Her Mortal Mate

Chapter Forty Five: Shady

Jadea

I was able to slip backstage without losing my s**t.

I hadn't wanted to play the dominant today, but perhaps Adam was onto something. If there were others working under Hans and Harley, it wouldn't hurt to make Adam a bigger target. Drawing attention his way, lavishing affection on him couldn't hurt matters, which was why I had decided to run with it. I'd already hurt his feelings by stating the truth about his mortal strength, there was no reason to knock his harmless attempt to help either.

But everything about today was weighing so heavily on my mind, my chest felt like it was in a vise. I was having such a hard time breathing, I thought I was going to go into another panic attack.

The moment I was out of their sight, I pressed my back against the wall and let out a huge sigh and just breathed. Closing my eyes, I leaned my head back and allowed my body to calm down. I forced myself to relax one muscle at a time, effectively clearing my mind in the process as I forced myself to focus on that task. Once I'd regained control over myself and my emotions, I allowed myself to start unpacking what the day so far had brought.

Constance's surprise visit wasn't just to wish me good luck. She had come to talk to me personally for several reasons. One, to apologize for her and her *Imperium Guard's sudden appearance at the debate. She understood their presence could deter those I was trying to hunt, which would prolong my silent suffering and the need for my mate and pack to be on such high guard. Second, she wanted to warn me about the threat she was chasing at the moment. Perhaps I should have let my packmates know what she'd said, but I just couldn't do that to Adam. Especially when her warning had only been precautionary. She and her guard, were tracking the demon lord Leviathan and his trail had led them here. They didn't know if he would even attack today.

Besides, I knew her guard would be able to contain the demon and absolve that problem with no issues. There was no reason for my pack to worry about him on top of everything else. My pack needed to maintain their focus on our problems. I couldn't allow their focus to be split between Hans and the potential threat Constance was chasing.

Was there a coincidence between those I was hunting, and the demon lord Constance was hunting? It was hard not to think that way. Heck, I knew I wasn't the only one who was thinking it. Constance had loosely mentioned this may or may not be a coincidence either. It seemed too convenient for Leviathan to be tracked here for this crucial debate.

Had my father and his pack been sought after by Balthazar and his group of evil immortals? I wouldn't put it past Hans to follow someone like him. To pledge his allegiance to such a powerful and dark being.

Constance had assuaged my anxiety slightly by telling me she had ensured Ickarous's and Alessandra's presence hadn't been announced, therefore everything on my end should still proceed accordingly. They were still going to help me by trying to crack through the shield protecting Chance's mind--

"Jadea!"

I jerked at the voice right beside my ear, my fist automatically lashing out at the possible threat.

It took my mind a moment to recognize the voice, but by that time it was too late. My fist collided with the side of Lance's head. I heard a crunch and knew I'd done some damage to his cheek and jaw. My eyes got really round and guilt gripped my chest hard.

"f**k!" he snapped, flinching away, his hand instantly slapping over his face.

"I'm sorry!"

He groaned and stepped away, holding up his hand to ward me off as I reached out to him. "Nope," he said, shaking his head. "I should have known better. You've always thrown a punch when startled," he stated. "I don't know why I thought this time would be any different." He winced in pain as he rubbed the side of his face and moved his jaw. "Ow! Damn woman, you can pack a punch!" he chuckled.

I grunted and leaned back against the wall once more.

"Don't look so doom and gloom," he teased. "C'mon! It's about time for you to meet Chance in the customary 'non-confrontational' meet and greet."

Rolling my eyes at his very odd explanation, I pushed myself away from the wall and followed him. My nerves were shot. I was in a foul mood. This wasn't going to go over well.

"Just put on that charming Knight smile," he encouraged in my head, being mindful that there were possible hidden ears, "And try not to bite."

That was easier said than done.

"Leave the proverbial biting for the floor."

"You're not helping."

"Of course I am."

No, you really aren't, I said more to myself than anything.

I was starting to get that nauseous feeling in the pit of my stomach and I was tempted to tell my packmates to collect Adam and run. To get the heck out of here. It was one thing to put Adam in front of Hans and his pack. But placing him in front of both Hans and Leviathan...

"Jadea," Garret reached out to me and for one split moment I was afraid I'd projected my feelings and thoughts. "We've got eyes on Hans. There looks to be a few other wolves, possibly from his own pack." He opened up his mind so I could see through his eyes and I sighed in relief. I had to admit I was a little surprised to see Hans. He normally wasn't one to leave his lands, no matter the occasion. His presence here couldn't be a good omen.

"They all look kind of shady. But in that impeccable way," Blade added on a snarl.

"Mother's there," I stated, pointing her out to the group. I never realized just how much I looked like her. It was annoying to say the least. From what I remembered, she had been a spineless, bitter--

My thoughts were broken by the sudden appearance of a smaller, hooded woman. At least I presumed it was a woman. The silhouette indicated as much because she was rather curvaceous. The newcomer was hanging onto Hans's arm like a lover would do. To be honest, I wasn't surprised by the new woman. Before I'd left, he had built himself quite the harem. It would have been out of character for him if he would have stopped that kind of behavior.

What I was surprised about, though, was that my mother was still with him. Not that she would have left him, but normally once my father was done with his latest concubine he didn't hesitate to throw her to the curb, stripping said woman of her rights to take her children as well. It was one less mouth to feed, one less individual to take care of. He didn't care what happened to them after he'd taken everything he wanted.

I could feel my pack's distaste by this little tidbit about my blood father.

"Alphas like him are the worst," Blade grumbled.

"If you can, try to get a visual on the hooded woman," I told the group. It was weird she was hooded. "Any sign of Harley?"

"Not yet."

"How's Adam?" I asked. I hadn't necessarily blocked him out of my mind, I just chose to shield my thoughts from him at the moment. He could still touch my mind and interact with me, but my immediate thoughts and feelings weren't on display. I was afraid to connect with him, afraid he would realize I wasn’t completely connected and I didn’t want to overwhelm him right now.

"He's nervous, but he's doing better than we thought he would do," Briar admitted.

"Cute ears by the way. Where on earth did you find them?" Blade sniggered.

I rolled my eyes at the soft jab. "Why? You want some?"

"I do!" Briar announced and we all chuckled at her enthusiasm. "I think they are positively adorable!"

"Of course you do!" Derrick ribbed. "Do they really come with a matching butt plug? Asking for a friend," he smirked and we all laughed because we knew exactly who that friend was. I was so thankful for them and the ways in which they helped distracted me.

"No, it doesn't. And no, I didn't get one. It was just to tease him." To make him blush because, for some reason, I loved getting him all riled up. "You're all doing a great job," I told them as Lance led me to a large, empty room. "Let me know if any of Hans's group leaves or if you see anything or anyone else of interest--

"Hans has left," Garret interrupted. "He's disappeared through a door leading behind the stage."

I pursed my lips, wishing I could sneak away, or have someone from my group follow him.

"He's headed towards Chance," Lance announced in my head as he opened his mind up to me. He had his pack scattered throughout the backstage area so he could inconspicuously keep an eye on Chance and anyone else who might travel through unannounced to see and speak with him. He had been privy to my pack's and my conversation as well since I'd kept him in the loop for a reason. We needed to work as a team in order to bring this villain down. "He and Chance will be brought here to meet you."

"Why is he accompanying Chance?" I asked tensely. That didn't seem customary and I was not at all okay with it. I had no desire to see, let alone speak, to Hans.

"It's not," Lance reassured. "But, we are trying to catch the criminals and Hans indicated he wanted to be here to 'support' Chance--"

"Sounds like he wants to make sure Chance doesn't say or do anything to compromise their plans," Garret grumbled.

"--when he met you for the first time. Plus, he also wanted to personally wish you luck since he made it clear you were his blood daughter too."

"What!? When did he announce that!?" I hadn't heard anything come back around to me yet.

"Just this morning."

I huffed. "What was his story?"

"That you ran away."

"Of course," I grumbled.

"Sounds like he wants to traumatize you more," Blade added. "It's an abusive tactic, Jadea. One to throw you off your game. Don't let him get under your skin."

I wasn't planning on it.

"Since we allowed him to come in with Chance, we were able to pull some strings..."

My attention was instantly drawn back to Lance as Lucien stepped into the room. All the feels came crashing down. "Hey squirt," he smiled and I threw myself into his strong arms. His shoulder length silver hair was loose and framed his face, those deep honey colored eyes filled with love and admiration.

"Hi daddy," I whispered against his chest, taking comfort in his embrace. I knew with him here I would be okay. Everything would be okay. I could face Hans. I could step out on that stage and know that no matter what happened, everything would work itself out.

"Oh Jadea," he kissed the top of my head. "I'm so sorry this is happening, but know that no matter what happens you are my daughter and I am so proud of you."

I fought the tears because I didn't have time to redo my makeup.

"I'll remain in the room with you throughout the entire transaction," Lance assured as I stepped away from my adoptive father.

"Usually the moderator is the one overseeing the initial meet and greet," I stated. "You aren't going to be the moderator."

He shrugged but in my mind he answered me. "Constance is," he agreed. "But they don't know that yet."

"Oh boy," Garret sighed. "This is going to be fun."

"They are almost here."

I nodded and turned to face the door they would be coming through. Lucien squeezed my shoulder in a show of support and love before taking a domineering and protective stance behind me. Taking one last deep breath, I relaxed my muscles and snapped my indifferent mask in place. I wasn't going to allow Hans to ruffle my feathers. And if he did, I refused to let him know.

Right then, I felt Adam's presence in my mind; soothing and reassuring. "It is okay to be scared. I will be right here with you when you meet your abuser face to face."

I heard their footfalls first, my focus shifting back to what was right in front of me.

"Breathe. And think of me... With that matching tail." I couldn't help it, a grin spread across my face at the very provocative image he displayed in my mind and I wished I had found a tail to match those ears. I was thankful for him and his imaginative ways to distract my mind.

Straightening my back, I picked up my head and caught Hans's impassive gaze.

And just like the flip of a switch, he smiled brightly. "Jadea!" he cried, flinging his arms open wide.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Note:

*Constance/Balthazar/and the Imperium Guard:

-Constance: is known as The Phoenix; she was chosen by the fates and rose to power in order to save the world; She is by far the most powerful immortal to live with the exception of Balthazar who is her arch nemesis.

-Balthazar: is a Phoenix turned dark; is raising an army against the Imperium Guard

-Imperium Guard: a group of immortals who are gifted, have been chosen by fate and have risen to power in order to overcome insurmountable odds to save the world; this group is led by The Phoenix

If you are interested in Constance's and Gabriel's story, you can read their story in the Forbidden Trilogy (Forbidden, Phoenix and From The Ashes)

Hope all is well

-- JIF LEW