Her Mortal Mate

Chapter Twenty: Good Girl

Jadea

"Alright then," Lance said in the silence that followed the shocking news, as he limped his way into the group and into the conversation. We hadn't necessarily left him out, even though he had been left in the warehouse to recover from his near death experience with hellhound venom while we had engaged the enemy.

The venom was exceptionally deadly to all creatures, including immortals. It took only seconds to attack the nervous system and only a few seconds more to kill. One was exceptionally lucky to live a few measly minutes, because it usually took seconds to take an individual out. Even with the antidote, it took a while for most to recover enough of their senses to even minimally function.

Therefore, it was rather impressive seeing Lance up and about. Though, he was descended from a very strong bloodline. A bloodline who loved defying the odds and laws of nature—not to mention he was also half demon. His half sister, Constance--The Phoenix--had done several of these law defying acts of nature, including and definitely not limited to: bringing her fallen mate back from the darkness, surviving a soul transplantation, and willingly changing the very makeup of her inherent DNA in order to prove a point, just to name a few.

Nikolai's sharp gaze moved from Lance to me and he came to some kind of quiet resolution. "As much as I would love to press you for every last ounce of information you have against this brother of yours, I think it would be more efficient and effective if you," his gaze shifted from me to Lance, "and the others got some much needed rest. Plus, I am sure you are anxious to see your mate and ensure his safety. I'll have my pack clean up here and track them as far as they can, though I'm sure they have boarded a boat by now and are long gone."

This wasn't his job. He had been helping me out. My pack and I should be responsible for cleaning up at least. We were versed in this since we were a retired hunting pack.

Before I could say anything, Lance started to argue. "Nikolai we--

"It wasn't a suggestion," the Russian alpha interrupted Lance pointedly. "Our chance to squash this threat has come and gone. We will have to reassess, regroup and come up with another plan in order to find and handle this situation. It is best if we all get some rest and recoup. Lance, you were poisoned with hellhound venom. As much as you might believe you are fine, your system went through quite a shock. You shouldn't be in charge of overseeing such a large and meticulous task." His gaze moved back to mine. "Jadea, you and your pack have been on the go for some time now. You've all been under severe stress. Not to mention, your mind will be distracted by your mate, especially since you haven't seen to him personally."

As much as I hated his statement, it was true. Whoever was in charge of cleaning and processing the warehouse, and tracking the enemy packs, needed to have a clear head. And out of all three of us, Nikolai's pack was the best option. I bowed my head once in acceptance and thanks. "When Adam wakes up and is well enough to discuss what happened, please reach out to me and we will meet, and discuss, our next steps in this process." He stated.

I nodded, unable to hold his intense gaze. I felt inept. I felt like I was a young pup playing at being the hero in my father's pack once more. I'd made several mistakes today, mistakes I usually wouldn't have made. Mistakes that could have cost me my life, or the lives of my packmates. And all because I had been blinded by my own rage.

"You did good, today," Nikolai's voice said gently in my mind alone. "It is okay to make mistakes. Even the greatest of us make them. Remember to forgive yourself," he added on a softer note. "It might be hard to do, but what happened here today is no reason to be so hard on yourself. Pick yourself up. Dust yourself off. There are going to be far worse days ahead that you are going to have to prepare yourself for."

No truer statement could have been made. This was only the beginning, especially if my father and my brothers were involved. This would only be a setback to them. If they were intent on making me their pawn and ensuring I never gained a powerful position, they would strike again. I just needed to be prepared for it. "Thank you, Nikolai. For everything."

"Go, Jadea. Go see your mate and get some rest."

With that, I turned to Garret and nodded. Reopening my mind to my packmates, I allowed them to see what had transpired since I'd shut them out. I allowed them to know my past in its entirety. I allowed them to see the flashback I'd had. They needed to know everything in order to be able to fight this new, intimate, enemy.

"We will get them, Jadea." Derrick stated.

I was confident we would. But at what cost?

"Are you ready?" Lance asked after speaking with the Russian alpha privately.

"We will follow you," I told him.

"What is it with all of you? It's not like I haven't been poisoned by hellhound venom before," he stated gruffly.

"That might be the case, but it doesn't make it any less potent. You're body is still suffering from the after affects and will be until you go into a healing sleep. We will go at your pace so you do not strain yourself."

He looked annoyed but knew I wouldn't budge. "Have it your way."

It didn't take long to get back to Lance's property. Considering everything that had happened, it was just after midnight when we arrived. The remaining cover of darkness would help provide Nikolai and his pack the time necessary to process, clean and dispose of any evidence of immortal existence. As to what he would do with the actual warehouse, it was hard to say. He would most likely have one of his men look into who bought it and see if they couldn't find some kind of lead.

As we filed into the house after shifting, Caden met me with clothes. "Walk with me for a minute?" he asked.

I longingly looked towards the little hallway which led to Adam, but I knew he was safe. And I knew he wouldn't be waking for some time. It was best not to push off whatever Caden had to say. I nodded and followed him out of the house.

When we were many yards away, Caden started. "What happened tonight?"

"How do you know something happened?" I asked evenly, hoping not to alert him to the turmoil I was experiencing.

He leveled me with a knowing look. "You're really going to ask that question?" he scolded softly. "Just because there has been a significant amount of time that has passed since I was your Dom, doesn't mean I have forgotten what your tells are Jadea. Now spill."

I hated how he knew me so well. "Why do we have to get into this now?" I could almost hear the whine in my voice and, even though I knew it would piss him off, I couldn't help it. I just wanted to see Adam. I just wanted to be with my mate.

I just wanted to forget about what had happened at the warehouse—even if it was only for a brief moment—and what the glaring implications were when it came to my blood family.

"Because we both know it will eat you up inside. And Adam deserves better than a moody, closed off mate when he wakes up." Caden snapped, his voice harsh enough it made me wince.

"I hate you," I mumbled.

"It's only because you know I'm right," he bit back. "I will not ask again."

Fine, I groused to myself. Taking a deep breath, I told him what happened at the warehouse. How I'd acted on my emotions. How I'd raced after the enemy without taking the proper precautions. I told him about Harley being one of the alphas behind this whole entire scheme. I confessed about my flashback and what it could mean.

"You need to call Dr. Andrew once we are done here," he ordered gently.

I needed sleep. That's what I needed. And a healthy dose of Adam.

Caden's strict gaze held mine and I nodded. "Yes. I will. I promise." I added on and he nodded, knowing I wouldn't break my word.

"What else?" he demanded gently.

"Just the same fear as earlier," I whispered, my gaze unable to meet his. My fear that Adam would reject me. It was a very real possibility, especially after the ordeal he and his children had gone through.

He pulled me into his side and tucked me under his arm as we walked. "Don't work yourself up into a tizzy and hurt your own feelings Jadea. The man hasn't even had the chance to wake up, let alone speak his mind. Don't go imagining untrue scenarios that will leave you unopen to whatever he has to say."

He was right. I needed to make sure I kept an open mind and heart. Adam didn't deserve my overactive mind to project my fears--no matter how real they were--onto him. "Thank you for the reminder," I said genuinely.

"Of course. And, finally Jay," Caden took my wrist and forced me to stop and face him. When I met his gaze, he continued. "While I may not be your Dom anymore, I do still care. You need to make sure you take care of yourself. Make sure you eat at least once a day, drink water, and, while your at it, start saying a morning affirmation daily."

I wanted to be sassy. I wanted to push back against his orders, but I knew they were rooted in love. And, I knew he was only ensuring I took care of myself, both physically and mentally.

"If you need someone to say them to, I would be happy to help."

"Thank you, Caden, but I will be able to manage on my own."

"I will be checking in on you," he warned. "And if you fail to do the bare minimum..." He left his threat open ended.

"You'll what?" I challenged, because we both knew he was my brother's beta. I was an alpha of a separate pack. There wasn't anything he could do.

"I'll go to your father directly," he threatened with a menacing edge to his tone. I knew he wasn't bluffing.

"You wouldn't."

"Try me," he challenged, standing his ground. "And see what happens."

"Fine," I gave.

"Good girl," he whispered, pulling me into his embrace. "Now, when we go back inside I want you to eat something and drink a glass of blood before you retire to Adam's room."

"Yes sir," I sassed, unable to help myself. I was frustrated. I was scared. Nervous. Anxious. His orders and 'threats' were grating against the alpha in me and I hated it. I didn't feel like eating or drinking anything, but I knew better than to test Caden. I knew if I fought, it would only prolong my return to Adam.