It makes me feel weak and stupid, and I flinch as the grating of movement around me draws my eyes to the silent onlookers. All have turned their faces down and can no longer meet Juan’s eye either. That feeling in me is unanimous around me and the hearts of many who once followed him loyally, are conflicted and in pain. Lycans aren’t inherently bad or cruel. This was once someone they respected.
“What about me?” Jasper’s voice pulls me out of my head, and I turn to see him leaning against the door frame of the room. His stance is casual, uninterested in this gory scene, but he’s oozing aggressive energy and I catch Carmen hiding behind subs nearby and trying not to look his way. Her focus is all on him and I know what kind of agony it can be. She’s probably the only wolf in here whose head and heart isn’t on Juan in this moment.
“I know, dear boy. I promised you some play time with this object, but I feel your time is better spent guarding your sister. I don’t think she would appreciate you getting this one’s blood on your hands if you are to have a future in this pack of dogs.” Varro shrugs, a fake apologetic smirk on his face that grates on me.
“Stop calling us that.” Carmen bites out from her hide hole behind the twins and recoils back with a flinch, covering her impulsive mouth and shrinks away. Knowing she should stay quiet and hidden. Jasper flinches at her voice, barely noticeable but I see it, and yet remains steadfast in staring at Juan. I can feel his attempts not to sway or be pulled by her bond which are affecting him as much as her. He’s stubborn and dumb as hell, but he can’t escape his feelings for his mate.
“I won’t stay here until I have had a hand in his demise.” Jasper retorts, pushing off the wall to stand upright, adamant, but Varro shakes his head.
“No. We are leaving and you’re staying. Darrius isn’t going to shield you anymore. Your time with us is over. That’s what was agreed with your sister and in the long term will be a much better arrangement for all of us.”
“Don’t I get a say?” Jasper snorts, casting a glare my way as though this is somehow all on me and I can do nothing but stare back blankly, praying that he will accept this and in time come to be okay with it. I can’t imagine what he must be feeling but I know one thing for sure. My brother needs to come home and begin to heal. He needs to accept his fate and his mate and come back to his pack.
“No, you don’t. You do as you’re told.” This time it’s Darrius with that tone of command, and despite Varro being the lord and master here, it’s Darrius’ piercing gaze of blood rest that makes my brother lower his head and bite his words. A submissive puppy in one sharp verbal instruction.
“I will give you one final parting blow though. Just don’t aim for death! Take that as a consolation prize.” Varro adds his words in a childlike, mocking manner, an eyebrow raises, and a wry smile as Jasper’s head shoots back up. A glance between the three men as I assume they link in their own minds and Jasper suddenly visually relaxes. His expression from thunder to lighter in a flash. Whatever was said in private alters his entire visual mood.
“I’ll make it count.” Jasper smirks, paces forward at speed to where Darrius is holding Juan up and doesn’t hesitate in throwing a punch at Juan’s abdomen. Claws appearing boldly mid thrust and delivered with a powerful Lycan blow of pure intent. He pierces Juan’s flesh, digging all five talons deep into his lower abdomen and twisting cruelly with hatred to really extend the suffering he inflicted. I tense and gasp inwardly at this violent encounter, suddenly stiff as a board as my emotions bristle and I don’t recognize this person as my brother. Jasper was always so gentle.
Juan bellows at being impaled, squirms, and tries to pull away as they stay connected in the worst way and I can’t look anymore. I turn away and cover my ears to muffle out the sounds. Nausea rising inside of me as Colton finds me from behind and pulls me against him to comfort my obvious distress. Maybe he too needed it as much as me as he wraps himself around me and holds me tight in that safe embrace. He knows he can only watch and never intervene.
I can feel the tension in the room around me heighten as my pack tries not to react to what they are watching. Shifting of feet, turning of heads, and I glimpse Sierra by my side as a tear rolls down her cheek and she burrows her face against Radar’s chest. Looking for the solace in much the way I am from her own mate. We aren’t heartless.
“Enough. Anymore and he’ll die. Darrius take him, I’ll follow.” Varro breaks the chilling atmosphere and puts an end to what Jasper’s doing, and I breathe in relief as Darrius makes fast work of dragging his victim away, out of the room before we can do anything about it. Hauling my brother’s claws out with a yank. Fast and efficient, stronger than most Lycan without even trying.
That dark figure will haunt my nightmares in the worst kinds of ways from here on in.
“I’ll send word when the treaty is ready. Daughter….. we will meet again in better surroundings and pleasanter circumstances. I take my leave. Take care of yourself and my grandchildren.” Varro bows my way and walks towards me. Suddenly all smiles and Mr. Pleasant.
I flinch as an unexpected hand catches mine, raising it towards his face as he places a feather light kiss on the back of my fingers. An old-fashioned gesture as his warm skin hits mine, his lips smooth like my own. I blink in confusion, at both the gesture, and the fact he isn’t cold like the hybrids putrid touch was, and I’m too shocked to actually react. I didn’t expect any sort of affectionate contact, especially not in this scenario. I’m startled enough to be mute and unmoving.
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