CHAPTER 18
Jasper
I don’t think I’ve ever felt at peace like this. I don’t know where I am, or what I’m doing. I don’t feel or see my body, but the world I’m in is like no other. Every so often, I hear Stracey or Markus talking to me, but I can’t tell where their voices are coming from. I try to search for them, but they’re just too far away from me. It doesn’t matter what I do, I can’t find them. I just feel and hear the stress and pain in their voices.
“What if he doesn’t wake up?” I hear Markus say.
“We have to think positive,” says Stracey. “He will wake up. I just don’t have a magic ball to see when.”
What? What’s going on? I try desperately to reach their voices, just to show them I’m okay.
“He’s been out of it for nine days. How can you be so positive?”
“If I wasn’t positive, I’d be a mess, Markus. I can’t believe he won’t come back to us.”
I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.
“He just squeezed my hand, Stracey. He just squeezed my hand!” Markus shouts excitedly.
“Jazz, can you do it again, baby? Squeeze one of our hands.” Stracey’s soothing voice sounds like an angel. I could listen to her all day, and I try to squeeze their hands as much as I can. I need them to see I’m here.
“Did you feel that?”
“I did.” Stracey sobs. “Jasper, can you open your eyes? Come on, honey. We need to see you’re okay. Please. Come back to us.”
I feel her hands on my cheeks, and I feel my body for the first time in what seems like forever. I move my toes, wriggle my fingers, move my head. “Open your eyes, Dad.”
My eyes flutter open and I have to close them quickly because it’s too bright. “Markus, close the blinds. Jasper, honey, open your eyes again.”
I do as is asked of me, and hovering over me is my beautiful girl. Tears are streaming down her face; she looks exhausted.
“Hi,” I stutter through my dry mouth.
“Hey, sweetheart. Here’s Markus, too.” I look to my left and Markus is clutching my other hand. He too looks exhausted.
“Hi, son.”
“You have no idea how good it is to hear you say that. Joel has just gone for a shower. He’ll be pissed he missed this. We’ve sat glued to this bed for days, but Stracey chased our backsides for a shower. She said we’d keep you in a coma if we didn’t wash soon.”
I chuckle slightly at the thought of the guys being bossed around by my girl.
“How are you feeling, honey?” asks Stracey.
“I don’t know. I feel tired. Weak. But I’m okay. What happened?”
“You were bitten by that bastard in the mountains, but he had a spell cast on his saliva, and it poisoned you. It was a close call, but here you are.”
“The girl. I can remember leaving the cave with Kevin and the girl.”
Stracey shakes her head and I think the worst. Is she dead? Is that why Kevin isn’t here? “She hasn’t woken up yet. Kevin and Lisa are with her at the moment. It’s a waiting game.”
“What about everyone else?”
“All got out. We lost three girls, but they were gone before we got there. Twelve girls have been returned to their families. We’ve been left with a witch who saved your life, and three wolf shifters. We’ve offered the witch and the wolves a place in the pack, but only the witch has agreed to come home with us.”
“I’ll have a word with them when I’m back up and about.” I go to sit up, but Markus and Stracey put a hand on my shoulders to keep me still. “I’m okay.”
“It’s going to take a lot more recovery than being unconscious for nearly ten days. You need rest, lots of TLC, and lots of healthy eating. You’re not moving from that bed just yet.”
I smile at Stracey’s bossy nature. Now I know how Lisa felt a couple of months ago when it was her that was recovering. I don’t think I’ll get away with ignoring orders, and right now, I’m quite happy to be surrounded by my family. “Hold on. Why? How are you here? I’m still in Canada.”
I push myself up slightly and let the headboard take my weight. “Lisa saw everything,” says Stracey as she runs her thumb over my hand. “Markus and Joel rang your phone thirty-five times in the time it took us to get back here from the mountains. Lelland tried to say that we’d look after you, but their Alpha said they were no use to the pack in the state they were in. He granted them leave to come out here.”
“They have no healer now.”
“Dad. Really? We nearly lost you, and you’re thinking about everyone else. The Alpha got a stand in to replace Lisa and Stracey until we go home.”
I feel guilty. I know how much hell they must have been going through while I lay here. I can’t ever put them through that again. I won’t be the one to cause them any more pain.
“Jasper…” I look over at the door and Lisa stands speechless. “You’re awake. When?”
“Not long.” I smile as brightly as I can manage, but I can see her body shudder as tears bubble to the surface. “Hey. Come here.”
Markus gets up from my side and lets Lisa sit on the bed beside me. I struggle to a sitting position, but I hold my arms open for her to come to me. I’d be nothing if I couldn’t comfort my kids when they need me.
“I thought we’d lost you, Jasper.” She falls into my chest and wraps her arms around my waist.
“Sshh! It’ll take a lot more to get rid of me, doll. Once I’ve got my strength back, we can head home. I’m not leaving you kids again.”
No matter what happens over the next few weeks, I know for sure that I’m going home to Scotland, and I’m going to be the partner, father, and pack member everyone deserves. I’ve done my last mission for the council, and I’ll be saving no more damsels in distress.