Pack Bound, page 23
Then with a clap of thunderous sound, the blue flame fluttered and was gone.
The wind died.
Skye fell to the floor.
Jason rushed forward to pull her into his arms. ‘Skye? Skye, are you all right?’
She looked up at him. ‘I’m fine,’ she croaked.
Bron let out a shuddering breath. ‘Mother Goddess. Shelley, that was amazing.’
Shelley staggered. ‘It didn’t feel that amazing.’ Her eyes returned to their normal blue as she spoke to the air. ‘Please, don’t do that again, Harrison. It hurt.’
‘I’m sorry. But she trusts you. You were my only way in. And if we’re to help her, we might need to do it again.’
Shelley teetered on her feet. Adam caught her but she shrugged off his helping hands. ‘I think I just need to go to bed.’
‘I’m so sorry, Shelley.’ Skye moved out of the comfort of Jason’s arms and pushed to her feet. Unable to face them after what she’d done, she turned away. ‘Don’t you see? This proves I have to go. I can’t control it. What if I hurt one of you next time? I mean, look what it did to Shelley to stop me. I can’t—I won’t be responsible for hurting anyone.’
‘You will learn.’ Jason gripped her shoulders, turning her to face him. She knew she should pull away, but for the life of her, she couldn’t.
His touch … it felt too good.
So she simply looked up at him and asked him, ‘How?’ How will I learn?’
‘We will find you help. There’s the Pack Witch Diaries and Cordelia. She can’t come here yet, but you can video chat with her, and she’s working on sending one of her coven to help you. Not to mention your grandpa and Wiccan friends. Surely, together, we can find a way.’
‘But I have the power of two. What just happened—’
‘All that you did then was show us what an astonishing Pack Witch you will be. You will help the McVales become stronger than we have ever been, and then nobody will dare to touch us again.’
He gripped her chin and tipped her face up until she couldn’t help but stare into the incredible, mesmerising blue of his eyes. ‘Give me a chance to find a way. I can’t lose you. We can’t lose you. Not to mention I can’t … I won’t let you go.’ He brushed his thumb down her cheek. ‘I promise you, we will find a way.’
‘I still think you need to find another witch to bind to the pack.’
‘If we could have done that, we would have, long ago when the Collins became so few. It’s not as easy as all that. The only way at this point is for a witch or warlock to mate with one of us and that’s not something you can force.’
‘But couldn’t you bind a witch or warlock to your pack with the spell that Bridgette Colliere used?’
Adam snorted. ‘There’s no witch or warlock alive who could handle a spell of that magnitude and survive. And even if there were, it’s not like there’s spare witches or warlocks just lying around waiting for us to call.’
‘Adam’s right.’ Jason firmed his lips. ‘You staying is the only way we will survive. For us to survive, you must survive. So, we have no choice but to find an answer to the problem of the spell that binds you. And to find a way to train you.’
‘But my power—’
‘Your power will help; it won’t be a danger. I promise. And seeing I’ve promised, it will happen, because a Were cannot break a vow.’
It was hard to deny such certainty and Skye found herself nodding despite the fear gnawing at her insides. She knew she should argue with him but couldn’t find the energy to do so. Not to mention her head was throbbing from the backlash of using her magic.
‘You’re in pain.’
How could he have such an uncanny knack of knowing what was going on inside her? She didn’t want him making a thing of it though, so she broke from his grip and stepped away, staring out the window, trying to pull calm from looking out at the view of Westerfolds Park. But she couldn’t see anything through the deep violet dark of night cloaking the garden.
‘It’s dark.’
‘It’s past midnight.’
‘But we’ve only been talking for a few hours.’
‘You were at your grandmother’s for most of the day.’
‘No. It was only a few hours.’
‘It was dark when you left. Didn’t you notice?’
Skye shook her head. ‘I’ve lost the whole day?’
‘A lot happened to you today,’ Jason said coming to stand behind her, his warmth reaching out to her. ‘It’s no wonder you’re tired and strung out and missing hours.’ He began to massage her shoulders. His earthy, masculine scent surrounded her, a balm to her senses, and she couldn’t find it inside herself to flinch away. She melted under his touch as his deep voice vibrated through her, holding her in place. ‘Nobody expects you to give more than you wish.’ He turned her, his hands sliding up to cup her face. ‘We will take it as slowly or as fast as you need. You are in control of what happens next. You have my word on that.’
‘Really?’
‘I promise.’
She relaxed. ‘I want to see the diaries.’
‘I want to read them too,’ Shelley said. ‘And speak to Cordy; if that’s at all possible.’
‘Count me in,’ Bron added.
Jason’s hands dropped from Skye’s face and he turned back to the others. ‘Good.’
Adam shook his head. ‘It will have to wait until morning. You,’ he said, looking at Shelley, ‘look like death warmed up and Skye doesn’t look much better. You need to rest.’
‘I’m happy with that.’ Shelley sighed and rubbed her head. ‘I could do with some sleep.’
‘Adam will show you up to your rooms—I gather you want to stay here?’ Shelley and Bron nodded. ‘Good. Adam, can you call in reinforcements to stand guard and hold the perimeter?’
‘Can do, Jase.’
‘I’ll draw up a roster and a line of defence. Then, in the morning, after everyone’s recharged, we’ll get to the task at hand: training Skye.’
Skye looked up at Jason. ‘But what if—’
He shook his head. ‘You’re not going anywhere. I’ve vowed to keep you safe and help you control your powers and that’s what we’re going to do.’
Skye’s jaw firmed. ‘I don’t like it when people try to control my life.’
‘I kind of got that impression before when you tried to turn Adam into wolfie barbecue.’ He chuckled and stroked her cheek.
‘You don’t understand.’
‘I understand better than you could ever know.’
‘Skye? Are you coming?’
Shelley and Bron stood at the door to the hallway, waiting for her. Not taking her eyes from Jason, she said, ‘No. You go to bed. I’ll be up in a minute.’
‘Are you sure that’s a good idea?’
‘Yes. I just need to talk to Jason first.’ She tore her gaze away from his when her friends didn’t budge. ‘Really. I’m fine now, thanks to you and Grandpa. Go and get some sleep. Adam’s right—you look like death.’
Bron put her hand on Shelley’s shoulder, stopping her from arguing. ‘Don’t be long, Skye. You need to get some sleep too.’
‘Goodnight.’
Bron blew her a kiss. Shelley sent her an unconvinced look, but said, ‘Goodnight,’ and walked out with Bron, Adam showing them the way.
Skye’s skin tingled as she realised she was now alone with Jason, remembering what happened the last time they found themselves alone.
He smiled, his mouth twisting at the corner in the way that made her internal muscles clench.
She rubbed at her stomach and moved away from his warmth, frowning. ‘What did you mean when you said you understood more than I could know?’
There was silence behind her and she didn’t think he was going to answer.
‘You’re worried it will be like a jail; that you’d be controlled,’ Jason whispered finally. ‘But when you speak to Cordy and her coven, you will see that’s not how it is. The Pact frees those with power in a way you can’t understand. Yet. But even if it didn’t, I wouldn’t tie you down like that. I wouldn’t do that to anyone, let alone you.’
She turned around to face him, wondering how he understood her fear so quickly. ‘Is that what you feel? Tied down?’
His laugh was bitter chocolate, warming as it sank into her but with a slight tang that wasn’t wholly pleasant. ‘I did. A long time ago. My parents understood my reluctance. I wanted to roam, but I was Alpha marked.’ He pointed at his eyes.
She raised an eyebrow.
‘The colour. Only an Alpha has eyes this colour. Some Alphas become. Some are born. It was apparent what I was going to be from birth.’ He smiled, the expression so full of sadness, Skye’s heart ached.
‘Even so, they let me go. They let me roam and follow my own interests.’ He looked away, regret marking his handsome face with a shadow she wanted to kiss away.
‘Didn’t it make you happy?’
‘Yes. For a while. But there was the slowly creeping poison of the Curse. Even though my father was strong and he held the pack together with his indomitable will, I couldn’t be truly free. I knew it would come down to me, even though I didn’t want it to. But I was certain I’d have decades before I would have to take over the reins.’
He stopped, his voice choked off.
‘Jason?’ Skye said, giving in to the need to touch his face.
He turned back to look at her, leaning into her touch. ‘I was overseas when my parents and brothers were killed and I could deny who I was no longer. The pull of the Calling was inescapable.’
He smiled with such calm assurance; it touched her soul.
‘I am Alpha. I can’t do anything to change it. And now that I am Alpha, I don’t want to change it. It’s who I am. Who I was always meant to be. I can’t believe I spent so many years fighting the inevitable.’
‘Jason … I-I’m glad for you, that you found yourself. But it isn’t the same for me.’
‘You misunderstand me.’ He took both her hands in his. ‘A part of me wants to take you to Packland and hold you there safe and never let you go. But the other part, the stronger part, the part that was succoured by my parents’ understanding of my needs, would never do that to you if you didn’t wish it. I would never dishonour the memory of my parents in such a way. They knew that strength is built in many ways. It is a lesson I won’t forget now.’
The last was said through gritted teeth, as if he argued with himself over something.
‘Jason …’ she began again, but he shook his head, his gaze piercing her with understanding.
‘It’s okay, Skye. You don’t need to explain. I get it.’ He ran the back of his fingers down her cheek, a gesture that made her feel treasured. ‘You don’t have to live on Packland. Not everyone does. You can live wherever you want. Go about your life in any way you wish, as long as you allow us to protect you.’ His lips firmed. ‘Although until this rogue coven is taken care of, I can’t let you out of my sight. Do you understand?’
She nodded even though she was still so uncertain about everything, as if this was nothing but a dream she’d wake from at any moment. ‘I understand. You can’t ever truly let me go because it will bring on the Curse again. You protect me to protect the pack.’
He frowned. ‘No.’ He ran his thumb over her lips. ‘I will always protect you—and it has nothing to do with keeping the Curse at bay. You are important to me—to us—not because of who you are. Because of what you are.’
‘And what am I?’
‘You are pack.’
A family. A true family. That’s what he was giving her, whether she chose to stay with them or not.
He leaned forward, as if to kiss her—probably a pack-bonding thing. She’d seen how touchy-feely Adam was with Bron and Shelley—but she couldn’t be so free and easy. Not with him.
She pulled back. His expression was puzzled, his gaze trying to capture hers again, but she looked away.
‘I’m tired. Can you show me to my bedroom?’
‘Of course.’
He took her hand, leading her upstairs to a room painted spring green, the floor covered with thick cream carpet. A canopied bed faced the French doors that led out onto a balcony overlooking the park. Fresh roses stood on the dresser in the corner, scenting the air with their delicate perfume. She took a deep breath in, knowing that from now on the scent of roses would remind her of Jason, not her grandparents.
‘I hope you’ll be comfortable here.’
‘It’s lovely,’ she said, taking a few steps inside, noting someone had placed a pair of flannelette Betty Boop pyjamas on the cream doona. They weren’t her pyjamas. She turned, raising her eyebrow.
‘Suzie, Tom’s nanny, lives here with us. She’s about your size and seeing I know how fond you are of cartoon character pyjamas, I asked her if you could borrow some. I assumed you would be staying here and neither Bron nor Shelley brought any of your things with them when they arrived.’
She managed a wobbly smile, touched more than she should be by his thoughtfulness. ‘Thank her for me.’
‘You can do that yourself when you see her tomorrow. Aside from being Tom’s nanny, she’s kind of a housekeeper and PA. So she’ll be around after dropping Tom off at 4us2.’
She bit her lip and turned away. ‘Tom is here? Don’t you think you should keep him away from me until I can control my powers?’
His hands were gentle on her shoulders as he turned her to face him. ‘You won’t hurt him.’
‘How can you be so certain of that?’
‘Because I know how much you treasure children. I saw how much you tried not to lash out tonight, and if not for Adam trying to grab you, I think you would have succeeded. You are stronger than you give yourself credit for being.’
‘I don’t think you see me clearly at all.’
‘I see you just fine.’ Jason smiled, that little twist of his lips she so loved. Loved?
Oh God.
He leaned forward and kissed her brow. The soft, warm press of his lips on her skin made something crack inside her. She bit her lip to stop crying out in pain.
‘Sleep well, Skylar Collins. I’ll be in the room next door. If you need me for anything, just call. I’ll hear you.’
She couldn’t trust herself to say anything, so she just nodded. He smiled one more time, brushed his fingers over her jaw and then left, closing the door behind him.
Skye sank onto the bed and lay down on her side, legs curled up, arms wrapped around her chest as if she could hold the pain in. She stared blindly out the French doors.
She loved Jason.
How could that have happened? She didn’t believe in love at first sight. She’d been so certain it was just lust she felt for him—an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime lust. But it wasn’t. It was so much more.
She curled into a tighter ball.
‘What am I going to do?’
‘You will bear what you must, love. There are reasons behind everything that happens in the world, we just need to be brave enough to look.’
The words were not a comfort. They reminded her too much of what Jason had just said. ‘I don’t think I am brave enough,’ she whispered.
Her grandpa didn’t respond. After all, what was there to say?
She closed her eyes and tried to sleep, but sleep was a long time in coming.
When it did come, rather than the darkness of oblivion, eyes of lightning-struck blue blazed in her mind, filling her with both warmth and despair. In her sleep she dreamed of a life she could never have.
In her sleep, she wept—but they weren’t tears of joy.
22
Daylight streamed through the gauzy curtains when Skye finally woke, the kind of yellowing daylight that suggested it was late afternoon. She’d slept the day away.
The exhaustion of last night no longer weighed down her limbs, but her mind was fuzzy, her eyes dry and sore and her mouth tasted of the bitterness of tears.
Groaning, she rolled off the bed and staggered to the bathroom. A toothbrush, still in its packet, lay next to the basin, and someone had placed some clothes on the chair in the corner. A note lay on top of them.
Skye,
I hope you rested well. These are for you. Feel free to shower or have a bath and help yourself to any food in the kitchen. Shelley called 4us2 and they don’t expect you in today or the rest of the week.
Her head snapped up.
Shoot. Work. She’d forgotten all about it.
Thank God for Shelley and her sensible brain. Jenny would have been so worried not to have heard from Skye. What kind of boss and friend was she to have forgotten those who did so much for her? She should have remembered and made the call herself. Her staff, under Jen’s capable guidance, would continue to manage fine without her. Still, guilt left a bitter taste at the back of her throat even though she knew she couldn’t be around the children with the rogue coven after her. It was bad enough she endangered her friends, let alone little ones too vulnerable to look after themselves.
Sighing, she read the rest of the note.
Bron and Shelley have gone out to do some research in their family grimoires. Adam and I are going up to Kinglake to talk with Marcus McClune. I’ve stationed members of the pack outside—Iain and his brother, Patrick. If you need anything, just stick your head out the door and they’ll come. Suzie will pick Tom up from 4us2 and will bring him home at about six. I’ll be back as soon as I can.
In the meantime, I’ve left a few of the Pack Diaries on the table in the lounge room. I thought you might want to make a start on them. But make sure you eat first.
Jason xxxx
Skye held the note to her lips when she finished reading, breathing in the scent of paper and a faint hint of Jason’s warmth. She shouldn’t read anything into those Xs but … They’d had sex. Twice.
No. It didn’t mean the same to him as it had to her. There was an animalistic side to his nature that put everything in a completely different light.
Having sex with a Pack Witch was probably part of the ritual of connection he’d spoken of last night. He had said he wanted to explore the connection between them, but he’d been talking about the Alpha–Pack Witch bond.
