“Didn’t think breaking and entering was much your style,” I commented, coming to a stop behind him.
By the tensing of his shoulder, I could tell he was surprised to see me awake, but when Dark turned around, the look on his face was his usual cocky one.
“Moon Goddess! I see you’ve found a way to escape my little prison, I must say I underestimated you.” He smirked cockily.
“You tend to do that a lot so what’s new there?” I shrugged uncaringly.
“So what are you doing here? As you can see I’m standing right before you and well, I doubt you expect the Moon Talisman to be hidden in there after your last endeavour.” I mocked, enjoyi
I didn’t feel my body hit the ground, but when the sensation returned to my fingers and toes and my eyes cracked open all I saw was the orange hues of the twilight sky above me.Chaos had once again ensued around me, in the distance I could see Jasper fighting Dark, but by the sluggish movements, I knew Dark’s power was affecting him.Frozen in my position I watched as Jasper collapsed to his knees, looking completely drained of energy and my heart thumped wildly in my chest. Dark held a dagger over Jasper’s spent body, ready to thrust the silver blade into his chest when a scream bubbles from my chest.“BELEN!” Rage dripped from my tone as my body began to shake violently.
Jasper and I stepped into the office and just like that conversation seized and all eyes turned to us. “What’s going on?” I shifted uncomfortably, feeling vulnerable in just my mate’s thin T-shirt. “Jasper-” Alpha Allison bit the inside of her cheek, glancing at her mate uncertainly, “There’s something you should know.” She hesitated and I felt my mate tense at my side. “What is it?” he questioned emotionlessly. “Alpha Atwater was amongst the Alphas who joined the battle, he arrived at the last minute and there wasn’t enough time to inform you of his arrival before the first group of rogues descended on us.” She dropped the bomb and Jasper’s hand gripped mine tighter. “Okay?” He swallowed thickly and clenched his jaw. “I’m afraid he was badly injured in battle, he’s in surgery as we speak, but the doctors aren’t hopeful. He was stabbed in the spine with a silver blade. If he does survive, there’s a good chance he might be paralysed for the rest of his life.” Her voice remained ca
“I’m sorry Alpha Atwater, but your vertebrae have been too extensively damaged. There’s a chance you may never walk again, even shifting into your wolf will be immensely painful and I’m not sure how this will affect your other form.Luna Atwater along with her two young daughters arrived earlier this morning, around the same time that Alpha Atwater awoke from sedation, he had yet to comment on Jasper’s presence, but at least he wasn’t outwardly hostile.Luna Atwater- whose name I was yet to learn, sobbed tragically at the mention of her mate’s condition.“What ab- about physical therapy?” She begged and I felt my heart constrict.“We
“You good?” I looked up at Jasper strangely, the baffled look on his face was hard to comprehend. “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.” He nodded and pursed his lips before huffing, “I’m surprised, baffled and a little suspicious.” He tilted his head, still looking forward to our path. “Not gonna lie, I’m pretty confused by the turn of events myself. I was expecting a lot more hostility.” I shrugged. “Do you know where his mate and daughters are staying, I’d like to meet them.” He asked. “Yeah, it’s the pack guesthouse near Susie’s house, we can stop by there later, I think they need some rest after the trip and emotional rollercoaster they were thrown onto,” I suggested, pushing open the door to the Alp
“Allison was right, you’re really good with kids.” Halle leaned against the doorframe with a tired smile on her face and I was about to answer when I was cut off by a loud voice. “I can do it myself!” Halle and I shared a look hearing Nathan’s aggravated voice and we both took off in the direction of their bedroom where Jasper was supposed to be helping him settle in after his return from the hospital. “I’m trying to help you, will you stop behaving like a child?” Jasper snapped back. “Oh, now you want to help? What about when I was actually a kid, where were you then?” Nathan’s sarcastic voice met my ears just as Halle pushed open the door. “You know what, Nathan? Whatever.” Jasper threw his hands up in surrender and stumbled backwards before turning around to storm out of the room, barely sparing me a glance. “Nathan…” Halle shook her head at her mate and turned around to run after Jasper. “What?” He looked after her with uncertain eyes. “The day you realise that you weren’t
The four of us stared at Nathan with wide eyes and jaws slackened. “What did you just say?” Jasper leaned forward, disbelief lacing his tone. “I think we should go somewhere a little more private,” Halle suggested, eyeing the curious passersby warily. “You can use my office in the pack house.” Alpha Allison nodded at me and shared a look with Marcel. Jasper and I walked ahead of Halle and Nathan in the wheelchair, neither saying a word, but both eager to hear what the hell was going on. Sure, we weren’t certain what our future held, but that was the last thing I would have thought of. Shutting the door behind them, Jasper turned to Nathan with his arms crossed over his chest and a frown set between his eyes. "Alright, now talk!" he ordered. "Take a seat, Jasper." Nathan tried, but my mate remained standing. "I'm fine, thanks," he responded impatiently. Nathan sighed and looked up at Jasper with serious eyes, "Do you know why Dad tried so hard to get you to train and take on re
Pack members stared at us as we entered the pack behind Nathan and Halle, some stared calculatingly, while others just looked at us in awe.“Is there a reason they’re all staring?” Jasper questioned casually and I’m sure those who were close enough heard him.“We live in the twenty-first century, Jasper. Videos of the battle against Alaster Dark have spread far and wide.” Nathan snarked, not looking back from his wheelchair.“I’m guessing they recognise us as the Honour Race then,” I mumbled.“I hope you guys don’t mind, the pack wanted to throw a small welcome home party for their Alpha and the warriors who fought in the battl
“No! Who the hell does she think she is?” Elizabeth sneered at me and my eyes widened in alarm, her blaring voice carried across the crowded space, gaining the attention of practically every pack member within a two-kilometre radius.“Elizabeth-” I started, but once again she cut me off.“You’re just some nobody that turned out to be Jasper’s mate, you don’t mean anything to this pack and you never will. You have no right to tell me what to do.” She spat and I felt my blood boil.Selene fought for control over my conscious mind, but I resisted, sucking in a calming breath.“Too bad that isn’t your decision to make,” I sta
Jasper dragged me through the forest in the direction of the clearing. “Jas, slow down!” I cried as I giggled uncontrollably, hopping over fallen branches and dodging low branches. “We have to get there before the sun sets!” He proclaimed and all I could do was shake my head. The sun was still quite high in the sky since it was only three in the afternoon. Arriving at the clearing I gasped when my eyes landed on the checkered picnic blanket set up at the base of the large rock. “We’re a bit too big to fit up there anymore.” He pointed to the rock with a grin. “You did all this for me?” My heart melted into a puddle and tears pooled in my eyes. “Of course I did- Baby, why are you crying?” Don’t you like it, we can go somewhere else. I’m sorry, please don’t cry. I’m sorry.” Jasper gathered me in his arms and stroked my hair as I tried to get my emotions under control. “No! No, I love it, I’m just a little emotional, that’s it.” I hiccupped, taking a step back s he could see the sm
I stood awkwardly beside the tiny sofa where Jasper’s large form took up most of the space. Halle and Nathan had welcomed us in when we arrived at their door, but I the tension in our presence was palpable. “How do you feel?” Nathan asked suddenly. “Fine, I guess,” Jasper answered curtly, accepting the cup of coffee Halle offered him. “Have your memories returned?” Nathan shifted uncomfortably in his seat, glancing at me from the corner of his eye. “Some of them. Why are you holed up in this tiny cottage in the middle of nowhere when you have a whole pack house and several guest houses nearby everything? Surely it isn’t easy getting around the forest with that thing.” Jasper motioned to the wheelchair. Nathan’s eyes turned to me with confusion, I could see the question in his eyes. “He doesn’t know,” I stated, not looking at Jasper when his eyes turned to me. “Doesn’t know what?” Jasper narrowed his eyes as he glanced between us. “The pack wants nothing to do with me.” N
“What?” I asked shakily. “I remember your voice.” He stared at me with startled eyes, “I heard you, Sophia.” He scrambled off the bed and shuffled towards me. Jasper took my hands in his, “I heard you asking me to fight.” Jasper ran a hand through his hair while I just stood there, shell-shocked. “Ho- How? You were unconscious.” I croaked, my throat felt like it was closing up. “I don’t know. I don’t know how.” He shook his head gravely. “Do you remember anything else?” I asked hesitantly and Jasper’s eyebrows knitted in concentration. “I- I think I saw you, but it feels like a dream. You were walking towards me- dressed in a purple vest that hugged your figure, and you had a duffle bag over your shoulder. You smiled at me.” He had a faraway look in his eyes and his hands squeezed mine as he recalled the memory. “That was just before-” “-I was stabbed in the back.” He completed my sentence and looked at me with startled eyes. “Do you-?” I couldn't even get the words out,
Jasper sucked in a deep breath when we entered the pack house. It was still early which meant the grounds were practically empty when we made our way over there, but inside, pack members hustled and bustled around getting ready for the day.“I’m right here. Just tell me when you want to leave and we’re out of here.” I squeezed his hand in mine.Jasper had taken the news of his true identity quite well, I knew it was because he hardly understood what his position meant or what he meant to the pack. It’s been a week since he crashed my inauguration ceremony and we’ve made good progress, today was the first day he’d be around so many pack members at once and so far he was doing great as he greeted everyone we passed with a kind smile.
“Ardere…” I reached out shakily, glancing between his troubled eyes and reddened fingers. Ardere’s eyes met mine and for a moment he just stared as I took hesitant steps closer while I felt like my heart would beat out of my chest. “Stop! What are you doing, you could get hurt!” Nathan’s voice travelled through the crowd and Ardere’s eyes widened. He went to pull away, but before his hand was out of reach, I threaded my fingers through his and held on tight. “He wouldn’t hurt me,” I whispered, squeezing his hand in mine as pleasurable tingles spread up my arm from his touch. “My Jasper wouldn’t hurt me.” My vision swam with tears as the truth hit me square in the face. It was him, if there was any doubt before, there wasn’t now. “Jasper?” He questioned shakily. “Yes, it’s you, it’s really you.” I choked on a sob, the relief that spread through my body warmed my heart and for the first time in three months, I smiled a genuine smile, watery but genuine. “I- uh…” He trailed off an
The pack buzzed with excitement as the three of us climbed the stairs, everyone was whispering about the bulky man who walked behind me with confidence radiating from his being.Marcel and Jason took their places behind me as I stood at the podium, “Good evening High Tiders.” I grinned widely. “First, I’d like to thank you all for taking the time to be here tonight. We’ve faced some tough times as a pack, but I’d like to think this is the beginning of a new era.” I looked around at the hopeful faces that stared back at me, pausing a little when I caught sight of Nathan and Halle seated right at the back.“With that, I’d like you all to meet Marcel Miller.” I motioned to him when he stepped up beside me and nodded at the crowd before him, “Marcel was a warri
“Okay, I’ve made sure no one will come back here to clean or look for me today. You can watch TV and play around with my tablet while I’m gone, use the time to try and figure out some of the things you don’t remember, but don’t make a lot of noise please, I don’t want anyone poking around here.” I motioned around the house.“I’ll be back late today, there’s food in the fridge, you can heat it up in the microwave.” I pointed to the appliance behind me and turned back to look him dead in the eye, “You have to stay here, okay? Under no circumstances can anyone find out you’re here, so please just stay hidden and if you hear anything, hide. You can use the tablet to call me on this number if you need something, my number is stored on there.” I tapped the screen where I’d typed out instructions on how to make
“You can wear these for now.” My jaw clenched as I handed him some of Jasper’s clothes.“Thank you.” He took them from me, his fingers brushing mine in the process and without thinking I snatched away my hand like he burned me and his eyes flashed with hurt.“I’m sorry.” I looked down, holding my hand to my chest.“It’s okay.” He flashed me a tight smile and for a moment an awkward silence fell between us.“I’ve uh- been thinking, we need to find you a name, at least till we figure out who you are.” I cringed a little at my own word, hoping he didn’t see how awkward I felt.
My heart thudded wildly in my chest as Selene’s utterance registered in my mind.“Wh- who are you?” I swallowed thickly, reaching behind me to steady myself on the boulder.“I’m sorry for following you, I didn’t mean to scare you.” His soothing baritone voice sent shivers down my spine and tears gathered in my eyes without warning.“No, this can’t be real, I must be dreaming.” I shook my head vigorously and stumbled back into the rock before I spun around and took off in the direction of the High Tide pack.‘This can’t be happening. It’s just a dream.’ I repeated