Chapter 3
Jasper
This weekend should’ve been memorable for good things, but since I left Stracey’s cabin on Friday evening, I locked myself away in my own cabin. I had the occasional run, but nothing and no one can bring me out of my depression this time. I look at the clock and it reads five-thirty a.m. I need to eat and give myself a shake, because I told Kevin I’d collect him at eight. I need to see Markus and Lisa before I leave, which I’m not looking forward to. Over the last three weeks, Lisa has spent a lot of her time at our house, or here at camp. I’ve bonded much more with her now that she knows who she is. She’s had questions and I’ve answered them as honestly as I could. I’m not one for skirting around the truth.
I jump out of my seat, slide my feet into my boots, and head out the front door. I jog down to the Alpha’s cabin and knock on the door as loud as I can. I didn’t care if they’re still in bed, I need to get this off my chest before the pack is around.
“What the hell?” Carlos opens the door and ties his robe around his middle. “Jasper? What’s going on?”
I shake my head and barge into his cabin. “Nothing is wrong. Nothing like you’re thinking about. Where is Chardonnay?”
“Well, since it’s before six a.m., she was sleeping. She’ll be down in a minute. Take a seat.”
“No. I won’t keep you. Just listen to me.”
“Jasper?” I turn around at the sound of Chardonnay behind me. Her long blonde hair hangs wildly around her shoulders. Her blue eyes still sparkle, even at this time of morning. “You okay?”
“Yeah. I need to speak to you both. When I’m away, I need you to keep your eye on Lisa, Markus and Joel…”
Carlos runs his hand through his hair and cuts me off. “It goes without saying, buddy. They’ll be fine. They’re a part of my pack and I’ll look out for them the same way I would for any of my family.”
“Chardonnay, look after Lisa. She’s been coming to me the last few weeks with questions, getting to know her heritage and what we are. I don’t want her to stop asking these questions, because she needs to know about herself and her family. Will you…?”
“I will,” she says, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I’ll speak to Lisa today when you leave. I won’t tell her about this chat, but I will tell her to come to me. She might not know me well, but while she’s in this pack, I’m her Alpha too. Just keep you and Kevin safe. We need you home… both of you.”
“I’m not even going to say I promise, because nobody believes we’ll come home.”
“What?” Carlos steps around Chardonnay and clasps his hand on my shoulder, squeezing it tightly. “What’s going through that head of yours? I’ve kept my distance this weekend, but don’t think that your mood has gone unnoticed with us all, especially Markus and Lisa.”
“Is this to do with your chat with Stracey?” I want to shake my head, but I can’t. I just look at my feet. “For what it’s worth, she’s just as fucked up as you,” says Chardonnay.
“I can’t do any more. I’ve told her how I feel, I laid everything on the table for her, but she told me she couldn’t. I know she believes I’m going to die like her grandma did. I know she blames the council’s punishment for her death, but I’m not a witch. I’m not her grandma.” I sigh, frustrated with the whole situation.
“Look. Listen to me, you big numpty. I’ve never tried to be your Alpha, because truth be told, if you wanted to fight for my spot, you’d win, and the fucking pack would stand with you. Your name is gold around these parts, but you’ll do well to remember who you are. What you are.” My eyes lift from the floor to Carlos’s eyes. He’s a good Alpha, but most importantly, he’s a damn good friend. “You’re Jasper fucking Johnston. Extraordinary enforcer. Father. Guardian. Top fucking dog. You’ll do the punishment, show that council what they’ll be missing, come home, and help us build up this fucking pack to be the best around.”
“Was that a competition to see how many times you could say ‘fucking’ in one conversation?” I tease, but he slaps his hand off my cheek playfully. “Thank you. I don’t know what’s going to happen over the next few weeks, but I’ll do all I can to come home, just as long as I know Lisa, Markus and Joel are fine.”
“They will be.”
I nod and lift my hand for Carlos to shake. “Sorry to barge in here so early.”
“I’d usually say anytime, but try and make it later next time.” Carlos laughs.
I smile and side step around Chardonnay and Carlos. I’m a little more at ease knowing I’ve made sure my three are okay. I know they’re not kids, and they have Lisa’s adoptive parents, but I need to know someone of their own kind has their back if need be.
I jog through camp and stop outside my cabin. The dawn is my favourite time of the day. Everything and everyone is starting a fresh, new day. The morning birds sing their tunes, and the crisp air circulates around us. It’s like one of those moments in a film where the new day starts after a big event. Everything is peaceful and calm.
“What are ye doing up with the birds?” I look over my shoulder to see Joel leaning against my door frame. “You wet the bed, ol’ Jasper?”
“You’re not too big to go over my knee and get a skelpt backside.” I snigger and walk up my steps. “For nosy buggers like you, I had a couple of things to take care of before I leave. Anyway, what are you doing here at this time?”
Joel looks down at his watch and smiles. “It’s seven a.m. I came for my breakfast.”
“Shouldn’t it be me that’s getting my breakfast cooked?”
“Unless you want a burnt down cabin, food poisoning, or just disappointment, you’re better cooking yourself. Besides, you know you like cooking,” Joel says, winking cheekily at me.
“What are you three going to do when I’m not here?” I pause, shake my head and smile. “In fact, don’t tell me. What I don’t know won’t hurt me.” I pat Joel’s back and enter the cabin.
Markus is already in the kitchen making coffee when we enter. He quickly looks from us to his watch. He clearly didn’t know I was out and about so early.
“Morning, son. You okay?” I lift my hand and squeeze his shoulder firmly.
“Aye. Are you okay?”
“Sure am. Is Kevin up?” I ask, pulling the coffee mug away from Markus.
“He’s in the shower. Help yourself, why don’t you?” Markus shakes his head and retrieves another mug for himself. “Coffee, Joel?”
“I thought you were never going to ask.”
This moment right here is never going to leave my mind. The fun banter going around is exactly what I need to hear this morning, because although Markus, Joel, and Lisa are adults, they still need me around, and I don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon.
***
I don’t fancy saying all the goodbyes this morning, so I’ve stood at the Jeep, waiting for Kevin to join me. I was hoping to see Stracey here this morning, but she clearly has things going on in her head, and any normal time I’d help her through it, but now my time here is up and I haven’t got any option but to walk away from her.
“You all set?” asks Carlos. He steps towards me with Chardonnay tucked into his side.
“As ready as I’m ever going to be. As soon as Kevin shows up, we’ll hit the road.” Just as I said that, Kevin came around the corner of the cabin with his arm around Lisa’s shoulder. Markus is carrying Kevin’s bag. “All set?” I ask him.
He raises his eyebrows and tightens his arms around Lisa as she wraps her arms around his neck.
“You better come back to us safe and well,” cries Lisa.
“I will. Don’t you be worrying about me. Live your life as you normally would. I’ll call when I can. Markus…” Kevin holds Lisa’s arms out and waits until Markus comforts her before he walks away.
“Take care, buddy,” says Markus. “Come on, babe.”
The sobs from Lisa break my heart. I want to turn around and say fuck it all, but I don’t want anything to fall back on the pack.
“We’ll be fine, honey.” I take Lisa and Markus into my arms and just hold them tight for a minute or three. “Just look after one another.”
I step away from Markus and Lisa, open my Jeep door, and get settled in for the drive. Kevin is already sitting in the front seat with his seat belt on, eyes focused on the front window.
“Jasper!” I turn quickly to see Joel jogging over to me from the forest. “You didn’t think I’d let you go without saying goodbye, did you?”
“I knew you were busy.”
“Never busy enough to come to you. Take care, okay?”
“I will. Stay out of trouble.”
I step away from Joel and get in the car. I close my door and start the motor. I need to get away from here, because the longer we hang around, the harder it is for us to leave.
“Let’s do this, kid.”
I pull away and keep my attention trained on the mirror until I can’t see anyone. I sigh with relief the moment I’m out of sight. Now we just have to get over whatever mission we’re placed on.