Chapter 36: Chapter Thirty-Six - Mason

Stan sat in the living room with Jacob when we walked inside. Jessica pointed toward the kitchen. “I’ll go start the pancakes so you can chat.”

I watched her disappear into the kitchen with a million questions on my mind. Could the lycan sense that Jessica had a double bloodline? And if so, why did it matter? What did it want from her?

Jacob looked up at me as I sat down beside him on the couch. “Did you find out anything about the lycan yesterday?” Jacob asked Stan.

Stan sighed heavily, running his palm over his face. “He or she is young. The strength it has comes from a newly formed lycan. If they’re anything like wolves, their strength is outlandish during their first few years. Their strength is unbeatable.

“What does that mean?” I asked, leaning forward to rest my elbows against my knees. “That there is another lycan nearby that turned this one? Or a clan of them? A rogue lycan running around turning people?"

“Or there is more than one,” Seth said from the staircase. He gave Stand a once-over and tilted his head. “I’m Seth. Who are you?”

Stan laughed. “I’m Jessica’s father.”

Seth took a minute and glanced over his shoulder at Jessica cooking in the kitchen. “I’m confused. I thought her mother’s side had the wolves…”

Jacob pointed toward the empty chair in the corner. “Grab a chair.”

Seth pulled the chair over and joined the group.

“Stan was turned into a wolf when he was seventeen,” I said. “Which was before Jessica was born so she has it on both sides.”

Seth stared at him. “Are you the wolf that saved Mason last night?”

“I am.”

Seth nodded. “You’re good in my book.”

Jacob cleared his throat. “So, we know the lycan is young. Did you sense anything else about it?”

“Not much. Whoever it is knows the town well. Better than me that’s for sure. It’s someone local. The reason behind it…I don’t know. If it’s a new lycan it could be just going with its instincts…”

“Then why are they stalking Jessica?” I asked, leaning back and folding my arms over my chest. “If they are just terrorizing the town, why does it keep looking for her?”

Stan shrugged his shoulders. “That’s a good question.”

“Has she ever shown signs of having a wolf?” I asked.

Stan shook his head. “No, but she wasn’t raised in an environment of wolves. Until the last week or so, she had no idea they existed. She never shifted or showed signs of anger. I don’t think she has one.”

Part of me was fascinated with the idea that she could have one. The other part was glad she didn’t. Because if she did, she’d want to be in the middle of everything. It’d put her in danger.

Jacob slid his palms against his pants. “We’re planning on going out tonight to track him or her. Do you want to come? Have you tracked or hunted lately?"

“Just since Jessica moved down here. But I'd love to come,” Stan said, his gaze shifting toward the kitchen. “You don’t leave her alone, do you?”

“No,” I said matter-of-factly. “I’ve been staying with her, but to be honest, I would like to go out tonight if someone wants to stay behind.”

“Liam has a test tomorrow,” Seth said. “He probably needs to study.”

“Then he’ll stay,” Jacob said. “We’ve been keeping someone with her since we found the lycan lurking around her. We're afraid the lycan is waiting for us to leave to strike."

“Pancakes are ready!” Jessica shouted from the kitchen.

Stan smiled; a distant look took over his face as the other boys filed toward the kitchen. “I’m taking care of her,” I told him.

“I know you are. It’s in your DNA to protect her. I just wish I knew why Dotti left the estate to her. She knew how I felt about wolves. She was mated to one. I can’t imagine why she wanted her to come back here and endure the dangers of this town.”

I stood slowly, seeing the shadows of the pack move around the kitchen. “It’s a good question. None of us know why.”

“I don’t like it,” he mumbled, standing to join me. “It’s suspicious. Tasha could have taken over…”

Jessica walked to the living room door. “Come on you two. The pancakes are ready.”

“Sure thing,” Dad said.

Jessica handed me a plate when I walked in and slipped into the seat beside me at the table. The conversation of Stan’s time as a werewolf held most of the interest of the pack. He'd seen things in our town that we didn't know about. Several rogue wolves. Lycans. An ancient vampire.

However, all I could think about was the lycan wanting Jessica. There had to be a reason. Lowering my mouth to her ear, I asked, “Can I talk to you after breakfast?”

She looked up at me. “Sure.”

Once we finished, Seth and Jacob offered to clean while I met Jessica in our room. She seemed content with her father being a wolf, as content as she could be. She shut the door. “What’s the matter? You’re freaking me out.”

Sitting down, I looked at her pretty blue eyes.

“Oh, is this an invitation?” she teased. “Mason, I’m shocked, my dad is downstairs.”

“Have you ever heard voices in your head?”

She lifted both brows. “Um, like a psychopath? Like multiple personalities?”

“No. Like a werewolf.”

She gave me a sheepish look and walked closer to me. “Don’t you think I would have already shifted if I were?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, Jessica. I grew up with other wolves. I don’t know how it would be for a person that didn’t. You have wolf blood on both sides. I’m trying to piece together reasons that the lycan would want you. Maybe it senses something inside of you.”

Jessica stepped over and slowly straddled me on the corner of the bed. “I’ve never had someone inside of me speak to me. I’ve never had the urge to shift or run in the woods. Or howl at the moon. No hairy butt or…”

“This is serious,” I said, running my thumb against her jawline.

She rested her forearms against my shoulders. “No. The answer is no. I’m not that cool apparently.”

“You’re cool enough for a lycan to want you.”

“Y’all are going to catch it. If it does want me like you think it does, it won’t be able to stay away. You’ll catch it eventually.”

Nodding, I rested my forehead against hers and inhaled her scent. “I’m going to run with the boys tonight. Liam is going to stay here with you. My wolf is anxious and wants to end this.”

“I understand,” she said softly, kissing the corner of my mouth. “I need to work on my article for The Eagle anyway. That festival is coming up and Jamie wants me to make sure the girls are listed in Monday’s issue.”

“A small carnival comes with it. Once the festival begins. Maybe, if the lycan hasn’t hurt anyone else, we can go. Like a date, date.”

She smiled. “You’re asking me out on a date?”

I slid my palms up the curve of her bottom and squeezed. “Yeah, our relationship has been backwards. Maybe some normalcy is what we need.”

“I think I like the sound of that. A carnival corndog. A funnel cake. A night underneath the stars. Sounds like a perfect official first date to me.”

“Good,” I kissed her softly, stood and let her legs fall from my waist. “We'll see how things are going and make plans. I’ll let you work on your article.”

She grabbed my wrist when I tried to leave. “Where is my dad staying?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, why?”

She made a face. “It’s weird if he stays here, right? Don’t wolves have super hearing?” She gasped. “So many things are making sense now. He heard everything growing up. Every little mumble. Me trying to sneak out of my room. The audacity.”

I laughed. “What activities do you have planned that your dad can’t hear?”

She looked at me sheepishly. “Wait around and find out."