Jabba’s Journey (Iron Howlers MC #2)

Chapter 5

Chapter Five

Jabba

Her words have me wondering what else is in store for our respective clubs. We’ve already faced Death and beat him, now we’ve gone up against the Red Caps. Is there something coming that has the goddess Luna preparing us for? I need to let Cyrus know so we can begin planning and forming a defensive strategy. The best defense is a good offense and I trust my brothers, as well as Corbin’s club, to ensure that the women and children are safe.

My mind is in turmoil as I wonder if there is greater danger out there than any of us are aware of. It’s like once we discover one thing and solve it, another mystery pops up. Some days, it feels as if we’re fighting an enigma. We can’t protect ourselves against unknown forces if we don’t have any clues about what we’re battling against. There’s a bigger picture, one we aren’t privy to and that has me ready to dig an underground bunker and store the women and children inside of it until we make sure all threats to them have been neutralized.

One thing I know we’ll always take a stance against, and that’s our family being the object of another's malicious intentions. They are to be sheltered and kept safe at all cost, even if that means sacrificing ourselves.

“So, what you’re telling me is your lore is saying we’re a power couple?” I tease, deciding to lighten my thoughts as she now looks worried.

When she giggles, I find myself joining in, the freeing sound drawing me closer to her.

“It sounds funny when you put it like that,” she finally says. “I honestly thought I’d live my life alone, except for Sprinkles, of course.”

“Babe, you may be a cat lady, but you’re nowhere near the place in your life where you should even think you’d spend the rest of your life alone.”

“So, what are we going to do about this mate thing?” she probes, the insecurity in her eyes has me wanting to lift her into my arms and soothe her fears.

“We’re going to take our time and get to know one another first. I’m going to prove to you that you’re mine and I’m yours. By the time I’m done, you’ll never doubt what you mean to me,” I decree.

“You sure your wolf will be patient enough to give me time to wrap my head around this, Jabba?”

“He’s not going to have a choice. We’re both on the same page when it comes to you, Electra. Your happiness and comfort are our top priority.”

Her arousal flares and it takes everything in me not to cross the room, take her into my arms and make her mine. She’s still injured, and I have no desire to add to her pain since the mating dance isn’t gentle by any means.

“Can I leave the room?” she asks.

“Absolutely, let’s go down to the common room for a change of scenery,” I say, standing up and moving toward the bed to grab the tray.

She grins at me as I help her stand, needing to at least touch her. We talk about inconsequential things as I take her downstairs to the common room, then through to the kitchen so I can take care of her tray.

“Electra!” Jazzy exclaims, running through the back door into the kitchen. “Uncle Jabba!”

I swing her up into my arms and nuzzle her neck as she giggles. “What are you doing, pretty girl?” I ask, finally setting her back on her feet.

“Big Daddy brought me and Sage over for dinner!”

My brow raises knowing that Corbin and Karsyn are coming too. I briefly wonder if any of the other brothers from the Spiked Raiders will be here as well and decide to find Cyrus and ask him. As the enforcer, I need to be aware of any threats to my club, especially since I now have a mate.

Cyrus, why is Corbin coming? I ask through our link. If there’s something I need to know to ensure the safety of the club, tell me.

Listen, fucker, we’re going to meet after dinner. Satisfied? Cyrus’s response is snarky, so I suspect I’ve interrupted my brother.

Snickering, I nod, then decide to tell him I have something to share of my own. Electra mentioned something that I think is worth all of us knowing, Pres.

What is it? His response is quick, and his tone has gone serious.

I’ll tell both of you when we meet. No sense repeating myself.

I can command you to tell me, he threatens.

Yeah, you can, but it doesn’t change anything. I hate telling stuff more than once and you know it. Now leave me be, I’m entertaining your daughter right now. Don’t you have a mate to bother?

I can’t help the chuff of laughter that bursts out of me at his growl through our line. Looking at Jazzy, I ask, “How about some ice cream? Dinner’s a long way off.”

“Oh, yes,” Jazzy gushes. “Do you like ice cream, Electra? Me and Sage like the three flavor one with chocolate syrup and sprinkles.”

Electra looks confused so I lean in and whisper, “Neapolitan. Chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry infused.”

“Ah, gotcha. Yeah, Jazzy, I love ice cream,” she says. “Now, how about you girls show me where the spoons are while your Uncle Jabba gets the bowls, scooper, and topping stuff. We’ll have an ice cream party!”

“Harmony, you outdid yourself tonight,” I say, patting my flat belly. If my metabolism wasn’t so fast acting, I’d worry about being sucked into a food coma.

As shifters, we have high metabolisms, so we need a lot of protein to keep us fit. Harmony put on several crockpots full of roasts that she then shredded, so we had pulled pork and pulled beef sandwiches, along with all the trimmings. Corn on the cob, coleslaw, baked beans, and thick steak fries. As I scan the room, I notice all of my brothers are lounged back in their seats, satisfied smiles spread across their faces. We’re spoiled sons of bitches, and not a single one of us will deny that fact. It’s why Harmony is treated like a queen around here.

“We’ll clean up, I know you guys need to go talk in your bat cave,” Harmony teases as she and the rest of the women rise from their seats and begin collecting plates and utensils. Electra shifts her eyes in my direction and a shy smile is displayed on her face as she gets out of her chair and joins the rest of the women. I’m glad to see she’s pitching in; it’ll go a long way with the women in the club and accepting her as one of them.

“Den, woman. We’re fucking wolves, not some stupid superhero,” Cyrus rumbles, giving her a narrow-eyed look. He may sound like he’s angry, but I see the twinkle in his eyes and know this is something they must frequently talk about between themselves.

Longing hits; I can’t wait to have those inside jokes with Electra and be able to know what she’s thinking and feeling once our mate bond solidifies and clicks into place. I stand and follow Cyrus, Corbin, Big Daddy, Bandit, Justice, and Abel into our meeting room. Once the door’s closed and we’re all seated, Cyrus looks at me and demands, “Talk, fucker.”

I barely resist the urge to roll my eyes, not wanting to disrespect my president in front of another club. They may be allies, but I won’t do that to Cyrus especially since their reconciliation is so new. Respect and trust are still being earned on both sides and Cyrus would have my ass if they thought for even a second that he doesn’t have command over his men. It’d make him look weak and inferior. Considering he’s not only my pres but a man I look up to, I’d never put him in a position where he’d have to defend his right to hold the mantle.

“I told Electra that she’s my mate,” I say, which elicits a few gasps. “She told me that her grimoire has written legends that say the strongest coupling stems from a witch and shifter relationship. According to her grandmother, the lore that was passed down through several generations, you will find a large quantity of those relationships in great times of danger. Cyrus, this will make the third such mating between the two clubs once she and I complete the mating bond.”

“Fuck,” Cyrus hisses, while Corbin glares. At least we all know his ire isn’t aimed at us, it's directed toward whatever entity is testing us. We’re practically being forced to go to war to defend our people as well as the innocent humans that have no clue shifters and witches walk amongst them.

“What the fuck else could possibly be coming?” Big Daddy asks, banging his meaty fists on the top of the table. “We’ve dealt with Death, and while the Red Caps are obviously still out there, we got the club girls back plus Jabba found a mate.”

I notice Cyrus and Corbin exchange a quick look but neither says a word. “Pres?” I ask. “Is there something we need to know?” I point to the Spiked Raider’s SAA. “We can’t keep everyone safe if we don’t know what’s coming.”

“Not gonna lie since you can smell it anyhow,” Cyrus says, “but there is something we know. Unfortunately, we cannot share it with anyone just yet. But we will in due time, when we don’t have any other choice. I need you all to understand but not push us on this. There are lives at stake and we all know that there are times where that has to be a priority. Suffice it to say, we are going to need to fortify the wards around our properties and clubhouses. Plus, none of the women or the two girls are to go anywhere by themselves. At minimum, they need to have two brothers with them at all times.”

My body stiffens at his words. I trust him implicitly so while I want to know what’s coming, I know when the time comes, they’ll tell us what we need to know. The thought of my mate, of Harmony, hell, even Jazzy being in danger? Yeah, I’ll fight to the last breath to ensure they’re unharmed. I know that Abel will do the same for Corbin’s club.

“Does she have any other information in that book of hers?” Big Daddy asks. Then he looks at Cyrus and Corbin and continues. “Thinking that with three witches, they’ll possibly have some of the answers you’re seeking, don’t you?”

“Yeah, Harmony and Karsyn both have been scouring their books,” Cyrus admits.

Sighing, I confess, “Whatever is heading our way, the women are going to be a key component. They’re crucial to keeping our people safe and our secret from being exposed to the masses. This is just me thinking out loud, but it’s what my gut is telling me.”

“With everything we’ve been through, we need to listen to our intuitions and not ignore anything. I’m not saying you're right or wrong, but I’ve had a few instincts rise to the surface as well. I’ll get with Harmony and share what you’ve said and tell her what I’ve been thinking. As intuitive as she is, it may lead her in a direction none of us have contemplated. I hope for all of our sakes that we’re going down the wrong path,” Cyrus explains.

“Electra may be new to the club and the way our brotherhood works, but I’ll speak with her too and see if she has anything to add. It may take someone on the outside to see what’s happening within,” I offer.