**Elliott POV**“Well, your mother said Jade is a natural leader, but I’d expect as much given her lineage, “my father smiled fondly as he talked about my mate. “She said they were rapping up the first day of training so far and they’d meet us on the balcony whenever we’re ready to wrap things up here.”I looked down at the map of silver moon one more time. I know Mystic Moon was somewhere in the woods right on the border of our packlands. I remember it being only about a 30-minute drive there. I’d tried to draw a reasonable search perimeter to start with. Maybe we’d get lucky and somehow stumble upon Mystic Moon if we were able to unlock some of Jade’s memories. It was worth a shot.I was feeling uneasy about the prospect of my brother finding that my mate had in fact been manipulated by dark magic. I worried about what would happen if there was no way to undo the damage and how I could possibly console her if she was going to have to accept that all her memories of her parents were
**Jasper POV**I’d been staring at the same spreadsheet for what felt like hours, and it still didn’t make any sense. Nothing did make any sense, not since we went to river bed. I hated to think that. I hated to be thinking that my best friend—my brother’s— mate was the cause of all this chaos happening inside of me now.I haven’t been able to place how I’ve felt about Jade or even Emma for that matter since we’d put them in the car to come home. Something about both of their scents made me feel like I knew them somehow, but I couldn’t place it. I’d been to river bed several times in my adult life, but it was usually just for conferences or meetings. I hardly ever interacted with anyone besides the person we’d specifically come there to see, so I couldn’t have met them in passing or anything. Elliott usually made sure our meetings were as brief as possible as soon as the alpha’s daughter began to take a liking to him.Cleo had seemed so taken with the girls that I didn’t want to burde
**Jade POV**William and Vera decided it was probably best for everyone to have a little time to take a break and process things, Vera and I promised each other to have some more training tomorrow over breakfast before Juliet arrived. I hated to say it because I’d enjoyed my time with everyone so far, but I was somewhat relieved to be alone with just Elliott for the first time in over 24 hours. My heat had already begun to taper off this morning, so I knew I was capable of being rational about discussing our situation.“So,” I started, looking across the table at Elliott, who was taking a sip of his beer. “I feel like we should mate soon.” I somewhat mumbled, and Elliott put his beer down immediately.“Baby, we have plenty of time to mate. There’s no reason to rush things.” I was comforted by his level-headedness, but I did feel like there was a reason.“Elliott, what have we all been talking about the last hour?” I said trying my best not to sound irritable. “We have so much on our p
**Elliott POV**“I was ready for you then, and I’m ready for you now.” Jade leaned in to kiss me, only making matters worse since she was already straddling me.“Careful, baby. I’m already prepared for round 2 and I don’t want you to overdo it.” I was worried about hurting her. I wanted her more than I could ever say, but I didn’t want her to make herself too sore for drinks later tonight. I was afraid I’d get too into it like I did before, I hadn’t had sex with any virgins before her, but I knew from Jasper that Cleo had been really tired and sore after their first time.“If you think you’re ready for round 2, you’re already behind me because I was hoping for round 2 and 3.” Jade licked my marking spot, immediately taking away any self-control left in me. It was clear that her drive was definitely that of an alpha, in which case we were evenly matched. And who cared if we missed drinks? It was only a few pressing matters, none more pressing than my mate’s soapy breasts just in front
**Jade POV**I stood in front of my closet, bewildered and consumed with anxiety. What were future lunas supposed to wear when they were meeting their future brother-in-law for the first time? Was it even worth the effort? Would he already hate me for making him come home early from school? I was getting closer and closer to an all-out panic attack by the second.I took a deep breath and managed to pick out a pair of loose-fitting light brown slacks, a dark green turtleneck, and a plaid vest. I chose a pair of dark brown loafers with a small heel on them, and looked myself over in the mirror. I looked a lot like Elliott, I knew I’d at least not be over or underdressed, but I didn’t know if I’d look too buttoned up and formal. What if Sebastian wanted a fun-loving sister-in-law? This outfit certainly didn’t scream “I’m a good time.”I flitted over to the jewelry box sitting on a shelf in the corner of the closet. I opened it, stunned at how many beautiful pieces the box was filled with
**Victor POV**“Victor! I need you downstairs, the omegas are on strike and refusing to make everyone food. DO SOMETHING! You can’t just hide in your office!” Krista yelled from outside the locked door. I knew she could break it down if she wanted to, I just prayed she was too disgusted with me to try.I’d received a phone call from the elders a few hours ago. I was officially going to face trial for my “crimes” and was now under house arrest. The elders’ warriors had arrived earlier in the day and surrounded the packhouse so I guess you could say I’d seen it coming. They’d called me as a courtesy, and to explain that the trial would be some time in the next few weeks. They’d let me know when they had a real date, and they told me not to bother to run. I knew they weren’t kidding; they had the best trackers on their side, I’d never be able to run for long enough to get away from them. Elders were hidden all over the country, even several different committees all over the world. I was
**Elliott POV**I was finally getting around to setting up Emma and Jade’s phones while I waited for the girls to get ready. Cameron had a talent for accidentally breaking his phones, so I knew how to get through the setup process pretty easily. I was waiting for everything to load through one of the steps when Jasper came to sit across the table from me. The bags under his eyes looked darker, like he hadn’t slept in days.“Hey man?” I said as more of a question. He did not look good; I was starting to worry about him.“Oh, hey,” Jasper said, looking up like I’d pulled him out of a deep train of thought.“Get any sleep this afternoon?” I tried to ask casually. Jasper just shook his head. “Are you going to be okay to go to dinner and drinks? You can sit it out, Sebastian would understand if you had to turn in early.”“No, I need to see him,” Jasper said definitively.“Why?”“Because I just need to.” He declared, and I dropped it. I was sure if it were important, he’d tell me. Besides,
**Jade POV**I’d just finished checking on everything in the room when Elliott came up behind me, wrapping his arms around me to reveal a glass of wine. I could tell he was worried we’d all have too much to drink, so I was careful not to take too many big sips. I leaned my head back on his chest, just enjoying the feeling of being held by him. He brushed my hair to the side, so it hung over one shoulder, and he kissed my temple. “You did amazing, sweetheart.” He said gently into my ear, making goosebumps form all over my skin. I fought back a shiver as I could feel his breath so close to my fresh marking spot.I was beginning to get so nervous my stomach was actually starting to hurt when I heard footsteps approaching. William made his way in first, followed by Vera, who had an arm around her. I looked to the side of Vera to see the 3d version of the miniature Elliott I’d seen in all the pictures in his office.“Little brother!” Elliott beamed, pulling me gently behind him. He dropped