65

CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE.

JACQUELINE'S POV.

My bond with Rosalie was pulling me forward into Scott's pack house like an invisible thread. My breathing was ragged, my muscles burning from the effort I had made, but I didn't care.

Nothing mattered except getting to her.

I shifted back to my human form when her scent got very strong, and I moved closer on foot, leaving my sweat to tick out of all the tiny holes in my body.

I sniffled the air and her scent led me to a heavy metal door at the end of a dimly lit corridor.

My heart pounded in my chest as I approached, the sounds of muffled voices filtering through the thick steel. I stood by the door and listened, catching the conversation going on in the room so clearly.

"Tell us Rosalie, is he dead?" The phoenix king's voice demanded, his tone dripping with malice.

Rosalie's voice followed. To my astonishment, her voice was steady and calm despite the situation.

Was it crazy of me to be expecting her to be sulking? Or maybe balled up in a corner looking so weak and unkempt?

Damn! She surprised me.

"You should fear, for he will come here and save me." She spoke with total assurance like she and I had sat down somewhere before to discuss that unfailingly, I would be in a mental room to save her by this day and time, and she was holding to that promise and was expectance.

A surge of pride swelled within me as I thought everything through. Even in the face of danger, she remained unshaken, though I knew her strength was just on the surface. It was a facade, and I could feel her heart banging.

*Are we going to keep our mate waiting and disappointed?* Jack questioned me when I was busy being proud by the door.

*Oh! Sorry.*

My fingers tightened into fists as I stepped back, preparing to enter in a grand style. Jack growled in approval, his emotions matching my own.

With a powerful kick, the door flew open, crashing against the metallic wall and silencing all the conversation going on in the room. All eyes turned to me, their expressions ranging from shock to fear.

My gaze was captured by Rosalie's captivating own, and I could see everything displaying in her eyes. I could also feel everything in my heart, all her emotions.

"Jacqueline?" She questioned, her voice breaking with relief. I couldn't blame her for doubting my presence. She could be thinking that she was hallucinating.

I smiled at her, "Yes, sweetheart. Miss me?"

"Jacqueline!" She called again and immediately broke into a run towards me while I steadied myself to welcome her in my arms.

She was very predictable.

She got to me and threw herself into my arms, and I caught her, holding her tightly against me in a hug.

Her warmth. I hold her tightly to feel it.

Her scent which I missed so much, I buried my nose into the cock of her neck, right where her birthmark was located, and I sniffed her scent, bringing ease for myself.

Jack purred within me and a relief escaped my lips.

I suddenly felt liquid dripping down my bare back, for my shirt had been done away with when I shifted, and I disengaged from her to see her crying, "Hey, I'm fine," I told her and wiped her tears away with my thumb before dropping a kiss on her forehead.

She busted into another round of tears and tugged herself into my arms again which I welcomed.

Everything about her grounded me at that moment, and I almost shed a tear myself.

"I missed you so much," She murmured against my chest, her voice trembling.

"I missed you too," I replied, my voice thick with my bottled emotion.

I buried my face in her hair, inhaling deeply as all the stress of the past hours since I woke up melted away.

Still with my dear Rosalie in my arms, my eyes went to Scott and the Phoenix King as they stood there frozen like they'd seen a living ghost, their astonishment evident.

"What's with the expression on your faces? Don't tell me that you don't miss seeing me like I do." I said to them to bring them out of whatever world they trapped themselves in.

Scott recovered first, his face twisting into a sneer. "How are you even alive? We saw what happened to you. You drank the poison. We all watched it, so just how the fuck are you still alive?" He was not even hiding his disappointment.

I straightened up, disengaging myself from the hug I was sharing with my dear.

I took her behind me to protect her, I was keeping her close enough as I turned my full attention on Scott and the phoenix king. "What can I say to you? You underestimate me and see me as a boy, which, of course, I am. I mean, how old am I? I'm in my mid-twenties. So, to you, I'm a boy." I said to them, and I chuckled.

"Another mistake you made was that you underestimated both my mate and our bond," I stared at Rosalie and smiled at her.

Her cheeks flushed a reddish colour, and she glanced away, her shyness only making her more adorable. I planted a kiss on her red cheek, smiling.

I tightened my grip on her, silently leaning into her warm body, and I couldn't wait to leave this godforsaken pack for mine so that we could catch up on all we'd missed.

'I'll never let her out of my sight, never.'

I returned my gaze to the both adults before me and continued my speech, "You must have forgotten that my mate is a doctor," I paused when I saw them casing glares at Rosalie.

A small smirk tugged at the corners of my lips, knowing they won't be foolish enough to try shit with her when I was there.

"She saved me when no one else could. And now, I'm here to repay the favour of saving her in your...." I looked around the place before concluding, "Den."

The Phoenix King's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing as he assessed me. "You dare to come here, to challenge us again, all for her?"

"Without hesitation," I said, meeting his gaze without flinching. "She's worth everything. And if you think for a second that I'll let you hurt her, you're mistaken."

I felt Rosalie's grip on me tightened, her small hands rounding my waist as if she feared letting go. I glanced down at her, offering a reassuring smile. "You're safe now," I whispered. "I'll always come for you, that's if I mistakenly let you go out of my sight."

Scott hissed. I could feel his anger escalating as he took a step forward towards us. But the Phoenix King raised a hand, stopping him. "Let's not be hasty," He said, his voice measured.

"This reunion is touching, but it changes nothing. You've crossed into our territory, Jacqueline. There will be consequences, or do you think you can come here and go anytime you want?"

I smirked and faked a cringe. "Let's see you try."

The room crackled with tension, but for the first time in hours, I felt in control. With Rosalie by my side, there was nothing I couldn't face.

*Bring it on!*