The Mystic Wolves (17 page)

He fled after that, spending the rest of the afternoon hiding in his office. Jasmine and I returned to her room and laughed for hours, devising plans on how we could convince him.

Leaving the bookshelf, I noticed I wasn’t alone in the room. April was curled up on the chair, head resting on her hands as she slept against the seat arm. New to the pack by a year, she was also the youngest and looked up to Jasmine a lot. It made sense if anyone would be keeping vigil, it would be her.

Shaking her shoulder gently, I whispered for her to wake up. Recognition was slow as she opened her sleepy eyes and they instantly filled with tears.

“Hi, Darcy. I’m sorry I fell asleep. I didn’t mean to.” She stretched her small frame and yawned.

“How long have you been here?”

“Since Mason and everyone brought her in. A few of the pack sisters helped get her situated, cleaned up and changed her clothes before they all left.” She looked at the floor, speaking softly. “I didn’t think she’d want to be left alone so I stayed.”

The thoughtfulness of April struck me hard, and I offered her a grateful smile. Even though we didn’t always pull her into our circle, she loved Jasmine enough to know her well.

“You’re right. Jasmine wouldn’t have liked that. Thank you for being here.” I reached out, and April moved into my open arms. As we stood there embracing, she let out a flood gate of cries, the depth of her grief filling the small room. Stroking her back gently, I vowed to keep a closer eye on her, making sure she knew I was always there.

“Did you come to sit with her?” The question was quickly followed by a hiccup. Using the back of her hand, April made a quick job at mopping up her tears. My heart broke for her—broke for all of us.

“I did, so why don’t you head back to your bedroom for a while, and try to get some sleep. Your bed would be more comfortable than the chair.” Gently leading her to the door, she seemed a little hesitant to leave. “The Alpha has shared the farewell ritual will be tonight at sunset. I’ll make sure someone comes to get you, okay?”

Turning around with a serious expression on her face, April added softly, “If you have to leave and no-one is around, come get me.”

Promising her I would, I went back inside with Jasmine, alone for the first time since this nightmare began. I fidgeted with my clothing, my fingers desperate to be moving. I took a step towards the bed, and faltered. I didn’t think I was strong enough for this. Everything in me screamed to turn and walk away, not to look—not to face the truth.

My wolf raised her head and gently bayed, a soft serenade of comfort. I felt her brush against me, and a feeling of peace flowed through me. She was lending me strength—strength I didn’t have on my own. Sighing deeply, I closed my eyes and reminded myself I would survive this. I approached the bed and the piece of my heart that lay there, forever sleeping.

She was beautiful. Even in death, Jasmine stole my breath, so peaceful ... so still ... so young.

If I didn’t know the truth, I would’ve sworn until I was blue in the face she was sleeping. Her facial features were relaxed and a slight smile rested on her lips. I couldn’t see any of the horror from before, someone having erased the evidence. Whoever it had been, I would be forever grateful because I knew Jasmine’s last moments weren’t happy—far from it.

Not caring to hide the trembling in my hand, I brushed my fingers through her fine blonde hair, combing it a little over the pillow. She always thought a woman’s hair was their crowning glory and she was always so meticulous with it. I was the kind to dry and put in a ponytail, but Jasmine … she could spend forever brushing, straightening, or curling it. I would lie on her bed and tease her relentlessly over it, but she just smiled and told me to shush.

Dragging one of the seats over to her bed side to sit, I released the breath I’d been holding. Step one accomplished and I was still okay. I looked down the length of the bed. Someone had clothed her in her favorite dress and lightly covered her with a blanket, as if protecting her from the cold. It was a thoughtful gesture.

I glanced over her body, as if trying to check she was all there and accounted for. I knew I was being silly, but still I did it, almost like how Mason had done it with me—two arms, two legs, and a body. She was in one piece, sleeping. I caught the lie and didn’t bother correcting myself.

I reclined in my chair, and exhaled heavily. “Oh, Jasmine.” The words hung in the air, suspended by a hope I knew I shouldn’t have.

Abruptly leaning forward, I raised my voice. “Wake up, girlfriend. Time to rise and shine. Who said you could be lazy and sleep all day?” I peered at her, waiting for her to open her eyes and poke her tongue at me.

Nothing.

“You’re missing out on things. Daniel’s driving Mason crazy by calling him all kinds of titles. Sooner or later, your brother is going to pound on him. Who’ll be there bandage the fool if you’re not awake to help?” Grasping at straws, I used her crush on Daniel to try to coax her back.

My beautiful sister continued to lay still.

Without thinking, I reached out and took hold of her hand, squeezing it. The instant I touched her, I realized my mistake. Grief beat down on me with such force that a sob erupted out of my mouth and I whipped my arm back, shaking my head frantically.

“No. No. No.” Somewhere in my mind, I kept telling myself if I denied the truth, I could keep pretending. But the proof was in the chill over her skin, the stiffness of death, and it shattered me.

It didn’t matter I’d been surrounded by violence all my life. The reality of death wasn’t something new, especially being part of the supernatural community, because there was always something happening, some feud—particularly amongst the packs. This felt different though. It struck too deep because this had been personal—my relationship with Jasmine a strong one.

Pulling my legs up into my chest, I wrapped my arms around my knees and cried. She truly was gone and nothing was bringing her back.

The room felt confining—like the air had been sucked from it, and I struggled to catch my breath. I refused to open my eyes, not ready to see again what my heart was not accepting as fact. We had spoken about it. I had remembered the events and thought I acknowledged it. But this—her cold hand—was like a slap in the face ... a proverbial kick in the gut.

Are you okay?

Mason. He’d reached out through our connection and I could imagine him, face concerned, ready to finish what he was doing so he could come. I shook my head, even though I knew he couldn’t see me do it. He was needed where he was. There were other things of importance. He had already helped me over the worst and this too would pass.

I am. How are you doing? Meeting almost over?
I hoped we’d be able to get a few moments alone together before the ritual, just so I could make sure he’d at least eaten something today. I knew he’d been on the go and he had to be exhausted.

I could almost feel his sigh as he answered.
I’m doing okay. It’s been a long day, so once I’m done here, I’ll come get you.

The connection closed and I spent the next few moments soaking in the surrounding silence. I sat there in the glow of the flickering candlelight until I found myself speaking out loud again.

“I’m sorry, Jasmine.” I remained quiet as I let my apology settle. “But I got justice. I wasn’t able to protect you, or stop it from happening, but I did avenge you. That has to mean something, doesn’t it?” My voice was small, almost childlike in tone.

Looking over at my best friend, suddenly there didn’t seem enough time to tell her everything my heart contained. All those unspoken moments and thoughts were begging to be released. How many times did I say, “Oh, I’ll tell her tomorrow,” or, “I’ll wait until I see her next?” Staring at her, I realized there would be no more tomorrows for us. I did something I didn’t think I would’ve had the strength for only moments earlier.

Careful not to disturb her, I inched myself toward her, lowering my body down beside her on the bed. Ignoring the cold feel, I took hold of her hand and began from the start. I poured out my heart and shared everything, no matter how small, or insignificant. Whatever entered my mind, I shared and soon all my hopes, dreams, and memories filled the room.

It was our final bantering session—our last time staring at the ceiling while baring our souls. I held onto the hope and belief that wherever Jasmine was, she was listening and smiling. She was at peace and missing me just as much as I was her.

A blanket of exhaustion fell over me, making my words jumble as I fought yawn after yawn. Soon it became difficult to speak, as I settled deeper into the bed, and with one final whisper, I gave in to sleep.

“Goodbye Jasmine. I love you.”

Chapter Thirteen

Something was stroking my face, leaving trails of tingles in its path as it grazed over my cheek before moving toward my jawline. I groaned, the sensation causing my skin to flush and break out into goose bumps. I stretched out lazily before remembering where I was.

My eyes opened quickly, terrified of what might be touching me, and I squeaked in shock when I found a pair of beautiful blue eyes staring back. I should’ve known it was Mason.

Cautiously propping up, expecting to find myself still in Jasmine’s room, the familiarity of my own greeted me, and I realized what must have happened. He found me and had carried me back to my own bed to continue sleeping. Reclining back again, I snuggled into his body to enjoy the contact.

I loved moments like this where we didn’t have to speak, but could find comfort and warmth from lying beside each other.

“Good afternoon, sleepy head.” His voice never ceased to give me goose bumps. He spoke in low tones that rumbled a little, and I loved how sexy it made him sound. Sometimes I wondered if he did it on purpose, just to make me smile.

“I guess the meeting is over and you found me, huh?” I smoothed down the front of his t-shirt, enjoying the way his muscles moved underneath.

“Yeah, I figured I knew where you were and you looked so peaceful so I just brought you back here instead of waking you. You’ve been out for a good hour or two so you needed it.” Resting on his back, Mason turned his head to kiss me on top of mine before staring at the ceiling. “What a day.”

I nodded and we lay there in silence, with him stroking the side of my arm and me tracing the contours of his stomach. We were lost in thought—not wanting to spoil how we were feeling with the ugliness of events.

Releasing a tired sigh, Mason spoke first. “It goes without saying you’re not to leave the house, right? No trips to town, not so much as a toe off pack property.” I knew he was trying to sound casual, but I could sense the importance hidden in his voice. This would be something I couldn’t argue about. He was on alert and the conditions of my safety were non-negotiable.

“I promise. Stay at home. Be a good girl. Don’t cause trouble.” I rattled off each sentence like I was reading a grocery list.

He laughed at my last comment. “I don’t think it’s feasible for you to keep out of mischief, but at least try to keep it within the estate. I can’t expect the impossible from you. Trouble is your middle name after all.”

I slapped him for that, the sound of my hand thudding against his chest echoed in the room, and was followed quickly by a flare of pain in my palm. It was like hitting a brick wall.

“You doing okay?” Instinctively, I knew he was asking if I was alright after sitting with Jasmine. I couldn’t help but smile at just how thoughtful he was. Even though we’d been together for a while, I still wasn’t accustomed to how in tune he was with me, how he noticed things and genuinely wanted to help. The jerks I dated in the past couldn’t have cared less. Their one focus was how soon they could get in my pants and get out.

I hugged Mason tightly, trying to convey how much I appreciated him before letting out a huge sigh. “I’m good. I just kept telling myself I can survive this, and even though it hurts, I still have you and she wouldn’t want me falling apart—especially not now with everything happening. It still feels like I have a lump in my throat all the time, like something’s missing, but I know she would want me to continue to live. It was just a shock seeing her—touching her. It made it real and my mind couldn’t refuse it.” I blew a strand of hair out of my eyes and smiled when Mason reached over to tuck it behind my ear. “I’m glad I was able to have those last moments with her. We talked. Well, I talked and she listened.”

“So it was like normal.” His fingers began to slowly run through my hair, twirling it in a soothing fashion. “I can’t tell you how many times I passed her door and heard you both in there laughing away, not knowing what you two were up to, but so glad you had each other. As a brother, it meant a lot that you both got on so well. It felt right.”

More silence followed as we both got lost in our thoughts. Sunshine blazed through the window, heating the air, and for that short period of time, everything felt perfect. It wouldn’t be difficult to convince myself this was just an ordinary afternoon and everything was right in the world. I lifted my hand into the ray of light that covered most of Mason’s upper body.

Turning it back and forth, rubbing my fingers together, it amazed me how easy it is to take for granted the simple things. I’d grown so accustomed to seeing things every day, always assuming they’d be there whenever I needed them. All it took was an instant to lose it and it would be gone forever. Staring at the dust particles dancing in the sun beam, I vowed to never become so complacent again and learn to appreciate everything I had.