481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBacG0W8E2M
Stomping around the pack house looking for Sebastian turned out to be more of a chore than I had imagined. I expected to find him in his office knee-deep in paperwork, but all I found was a perfectly kept room completely empty of any living being.
Finding my way to the kitchen I sat down at the table and continued to think about where he would be. My only guess was he was out running, enjoying his wolf being back.
I needed to get to my house anyway and open some windows. I'm sure it probably smelled musty and was filled with cobwebs and dust.
Directing my attention away from Sebastian I mind linked the pack. "Would anyone do me the honors of driving me home?"
"I will," A raspy voice answered. "Meet me out front in 5."
I knew immediately that the voice belonged to Abigail. It was actually going to be quite nice to see her since it had been a while. I had some questions I wanted to ask her too.
Rushing back upstairs to grab my shoes, the sound of loud yelling caught my attention. Searching for the cause of the sounds, I placed my ear up against one of the closed doors and could hear the mumbling of two male voices.
I was a little taken back by their decision to have a heated disagreement outside of the office. I was told by Sebastian that was the only room in the house that was sound proof.
Hearing the creaking of the door handle, the door cracked open the smallest bit allowing the booming voices to fill the hall.
"Just get it done. I'm not going to deal with these stupid creatures encroaching on our land, taking our women, and eradicating the werewolf existence. And find out why they are now coming around after 300 years of keeping to themselves." Travis barked as I quickly ran to my room and slid through the door.
Who was he talking about and why was Mr. Cross giving orders? I thought that was Sebastian and Erik's department. I made a mental note to ask Sebastian as soon as I was done choking him.
"Are you coming or am I just going to stand here and look pretty?" Abigail asked in an irritated tone. She wasn't one for waiting.
"I'm coming. I just got sidetracked. I'll be down in a minute." I promised, closing the mind link. I didn't want to hear anyone else in my head, my scattered thoughts alone made me feel dangerous.
Slipping my feet into my zebra print flip-flops, I headed back down the stairs and out the door to a waiting Abigail.
Her long black hair was tied up tightly on her head and her worn black dress was dragging along the dirt. Gaining closer to her, she turned toward me and gave me a small smile.
"Well aren't we looking damper today." She breathed.
"It's nice to see you too. Did you enjoy your vacation you forgot to tell everyone you went on?" I snapped back, still a little sour with the fact she disappeared for a few days.
"I was with a neighboring pack." She said quietly. Her evasive attitude warning me not to ask any questions, so I continued on and slipped into the passenger seat.
The car ride was quiet, but I enjoyed the silence. It gave me time to zone everything out and enjoy the view of the massive forest. In a matter of minutes we would be arriving at my house.
Pulling into the driveway, Abigail and I noticed my garage door was open. "Did you forget to close that?" She asked in a worried tone. "I know Black Lace is safe, but you should never leave your house open."
"I didn't even go in through the garage." I confessed, wrapping my arms around my body, afraid to even go into the house. Who knew what or who was in there.
"I'll call the Commander. Have the men do a sweep of the house before we go in." She said, patting my hand in reassurance.
"No." I blurted out. You don't have to bother Jasper. I'm sure he is busy anyway."
I really didn't want to see him. I didn't like the way I felt around him. He made me question everything I knew, all of my feelings for Sebastian.
Abigail looked at me sympathetically, telling me she had already called for him before I said anything.
"Well, hello Kitten." He breathed on my neck, startling me. Turning around quickly to the back seat, my blue eyes met his green ones. I wanted to melt into them, press my lips against his, but I pushed the urge away.
"We are going to go take a look inside for you. I'm sure it's nothing." He snorted, enjoying the fact that he was called to help me instead of Sebastian.
Watching him exit the car and strut to the garage I eagerly waited for him to return. It felt like he was in there forever before he emerged through the front door.
With his head hung low he came to the passenger side of the car and directed me to roll the window down. Looking up at me from below his eyelashes, he spoke softly. "I think you need to come in and see this."
A feeling of dread washed over me. My body tingled at the thought of my home being ransacked or even destroyed. "How bad is it?" I asked, the words coming out shaky.
His eyes shot down to the ground as he held onto the car. His fingers tightened around the window, his strength threatening to dent the body of the vehicle. "Bad."
Conjuring up the courage to go inside, I slowly stepped out of the car and grabbed onto Jasper's arm. If it was as bad as he said, I was going to need someone to hold onto. Abigail followed close behind us, willing to aid in any support I may have needed.
Walking up the steps to the front door reminded me of the very first day I moved in. How I fiddled with my keys before opening the door. How the sun shone brightly through the shades making the chandelier in the foyer sparkle.
A row of Healers stood in our way blocking my view. "Commander, are you sure this is a good idea?" One of them questioned.
Rubbing his hand gently over my arm he nodded his head, "She needs to see this." One by one the young men slowly parted and all I saw was broken glass.
The chandelier that was my foyers highlight was broken into pieces, shards of glass covering every inch of tile and wires hanging from the ceiling. My once beautiful, white walls were replaced with red paint, vulgarity written on every surface.
With my hand clutched over my mouth I entered the living room. All the cotton from the couch was strewn all over the floor creating a snow-like appearance. The knife marks were still visible in the back of the couch.
"Is the whole house like this?" I mumbled as I wiped away the salty tears that were streaming down my face.
"The worst is upstairs. In your bedroom."
I could feel my heart beating faster, pounding away in my chest like a hammer. How could someone do this to me? I thought I was safe here.
Following closely at Jasper's heels, he held his hand behind his back for me to hold. "Kitten breathe. Stop holding your breath." He instructed, worry apparent in his voice.
Listening to his advice I took in two deep breaths and let them out slowly, but my nerves never calmed. The feeling of intrusion and betrayal was still stabbing away at my stomach.
Jasper lightly pushed the bedroom door open with his foot and stepped to the side. I gasped in horror at the sight that laid before me. Falling to my knees I let out a cry of anguish.
My bed had been burnt from the center out. A black gaping hole with the charred remains of cloth and metal springs laid in the wake of the fire.
My heart broke to see the very first place I made love to Sebastian was ruined. All the memories gone with a strike of a match.
The walls were once again sprayed with the bitter words of traitor, bitch, and werewolf lover.
Dead birds were scattered around the floor, their feathers still slowly falling to the ground. My favorite scent of lavender was replaced with the gruesome scent of death and decay. I clutched my stomach and ran into the bathroom unable to control the need to vomit.
I couldn't stop the forceful bile that crept up into my throat and finally into the porcelain I was hugging. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop the uncontrollable shaking that took over my body. Through my tears, I called out for the only person who could help me.
"Sebastian." I cried. "I need you."
I needed to feel his muscular arms wrapped around my fragile body. I needed to feel the warmth of his breath on my neck as he lulled me into a state of calmness.
Even if he didn't think we were true mates, my bond to him was still as strong as ever. My pull to him the strongest it's ever been.
"Veronica, don't!" Jasper screamed out, but just a little too late.
The sound of pounding paws on the earth filled the afternoon air. The howling of the beasts filled my ears, ripping through the wind as they ran closer. I could feel Sebastian gaining closer by the second.
Growls erupted from the lower level of the house as the Healers all scattered to form a defensive line around Jasper, ready to defend their Commander.
A howl shot through my body as I felt my mate cry out in pain. I quickly raced to the top of the steps where his beautiful white wolf stood at the bottom. His muscles rippling with every step up he took.
Finally, at the top, he nuzzled his face into my neck, allowing his wolf to soothe me. His soft fur tickled my skin as I wrapped my arms around his massive body.
But then his nose caught the scent of something, something that put him into a fit of rage. Jerking his head away from me, he pushed my body back and onto the floor. The force of his push sent my small frame flying into the wall, the air being knocked out of me.
Ferociously shaking his fur he stepped in front of me. His lips curled up revealing his deadly fangs that yearned for the taste of blood. He snapped his jaws at the Healers, his growl rumbling through my room.
"Turn!" Jasper ordered, stepping to the front of his Healer barrier. "Stand down men. Seb and I go way back."
"What?" My voice squeaked, breaking the tension in the room.
Seeing my reaction, Sebastian backed down and transformed back. Erik was quick to hand him a pair of shorts which he gratefully took and slipped his body into.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Sebastian asked angrily.
"I was called upon by Abigail to assist Veronica."
He quickly snapped his head in my direction. "How do you know her?" He asked, turning back to Jasper.
Acting as if I was the 800-pound Gorilla in the room I decided to speak up. I told Sebastian I was a Healer, maybe now, he will believe me.
"He is my Commander," I said confidently, but that was quickly ruined as he rushed to me and pinned my arms against the wall.
"He's your what?" He screamed in my face. I could feel the heat of his breath with every word he spoke and felt the small droplets of spit that landed on my face.
"I order you to step away from her, now!" Jasper's voice boomed. "You may be my friend, but you will still follow my orders as she is one of mine."
Sebastian's eyes quickly flashed black as his face turned a deep red. "She may be one of your Healers, but she is my mate. The Luna of my pack. Your orders do not override mine, especially when it comes to her."
Crossing his arms over his chest, a cocky smile crept onto his face. "That may be the case, but she is an active Healer, not the current acting Luna."
"That's enough." I interrupted. "You two sound like two bickering old men."
A small snort released from Jaspers mouth as he gingerly walked toward us, each step he took making me even more nervous than the first. "Kitten, do me a favor? Make sure you keep lover boy in line or I will personally rip his balls off and force-feed them to him. I will not allow him to disrespect me."
That was all it took for Sebastian's hands to be wrapped tightly around Jasper's neck, his back against the wall and fear plastered all over his face.
"Do you want me to rearrange your pretty face?" Sebastian asked smugly. "She is not your Kitten, she is my mate."
I quickly rushed to Sebastian's side. "Let him go. You don't want to do this." I begged.
His eyes still a deep charcoal color burrowed deep into mine, "Stay out of this."
I gently placed my hands on his arm and instantly felt him relax. After a few passing seconds, he released Jasper from his grasp and wrapped his arms around me, taking me off guard.
He held me close to his body, inhaling deeply as his nose found the crook of my neck. Holding onto him, I exhaled deeply into his shirt. "You need to calm down." I whispered into his ear.
"I'm calm baby," He repeated back to me. "I'm calm."481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrqssYctVQ
