Chapter 39: Chapter 39

JASON “Grace, will you go somewhere with me?”

She looks confused but without asking where she says, “okay.”

I like that her trust is absolute.

The woman Mia Jenkins who’d mocked her and led her to the country club…she will be dealt with. “Is there something you want?” I ask.

This mousy human has the good sense to shake her head and leave. My patience for mean people is running thin as of late. Normally, I don’t involve myself with humans, but…

Grace is smiling up at me and I don’t dwell on the pettiness of that other woman or the drama of days past.

“It’s a surprise,” I tell her.

She nods excitedly.

I bought the bus tickets on a whim.

After all the bullshit at the country club and knowing how many people were gunning for this woman, I wanted a reprieve.

For both of us.

I text Terrence from my cheap phone, instructing him to clear the grounds and to prepare the caretaker’s cabin.

I don’t get into details. My beta knows me well enough to get the job done.

He’d certainly handled things to my liking with Greg Anders.

That wolf will be wishing he wasn’t born by the time we’re done with him.

Of course, it’s all been pinned on the noise, but the formal complaint that I directed to his father, the Senior Alpha reflect his assault on a ‘human’ in a public place, with enough human witnesses in the vicinity to garner even more severe repercussions should I choose to push my point.

For now, I’m fine hitting them where it really hurts.

Financially.

I’ve terminated all business dealings with Pack Anders. And moving forward, I dare them to try and find a pack in a thousand mile radius who will work with them.

They’ll need to relocate to the opposite coast if they have any hope of staying fluid.

Fuck ‘em.

“Come on, Grace,” I say.

And without a second thought, she follows me.

It’s a two hour bus-ride to my lands.

We pass the mansion and the neighboring town which contains about half of my pack and those older wolves who will never abandon these open spaces for high-rises in the city.

“Where are we going?” Grace finally asks.

She’s been quiet throughout the ride but peaceful too. A soft smile on her face and she’d occasionally point out something beyond the window. She smiles at me now. “It’s a good thing I’m off tomorrow. I think we’ll be back late.”

We’re not coming back tonight at all. But I don’t tell her that yet.

She has boots on and her work clothes, but where we’re headed, she’ll need something warmer.

“Here,” I say, handing her gloves and a hat. I bought them at the market so they’re not expensive, but she accepts them and thanks me like I’ve handed her diamonds. “And, no, these aren’t the surprise.”

She grins.

At the next stop, I stand. “This way.”

She follows me off the bus.

We’re on the edge of town and large stretches of forest surround either side of the highway.

I own this land. All of it.

Reed Pack controls the town, the airstrip. Even the subdivision of houses for humans looking to have ‘more fresh air’.

Grace breathes deep. Her breath fogs around her.

I take her hand and lead her into the woods. There’s a game trail, about a quarter of a mile into the brush and it shouldn’t be too hard for her navigate.

I take off my coat and hold it out for her. “Put this on.”

She slides into it. And breathes deep—only this time, she’s taking in my scent.

I fight the urge to smile.

Sleeping next to her each night and living in her home. I can describe her smell at every hour. The light sheen of sweat when she comes home. The fresh scent that is wholly hers in the morning. The smell of her smooth skin after a shower.

My wolf rumbles beneath my skin.

“I need to run, Grace. And I want you to come with me.”

Her eyes brim with tears.

And suddenly I regret what I’ve done.

She has no wolf now. I didn’t even think that this might be painful for her.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper.

She swipes her eyes and smiles brightly. “No. No. Thank you. I can’t experience things the way I used to… but I miss this.”

We’re moving through the trees and she holds her hands out to touch the pines. Her laughter is like music. Then she freezes. “Jay, can we be here? Whose lands are these?”

“State-owned,” I lie.

She walks slowly, taking it all in. “I have pretty good endurance, but I won’t be able to keep pace with your wolf, not past a mile or so.”

In her bulky clothes it won’t be comfortable for her to run even a quarter of that.

“I can carry your clothes and shoes,” she offers.

I point to a storage bin ahead.

“There are drop points scattered around here.”

“Oh. Wow. Smart.”

Something shifts and I can tell she’s sad again. “What is it?”

“Last time I ran…it was with my grandfather.”

“You miss him?”

“Every day.” She tilts her head. “He would’ve liked you.”

I grunt. Her answer pleases me.

I pop the lid on the bin and kick off my shoes. Next I peel off my shirt and drop it in. I catch the hitch in Grace’s breathing. The subtle increase in her heart rate. Her scent changes.

Awareness.

Arousal.

I slowly unbuckle my jeans. She’s watching me.

It’s dark but light filters in through the canopy of trees. As wolves, we aren’t shy or ashamed of our bodies, but Grace is human now.

I step out of my pants and stand in the moonlight.

If she wants to look, yeah, I’ll let her see.

She sucks a breath.

“You’re so perfect, Jason.”

She moves closer and I stand still. There’s a glint in her eyes …and it isn’t the least bit sisterly.