Chapter Twenty-Three

Ellie

As Seth and I made our way toward the river, the same one Sammy and I had crossed years ago, I felt a knot of worry in my stomach.

Could this be a trap? Had Joel sent Jason to finish what Elijah couldn’t? If Joel had used his alpha command on Elijah, he could have done the same to Jason.

I recognized Jason right away. I had expected him to look older, but werewolves don’t age like humans do. Not unless they lose their wolf.

My dad had aged, but that was because he’d been locked up in the council’s dungeon. Even then, he hadn’t aged much.

Jason looked just like he did when he found me in the forest. Well, not exactly. There was a sadness in his eyes, which wasn’t surprising considering everything that had happened.

He was standing on our side of the river, surrounded by four warriors. Two in human form and two as wolves. They weren’t taking any chances.

As we got closer, Seth’s arm tightened around my waist. When Jason saw us, his eyes narrowed and he glared at me.

“You!” he spat. “You murderous little bitch, you weren’t satisfied with killing one of my boys. No, you had to kill both. I should have ended you when I first found you.”

He took a step toward me, but the wolves bared their teeth, stopping him in his tracks. He wasn’t foolish enough to try and shift. That wouldn’t have ended well.

“I didn’t…” I started, but Seth gently pushed me behind him.

Seth growled.

“You dare disrespect my mate. She was only defending herself. If it weren’t for Ellie, Sammy would have died in Zagan’s dungeon. The blame for their deaths lies with their own grandfather.”

I moved slightly so I could see Jason.

He looked back and forth between Seth and me, his eyes still narrowed.

“You expect me to believe that?” Jason spat.

Seth crossed his arms and took a step toward Jason.

I’d always thought Seth was big. Not just tall, but muscular. Now, as he faced off with Jason, I could see it. Jason was a beta too, but he was nothing compared to Seth.

“Why are you here? Did Joel send you?” Seth asked.

Jason sighed, his shoulders sagging.

“No. I just want my boy.” His voice cracked. “I want to bring him home.”

Seth narrowed his eyes. He was suspicious of Jason’s motives. He didn’t trust him, that was clear.

“It’s been over three weeks. What took you so long?” Seth asked.

Jason ran his fingers through his hair.

“I wasn’t with the other warriors. I was ordered to stay in our territory. I came here as soon as I felt Elijah’s loss.”

I stepped closer to Jason. I knew he was angry, but I didn’t think he would hurt me. He was never that kind of person.

“He was my mate, but he rejected me, then he tried to kill me.”

I lifted my shirt to show the scars left by Elijah’s wolf.

I heard Seth growl, unhappy that I was showing my skin to another male wolf. But I had to. I had to make Jason understand.

Jason stared at me. This time there was no anger on his face, just shock.

He shook his head in disbelief, his face pale.

“No,” he whispered. “He wouldn’t... he couldn’t. Not his mate.”

“Yes, he did.”

I turned as I heard my dad’s voice. He was walking toward us.

Jason stared at him, as if he had seen a ghost.

“Gabriel?” he gasped.

Jason started to walk toward him, but the wolves growled and bared their teeth again.

Dad raised his hand, signaling them to stop.

“Let him approach,” Dad ordered.

The human warriors looked to Seth. Dad might have been an alpha, but Seth was in command of the Warriors.

Seth nodded.

The warriors and the wolves backed off, allowing Jason to approach my dad.

“He told us you were dead. We felt the loss of your wolf,” Jason blurted.

Dad put his hand on Jason’s shoulder.

“I would have been if it weren’t for Murdoch and Emma, and the good people of this pack.”

Jason looked at Seth, me, and the warriors before turning back to Dad.

“Your father.” He swallowed nervously. “He said they were traitors. Human lovers. He and the council planned to wipe all the humans off the face of the planet. Then they were going to attack this pack.”

Dad nodded at Jason.

“We know. My father is an evil man, Jason. He sacrificed Samuel just so Zagan could take Ellie.

“Then when they both escaped, he had a spy here try to kill them both. We also believe that he gave Elijah an Alpha command to kill Ellie.”

I watched as Jason clenched his fists. He was struggling to keep his wolf at bay. There was no reason for him to disbelieve his former alpha.

The realization must have hit that Joel had been responsible for the death of his sons.

“I’m going to kill him,” Jason growled.

Jason turned away from Dad and was about to leave. I knew that if he tried to fight Joel, he would end up dead.

I ran forward and grabbed his arm.

“Please, Jason, don’t. Think of Jasmine, you’re all she has now,” I pleaded.

I was surprised that he didn’t lash out at me, but he turned and stopped.

I quickly let go of his arm. I didn’t want anyone to hurt him. Not Joel and definitely not our warriors who were ready to strike at a moment’s notice.

Jason looked at me and let out a heavy sigh as he shook his head. His shoulders slumped. He knew as well as anyone that if he tried to kill Joel, he would end up dead.

Joel might have been older, but he was an alpha and a lot stronger than Jason. He’d never liked Jason, and knowing what a bastard he was, he would probably take great pleasure in killing him.

I’ve always had a soft spot for Jason and Jasmine. The last thing I wanted was for Jasmine to experience the same pain I felt when I took Elijah’s life.

If she lost her mate, it would be just as devastating, maybe even more so. I had Seth by my side; Jasmine would be left alone.

My dad looked at me, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. It was the same smile he always gave me when he was proud of something I’d done.

“You’re right, Jason. Does he even know you’re here?” Dad asked.

Jason glanced at him, shaking his head.

“He thinks I’m still at home. I made sure to steer clear of our warriors when I crossed Zagan’s territory. His guards didn’t give me any trouble, since there are wolves from all the packs camped out.”

I watched as Dad’s eyes flickered black, then Seth moved closer to me and Jason.

Seth draped his arm around my shoulder, his protective instincts still in high gear.

“I understand you want revenge, but you need to be smart…” Seth started.

Jason looked at him, his eyebrows furrowing.

“Join us. Give us as much information on Joel’s forces as you can. Then…” Seth paused, his hand tightening on my shoulder.

“Your son, Elijah, was our enemy. But he was also Alpha Gabriel’s nephew. Normally, we would just dispose of his body.”

I sucked in a sharp breath. Even though Elijah had tried to kill me, the idea of him being discarded like garbage was still painful.

I hadn’t even thought to ask what had happened to him.

Seth gently rubbed my arm as he continued.

“Despite what your son tried to do, Alpha Clayton agreed that we should show him some respect. Especially considering what we suspected.

“It would be nearly impossible for a wolf to attack their mate, even if their human side wanted it.”

I leaned into Seth, waiting for him to finish.

“You won’t be able to take your son home, but if you help us, you will be able to pay your respects. He’s buried next to his brother.”

Jason let out a shaky breath, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. He seemed unable to speak for a few moments, then he nodded.

“Will I…can I…” he started, his voice faltering.

He took a moment to gather himself. He had lost so much.

Finally, he took a deep breath.

“Once this is over, I would like their mother to be allowed…”

Dad stepped forward, placing a hand on Jason’s shoulder.

“I’m sure that can be arranged, old friend.”

Dad glanced at Seth, who nodded in agreement. Then he pulled Jason into a comforting hug.

“We’ll take care of that bastard, I promise you.”