“I never thought I’d say this, but- it’s good to be home.” Jasper looked down at me with a satisfied grin.
“I never thought I’d hear you say that.” I chuckled with disbelief.
“Well, now you're stuck with me.” He leaned down to whisper huskily in my ear making a shiver run down my spine.
“Good.” I bit my lip to contain the pleasure I felt.
“Sophia!” Ben’s voice rang through the busy airport the instant we stepped through the sliding doors into arrivals.
“Ben?” gasped in astonishment when his long arms engulfed my tiny body.
&n
“I guess that’s what you meant by my ‘Goddess voice’ I joked when Jasper came to stand beside me on the porch. After my lecture, I’d walked out of the house in an attempt to calm down and when I finally felt my senses return it occurred to me what Jasper meant.“Yep. Though I’m sure what makes it even scarier is when your eyes turn white. It’s like you have the ability to look into a person’s soul with those eyes.” He gave me a one-sided shrug.“My eyes turn white?” That much I hadn’t realised, my vision hadn’t felt any difference.“Yeah, it happened at the Temple and the Monastery too.” He revealed and I nodded slowly, taking in all the changes I hadn’t ev
“Jasper, where are you taking me?” I whined, taking careful steps through the woods with Jasper’s arm clutched tightly in my hands, in fact, I’m pretty sure my nails were digging into his flesh, but he didn’t complain.“Relax, I won’t let you fall.” He chuckled softly.“Why don’t you wear the blindfold and I’ll lead you through the dark forest?” I sassed.Some may argue that I’m a werewolf with heightened senses that’s been through all kinds of training for conditions like this, but my senses were clouded around him, something he either didn’t get or he skillfully ignored.“Luckily we don’t have to
The tension that sizzled between Jasper and I left a trail of excitement, longing and disappointment in my body.Excitement, because I had spent the better part of the last few days imagining and dreaming about how it would feel to have Jasper’s lips on mine and his hands roaming my body. Longing, because it had been days since we marked each other and the flame that was lit inside me burned like a slow and steady flame, never getting to experience the true meaning of being a fire. Disappointment, because even after everything that’s changed between Jasper and I, even after the moments between us turned sweet, all I had to look forward to was the feeling of his hand in mine.Much like right now.After dinner, Jasper suggested a walk on the beach
“What’s the emergency, what’s going on?” I burst into the Alpha house where every high-ranked member of the pack was gathered along with the honour race. “Please tell me you have the Moon Talisman with you?” Jasper asked and my face blanched. “I- I don’t.” I stuttered, blinking up at him. “I was with Susie. Jasper, where’s the Moonstone?” I asked, looking around the room filled with pale faces and horror-filled eyes. “Sophia-” Alpha Devin started and it was the first time I noticed that Alpha Allison wasn’t present in the room. “Where’s Alpha Allison?” I asked, looking around to see if she was somehow lost in the crowd. “Sophia there’s been a border breach.” Jasper stepped forward and my breathing hitched at the grave look on his face. “Where’s Alpha Allison, Jasper?” I croaked, feeling my throat clogging up with panic. “She’s fine, she’s resting upstairs.” He assured me, taking my hand in his and I released a heavy breath and nodded for him to continue, “There was a border brea
I studied the broken safe with a clenched jaw, something about the way the lock looked melted on the inside made no sense, especially since it was hardened steel.“Any idea how he did this?” Beta Jacob looked at Alpha Devin with his arms crossed over his chest and a frown set between his eyes.“Your guess is as good as mine.” Alpha Devin sighed, running a hand through his hair looking resigned.“I’ve never seen anything like this before,” Jasper muttered, shaking his head.A knock on the door of the office gained all our attention, “Excuse me Alpha, Alpha Allison is awake.” The nurse from earlier announced which made us all spring into act
“Fia?” Jasper knocked on the door, pushing it open.“Hey.” I sighed and sat up on the bed.“You okay?” He took a seat on the edge of the bed and stroked my cheek with his knuckles.Seeing the concern on his features the back of my eyes burned with pent-up emotion.“No, not really.” I shook my head, wishing away the tears that were already pooling in my eyes.“Come here.” He scooted closer, gathering me in his arms.“I don’t even know why I’m crying, it’s not going to change anything.&rd
“We are aware that Alpha Allison with the assistance of Alpha Devin can control the element water and Jasper has the ability to conjure fire. This leaves us with Maria and Marcel.” I looked expectantly at the two patrons, halting my pacing.The five of them stood in a line at the back of the Alpha house as I’d instructed them when I summoned them.Marcel looked at me with doubtful eyes, “I don’t think I have the power to control any of the elements.”“You look like an earth-type of guy,” I smirked, looking at the tattoo of the phoenix on his arm.“How do you figure?” He gave me a funny look, glancing at his own arm.&nb
My face heated as eyes followed us as we walked through the pack training grounds, but what really made me uncomfortable was the wide-eyed whispers as pack members gossiped amongst themselves, foolishly thinking we couldn’t hear them. “Everyone’s staring at us.” I grimaced and looked up at Jasper who strolled beside me without a care in the world. “No, they’re staring at you.” He shrugged, sending me a wink in a failed attempt to be romantic. I cringed, “That’s a terrible thing to say.” I grumbled, shaking off his hand and sped up till I was standing beside Marcel. “Sophia-” Jasper called behind me, but I was too annoyed to care. I was already self-conscious then he had to go say that and make it worse. “Hey, you two,” Susie smirked when she saw us and I groaned aloud. “Not you too!” I complained and instantly regretted it when my outburst drew even more attention to me. “What? Everyone was wondering when the two of you would seal the deal, is it really our fault for being
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