I woke up gripping one of my pillows, wishing it was Jade. I reminded myself that I would see her soon and that was enough to make me get up and get dressed. I sat down to breakfast and Andre joined not too long after. When we finished we set out for school. We were almost there when Andre's opinion on whether metal or wood arrows were best was interrupted by Jade's pack. Hector grabbed me around the middle and tossed me to Mike who held me so that Ryan could give me a noogie. Charlotte came to my rescue, shoving them away to take my hand and lead me back to Andre who stood stunned. They were all laughing the whole time and so was I.
"You guys are ridiculous," I said, fixing my windswept hair. Ryan draped an arm over my shoulder casually.
"But that's why you like us," he told me. I elbowed him in the ribs and he let me go to shrink away in mock pain.
"Jade told us what happened so we're here to strengthen protection," Charlotte told me with a smile.
"Yeah, congratulations are in order," Mike spoke up.
"You have officially removed the stick up our dear leader's ass and she is oh so relaxed for obvious reasons," Ryan said with an eyebrow wiggle. I blushed and smacked his shoulder just as Hector smacked the back of his head.
"Don't ruin the moment for them, Ry," Mike chided. Hector and Charlotte nodded their agreement.
"Oh, nothing could ruin that moment. Believe me," I told them. Andre blushed this time and excused himself, having a hard time talking since he was so flustered. Ryan whooped and cheered, Charlotte rolled her eyes but smiled, Mike laughed, and Hector shook his head but smiled too.
"I would have to agree with you on that," Jade stated calmly, making us all jump at her unexpected arrival. We had just entered the school gates when she strode up to kiss my cheek and then brush her nose with mine. She took my hand in hers as soon as she could.
"Charlie, status report," Jade commanded playfully.
"Your brother mentioned your mating in a lewd manner," she promptly reported. Jade shot a look at Ryan who ducked his head.
"It was just a jo-ow!" he exclaimed when Jade punched him on the arm. Hector snickered.
"Don't make me pop you one too, Hex," she warned, voice still light.
"Oh, you wanna rumble, Lone Wolf? Come at me!" he challenged. Jade laughed and let my hand go to advance on him.
"You're messing with the wrong wolf, pup," she taunted. He jumped at her but she dodged and tackled him to the ground. She held him down easily with his shirt pulled over his head and used to secure his arms while simultaneously blinding him. He struggled and tried to get out using only his legs but Jade had him on his back. For being so tall his size didn't help him overcome his opponent.
"Ok, ok! I give!" he whined, muffled by his shirt. Jade dropped him and he untangled himself.
"It looks like I can only trust you and Charlie, huh Mikey?" Jade said, glancing at the two relatively behaved ones of the pack. Hector might be quiet and serious at times but he had a slyness to him that got him into trouble when paired with Ryan's antics. When that happened Charlotte and Mike teamed up to keep them in place. They worked well together. Mike shrugged but nodded.
"More often than not, yeah," he agreed. Jade walked back over to take my hand like the little scuffle hadn't happened. It was cute to see Jade interact with them.
"What are you smiling about?" she questioned me.
"You're so cute," I answered simply, tapping her on the nose. She snapped at my finger playfully with a growl.
"Of course you would say that," she said with an eye roll. I laughed and fell into her embrace when her arm wrapped around my waist to bring me into her side. We walked into school like that, with the pack surrounding us, talking about who knew what. They were rarely ever quiet, something I enjoyed. They always gave off a happy and laid back vibe, welcoming me into their pack like I was always one of them. Even before Jade claimed me as her mate I felt like I was right at home with them. The day went pretty fast after that first morning as did the following day since things became routine once again. Each member of the pack plus Andre took turns walking me to class if theirs was close or if we shared. At lunch we all sat together to eat in the field under a big tree with far reaching branches.
I would spend my time after school with the pack or with Andre hunting. There were even a few times I was able to spend with just Jade; watching movies, making out, or just talking while we enjoyed each other's company. In no time at all we had made it to summer vacation with no sign of trouble so I made plans to visit my mom and Trina again. I missed them. Andre would be going with me as always but Jade told me she would be there too, guarding the area. I threw on my red jacket, ready to head out, but before I could go my grandma handed me the crossbow. I held it carefully while she strapped the quiver full of bolts to my back, adjusting it. I sighed and hooked it in place on my back by the quivers once she was done.
"Grandma, how much do you really know about all this?" I finally asked her, needing to know the whole truth. A sad expression crossed her face before answering.
"I've known everything since your father got mixed up in it. We were close. We always were. He told me everything. When he died, I knew I had to be the person you would need to figure all this out. I would be there should it overwhelm you," she explained.
"Then, if you knew, why did you keep warning me about the wolves?" I asked her next.
"I still wasn't sure whether I wanted you getting caught up with them. I was also hoping you would find my warnings odd and ask me so that I could justify letting you know because you asked. I was holding you back from what would eventually happen and I knew it. I should have just told you. It's not like I could stop it by keeping you away. Instead, Jade filled you in, which I'm thankful for because in the end I'm not sure I would have made the decision to," she answered honestly.
"Did you know Jade was my protector all this time?" I inquired curiously.
"Your what?" she responded.
"I'll take that as a no," I said.
"I only knew about your father saving the wolf leader, the deal, and the wolf leader trying to keep you, your sister, and your mother safe. What's this about Jade being your protector?" she asked me.
"Her father, her foster father, gave her the task of watching over me to keep me safe. It's the main reason we became close so fast. She already cared for me for so long it felt natural to her. It's also why I never really felt in danger when I first saw her because I remember meeting her a few times when I was younger," I told her.
"Hmm, it would seem the young West isn't at all like her parents," she mused. Something in her tone sounded like she was finally convinced and it made me happy to hear it.
"Not at all. She was raised by a very caring man," I agreed.
"Then I trust she and Andre will keep you well protected. Be careful and return safely," she said in farewell, pulling me into a hug. I hugged her back and then picked up my bag to head outside. Andre stood perched on the railing of the patio.
"Ready to go, chica?" he asked me. I nodded and he picked up his own bag. We headed down the well-worn path and began our long journey to the small village I had called home for so long. When we settled in for the night we sometimes caught the sounds of Jade circling our camp. There was also growls and scuffling too. During the whole trip I worried for Jade more than what could happen to me. Andre spent it with his bow in hand, ready to shoot at the first sign of danger. Jade only showed herself once, letting me pet her soft fur as I entered the village. She licked my palm and then took off to keep watch, a blur of light grey and black spattered fur following her. It looked like she had help. That made me feel better. That was almost instantly wiped away when halfway through the visit Beck stopped by. He was all smiles and chivalry until I saw him sniff out the house. His dark eyes landed on me and he bared his teeth, no doubt realizing that I was taken. He openly glared at me the whole time he was there and I returned it with a smug smile. I wasn't going to let him intimidate me. Just to irk me, he fought dirty. Literally. He kissed Trina in a way that would only be acceptable behind closed doors, and always when I was around.
His hands touched her, his words making her blush. He did all this behind our mother's back as she yapped away, none the wiser. My teeth ground against each other in anger. How dare he treat my sister that way! He knew he was getting to me too because he didn't stop. Once he was gone I was much less on edge. I hardly got sleep that night and woke up to sounds I really could have lived my whole life without hearing. Right next to my room was Trina's room. Currently, her headboard was banging into my wall. Her moans and Beck's forceful grunts made me want to hurl. I shuddered, disturbed, and rushed to get dressed so I could get some air. I should have known he would play that card since he couldn't really have me. He had no choice, but that didn't make me feel any better. Hopefully he didn't claim her because then there would still be a chance for Trina to avoid having to be his mate forever. I walked outside to sit in my favorite spot, the patch of grass by the well. I rested against the cool stone and closed my eyes. A pained whistling whine made me jump to my feet. I turned towards the sound. A black wolf I knew at once stumbled from the foliage, wounded and bleeding. She was barely able to take a step.
"Jade!" I gasped in alarm. I ran across the dirt road to get to her when I heard my mom shout at me as she stepped outside.
"Tori! Don't go near that thing!" she yelled in fear. I ignored her and fell beside Jade who was having trouble standing. Her ears were down and she was still whining. I placed my hands under her muzzle to make her look me in the eyes.
"Jade, stay with me. You need to turn back so we can help you, ok?" I told her. I heard people running toward me but I kept my attention on Jade. She laid down heavily and then in seconds she was curled up on the ground in her human form. My eyes took in the uncovered injuries and I almost fainted at the sight of her. She was bitten and clawed up. Bruises colored her skin and her wrist was broken. It explained the limp and raised paw when she was trying to walk. I set a hand on her side.
"Oh my god," I whispered. I hurriedly pulled off my red jacket and draped it over her just as Andre came to kneel next to me, followed by my mom. She gasped and held a hand to her mouth.
"Geez Jade, what happened?" Andre asked her. She opened her eyes to glare at him.
"They tried to get to you guys. Beck ordered them to after he found out…" she panted, stopping to cough. Her body convulsed and I rubbed her back in an effort to comfort her.
"Ok, let's get her inside. She just needs to rest and she'll be better," Andre spoke up. I nodded and helped him carry her. My mom had no idea what was going on but she helpfully lent a hand without question. As soon as I cleaned Jade up and got her settled in my bed she was mostly healed. I sat next to her, unwilling to leave her side. The others left us alone. Andre was probably keeping them from interrupting or interrogating us. I watched Jade sleep peacefully, occasionally stroking her cheek or running a finger down her nose or just holding her hand. I had to be in contact with her no matter what. Hours later when I was close to falling asleep myself she woke up abruptly, sitting up with a growl and pinning me to the bed.
"Ow, Jade, it's me!" I yelled, trying to pull my arm out of her grasp. She had pulled them behind me and pressed my face into the mattress so that I was trapped on my stomach.
"Oh, I'm sorry. The last thing I clearly remember was fighting," she apologized, helping me back up. She sat down and glanced at her surroundings then down at the baggy clothes she wore. She couldn't fit my old clothes and I only brought so much clothes myself so she was currently wearing my father's old clothes.
"Am I in your old room?" she asked me, her voice rough and oddly blank. It was like she was still half asleep.
"Yeah. You must have really gotten hurt. You don't remember me finding you injured on the side of the road and bringing you in?" I asked her. She looked at me and then shook her head.
"You haven't been beaten up so severely that you forgot who I am, right?" I asked her next, sort of teasing her but also making sure she hadn't. She frowned and smacked my arm which made me flinch.
"I was just kidding," I grumbled, rubbing my arm. She smiled and pulled me into a kiss.
"Sure," she said when she pulled away. She got out of bed and began to stretch.
"Beck's here," I informed her, bitterness in my tone.
"I know. I can smell him," she replied evenly.
"Please don't break into a fight in my mom's house," I warned her.
"Of course not. We're getting the hell out of here as soon as possible. If he was already willing to attack so soon we might have a fight on our hands once we start back home," she reasoned. I went rigid at that. She seemed to sense my unease because she returned to me, crawling over the bed to pull me into her arms.
"Don't worry, Tori. I'll protect you. He won't touch you," she promised me, holding me close. I nodded and tucked my head under hers. I could smell a hint of my father's cologne in the clothes and it was oddly comforting when it mixed with Jade's scent.
"I know," I answered. When I was sure I had my fear under control I packed up and met with Andre in the living room. Jade tagged along with her hands in the pockets of the rolled up pants. Andre smiled at her appearance.
"That is so you, Jade," he commented.
"I know, right?" she replied, tossing her messy locks over her shoulder to strike a pose. I laughed and followed Andre out after I exchanged farewells with my family. I could see the way my mother and sister looked at me, wanting answers, but I couldn't provide them right now. I resolved to tell them after the threat had passed. We left my childhood home and took the path leading back to our current home, staying vigilant. It felt two times as dangerous when night fell. Jade stayed stuck to my side by the fire and Andre was asleep nearby while the same light grey and black mixed wolf paced nearby.
"Jade, who's that?" I asked her.
"Hex. He volunteered to go with me to watch over you and Harris. I made Ry stay home while Mikey. Charlie stayed with Robbie and Cat," Jade answered. I gave her a confused look.
"Who's Robbie and Cat?" I asked her next. The latter was a name I felt familiar with.
"Robbie and Cat are the only other mated wolves in our pack, although I have a good feeling Mikey and Charlie have a thing," she said with a thoughtful tilt of her head. I smiled at that, having the same feeling, but it fell when another question came to me.
"Why haven't I met them before?" I remarked.
"Cat is expecting. It's hard on us when we have pups. We're stuck in our wolf form the moment labor begins to ensure the're infused with the wolf spirit and can shift. Mind you, that could take a whole day to have them. We kept Cat hidden as a safety precaution but now she's ready. We can't miss a chance to make our pack bigger. If the other pack found out they would kill Cat and the pups to keep our numbers down," Jade explained. I stared at her in horror but she only shrugged.
"It's nature. Stuff like that happens," she said in acceptance.
"Still, that's horrible," I muttered.
"It is," she agreed with a nod. We fell quiet, leaning against each other's back. The fire flickered, close to death. Jade moved to get our sleeping arrangement settled then gestured for me to join her. I held her close and was able to sleep knowing Jade was right there next to me. The next morning we ate quickly and started off, anxious to get back. We made it close to home with high hopes that we would make it back without any trouble, but it was short lived. We were hours away from town when Hector was thrown from the bushes to land in front of us. He snarled and got to his feet. Jade instantly reacted, stripping to take her wolf form. I gathered the discarded clothes to shove them in my bag.
"Get going!" she commanded, shifting a second later.
"Come on, let's let them duke it out while we run for safety," Andre urged me with a tug on my arm. I ran after him, leaving behind the sounds of battle with a heavy heart. Jade better get out of there alive. Andre and I got far enough away to lose the sounds of struggle behind us but we were blocked off by a big russet colored wolf with dark, almost black, eyes. It snapped at Andre, who was in front on me, and snarled threateningly.
"Holy hell!" he exclaimed, raising his bow to shooting. The wolf dodged the first arrow and smacked the next right out of the air. Andre didn't give up though. He took aim again when the wolf darted forward and tackled him. I knew he would be torn to shreds in seconds so I pulled the crossbow from my back and fired, even though I was shaking. It was the first time I was shooting to hurt another living thing. It wasn't hunting, it was defense and purposeful killing. The arrow embedded in the wolf's chest and it howled in pain.
That was all Andre needed, an opening. He stabbed the wolf three times before it wisely put distance between them. Andre got to his feet, ready to attack again, when a lithe and light tan colored wolf with a narrow face and familiar green eyes arrived to clasp its jaws around the big dark brown wolf's neck. The smaller wolf twisted its whole body and snapped the neck of the other wolf in the process. It fell to the ground and the light wolf landed to look at us with blood staining its fur. Just being able to stare a little longer gave me the opportunity to study the features of the wolf.
"Charlotte," I greeted. The wolf nodded once and padded over to nudge me forward. I did as she indicated and began towards town again with Andre following behind me. I wondered why Charlotte left her post but had no time to dwell on it when Hector appeared again. Blood streaked his fur and I hoped it wasn't his own. I glanced at him but he was looking across the path at something else. I followed his gaze to see a black wolf with a brown tint to its shaggy fur. Hector snarled and cut across the path just as the other wolf jumped from cover to attack us. They fell into a flurry of snarls and yelps but we continued running. I was slowly running out of steam by now and Andre wasn't far behind.
"T-Tori…keep…going," he panted, running out of breath. I nodded but I was slowing down further. I could see the town just ahead but we had a long way to go still. A sharp bark cut through the air and then Andre wasn't running beside me anymore. A pure white wolf snagged him, teeth cutting into his middle and tossing him aside. I skid to a halt.
"Andre!" I screamed in panic. The white wolf looked at me. The hazel eyes seemed to gleam as it stalked me. With a well-placed leap it knocked me to the ground. I struggled to get the crossbow but it quickly disarmed me. Its fore paws held me down by the shoulders and growled menacingly at me. I closed my eyes in fear, waiting for the killer blow, but instead, I was roughly kissed. My eyes shot back open to see Beck holding me down. His tongue forced entry in my mouth and I gagged. He tasted like blood. I turned my head away and he smirked down at me. I had to keep my thoughts from reminding me that he was naked and that his body was making it very obvious with a certain part of him against me.
"I can smell her on you. You mated with that bitch, but now that I have you right where I want you, I'll make you mine. I'll kill her if I have to in order to keep you for my own," he snarled, his hands moving to yank at my pants. I tried fending him off but he held both my hands down over my head with one hand and continued to strip me of my pants with the other. In his excitement he was already rubbing himself against me. I was silently crying now, hoping somebody, anybody, would stop him in time. Just as his hand was able to slip in my pants he was torn from me by a very furious black wolf. Jade's teeth were firmly embedded in his shoulder. She broke through bone and tore flesh with the amount of pressure she was exerting. He screamed and clawed at her face but she wouldn't let go. With a roar he shifted and she released him so that her jaw wouldn't break from the size that he grew to. She dodged his attempt at tackling her and snapped at him but he sprinted out of the way in time. She charged him and forced him to the ground where dirt was kicked up in the struggle, making it hard to see them properly. I pulled up my pants and buttoned them then hastily got to my feet to find Andre. I knelt next to him when I found him. He was out cold, his side sporting a few large puncture wounds. I threw off my bag and dug in it to retrieve a shirt I could tie around him to stop the blood flow.
"Andre, don't give up on me. Please keep fighting," I hoped under my breath. A high pitched yelp brought my attention back to the fighting wolves behind me. Jade was blocking me from Beck, her legs shaking in an effort to stay standing. She was a mess, as was Beck, but he didn't look like he was having as much trouble. Jade let out a low whine and then collapsed, losing her wolf form. A rumbling growl tore from Beck's throat and then he was running at Jade, mouth open and teeth glistening. He was aiming right for her throat, taking advantage of her loss. I felt power surge in me and the next thing I knew I was growling, the sound reverberating in my chest as my senses heightened. I didn't hesitate. I snatched Andre's hunting knife from his belt, the handle familiar to me from all the times we hunted. I threw myself over Jade and right in the line of fire. Beck's teeth caught my left forearm as I tried to block, tearing into my flesh effortlessly. The pain was unbearable but it didn't stop me.
He had torn apart the wrong arm. I plunged the knife in his neck, pulling back to strike twice more. He landed heavily, yelping and whimpering as he tried to shake me off. I held on with my legs while my other arm was still caught in his jaws. I repeated the action until I caused enough damage to make him collapse on his side. I yanked my arm from his slack jaws and rolled off him just as his body returned to its human form. His glassy gaze stared straight ahead, his neck a mess of gore. I stood above him with the bloody knife still in my grasp. I couldn't believe what I had done. He was a bad guy. He tried to rape me. He tried to kill Jade, the love of my life. But it still devastated me when I realized I killed someone. I dropped the blade and fell to my knees as I began to hyperventilate. That power I had felt rushed out of me. I closed my eyes to block out the sight and let out a sob, my tears falling fast. What had I done? There was no other way to save Jade, so why did it still hurt to kill him?
"Tori," I heard Jade call to me. A moment later she was pulling me off the ground and holding me in her arms. She soothed me with a hand on my back and soft words. She told me it would be okay, that I did the right thing, that we would all be okay now. I stopped listening, my mind going blank. I simply let myself get lost in Jade's comfort and then I was blacking out from the stress.
