––––––––

JASMINE HAD BEEN PEEVED with him since his “tough” talk with Jarcee. She hadn’t had much to say and when she did speak it was in mono-syllables. Jarcee held a special place not only in Jasmine’s heart but all of his pups. While he recognized that, he would be less than a good Alpha to allow Jarcee a pass with his actions.

Could he have handled the reprimand better? Jasmine believed so. Would it impact his relationship with Jarcee? Silas didn’t think so, but mates were a gray area. Pack law and rules didn’t always apply when it came to mates.

Sitting in the living room of their suite, he reached out to Jarcee, hoping things were going smoothly.

“Jarcee?” Silas frowned when there was no answer. He called out to him several times and when there was no response, he searched for his beast. Jarcee was running in the mountains, that wasn’t a good sign. Silas spoke to the beast and was saddened by the heart-breaking pain resonating through the beast.

“Come to the compound, Jarcee. Come here,” he commanded and waited for a response. When there was none, he pulled on the connection and compelled Jarcee to meet him.

He sensed the wolf’s obedience and went out to meet him. “Where are you going?” Jasmine asked.

“To meet Jarcee, he’s hurting. Things didn’t go well.” He entered the tunnel and prepared to exit through the security gate.

She sifted through his memories. “I was afraid of this. I’m on my way.”

He didn’t bother to argue and waited for her at the exit. She arrived wearing a jogging suit and sneakers. They left the compound and entered the forest. A mile in, Silas sensed Jarcee’s beast.

“Just so you know, I’m going to hug him,” Jasmine said, clearly not asking permission.

Silas didn’t bother responding.

A hug might be exactly what his wounded pack mate needed. The large white wolf entered the clearing whining and shaking his head as if he couldn’t settle. Waves of pain buffeted Silas. He stroked Jarcee’s head and back to calm him. Jasmine stood on the other side and they stroked him together until his beast stopped shaking. Moments later, Jarcee sat on the ground in front of them shaking and weeping.

Jasmine held him close as she would a babe and rocked him. “Shh, it’s okay, take a deep breath, that’s it. Just breathe. One breath, now another. That’s good.” She stroked his hair, looked up at Silas and nodded.

“We’re going inside so we can talk. Jasmine can’t link with you, here and I don’t know who’s listening. Come, let’s get you inside. Whatever’s wrong we’ll fix it.”

Jarcee shook his head. “Not this. No way to fix this.”

Silas had never heard his friend sound so defeated. What had happened? He grabbed Jarcee’s chin, their gazes connected. “Am I your Alpha?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“I said we will fix this.” A flicker of hope lit in Jarcee’s eyes, not full-blown, but enough to hold him together until they could work it out.

Jarcee nodded and stood.

They returned to the compound in silence.

Silas sensed his mate’s concern and hurt. His beast couldn’t ease her and that bothered him. Knowing she wouldn’t appreciate him mentioning his personal discomfort, he struggled to focus on Jarcee’s dilemma.

Using the private elevator to Silas and Jasmine’s suite, Silas locked the door, barring guests. He gave Jarcee something to put on, turned and hugged his mate. “He’ll be okay, I promise we’ll help him fix this, no matter what it takes. Do you believe me?”

She nodded slowly against his chest. “It hurts to see him like this.”

He rubbed her back to calm her. “I know but it will get better. You and I will work together, no one else will know about this. Okay?”

“That’s a good idea. The kids would be devastated to see him hurting like this. They’d go looking for his mate and that would be a disaster.” She inhaled and wiped her face. “My heart’s breaking for him.”

Silas rubbed her back and rocked her gently. “I know. He’ll be out here soon. Do you want him to see us looking uncertain? As if we don’t know what to do? He needs you and me to appear confident that he won’t lose his mate. Can you do that for him?” For me, he thought. If Jasmine wasn’t right, he and his beast wouldn’t be able to focus on anything else.

She exhaled. “Yes. Thanks, I needed that. I’ll get him something to drink.”

Pleased they had calmed their mate, Silas turned his attention to Jarcee just as the bathroom door opened.

Jasmine returned to the living area, handed Jarcee a cup of hot tea and sat next to him. When he took several sips of the tea she took his hand. “What happened?” she asked.

Silas expected to hear a tale of a human rejecting a man and his beast. He had words of comfort and strategies to win the recalcitrant mate back at the ready. But he had nothing to say to his top security guy being mated to a human spy.

Words failed him. Jarcee’s loyalties were surely being tested. How far would he go to save his mate? Would he betray pack? Jarcee knew the compound inside and out, down to the secret tunnels set aside for Silas’ den. He knew secrets of all Silas’ pups who thought of him as an uncle or godfather. He had participated in Alpha, Knights and KnightForce training. He knew names, addresses and personal information of countless pack members. If the military had been seeking a ripe target to learn their weaknesses, they’d hit pay dirt with Jarcee.

Jasmine couldn’t believe it. Faye worked for the military? Jarcee just learned about it today? If Faye received her assignment today that meant the counter-intelligence operation had started and was already in the area.

“Are you saying she had no idea of us?”

“No, she didn’t. She must’ve seen my photo at her meeting today and assumed I worked security for Alpha and told me to quit my job. But that was after she told me about her real job, not the assignment, her job. Based on what Alpha had said earlier, I knew she was a part of the operation sent here to destroy us,” Jarcee said.

“Not destroy us,” Jasmine said gently, not wanting to make this bigger in his mind than what it was. “They’re here to gain information about the pack, looking for weaknesses. I’m sure her job is to report what she sees and not to destroy the pack.”

“Mistress, the end result is to devise a defensive weapon against us. Even though she may not be directly involved she’s a part of it.” Jarcee looked at Silas. “Why would the Goddess mate me with someone like that? It makes no sense. I’ve gone over how we met, fell in love and every detail of every day we spent together and cannot see how any of it was fake. I don’t understand how this happened.”

Jasmine looked at Silas, she had no idea how it happened either. Granted, when she initially learned of the Wolf Nation she hadn’t been thrilled. But her sons were half-breeds and she knew the caliber of men they were. It didn’t take much to accept Silas, even though their beginning was rocky. Faye hadn’t known anything about wolves, or packs or anything. Only the information the government pushed at her.

“She’s a breeder, like Jasmine. Her occupation doesn’t change who she is, your mate. Petition the Goddess for more specific answers to help you understand. Remember, jobs come and go. They aren’t an indicator of her appropriateness as a mate for you, Jarcee.”

“They’ll court-martial her.” Jarcee’s words sounded flat, with no emotion. “If she does not do her job, she’ll be arrested, go to jail.”

No wonder Jarcee’s heart was broken. His loyalty was to his mate who considered him and his pack her enemy. How could they help Jarcee through this?

Faye could survive the separation, there would be a high price to pay but she wouldn’t die. Jarcee wouldn’t be that lucky.

She held back a sob at the horrible thought.

“Hold it together, he needs to see his Alphas will work to fix this,” Silas said.

Jasmine nodded. Throat tight, she searched for words of comfort. Nothing came to mind. “What did she say about being mates?”

“She ran off before I told her anything, she wouldn’t listen.”

Silas looked at Jasmine. “She doesn’t know you’re mates?”

“No, just that you’re my Alpha, her enemy.” He sounded both hurt and disgusted. “She’d just apologized to me for lying about her job, told me she loved me, but wouldn’t give me a chance to explain anything.”

Lying and learning you’d fallen in love with someone who wasn’t 100% human were two different conversations, not in the same universe, Jasmine thought but didn’t say anything.

“Soon, she’s going to go through withdrawal, do you have your phone?” Silas asked.  “She’ll be confused, have questions, chances are she’ll contact you for answers.”

Jarcee looked at her and then Silas. “You think so?” He sounded so forlorn with a thread of hope, Jasmine hugged him again.

“Just as you’re missing her, she’s going to miss you. Especially if you haven’t started communicating through links. She needs contact with you, believe me, this isn’t one-sided,” Jasmine assured him.

“My phone’s at the house.” He stood. “I’ll go home in case she calls.”

“I’ll come with you,” Jasmine said.

“No,” Silas and Jarcee said at the same time.

She looked at them. “Yes.” She refused to back down on this. Jarcee’s happiness meant too much to her. This was an odd case where loyalties on both parts would be tested.

“Mistress, it’s not necessary—”

“Not for you, but for her. If Faye contacts you and has questions, you can’t answer them, I can. We promised to do whatever is necessary to fix this, and we will.” She glanced at Silas. “I’ll get my jacket, then we’ll go.”

“Jasmine I don’t have security in place, this could be a trap. Can you at least wait?” Silas said.

“What if that poor girl is suffering right now and needs answers? If it were me, I wouldn’t appreciate my mate not being available. Do what you need to do but I’m going to help Jarcee and Faye. If ever someone deserved happiness, it’s him.”

###

FAYE PULLED INTO THE parking lot of the building where they’d had the meeting earlier hoping for answers. On the second floor of this building, she learned we truly were not alone. She looked around at the empty lot and released a long stream of air.

When she hopped in the car, escape not a destination, had filled her mind. Returning here made sense. Someone had answers to questions she had. Unfortunately, everyone had left and would reconvene at their new offices sometime later this week.

“My Alpha.”

She closed her eyes as Jarcee’s words flowed over and over in her mind. He was one of them. A wolf-person and Security Guard with direct access to La Patron and his family.

Special Agent High would be pleased if he didn’t have her arrested her for sleeping with the enemy.

She slapped the steering wheel and yelled her frustration. What the hell had she done in life that she constantly made bad choices when it came to men?

Five years ago, she dated an asshole and was really into him. They were in the same company and had played with the idea of getting married, starting a family. The whole enchilada.

Then she got promoted to Section Supervisor instead of him. His initial reaction had been to tell her how proud of her he was and that she deserved it. Like an idiot, she thought they were still a team.

Instead of being happy and supportive, the asshole undermined her. Even claimed to love her the whole time she was being reprimanded or received dings in her evaluations. It crushed her heart when she discovered he was the person causing her problems.

The shit blew up when he filed an Equal Opportunity complaint against her out of spite when she broke up with him. Even though the complaint was later found to be unfounded, a case of sour grapes. Her C.O. warned her about becoming romantically involved with others in the group. From that painful lesson, she’d avoided military guys like they were underaged junkies.

Now this fuckery.

High would take one look at her record and try to find holes in her report. Her heart hurt at the idea of sharing the past two weeks with Jarcee. Their time together had been magical. He had treated her like a queen, and he’d been her king.

She snorted. All fairy tales. Time to wake up and do her job. She put the car in reverse and headed for a hotel. She grabbed a few supplies from the store before checking in and settling down for the night.

Showered, she pulled out her laptop to write a report to submit to Agent High. Now that she’d thought about it, there was no way she could’ve known about Jarcee. That information was highly classified and revealed to her within the past few hours.

Those fears abated somewhat, but new ones rose. Had she compromised the operation? Even though she hadn’t told him her mission, it was easy to guess. If he didn’t put it together, she was certain Knight would. Which meant the Alpha was aware of their presence.

Heat flooded her face. She’d fucked up. They’d lost the element of surprise and anonymity. Knight would be on guard. Heart heavy, she started to write her report.

An hour later she’d written less than two paragraphs. Every time she tried to type Jarcee’s name or something personal about him, she couldn’t. It had nothing to do with her will, physically she couldn’t type the words. Her fingers moved on the keys, but nothing happened.

She had turned her computer off and then on again. Plugged and unplugged it. Successfully typed other things but was unable to write a report on him. Worst, the need for him pulsed and throbbed through her constantly like a roaring ache.

Had he done something to her? Drugs maybe? Although she doubted that was necessary. For the most part, she jumped on him more than he pulled her beneath him. She read through her notes from the meeting. Agent High discussed what they should expect from contact with pack members. There was nothing remotely close to what she was experiencing.

Her skin was on fire. Her heart raced as if it wanted to leave her chest. Jarcee, his scent, touch, voice, everything crowded her mind mercilessly, driving her to put on clothes and return to his house for answers.

At least that’s what she told herself.

###

JASMINE AND SILAS DROVE Jarcee home without alerting Security or anyone. Truly there was no need, Silas was capable of handling most threats, but he went into overkill when it came to her. He scanned the house for bombs before pulling into the garage and closed the door behind them. They followed Jarcee inside.

“My phones in the bedroom.” With long strides, he left them standing in the living room looking around.

“This is really nice,” Jasmine said.

Pissed over how his mate twisted his hand, Silas nodded and took a seat on a stool in the kitchen.

Jasmine opened the refrigerator, pulled out a bottle of water and set it on the counter. Silas opened it, inhaled and returned it to her.

“No calls,” Jarcee said returning. “What can I do?” He looked at Silas. “I cannot stop her, not if it causes her to be punished. I cannot allow myself to be used against the pack either. I would rather die.”

“Don't talk like that,” Jasmine snapped facing him. Tears formed in her eyes. “Do not say that. Ever.”

Jarcee appeared stunned. “Mistress, she is my heart, my mate. Even knowing she hates me I must protect her. If I remain with her, I may break my oath to La Patron, which is another form of death to me. I’m torn and see no other solution, other than to leave and give my life for the pack.”

“I will kill her if you leave,” Jasmine said crying.

“Jasmine!” Silas called and stood in front of her.

“Mistress, please don’t say that. I cannot... please don’t hurt her.”

“Then stop talking about dying and leaving,” she yelled. “Think of a way to make this work, because you are breaking my heart. I cannot imagine life in the compound without you. So if you really want to save her, change how you’re thinking and watch what you say. If any of my pups knew she caused you this type of anguish and that you’d leave or die for her, what do you think they’d do?” she said pushing Silas aside.

Jarcee covered his face with his hands and wept. “I thought she loved me.”

“Based on what you said happened the past two weeks, she probably does love you. You’re mates. But she had a huge shock today. It might not have been so bad if everything hadn’t hit at once, but it did. As the night wears on, she’ll need you. I mean really need you,” Jasmine said, tempering her voice.

“Be prepared to fight for your heart. Put it all on the line, remind her of the man you’ve shown her you are. You’re more than your beast,” Jasmine said moving closer and shaking off Silas’ hand.

“What if she doesn’t listen?”

“Jarcee, if she contacts you it’s for answers and to have her needs met. You’re the only person in the world who can ease what she’s going through. That’s powerful leverage,” Jasmine said. “As bad as you want and need her, your beast is stronger. Hold off until you talk.”

Jarcee looked at her. “You think she’s coming here?” He looked around and then back at her.

“What she needs she can’t get on the phone. Not at this point. Maybe later.” Jasmine winked at him.

He stood. “I’ll go shower, change the sheets and prepare.” He left them with his head higher than before.

“You think she’s on her way here?” Silas asked as he returned to the barstool and pulled her between his legs.

“If not now, later tonight. I doubt she’ll make it through the night without him.” She nibbled his collarbone.

“Okay, I’ll make sure she gets through.” He grabbed a fistful of her hair and pulled her head back. “Don’t ever threaten someone’s mate again. I don’t want to kill him for attacking you.”

“It wasn’t a threat and I know you’ll never allow anyone to hurt me.” She rubbed his chest and didn’t mention she could’ve picked Jarcee up with a thought and tossed him across the room but her Wolfie needed to feel he alone protected her. “If he dies, so does she. By my hand or design. That’s a promise, Silas. No one’s going to hurt Jarcee like that. No one. He’s one of the better ones. I couldn’t face my kids.” She snorted. “They’d go after her just as fast as I would.”

He nodded. “Don’t think much of your methods, but you snatched him out of that pit of pity.” He brushed his lips across her forehead. “How long will we wait?”

“Until she gets here. We’ll answer any questions. Pose for a picture so she can show her boss,” Jasmine laughed at his frown. “Look, she has to report this. Their cover is blown, right?”

He nodded. “What if they remove her? Send her to another base? How’s Jarcee going to handle that? How will she handle being separated from him? Right now the military doesn’t understand the mating pull and aren’t clear how it works with humans. All that changes if she’s reassigned.”

Jasmine hadn’t thought of that. “That complicates things, doesn’t it? I don’t like the idea of the government learning more about human breeders. They may go on a witch-hunt or something.”

“Exactly.” He rubbed his chin against the top of her head and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Seems you were right. She just turned onto the street leading here. If she opens the garage, any bets on her response seeing a strange car in the garage?” He smiled.

“I’d be pissed.”

The garage door rose. Silas told Jarcee to come into the living room while he and Jasmine remained in the kitchen.

The front door opened. “Jarcee!” Faye yelled.

Silas wrapped his arm around Jasmine who remained between his legs, her back against his chest.

“Whose car is in the garage? You’d better not have someone else over here.” She bypassed a surprised Jarcee and strode to the bedroom.

Jarcee looked at Silas.

“She cares, Jarcee, otherwise it wouldn’t matter if there was someone else here.”

Jarcee’s face lightened. He leaned against the wall and waited.

“Whose car is in the garage?” Faye demanded.

Jarcee pointed toward them.

Faye stepped to the side and did a double take. “Shit.”

Jasmine smiled. “No, I’m Jasmine, this is my husband, Silas. It’s nice to meet the woman who’s stolen Jarcee’s heart. Today, he told us wonderful things about you.”

Faye continued to stare. “Why are you here?” she finally asked, her gaze flicked to Jarcee.

“Jarcee is a good friend of mine. Being human, and in love with someone like Jarcee I wanted to meet you,” Jasmine said as if they were close friends.

Faye shook her head. “But I left.” She inched closer to Jarcee. “What made you think I’d come back?”

“Simple, you love him. You were frightened at first but being fair-minded you realized you had a good man, someone who put you first and would always be here for you. I assumed you would process that and return to get answers. Am I wrong?” Jasmine asked.

Faye touched Jarcee’s arm. He took her hand, intertwined their fingers and kissed the back of her hand.

“Um, we’ll talk I’m sure.” Faye looked up at Jarcee for several seconds they stared at each other. “So all this is real?” She looked at Jasmine. “Your pictures don’t do you justice.” She patted her pocket, pulled out her phone. “May I?”

“I don't mind but answer me this first,” Jasmine said, appreciating Faye’s full attention. “When you show that picture to your superiors, they’ll have questions you won’t be able to answer. Will they send you someplace for debriefing? How long? What if you can’t ever answer their questions? How do they deal with anomalies?”

Jarcee growled and pulled Faye close.

“Honestly, I don’t know. But I’m sure I’ll be sent somewhere else unless I can get an early discharge.” She paused. “Something strange happened earlier, maybe you can explain. I tried to write a report on him tonight but couldn’t. Why?” She looked at Jasmine.

“What do you mean?” Jasmine wanted to be sure she heard correctly.

Faye released a breath and held up her hand. “Look, I know he’s your friend but I have a job to do. Earlier, I tried to write up meeting Jarcee. Just like I’ll have to write up meeting you tonight.” She glanced at him and then back at Jasmine who fought down her irritation.

“But I couldn’t. I tried, tapped the keys on the laptop and everything but nothing ever went through. Is that because we had sex?”

“Did you know about that?” Silas asked.

“Nope but I never tried to harm you either.” Jasmine crossed her arms and met Faye’s gaze. “I’ve never heard of that before.”

“Really?” Faye sounded skeptical.

“Yes. I don’t know of anyone who tried to harm a member of our pack with a report.”

Faye’s gaze dropped and then she looked up at Jarcee.

“What do you think happens to Jarcee when you turn in your report on him?”

“Mistress, she must do her job,” Jarcee said.

Uncaring, Jasmine shrugged and continued staring at Faye.

“Happens to him? Nothing.” Faye looked at Jarcee uncertain. “Nothing, right?”

He shrugged. It was apparent he’d lost his ability to reason now that his heart’s delight was in his arms again.

“Let them work it out,” Silas said as Jarcee pulled Faye close for a kiss. “If she turns him in, we’ll deal with the fallout then. But his wolf is driving him to reclaim his mate and if you don’t want to witness that, we should leave.”