His quiet demeanor and stammering of words spoke volumes of what I had been suspecting. I felt betrayed, uneasy, and most of all, hurt. How could he do this to me?
Ace brought his eyes up to mine and took my hand in his. "My angel, I promise you, with every beat of my heart, I did not heal your Sebastian. To be frank, I would have never healed him. I want to keep you safe, love you from a distance and up close. Sebastian has only ruined that opportunity since waking. May the stars forget to shine in the sky tonight if I am lying."
I sat frozen, not knowing what to say in return. This man had just confessed his love to me and I...
"I can prove it to you." He said excitedly. "Let me take you to my Commander. He will vouch for my whereabouts." He attempted to smile, but his lips remained thin, waiting for me to answer.
"Uh, yeah, Commander, right." Were the only words my brain allowed to escape my mouth. Maybe speaking to the Commander would shed some light on what happened and verify if Ace was really being truthful.
"May I take you, my angel?" He questioned, his voice sounding sweeter than honey.
"Sure." I breathed.448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8j76auH3Gm
Holding my hand tightly, a piercing light took over my vision. My body felt weightless, like I was flying.
Little by little my sight started returning, when I realized we were in the healers training area. It hadn't changed much since I was last here, only there seemed to be more healers than before.
Each cubical was occupied, the healers eyes remaining fixed on their target. "We are going to go down this hallway." Ace motioned to a long corridor on the right.
Turning the corner, I noticed the white walls were plastered with an array of pictures. "Who are they?" I asked Ace, slowing down my pace to scan over the beautiful portraits.
"These are all the healers that have ever come through here. That's why there are so many." He explained. "The people along the top of the wall are all the Commanders. Pretty soon your picture will be up there too." 448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMT1RTkdg3
Gazing over all of them I noticed there was not one unattractive person on the wall. Every woman was stunningly beautiful, the men extremely handsome. 448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrplQrikiXs
Placing his hand on my lower back, he pushed lightly to keep me moving. "We are going in that room right there." He said while pointing to the door at the very end of the hall. "I will introduce you, explain why we are here and then I will leave the two of you to discuss your business."
I smiled politely at him, thankful he wanted to prove his innocence to me. Besides Sebastian, no man had ever been as open and honest as Ace. I had learned to accept the fact that I would always be lied to, played. It felt nice to be respected and wanted for once.
Opening the big, heavy door, we strode inside, listening as a man talked away on his phone. The room was massive, with beautiful cherry wood panels on half of the walls.
My eyes were drawn to the large black desk that sat in the middle of the room facing us. It was riddled with paper, stacks of folders and a large golden lamp that appeared to be from the 60s.
Scanning around the rest of the room I noticed two small black, leather love-seats that were placed perfectly in front of bookcases, drawing my attention directly to the hardcover books.
Pots of flowers were placed neatly on small round tables that filled all the empty corners of the room. This office looked as if it was designed by a woman, the touch and feel being feminine.
"Who is he?" I whispered into Ace's ear, not wanting to interrupt the gentlemen's conversation.
Ace smiled and placed his hand on the side on my face, blocking my ear. Bringing his mouth up to my other side he breathed on my skin, sending shivers down my spine.
"That is our Commander, Jasper. Now that you are a healer he is also yours. You answer only to him."
I nodded my head and moved my gaze back to Jasper. His back was to us as he sat facing a large window that overlooked what appeared to be clouds, his feet resting on the sill.
"Please make sure you keep me up to date. I appreciate your time and effort on this mounting issue. Stay healthy and happy, my friend." He said in a soft tone.
His voice was deep, sexy, but soft enough to make any woman's heart flutter. For some reason these healers were irresistible. Every part of them.448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6vnMhruSa
Twirling around in his chair, he turned to face us. His eyes immediately lit up when he saw the two of us standing there.
My breath caught in my throat as I stared at this incredible creature. He was gorgeous.
His skin was a perfect mirror of mine. Tan, smooth. His eyes were as green as the forest with specks of brown resembling the very ground in which we walked. His dark hair was cut short to his head, the top messily spiked in all the right places.
"Hello Ace, good to see you again." Jasper said cheerfully, smiling from ear to ear. He got up from behind his desk and moved quickly to shake Ace's hand before pulling him in for a half hug.
"Thank you for seeing us, Commander. This is Veronica West, our new healer." Ace explained. "She just has a few questions about my activities and placement on a specific time and day."
Jasper turned his attention to me and bowed his head in respect. "I have heard a lot of good things about you, Kitten. Please come, have a seat."
Kitten? Did he seriously just call me kitten? These pet names were a little odd, but It seemed I'd just have to just deal with them.
I leaned into Ace and placed a small kiss on his cheek, thanking him for bringing me here. His cheeks blushed furiously as he made eye contact with me. "Just call when you're finished." He whispered and made his way out.
Sitting down in the chair Jasper had pointed out, I stared at him while he made his way back to his desk.
"So I've heard you are Healer Frank's daughter. It is an absolute honor to meet you." He said.
So that was my father's name. Frank. It warmed my heart hearing Commander Jasper speak his name. Abigail never did tell me. The only knowledge I had of him was a quick snip-it of him and my mother and his death.
"Thank you, likewise." I admitted. It was always nice to meet new healers, I felt comfortable here like I actually belonged.
"So, what questions do you have about healer Ace. He is one of my best, actually. I've never been presented with any problems involving him." He said matter of factly.
"Oh no, please don't take this the wrong way. He did nothing wrong. I just wanted to confirm where he was yesterday is all. My mate was healed, but no one seems to know by who."
Jasper sat back in his chair and pulled a giant book out of his desk. It looked much like a date book, but next to the days were names. He scanned through the text, bobbing his head as he mouthed names on the list.
"Ah, yes! Healer Ace was here in the training room from 8am-6pm. He had multiple sessions. A 30-year-old man in a motorcycle accident, a drowning incident..."
Jasper continued to ramble off ages and causes in which Ace was responsible for healing. I was partially listening to everything he was saying, but the other part of me was thinking about my Dad. How unfair it was that everyone got to experience his love, but me.
"Are you listening, kitten? There is no way Ace healed your mate." His words came out as smooth as butter, leaving no room for argument.
"Okay. Well, thank you for your help, Commander. I appreciate you seeing me." I said, standing up to smooth out the wrinkles in my shirt.
"The pleasure is all mine." He smiled, as an ear piercing alarm echoed through the office. 448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWGGIQPJWS
I quickly cupped my hands over my ears, hoping to block out some of the sound. 448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfLcYlAguX
"What is that?" I yelled over the alarm, hoping Jasper could hear me.
Running to my side he grabbed me by my hand and pulled me out of the office with him. The hall was filled with healers scrambling and running around in all different directions.
The beacon lights continued to spin, casting red blinking hues to dance on the white walls, warning us of the danger that lies ahead.
"We are being attacked." Jasper screamed to a group of people huddled in a single cubical. "Come, we will get you to safety."
Running in the direction of everyone else, I could see their faces were plastered with fear. They were gripping onto anyone they could find, pulling them into the crowd of people.
Their screams filled my ears, as sobs of anguish echoed off the walls. This once quiet, calming place was being transformed into a war zone.
Bright lights began zooming from behind us, as the sound of explosions rippled through our bodies. I could smell the sulfur of the smoke and the disgusting stench of burnt skin.
Flashes of the raid on the Schooly Mountain Pack entered my mind. The gut wrenching sight of the burned buildings and the charred remains of the innocent. I was reliving another raid, only the one responsible was behind bars.
"Why are we running and not fighting back?" I yelled to Jasper, who stopped to open a trap door in the middle of a small hallway.
I stood alongside him as he held the door open and rushed healers below. "I am in charge of getting the women to shelter. The men are required to fight."
I was so afraid of the unknown that was attacking that I didn't even notice the healers with us were all women.
"It is against healer law for women to fight, they must remain below this threshold, as it has protective powers surrounding it."
Helping more and more women down, Jasper gestured for me to climb in along with them.
"Oh no! I'm not going down there. I'm staying up here with you." I said, standing my ground.
"You're awful cute when you disobey orders, kitten, but this is one I will not allow you to get away with."
With the last of the women in the shelter, I turned around and ran toward the flying lights. I was tired of men telling me I can't fight. I was going to prove to these healers I'm not some useless girl who needs to be shoved in a shelter. 448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQxV61czrn
Slamming the door down and locking it Jasper ran after me. "I am your Commander." He yelled.
"And I am the Luna of the Black Lace Pack, you can not order me to stand down." 448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNQfzUvciN
Growling in anger he finally caught up to me, grabbed me by my arm and ducked us into a side hallway. Beams of colored lights flew passed us, reminding me of the real danger that was ahead.
"If you are going to fight, you will follow my directions. You will remain by my side at all times. If you even come close to being hurt, I will send you back to your pack." 448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEP0nnuJYs
I heard everything he said, I just couldn't bring myself to answer. All I could imagine was him slamming me up against the wall and pinning my arms up by my head. Me staring into his eyes, bewitched by the feeling of his body up against mine. The feeling of his manhood as it grew, rubbing against my waist. Him leaning down to brush his lips along the side of my neck, as my body arched into him. Him whispering into my ear, promising to devour my body.
Suddenly another glowing ball of light shot down the hallway, exploding onto the wall beside us. I quickly snapped back into reality, realizing Jasper wasn't even touching me.
"Let's go." He said, walking in front of me, holding his arm out to block me from going ahead.
"You have just become the most eligible bachelorette." I heard Abigail's voice sing in my head. She was right, every healer I seemed to come in contact with is irresistible, their feelings seeming as mutual as mine.
"Kitten, let's go."
Jasper's voice snapped me out of my thoughts as we raced down the hallway, catching up to the other healers.
"Fill me in, quickly." He ordered to a man that stood with his body flat against the wall. He looked young, possibly in his early twenties.
"We aren't sure Commander. All we know is they are other healers. Their orbs gave them away." He breathed, nervousness lingering in his voice. "Ace is near the front of the fight with the others." He added.
My stomach knotted up hearing about Ace. I was afraid for him, afraid he would be hurt and I would lose him like I did my father. Ace was my only friend here in the healer world, I couldn't lose him.448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnO9b5o1fK
"What about a distraction?" I asked excitedly, looking at the two men.
Glancing at each other, Jasper pulled me closer to him. "What kind of distraction?"
"Me!"
Before I could continue and explain my plan, Jasper quickly disregarded my idea. "Hell no. I will not allow you to sacrifice yourself. Are you crazy? It's bad enough I'm allowing you to fight along with the men."
I smiled and raised my eyebrow at him. "Sacrifice myself? No. I will simply gain their attention so you guys can move in and do your thing." I stated.
The young man who I over heard as Seth, whispered to Jasper. I knew I could do it without getting hurt, I just needed them to trust me.
Jasper exhaled loudly, "Alright kitten, your up." He winked, then placed a small tap on my behind.
Part of me wanted to turn around and smack him, but the other part actually enjoyed his hands on my body.
"I can do this." I told myself, as I stepped out into the open corridor.
I could see men dressed in full body white robes, their faces completely covered by hoods. I walked closer to the healers, trying to keep my presence hidden for as long as possible.
I gestured toward Jasper to run ahead, clearing the small cubicles on the side of me for them to hide in. Just as they tucked away a robed figure caught sight of me.
"Why aren't you running away screaming and crying like the rest of the weak women?" His growly voice asked.
I twirled a piece of my hair, then tossed it behind my shoulder, trying to get him to come closer. "Because I'm not some weak woman." I explained. "I'm actually pretty strong."
"Is that right?"
In a second he was in front of me, running his fingers over my chest before stopping behind me. I could hear him inhaling, breathing in the scent of my hair. Still standing behind me, he moaned loudly as the sound escaped his throat.
My body reacted, making my face crinkle up at the repulsive thought that he was enjoying himself.
Placing his chin on my shoulder he wrapped his arms around my waist. "I love the smell of lavender in the morning."
I stood there frozen, my feet feeling like they were cemented to the ground. I tried to shrug his arms off of me, but his grip on me only tightened.
"You want a piece of this, baby?" He whispered into my ear as he began grinding his body against mine. I closed my eyes, disgusted, feeling dirty from his touch.
"No, but I do." Jasper interrupted, redirecting the mans attention.
Ripping me out of his grasp, Jasper cocked his arm back and punched him square in the face, knocking the robed figure onto the ground. With his hands stretched out in front of him, a red orb danced on his fingertips before shooting into the man, turning him to dust.
My mouth fell open, shock taking over my body. That's what could happen to me. I could be turned to dust.
"No time to doubt yourself now kitten, there are more coming." He said, sweeping away the pile of ashes with his foot. "Welcome to the healer realm."
Taking a deep breath in I moved forward as more robed men continued to flood toward me. One by one they were destroyed by Jasper, each pile of ash swept to the side.
When the last of the three men surrounded me, they each started grabbing and pulling at my clothes. I felt like a rag doll that was placed between a pack of dogs, each wanting to sink their teeth into a different part of me.
Seth, Jasper, and Ace quickly stepped behind them, rotating their necks until they snapped.
"All clear." Yelled another man from down the hall, signaling to us that they were all finally dead. We all sighed in relief when groups of our healers started gathering around us.
"I gotta hand it to you kitten, you are one hell of a distraction." Jasper smiled, pulling my body close to his, our lips merely inches away.
"T-thanks." I stuttered, fighting back the urge to lock my lips onto his.
"Let's go release the women from the shelter, shall we?" Jasper asked.
I nodded my head in agreement as he took my hand in his, and together we walked down the hall.
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A/N:
What do you all think of Ace being innocent of healing Sebastian? Any thoughts on Jasper?
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