Chapter 23 - Tara
I wake suddenly.
How is it that I knew Jasper wouldn’t be there? As I open my eyes, adjust to the darkness, and look around the room, I’m not surprised to see that it’s empty.
I yearn for Jasper’s presence, but somehow—perhaps it’s due to the certain coldness in the air—I knew that he’d be gone.
I push my tray of food to the side and slowly get up. My body feels weak, a little achy, but I think that’s only because I’ve been lying down for so long.
It’s strange, I don’t feel injured despite the excruciating pain I was put through.
It was weirdly all so mental. That’s magic for you, I guess.
As I walk to the door and peer through the window of the hut, I realize that there’s one of Jasper’s guards waiting outside.
One of the ones I lent The Alchemist to.
I open the door, and he turns, his face as emotionless as usual.
“Hey,” I whisper, my voice coming out a little croakier than intended.
“Hey,” he responds. “How are you feeling?”
“Honestly, I’ve been better.”
“Adventures really take it out of you sometimes, don’t they?” he smiles. “You know, like in that book.”
If I were less concerned with where Jasper was and when he’s coming back, maybe I’d find this interaction funnier than I do.
It is, though, still a little funny.
“Exactly,” I respond. “Exactly like that. But hey, do you know where Jasper is? I assume he told you to guard the hut.”
A little overkill, we’re literally in pack grounds, but I can’t say I don’t enjoy it when he’s overprotective like this.
It makes me feel strangely good—tingly.
“He said that he went to find the right flower; he took the dagger with him as well.”
My chest tightens. He’s an Alpha, one of the most powerful shifters, and yet I’m filled with dread. I don’t want him to be hurt or feel any inch of the pain that I just did.
“He went by himself?”
It’s night; the crickets chirp, the stars blink, and mostly everything is silent. I bet he did go by himself.
“Yes,” the guard responds. “I’m under strict orders to keep you here.”
Of course he is.
“I understand that,” I swallow. “But I think Jasper is forgetting that he might need my expertise. And honestly, I feel fine now.”
I do feel much better. I do want to go and help, at least if anything happens, anything awful or life-threatening, I’ll be by his side.
He’s so brave, so adamant at tackling things alone, and he doesn’t have to be.
I may not be a shifter, but I’m strong.
“He said that you might say that, and I’m supposed to tell you that he’s got it and that you should still be resting.”
I frown a little, rubbing my lips.
“But what if I could be the one to save him? I’m sure you have a wife, right? Or a mate? How would you feel if they went out on a life-threatening mission alone?”
He considers it, seeming as though he understands my point, and then his face returns to its usual neutral stance again.
“If my mate wanted to join me on a dangerous guard mission, she’d have to burn down this whole pack to get there first. There’s no way in hell.”
Hmm. Not as understanding as I thought.
“I’ll give you another killer book recommendation?” I smile.
His face stays neutral. It echoes what he just said—no way in hell.
Well, there’s no way in hell that I’m letting Jasper stay out there alone. If I lost him… I don’t even want to think about that.
I whip out my phone, relieved to feel that it’s in my pocket, and text my group chat with Danielle, Lacey, and Monroe.
I tell them to meet me at the healer’s hut.
I stay outside chatting with the guard, doing my best at casual conversation while the love of my life is out hunting an evil flower. After ten minutes, my friends finally showed up.
“Tara!”
They rush toward me, seemingly scared of hugging me too hard in case I might break.
Really not helping my case with the guard.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine,” I say. “But I need to go to Jasper. He’s out there hunting, and he can’t do it alone.”
Monroe and Danielle exchange a weary glance.
The guard shakes his head. “There’s nothing that these girls can do,” he says. “I’m under strict orders.”
“What if it were your husbands out there? What if it were any of us? What if you knew you could help?”
“But Tara,” Danielle says softly. “You were just pretty unwell.”
“I’m feeling much better. I have to go.”
Monroe speaks next. “It’s dangerous, Tara.”
I turn to Lacey, who’s staring off into the distance with a pensive look on her face. “Actually, we should all go. We can’t let Jasper do this alone.”
A silence settles upon the group, and the guard looks the most animated I’ve seen him yet. “I’m under instructions to keep Tara here. Maybe you all can go, but she has to stay.”
I know that a shifter can’t defy their Alpha’s orders, but I’m determined. I rack my brain for something to say.
“But I can help.”
“It’s not a case of that,” Monroe says, a sympathetic look in her eyes. “If we go with a group of shifters, we’ll have a good chance at getting him out safely. We’ll be back before you know it.”
I shake my head.
“Tara, I’m sorry, I really can’t let you go.”
There’s a tension in my chest that makes me want to cry. I know that my friends are looking out for me, but there’s no way that I can just sit around while they go and risk their lives.
“Well,” Lacey says stoically. “If we appeal to the pack and get approval from Dylan, it’s possible that Tara could come with.”
I meet her eyes, lifted by a glimmer of hope.
“That is true,” Danielle begins. “But—”
Lacey cuts in. “Danielle, Jasper is her mate.”
***
It feels strange leading an impromptu pack meeting, even though I feel more assimilated here. As a human outsider, it’s still unbelievably strange.
But there’s no time for my emotions, Jasper’s out there risking his life—every second is precious.
I take a breath and gaze out at the expectant crowd of shifters.
Lacey gives me an encouraging wink.
“Look, I know that I’m probably the last person you all want to be leading a pack meeting, let alone convincing you to go on a hunt, but I truly believe in what I have to say.
Time is running out, Jasper is out there searching for a piece of Willow all by himself.
Most of you will know or will have witnessed what the first flower we found did to me.
I know that Jasper is stronger than I am, but even he’s not strong enough to face this alone. ”
Murmurs ripple through the pack, conversations I can’t make out. Some look uncertain, others already seem convinced.
I continue, my voice trembling at first but growing steadier as I remind myself to hold my own.
“Jasper is your Alpha, but he’s also my husband. He carries everything on his shoulders, every burden, every risk. He never likes to ask for help.”
My gaze sweeps over them. I recognize fear in their eyes, but also loyalty. They’re actually listening to what I’m saying.
“I’m proposing that we go out together, the group of shifters and witches who hunted before, and that follow the same path to find him. I’m proposing that I come with. I know that I’m just human, but I hold unique knowledge about what we’re looking for. I won’t be a liability, I promise.”
There’s silence.
Everyone’s contemplating.
Then, Dylan steps forward. His expression is unreadable; his light eyes sweep across me and then over the pack.
“She’s right,” he finally says. “It’s typical of Jasper not to ask for our help. But with something like this, he shouldn’t have to ask. He needs it.”
I take in a deep breath.
“All in favor,” Dylan calls, facing the crowd. “Of us joining the hunt, raise your hand.”
The pack shuffles a little, and then slowly but surely all their hands begin to rise up.
For a second, there’s a drop in my chest. He must have forgotten about me, or ignored my request to join—thought it was too ridiculous to even consider.
But then he speaks again.
“All in favor of Tara joining.”
I look around cautiously. Dylan’s eyes lock on mine—steady and firm.
All the shifters' hands are still up.
“You’re an asset to this pack,” Dylan says. “Don’t forget it.”
***
The group of witches and shifters disperse quickly, everyone assuming their formations instinctively. The witches cluster together, murmuring quietly as they move along with small orbs of light.
They’re keeping their magic to a minimum this time so as not to get caught. We know where we’re going and we’re determined to get there with minimal interruptions.
Half of the shifters have transformed into their wolf forms, and to keep things quick, I’m on one of their backs.
It’s a strange feeling, to be both terrified and empowered.
This is the most responsibility I’ve had since I’ve been in the pack, and I’m putting whatever power I have to good use—I’m giving Jasper support.
But still, trailing through the forest at night, knowing what evil lurks around every corner is horrifying.
There are shadows everywhere, and it’s hard to distinguish the leaves reflecting off the witches’ orbs from the silent creatures of the forest.
Either way, we move quick.
No time to waste.
The shifters lead us forward, following the same path we took before.
As we edge further, deeper into the mouth of the forest that feels as though it’s swallowing us with its darkness, I hold my breath.
I don’t want to be heard.
Even through the darkness, I can tell that the forest is changing. The ground beneath us has blackened, trees are wrapped around in grotesque shapes.
You can smell the rot.
“Any scent on Jasper?” Monroe asks.
“If there is, it’s being covered up by something else,” Dylan responds.
I can smell that something else—it’s the rotting flower scent, it’s putrid.
I squint my eyes.
“I can cast a spell,” Danielle says, looking around cautiously, “but then we risk being caught out.”
The shadows from the orbs reflecting off everyone's faces make them look haunted. Danielle’s eyes are big and wild.
“No spell,” Dylan says. “Let’s keep following in the same direction. I can tell that he’s here. Tara, you remember where you guys went?”