Jackson's Vengeance

Chapter 16

Tori’s POV

The first in command wolves have already left the safe house, we are 2 miles ahead of the rest. This is our final strike, when we come home, it will be with Frans's head on a stick to show that we will not be pushed around. I haven’t slept much, I was up until odd hours thinking about everything, and what makes matters worst is that I didn’t get to see Jackson this morning, well not alone. He was busy doing what he does best and I was in line with the first command waiting for his signal to leave.

The next week would be a test of endurance and courage. We would be leaving our new home to fight for the ones we loved and lost. I can see the looks on their faces as we prepared to leave. A lot of us know that some would not make it back, but this fight is worth it if we were going to rid this world of that monster.

Of course, this morning there had to be some commotion as always. First Lin insisted that she would not fight and would stay at the medical center. Then she and Cayley insisted that they wanted to fight and come with us no matter what. Personally, I didn’t see the use for either of them, but they insisted that they wanted to be there with us.

“I am as much as a part of this pack as she is,” Cayley says pointing to me.

“You have never attended any training?” Jackson says to make a solid point.

“Well I don’t need to fight, I can take care of the food, I just want to feel like I am part of the solution.”

“No, you can’t go, you need to stay!” Jackson says.

“I am going Jackson and if you say no, I will follow you anyway.”

“Why do you have to so damn difficult,” Jackson says in frustration.

“I am a wolf, I am going and that is that!” Cayley says and leaves to join the line.

Jackson looks at me and I shake my head, Bruce moves to his side and whispers something and Jackson says,

“The two of you can go but stay the hell out of the way and don’t you dare interfere in this mission.”

We shift and wait for our Alpha to lead. Honestly, I never thought I would find myself a member of a pack, mated to the most interesting wolf of all, the Alpha, but come to think about it; I could be in the worst place…dead or married to a villain.

Running into the sunrise was a beautiful sight. This time Jackson and I ran in sync with each other leading the pack to the campsite we had set up. There was something magical about this moment and I wanted it to last forever. Being at Jackson’s side and knowing that he was mine. It was a special moment and I was glad that after all that had happened, I found my true place. At his side.

I noticed Caleb on my left-hand side and Lucian was on my right-hand side. Lucian, I expected that but Caleb, that was weird for me and I made a mental note to talk to him about it later.

When we stopped for a break Jackson pulled me aside,

“I missed you this morning.” He says and plants a kiss on my lips.

“I missed you too,” I say and smile at him.

He takes my hand in his and kisses both, then he says,

“I can’t wait to get over with this war, I just want to hold you freely and know that you are mine.”

“I am your's Jackson.”

“I am so happy that you with me.” He pulls me into his arms and holds me close.

I can’t remember when I last felt like this, so at peace and happy. Jackson makes me forget that I have lost everything, that I am alone in this world and I love that he looks at me like there is no other for him.

We spend a few more minutes alone and then we return to the pack, we continue our journey and I feel so free running with the wind pushing against me. I don’t think I felt this way as a vampire. Maybe the idea of drinking human blood made me feel so sick and I didn’t care for it.

We arrive at the campsite and meet with Mike who had been on guard at the campsite. Fin would join us later with news of Frans arrival. He is posted right outside the coven house and as soon as he spots Frans he will come to the campsite. Everyone settles down, we rest, while some prepare the food.

“Caleb,” I say when I see him through the corner of my eye.

“Yes.”

“What is wrong?”

“Nothing.” He says embarrassed.

“You have been at my side since we left home,” I say.

“I am a soldier and I am here to protect you.” He says.

“I appreciate that but there is something up and I can see it,” I say.

“Just watch your back especially watch your back for Lin and Cayley.” He says and moves away from me.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

Caleb doesn’t have the chance to answer me because the food is ready. Everyone is hungry and we make our way to the food. It smells good and I hear my tummy growl. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I smelt the food. Jackson makes his way next to me and we get our food together, then we walk to a quiet spot and sit down.

“Are you ok?” He asks.

“I am good and, how are you?” I ask him.

“I am anxious, just want to get back home.” He says.

“You have a bad feeling about us doing this?” I ask.

“I don’t know, something feels amiss since we arrived here,” Jackson says looking around.

“Should we go back?” I ask.

“I think I am going to send a few fighters back,” Jackson says.

Jackson sends a few fighters back to the safe house, the rest of us settle down and wait, the sun has set, and the wind is dancing around us. I look around and I see the strange looks I am getting from the wolves. Jackson is at my side, his arm draped around me and I feel warm but the looks. It makes me realize that these wolves will never see me as one of them.

I close my eyes and try to forget the fact that soon I will be officially their Alpha’s mate and I will have to deal with the look on their faces for the rest of my life. Is that something I can handle?

Hilda and Bruce are sitting close by and Minnie is talking to the front-line fighters, discussing the formations and plans. Caleb, Iva, and Lucian are close by. Gail and Angelo are standing in the shadows. It the first time that I notice them since we left home. Mike is watching me, and I look away. Something doesn’t feel right. It is too quiet. Way too quiet.

“What’s wrong Tori?” Hilda asks me.

“It is too quiet,” I say in a whisper.

“I know, I feel so on edge right now.”

“I can’t shake this feeling that something isn’t right.” I rub my arms, we have moved away from the guys.

“Jackson also looks worried,” Hilda says.

“He sent some fighters home, he felt something wasn’t right when we arrived.”

“Did you see Gail and Angelo in the line-up?” I ask

“No, I didn’t,” Hilda says looking around.

“They were standing there in the shadows a few minutes ago.” I look around and see them standing by the fire with some of the fighters.

“Those two are damn creepy,” Hilda says.

“I don’t trust them.”

“No one does,” Hilda replies.

“Between those two and the Cayley/Lin combo, I need to watch me back.”

“I can’t understand why they here, all they have done is stand around the food,” Hilda says annoyed.

We go back to the guys and sit down, Hilda and I exchange looks and I put my head back, Jackson pulls me to him, and I move closer and make myself comfortable. Being in his arms is heaven. I listen to the fire crackling and try to rest, I will need my energy soon. I doze off and my dreams are bleak, I see my parents, their bodies on fire, I can smell their bodies and it makes me feel like throwing up, but I keep strong. I see Frans laughing and I wake up sweating and shaking.

“It’s ok,” Jackson says rubbing my back.

“I hate dreaming,” I say.

“I know, breath, I am here.” He says soothing me.

“Will it ever stop, the bad dreams?” I ask him.

“I believe it will, I lost my parents too, but I can’t imagine what it felt like to watch what you had to witness.” He holds me close and I lay my head on his chest.

“They would laugh if they knew I became a wolf,” I say thinking about my parents.

“They seemed fun.”

“They were, sometimes I forgot that we were vampires, I thought we were a normal human family,” I say.

“Really, I had the same experience.” He says looking at me fondly.

“Try to think happy thoughts and rest now.” He says rubbing my back and calming my mind.