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JARCEE THOUGHT ABOUT going to the compound but decided to head home. If Faye didn’t come home today, La Patron would need to put his beast to sleep. He noticed pack security and further he picked up the scent of the humans.

Had they decided to focus on him instead of seeking answers elsewhere? He wished they’d disappear and leave him and Faye alone. He entered the garage, inhaled and released.

The humans had come close but not inside. He warmed left-overs and sat on a barstool at the island to eat. Faye filled his thoughts. He prayed to the Goddess she wasn’t hurt or mistreated.

“Hawke?” Jarcee called as he scraped his plate and placed it in the dishwasher.

“Hey Jarcee, how’re you holding up?” Hawke asked.

“Not good. Learn anything?” He sat on the stool again and rubbed the bridge of his nose with his fingers.

“Well, the guy Storm said did most of the talking is Special Agent Elroy High. A research guy, solid record. He’s not military, though. Works with another agency I’m still collecting information on. No match for the guy with him. Did you sense anything different about him?”

The small one? Jarcee barely remembered him. He stopped talking once the other man stepped out the car. “No, just nervous.”

“Most humans are nervous when they meet you,” Hawke said.

“Not Faye. From the moment we met, she was never nervous.” Jarcee hadn’t meant to share something so private and personal. “Anything from the hospital? Have they done more testing today?”

“Yes. First thing. She’s resting now. Matt’s looking at her test results and could help you with that.” Hawke paused. “As soon as I hear anything, I’ll let you know.”

“Thanks, my friend.” Jarcee stood and headed to his bedroom. He wasn’t sure of the protocol to contact Matt and contacted La Patron instead.

“Have you heard anything from Matt about Faye’s tests?” he asked.

“Matt says they gave her a physical, tested your semen, her blood. Everything came back normal. Physically her reports are the same as they were before she mated with you. Storm said the guys who work with her tried to get information from you, even asked to meet me.”

“Assholes. Hawke says Faye’s boss works as a researcher, he’s not even military. When is she coming home? I need to make sure she’s okay. I need her here or I should be there. One or the other.”

“I know. We don't have any information on why it’s taking so long. I can send someone to find out what’s going on but you’ll need to wait here. You understand why I can’t allow you to go to Maryland? To the hospital, right?”

“Yes, Sir. Trusting you or anyone to watch over my mate is the most difficult thing me or my beast have ever done.”

“I know, and I’m honored by your trust. I will have answers for you soon. My word.”

“Thank you. I’ll need you to put me to sleep soon.” He looked toward the window and growled. “They’re back.”

“Who?” La Patron.

“Agent High and someone else.” He sniffed. “A female this time. What’s he doing?”

“I don’t know. You don’t have to let them in or talk to them. Security is on the way.”

“Thanks, Sir. I’m going to lay down and try to sleep on my own.”

“If you need me to help, let me know.”

They knocked on the door.

Jarcee rolled over and covered his head with the pillow to drown out the doorbell.

“Jarcee, this is Agent High, I have information about Faye.”

Jarcee rolled to the other side, wondering what was taking security so long. The knocking continued, this time on his bedroom window.

“Faye’s in trouble she needs your help,” High said.

Jarcee smelled the lie and stared at the ceiling. “Sir?” He told Silas what they were saying about Faye.”

“Security was held up in an accident, no doubt planned. I called 911. They’re on the way. Ignore the humans, they’re pests trying to get a rise out of you for research.”

“She’s pregnant, don’t you care about your unborn child?” The female said.

Jarcee rolled his eyes and let his thoughts drift. One day his mate would be swollen with his pups, but she wasn’t now. He would know if she was. Their pitiful attempts to get a reaction from him showed their desperation to learn more about the pack.

The police arrived. Jarcee listened as the cops demanded the two leave his property and not return. The two left but Jarcee was sure they hadn’t given up. His thoughts lingered on Faye until he drifted away.

###

FAYE WOKE AND LOOKED around. Something wasn’t right. Frowning she realized she was in a huge bed, in a room with wide windows giving a panoramic view of the ocean and crashing waves outside. The sounds eased her spirit as she lay still, listening.

“I miss you so much.”

She jerked and looked around.

Jarcee sat nearby leaning against the wooden headboard. Scrambling, she reached for him and held tight. Inhaling his scent, she prayed she wasn’t dreaming again, and if it was a dream that it would last longer than before.

Tears pricked her eyes as he rubbed her back and placed kisses on top of her head. “I want to come home,” she said softly and wiped her eyes. “I’m tired and want to come home.”

His hand stilled, and he spoke softly. “What’s going on? What are they doing to you?” His voice deepened a bit and she was happy to hear his concern. She didn’t want him to forget her.

“Tests and more tests. Questions, so many questions, the same ones over and over. I feel like I’m a prisoner or something. Maybe I shouldn’t have told them about us.” Her treatment was heartbreaking. She hadn’t done anything wrong but they treated her as if she had been infected with something dirty or contagious because she’d had sex with him. It was mind-blowing bias at the highest level.

“Are they treating you okay?” He tilted her face up and searched her eyes. “You’ve been crying? Have they hurt you?”

She wiped her face with the back of her hand. “Just my feelings. I’ll be fine. I’m supposed to leave later today or in the morning. I don’t know what they’re looking for. They won’t say.”

Jarcee kissed her gently. She moaned low in her throat, needing more and deepening the kiss. It tasted and felt different as if a part of him was missing. She licked her lips and stared at his. “We’re dreaming again, aren’t we?”

“Yes. I’ve been waiting for a while. I think you’re in my dream this time. I met your boss.”

“Who?” She climbed on top of his lap and leaned against his chest.

“Elroy High.”

She wanted to be concerned, but couldn’t muster the energy. “What? When?”

He told her what happened at the museum and then at his home earlier.

Bastard, she thought and pushed Agent High from her thoughts. This time was special, just her and Jarcee. “Renee? That’s your god-daughter?”

“I’ve watched over her since she was a pup. She’s getting married soon and is excited to meet you. They all are.”

Her eyes watered as she leaned forward and brushed her lips against his. “Thank you for loving me through all this. I promise our life won’t always be this crazy.” She rubbed her cheek against his chest, loving the feel of him.

“You are my heart, I can do nothing other than love you.” He kissed the top of her head. “But we cannot allow them to use what we feel for each other against you. They may keep you longer, run more tests to get a reaction from me.”

She stared at him and frowned. “You may be right. They’ve been trying to get me to re-enlist but I refused. I got in touch with my C.O. and he’s helping me finish my paperwork. The sooner I retire the better.” She placed a quick kiss on his lips.  Something pulled on her. She groaned at the intrusion. “Gotta go, love you. See you soon.”

Jarcee stared at his empty lap, closed his eyes and cried.