Chapter 10 #2
We stared in awe as Jennaveve ran her hand over the elevated leg. A slight glow from her hands went into the wound, then flowed up through the veins. Within minutes, Jared’s fevered eyes opened, no longer glassy.
“Son of a bitch. I feel like I just got tackled,” he groaned.
Irene let out a hiccupping cry. “How do you feel?”
The angry redness was almost completely gone. “Other than weak, I no longer fear I’m leaving my two best girls.” Jared met my eyes, then looked away. “You’re like me.” It was a statement.
Nodding, I waited for the Fey to finish before I moved. Whatever she was doing to heal Jared was working.
“Alright, that’ll do it. I left the outer injury for looks.
You know, humans get all weirded out when something mysterious happens.
Request to be let out and sign one of those against doc orders thingies.
You’ll be just fine in a day or so. Rest and relaxation are just what the Fey orders.
I’m the Fey, by the way.” She clapped her hands, then dusted them on her black leggings.
“Mommy, where are her wings?” Irene put her hand over Dakota’s mouth.
Jennaveve raised her hands. “That is what I asked. I mean, seriously. I should have sparkly wings and fairy dust. But nope. Didn’t get them.” She shrugged her shoulders, turning back to Laikyn and me. “You ready to blow this popcorn stand or what?”
“I need to speak with Jared. If you and Laikyn would like to wait by the door.” I pointed toward the entrance, knowing my mate would understand my need to get pertinent info from the family.
“Man, if you are going to threaten me and mine, I’ll tell you right now you’re barking up the wrong tree,” Jared growled, his eyes trying to stay focused.
I instantly liked the younger man. “No, I’m not. However, I would like to extend a bit of help and knowledge to you.”
Jared shook his head. “I don’t need it. I haven’t shifted since I was a kid, and I don’t plan to do it anytime soon.” Finality rang out.
Although I couldn’t fathom not shifting, the amount of willpower it took to suppress your wolf had to be great. “If you change your mind and want to meet others of your kind, we are more than a pack. We’re family. You, my friend, are family. Even if you don’t acknowledge it.” I nodded at Dakota.
“Thank you for the offer.” Jared held his hand out to Irene.
Grabbing my wallet out of my back pocket, I pulled out my card with the Iron Wolves logo on it.
I looked around for a pen, then smiled as Laikyn placed one from her bag in my hand.
“Thank you,” I said, giving her a quick kiss.
Quickly, I added my cell to the card. “This is the number to the shop and my cell. If you need anything or want to find out more, give me a call. If I’m not available, ask for Xan. He’s my second.”
Jared took the card, looking at the four claws raking down the front and the stylized wording, then back at me. “Thank you for coming and being cool to my family. Jennaveve, thank you for saving my life.”
The little Fey came back to the bed. “Aw, Wolfman, you should stop suppressing your beast. He’s not happy, and neither is the one inside your little one, or the little one inside your mate.”
Irene gasped, her hand going to her tummy. “How did you know?”
Jennaveve smiled. “I know because I’m smart like that.” Her laugh was infectious, but not to the trio that had stunned looks.
I understood. “Like I said. If you change your mind, give me a holler. Dakota, it was nice meeting you and your mama. Take care of her and your daddy.” I ruffled the blonde hair on the little girl’s head.
“You’re a good man. Just like my daddy,” she made a little woof sound that had the adults smiling.
Spinning, I grabbed Laikyn around the waist. “Let’s get the hell out of here.” My blue eyes sparkled.
“Really, Kellen, what is going on?” Laikyn asked as I pulled the door open, steering us out of the room.
“We need to leave.” I wasn’t ready to hear kids say I was a good man. Hell, I was so far from good.
Jennaveve followed behind us. “I call shotgun.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “How exactly did you get here?”
“Ancient secret. If I tell you, I’d have to…” She made a slicing motion across her throat, then giggled like a loon. “You can ride with us, but you’re in the backseat. No arguments.”
The crazy thing saluted me, clicking her heels together like she was a soldier. “Yes, Sir, Alpha Sir.”
“I’m being punished, aren’t I?” I looked into the green eyes of my mate and wished we were alone.
“Just remember what happens to good boys.” She pressed up against me.
“I’m right here, folks. No sex talk. It makes me all freaked out. You do not want a freaked-out Fey on your hands.” She shuddered.
I looked up. “Whatcha looking for?” Jennaveve asked.
“Men in white coats to swoop in and take you away.” I looked around as we waited for the elevator to arrive.
“Never fear. I am not crazy. Well, crazy is as crazy does. Isn’t that how the saying goes?”
My mate burst out laughing. The tiny blonde who couldn’t be more than five two or five feet three inches tall, looked totally serious. “I have a saying, and it goes something like,” I paused for a second, “don’t feed the crazy.”
Laikyn, looking horrified, stared at the Fey who began laughing. “I do believe we are going to get along famously. Yep, just like two pickles in a jar, you and I.” Jennaveve winked.
“I think you mean two peas in a pod,” Laikyn corrected.
Jennaveve shook her head. “Nope. I don’t really like peas. Those little green suckers are nasty. Now, pickles are delicious.” She smacked her lips together.
I decided to keep quiet. We made it back out to my vehicle without incident, with Jennaveve asking Laikyn a shitton of questions that I’d zoned out.
I’d been inside Jared’s head and was able to extract his information even though some would say it was wrong.
Being the Alpha, I had to put my pack first. An unknown shifter could be problematic for my kind.
I wondered what the medical records said about his blood work.
“Don’t worry about that,” Jennaveve said.
My hackles rose. “Get out of my head,” I growled.
The little sprite shrugged. “Build better walls. I’ll show you how to do that as well. You have a great start. As does your mate. But against what is to come, you’ll need better. Where is this vehicle of yours?” She yawned.
I ground my teeth. “How exactly are you going to show my entire pack?”
With a wave, she gave a smile. “I will tell you once you get me to your home. Now, I am tired. Do you know how much energy it takes to travel the way I did?”
Hell! She hadn’t told me how she’d gotten there in the first place, so I didn’t know shit, which pissed me the fuck off. A bit of knowledge she clearly knew.
“You Alphas are all the same. It’s so easy to tease you. Well, would you look at that. Can I drive?” The Fey skipped to my XV.
Laikyn placed her palm on my arm. “I think she’s adorable. Besides, we need all the help we can get.”
My mind went back to the night the fog had surrounded us. “I see your point.” And I did.
Like a gentleman, I opened the back door for Jennaveve, a clear indication that she was not driving my rig nor would she be riding up front.
Jenna patted my chest like she knew exactly what I was doing.
A tinkling laugh floated out of the vehicle before I shut the door and looked up at the clear blue sky.
I opened Laikyn’s door, helping her in before striding around the front to get in myself, praying for patience.
“Such a gentleman you are, Kellen Styles.”
“Thank you. Would you like me to stop and grab you a bite to eat on the way back?”
“Nope. I’m going to rest my eyes. You may drive.” Again, she waved her hand, but I forced my jaw to relax, figuring I’d need my back teeth to tear into whatever animal I tracked down and killed in my wolf form.
Laikyn reached over the console, her small hand settled on my thigh, making the muscles jump. “I’ll make sure you get a massage when we are alone.”
“I just threw up a little in my mouth,” Jennaveve muttered.
I lost my battle to keep from grinding my molars. It was going to be the longest couple of days, I was sure.