Chapter 22: Chapter Twenty-Two - Mason

This was happening.

Even though Jessica was completly shocked. Something came over her as we walked outside. Maybe it was the electricity that shot down her spine when I touched her. Or the reality of what was happening.

Jacob shifted first. He landed in the front yard. He was the biggest out of all of us. His ebony fur shimmered in the moonlight as the other boys shifted in front of her.

Jessica stared with giant eyes and a heaving chest. I couldn’t tell what she was thinking but I could feel her nerves.

She stepped away from me, putting a distance between us that I didn’t like. When she looked up at me her mouth was parted, and she shook her head. “This isn’t real. It’s a dream.”

She poked my bicep and then pinched her arm. “You do that, too?” she asked.

I nodded. “I was the gray wolf in your yard. The gray wolf in your dreams.”

She furrowed her brow and stared. I listened to her heart beating wildly in her chest while the pack stared at her. She backed away slowly, stepping off the side of the porch and ran into the woods.

Jacob howled into the night while I chased after her. She hadn’t made it two steps into the woods when I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her back to me. “Jessica,” I said softly. “You’re fine. Everything is fine. You’re safe with us.”

She covered her face in her palms as I sat her down. “This isn’t happening. They just shifted into giant wolves, and I’m supposed to be okay with it?”

I shrugged, shoving my hands into my pockets. “This is us. We can’t do anything to change it. But I can promise you that you’ll never be hurt by one of us.”

She looked up with fearful tears in her eyes. “I don’t know what to say. I’m…”

Jacob rounded the corner in his human form, and she shrieked, covering her eyes. “Put some clothes on. Oh my, God. I want to go home. Mason, please take me home.”

I didn’t want to take her home yet. I wanted to talk to Jacob, tell him she was my mate and then go home with her for the night.

“Jessica,” Jacob said. “I’m sorry we had to show you this way. We want you to be careful. I wanted you to know the truth because you need to understand what’s going on in Slade Springs right now. We’re…there is a lycan roaming the woods. We’re going to stay with you to make sure you’re safe.”

“What’s a lycan?” she asked, her hand still covering her eyes.

Jacob cursed under his breath. “We’ll go get dressed and finish this conversation.”

He disappeared and she slowly peeked through her fingers. When she met my gaze, she asked, “Is that the reason you shock me when you touch me?”

I shook my head. “No, it’s not. I haven’t spoken to Jacob about this yet but it’s because we’re mates.”

She stared at me. “Like in the romance books?” she asked.

I nodded, not knowing because I'd never read a romance book, but I waited for her to say something. To make this pounding in my chest go away.

She smiled. “I knew your kiss was too good to be a normal boy.”

I smiled back at her. The moonlight cascaded over us as Seth and Aaron walked around the house. When they’d all dressed, Jacob called us toward the porch.

Jessica leaned against the railing and folded her arms over her chest. She looked beautiful in her dress, and I wanted nothing more than to run my fingertips up her bare legs.

Jacob cleared his throat. “Lycans are wolves that were cursed a long time ago. They walk on their hind legs, they are rabid and will kill you without thought.”

She cringed. “There is one running around the woods. That is what killed the animals at that man’s farm?”

“Yes,” Jacob said.

She nodded slowly. “So, what now? You have to send someone with me every night until you catch it?”

Jacob looked around. “I think we don’t mind taking turns at the estate. We can sleep on the couch. We’re hoping to catch it soon. A few of us are going out tonight after dinner to patrol.”

Jessica’s gaze shifted toward mine. She wanted me to tell Jacob. I felt the pull between us. I cleared my throat. “Can I actually speak to Jessica and you alone?”

Liam and Aaron immediately walked inside, while Seth hung around. “What’s with all the secrets?” he asked.

Jacob stared at me for a long time before jabbing his finger over his shoulder. “Just go inside.”

Seth ground his teeth and joined the others.

“What’s this about?” Jacob asked, looking back and forth between the two of us.

I rubbed the back of my neck. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you about something since the funeral, but I didn’t know how to explain it to you.”

Jacob looked at Jessica who dropped her gaze to her feet. “What about?”

I squared my shoulders, not wanting to show any weakness or confusion when I told him this. “Jessica is my mate.”

Jacob didn’t budge from his place by the door. He stared at me for a long while, and then looked back at Jessica.

“You’re sure?” he asked.

I nodded. “I’m positive. I’ve known since the funeral. Since I smelled her. She…I’ve been attempting to keep my distance, but I haven’t. Not the way I should have. I was afraid to tell you because you wanted us to keep our wolves a secret. I didn’t want to mark her, or mate with her, and have to lie to her.”

Jacob slid his tongue across his bottom lip. I could see the wheels turning but I couldn’t pinpoint his emotions. They were everywhere. He seemed relieved and then angry that I’d lied.

“You should have told me, Mason. Out of all of them…I know she’s safe with you.”

A sigh of relief left me. “I know. I was afraid after you told Seth to back off…and we hadn’t told her the truth yet.”

Jacob nodded and stepped over to hug me. Suddenly, I hated myself for doubting him. He was our alpha but fair. It wasn’t as if I could help, we were mated.

I looked at Jessica and she had a small smile on her mouth.

Jacob pulled back and playfully hit my cheek. “Don’t knock her up.”

I cringed. “We haven’t done that, Jacob,” I mumbled. “Christ, I just met her.”

Jacob smiled. “Now, I guess that means you’ll be keeping an eye on her at night then. I don’t have to worry about scheduling babysitters.”

She scoffed. “I’m not a baby.”

“No, you’re human,” he said.

She thought about it. “Was grandpa a werewolf?”

He nodded. “Grandma knew all about it. Now, you do. But you have to promise me something, Jessica. You cannot tell anyone. No one at The Eagle or your friends back home. You can’t tell your dad. None of it. It cannot leave this house. Do you understand?”

“I do,” she said, kicking a rock off the porch. “So, are their female werewolves?”

“Of course,” he said. “None here. There are in other packs around the world. The gene is sporadic and can jump from person to person. It was past to us because we protect this town.”

She nodded and interlaced her fingers behind her. “Okay. I’m sure I’ll have other questions, but my brain is mush at the moment.”

“Understandable. You just saw four adults turn into wolves," I said.

Jacob knocked on the door. The rest of the boys came out. Seth looked curious more than the others. “Are all of the secrets told now?” he asked. Jacob glared at him. “Yeah, Mason is mated to Jessica. That’s the secret. Now everyone knows.”

Seth looked over and gawked at me while the others congratulated. “Bull crap,” he spat. “I don’t believe that for a second. You think just because you want his cousin that you can blurt out 'mate' and get her? I want proof.”

Jacob stepped toward Seth and pointed a finger at his chest. “You’re questioning your Beta and your Alpha?” he asked.

Seth sunk backward. “It’s just awfully suspicious if you ask me.”

“Who asked you?” Jacob retorted. He looked back at us. “You both go. Get her home. We’ll talk about everything tomorrow morning. We’re going to go track the lycan. We’ll contact you if we need you.”

I offered Jessica my hand and she took it.

We walked toward my truck, and I helped her inside. I felt Seth’s glare on the side of my face as I climbed into the driver’s seat and drove her home. My wolf had never been happier in my entire life.

Now, I had an entire night with Jessica with no secrets between us. When I looked over and she smiled, I imagined sleeping wasn't in our future.