Chapter 19

Each minute that had past felt like hours, but he pushed his body to the limits as he sprinted miles across the rugged terrain. He didn’t even feel the pain as the rocks and sticks tore open his feet. He just pushed the pain and prayed that each breath Shay took wasn’t her last.

Jaxson burst through the front door of his father’s house which was on the outskirts of town. He hadn’t stepped foot back in the house since Jillian had died almost four years ago. He rushed into the living room, pushing past his father and Lucas. He laid Shay gently on the sofa.

“What is going on Jaxson?” Nelson asked the first to recover from the shock of seeing his son burst into his home with a lifeless young woman in his arms.

“What happened?” Lucas exclaimed as he ran to Shay’s side. Kneeling beside the couch, he gently grabbed her wrist and checked for a pulse. “She’s alive but barely. Her pulse is very weak. ” Lucas went to brush the hair out of her face when he gasped. “She’s been bitten.” He turned to Jaxson, his green eyes flashing amber. “What did you do to her?” He demanded standing up.

“It wasn’t me,” Jaxson growled, eyes flashing and then took a step toward Lucas.

Jaxson’s father stepped between the two men, placing a hand on either’s chest. He looked from Lucas to Jaxson to Shay, and back to Jaxson. “Who is this woman and what the fuck happened Jaxson!” He demanded. The tone of the Alpha apparent in his voice.

Jaxson felt the pull of the alpha’s command. “Her name is Shay. Jake bit her. I’ll explain later, but right now we have to save her!” Jaxson yelled as panic filled him.

Lucas stood in shock staring at his older brother. “What do you mean Jake bit her?” He roared angrily. “Where is he? I’ll kill him.” He threw off his dad’s arm and stormed to the door.

“He’s already dead.”

Lucas stopped in his tracks, and both he and his father looked up at Jaxson wide-eyed. “What do you mean he’s already dead?” His father asked. “Did you kill him?”

“Yes. Fuck! He gave me no choice.” Jaxson screamed in frustration. He didn’t want to waste time rehashing the details when Shay was lying motionless on the couch. “He wasn’t sane. He attacked Shay and bit her. He killed Jillian for Christ Sakes and now he wants Shay dead too.” Overcome with grief, Jaxson let his head drop to his chest. His body began to shake violently as the tears rolled down his cheeks. The guilt of not being able to save Jillian, and now Shay was just too much.

Nelson walked up to Jaxson and laid a hand on his son’s shoulder. “If she has been bitten then there is nothing more you can do for her son. You know that we must just sit and wait to see how she reacts to the bite. It will be up to the girl’s will to fight and survive the change. You know how this works.”

Jaxson jerked his shoulder away from his father. He didn’t want his comfort. He was furious with himself, even more so now that he knew the truth about Jillian. Jaxson hadn’t wanted to believe that his cousin Jake was a monster, so he had turned a blind eye. But, George had been telling the truth for all these years. If only he had listened to him and Susan, maybe Shay wouldn’t be in this position.

He also knew his father was right. There was nothing more that anyone of them could do for her. Shay would either transform, or she would die. Only time would tell now. Jaxson looked at the clock on the wall as the room went silent. All he could do now was wait.

**

Shay slowly woke up, her mind resisting the urge to be swallowed back down into the darkness. She felt like she was moving in suspended animation. Her entire body felt sore as she forced her eyes open before shrinking away from the intense brightness that flooded the room. She blinked her eyes several times, taking a moment to adjust to the light and the vibrant colors around her. She was scared for a moment because she didn’t recognize where she was, but then a familiar face came into view. She relaxed as Jaxson's face slowly came into view; her heart lightening at the sight of him. She tried to talk, but her throat felt like sandpaper. "Hey," was all she managed.

“Shh, don’t try to talk just yet. You’ve been out of it for a while. Let me get you a drink.” He said as he left her side.

She didn’t want him to go, but he was back in just a few seconds with a small glass of water. She tried to sit up but was too weak to do it by herself. He gently slid his arm around her and helped her raise her head so she could take a drink.

“Easy now.” He said as she tried to gulp it down. “Just take some small sips at first.”

She did as she was instructed, closing her eyes as the cool liquid soothed the ache in her throat. She took one more sip and then opened her eyes.

“Better?” He asked as he placed the cup on the table beside him.

She nodded yes, too overcome with emotion to speak. Seeing her discomfort, his hand gently swept through her hair causing some of the tension in her body to ease. She took few deep breaths to regain the rest of her composure, enjoying his familiar scent. It seemed to be stronger now, somehow more potent. He leaned closer, and his masculinity overwhelmed her senses. His scent was godly as he leaned closer and she took a minute to inhale the intoxicating aroma.

A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth; his eyes were bright. "Hey." He said softly after placing a kiss on her forehead and then pulled back to inspect her features. "How are you feeling?"

"Rough, tired." Her eyes drooped slightly before she forced them back open.

"Is there any pain?"

"No, I just ache all over— like I did a really hard work out or something.” Confusion marred her face. “Why, do I have a concussion or something?"

Now it was his turn to furrow his brows. "Not that I'm aware of. Why, does your head hurt?"

"No, it’s not my head. It’s my eyes. Everything is just so bright." Lifting a hand sluggishly, she covered her eyes. "Where are we, anyway? Did you redecorate or something?"

His gaze softened before his eyes lowered to the thin sheet pulled up to her chin. “No, I didn’t redecorate.” He hesitated, and she moved her hand to look up at him. “Actually, we are at my father’s house.”

“At your father’s house?” Shay said surprised.

“I’m so sorry that this happened to you Shay. It’s my fault.” Jaxson’s face finally crumbled and he laid his head on her chest.

He looked so despondent that Shay’s first reaction was to comfort him. She stroked his long dark hair gently as he lay still. Shay racked her brain trying to remember what happened. Scenes flashed through her mind at a rapids pace. She desperately tried to make sense of it all. But, it was all jumbled together. She took a breath to steady herself and Jaxson raised his head at her curiously.

After a few long moments, she was able to put the pieces together. She remembered being on her way to Jaxson’s house for dinner when she was frightened by something. She gasped out loud as she recalled everything. She remembered with vivid clarity Jake, ambushing her in the woods, stalking her, and then biting her. She remembered the feeling of incredible pain when he bit her, the agony that consumed her. It was so intense she couldn’t move— she could only lay there in the damp earth as the fiery burn reached a fever pitch inside her body. She was barely able to breathe.

Shay looked up at Jaxson and then reached for his hand as the realization hit. He squeezed back tightly before looking at her again.

"Jake turned me, didn’t he?" She asked, though deep down she’d already known the answer.

Jaxson couldn’t find the words, but his expression said it all. Finally, he nodded confirming that what she had remembered wasn’t a nightmare but a reality.

Her reality. She would never forget that tortured feeling. Swallowing the lump that now sat in her throat, she whispered the words. "So, I'm a wolf now?"

Jaxson forced his head up to meet her blue eyes. "Yes.” He sighed deeply. “I'm so sorry Shay."

Trepidation flooded her as she tried to get a grip on the reality of what she had just learned. A horrifying thought entered her mind, and she tightened her grip on his hand before asking, "So what happens now? Does Jake own me or connected to me now?" She could feel the tears pool in her eyes and threaten to spill over. The thought of being tied to Jake was more than she could bear.

"No, no honey.” Jaxson averred soothing her. “Jake's dead," Jaxson whispered. "He has no ties to you. He can’t hurt you anymore."

Her mind spun as she tried to remember but she couldn't. She felt Jaxson's hand cup her face, getting her to focus on him. "You're not alone in this Shay. I will help you adjust; you will get through it. We will get through it together." He said resting his forehead against hers.

"We'll help too." Several deep voices said in unison.

Shay and Jaxson turned looking at the doorway to see Alex, Lucas, and Nelson standing there smiling encouragingly.

"Welcome back to the living Shay. You're one tough cookie." Lucas said walking over and stopping at the foot of the bed.

Shay smiled weakly at Lucas and then looked back at Jaxson. Her hand rested on his face, and she said, "I trust you Jaxson."

Jaxson pressed his lips to hers, and the overwhelming sensation caused her nerves to tingle, like a little bolt of electricity. Even in her diminished state, her body still responded to Jaxson.

"She needs her rest," Nelson said trying to usher the twins out of the room.

"Ok. Ok." Lucas walked around the side of the bed and bent over her to give her a quick kiss on the cheek. Then Alex picked up her hand and said, "Welcome to the pack Shay. You are family now."

A tired smile played across her mouth as she watched the men leave the room giving her and Jaxson some privacy.

Shay laid there gathering her thoughts and trying to get a grip on her feelings. She could think with so much more clarity now. She couldn’t explain it. Before when she was human, she was looking through a hazy one-way mirror or something, but now there was no distortion. It was all a bit confusing, but she knew she would get through it.

All of a sudden she could feel warmth start to flow through her. Confused she looked at Jaxson and realized it was emanating from him. It was as if, somehow now that she was a wolf too, they were even more connected than before. His warmth spilled over into her, and she couldn't help but relax.

Shay smiled at Jaxson, and he smiled back, only his didn’t quite meet his eyes. She stared at him, and he looked away under her scrutiny. Apparently, it worked both ways. She was also more attuned to him as well. She could feel what he was feeling. She could sense his irritation. "What is it?" She asked.

He turned his green eyes back to hers. He took a moment before he finally said, "It was Jake all along. He killed Jillian. George was right. You were right."

Shay touched his hand and said, "I'm so sorry Jaxson. I didn’t want to be right. At least now he won't be able to hurt anyone else." He dipped down, and his lips met hers. “You’re going to be ok. That’s all that counts.” He said smiling.

Shay’s hand cupped his cheek, and she said, “I saw her.”

Jaxson watched as a tear rolled down her cheek. “Saw who?” He asked confused by her words.

“Ana. It was after I had been bitten. She was in her room playing with her dolls. She smiled at me and told me everything was going to be ok. That she was ok.” Another tear rolled down her cheek, and Jaxson gently wiped it away. “It is how I knew I was going to be okay too. She gave me the strength to fight when I thought I had nothing left.”

Jaxson could feel the peace that was radiating through Shay and it overwhelmed him. He sat there and held her hand as they were both overcome with emotion. At that moment Shay knew that everything would be ok.