you don’t have….” Janna stopped, realizing what she was about to say in a room full of men, but she was more than intrigued.
“Sex?” Hunter laughed, making his face even more handsome. “Do I look like a virgin to you?”
“Hunter, shut the hell up.” Marcus smacked him on the back of the head before looking at Jonah. “Do you think her mother was your mate, Jonah?”
“She was my mate.” Jonah’s voice was final.
“A human cannot be mated with our kind, especially an alpha. It’s forbidden,” Hunter replied, while scooting away from Marcus so not to get hit again, but didn’t realize he was closer to Garrett. “And what shifter in his right mind would want to be mated to a human anyway. If I had anything to say about it, we’d take them all out. All they do is make up rules that we have to follow, which is bullshit.”
“You’re an idiot,” Janna hissed at Hunter just as Garrett smacked him on the back of the head.
“Will you stop fucking hitting me.” Hunter stood, glaring at Garrett then Marcus, before his eyes zeroed in on Janna. “And I’m a realist, lady. Humans are bad news. Just look at Jonah over there. He was once one of the most powerful alpha males. Now he’s just a drunk who lost his pack because of not just a woman, but a human woman.”
Before Janna could say anything, Garrett turned to Hunter. “Enough!” That warning was enough to shut him up. “Continue, Jonah.”
Jonah was glaring at Hunter, but calmed himself enough to finish. “They gave them a head start. The humans began running in all directions, but my eyes stayed on Virginia. I followed at a distance until I knew we were far enough away my scent wouldn’t be picked up. After I calmed her down enough to trust me, I got her out of there.”
“And?” Janna added when it looked as if Jonah was done.
“And…nothing.” Jonah frowned. “We were on the run. Somehow Jasper found out it was me who took Virginia.”
“So you left her to fend for herself?” Janna hissed, wanting to scream her frustration, but kept her cool.
“No.” Jonah shook his head, his eyes not meeting hers. “It wasn’t about Virginia anymore.”
“Obviously that’s wrong since she’s the one dead and you’re alive.” Janna stood, the words causing her so much pain she had to do something.
“She’s dead because she loved me.” His eyes shot to hers. “I would have given my life for her.”
Janna crossed her arms using her hands to pinch her skin just to keep herself under control. Her totally freaking out wouldn’t help matters any or help her understand. “So you just dropped her and took off.”
“You know, I’m about sick of your mouth,” Jonah growled, leaning toward her as he pointed in her face. “You know nothing about me or what happened.”
Garrett stepped between the two. “Honestly, Jonah, I’m wondering the same thing.”
Jonah dropped his hand backing away. “I called in a favor. I found a safe place for Virginia to stay and I left to keep her safe. This wasn’t about her anymore. Jasper wanted me and I knew it. So I had him chase me for months, leading him away from her.”
“Didn’t you ever try to go back to her?” Janna asked, wanting him to say yes because she knew how much her mother had loved this man. Whenever she talked about her father, the love was not only in her eyes, but her voice.
“It wasn’t until about three years later that Jasper finally gave up. Even though I was able to keep in touch with my friend who cared for Virginia, I never made contact with her. At least until I knew for sure it was safe. I knew she had been relocated so I took the chance to go see her, hoping….” Everyone was quiet as they watched Jonah’s emotions try to overtake him as his chin quivered, but he fought them back. “I saw her and a little girl.”
“Me,” Janna added as if that needed to be said.
His eyes came back into focus as he looked at her. “Yeah, you,” he replied. “She looked so happy that I didn’t want to disrupt her life, or family, so I walked away.”
“I can’t believe that you were there and never came to her.” Janna shook her head, fighting tears. “You have no idea how much my mother loved you.” She was surprised at the anger that flamed Jonah’s face.
“She didn’t love me.” Jonah gave a grunted laugh that held no humor. “When I saw you, you had to have been at least three years old or close to it. That tells me it didn’t take her long to find someone to take my place.”
The pinching of her arms wasn’t doing it. She was about to go bat-shit crazy on the dumbass who was her father and too damn blind to see it. “My mother never found anyone to take your place, asshole.”
“Well obviously, she did!” he yelled back at her, his temper matching hers. “Because there you stand.”
“Yes, here I stand.” This time it was her leaning toward him in anger. “Staring at the man who was too much of a coward to walk up to the woman he claims was his mate, whatever in the fuck that means.”
“Watch your mouth,” Jonah growled at her. “I know Virginia raised you better than that.”
“You lost your rights to tell me anything when you walked away all those years ago,” Janna growled back. Seeing something flash behind his eyes warned her that he was putting two and two together, so she decided to help him along because she was sick and tired of the game. “Yeah, all I grew up hearing was how great you were. How you were coming back for us. How you would make everything right.”
When he started to say something, Janna held up her hand stopping him.
“Save it, Jonah McCall. I came to fulfill a promise to my dying mother.” Janna shook her head. This time it was her chin quivering, tear
s threatening to slip from her eyes, but she held them back. “To find my father and let him know about me and that my mother loved you.”
Janna turned quickly to walk out and Garrett actually stepped out of her way, but Hunter didn’t move. Looking up slowly, she felt a tear slip, but didn’t raise her hand to wipe it away. “If you say one word to me, I will throat punch you.”
A small, but evident quirk of Hunter’s lips slipped before it disappeared as he stepped out of her way. All four men watched her walk out of the kitchen and out of the house.
CHAPTER 5
“Holy shit.” Marcus shook his head, still staring at the direction Janna had disappeared. Then turned to Jonah.
Ignoring Marcus, Garrett also watched Janna walk out of the kitchen. Opening his phone, he put it to his ear. “Hey, you have the car fixed?” Garrett asked into the phone, but kept his eyes on Jonah who was struggling to understand what just happened. “Okay, but don’t let her leave. She’s headed that way.”
“She’s my daughter?” Jonah finally came out of his stupid state, his eyes widening as the truth continued to slam into him. “I have a daughter.”
Hunter actually grabbed a bottle of whiskey and poured a shot, setting it in front of Jonah. “Damn man, you deserve a hit.”
Jonah actually grabbed the glass, but didn’t drink, just stared at the golden liquid. After what seemed like hours, Jonah poured the liquid in the sink before walking in the opposite direction Janna had gone, disappearing deeper into the house.
Garrett rubbed his hand down his face in frustration. Shit was about to get real and his pack was going to be right smack in the middle of it.
“You think they are coming for her?” Marcus was the first to break the silence.
Garrett didn’t think; he knew. He felt the trouble heading their way, had felt it since the first moment he laid eyes on the woman and kids. “Yeah. They’re coming.” Garrett nodded, his eyes shifting out the window. “And we’re going to be ready for them.”
“Fuck yeah, we are.” Hunter, who at twenty was broad and muscular beyond his years, was also a true smartass, but Garrett never doubted his youngest brother’s loyalty.
Looking toward Marcus, who had a smile spreading across his face, Garrett laughed. “I guess I don’t have to ask what your feelings are in this.”
“It’s been a long time since I beat someone’s ass, other than you two assholes.” Marcus slammed a fist into his palm.
“You wish.” Hunter laughed, punching him in the stomach, but Marcus didn’t even flinch. Instead, he grabbed Hunter into a headlock.
Watching his younger brothers, Garrett grinned. They drove him absolutely crazy most of the time, but there was no one he would rather have at his side then these two. “Cut the shit.” Garrett wiped the grin off his face, stepping into their leader in the blink of an eye. “We have work to do. You guys go talk to Jonah and find out more about Jasper Simone and the Reaping.”
“Oh, and I guess you get to go talk to the pretty Janna?” Marcus grinned like he had a big secret. “Ah, to be an alpha leader.”
“Shut the fuck up and get going. We don’t have much time and I want to know everything there is to know about Jasper and his pack.” Garrett growled, but shoulder checked Marcus as he passed. “And you should have stepped up if you wanted to be alpha.”
“If I knew I’d be questioning pretty human women, I would have,” Marcus continued to tease.
Garrett stopped suddenly, spinning around. “Human?”
Hunter’s head snapped up, the grin on his brother’s teasing slipping from his face. “No fucking way,” Hunter cursed, his eyes widening at the truth in Garrett’s face. “No fucking way! That’s right. If she is Jonah’s daughter…she’s…holy shit!”
“How in the hell didn’t you know?” Garrett turned completely around. “Her wolf has been calling to me before I even saw her.”
Marcus and Hunter glanced at each other with knowing looks.
“And obviously Jasper and his son don’t know either or they wouldn’t have branded her for a Reaping.” Garrett leaned against the doorframe then looked at Marcus who was grinning like an idiot again. “What the hell are you grinning at?”
“You hear her wolf?” Marcus laughed. “And we don’t.”
“Damn, man,” Hunter piped in, shaking his head sadly. “Females are going to be weeping in sorrow.”
Garrett frowned with a growl. “What in the hell are you talking about?”
“Oh, you know, brother.” Hunter sighed dramatically. “The great and powerful alpha leader Garrett Foster is no longer available. Masses of females will literally throw themselves from the cliffs of the Gorge.”
“You are so not right in the head.” Garrett glared at Hunter.
“It’s true.” Marcus stared as if he was deep in thought. “The most eligible bachelor of Lee County is officially off the market.”
“Epic shit right there,” Hunter agreed, trying not to look at Garrett who was turning red in the face.
Garrett grabbed Hunter and Marcus by the back of their necks at the same time, banging their heads together. “We have more important things going on than this bullshit, so get your heads on straight.”
“Easy for him to say when we’re the ones suffering from lack of female attention.” Marcus laughed, not even hurting from the head bang.
“Actually, you can speak for yourself on that,” Hunter aimed at Marcus. “I’ve got two women right now who can’t get enough of me. Now with big brother out of the picture, I’m sure that number will grow.”
Marcus punched Hunter in the shoulder before walking toward the direction Jonah disappeared. “Come on, lover boy. Let’s go do what big brother wants us to do so he can go to his lady love.”
“How old are you?” Garrett rolled his eyes before pushing away from the wall.
“Old enough to know what it means when a female wolf calls to only one male.” Marcus laughed loudly as he pushed Hunter in Garrett’s path when Garrett went to go after him.
Hunter pushed off Garrett with a large grin. “He got you on that one.”
Garrett didn’t say a word, but pointed for Hunter to get the hell out of the room. Shaking his head at his brothers, Garrett turned following where Janna had left. Stepping out on the porch, his eyes found her instantly and his gut tightened. She leaned over her car looking at something Dell, who was an amazing mechanic, was pointing at. His eyes snapped to her ass and his body grew rigid, his wolf taking full attention. Yeah, he was in deep shit.
******
Janna straightened up after looking at what Dell was pointing at. She still had no clue what the hell was wrong with her car, but she tried her best to look like she did. “So because I’ve driven the car when it was overheating, I cracked its casket and what I’ve been smelling is that green anti-stuff?”
Dell looked at her confused for a moment before a large smile spread across his handsome face. “Close.” He laughed. “You cracked the gasket. The green fluid is antifreeze and yes, that is what you’ve been smelling.”
“And that’s bad?” Janna looked from the car to him, hoping he would say no; it wasn’t bad at all.
“Well, let’s put it this way, pretty lady.” Dell smiled down at her, making her blush. “There are a few places you never want to see antifreeze. Falling from the sky, in your cereal, or coming out of your tailpipe.”
Janna looked up at the sky and frowned. “I bet if it was coming from the sky and not my tailpipe, it would be cheaper for me.”
“That’s very true.” Dell grabbed a rag off the car, wiping his large hands.
“So how much is this going to cost me to get fixed?” Janna frowned, trying not to notice how handsome Dell was. With his stained tight jeans, black torn t-shirt, and with smudges of oil on his muscled arms and across his dark cheek, he was gorgeous. All the men around here were handsome to the point of total distraction. Hearing someone walking toward them, she spotted Garrett Foster who was the most distractin
g of the bunch.
“Well, that depends on if I have any used parts I can use and if you have dinner with me.” Dell’s voice was smooth, indicating he had a way with women, which probably worked every single time.
“Why don’t you go see what parts you have, Dell?” Garrett’s deep, hard voice was a demand, not a suggestion.
Dell growled at the interruption, but quickly toned it down when he spotted Garrett. “Just trying to help the lady out, boss.”
“Then go find some parts and leave feeding her to me.” Garrett narrowed his eyes in warning.
“So, that’s how it is?” Dell nodded, a small smile curving his lips.
“It is,” Garrett replied without further explanation.
“Actually, I just need my car fixed,” Janna added, not liking the angry tension coming from Garrett. “I’m not even hungry.”
Both men snapped their attention toward her. Dell leaned his head back laughing, Garrett didn’t. “She’s going to be a handful, Garrett.” Dell shook his head as he walked toward his small garage. “I’ll let you know when it’s fixed, boss.”
“How much is it going to be though? Don’t do anything until I know that…do you hear me?” she called out after him, and then cursed when Dell kept walking, totally ignoring her. “What an ass.”
“He has orders from me to fix your car,” Garrett said, startling her as she glared at Dell’s retreating back.
“But I’m a customer. He should listen to me.” Janna frowned, her eyes narrowing.
“No, he should listen to his alpha, as should you.” Garrett grabbed her arm, but she jerked away.
“No, I don’t think so.” Janna crossed her arms, doing her best to look intimidating, but knew with her 5’3 stature next to his over 6’ massive frame, it was a losing battle.
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