Chapter Nine
In an instant, everything changed.
Alpha Jericho closed non-essential businesses, which included the coffee shop and the school.
Juni had to watch Clover mope since she couldn’t play with her friends, and it broke her heart.
Now that she’d had a taste of being a little girl, she didn’t want to go back to the isolation she’d endured.
Meanwhile, terror tried clawing its way up Juni’s throat and she battled it constantly.
What would happen if Clover got sick like their father? What if she died?
Life would pretty much be over if that happened.
It surprised her when someone knocked on her door, and she was even more surprised to see it was Asher on the other side. Without a word, she stepped back and invited him in.
“Why are you here, Asher?” she asked.
“I came because I got a visit from Jericho a little while ago.”
She frowned, waiting. Just then Clover came running into the living room. Sliding to a halt when she saw they had a visitor.
“Hi,” she said brightly. “Who’re you?”
“I’m Asher,” he replied, smiling. “Nice to meet you, Clover.”
“How’d you know my name?”
“I’m friends with your sister.”
Clover’s eyes widened, and Juni gave a mental groan. Her sister was smart. She knew exactly who he was by her sly little grin.
“Oh,” she said, shooting a quick glance at Juni. “You’re the friend she went to dinner with the other night.”
One of his eyebrows rose. “That’s right.”
“Clover,” Juni said, nudging her and giving her a warning glare with her eyes.
Asher gave a pointed look at the little girl. “Jericho stopped by, curious about the name of my bar.”
“Well, that’s stupid. It’s just a name.”
“What is it?” Clover asked.
He smiled at her. “The Unicorn.”
“I love unicorns!” she gushed. “I drew them during art time in Miss Circe’s class. Would you like to see, Asher?”
She didn’t even wait for his answer. Just turned and raced back to her bedroom. When she was gone, he looked at Juni.
“I would like you and Clover to come to my house.”
Juni ignored the little thrill that raced through her. “Why?”
“It’s isolated. The red death isn’t something to play around with. If you come to my place, I can take care of you both. Make sure you’re safe.”
That surprised her. “We’re safe here.”
“You’re surrounded by shifters and this plague kills shifters.”
She studied him. “Are you concerned about me?”
He stepped closer and placed his hands on her shoulders. “I have this overwhelming need to protect you. I don’t know why, but it’s all I can think about.”
She knew why. They were mates, and even though he wasn’t a shifter, he still had that instinct that they were meant to be together. Juni placed a hand on his cheek. He was so beautiful it was hard to imagine he was real.
“Thank you. I appreciate it, but I think it’s best if Clover and I stay here.”
He frowned. “Please don’t be stubborn about this, Juniper.”
She sighed. “Our arrangement—”
“Fuck the arrangement. Why is it so hard to let someone help you? Clover would love my place.”
“Are we going to stay with Asher?”
Both turned to see Clover clutching a drawing. Excitement lighting up her eyes.
“No,” Juni replied and hated that her sister’s smile disappeared. “Asher is a busy man and he doesn’t have any of your toys or games at his place. And don’t forget, Ms. Circe will be teaching school by video.”
Clover’s little shoulders slumped. “That’s not fair. I haven’t spent any time with Asher and you got a whole night.”
His laugh turned into a cough when Juni glared at him. “How about I spend the night here?”
Juni blinked, shocked, while Clover squealed and ran over to hug him. So much for being shy around people.
“Can you bring pizza?” Clover asked, looking up at him with adoration.
He grinned. “I sure will. I gotta go back to work, but I’ll see you at dinner time.”
“Okay!”
He winked at Juni and then hightailed it out of there before she could raise a ruckus, knowing full well she wouldn’t disappoint her little sister.
“Sneaky bastard,” she muttered under breath.
“You didn’t tell me how hot he was,” Clover scolded.
“Clover!” she scolded, but she couldn’t contain her mirth. “Where’d you learn that phrase?”
“At recess. All the girls call boys hot. It means he’s cute.”
“Thank you for informing me of that.
“You’re welcome. I can’t wait till dinner. He’s bringing pizza!”
With a squeal of excitement, Clover ran back to her room to play.
****
Jericho didn’t need to guess what the warlock Niall thought as he studied the body of Mrs. Smyth. Disbelief was etched on his face. He stood on the other side of a window at the morgue, making sure to stay away from the contaminated body. Niall wore a surgical gown, a mask, and gloves.
“You said this isn’t the only victim?” Niall asked.
“Second, that we know of. The first was a man named Ezra Parsons.”
“How did the two know each other?”
Jericho shrugged. “I have no idea. Ezra was very anti-social.”
“Well, somewhere they crossed paths.” Niall looked at him. “Was Ezra patient zero?”
“I think so,” Jericho replied. “We’ve not had any other victims.”
“Let’s hope it stays that way.” He walked over to the door and peeled out of his PPG to toss them into the trash, then he stepped out of the morgue. “I’ll need to interview the girl.”
“Kadie Dandridge,” Jericho said with a nod. “Doc tells me she’s still unconscious from her ordeal. He’s going to call me when she wakes up.”
“Okay,” Niall said. “Would you call me as well, so I can go with you to interview her?”
“Sure.”
“I’ll be staying with Savannah.”
“All right.”
Jericho got into his truck and started up the engine. As he drove home, dread settled in his bones. How could he protect his pack? Protect his mate?
There had to be a cure.
He wouldn’t—couldn’t—accept anything less.