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I understand completely that Jasper is my superior and has the power to end me just as quickly as he helped sculpt me, but I will not stand idly by as the Healer race gets reduced to ruin.
It's bad enough that this infatuation belongs to my Commander, but the fact that it is for the mate of another makes me sick. The fact that this mate is the leader of the Black Lace pack is asking for trouble. This whole situation is one best dealt between the men themselves, not between the packs they represent.
I might not be on the best of terms when it comes to the Black Lace pack, however, I am on great terms with Veronica and she will listen to what I have to say to her.
But unfortunately, for now, I have to follow the orders of my Commander even though I don't agree with them.
Strolling out into the Healer training area I watched as my trusted friends concentrated on healing the sick and hurt individuals before them.
I missed seeing the vibrant fluorescent lights that illuminated the hall and the array of colors that lit up the cubicles.
Since becoming Jasper's right-hand man, I have forgotten what it feels like to heal. How good it felt to see someone smile like it was their first time feeling alive.
Now I have become nothing but the messenger boy. The one who has to clean up after Jasper and make excuses for his poor actions.
Running my hands along the slick wall of the training room, my fingers collided with a small switch. With a quick flick of my finger, a red hue danced around inside the healing cubicles.
I smiled widely thinking back to the tour I gave Veronica.
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FLASHBACK
"Wait, explain that again," Veronica begged as she stood inside the small space, ready to learn the ins and outs of a healing session.
"This right here is a notification sensor. It was made to alert all of the Healers to convene in the center of the training area when their healing is complete. When everyone is present, the meeting would start." I explained, pointing to the red lightbulb at the bottom of the wall.
"Ok, I think I've got this." She smiled at me, making my heart melt.
END FLASHBACK
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"Do not release information about the meeting just yet. There are other issues that need to be addressed first." Jasper's voice boomed through our link.
Defiantly rolling my eyes, I flipped the switch back off and responded shortly to let him know I received his orders. I knew he was still reeling from what I had said to him, but the truth needed to be told. He has no chance in hell when it comes to defeating Sebastian and Veronica would make sure of that.
"Is there a reason you are rolling your eyes like a cocky teenager?" Abigail asked as she stood next to me.
I must have been so enthralled in my own thoughts that I didn't notice her approach me. It seemed to be a growing trend.
"It is about the Black Lace Pack." I mind linked.
Sensitive information such as this is better said in confidence instead of out loud. I didn't feel like being on the receiving end of Jasper's wrath if the information was as to be leaked.
Staring at Abigail I could see the faint resemblance between her and Veronica. Their eyes both a beautiful round shape. Their lips full and perfect.
I looked at Abigail like she was a second mother. When Healer Frank died, a piece of me left with him. The guilt that bombarded me after his death still has not gone away, and I don't think it ever will.
"Well, what about them?" She asked impatiently as she pushed her long black hair behind her shoulder and locked her eyes onto mine.
How am I going to tell her that Jasper thinks Veronica is his Promised? Abigail has a short fuse and I'm sure this will ignite the fire that was needed for her to explode in anger. I needed to be careful with my wording, ease into the truth.
Wrapping my arm around hers with our elbows locked together, we began to walk.
"How well do you know the Black Lace pack?" I asked her while continuously scanning the training room for listening ears.
"Hmm.." She groaned while knitting her eyebrows together. "I know them fairly well. I have gotten closer to the pack since Veronica has become a part of the pack. Why are we so curious?"
Scratching the side of my head I racked my brain for ways to make this conversation smooth and educational on my part. If I was going to warn the Black Lace pack, I needed all the information I can get.
"I will explain all that in a second. Can you tell me exactly what you know about them?"
Stopping abruptly, she stepped in front of me and locked her eyes onto mine. "Listen here boy, I'm not going to play guessing games. Either you tell me what's going on or I will find out from Jasper." She scolded.
I should have known better than to beat around the bush with her. She was mater a factly. No bullshit.
Rubbing my hand over my face I exhaled loudly in frustration. "We can't talk about it here," I explained.
Taking my hand in hers, I watched as her eyes fluttered closed and a burst of white light surrounded us, obscuring my vision.
My body was weightless. My feet dangling freely as we teleported through time and space, creating an energy field more powerful than electricity.
Before I knew it, my feet were firmly planted on the solid oak floor of Abigail's cottage. The smell of boiled spearmint hitting my nose like a freight train, instantly calming my tingling nerves.
"Now explain." She croaked, as she took small short steps to her lazy-boy chair.
Sitting down across from her on the couch, my mind continued to spin, trying to come up with the correct wording to use to explain the mess that landed at my feet.
"Jasper thinks Veronica is his Promised." I blurted out, throwing caution to the wind.
Staring blankly at me, she quietly raked her hands through her long onyx hair and adjusted herself in the chair.
"This is not news to me, child. The moment I saw Veronica and Jasper together I could feel the magnetic pull they had toward each other." She admitted.
I suddenly felt my eyes bulge and my jaw drop. How could she know this and not put a stop to it? Why did she continue to put them together in situations that bought them closer?
"How? Why?" Were the only words my brain would allow me to say.
"Everyone is entitled to love, even if that love belongs to another. As Veronica's grandmother and a fellow Healer, I am thrilled to see her promised to another Healer. But on the other hand, I am happy that she is mated to the most powerful Alpha who can keep her safe." She breathed. "It is not my place to steer her in one direction or the other, but I know where her heart lies and that is the most important factor in all of this."
Great. How am I suppose to prevent the extinction of my kind if Abigail can't even intervene? If she won't even open her mouth to help Veronica chose the right man for her. Isn't that what a grandparent does?
"When Sebastian finds out about this, we are good as dead. Hell, when Veronica finds out about this she is going to turn her back on all of us." I admitted.
Leaning over to me, her motherly instinct took over. Her wrinkled, boney fingers intertwining with mine were nothing but calming and reassuring me everything would be ok.
"I will never let anything happen to you, Ace. You have treated my family like your own and I promised my son I would look over you and Veronica if anything was ever to happen to him." She smiled while patting my hand.
Trying to stop the salt ridden tears from clouding my vision, I pinched the bridge of my nose. This whole situation has made me vulnerable and afraid. Afraid for not only me, but for every Healer that walks this earth.
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