Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
Acouple of older kids took off running and laughing, while a younger boy was on his knees behind them. Jin immediately released her grip from Chasen and ran up to the young boy. She reached her hand down and smiled as she helped him up. “You okay?”
“I’m fine, thank you.” The boy smiled, looking in the direction the other boys had run off. “One day, I’ll be bigger than them and then they won’t pick on me,” he said confidently before running in the direction the other boys disappeared.
“That is so mean. Why would they knock him down like that?” Renee said with a frown, watching the boy leave.
“You make it sound like people need a reason to mistreat others,” Jin said as she walked back up to them.
“Don’t they?” Susan turned and looked at Jin.
“Not in my experience.” Jin’s voice trailed off quietly. She felt their sympathetic gazes on her, but she didn’t want them to feel bad for her.
She looked around and caught sight of a familiar figure walking their way. “Hunter!” She bounced over to him. Grabbing onto his arm, she stopped, tilting her head to look up at him. She leaned in closer and closer, gently breathing in his scent.
Hunter chuckled at her. “What are you doing?” He glanced up and caught Chasen with his fists clenched, his eyes shooting daggers at Jin. Now, isn’t that curious?
“You smell different. You feel different. Chasen, come here. Hunter has a new smell.” She turned and beckoned Chasen over. He joined them, tilting his head thoughtfully.
“What is all this, Hunter? Your scent is way stronger. It’s more—”
“Werewolfie.” Jin replied, giggling at the word Chasen was searching for.
Chasen chuckled. “Yeah, what she said.”
“We have a lot to talk about, actually. It isn’t really a public mall conversation. So, if you two could quit sniffing me in public before we start getting weird looks, that’d be great.” Hunter chuckled as he glanced around.
Jin shrugged, only to perk up a moment later.
“Hunter, guess what? Chasen took me to the chocolate heaven store. It’s amazing.
I got everything. Well, almost everything.
They had your nasty coffee beans dipped in chocolate.
What an abomination. I can’t wait to try everything else!
” She bounced up and down as she held onto Hunter’s arm.
“What did you get me from there? You going to share with me?” Hunter teased her.
“Chasen said I didn’t have to share.” Jin stuck her tongue out at Hunter as he looked up at Chasen curiously. “Maybe I’ll give you a taste.” She bit on her bottom lip and furrowed her brow. “It’ll be hard to share, though.”
Hunter laughed loudly. “I’m just teasing, Jin. I like chocolate, but I prefer fruity flavors like gummies.”
“I prefer chocolate. All things chocolate.”
“Like Chasen’s eyes?” Hunter teased but was shocked as he watched her nod her head.
“That’s probably why I love his eyes so much.” She smiled innocently.
“You should see his brown fur when he shifts.” Hunter grinned as he saw her turn to Chasen excitedly.
“You have brown fur too? I can’t wait to see it and touch it.” Jin squealed in excitement.
“Touch it? I’m not a pet,” Chasen said, feigning annoyance, though secretly he was enjoying her excitement.
“Don’t be stingy. If you have chocolate fur, then I’m definitely touching it. Hunter, what color is yours?”
“Gray.”
Jin looked at Hunter with little interest. “Well, you were almost cool. Maybe I should switch and give Chasen the air element.” She giggled as she teased Hunter.
“You can’t do that, can you?” Hunter faked a frown.
“No. I can only gift someone once. So, we’re stuck together forever.” Jin had subconsciously drifted near Chasen’s side again, her arm brushing against his as if it was drawn to him.
“Good. Because I’m excited to learn more about my gift. Are you ready to leave?” Hunter asked.
“Yes.”
“NO.”
“NO.”
The three girls answered simultaneously. Jin frowned, looking at Susan and Renee. “I don’t wanna shop for clothes anymore.” She pouted, sticking her lip out.
“Sues, you know her size. You and Renee can do some more shopping later.” Sam held his hand out and Renee walked into his embrace. “Let’s go home.” He kissed her temple and she nodded.
“Come on, gang. Let’s load up. I have some interesting things to tell you.” Hunter looked over at Jin. Her smile had faded, and she seemed to be concentrating on something in the distance. He looked at her hand, which was shaking slightly.
Chasen wrapped his arm around her and looked down at her face.
“Jin? What’s wrong?” Her body trembled, but her gaze was outraged.
He watched her knuckles turn white as the sound of her breathing picked up.
He could hear her heartbeat racing. But what startled him was the slow tears that trickled from her eyes.
“I need to get out of here before I do something I can’t undo,” Jin whispered, so softly it was barely audible.
Hunter walked up to Jin and placed a hand on her shoulder. “We can’t help if you don’t tell us what’s going on.”
“There is someone I know here.” Jin looked at Hunter with pleading eyes. She wanted to hurt them.
“Come on, let’s go then.” Hunter figured they could talk more later.
He looked up at Chasen and nodded over his shoulder for him to follow.
Their group headed toward the exit, managing to make their way through the crowded place.
Chasen kept Jin lodged in his side making sure she didn’t get separated from him.
The group walked to their vehicle, and soon they were headed toward pack territory.
They were all quiet as they watched Jin.
Jin closed her eyes and leaned her head back.
She couldn’t believe it. What were the odds of her running into a demon she knew out in public?
Lionel was there with another demon she had seen before but didn’t know his name.
Lionel was one of the men she’d escaped from.
One of the ones who’d considered her a pet of theirs.
At that moment, hatred flashed through her.
She’d wanted to hurt him like he’d hurt her.
She had to reel her emotions in, though.
She didn’t want to take revenge, because that wouldn’t make her feel better.
She decided that she would only use her powers to protect and defend, but not for revenge.
Having passed her own test, she was able to walk away, and despite the wretched memories that popped up in her head, she felt proud of herself.
The ride back had remained pretty quiet, which Jin was thankful for.
No one talked to her about what had happened, though she figured they would.
At least Hunter or Chasen would, for sure.
She knew she would need to talk to both of them anyway.
Chasen had made it clear that he wanted to know about her past. She wasn’t sure how this would make him feel better, but if that was what he needed, she would oblige him.
Hunter explained what had happened in the conference today and how he was now the Werewolf King. He was going to be holding a meeting to address the pack over this new and exciting change.
When they returned, the group went their separate ways. Susan, Sam, and Renee went to meet up with Adam and Winston. They would be informing them about Hunter and announcing the meeting to the pack. Hunter carried Jin’s bags of clothes while Chasen carried her chocolate bag.
“Come on, Jin.” Hunter placed his arm around her as he ushered her up the stairs. “You need to pick something out from these bags to wear. You’ll be meeting the rest of the pack soon.” When they reached the room, he set the bags on the floor. Chasen also set down the bag he was holding.
Jin looked down at the ground. She concentrated on her feet and watched the fabric of her shoes move as she wiggled her toes.
“I know both of you are curious about my past. I’ll tell you about it tonight.
Or at least the general idea. But just prepare yourselves.
My life …” She lifted her head to meet with their eyes.
“My life story may be depressing to hear.”
“Thank you for trusting us enough to tell us.” Hunter smiled at her and watched her give him a weak smile back.
“We’ll leave you to get changed.” He turned and walked out.
Chasen’s gaze lingered on Jin for a moment longer before he followed Hunter out, shutting the door.
The two men walked down the hallway together until they reached the top of the stairs.
Hunter turned and looked at Chasen with a smirk.
“What?” Chasen said with mild annoyance.
“Don’t what me. You already know what.” Hunter grinned widely.
“You’re getting ahead of yourself, pup.” Chasen growled in irritation.
“Uh huh. Sure I am.” Hunter jogged a few steps downward, then turned to look at Chasen. His gaze was suddenly very intense and serious. “Chase, I’m on board. One hundred percent.” Then he flashed him another cheesy grin. “Good luck, Romeo.”
Chasen growled and shook his head as he trotted down the steps after Hunter. “It isn’t like that. I don’t want that. I already decided what I want. I don’t want a family.”
Hunter’s stormy eyes met with his brother’s.
“Yes you do. Don’t lie to yourself, Chase.
And don’t you dare lie to me. You know you want it.
You actually want it bad. And I’ll be damned if this stupid guardian thing keeps you from having it.
It’s one thing if you strike out. I mean, you aren’t much of a looker,” Hunter teased.
“It’s another thing to not even try at all.
” His voice then dropped to a low whisper.
“I can feel it, Chasen. I see it and sense it. You like her, and that’s okay.
Just promise me to be open-minded and to give it a chance. ”
Chasen stood there, shocked. He felt like his ideal life had been shattered.
He had planned to be just like his uncle Grayson, always dedicated and at Hunter’s side.
Now he really didn’t know what he wanted.
Or at least that’s what he told himself.
Internally, his animal was snarling at him.
Werebears didn’t have mates in the same way werewolves did, but once they found someone they deemed as theirs, their animal instincts broke loose.
The small, silent voice from earlier was his feral animal already claiming her as his.
It knew deep down what Chasen was refusing to admit.
“I promise I’ll at least think about what I really want. I will put real thought into it. For now, I’m just trying to get along and make her feel comfortable here. This is her home now.”
Hunter smiled at his brother’s denial. That wasn’t what Chasen was doing.
He never cared about making anyone feel at home.
Even the way he was constantly holding her close to him was something Chasen would never do for anyone.
The sooner he admitted it to himself, the better.
It was obvious to Hunter. He just hoped his bonehead brother didn’t screw everything up.
“Besides, I couldn’t possibly think about something like that now.” Chasen looked out the window, frowning. How could he think about having a relationship when his brother had just been betrayed by his mate? He rationalized this thought, giving him another reason why it wasn’t a good idea.
“Don’t. You. Dare,” Hunter growled, enunciating every word.
“This isn’t about me. This is about you.
Don’t project not taking a mate for yourself on me.
That is not the real issue you have and you know it.
The real problem is you know deep down that you like her and that scares the shit out of you, because you’ve wiped the idea so far from your mind that now you’re lost.” Hunter lowered his voice to just barely above a whisper.
“Chasen, we’ve got one chance in this life.
One. Make the most of it. Enjoy it. Live it.
No matter what, we’ll always be together.
Nothing else changes that.” Hunter straightened up and leaned against the counter casually.
“Does this outfit work?” Jin said as she walked down the stairs.
Chasen turned and gazed at her. He felt his heart rate begin to pick up as his eyes trailed over her. Shit. Get a hold of yourself. He turned back to see Hunter’s eyes laughing at him. Damn, he can see right through me. Chasen sighed. Hunter was right.