JADES RESCUE

MISCONCEPTION

Dr. Gaines drove Jade home and helped her to get settled. It had been three days since her miscarriage. Victor had left the same day,

and no one had seen or heard from him in all that time. Dr. Gaines didn’t let Jade know how worried he was. To cause her more

right now would only slow her healing process. Once Jade was settled, he checked her vitals one last time. He

gave instructions to her assistant and said goodbye. At the end of the drive, he turned his car toward home but thought better of it.

Maybe he knew where to find Victor? There was a place in the woods that Victor used to run to when he was younger. Dr. Gaines

turned his car in the opposite direction from home and drove to the place where he hoped to find Victor.

Victor heard the car approaching from two miles away. He knew by the sound of the engine it was Dr. Gaines. He was a little

surprised it wasn’t Jermaine. They had come here as boys when they wanted to hide. He had expected to see Jermaine but not Doc.

Dr. Gaines found Victor sitting beside a small campfire in the back of the makeshift cabin he had built years ago.

Without looking at him, Victor asked, What can I do for you doc?

Taking a seat on the log across from Victor, Dr. Gaines chose his words carefully, knowing full well that his Alpha was in a

vulnerable state and could turn deadly if the wrong words were spoken.

I came to check on my patient. Said Dr. Gaines.

I’m fine. Stated Victor. All my wounds are healed.

All your wounds? Questioned Dr. Gaines.

All the physical ones, replied Victor. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to heal the others. Every time I think about Jade losing our child

I become so angry I can’t trust myself to be around another living soul.

The look on Victor’s face was filled with such loss. Dr. Gaines wanted to console him but he wasn’t sure Victor was ready. . Instead,

He chose to start a conversation and see if Victor was more open to that.

I see you still come to this place when you need some peace, stated Dr. Gaines.

Victor looked at him but didn’t speak.

It’s okay you don't have to talk, but maybe just listen. Said Dr. Gaines. I know you are hurting right now, but you have a mate who is

hurting right now too. She’s all alone in the pack house blaming herself.

At this statement, Victor let out a low growl.

Ignoring his lousy attitude, Dr. Gaines continued, “She needs you to come home and give her the strength to go on that she cannot

find now. You need to step up and be her Alpha, and mate. She needs to know that you do not blame her for this!

Never before had Dr. Gaines spoken to Victor like this and for a moment Victor thought of reminding him who he was talking to

but then I thought better of it.

When next he spoke Victor’s voice broke with the pain he felt.

I want to give her comfort. I want to tell her what she needs to hear. I want to take her pain into myself and bleed for her, but how do

I say this to her when all I can think about is that if not for Silas we would be happy waiting for our child. I want to rage at the world

and rip him into a thousand pieces. How do I say this to Jade and not have her hate me for the monster I am?

Tell her what is in your heart, Victor. She needs to know that your love for her has not changed. She needs to see your anger and feel

your pain. But you must ensure that she knows it is for her that you feel none of this. She must know that your heart breaks not for

the child that was lost but for the pain that loss has caused her. Replied Dr. Gaines.

Please, Victor! Don’t let this tear you and Jade apart. She’s young but so are you; this has been a great loss for both of you. How

you handle this will determine if the two of you will be able to stand together, like Alpha and Luna. Pleaded Dr. Gaines.

Okay, sighed Victor, I’ll be home in just a few more hours. There are some things I need to take care of first. Please go back and tell

Jade, I’ll join her for dinner tonight. Let her know that if she prefers to have dinner in her room, you will have it sent up to us. Oh!

And one more thing, thank you for not only being such a good doctor but also a great friend.

Dr. Gaines smiled. I wear many hats in this pack my friend and they all center around keeping my Alpha and his Luna healthy and

happy. Now I won’t take up any more of your time, but I would like to leave you with this one parting thought. Don’t go after Silas

by yourself. In your current state, no one in his pack will be safe and there are innocents there also. Take a few days to let your

temper cool and just be with Jade.

Victor didn’t answer but shook his head in the affirmative.

Jade didn’t know how long she had been sleeping when she heard a soft knock on her door.

Come in, she said.

Dr. Gaines entered the room and stood at the foot of the bed.

Did you get some sleep? He asked.

Yes thank you for asking,” answered Jade. Did you find Victor?

May I? asked Dr. Gaines and pointed to a chair.

Of course, answered Jade and sat up on the bed.

Once he had seated himself, Dr. Gaines looked at Jade.

I did find him, and he wanted me to pass along a message to you. He said to tell you he would be joining you for dinner. He also said

If you would prefer to have dinner in your room tonight, I could make arrangements for you. Said Dr. Gaines

Jade listened to what he had to say and thought a moment before she spoke.

I’m glad he’s okay and coming home, but tell me, is he angry with me? She asked.

I wouldn’t blame him if he was, and I wouldn’t hold him to the agreement considering the circumstances.

Not being able to stand the pained look on her face, Dr. Gaines looked directly at her when he spoke.

Jade, Victor blames you for nothing. He’s just hurting right now and is trying to work through his pain. He doesn’t want to subject

you to any of it. He’s being an Alpha and protecting his mate. He will always withdraw from you when his hurt and anger are so

great. He will never expose you to this side of himself.

Jade looked at Dr. Gaines with tears streaming down her face. When at last she found her voice, it was choked with emotion.

How can he truly love me and call me his mate if he is going to hide away from me when his pain is so great?

I want to share in his pain and in turn have him share in mine. I lost my child too and I need to know that he doesn't blame me

but I haven’t seen him since the hospital.

No, Dr. Gaines, I have been thinking and I am going to go to the land of the Fae and if Victor ever decides to come home, then he

can come home to an empty house just like I did!

Dr. Gaines was taken aback by the anger in her voice. He had not seen this side of Jade and he was sure Victor had never seen it

either.

Pleading with her Dr. Gaines chose his words carefully. Jade, please be patient with Victor. He will come, I promise, and I know he

loves you. His anger is great right now and he doesn’t want you to see that side of him. I know you don’t believe me, but Victor

thinks he is loving you by sparing you this.

I don’t care what Victor thinks! spat out, Jade. He has left me to endure this pain alone and so I will, but not here where he thinks he

has me safely tucked away waiting for his return.

You may tell your Alpha when he chooses to talk to his Luna he will find her in the land of her mother’s people.

Without another word, Jade turned on her and picked up her bag. Walking toward the door, she stopped and turned around.

I would like to thank you for all you did to save my child and I am forever in your debt. If you need anything, just send a

message and I will do my best for you. Please tell Victor that he can have dinner anywhere he likes as I will not be joining him this

evening.

With that, she turned and walked out the door. Once on the porch, Jade slipped on the backpack and shifted into her wolf form.

Leaping into the air, she landed lightly on the ground and ran for the forest. Her beautiful white coat was the last thing Victor saw as

he stopped the car in front of the mansion.

Victor stepped from the car just as Dr. Gaines walked out onto the porch.

Where was Jade going? Asked Victor.

Why don’t you come inside and get settled and then we can have a talk, said Dr. Gaines.

No! stated Victor. I want to know what is going on right now! Snapped Victor.

Jade is gone. She said she was going to stay in the land of the Fae and if you wanted to speak with her then you could

find her there. Said Dr. Gaines.

Before he could say more, Victor was shifting into his great black wolf and running into the forest in the direction he

had seen Jade go.

Dr. Gaines watched the big black wolf with the glowing Violet eyes disappear into the forest and shook his head. He was too old to

go after the pair of them and he knew from experience this was a war that only the two of them would fight. Together they would

come out broken or unbreakable.

Victor ran after Jade. He hoped he could catch her before she made it to the land of the Fae. He wasn’t sure they would let him enter

without Jade. She was their Queen, but he was the enemy as far as they were concerned. Victor was fast for his size, but Jade must be

able to break speed records. No matter how fast he ran, she seemed to be just ahead of him. He broke into the clearing just in time to

see Jade slip through the veil. When he tried to approach, he found the way shut and locked. His only recourse now was to try

reaching her with his mind.

Jade. He began. If you can hear me, please allow me to enter your kingdom. I want to explain so many things to you, but I cannot do

that with me here and you are there.

No! came back a simple answer.

Please Jade, pleaded Victor. I’m sorry for the way I treated you. I want to make it up to you Jade! Please don’t shut me out!

Go home, Victor answered Jade. You need to explain nothing your actions have said enough!

Now please go and leave me to my grief.

Her words struck daggers of ice into his heart. Victor had never imagined his actions would cause Jade to hate him, but it seemed as

though that was exactly what happened.

Never one to just give up, Victor made one more attempt to talk with Jade.

If you can believe nothing else, Jade, please believe I never meant to hurt you. Said Victor.

I believe you said, Jade. She closed the link and was gone.

Victor turned toward home. This time he walked slowly. Without Jade, he felt no need to return to the Pack mansion. Instead, he

turned once again toward that place in the woods where he found sanctuary.

When Victor had not returned by the next day, Jermaine called Dr. Gaines.

Have you heard from our Alpha? Asked Jermaine.

I’m sorry I have had no contact with him since I saw him run into the forest after Jade. Came back the reply. However, you might

check back to your secret hideout. That’s where I found him most recently. Continued Dr. Gaines.

Got it! Said Jermaine. Thanks, Doc. I’ll let you know when I find him.

Jermaine took a moment to get his bearings and then shifted into his wolf and began to run.

It had been years since he had visited this old place, but it didn’t surprise him that Victor would come here to lick his wounds and

heal. It had been his favorite place as a pup when the other kids would pick on him for his unwanted Alpha status.

Slowing down to shift back into his human, Jermaine smelled Victor before he saw him. He knew that Victor had caught his scent

long before his arrival. Standing up and walking into the makeshift cabin, Victor returned with clothes for Jermaine.

I wondered how long it would take you to show up. He said.

You can thank Doc for that, replied Jermaine. He was the one who suggested that I would find you here.

I must remember to speak with him about telling people where to find me. Said Victor dryly.

I’m not just people, remarked Jermaine. In case you have forgotten, you are our Alpha, and I am your Beta. “Which means you are

responsible for the pack and I, dear friend, am responsible for you,” said Jermaine as he pulled on the jeans Victor had given him.

Not bothering to put on the shirt, Jermaine sat down on the log next to Victor.

I’m well aware of who I am and who you are, snapped Victor.

Well then, countered Jermaine, you are also well aware of your duties and how you have been neglecting them as of late.

I know, sighed Victor. It’s just that I can’t seem to think straight right now, and Jade has refused to speak with me at all. I’ve made

several attempts to speak with her, but she just shuts the link and won’t answer.

Give her time, my friend. Answered Jermaine. In the meantime, you have a pack that is starting to worry that their Alpha has been

taken again or worse, yet done himself in. Might I suggest you come home and try working? It might help to take your mind off of

things.

I suppose you’re right. Conceded Victor. Besides, being here isn’t making me feel better. I might as well go home and sleep in a soft

bed.

That’s the spirit. Exclaimed Jermaine and slapped Victor on the back. Shall we go before it gets dark?

“Since when are you afraid of the dark,” asked Victor.

It’s not the dark that scares me, answered Jermaine. It’s you and what you are capable of right now.

“There are many things that you should fear, my friend, but I am not one of them,” said Victor.

Jermaine cast a sideways look at his old friend. If he could know the thoughts in my mind about your mate you might have said

something different, thought Jermaine, but he kept silent and ran for home.

You should not think of your Luna like that admonished his wolf.

Don’t you think I know? That snapped Jermaine. I know that she belongs to my Alpha, but more than that, she is my best friend's

love. I don’t want to feel these feelings, but I don’t know how to stop them. Every time I close my eyes, I see Jade standing there

with such pain in her beautiful emerald eyes. Asking me what she had done wrong for Victor to shut her out as he did. I see her

magnificent white wolf running free and the way the wind catches her fur. She is the most beautiful creature I have ever seen be it

human, wolf, or fairy. She has enchanted me, and I do not know how to break free. I’m not even sure I want to be free of her.

You must find a way to rid yourself of this compulsion, Jermaine. Whether Victor is a friend or not, he will kill you. He will have no

choice. It is his duty Alpha to kill all who look upon his Luna in a lustful way. He will fight you to the death and he is much stronger.

Please, Jermaine, find our mate soon and let Victor have his Luna in peace. Begged his wolf.

Victor once again opened the link with Jade.

Please, Jade, you don’t have to say anything, but I beg you to let me speak before you close the door again. I know I hurt you and I

am sorry. It was never my intention to make you feel unwanted or that the loss of the baby was your fault. My pain was so

overwhelming I became afraid. I didn’t know how to look at you and feel such anger. Not at you but at Silas.

For a brief moment, Victor felt a shift in the link. Hopefully, his words were having the desired effect on Jade, and she would open

the vale and allow him to enter. This hope was quickly dashed when her answer came back clear.

I know you are trying, Victor, but right now I just can’t look at you knowing how you feel about me and the loss of our baby. I’m

sure I belong in your world. Maybe I’m better here. I know my mother chose to live among the wolves, but maybe love just isn’t

enough.

Goodbye, Victor. Please don’t contact me again.

With those parting words, Jade closed the link. Victor stood alone in silence and wondered if his Jade would ever come back.

Victor said Jermaine, breaking into his thoughts.

What is it? Asked Victor.

Some of the pack members are concerned about you. Maybe it would be a good idea to make an appearance for a short time today.

Just a quick walk through the village so that the members can lay eyes on you. It will reassure them you are doing well, and that they

have nothing to fear. Suggested Jermaine.

I think that’s a good idea, but first collect all our guards I need to speak with them immediately. Said Victor.

As you wish," answered Jermaine, and excused himself to gather the pack guards.

Victor paced the office waiting for Jermaine and his guards to return. He called Milly, the house servant, and asked her to have the

cook and prepare a meal for them. He then asked her to prepare the great hall for the meal and inform him when the task was

complete.

Wasting no time, Milly turned and left the office, heading in the direction of the kitchen. As she had expected, Anna the cook was not

happy with the unexpected request on short notice, but she set about the task all the while fussing about how the Alpha thought she

could just pull a meal for all those grown wolves out of thin air.

Milly smiled to herself and turned her attention to preparing the great dining hall.

Thirty minutes later, Jermaine returned to the pack house flanked by twenty of the biggest, meanest-looking wolves anyone had ever

seen.

Jermaine knocked on the office door. Victor, we are all here but we.

Good said, Victor. Tell everyone to wait for me in the great dining hall. They will find a meal waiting for them. Tell them they need

not wait for me. I will be along shortly.

Will do," came Jermaine’s reply.

Come on men. Victor has prepared a feast for you in the great dining hall. He instructed us to begin without him.

A cheer rose from the men gathered and they gladly followed Jermaine. Victor knew just how to calm the savage beast thought

Jermaine. Feeding these guys before asking them to take on a mission most would find distasteful was a good idea..

Victor took a second to gather his thoughts. What he was about to ask of his men was a task that even he found vile. An Alpha didn’t

spy on his Luna. Ever! It was a sign of disrespect and a lack of trust. No matter what goes on between an Alpha and his Luna they

must present a united front to the pack.

Victor knew what he was going to ask of his men, and he could only hope that their allegiance to him was greater than their respect

for Jades’ position as Luna. He could always make the argument that she wasn’t the official Luna as the marking ceremony had

never taken place. This would be a low blow to Jade and Victor knew that it could push her away from him forever. He didn’t want

to live if that happened. Jade was his one and only. He would call his father and relinquish the Alpha position to his younger brother

and finish what Jades’ rejection had begun.

No! growled Jake. Do not think like that, Victor! Jade is young, angry, and hurt by your actions, but she will forgive you if you allow

her the time she needs to heal. More than her body has been wounded. For females, it is different to lose a child. She had already felt

the quickening. Her heart and spirit have also been damaged.

What is the quickening? Asked Victor.

It is the time when the baby isn’t big enough to kick but the mother can feel it move.

They say it feels like tiny butterflies. Answered Jake.

Females feel the child before it is large enough to actually feel, questioned Victor.

Yes I believe so, came Jake’s answer. Maybe you should ask Dr. Gaines about how pregnancy affected Jade and the changes her

body had already gone through. Growing a human child is difficult enough, but growing a wolf, elf, hybrid must be something else

altogether. Chucked Jake.

I hadn’t thought of that! Exclaimed Victor. By the Gods, I am an i***t! I only thought of my own grief, never giving a moments

consideration of how difficult this was for Jade. My God, not only did it affect her mind, but it touched every fiber of her being. No

wonder she has decided to take some time away.

Enough frowned Victor. I will speak with Greg later, but right now I have a room full of pent-up wolves who have been idle for too

long.

Victor entered the dining hall and found all of his men had eaten their fill. Without the usual formal greetings, he stepped to the head

of the table and called the group to order.

Gentlemen I have called all of you here today for a special mission. As your Alpha, I would require you to give this your full

attention, but today I am asking as your friend. Some of you will no doubt find what I am about to ask distasteful, and I will respect

your decision not to involve yourselves in this affair. Began Victor.

“Alpha, we are always at your disposal," spoke up Frank, an older wolf.

The other wolves banged the table to affirm the sentiment.

Victor smiled as he looked out over his pack. He was lucky to have such a loyal guard when many Alphas had to constantly watch

their backs for fear of being overthrown.

He raised his hand to silence his men. When the room was once again silent, he thanked the men for their loyalty. Clearing his throat,

he launched into his plan to win back his Luna and kill the man who had wreaked such havoc in their lives. He wanted his Luna back

by his side, but he also burned with the lust to kill this man. He wanted to cause him a slow and agonizing death. He wanted Jade to

taste in his justice towards Silas. He needed her to see that she, above all else, was his heart, and nothing or no one would cause her

such pain again.

He gave each man his choice of assignment. Some chose to follow Silas and his henchmen, while others found it an honor to keep a

watchful eye on Jade. It was an honor to be chosen for the Alpha’s guard for his Luna.

When each man was assigned, Victor asked Jermaine, Frank, and Gabriel to join him in his office. Victor was sitting

behind his large oak desk when the three men walked in. Jermaine took a seat across from Victor. Gabriel chose to sit at the window

seat and have a nice view of the grounds while Frank picked a chair near the door.

After each man was in his preferred spot, Victor began.

I have chosen the three of you for a special mission. You are my three most trusted fighters and I know you will follow my

instructions without question. So, let’s get started because we have a lot to discuss. While the others are spying on Silas, I want the

three of you to kidnap him and bring him here to the dungeon. Tell no one about this assignment and tell no one once you have Silas

in custody.

When he had finished laying out his plan, Victor sat back and looked at the three men in front of him. Each man looked at him in

turn. With a slight nod of each head, they told Victor they understood and accepted the plan. Looking at them, Victor knew that each

man would carry out his part or give his life trying. Feeling satisfied that his plan was a good one and that these men would execute

it without fail, he mind linked with Frank before he dismissed the meeting.

Frank, could you come back to my office in thirty minutes?

Sure, Alpha answered Frank.

Thank you. Said, Victor.

Jermaine felt a vibration in the link but soon forgot it as his mind was on other things, namely the fact that Jade had made contact

with him and had yet to contact Victor.

Exactly thirty minutes later, Victor heard a knock at his office door.

Come in, he said.

You wanted to see me Alpha? Asked Frank as he entered the office.

Yes, I would like to speak with you about something and it is vital that this stays between the two of us. No one, not even Jermaine

can know about this? Do you understand?

Asked Victor.

“Yes,” Alpha said Frank.

Victor drew in a deep breath. He looked directly at Frank when he spoke his next words.

I want you to keep a very close eye on Jermaine and report to me everywhere he goes, who he talks to and anything he does that

looks out of the ordinary. You are not to let him catch you and you are not to overlook even the slightest thing. I want to know

everything he does in a day’s time. You will come to my office every evening at ten P.M. you make sure no one sees you coming or

going. I have picked you because I know that you were one of my father’s most trusted spies and he said many times none was better

then you are not being seen.

I only hope I can be worthy of your faith in me, said Frank. Can I ask Alpha how long you will require me to watch

Beta Jermaine?

Until I tell you to stop. Replied Victor.