CHAPTER 11
Jasper
When I woke up from my nap, I felt like I had won the lottery when I saw Stracey’s hand covering mine. I didn’t move until I knew I had to. I just stared at her contented face. She was so peaceful in sleep, and for that, me and my wolf were happy. In fact, my wolf feels rested, content, and happy for the first time in weeks.
“She’s a lovely lady, Jasper.” I lift my head slightly to see Callum standing in the aisle.
“Too nice for someone like me,” I whisper so as to not wake Stracey.
“Bullshit. Anyone that has you as a soulmate would be one lucky… well, you get what I mean.”
I roll my eyes at Callum because he certainly isn’t a smooth talker. He just opens that mouth of his and lets it run away with him, usually with a few swear words involved. “Honestly, Jasper, you’re one of the good guys. You’ve given many young pups a new lease of life. Look at the guy you brought up as your own. He’s turned into a cracking young lad. He’s got a life ahead of him because of you. There will never be another person that could walk in your shoes. Cut yourself some slack, buddy.”
Callum turns and walks back to his seat. In my head, I know he’s right, but I don’t do anything a decent wolf shifter wouldn’t do. If I had it my way, all wolf shifters would be taught to love and respect their elders and pack family. There would be none of these pissing competitions. Everyone would be equal. Everyone would work together to keep our community going strong. But that’s the problem in our world; power goes to the heads of the arrogant bastards who think they’re above and beyond their pack. They’re not. They should use that power to build their pack to be bigger and better. Stronger. Wealthier.
I can dream, because that will never happen in this world. There are always going to be innocent shifters caught in the crossfire, no matter what we try to do.
Life is just fucked up for every species. Humans think it’s okay to bomb other countries. Shifters think it’s okay to attack and abuse their own. Animals are being slaughtered close to extinction. Is there any wonder the world has gone mad?
I let my eyes linger over Stracey. From her head to her legs and back again. She’s beautiful and she doesn’t even see it. By the time I’m finished with her, she’ll believe everything that’s good about her, because I’ll worship every inch, and tell her every single day how beautiful and talented she is.
***
I stand up and stretch out every muscle. Apart from being locked in Braxton’s cells, this had to be the longest I’ve sat still and not moaned about it. Just having Stracey beside me helped no end. Flirting with her, making my dick have a mind of its own, kissing her softly; it all made my heart fit for bursting.
I start to move, but she stands at the same time as me, making us crash into one another. I smile and let her stand first before I gather anything we’re taking with us.
“What’s this vampire like?” asks Kevin.
I forgot all about Kevin because I hadn’t heard a peep out of him the whole way. “He’s a good guy. Did you get some sleep?” I ask casually, but deep within, I care about this young guy, not just because he’s Lisa’s brother, or the fact he had a rough upbringing. I just have a connection to him.
“I did. I stuck my earphones in and slept much of the way. My body is aching though. I hope we can go for a run somewhere.”
“If Lelland still lives in the same house, there’s plenty of land to run in. I think you’ll like it out there. Lelland and Lavina are ancient vampires, but I’m glad you’re getting to meet them. I hope Lisa gets to meet them one day, because she’s read too many paranormal books and vampires in her mind will sparkle or snap a wolf’s neck. It’s all fiction. But, I wouldn’t like to cross a vampire, especially a hungry one,” I joke.
Kevin’s face is a picture. I see the blood draining from him. Callum pats his back firmly, making him jump. “He’s kidding, bro. Vampires do bite, but we rarely come across a nasty vamp. We need to be more afraid of our own kind, especially wolves that go off on their own and let their beasts take over their bodies. That’s catastrophic for us and can be deadly for humans.”
“Anything else I should know?” Kevin mocks and pushes past me to his seat.
“You’re a bully, Callum Scott!” Stracey chastises my enforcer, and he stutters and stammers to get words out. “Leave the young boy alone or I’ll turn you into something you don’t want to be.”
I laugh, and so do Kevin and Stracey. Callum looks somewhat less amused. He sticks his backpack on his back and says, “Jasper, your lady has a set of balls. Remind me never to piss her off.”
I wrap my arm around Stracey’s shoulders. Her body relaxes into my side and it feels good to have her so close. Usually, she pulls away and puts distance between us. I’ve either done something right, or her mindset has changed.
“Babe, I need as many paws out here as I can get. Can you please refrain from using magic on their arses?”
“Rats have paws. Cats have paws. I’ll make sure they always have paws.” She chuckles at Callum as he straightens up. “Maybe a cat would work. Don’t dogs hate cats?”
“Good job I like your woman, Jasper.” He smirks and heads up the aisle of the plane.
“That’s how to shut Callum up. Do you know I’ve tried for years and failed?”
“It looks like I hurt his pride by calling him a dog.” She giggles.
“Come on, tiger, before we never make it out of here as a team. I don’t fancy telling Braxton that my witch, who was supposed to be helping my team, actually turned them all into cats or murdered them.”
It isn’t often I get to see this side of Stracey. Back at the pack, she’s usually calm and focused on doing her job within our community. Over the last few days, I’ve loved seeing her kick off, standing up for herself, and putting others in their place. I just wish I was a fly on the wall when Braxton and Julian asked her to help on this mission. I can believe there would’ve been a lot of heated words.
Our flight attendant opens the door, and the moment the stairs are released, we all disembark. The cold air hits us immediately. Shivers run down my spine and my senses go on high alert. I don’t usually feel the cold. Living in Scotland, you expect some cold, wet conditions. Being so high up, we get snow regularly in the winter. We’ll never end up with a drought, that’s for sure.
“Jasper, my man.” Before my feet hit the ground, I hear Lelland. I look up in time to see him holding his hand out to me. I hold out my hand, but he pulls me into a bear hug and pats my back. “Welcome to Canada. How was the flight?”
We part, and I say, “It was good. I think we all slept the flight away. How’s things?”
“Could be better, buddy. Who do we have with you?”
“Sorry, excuse my manners today.” Lelland raises his eyebrows and looks like he’s about to say something, but I beat him to it. “Long story, don’t ask. Anyway, you know Callum…”
“Who doesn’t know Cal?” Cal steps forward and bumps his fist with Lelland’s. “Long time no see, buddy.”
“It’s good to see you. Pity about the circumstances though.”
Lelland shrugs his shoulders and turns his attention back to me. “This is Stracey. Have you met?” I ask as they stand a couple of feet apart.
“I think we may have when I was younger. My grandmother was Nelly Advark.”
“Nelly, of course. You’re very like your grandmother. Well, my dear, if you have half as much power as your grandmother, I’m confident to have you on board.”
“My grandmother taught me all I know.” Stracey beams proudly.
“Welcome to Canada, Stracey.” Lelland steps forward and kisses Stracey’s cheek. My beast whines in my head, but I’m not making a show here. No way. Not today. Not after everything that’s happened lately.
“And this is Kevin. Kevin is the newest member of the pack. Can you remember Lisa, the young wolf shifter I was keeping my eye on in Scotland?”
“Yes. Her mother died in childbirth, father was a bastard. Adoption, wasn’t it?”
“That’s the one. Well, to cut another long story short, Lisa came face to face with her father a few weeks ago. It wasn’t pretty, but we discovered that Lisa had a half-brother still under the father’s hands.” I hold my hand out to Kevin as my way of introduction. “He helped Lisa escape, and we brought him home with us.”
“Wow! And I think we’ve had it tough lately. Kevin, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to getting to know you.” Lelland turns back to me. “How’s your son doing? I expected him to come with you.”
“Another long story, but he’s fine. He’s actually Lisa’s soulmate, so he’s staying at home with her. In fact, they’re at the camp right now because Lisa’s filling in for Stracey.”
Lelland shifts on the spot and holds his hand to his temple, then scratches his ear. “Are you telling me that Lisa is part witch? I don’t get the connection. I don’t confuse easily.”
Before I can say another long story, Kevin and Callum say it for me, making us all laugh. “She holds a lot of power, but she needs to learn control. I’m not sure she’s ready to take on the pack, but Carlos has faith that she can do it.”
Stracey pats my chest with her spare hand and smiles brightly. “She healed Markus very well.”
“I think we have a lot of catching up to do,” says Lelland. “Why don’t we get the car loaded and I’ll get you home. Lavina is looking forward to seeing you all. She’s spent the whole day cooking a huge feast.”
“That’s very kind of her. She didn’t need to go to all that trouble.” I follow behind Lelland to his large seven-seater car.
“Don’t tell her I said this, but she is too human now. She forgets what we are.” Lelland shakes his head and opens the doors.
“I’m sure she can still keep you on your toes.”
“Oh, that she does, buddy. That she does.”
Lelland and Lavina are two of a kind. They’re the perfect match for one another and their story is quite romantic, if I do say so myself. It was Lelland who found Lavina and he turned her without a second thought. It was love at first sight for both, and now they’re here, centuries later. Still going strong. Still the loves of each other’s lives. Still doing what they do best; raising new vampires against the consumption of human blood, just so they can live amongst humans and enjoy the life they’ve been given. For a lot of vampires, they’ve been given a second chance, because they would have died had they not been turned.
We all get into the running vehicle and buckle up for our short drive. I have a feeling this is the calm before the storm.
***
We pull up outside Lelland and Lavina’s large lavish house. It has changed somewhat since I was last out here, but that doesn’t surprise me. Lavina always loves to decorate and change things about. I guess when you don’t need to sleep, twenty-four hours in one day seems like a long time to keep yourself entertained.
“Welcome to our home,” says Lelland as he steps out of the car.
“Just one time I’m going to come out here and nothing will have changed.” I smirk and lift my head up to smell the fresh air.
“I doubt that will ever happen, Jasper.” I jump when I hear Lavina creep up from behind me. I was too entranced with the fresh air that surrounds me.
“Jesus, woman. You know how to give me a heart attack.” Everyone laughs, but I step forward and wrap my arms around Lavina’s slender shoulders. She’s a little shorter than me, but she’s taller than the average woman. “It’s good to see you again.”
“Likewise. I see you have some new faces for me to meet.”
“Well, you know this baboon.” I slap Callum’s back as he helps Lelland lift the bags from the boot of the car.
“That I do.” Lavina chuckles, but Cal stops what he’s doing to bend down and place a kiss on Lavina’s cheek.
“Nice to see you, doll.”
“Eurgh! You’ll get on well with our neighbour, Dale. He loves calling people doll.” She rolls her eyes and pushes Callum playfully.
“Dale… Isn’t that the husband of the ill woman you turned?” I ask curiously.
“It is. You remembered. Dale and Ashley Black. They live about ten minutes to the south of this house. I’m sure you’ll see them shortly because they’ve been helping us with our little problem.”
“Okay. Next, you may know Stracey, but she’s come along as our witch and healer to help out.”
“Stracey. Unusual name, and I do believe I’ve heard it, but where from?”
Before Stracey can answer, Lelland swings his arm around Lavina’s waist. “Nelly Advark’s granddaughter. You remember Nelly, right?”
“Of course. Everyone remembers Nelly. Welcome to our abode, Stracey. It’s a pleasure to have you here.” Lavina engulfs Stracey. Stracey looks so small in front of vampires and wolf shifters.
“Thank you, Lavina. It’s my pleasure to be here. I just hope we can save as many girls as possible.”
“Me too, honey.” Lavina turns to Kevin standing at my other side. “And who is this hunk of a young man?”
“Kevin, this is Lavina. Lavina, this is Kevin. He’s a new member of Carlos’s pack. I’ll fill you in on the rest of the messed-up world after we settle in.”
I grab Stracey’s hand, and Lavina’s eyes fall to our entwined fingers. Her lips turn into a grin. “I’m glad to see you moving on, Jasper. It’s about time.”
“It took me long enough, but thank you.” I wink at her.
Lavina claps her hands and we hear the echo around the surrounding forests. “Okay, let’s get inside and eat. I hope you’re all hungry.”
“That’s like asking if babies like milk. Of course a bunch of wolf shifters are going to be hungry,” I say as we follow Lavina into her home.
The grand entrance hall is now all marble. It’s very different to the last time I was here, because it was all plush carpets in various colours. “Yes, Jasper. Everything has changed. I was so fed up of cleaning carpets when we had a newbie here. Marble is easier to clean blood from.” She winks at me and I notice Kevin shift on his feet.
“Do you have any new vampires here now?” asks Kevin as he scratches the back of his head.
“You can rest easy, sweetheart. No, we don’t have any here. Shame really, because it would let you see the process our kind goes through to become what we are.”
I nudge Kevin and he smirks at me. “I believe the youth of today read and watch too many paranormal series’. They have a lot to learn.”
“What, you mean to say you believe that we sleep in coffins and only wake at night time to prey on poor humans.” Lavina mocks Kevin as we enter the large dining room. The poor bugger is getting it from all directions today, but I’m glad everyone is bantering with him, because it lets me see he’ll fit in here. He takes it in his stride, which is always a good thing.
“Eh… N… no, of course not. I haven’t really had any experience with vampires.”
“Take a seat everyone.” Lavina waves her hand over the dining table.
“Wasn’t it Lisa who didn’t know vampires exist?” asks Callum.
“Yes. Her face was a picture when we had the conversation about dragons and vampires.” I laugh at the memory.
“I can’t wait to meet Markus and Lisa,” says Lelland as he sits at one end of the table. “You should bring them to Canada for a visit.”
“Yeah, I believe they’d like it here. Lisa’s just getting used to her abilities, right now, but she loves the outdoors. Markus… well, although he led a sheltered life, he knows all about his heritage and he loves to be surrounded by wilderness.”
“Tell me a wolf that doesn’t.”
That is very true. Our beasts are born outsiders. We like to be surrounded by our pack, but we love to roam and explore. That’s why most packs are in the middle of nowhere.
“Something smells amazing,” says Callum.
Lavina walks through from her kitchen, carrying big serving platters full of food. It looks like we’re having roast beef and all the trimmings. For us, this is a typical Sunday dinner.
“I Googled what you guys eat back home and I wasn’t keen on cooking haggis, so roast dinners seem like the next best thing. I hope it lives up to your expectations.” She smiles and takes her seat at the other side of the table.
“You should get some pointers from Jasper while he’s here; he loves to cook,” Callum pipes up, filling his plate with the delicious-looking meat.
“Is that so, Jasper?” asks Lavina.
“I don’t have much choice at home. According to Lisa, I’ve mollycoddled Markus, and he hates cooking anything that doesn’t go in the microwave. When I’m staying at the camp with the pack, Joel, the other shifter I rescued as a child, always stops by for his breakfast. I guess it’s become the norm for me to cook.” I lean forward to fill my plate and everyone else is tucking into their meals. It’s probably the quietest I’ve heard them all. “What about you? You guys don’t need to eat, why go to the bother?”
“We don’t need to eat, but we socialize with humans. We also have human connections through our vampires and I like to live a normal life, or as normal as can be considering what we are.” Lavina smiles, and as always, her flawless skin shines.
I didn’t realise how hungry I was until I started eating this meal. But then I remember the last forty-eight hours in those damn cells. Nothing much passed my lips except water. Even the water wasn’t great, but I needed to keep hydrated. I just hope to God I never have to spend another minute down in those cells.
One last task and I’ll be free.