by Davis, Lia;
Speaking of empathy, Max was already showing strong healer abilities and his empathy was something they were all watching. If it turned out to be anything like Dane’s abilities, the toddler would need to start training soon.
Blaine drew everyone’s attention away from the kids by saying, “One thing we know is that Faelin needs to rebuild the Onyx den and grow his army.”
Sable nodded. "Yeah, but I get the feeling he is not continuing with the mutants. However, we can’t rule that out. He’s not all sane but he’s smart. That’s a bad combo.”
Sure the fuck was. Felix was crazy, but he wasn’t all that smart. He depended on others to create the serum and he ruled by controlling his people.
“What about the Rebels and Shield?” Dane asked.
Hayden answered. “Shield was taken down when Lance was killed. Christa is still watching out for it to start back up. From what she can find out, those who supported Lance had joined the Rebel groups.”
“I still have a contact with the Rebel group that is working with the shifter communities. I can reach out to her and check on things.” Sable glanced from Blaine to Luna.
Blaine gave her a single nod. “That would be good. At least we’d know if we have to deal with them as well.” He paused for a few moments. “If there isn’t anything else we need to discuss since we’re all here, then this meeting is done. I’ll stop by Dad’s today and give him an update. Not sure why he wasn’t here this morning.”
Sable grinned. “You might want to call first. Will has been staying at our house for the last two days.”
Ana laughed. “I offered Will to stay with Kieran and me, but he like Jared for some reason.”
Blaine frowned. “Why…oh, never mind. I’ll call him later then.”
There were very few things that would keep Keegan from attending a Pack meeting. His mate going through her heat cycle would be high on that list. That was what it sounded like. Especially if Will was staying with Sable and Jared.
The meeting broke apart and Dane checked the time. It was too early to pull Jasmine away from her work so he walked the few blocks to the center of town where the medical center and office buildings were. He had a stack of paperwork waiting on him, plus he had to check the Pack’s stock portfolio.
When he entered his office Bryce was sitting in one of the chairs playing a game on his phone. Raising a brow, Dane said, “Are you in trouble?”
Bryce shook his head. “I asked to be excused from school today.”
“And you thought hanging out with me would be fun?” Dane sat behind his desk and watched the teen.
Bryce put his phone away and met Dane’s gaze. A storm of emotions brewed in his blue depths. Dane’s empathy picked up on each emotion: Fear, anger, happiness, and confusion. After a few moments, Bryce said, “I saw my dad.”
Frowning, Dane sat back in his and pointed to the door. “Close the door, please.”
Bryce did as he was asked but didn’t sit back down. Before the teen said anything or asked questions, Dane said, “Did you call to your dad’s spirit?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Were you thinking of him right before you saw him?”
Bryce shook his head. “No. When I mentioned it to Christa this morning Hayden said to come to talk with you.”
“Did he say why?”
“No, but I assumed it was because you are the ghost expert in the Pack.”
Dane chuckled. “Not the expert.” He paused, looking for the right words to explain what he can do. “Some people are sensitive to energies and it’s not uncommon for shifters to see ghosts. With the number of abilities that you and Brenna are showing, I understand why Hayden told you to come to me. I have a gift, well more than one, that I don’t use or broadcast that I have them.”
“Why?”
Dane frowned. “They’re just not very useful in protecting the pack. One of those powers is the ability to call to the dead. I can raise the dead for a certain amount of time and call to ghosts that maybe in the area. Again, not useful and not something I like to do.”
Bryce stared at him for a long moment. “Is that one or two gifts?”
“One. My other is empathy strong enough to control another’s emotions.” Dane considered Bryce for a little while. “I don’t think you have the ability to call to the dead, because you said you weren’t thinking of your father.”
“I’ve sensed a presence for a few days. It was like someone was watching me. Brenna said she did too. But this morning, I stepped out of my room and there he was, standing in the hallway.” Bryce’s eyes watered and Dane felt his sorrow flow from him in waves.
“What do you want to do about it?”
Bryce shrugged and averted his gaze. “I just don’t know why he suddenly showed up. How long has he been watching us?”
“If he shows again today, ask him. If he doesn’t, then tomorrow you, Brenna, and I will go to the Pack circle and I’ll call him out so you two can ask your questions.” Dane wanted to talk with Christa about the twin’s father and what he was dealing with before called the ghost to have a chat with him.
Bryce glanced at the closed office door. “Can you control ghosts when you call them?”
“No. Which is why I’ll be talking with your aunt first.”
“Yeah, okay.” Bryce stood just as Hayden entered the office.
Hayden glanced from Dane to Bryce. “You okay?”
Bryce nodded. “I’m going to hang out with Christa.”
When Hayden nodded the teen made his escape. Then Hayden met Dane’s gaze with a raised brow. Dane fired up his computer. While it was starting up he shuffled through the stack of papers on his desk. He had to get the financials to his Mom and Blaine by the end of the week.
Hayden sat in the chair Bryce was in moments ago. “Does he have the same gift as you?”
“No. I think Rick showed up for a reason. Bryce said he’s been feeling like someone was watching him for a while. When I’m done here I’ll go talk to Christa and get more information on Rick. I don’t want to call him to play Q&A with his kids if he’s hostile.” Dane clicked on the bookmark for the Ashwood Falls stock portfolio.
Hayden stared at him for several moments. “What’s going on with you?”
“Nothing, why?”
A twisted grin formed on his brother's face. “You are not usually in the office this early.”
Meeting his big brother’s assumed gaze. “If you must know, nosey-ass. I have a date with Jasmine this afternoon and tonight.”
“About time.” Hayden laughed. “Tanner thinks Mom had another vision. He says she’s a little weirded out and when he asks her about it she says it’s nothing. “
That was odd. Usual his mom would share her visions with the Alphas and the Enforcers to ensure the Pack was protected. As far as Dane knew, his mom’s visions were usually about an attack on the den or other fatal events.
“What do you think it is?”
Hayden shrugged. “Not sure, but you know Mom. She’ll deal with her own problems her way.”
Dane’s wolf snarled. Yeah, he knew. Luna was a strong, independent, stubborn female. If her life was in danger, she wouldn’t get her sons involved. “We’ll keep an eye on her. She doesn’t go anyway without a sentry.”
“Way ahead of you.” Hayden stood and stretched. “Just wanted to give you a heads up.”
“Thanks.”
When Hayden moved to the door, he said, “Enjoy your date.”
Dane planned on it. Jas was his and he’d do whatever it took to convince her to give into the mating.
Chapter Seven
Jasmine was making the final adjustments to the schedule when Dane knocked on her office door. Lifting her gaze to meet his, she couldn’t stop the smile from forming. He wore the same form-fitting t-shirt he did that morning and the low-waisted faded blue jeans. Damn the male was hot.
Her wolf agreed with that assessment, ready to claim him in every way possible.
Avert
ing her gaze and feeling her cheeks heat, she closed out of her computer software, then shut it down. “How was the meeting?”
“Informative.” A darkness passed through his blue-green gaze.
“What is it?” Fear flared hot in her belly.
Dane frowned and crossed the room to her in a flash. He crouched down by her chair and framed her face. “The den is not in danger.” he sighed and pressed his forehead to hers. “Sorry for scaring you. I just found out Faelin is my half brother.”
Jasmine jerked back. “What?”
He told her what Sable told them at the meeting. “Faelin is old enough that dear ole dad created Faelin before he mated with Mom. Which means Royce had always been a rogue bastard.”
That was before Jasmine’s time, so she couldn’t confirm or deny that Royce was anything but a rogue. The male was always a bastard as she remembered him. “I’m sorry.”
Dane stood and held out his hand. “Want to go for a run? Let our wolves out to play?”
Every part of her lit up with desire at his words. Her wolf was so ready to play with his. She took his hand and allowed him to pull her to a stand. Instead of stepping back, he stayed where he was so their bodies pressed together when she stood. Then he wrapped his arms around her and held her close while nuzzling her neck.
He trembled slightly and she sank into his embrace. He was her mate. There was no denying the pulling. “Are you sure you are ready to mate with all my chaos?”
A chuckle vibrated from him. “Chaos one and two will eventually mature. The training program will help them.”
He lifted his head and scanned her face before his gaze landed on her lips. Desire heated her insides. She didn’t wait for him to kiss her. She rose on her toes and captured his lips in a raw, unforgiving kiss. A feral growl escaped him as he lifted her and sat her on top of her desk.
“I need you, Jas.” There was a vulnerability in his voice she’d never heard before.
“You have me. I’m not ready to complete the bond.” She was afraid of the pain they went with feeling her mate die and part of her soul being ripped from her. She saw it the moment her dad died. Her mom dropped to the floor, screaming in pain and anguish of losing her mate.
He lifted her chin so she looked into his eyes. After a few moments, he smiled. “Let’s go for that run.”
They stripped down, then shifted into their wolves right before they exited out the back door of the bar.
Jasmine ran toward the tree line of the forest. Dane gave chase. The pounding of his paws against the snow-covered ground, closing in on her, excited her. She squealed as anticipation of being caught by her wolf filled her.
The cold winter air blew through her white fur and it felt amazing. She loved winter, especially when the snow blanketed the earth.
When she reached the first layer of the wards that protected Ashwood from the outside world, she stopped and glanced at Dane over her shoulder. He yipped at her and didn’t slow down. That told her she was good to go outside the wards.
Trusting her mate, she rushed forward, knowing right where she wanted to go. There were a waterfall and a river not far from the den. Even though the water would be freezing, she still loved to splash around in it.
She reached the waterfall, Dane caught her. He tackled her to the ground and penned her to the ground. She nuzzled his neck, then bit playfully. Jumping off her, he bounced around on his paws before he took off through the forest, wanting her to chase him.
Laughing, she ran after him. When was the last time she just let her wolf out to play? Her and the twins used to go for runs all the time. Then her fear of losing them—her only family she had left—to the mutants made her confine them to the den.
She slowed and her heart ached. She was restricting them from being kids.
Dane barked at her, drawing her attention. Then he growled. A laugh bubbled up inside her. Her mate didn’t like her mood change. He’d have to deal with it. She was a female and moody.
But he was right, now wasn’t the time to think about all the things she’d failed at in being the twins’ guardian. She’d fix it. They could be a happy family again. She would make sure of it.
* * *
About an hour later, Jasmine and Dane stood under the hot sprays of her shower. She was still shivering from being out in the snow. Dane circled her with his arms and held her under the water.
“I can’t remember the last time I ran like that.” She pressed her cold nose against his chest, which made him jerk and grunt at her.
“Me neither. We should take the boys out next time. But don’t stay out in the snow as long.” Dane kissed her forehead and rubbed her arms. “Are you warming up?”
“Yeah.” She peered into his gaze and gave him a wicked smile. “I know what would heat me up more.”
“Really? And what would that be?” His lips lifted in a sensual grin that made her pussy ache.
“Really.” She gripped his cock and slowing stroked it. A growl-like groan escaped him and he rolled his hips forward, pressing his hard length into her.
His wolf flashed in his eyes and he turned her around so her back was flat against his front. Lifting one of her legs, he entered her with a quick thrust. The sudden invasion stung but she relished in the feel of him filling her.
“Fuck. You feel amazing milking my cock.” He slid a hand down her stomach to finger her clit. Her body jerked as pleasure rolled through her in fiery waves.
Dane rolled his hips, increasing his thrusts. Each forward motion pushed him deeper and deeper, hitting the right spot to send her over the edge. But she held on, not wanting it to end.
She bent forward, giving him better access. Damn, it felt good. Dane felt amazing as he commanded her body to obey him. She wasn’t naturally a submissive wolf, but for him, she’d be anything he wanted as long as he pleasured her.
“I’m going to mark you, let every-fucking-body know who you belong to.”
Fuck, yes. She straightened and turned her head to give him full access to her neck. That was all the permission he needed. He struck, sinking his wolf fangs into her skin. She cried out as pain melted away into pleasure so intense, her orgasm exploded within her.
He slammed into her over and over. Their breaths came in short gasps and pants. Another orgasm was building and she knew she would be able to hold onto that one. Then his body tensed behind her and he tightened his hold her as his hot seed spilled inside her.
After a few seconds, Dane pulled out and grabbed the soap and washed her. She sighed, loving the way he was taking care of her. One of the many perks to having a mate.
She frowned as she pushed away tears before they formed, but there was no hiding her whirl of emotions from Dane. As an empath, he was too in tuned with her and his family.
After they washed and rinsed the soap off, they got out of the shower. Jasmine wrapped herself in a large bath towel. When she reached her bed, Dane asked, “What’s wrong?”
“When my dad died, I was with Mom. She tried to dull her pain from me, but I still felt it.” Jasmine closed her eyes. Her nose tingled as the tears formed. “Then the pain of losing her. It doesn’t go away. You never forget it.”
Dane closed the distance. He took her towel off and dried her skin, then motioned to the bed. She sat and he went to her dresser. “What are you doing?”
“Getting you dressed.”
She laughed. “You don’t need to take care of me.”
“Yes I do.” He pulled out a pair of black lace thongs and tossed them to her. Then the matching bra followed. “You do so much for those boys and the bar and your employees. When do you have time for you?”
“I have about an hour of quiet time before I go to sleep at night. Sometimes I’ll wake up early and enjoy some alone time before the boys get up.”
He dug out a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and moved back to her. “Quiet time is good. But when was the last time you went off and did something completely selfish for yourself. Treat yourself to…whatev
er females do?”
Frowning she thought about it. She was in her teens when she last treated herself to anything. When she turned eighteen, she worked in the bar and learned everything she could about running it. Plus she loved the time she spent with her mom by working beside her every day.
Dane lifted her chin. “Mom didn’t have time or the ability to block Hayden, Tanner, and me from the impact of killing Royce. We all felt it. Her pain as their souls ripped apart when she drove the knife into his heart. The rage Mom felt as she did it.”
Jasmine gasped. She knew Luna had killed her mate to protect the Pack and her boys, but never knew the details of it. Glancing at Dane’s fisted hands, Jasmine wrapped hers around his and brought them to her lips. “Does it scare you that we’ll end up feeling that pain?”
He sank to his knees so they were eye to eye. “Every fucking day. But I’d rather have a bond with you and feel you alive inside me so I know you are safe than to lose you before that happens.”
Damn. He sure makes it hard to deny him. Why was she?
Before she could say anything, he kissed her softly. “Get dress, I’ll cook dinner then we’ll watch a movie with the boys.”
He stood and slide his jeans on then left her room. He had stolen her heart a long time ago. It was time she admitted it to herself and be an adult about it. And claim her mate.
Chapter Eight
Luna sank into her oversized beanbag, a book in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. The house was so quiet and had been since her boys moved out. Tanner still lived with her, but he wasn’t home much. He usually hung out with Kirk or was patrolling the perimeter of Ashwood territory with a couple of other sentries. Lately, he’d been working with Jonathan, the newest member of the Pack.
She sensed something more than a friendship starting between the males, but she didn’t ask questions. The relationship would blossom on its own time.
Dane was with Jasmine, which made Luna happy. Jasmine was a good mate for her son. Just like Christa was for Hayden.