23. Jaxon
It’s a few days before my sister’s wedding, and tonight is her “last night” of freedom before she becomes a wife. All of Lucy’s closest girlfriends from the pack—Ava included—are planning on going out and celebrating in town. And right now, I’m being forced to take pictures of them together.
I mean, I’m not complaining too much because I physically cannot take my eyes off my beautiful mate. Lucy put some makeup on her, making those brown eyes even darker and her pale skin glow.
She’s not just beautiful; she’s taken my entire breath away.
My eyes roam her face and down her body. In an instant, my gaze hardens, looking at her in that pretty burgundy dress and heels with laces wrapped around her ankles. She’s a sight for sore eyes. She smiles gently towards the camera, completely stealing my heart and running away with it.
When I finish my noble brotherly duties, I hand the phone back to Lucy. “Please don’t do anything stupid tonight,” I say under a hushed breath. “The last thing I need is more trouble.”
She rolls her eyes and snatches her phone back. “Like what?”
“Like getting stupidly wasted, getting arrested, someone getting hurt. The list goes on and on and on,” I murmur before folding my arms over my chest. “I don’t need rumours going around the district, alright? Stay out of trouble.”
Lucy groans. “Honestly, you sound so boring. I know you’re worried about Ava, but I promise she’s safe.”
“I know.” I nod. “That’s why I’m ordering some guards to accompany you. And before you say anything, you won’t even know they’re there. They won’t ruin your fun. They’ll only help if anything happens.”
The corner of her lip tugs. “You’re so concerned about her. It’s cute.”
She’s not wrong, I think in my head.
“Please look after her,” I whisper before looking over at Ava as she talks away with Phia and Grace. “Don’t leave her out. It’s her first time going out with all of you girls, and I want her to feel comfortable and safe.”
Lucy places a hand on my arm and gives it a squeeze. “You have my word, Jaxon. I promise. Like you said, the guards will be there, too.”
I hesitate for a moment before nodding. “Alright.”
“Right, girls, let’s go!” Lucy claps her hands together, and the entire room roars with cheers of excitement for the night. I turn to Ava before she can escape out of the front door.
Instinctively, I reach for her hand, and she meets me in the middle. I run my thumb across her knuckles gently, and a zap of electricity rushes through my palm.
Jesus. My chest quivers at the sensations.
“Enjoy tonight,” I say softly. “But be careful. I want you home in one piece.”
“Who exactly am I being careful of?” Her brows rise curiously.
I offer her a smile before beckoning to the group of girls. “Them. They’re all crazy and full of bad decisions.”
A bright grin stretches onto her face, and it stops my heart beating altogether. It’s completely unreserved, beaming at me for all to see. “I’ll let you know how it goes.” She nods and squeezes my hand. “We can mindlink, remember?”
How could I forget when it’s the most blissful thing to experience?
“Sounds good,” I say calmly. “Have a good time. I’ll see you later.”
She drops my hand, and my skin turns cold. “Bye.”
I watch her walk away to join the girls. “Ava?”
“Yeah?”
Those glossy lips are pulled into what I wish was a permanent smile. I pause for another second to take her all in because I’m a selfish man, and I want to admire her for more than this moment. “You look beautiful.”
A deep blush appears on her cheeks as she curls a finger around her hair. “Thank you,” she replies timidly before exiting out of the door.
Kayden smirksfrom across my desk as he lounges back in the opposite chair. I twirl my pen between my fingers and attempt to focus on the plan in front of me, but we both know it’s barely going in. “Something on your mind?”
I press a hand to my forehead and groan. “Please, leave it out.”
“I mean, it’s eleven-thirty, and you’ve not heard a word from them.”
Don’t fucking remind me.
“They’re out having fun. I don’t need to act like a possessive mate. That’s the last thing Ava needs.”
Kayden’s lip twitches. “I’m surprised you didn’t demand you went with them and crash Lucy’s night. I see how you look at Ava—even when she was terrified to be around me. You’re a lot calmer than I thought you’d be.”
Little does he know I’m experiencing a mini-heart attack inside.
“Calm is not what I’m feeling.” I run my tongue over my teeth. “When you have a mate, you’ll realise how protective you can be of them, even when you know they’re safe. It’s a fucking nightmare, Kayden. But she needs to live her life. That is one thing I will never take from her.”
“The guards would have contacted you already if something was wrong.” He shrugs simply, and I know he’s right. I trust my guards with my life. Ever since Julia’s death, I upped their training and skill set. Now I know they’re the strongest they can be. “We both know they’re in safe hands. But truthfully, I know you just miss her. You’re a big softie at heart. Absolutely smitten.”
My eyes focus on my Beta. “You annoy the hell out of me sometimes.”
He barks out a laugh. “Got to be here to humble you.”
I scowl at him, and he flashes me a boyish grin.
“You are head over heels for the girl.” His brows quirk.
“I don’t want to talk about this with you.”
Kayden scoffs. “Why not?”
“Because it’s distracting us from what’s really important. Remember?”
“Ahh.” He tilts back his head and shoves his sleeves up to his elbows. “Yes. I remember.”
“Anyway,” I rasp. “We’ve had eyes on them for weeks now. Once the wedding is over and done with, we take our strongest wolves, and we get that fucker Lucien and everyone else and make them pay.”
“What are the guards around his territory saying?”
“Mostly under the radar. But he’s been making some suspicious moves.”
Kayden’s brows raise. “Suspicious how?”
“I’ve noticed he’s been taking his wolves out in groups, like some kind of search party. I don’t want to think they’re looking for Ava, but they could be.”
“Shit, really?”
I nod slowly. “But he hasn’t come close to our territory. The second he takes a step closer, I’m launching the attack without hesitation. I’m getting hourly updates of his moves. And I’m not mentioning any of this to Ava. I don’t want her to worry.”
Kayden nods in understanding. “What are you going to do to him?”
My eyes flare at his question. What won’t I do to him?
“I guess that’s up to my imagination at the time,” I say with a focused stare. “Ava will never fret over them again. She deserves her justice. She deserves a lot more, but this is a step in the right direction.”
“Agreed. Let’s make him wish he was never fucking born.”
I’d rather torture him so badly he’ll beg me for death.
“Let’s go over the duties I’ve assigned everyone and what specific tasks I need them to carry out,” I clear my throat and shuffle through the notes I made earlier. “I want all of my wolves to know the plan like the back of their hand before it’s executed.”
Kayden flashes me a knowing smile. “You got it, Alpha.”