Running with the Alpha's Son, page 25
She nods emphatically.
He turns back to me. “Are you okay to wait a little longer?”
“Actually,” I say, “I really need a shower and maybe a nap. Meet you back at the tent?”
“Okay,” he says. “Great. Oh, how was your moon dance or walk or—you know?”
“It was…” I pause because it’s not a thing you can quantify quite like a movie or a meal. “It was pretty special. Intense but special.”
“You’re okay?” he asks.
“I’m good. And you can’t keep your audience waiting.” I gesture over to the waiting pups, their expectant eyes on Jasper like a pack of meerkats.
“I won’t be long. Oh and there’s this party tonight, to celebrate the completion of the new school. It’ll probably be lame.” He shakes his head dismissively but I know he wants to go. “But I was thinking we could go?”
“I’d love to.”
“Okay.”
The girl in his arms is squirming but Jasper just stares at me.
“Okay,” I say.
“Great.”
He keeps staring and smiling and then I’m smiling as well and we must look like two lovesick teens who don’t know how to act around each other.
“Yeah, great,” I say. “Shouldn’t you…?”
It’s like he realizes he’s holding an actual child at that moment.
“Oh, right! Yes. Okay, see you in a bit.”
“See you in a bit.”
He turns to head back into the school tent but spins around super quick to add one more thing.
“You look different,” he says, “good still, but different.”
For another beat he smiles at me like he’s lost his goddamn mind.
“Go!” I say and finally he nods and returns to his adoring fans.
As Jasper launches into a new story, all the energy I have left in me seems to flood out the bottoms of my feet and I know I need to find somewhere to lie down immediately.
I wake from a long nap to find Jasper’s arms wrapped around me.
“Hey,” he says as I hum and roll over to face him.
“Hey,” I say, noticing just how groggy I sound. “Have you been here long?”
“Just a few minutes.”
“How was the rest of the show?”
“The kids had a few notes, but they liked my Big Bad Wolf impression.”
“Mmm, I always thought the Big Bad Wolf was misunderstood. Wait, you read them that human propaganda?”
“We did the alternate version where Little Red and Big Bad team up to defeat the evil woodsman.”
“Ah! I see.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Sleepy but good.”
“How was the moonwalk? You didn’t tell me much before.”
“Well, you were busy giving the performance of a lifetime.”
He punches my arm softly.
“Stop. Tell me about your experience.”
“It was…I saw a lot of things. You were there.”
“I was?”
“Uh-huh. Actually you were kind of everywhere. Except the lunar plane, that was just me and…I think I met Selene.”
He pulls back, sitting up just a little.
“You met…Selene? The Selene?”
“I think so.”
“Wow.” He lies back down, wrapping his arm tighter around me. “What’s she like?”
I give a casual little shrug. “She was nice.”
Jasper cups my face and runs a thumb over my cheek.
“You do look different,” he says, reiterating his point from earlier.
“In what way?”
“I don’t know.” His eyes dart about my face, taking in my features, and I imagine him running them through his mind, comparing them to what he remembers from before I left yesterday. “You seem older.”
I throw my head back sarcastically. “Oh great! Thanks!”
He pulls me closer. “Not in a bad way. You just look more like you.”
“So…good change.”
He licks his bottom lip and nods. “Good change.”
I breathe a breath of relief and Jasper nuzzles his face into the crook of my neck.
“I feel different,” I say, sitting up slightly. “It’s like all this time there’s been something blocking my connection to my wolf-self and now…now that blockage is gone, and I feel…”
“What?” he says, his eyes wide in genuine excitement.
“I feel connected to everything, every wolf, and––I feel powerful.”
Jasper tilts his head back to take another look at me, gently moving a strand of hair from my face.
“What?” I ask when he doesn’t say anything, just stares with this amused sort of smile.
“It suits you.”
He kisses me once then holds me close.
“I missed you,” he says, and I love the way his breath feels on my skin.
“I missed you too.”
He lifts his lips from my neck to my mouth and kisses me again. We stay like that for a long time, and after everything that’s been going on these past few days, it feels so good—like kissing for the first time, or like we’ve unlocked some new level of kissing, the big boss of kissing.
When we come up for air I run a hand through Jasper’s hair.
“I think we should try again,” I say.
“Okay.” Immediately Jasper tries to kiss me but I dodge his lips.
“I meant the mind-link,” I say, laughing. “We should try to mind-link again.”
“You think it’ll work this time?”
“I’m not a hundred percent sure. But with this new access to my blood wolf abilities, I think I’m closer than before.”
“Okay,” he says and kisses me once more.
This time I don’t avoid him.
A short while and a whole lot of making out later, Jasper and I are washed and dressed and ready to attend the school-opening celebration.
“You look…like, super fresh,” I say, eyeing Jasper, whose hair is still wet from the shower.
He’s wearing a loose, cream-colored linen shirt and a pair of khaki shorts. He’s really made an effort. The moon gods only know how he’s managed to keep a set of smart clothes clean this whole time.
“Thanks. You look pretty great too.”
I roll my eyes. “Whatever.” I’m in the cleanest T-shirt I could find, which isn’t saying much—although I do like the scent of this earthy handmade soap they have in the showers here.
“Ready?” Jasper seems eager to get to the party, which is very cute.
“Sure.”
“So when can I hear more about your moonwalk?” Jasper asks as we make our way through the Sanc.
“Woof, maybe in like ten years’ time?”
He eyes me sideways with a smug grin. “I’ll hold you to that.”
“And what about you? You seemed to be having fun earlier. Helping out with the rogue school wasn’t so bad in the end?”
Jasper keeps his eyes forward as we move through the tents.
“I think perhaps I understand now—why my mother cared so much about these people.” A couple of kids run by us, one kicking a ball and one waving a ribbon. Jasper turns as they pass. “There is no difference between a rogue pup and one from a pack.” After the kids are gone he turns back to me. “Except the privilege they were born into. We should do more,” he says, nodding gently. “To help. The packs should do more.”
“I bet that’s what your mom would have said.”
He stops suddenly, the hint of a smile cracking his pensive expression.
“I think you’re right. And…” He takes my hand and gives it a squeeze. “I am glad we came here. I’m glad I got to see this place she cared so much about.”
“You feel closer to her than before?”
“I do. Thank you.” He pulls me in for a soft, meaningful kiss, and while we have our eyes closed music begins to play nearby, an upbeat song heavy on the drums and the horns.
“Sounds like the party is underway,” I say. “Shall we?”
The party is in full swing when Jasper and I arrive. Under the new school tent and all around the surrounding area wolves are gathered. Balloons and ribbons have been strung up on every tentpole. Off to the right, one of the large industrial barbecues has been set up and Miss Sammy is the grill-meister. She’s flipping ribs, stacking cheese on top of burgers, and piling sausages high on a platter, bellowing for people to come and get it. Music is blaring from a number of speakers set up around the edge of the tent, and as I glance around I spot some familiar faces in the crowd.
Mal is sitting in a foldout chair with Kairos next to her by a campfire just outside the tent. Tomas is talking with some of the rogue teachers we saw the first day we were here, pointing out areas of the floor space, I assume discussing how best to use the space once the kids start attending classes. Yoki is swirling a long rope on a couple of sticks on the far side of the tent, making giant bubbles out of soapy water, while kids jump and dance around them. The other council members are knocking about as well, as are a few of the rogues who apprehended us at our campsite. The only person missing is Omar.
I squint harder to try and find him but come up short.
“Let’s get a drink,” Jasper says, keeping my hand in his and leading me over to a table with a very full punch bowl.
As Jasper pours and hands me a solo cup of pink, sweet-smelling liquid I take a closer look at the inside of the tent.
“Looks pretty sturdy,” I say. “Must be well constructed.”
“It’ll stand.” Jasper turns to face into the tent, looking proud of his accomplishment, which makes my chest all warm and fuzzy. Then his attention catches on something and a growl rolls in his throat.
I follow his eyeline to where George Peng has just entered the tent.
Jasper takes a small step forward and instinctively I put a hand on his arm to stop him.
“What’s he doing here?” Jasper asks.
“I’m sure he just wanted to help celebrate.”
Mr. Peng wanders farther into the tent, seemingly lost or looking for someone. When he spots us, his and Jasper’s eyes lock. I can just about hear Jasper grinding his teeth, which I’m pretty sure are fangs by now. Then to my astonishment George steps in our direction. Is he…? He can’t be seriously coming over here? Can he?
“Keep calm,” I say. “Remember this is a school.”
George stops a couple of meters short, probably being careful not to get too close. Then he drops to his knees.
“Mr. Apollo,” he begins, speaking to the dusty ground. “I submit myself to you and beg for your forgiveness. I have had a lot of time to think during my time in exile and I know now what I did was wrong—the actions of a deranged man driven crazy by the hierarchies of the society he was born into.”
Jasper edges forward and I squeeze his arm tighter.
“And I don’t mean to make excuses. I did what I did of my own volition. But it has cost me everything. My life and my daughter. Please, accept my apologies. I do not expect forgiveness, but…”
“But?” Jasper rasps, incredulous.
“But I would ask one thing of you.”
Jasper’s teeth are the most clenched teeth I’ve seen. “And what would that be?”
“Eleanor, my daughter. I have no way of knowing if she’s healthy, or—alive. Could you please, tell me…is she okay?”
For a minute I remain terrified Jasper is about to shift and tear this poor guy’s throat out. Yeah, he did almost have me killed and he kidnapped Aisha, and he nearly toppled the whole Apollo dynasty, but looking at him now, he seems so small, frail. His hands are digging into the soil, tears wet his wrinkled face. I shift my gaze from him to Jasper and realize that Jasper’s jaws are no longer snapped tight, his face is loose, his expression somewhat bemused.
From the corner of my vision I spot Mal watching us and Tomas as well. They’re both waiting to see how Jasper will react. In fact, more and more eyes turn to watch the spectacle as Mr. Peng waits to see if Jasper will rip him to shreds or…is it possible he’ll offer forgiveness?
“For the things you have done,” Jasper says, sounding every bit the young alpha, “I can offer no forgiveness. You tried to destroy my family and taint our legacy.”
Tomas takes the smallest step forward and Mal sends him a warning glance, telling him to stay back, just a moment longer.
“But I understand the pressure that could lead a man such as you to drastic measures, and I too understand the power of the link between a parent and their child. As far as I know Eleanor is behind bars, but she is alive, healthy, and provided for. She is serving out her sentence in peace.”
“Thank you,” Mr. Peng says, bowing even lower. “You are very kind to tell me this. Your words soothe the ache of a broken man.”
“I do not wish to soothe,” Jasper continues. “Only to prevent more unnecessary suffering.”
“Thank you,” Mr. Peng says again, and again, and again, until finally Mal stands and whispers into the ear of a nearby wolf.
He and a friend move to either side of Mr. Peng and lift him from the dirt, helping him to walk away.
We watch until he’s gone, and the party closes ranks, the vibe shifting from a tense, somber one back to one of joyous celebration.
“That was—really nice of you,” I say, rubbing Jasper’s arm.
“It’s more than he deserves,” he spits to the side.
“Maybe, but also now we can maybe move on. That’s what you deserve.”
The girl from earlier, the one desperate for Mr. Jasper to read her yet another story, appears next to us.
“Jasper,” she says a little quietly, swaying from side to side. “Will you come and dance with us?”
He glances at me, as if I’m about to give him some sort of escape route, when in fact, there’s no way I would give up the chance to see him dancing with a gaggle of preschoolers. Besides, maybe it’s the tension release he needs. Instead of making excuses on his behalf I shrug, as if to say I’ve got nothing.
“Sure, Janie, I’d love to.”
She reaches up her little hand, which Jasper takes, and he’s immediately pulled across the floor.
Once he’s fully entrenched in a circle of four-year-olds I look around again, wondering where Omar could have gotten to and if everything is okay. But that concern vanishes when I look back over to find Jasper fully breaking it down, doing some cross between swing dance and the twist. A circle of kids is jumping around him, swishing their hips, meanwhile he’s spinning Janie under his arm and dancing up a storm.
He glances over, red-faced but smiling, and I lift my cup to him. Who would have thought my moody, rogue-averse mate would end up the belle of the preschool ball?
“Your mate is full of surprises,” Mal says, appearing beside me.
“Yeah, he is.”
“Maybe there is hope for the packs after all.”
She’s studying Jasper intently, as if she’s thinking something through.
“Of course,” she continues, “I have a feeling you will be instrumental in bringing about the necessary change.”
“I—uh—I…”
“One thing I may not have made clear just yet…” She sips her drink and moves her bottom lip in a weird half circle. “The rogues have always been a friend to the blood wolf.” She eyes me sideways. “And the blood wolf has always been a friend to the rogues.”
What is she trying to say?
“I hope this is a relationship that will continue to be fruitful.”
I turn to her and say as earnestly as possible, “I hope so too.”
“And I hope you found everything you needed during your stay here.”
“Yes, thank you. I think I did.”
“You’d be welcome to stay longer. I’m sure Yoki and yourself have made excellent progress these last few days but there is always more to learn, Blood Wolf.”
“Thanks for the offer.” I glance back over at Jasper, who is smiling like a complete goon and dancing like Fred Astaire. “But I have to go back with Jasper.”
Mal nods like she’s had something confirmed. “So I thought. Just know you are welcome here anytime.”
“I do. Thank you, ma’am.”
“Call me Mal,” she says, now with a cheeky smile and wink. “All my friends do.”
She pats my shoulder a couple of times and then moves off back to Kairos and her waiting chair.
For a moment I watch the party and feel like I’m floating just outside my body. I know there is more to learn about my blood-wolf powers, but I also feel ready to take that journey on my own—to explore what it means to be connected to wolfkind like this without guardrails, to fully dive in. And I feel ready to head home and tackle what’s waiting there, too. The friendships, the attention, the pressure, the people who would rather I wasn’t preternaturally linked to their future leader.
While Jasper continues to dance, I glance around in search of Omar once more. I would really like to speak with him before we leave. Then a sharp pang slices through the back of my consciousness. I double over, wincing in pain. And before I can try to figure out where it came from, a woman screams and chaos breaks loose.
THE INVASION OF
SANCTUARY
The Sanctuary erupts into chaos. Screams tear through the music still pumping from the speakers, although one is swiftly knocked over by the rushing crowds. Wolves are running in every direction, swooping up kids, and gathering their families. The stampede kicks up dirt and makes it hard to see.
“Jasper?” I call across the tent because I can’t spot him any longer.
Where is he? I spin around and try to assess what’s happening. A loud crash pulls me from the tent and I stare into the sky where a large plume of smoke has erupted and is spiraling into the clouds. Did someone set fire to the Sanc?
The crunch of bones snaps in my ears as around me a handful of rogues shift, leaping into action in their wolf forms. Off to one side Mal is shouting to the shifting wolves, pointing in the direction of the fire, directing them toward the heart of whatever this conflict is. Tomas is ushering folks away from the explosion and hopefully to safety. I spin around again. Still no sign of Jasper.
