Chapter 29
“I’d like to head to Elysia immediately so we can start his training now,” Hunter said looking up at his parents.
“What’s the hurry?” Asher asked
“That’s something else we wanted to talk to you about. Lucie will be heading to the vampire kingdom for their ceremony. Then from there, I want her and Aedan to either stay in Elysia or in the West Dragon Kingdom. At least until things with Meryl’s granddaughter are settled.” Hunter frowned.
“We’ll explain everything in more detail, but it seems like the witch has been working on something to take the four of us out.
I don’t know how it will affect us directly, but it’s killing regular werewolves.
She’s been experimenting on vampires as well.
To be safe, we want Lucie and Aedan out of her reach.
In Elysia or among the dragons is the safest place for them,” Freja added.
“I am not about to tolerate anyone threatening my family. Not after everything we have been through,” Lita growled lowly.
“Mom, you’re a werewolf too. It’s best for you and dad to also stay out of it. The vampires plan to take the lead on this for now.” Hunter said as he glanced at Derrick.
“Well, I want this over with quickly. We need to speak with Reiya and Xander about this too.” Asher rested his arm around Lita’s shoulders. They both felt the same way. They didn’t risk their lives fighting in a demon war only to have some witch tamper with their family now.
“Well, let’s go then. Let’s take Justice and head to the West Dragon Kingdom and then to Elysia so we can give Justice his powers. Then Chasen and Uncle Grayson can give him a crash course on how to use them.” Hunter glanced at Chasen, who nodded in agreement.
“Jin, go pack some things. We’re going to stay in Elysia for a week.” Chasen watched Jin bounce off toward the house. “You too, Justice. Pack the essentials. Hunter wants to leave five minutes ago.”
“Yes! I’m going!” Justice almost squealed in excitement as he bolted to the house.
“Dad, I don’t like you sending me away with everything going on.” Aedan’s gaze met his father’s gray eyes.
“Aedan, not only is it safer this way, but this way you can look after your sister too. The two of you together are very strong. It’s just an extra layer of safety while we figure things out.
” Hunter understood his son’s feelings, but it wasn’t like she was after the whole pack.
They were almost certain this was a mission to destroy his family, so he would make sure she didn’t get ahold of his children.
“We’ll have you accompany Lucie to the ceremony.
Then you and Lucie need to decide afterward where you’ll be heading.
You’re welcome to stay at either place.” Freja looked at Aedan, already knowing where he wanted to go.
He would want to go to the dragon kingdom.
He liked testing his strength against the dragons.
They were a real challenge, where he could unload his power without worry.
“So, uh … Ryan?” Aedan looked at him confused. “Are you coming with us?”
“No, but Jasper will be accompanying Lucie wherever she goes. She is his assignment and his top priority. I’ll be handling this witch nonsense before I can be with Lucie.” A sad smile rested on Derrick’s face. “It isn’t ideal, but it is necessary.”
“Hmm …” Aedan’s tone was almost accusatory.
Derrick chuckled. “Care to elaborate?”
“Just interesting is all. I mean, Jasper is the one always around her and taking care of her. I always see him, but I never see you. And instead of leaving the fighting in Jasper’s hands so you can be with Lucie …
” Aedan shrugged. “Just interesting. Makes me wonder which one of you she is really better off with. Jasper is nobility. The treaty should be fine with him too, right? Maybe he is the better option. Seems like you can’t be bothered with my sister.
” Aedan inwardly smiled as he watched Derrick’s eyes grow dark.
This was the reaction he was looking for.
He needed to see his emotions when it came to Lucie.
The best way to do that would be to challenge that he wasn’t a good enough mate for her.
“I am the strongest, and the leader of the elite soldiers. It’s only natural for me to be there to command them.
Also, Jasper is the person I trust the most. I trust in him as a person and in his fighting skills.
This is why I have him close to Lucie when I cannot be.
” His eyes flashed at Aedan. “Lucie is my world. She. Is. Mine. And there is no other option but me.” His eyes softened and he looked down at his mate.
“I just hope I can be good enough for her.”
“Aww, of course you’re good enough for me.” Lucie smiled at him and then turned an annoyed gaze to Aedan. She could see the smirk spreading from his lips and she sighed. “Really Aedan? You just couldn’t help yourself.”
“Hey, I needed to see his emotions. He’s been awfully quiet there. How am I supposed to know what his intentions are?” Aedan shrugged innocently. “I still want to have that chat. Come with me.”
Derrick nodded his head. “Jasper …”
Jasper extended his arm to Lucie. “At your service,” he said in a butler’s tone, a cheeky grin on his face.
Aedan, Lucie warned through their mindlink.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, sis. This is customary man stuff. Aedan winked at Lucie. “I’ll take you to the office. It’s soundproof so we can talk freely.”
Derrick kissed Lucie on the nose. “We won’t be long.
I want to spend as much time with you as possible.
” He gave her one long look before he placed her beside Jasper.
“It was nice meeting all of you. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of each other in the future, given the circumstances.
” He slightly lowered his head in respect to Asher and Lita.
Then, with a nod to Hunter and Freja, he walked off with Aedan.
“If he ever mistreats you, Lucie, just tell your Uncle Grayson and I’ll settle it for you,” Grayson said, his tone protective.
Hunter chuckled. “You’d have to get in line. Anyone who mistreats my baby girl will have to deal with me directly.”
“I’d never let Lucie be mistreated. You have my word.
If it was actually happening, I would protect her, but I can promise you it won’t.
Lucie is precious to all of them … to her mate most of all.
” Jasper smiled down at Lucie. He might follow orders, but if he ever thought Lucie was being mistreated, he wouldn’t allow it.
He wouldn’t care who he had to go against. She was important to him … she was family.
“We’re ready!” Justice came jogging toward the group with Jin trailing behind him. Chasen immediately grabbed the bags from Jin and gave Justice a reproachful look.
“Next time, take your mother’s bags too.”
Jin giggled. “I am perfectly capable of carrying a couple of bags. Silly bear.”
“Let’s head to the training grounds before we leave. I need to talk to Sam for just a moment.” Hunter linked his hand with Freja’s. “We’ll be back later tonight, Lucie. Don’t leave the pack borders.” There was a low, threatening growl in Hunter’s tone. It was a warning to Lucie not to disobey him.
“Don’t worry. I won’t let her anywhere near the border.” Jasper grinned as he looked down at his prisoner.
“Lucie, don’t overthink everything. Premonitions are just that. They’re not concrete. It’s a warning of a possible future, one we will make sure we stop from happening. Just worry about yourself.” Lita looked into the green eyes of her granddaughter, eyes that were so similar to her own.
“Thanks, grandma. I’ll try to push it from my mind for now.” Lucie watched her family walk off toward the lower training ground. She still wasn’t sure about this whole guardian business, but if it was Justice, at least she was already comfortable with him.
“Just you and me.” Jasper sighed, smiling.
“Lucie, you’re back!”
Lucie turned to see two guys jogging up to them.
It was Kurt, her brother’s future beta, son of Sam and Renee.
Their family had always been the betas to the alpha.
It all started with Caden, who was Asher’s beta, then his son Sam, who was Hunter’s beta, and now Sam’s son Kurt, who was the future beta.
Kurt was only a few months older than them.
He had dark hair and brown eyes and was an easygoing, sweet guy.
The other man was Jamie, Aedan’s future gamma, who was the son of the previous gamma Winston.
Jamie was only seventeen. His father had found his mate Florence after the demon war was over.
Florence was a witch, not a werewolf. Unfortunately, a couple of years ago, she got very sick and passed away.
It was a tough adjustment, but together, Jamie and his father had managed.
“Do you have any idea how much punishment we received? Aedan put everyone to work. We did three days of training because you disappeared,” Jamie complained.
“That was your fault, Jamie!” Kurt said with a twisted face. “If you wouldn’t have run off with those other pups, Lucie never would have left the territory.”
“I just went after them to keep them safe!” Jamie glared at him. “Besides, my dad already punished me enough. He’s making me do night drills all summer because of it.”
“You are a leader, Jamie. As the pack’s future gamma, you need to lead by example.” Kurt shook his head in annoyance. “Anyway, Luce Luce, you look fine. Is everything okay? I see Jasper found you. Nice going, Jasper.”
“I’m perfectly fine.” Lucie held her hands out with a shrug.
“Lucie can’t ever disappear. I’ll always find her,” Jasper teased, poking the side of Lucie’s head.
“Aren’t you both supposed to be at the training grounds right now?” Lucie gave them both a crooked smile. “Skipping?”
“No way, princess!” Kurt said in an offended tone. “We’re being sent to the kiddies today. We’re in charge of seeing which ones are getting close to shifting.”
“Which we’re now running late for.” Jamie grinned, looking back at Kurt.
“Shit. Gotta run, Lucie. Fill us in on the details later!” Kurt yelled as the two quickly jogged away.
“They’re going to get yelled at.” Lucie giggled, smiling up at Jasper. “Want to raid the kitchen for snacks?”
“Sure, snacks sound great, but I’m on to you.
You just want to be as close to Derrick as you can.
” Jasper gave her a wry smile and winked at her.
He watched her cheeks redden slightly. “You know, I can’t tell you how happy I am that you two are mates.
You’re both my favorite people, and there is no better outcome than this. ”
“I don’t think it could be more perfect either. I wish we could spend more time together, but I guess we have our whole future for that.” Lucie’s voice was soft as she stared at the house.
Jasper roughed her hair up. “Let’s see if those legs of yours are fully healed. Race ya?”
“Oh you are on!”