Chapter 27

**Zoe**

The guard seizes the keys and begins the process of unlocking the door. A surge of power fills me, as I envision the portal. Yet, another force tugs at my thoughts. I feel as if I am surrounded by a protective wind. I raise my hand, commanding the guard to halt, and he obeys as if a silent, invisible force is at work. The cell door slams shut. I am uncertain of the source of my newfound ability, but I have harnessed the wind. I am using it to maintain control over the door.

The portal is open, and I tell Max to go first. He refuses, insisting that we face this together or not at all. I understand his sentiment. He grabs my hand, a gesture of our unbreakable bond, and I tell him on the count of three that we are jumping for the portal.

We count to 3, and I release the wind. We both leap through the portal. As the portal begins to seal, the guard's hand snags my hair, attempting to yank me back; Max seizes the guard and drags him with us through the portal.

We find ourselves in Jackson's office, facing a furious Jackson and a bewildered Cole, the unexpected turn of events adding to the intrigue.

Max cuts through the tension as he grabs the guard off the floor and says, "I brought you a present." Jackson does not take his eyes off me as he says, "Good, Cole. Take him to the basement." He still does not break eye contact with me as he walks over to me, throws me over his shoulder, and walks away.

The gasp that leaves my mouth makes Max laugh and tell me good luck.

I plead with Cole, 'Please, help me.' He and Max exchange a nonchalant glance and shrug, 'Sorry, we can't do anything for you.

Jackson set me on the floor of our room as he started pacing the room. Do you have any idea how reckless that was, he says to me. He exclaims that you took off without even speaking to me; you left a note. He runs his hand down his face; you do not even know how to fight Zoe; you could have been killed.

Whose fault is it that I cannot fight? I say, pointing my finger at him. I know he is angry, and he has a right to be. But he refused to let me train because he did not want me to get hurt. I refuse to be caged; I refuse to be weak. I am powerful, and my powers are coming in.

I also remind him that I am powerful, and my powers are coming in.

"You cannot control them," he yells at me.

The tone in his voice makes me flinch back and hide my face. "I am sorry," he says as he lowers his voice. I did not mean to scare you, Zoe. The thought of losing you was too much to bear. I cannot live without you, and I wish you trusted me more. Maybe then you would not have put yourself in danger. His fear is palpable, and his vulnerability is exposed.

I grab his arm and take him to the bed, cup his face in my hands, and look him in the eyes as I say, "I am sorry."

I am really sorry, Jackson. I thought I could do it—that I could rescue my brother and Max and get back here. I was unprepared for what happened, and I did not realize how badly I had messed up until I sat next to Max, chained to a wall. I just could not stand the thought of my father hurting Ryker, and I could not bear the idea of losing Ryker.

Jackson kisses my forehead and says, "I know you wanted to help, and I should not have pushed you out of the plan."

He says again, "I just cannot stand the idea of losing you." I tell him I understand. As his Mate, I was worried I would never see him again.

Then, I draw him closer, and our lips meet in a longing kiss. I'm tired of the fights, tired of the memories of my father and Wyatt, tired of the cell that still haunts me. All I want now is to be with Jackson.

When we come back up for air, I stand up and tell him I need a shower first. I feel gross and want to clean up. What I did not expect was for Jackson to follow me into the bathroom. He starts the shower and starts undressing me. When he is done with me, he starts undressing. I give him a puzzled look and say, "I can shower on my own."

He gazes at me, his eyes filled with desire and struggle. "My wolf needs to be near you," he confesses, his voice strained. "You can't imagine how hard it was to keep him in check."

I am really sorry I told Jackson again. I know I hurt him, and it was not my intention. I just wanted to save my brother and Max.

We got in the shower together; at first, I was nervous; I had never taken a shower with a man. Jackson was very gentle when he washed my body; she washed my hair, messaged my head, and rubbed the tension out of my shoulders. After we are done, he wraps me in a towel and carries me to the bed. He goes into the closet, gets me one of his shirts, and puts it over my head. I did not realize how tired I was till this moment. The adrenaline was wearing off. Jackson had the maid bring dinner to our room. I sat with Jackson and ate dinner. I was exhausted and ready for bed; Jackson tucked me into bed and told me to rest and that he would be here when I woke. 

We have to deal with my father, I say through a yawn.

Jackson says, "I agree, but tomorrow, Angel"