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SILAS WOKE SLOWLY AND pulled his mate close. Snuggled against his chest Jasmine drew small hearts with her fingertip across his chest. “Wolfie?”

“Hmm?” he placed a kiss on top of her head.

“Renee invited us, you and I, to go on vacation with her and Mélange.” She spoke quickly.

Still, he froze, stiffened even, without immediately responding. It had been years since Mélange and Renee had left Silas behind with a crazy demi-god. Initially, Jasmine had been furious but over time got over it.

Silas had never been angry about their actions. He thought what they did made perfect sense but he’d withdrawn further from Mélange, barely acknowledged her. The relationship was cool and cordial. This kind of made things difficult because their pack took their cues from him and were standoffish with Mélange. It bothered Renee and she wanted to fix the problem. When she mentioned it to Jasmine, she didn’t think the time was right. That had been two years ago. This week Renee asked again, claiming they needed to fix this because of Renee’s upcoming wedding.

“Mélange and I will be there before the wedding and after. If my mate’s going to get a cool welcome, I promise I’ll show my ass.” Renee sounded as if she were on the verge of tears. Jasmine promised to ask Silas about a trip.

“Vacation?” He made the word sound alien or something.

“Yeah,” she said hoping he didn’t ask a lot of questions.

“Why?”

“She wants us all to get along better before the wedding.”

“We get along fine,” he countered.

She shared Renee’s experiences and concerns.

He snorted. “I didn’t care for Mélange before she mated Renee.”

Jasmine was aware of that. She hadn’t particularly cared for the woman either. She’d been a part of a plan to kidnap and destroy Asia. The men tricked Mélange, she got nothing, but that didn’t change the fact she’d drugged Asia and gave her to the Liege. It broke Jasmine’s heart when she learned Mélange was mated to Renee. Over the years they’d had ups and downs. She hadn’t seen or spent as much time with her sister because of Mélange. Renee wanted that changed.

Jasmine wasn’t completely sold it was a good idea, but she promised to talk to Silas and she would.

“This means a lot to Renee. She thinks if you spent more time with Melange you’d see her differently.”

“Spoken like a real mate blinded by her mate's faults,” he said.

“You think?” Jasmine said dryly.

He tweaked her nipple. “I’ve always admitted I was an arrogant buffoon when we met. You’ve slain the dragon, I’m yours to command.”

“So, we’re going on vacation with them?” she asked, a little surprised.

“No. But I’m still yours.” He squeezed her tight and rolled off the bed.

“Where are you going?” she groused. The idea of spending a week with Renee at a nice island get-away sounded good. It was their mates who didn’t get along and that was the problem.

“Abel has a conference call with Theron to finalize plans for the Mexico trip in an hour. I need to go over a few things with him. Theron’s providing a translator from his pack and a few pack members who know the land.” He looked at her lying on the bed. “Did you need something?” His tone suggested he could be persuaded to stay a little longer.

“Maybe, but we weren’t finished talking about the vacation with Renee and Mélange.”

“That’s because there is no vacation with them,” he tossed out casually.

“You do realize that’s my sister, right?” Jasmine scooted up and leaned against the headboard watching him pull on a pair of jeans.

“Yes, Sweet Bitch, I know who she is. I met her when I met the love of my life. I’ll never forget Renee.” He winked at her.

“You’re laying it on thick,” she said, pleased in spite of herself.

“Thick?” he frowned.

She waved his comment aside. “If you can’t go, we’ll plan something on the island, or maybe Jamaica.”

“Jasmine.” There was no joking or give in his tone. He looked at her as if she’d crossed a line.

“Huh?” She met his green gaze.

“I need you to side with me on this, not your sister. I don’t want to spend hours in Mélange’ company on a vacation or in a car or on a deserted island. I don’t like or trust her. I do tolerate her because of you and Renee. Don’t push on this. If pack doesn’t care for Mélange, that’s something she needs to work on. It’s not fair to ask me to suffer her presence so others will do what I’m not doing. It’s hypocritical and I won’t do it.”

Jasmine stared at him for a few seconds and blew a stream of air. “Why don’t you tell me how you really feel? Geesh. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say anything like that about anyone.”

He shrugged and finished dressing.

“You really don’t like Mélange? Don’t trust her? Is she a traitor or something like that?” Now that she’d done as her sister asked, curiosity prompted her to get to the bottom of Silas’ dislike.

“Whether she’s a traitor or not, I don’t know or care. If she does anything that puts Renee in harm's way, I’ll kill her myself. She knows and agrees that I should. Being mated to your sister makes Mélange a target to turn against me.”

“By holding Renee?”

“Yes. Actually, that’s the one instance when Mélange wouldn’t be put to death and the only acceptable reason to betray pack.”

“When you mate’s life is in danger?” Jasmine asked to be clear.

Silas nodded. “Mélange and Elyria were a team traveling the globe committing atrocious acts.” He paused and shook his head. “Elyria was warped, twisted but Mélange enabled her. Did nothing to stop the blood from flowing. She knew. Mélange knew what Elyria was doing.” He looked at Jasmine. “You’ve seen some of what Elyria did.”

She swallowed hard and nodded. That was not a door she wanted to walk through again, ever.

Elyria was Silas’ first born. The Goddess had removed her and her mother from his memory when She sent him to the new world. Elyria had been left in the care of a warped Nanny and was twisted. She’d kidnapped Sarita and threatened the life of a school teacher. Worse, she came between Silas and Jasmine. In the end, Jasmine was the one who destroyed the young woman when Silas could not. “You blame Mélange?”

“No. But she’s complicit. It speaks to character.”

Jasmine had no argument for that. “Do you mind if I explain this to Renee? She doesn’t see or understand the full picture.”

“Do you? Do you understand why I’ll never fully accept your sister’s mate?”

Jasmine nodded. She did understand.

“Do you also understand that’s why I’ll never agree with you going off with Melange somewhere? She’s been compromised before, my beast would never allow it.”

“I can handle myself,” Jasmine said feeling pressured.

“I know. But my beast needs to feel he protects his mate. I cannot change who I am, Jasmine.”

She sighed and nodded again. “It seems I’m the one doing all the giving in this exchange. What happened to compromise?”

“We have compromised.” He walked to the door and looked at her.

“What compromise?” Whenever he said something before he left the room it was loaded with something she’d find objectionable.

“I didn’t kill Mélange.” He walked out.

###

LATER THAT DAY, RENEE called with information on several locations she thought they could visit and ask for Jasmine’s opinion. The day had been busier than usual, with several women within their network reporting rogue wolves heading north through pack lands.

Jasmine and Asia had been charting the migration and shared the information with Silas and Cain. Her mate was concerned and sent a small delegation from Alpha William’s Pack in Minnesota to capture a few for a conversation. Silas expected a report any minute and she wanted to be there when it came in.

This call from Renee came at an inconvenient time but she owed her sister a response. She hadn’t had a chance to share Silas’ answer with Renee and dreaded doing it in the face of her sister’s optimism.

“You aren’t saying anything,” Renee said. “Is this a bad time?”

“Yes, but Silas said no,” Jasmine said and waited for the fallout.

“No?” Renee sounded confused.

“Yeah, he doesn’t want to go,” Jasmine said.

“Why not? It’s just a few days of vacation. Maybe you didn’t explain it to him. Is it alright if I ask him?” Renee asked.

Jasmine thought about Silas’ response and his request for her to stand with him. “No. We talked about it, and he doesn’t want to go.”

“Is it the timing? Maybe we can go after the wedding,” Renee said.

Jasmine pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes. She had to say it. “He doesn’t want to go anywhere with Mélange, Renee. He’s not going to do it.” She hated to be so direct but Renee wouldn’t let it rest.

“Mélange? Won’t he go anywhere with her? My wife?” Renee sounded dumbfounded as if she had no clue Silas didn’t like Mélange.

“No, he won’t.” Jasmine almost apologized but stopped herself. Those were Silas feelings and he was entitled to them.

“Did he say why? I mean, there was the thing with Angus and the Goddess and us leaving him but you were angrier about that than him.”

Jasmine eyed the clock. The information should be coming soon. “His dislike of her started a long time ago when she kidnapped Asia.”

“Kidnapped Asia?”

This conversation would be extremely long if Renee repeated everything she said. “Yes. Then the thing with Elyria. I don’t know what Mélange told you about that...” Renee didn’t say anything. “But Mélange was involved with a lot of things Elyria did and Silas hasn’t forgotten.”

“He condemns her because of her past? We’ve been together over 15 years; he doesn’t believe she’s changed?” Renee’s voice rose at the end.

“I don’t think he’s given that much thought.” Neither had Jasmine. With six kids, several grandkids, nephews, and her work alongside Silas for the Nation, Mélange didn't come on her radar unless Renee brought her up.

“Well, he should. People change. Mélange has changed. We’ve changed,” Renee argued.

“So has Silas, Renee. He’s asked me to stand with him on this decision; I’m not going to fight him about it.” She sensed her sister was building to the point where she’d ask Jasmine’s help again.

“Why not? This is wrong and you know it.”

“He’s my husband, just like Mélange is your wife. I’m not going to fight him on something he doesn’t want to do. He feels strongly about this, Renee. I’m not going to push.”

“What does that mean? We’re not welcomed to the wedding or any family events?”

Jasmine held back a sigh. “No. That means things will continue as they have. Nothing’s changed. Silas will be polite, but he refuses to act as though he and Melange are friends. You’re going to have to respect that.”

Silence filled the line for several seconds. “I can’t believe this. But I guess I’ll have to get over it. I promised Renee we’d be there for the wedding and we will. But that’ll be our last visit. I refuse to be anywhere my wife is unwelcome.”

Jasmine rolled her eyes. “Both of you are welcomed and have been welcomed. What you’re asking is for him to become Mélanges’ friend, that’s different and unfair when you think about. He has the right to choose his friends.”

“Maybe it’s unfair in your mind, but we’re family. I see his refusal to spend time with my wife, my mate as an insult. I can’t believe you’re going along with it. Haven’t you forgiven us for leaving Silas that one time?”

Once was more than enough in Jasmine’s mind. “Yes, you know I have. But you’re asking me to force my husband to accept someone he doesn’t want to accept. He’s never been mean or disrespectful to Mélange, and you can’t say that he has. They’re both cordial and polite but keep their distance, that’s been going on for years, why do you think he should change now?” Not that he would, but Jasmine was curious.

“I told you. People treat her the same way he does. I think if people saw him interact more warmly with her, they’d do the same,” Renee said.

“Renee, that’s not on Silas. That’s on Mélange. If she wants people to treat her differently, she needs to handle that. Not you, me or Silas.”

“I’m not trying to handle it for her, Jas,” Renee snapped. “It’s something I’ve noticed and am trying to get a handle on. Mélange isn’t a people person.”

That was true which made Renee’s request stranger. “So why care what people think?”

Silence.

“I saw Mandy and her wife a couple days ago. They had their daughter with them. Pretty, not like Renee and Jackie, but arrogant. That girl needs some discipline, that’s for sure. Anyway, once Mélange figured out who Mandy was, she was really rude. I mean over the top. Wouldn’t speak, just stared at them as if they were from another planet. Mandy’s partner walked off with their daughter. I could tell Mandy wanted to talk, but Mélange wouldn’t let her. I asked Mélange to leave, give me some space. You can imagine how that went over.”

“Her beast wouldn’t allow it.” Jasmine couldn’t believe Renee even asked. She couldn’t imagine Silas’ response if she ever tried that. Someone would get seriously hurt.

“Nope. Worse, she had this really hurt look on her face. I’d never seen her look like that. I told Mandy I had to go and we left. Problem is, I really wanted to talk to Mandy. Not as a lover, Mélange has every inch of my heart. But we were friends, know what I mean?”

“Yeah, I do.” Not that Jasmine had former boyfriends. “Silas still will not allow Davian to be alone with me and we have two adult children over the age of 30. That marriage with Davian is long dead and buried. But Silas would kill Davian if he ever tried to be alone with me without his permission, which Silas’ beast would never allow. Plus, Davian works for Silas on occasion, and his mate, Matt works here five days a week. Still, Davian can’t come to the compound uninvited, not even to pick up his mate.” Davian was her twins, Tyrese and Tyrone, father. They visited him at his home in town even though they lived here in the compound. Everyone accepted Silas’ position regarding Davian’s coming to the compound.

“Wow, that’s deep,” Renee said. “Not that I’m a fan of Davian, but that’s old history, you and Silas are mated. He can’t think you’re still interested in your ex. I’m not interested in Mandy.”

“Rationality doesn’t play a part. Mélange is a full-blood. She sees things in black and white, at least when it comes to stuff like ex-lovers, that’s how Silas is. I would suggest you leave Mandy alone, that way no one gets hurt,” Jasmine said seriously.

“Mélange won’t hurt Mandy. She’s a little upset, we talked about it, and she understands. It’s her people skills. I hoped if she spent time with Silas it might help.”

“That’s not his thing, Renee. If you want Mélange to change, you guys are going to have to work it out on your own. Go to counseling, let her get in touch with her feelings, there’s a reason she’s the way she is,” Jasmine said. “Listen, don’t talk to Mandy. If she calls don’t answer. If she comes by don’t open the door. I’m telling you, it’s a terrible idea to be friends with your ex when you’re mated. Don’t forget Mélange is a trained assassin.”

Renee laughed. “I know my wife. She’s changed. She’s not this blood-thirsty person you’re making her out to be. She won’t hurt Mandy. We’re just friends. I have all kinds of friends at work and in the community—”

“But they know and understand the boundaries of dealing with someone else’s mate. None of them touch you, or hug you, or get really close, they don’t share seats with you or serve you food or bring you a drink.” Jasmine hoped Renee heeded her warning.

“Well, now that you mention it, they don’t. I’ve never thought of it before. We all get along but they’re respectful,” Renee said thoughtfully.

“No, Renee. They understand the mating culture. There are things that are never done. No male touches me outside of Silas, my boys, Jacques and Angus. Not even Hawke unless Silas specifically instructs otherwise. His beast takes exception to the scent of other males on my body.”

“Really?”

“Yeah,” Jasmine said growing weary of the conversation. “Here’s the deal. Now that I’ve warned you, explained what could happen, if you continue and anything happens to Mandy, who’s human, Silas will have to punish you.”

“I see. So, I can’t share what’s going on in my life with my sister, is that it?”

Jasmine wanted to smack her. “Yeah, lucky you did. Now you know Mélange will kill a bitch if she gets too close to you and you can avoid that from happening. This is your lucky day. I just gave you a get out of jail card early.”

“Don’t be sarcastic.”

“Don’t do something dumb. Your mate is a wolf; stop acting like she’s human. She’s not.”

“She’s part human,” Renee said softly.

“Yes. Yes, they are. But full-bloods are closer to their four-legged ancestors than half-breeds. No matter what you think, when it comes to her mate, Mélanges’ beast is running the show and will do everything to protect you, even from yourself. And they never share. Never.”

“I don’t want to share,” Renee protested.

“Forget that friendship with Mandy, it’s dead, over. Put it in the past where it belongs. You and Melange share thoughts, it will drive her beast crazy if you’re thinking of your former lover. I’m trying to help you.”

Renee sighed. “Well, this conversation didn’t turn out the way I thought it would.”

“Sorry. Truth rules the day,” Jasmine said.

“Can I tell Mandy I can’t talk to her?” Renee asked.

Jasmine shook her head at Renee’s stubbornness. “Why don’t you talk to Mélange? Apologize for being insensitive, explain you only want to tell Mandy the two of you cannot be friends. If Mélange agrees, then tell Mandy. If Mélange says no. It’s no. She’s your mate, her needs and feelings come first.”

“Okay, thanks, Sis. You’d think after all these years I’d know this stuff, wouldn’t keep making dumb mistakes. I hoped the vacation would smooth things over with her, but seems like I’m going to throw myself on my sword and grovel.”

“Grovel and then take her on a vacation, or ask mom to go with you guys,” Jasmine said.

“That’s a good idea. Jacques is cool, he likes Mélange, right?”

“Ask him, not me.” Jasmine looked at the clock. Silas still hadn’t called her yet. What was taking them so long?

“Thanks and I didn’t mean it when I said we would boycott you after the wedding.”

Jasmine laughed. “Sure you did.”

“Well, I don’t mean it now. I apologize for being in my feelings, are we good?”

“Always,” Jasmine said glad they’d worked things out.

“Mélange just got home, talk to you later.” Renee disconnected. Jasmine hung up and returned to Silas’ office.

“Everything okay?” he smiled.

“Were you listening?” She pushed his shoulder.

He grabbed her hand and pulled her down on his lap. “Just parts. You think she really doesn’t understand how mates work?” He nipped her chin and rubbed her back.

“Sometimes I’m not sure. Maybe she just needs reminders. I hope they work things out with no bloodshed. I’d hate Mélange to go after Mandy, she was really sweet and crazy about Renee at first.”

“Hmm,” Silas said twirling her hair around his fingers. “You warned her, that’s the best you can do.”

“Have you heard anything from Alpha Williams?” She looked at the monitor and then back at him.

“Not yet. They came across five rogues who claim to be relocating to Canada because they didn’t want to belong to our pack. Which is fine, but they had guns, firearms. They’re being questioned now.”

“Firearms? That’s strange. We don’t use that stuff against the pack,” she said.

“Exactly,” Silas said. “If something is going on, I don’t want to be caught off guard like in Honduras. I want to know now.”

“Maybe you should accept a dinner invitation, go to DC.” She looked at him.

“Maybe,” he said.