Chapter 48 FORTY-EIGHT
Jasper adjusted his hood and entered the building, thinking about the call he’d gotten from Reagan earlier. He walked straight to the unit where Reagan is staying and opened the door without knocking. Reagan was concentrating on his computer inside.
"You should lock your door, Reagan," Jasper said as he dropped onto the couch. "Did you already find her? That was quick—it’s only been a day," he added and crossed his legs. Reagan smirked.
"Who do you think I am?" he said, grabbing a folder from the desk and handing it to Jasper. "Here’s everything you asked for," he added.
Jasper opened the folder, skimming through the details. He grabbed the picture; a satisfied grin spread across his face.
"Good work," he said.
"Of course," Reagan replied, leaning back in his chair with a smug grin.
"How much do I owe you for this?" Jasper asked, flipping through the folder one last time. Reagan waved it off.
"Consider it my gift to you for getting out of prison with that medicine trick. No payment needed," he said. Jasper nodded, closing the folder and tucking it under his arm.
"Fair enough," he said, pausing before adding, "I'll send a woman your way," he added. Reagan's grin widened.
"I’ll hold you to that," he said, clearly pleased.
Without another word, Jasper stood and walked out of the room, leaving the door open behind him. He climbed into his car, and he set his sights on his next destination: the place where Brienne was staying.
Jasper parked his car in front of the hotel where his ex-girlfriend—the woman he now loathed—was staying with her new man. He leaned back in his seat, his eyes fixed on the entrance, waiting patiently.
Finally, a familiar figure stepped out of the hotel. A sinister smile crept across his face.
"There you are," he muttered under his breath, his grip tightening on the steering wheel.
Brienne walked through the streets, her thoughts racing. Raven had been called away again, this time to her workplace. He had dropped another surprise—her boss was also a werewolf.
The news almost made her faint. It was hard to believe, but Raven hadn’t lied when he said there were many werewolves in the world.
Brienne entered the convenience store and wandered through the aisles. She was craving ice cream and sweets but remembered her doctor’s warning about eating too much, so she decided to limit herself to just one of each.
As she browsed, a strange feeling crept over her—like someone was watching her. She glanced around but saw no one. Shrugging it off, she continued shopping, but the unsettling sensation returned, stronger this time.
Her heart began to race. Fighting her rising anxiety, Brienne hurried to grab what she needed and quickly headed to the counter to pay.
"Thank you," Brienne said to the cashier after paying, then quickly left the convenience store. Spotting the hotel in the distance, she quickened her pace. Upon arriving at the hotel, she exhaled with a sense of relief and proceeded inside without turning around.
Jasper smirked at her reaction. He couldn’t help but laugh quietly to himself, finding satisfaction in her fear. Adjusting his hood, he turned and walked back to his car.
"Just wait, Brienne," he muttered under his breath before starting the engine and driving off to the location where Devon had sent his warriors and women.
Raven finished signing the last of the papers and leaned back in his chair, letting out a long sigh. He missed Brienne and their unborn child, but his responsibilities to the company and his pack kept him tied up.
"What’s with the heavy sigh?" Johnson asked, looking up from his coffee.
"I miss Brienne," Raven admitted, rubbing his temples.
"Then go home when you’re done here," Johnson replied casually, taking another sip of his drink.
"I told her you're a werewolf," Raven said suddenly, catching Johnson completely off guard. The man choked on his coffee, sputtering as his eyes widened in shock.
"You did what?!" Johnson exclaimed, staring at Raven as he wiped the coffee he’d just spilled.
"I told her everything," Raven said calmly, leaning back in his swivel chair with his arms crossed. "I told her I’m a werewolf—and that you are too," he added. Johnson stared at him in disbelief.
"How did she take it?" he finally asked, checking to make sure none of the spilled coffee had stained the paperwork.
"Not well at first," Raven admitted. He then recounted everything to Johnson—how Brienne reacted, the fear, the confusion, and eventually her acceptance.
"You're lucky it turned out alright," Johnson said when Raven finished. "Brienne’s a special woman. If it were anyone else, this could’ve gone south quickly. Some people wouldn’t hesitate to expose us to the world," he added.
Raven nodded, fully aware of how risky it had been to reveal the truth. But thinking of Brienne and her courage to accept him made him feel it had all been worth it.
"What about the rogues?" Johnson asked. "Do you have any idea who's behind them?" he added.
"My parents think it's an old enemy of theirs coming back for revenge," Raven replied. "Do you remember when the pack was in chaos after my mother was kidnapped? They think the same rogue is behind it. He disappeared after that, and they never found a body," he added.
"I remember that," Johnson said, his expression turning serious. "We were just kids back then. Just tell me what you need, and I’ll send my warriors to help," he added.
"I appreciate it, man," Raven said. "Anyway, you know?" he added.
"Know what?" Johnson asked, confused.
"That I’m going to be a father," Raven said with a grin.
Johnson froze, then dropped his mug on the floor in shock. His secretary rushed in, but Johnson quickly waved her off.
"W-We’re fine," he stammered, his face flushed. "Have the cleaner come later," he added. The secretary nodded and left, leaving the two of them. Johnson turned back to Raven, still in disbelief.
"What the fck?!" he exclaimed.
"Didn’t you see? She filed for maternity leave," Raven said with a teasing smile.
"I didn’t. I’m not the one who approves that; it’s her manager," Johnson replied, still shaking his head in surprise. "Man, saying I’m surprised is an understatement. I don’t even know what to say," he added.
"Congratulations," Johnson said with a genuine smile.
"Thanks, man," Raven replied. "I can't wait to hold my child," he added, excitement building as he thought about the arrival in a few months.
"You really love her, huh?" Johnson asked, his tone soft. He was happy to see his friend so content.
Raven nodded eagerly. "I do. I love her so much. I don’t know what I’d do if she ever rejected me," he admitted, his voice filled with vulnerability.
"I wish you all the happiness in the world, man," Johnson said sincerely.
Raven smiled, appreciating his friend's support. He knew he'd do whatever it took for Brienne and their future.
As the conversation ended, Raven stood up, ready to go back to Brienne in the hotel. The future was uncertain, but he was sure of one thing—he would do anything to protect his family.