Treasured Find (Royal Pride Book 1) (25 page)

He skimmed a finger down the length of her neck. “The humans.”

“Humans learned of your existence?”

“Not exactly. There have always been some humans who knew about us. I even had a human nanny, but as with the single shifters, some resented us for our immortality. As civilization advanced, they began to look for ways to steal it.”

Images of the warehouse she’d escaped flashed before her eyes. “They experimented on Royals.”

“Yes, and the risk to our women and children grew to a point where only seclusion saved us. We lived in the shadows, hiding from even our single shifter brethren until a group of single shifters approached the human government and demanded protection and rights for all shifters—singles and Royals alike. Laws were established that both benefited and hurt us, but for the most part, it allowed the Royals to rebuild our numbers.”

She closed her eyes. Images of men and women in cages, the echoes of screams and the pitiful moans of other humans swamped her psyche. Five years she’d had to deal with the memories of the few hours she’d spent in the experimental center. It wasn’t enough.

“There is still testing being done on shifters, Rafe. I know. I’ve seen it.”

The muscles under her palms tensed, and Rafe’s fingers pressed into her skin. Finally, he blew out a slow breath, and his grip eased. “How do you know this?”

She swallowed around the lump in her throat. “Because I spent several hours inside an experimental center. I was to be the prize given to the winner of some big cage fight, but I escaped with…with Seth and Levi.”

She met Rafe’s glowing feline eyes—all gold, no white. He stared at her, along with his cats. Her heart raced the longer he watched her with his unblinking cat eyes. She pressed her lips together and fought to keep her fear contained. Rafe wouldn’t hurt her. She knew that, but murder hovered in his eyes. The enraged man inches from her didn’t match the loving, respectful one she thought she knew.

“He likes to fight just as much as the rest of us. Maybe more so. He’s got a hell of a lot of anger built up inside him. He’s only putting on a good face for you so he doesn’t frighten you away.”
Xander’s words repeated in Jazz’s head, and the truth behind them struck her.

She didn’t know the man who claimed to be her true mate, not really. While she didn’t believe Rafe would hurt her, she couldn’t say the same for others. He would kill if he deemed it necessary. Actually, he probably already had ended lives.

Did that bother her? She let the question hover in her heart, and inwardly sighed. If Rafe had killed in self-defense or while protecting someone, she wouldn’t judge him for it. The gray area was what left her uneasy. He decided who was deemed a threat, but sometimes emotions altered perception and made it too easy to justify one’s actions.

Rafe squeezed his eyelids shut. His pent-up breath rushed out. The tense moment passed.

“Do not be afraid of me, my Jasmine.”

“I’m not.”

“But I have heard accounts of these places. What happens to women.” He worked his jaw back and forth. “The thought of you violated makes me—”

“Stop.” She held his face in her hands as he had done to her. “They hurt me, but I wasn’t raped. I was supposed to be a prize, remember. That got me tossed into a cell next to Seth and Levi’s mom. After the guards left, I started working on picking the lock. I’d decided I was going to try to escape or die. No way was I staying there.”

“You picked a lock?”

She grinned, trying to lighten the mood. “My pappy taught me. He said it was something everyone should know. I can’t say I ever used the skill much other than when he’d insisted, but I was lucky. I was put in…” She grimaced. “It was more of a crate than a cell. It didn’t have a heavy duty lock on it. I guess they didn’t consider me a threat.”

Rafe watched her intently but didn’t respond. She dragged in another steadying breath and went on. “Anyway, after I got it open, I went to work on the door to the cell where Seth and Levi were being held with their mom. It took longer to get it unlocked. There were several chains and different locks, but I focused on each one until I got them open.”

“And you weren’t worried a guard would spot you?”

“Well, yes. But what was I supposed to do? Leave her there with two babies? She kept telling me to run too, but I wouldn’t.”

“If she’d been in there a while, she probably wasn’t used to kindness.”

“I imagine not, but she trusted me. I guess because I unlocked her.”

Rafe pulled her into his embrace. “Or because she sensed what I did when I first saw you, that you’re special.”

She grinned and rested her cheek against his chest. “The moment she was out of the cell, she passed over both babies to me and made me swear I’d protect them with me life. I agreed, and we snuck out through the basement. I never would’ve have found my way without running into those bear shifters who ran the place.”

“Bear shifters?” Rafe cursed. “Did you get any names?”

“No. They kidnapped me outside a bar in Charleston and took me to the warehouse they were using. They barely spoke to me during the ride other than to tell me how lucky I was to be chosen as the Hunter’s prize. They seemed really proud of him.”

“The Hunter, huh? That’s the second time I’ve heard his name.”

He didn’t elaborate, so she went on.

“We had some close calls, but made it out.” And unless he asked, she wasn’t about to tell him how Seth and Levi’s mother ripped a couple of other shifter males to shreds. No, that was a memory Jazz didn’t want to ever revisit.

Rafe studied her with narrowed eyes as if he suspected the truth, however. “She protected you?”

“Yes, while I comforted and cooed to her babies.”

He nodded as if her answer were the one he expected. “Obviously you made it out. What happened to the…the mother?”

Jazz closed her eyes as the moment that changed her life replayed in her mind.

“You promised to protect my babies with your life, Jazz. Did you lie to me?”

Jazz clutched the two small infants closer to her chest. “No, of course not.”

“Then you’ll run with them, and if I don’t return to you, you will raise them as your own.”

“You’re not leaving with me?”

“No. There are other women in that center. Other babies. I will save them or die. I promised them.”

Jazz stared into the women’s too-bright hazel eyes and saw the goodbye hovering there. “You’re not coming back for them, are you?”

The woman glanced at her babies. Tears welled in her eyes. She pressed a kiss to each little boy’s head, then turned away, facing the warehouse. “They’re safer with you.”

Safer? Jazz couldn’t shift into a huge tigress. “How am I supposed to protect them?”

The woman peered over her shoulder and leveled a hard look at Jazz. “Remember what I told you and trust your instincts. A good mother will always find ways to protect her kids.”

“But I’m not their mother. I—”

“Run, Jazz. Take my babies and run.” Naked with claws tipping the ends of fingers, the woman moved in a crouch toward the window they’d climbed out of.

She was going to leave. She was actually going to leave.

“Wait.” Jazz tucked the two babies against her chest, using their mother’s shirt as a makeshift carrier. “What’s your name so I can tell your boys about you?”

“Nina.”

“Seth and Levi’s mother slipped back inside the warehouse, and I ran with her babies. She had no intention of trying to find us. Didn’t even ask where I lived.” Jazz blinked back tears. “Of course, I realized I’d need to skip town that night. How was I supposed to explain suddenly having two babies when I was clearly not pregnant the day before?”

Jazz glanced into Rafe’s face. “I was an absolute wreck as I walked back to my car with Seth and Levi, wondering if I was being tracked or what I would do if a cop stopped me.”

Rafe caressed her back. The soothing strokes calmed her racing heart. She snuggled closer to him, and he rested his head on hers. So simple, so profound. Did he know he brought her peace too? With his arms wrapped around her, she felt safe. It was an illusion. He couldn’t protect her from her memories or fate, but his embrace promised her she’d never have to face the horrors of life alone.

“You made it back safely?”

Rafe’s question broke the silence that had descended.

“Yes. It was a miracle as far as I’m concerned. I’m convinced Seth and Levi had known when they needed to be quiet.”

“They were likely reacting to your scent. Even as newborns, Royals are more attuned to the world.”

“If so, they probably had a low opinion of their new caretaker in those early hours. I went from tears to anxiety, but the worst was knowing I was alone.” She slipped her hands under Rafe’s shirt, not in a sexual manner but to remind herself she didn’t have to face that fear again.

“You had no close friends in Charleston?”

“None that I would trust with Seth and Levi’s secret. My options were limited. I shared an apartment with another girl, so even going back there to pack wasn’t possible. Going home was my only choice, but I couldn’t just show up there. My pappy would’ve flipped out and tried to raid the warehouse himself.” She chuckled at the visual. “I can just imagine how scared those shifters would’ve been to see a seventy-three year old man with a cane and patch over one eye on their doorstep demanding retribution.”

“What did you do?”

“I ran up my credit card with sleazy motel bills and all the supplies I needed for the boys. Once I felt confident enough time had passed that I could pull off being a new mom, I went home.”

Rafe cradled the back of her head and urged her to look at him. “And the mother? You never called the cops? Told them about the experimental center?”

He’d already explained to her their existence had to remain a secret. Asking her why she hadn’t broken their golden rule didn’t make sense. Neither did the anger tightening his features, but it wasn’t directed at her. Of that she was certain, not unless the gentle stroking of his thumb along her hairline was a sign of rage.

“The next morning, the news reported a massive fire that leveled the entire industrial complex. No bodies were recovered. I assumed Nina was either recaptured or ran too.”

He squeezed his eyes closed. “Nina.”

Pain laced the single word.

“You knew her?”

“Know her, yes. My little sister isn’t dead. Kade would have felt her death.”

She curled her fingers around the waistband of his jeans. “You’re talking about your sister that Jon kidnapped?”

Rafe leaned closer, and the eyes of a predator replaced the warm ones she’d stared into while he’d loved her the day before. “And Jon will pay for his crimes in blood. I won’t rest until the bastard dies.”

Shouting from the first floor saved Jazz from answering—a good thing. She wasn’t sure what to say. The man claiming to be her true mate frightened her because she believed him. Nothing would stop him. Nothing.

Not even her.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Rafe banked his frustration and the crippling sense of helplessness Jasmine’s tale left with him. His anger had frightened her enough. He hadn’t meant to upset her, but the thought of her in the hands of the same criminals who’d locked away his baby sister pushed him to the edge. Only knowing Jasmine had escaped that place stopped him from losing control, but it didn’t wipe it out completely. Nina was still lost.

Another curse from downstairs reached him. Rafe hurried past Jasmine and rushed into the living room. The sight that greeted him added to the tension radiating through him and tore a low growl from his cats.

Josh was up in Kade’s face, a threatening pose that challenged Kade’s leadership. If Josh had been a shifter, Kade would’ve put Josh in his place long before his attitude built to the point of aggression. Only Rafe could push Kade. The twin bond overruled the boundaries of shifter dynamics.

“That bastard went after my parents.” Josh clenched and released his fists. “Because I fucking forgot they’d be in as much danger as the rest of us!”

Rafe looked behind Josh’s enraged body to where Mira stood for an explanation. “Mira?”

“Josh’s mom called and said there was a lion there. Devin went over to…” Mira glanced at Josh then back to Rafe. “To help them.”

“Remove their dead bodies.” Josh spun and glared at Mira. She stepped back. “That’s what you mean, isn’t it? And since Devin hasn’t called, that’s probably what he’s doing.”

“Enough.”

Kade’s sharp tone rolled through the room. Everyone besides Rafe flinched. It was hard not to react. The deep timbre sparked something elemental within people that made them want to cower under the nearest table. Rafe had seen the reaction often. Usually in his presence.

“The past cannot be changed. Whatever happens to your family is ultimately my fault. You are now part of my pride.” Kade glanced to Mira, who dropped her gaze. “It is my responsibility to protect you and your family.”

Josh waved his arm toward Mira. “Why the hell are you glaring at Mira? She had nothing to do with this. I should’ve—”

Rafe shoved Josh back. The human obviously didn’t realize Mira’s claim on him, making him her beloved human, was the reason behind Kade’s hard look. Rafe didn’t want it brought up either. Not while tensions were running high.

“Stop.” Rafe leaned closer and lowered his voice. “You and I will talk about your new place in my family, but now is not the time.”

“No, let’s discuss it—”

Rafe pointed to the stairs. “We are not the only ones in this house, and you’re not exactly being quiet.”

“Sh—” Josh snapped his mouth closed and ran a hand through his hair.

“Go cool off. I’ll call Devin and find out what’s going on.”

With a sharp nod, Josh pivoted and stormed toward the kitchen.

Rafe met Mira’s gaze. “Keep your human occupied or he’ll end up with another scar.”

Mira hurried after Josh.

The moment the kitchen door banged shut, Kade sat on the couch. “Well-played, brother.”

“He’s frustrated. I can’t blame him. He just needed a reminder that his situation wasn’t the only one going on.”

Kade grunted, then made his way to the stairs. “I’m going to check on the kids.”

“I changed my mind.” Jasmine stepped in front of Rafe once they were alone. “Let’s leave. It’s not safe here.”

And miss out on capturing Jon?

Rafe shook his head. “Not until we catch Jon. Mira was right. He’s playing a psychological game with us. The dog was his way of proving he could get close to us, and going after the older human and Josh’s parents is an attempt to pit us against each other. It won’t work.”

She studied him a minute, then frowned. “How? Did he think you’d blame Evan for Mr. Wilkins getting hurt?”

He nodded. “And blame each other for not protecting Josh’s parents. Kade and I should’ve thought to put a guard on them too.”

“Kade might hold your family’s spirit, but he doesn’t lead your pride alone, does he?”

“No. He’s my twin. For shifters, it’s a tight and somewhat unexplainable bond. We and our animal spirits shared our mother’s womb. We’re…”

How was he supposed to explain the tie when even he couldn’t put it into words?

“Kade is connected to me.”

“Even for humans, twins share a unique bond. I’m not surprised it would be stronger for shifters.”

Rafe brushed a lock of hair from her shoulder, exposing the spot where his mate bite would mark her as his. “And Kade being our alpha leader has allowed me to be with you.”

“How so?”             

“I am not driven by my instincts to mate for the sake of carrying on our genes.”

Her expression fell. “Because I can’t have your babies.”

He hadn’t meant to bring up the topic. Jasmine embodied the protective and nurturing drive of motherhood. It was a trait his cats were drawn to also. It simply wasn’t one she’d ever embrace for their biological children.

“Are you okay with that? Because it doesn’t mean we can’t be parents. Seth and Levi aren’t the only shifter kids in need of love.”

“I’m okay with it.”

No change in scent accompanied her words. She wasn’t lying, but her careful expression suggested something bothered her. With all the issues surrounding them, any number of reasons might’ve caused her anxiety.

“Tell me. What’s wrong?”

“If I went to Kade and told him I wanted to leave, you’d override him, wouldn’t you?”

“He wouldn’t approve of you or the kids being separated from us, not while Jon is alive. Jon has proven he won’t simply tuck tail and run. Whether it is you or the kids he wants matters little. He won’t give up. Today proved it.”

“If I were at your home, he’ll have no choice but to give up. You said it was safer there with Xander’s pack close by. That Jon would never dare attack.”

But Rafe wanted Jon to come at them again. It was the only way Rafe would ever get his hands on Jon. A century had passed without their paths crossing. Rafe refused to allow another to pass always wondering where the other male was hiding or who he was hurting.

“Your reasons for staying were valid. It wouldn’t be right to rip you from your home. Besides, you have a business here.”

“I don’t care.” She straightened her spine. “Because of me, Josh’s parents are in danger. If we’d left when you wanted, Jon would’ve either followed us or skipped town. If he kills them, their deaths will be on my conscience.”

The same guilt plaguing Josh gripped Jasmine. Rafe saw it in her eyes.

“If we leave, Josh will have to move too. So will Josh’s parents and Mr. Wilkins when he recovers from his injuries.” He waited a moment, letting his words sink in. “And do you really think Josh will go? He’ll have to sell his bar. Leave his friends.”

She groaned. “I hate this.”

“I know. That’s why I’m going to take Jon out before he escapes again.” He brushed his finger along her lower lip. “You need to trust me.”

She took a deep breath. Acceptance showed on her face. “We need to figure out how we’re going to get him then.”

The front door opened before he could admit he didn’t have any ideas on how to trap Jon besides using Jasmine as bait. That wasn’t an option he was comfortable with.

Devin walked in with two older humans, and Jasmine shoved from Rafe’s arms.

“Mom. Dad.” She went to them and threw her arms around them. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”

Josh ran into the room and greeted both his parents before hugging Jasmine.

Rafe tensed. The embrace Jasmine and Josh shared wasn’t sexual. Their relief over knowing they hadn’t lost his parents was clear. So too was the bond they shared. Rafe had known Jasmine and Josh had been lovers and that Josh was important to her, but the sight before him drove home the reality of what that actually meant.

If Jasmine hadn’t been entrusted with Rafe’s nephews, she would’ve married Josh. Had his babies. Shared her life with him. Not Rafe. Jasmine wouldn’t have even considered kissing Rafe had their paths ever crossed, let alone allowing him to discover how special she was to him. Rafe would’ve missed out on his true mate and the peace only she could give him.

“What happened?” Josh asked his parents.

“That neighbor kid with the obnoxious car radio is what happened,” Josh’s father announced. “He came driving down the street with some rap song playing, and the lion took off.”

“Your friend showed up minutes later and brought us here,” Josh’s mother added.

More questions were asked, and more hugs were exchanged. Rafe blocked it out. His thoughts were too mixed up to focus on the joyous reunion.

He moved to the edge of the room where Kade stood vibrating with anger. The tips of claws bit through the ends of his fingers, and glowing eyes took in the scene.

Before Rafe could ask what had enraged him, Kade growled, “We need to find out where they moved our baby sister. I won’t rest until she is out of that damn experimental center.”

“You heard Jasmine’s story?”

“Yes. I’m sorry I eavesdropped, but I needed to know.”

“Saves me from explaining.”

Seth, Levi and Megan ran down the stairs. They too hugged Josh’s parents, and when Levi held up his arms, Josh lifted him so he could kiss Josh’s mother on the cheek.

A rock landed in Rafe’s gut.

“Look at them. Josh would’ve happily accepted Seth and Levi as his own kids. Married Jasmine.”

“But he didn’t. I’d be thanking the goddess for that.”

“She hasn’t visited you in a century. Don’t kid yourself, Kade. She no longer cares about us.”

“She does, so do the other gods and goddesses.” Kade motioned toward Jasmine and Josh. “There’s your proof. Something stopped Jasmine from taking Josh’s comfort. You realize the male had offered it, don’t you?”

Rafe did know that. The signs of protectiveness and possession Josh had displayed around Jasmine when Rafe had first seen them together proved it. “Yes, but it’s obvious he wants her happy. I can give her that.”

“Of course you will. You’re her true mate.”

Rafe grinned. He still couldn’t believe he’d found her. “I’m glad I waited for her, and once Jon is taken out, I’m going to complete our bond.”

Kade stepped in front of him, blocking the humans from Rafe’s sight. “Are you sure that’s wise? If you have Jasmine’s agreement, do it now.”

“I don’t have it yet.” Rafe scrubbed at his face. “I haven’t even brought the topic up.”

“Why not? I can see that she’s fallen for you. The same look is in her eyes when she gazes at you that our mother wore for our father. Love. Your female loves you, and you’d be a fool to risk losing her. As a human, she’s vulnerable. Don’t allow death to claim her. Talk to her. Explain what you plan for her.”

He was tempted to do exactly that, but the reality of their situation wasn’t something he could ignore.

“I want Jon’s blood, and if I start the mate bond, I won’t want to leave her side until she heals the wound I’ll be inflicting upon her.” That was another aspect of mating a human he dreaded. Not only would he kill her, he’d have to watch her recover from the death blow he’d deliver in order to tie her to his soul.

“You don’t have to be the one who kills Jon.”

“Yes, I do. He’s threatening my female. My family. I won’t sit by and allow you or one of the others to defend them.”

“But that is what a pride does. We protect each member equally, no matter if they belong to our brothers, our cousins or our friends.”

Rafe bent close to Kade. “Jon had her. He had his hands on her. Groped her. The same damn male who took our sister.”

“Yes, I understand your anger, but don’t allow revenge to ruin your future. Nina wouldn’t want you to lose your mate because of her.”

Kade walked away, but his words repeated in Rafe’s head. Finally, he shoved away the doubt and embraced his determination. He would capture Jon. No other option was acceptable.

Rafe strode across the room and took Jasmine’s hand, pulling her away from the happy group. She looked at him with questioning eyes.

He brushed his nose against the column of her neck. “I need your arms wrapped around me too.”

She linked her hands at the base of his spine and rested her cheek against his chest. Her scent, the unique fragrance that was purely Jasmine, filled his lungs. Peace flowed through him with each inhale, chasing away the darkness and frustration that had built within him while talking to Kade.

“Thank you.” He rubbed his cheek over her head. “I needed what only you can give me.”

“Peace?”

“Yes. Holding you tames my cats.”

“When will I get to meet them?”

“Whenever you’re ready.”

She nibbled on her lower lip for a moment, then pressed her palms to his chest. “Now. I want to see them now.”

“Then you will.” He led Jasmine toward the steps.

With the door to their bedroom shut behind them, he let his mind slip into the mystical realm where his cats lived. He’d let them decide who’d get to meet Jasmine first. His jaguar bumped him. So be it. Rafe eased back, his jaguar’s soul shadowing Rafe’s, and undressed.