Reclaiming Her Heart

Note to readers: This is the third installment of the Knight Necromancer Series. Each book can be read as a standalone story. However, this book is based off the main characters from the previous two books (His Luna Warrior and Her Mortal Mate) and is a continuation of their story. Thank you and happy reading! --JIF LEW Jadea I heard the roar of the crowd as they impatiently cheered for us to come on stage. The adrenaline rush right before the show was always crazy! We were on the last night of our tour. We were ending in no other place than California. The place where everything started for my mate and I so many years ago. My gaze caught and held Adam's, my mate's, stormy sapphire eyes from across the set. The sultry glance he threw my way set my heart on fire. I couldn't wait for this last show to be over so I could have some much-needed alone time with him. He had been teasing me all day long, knowing there wouldn't be even a moment I could spare to whisk him away. Adam's attention was diverted as someone asked him a question. He was part of our tech support throughout the tour. While he played a very critical role in our band—making new soundtracks as one example—he did not partake in the actual on-stage show. He was our behind the scenes expert. "This is the biggest crowd so far!" Blade, my gamma exclaimed excitedly in my mind. While he was right next to me, it was easier to talk telepathically with each other. As usual, just before a show, I connected my pack's minds so we could have ease of access to each other. Not only was it a comfort thing, it was for safety reasons. Blade was tall and slim with spiked ebony hair and electric blue eyes. Some facial piercings were scattered across his face. No tattoos. He gripped his bass guitar, ready to bound on stage. "They're going crazy," Briar, Blade's twin sister, mused in awe, peeking out from behind the curtain as well. She was standing next to her brother, a microphone gripped in one hand. She was petite, standing almost a head shorter than her brother. Her ebony hair woven in two intricate braids with vibrant blue ribbon woven in. Those same electric eyes glistening excitedly. "Not nervous are ya?" Derrick, Briar's mate teased, tugging on one of her braids, his loving gaze moving over her. He was a bear of a man. The tallest of our group, standing at 6'9" without his combat boots on. Chestnut hair stuck haphazardly about, a gruff beard completing the look, those chocolate eyes softening only for his mate. Tucked into the back pocket of his jeans were his drumsticks. While he looked rather daunting, he was a teddy bear. "So, Jay," Garret, my beta, sidled up next to me conspiratorially, tucking his electric guitar under his arm, pulling my attention away from Briar's and Derrick's conversation. His dark charcoal grey eyes sparkling mischievously. He had a stocky, athletic build and was slightly taller than me—I was rather tall for a woman. His raven hair hanging haphazardly in his eyes, his beard smartly trimmed in a box style, while his one-size-too-small shirt hugged his defined body. Facial piercings and tattoos were scattered. "How long before the first set of panties goes flying on stage?" I rolled my eyes at his rather inappropriate question. Though was it really inappropriate when it happened at almost every concert we hosted? "Hundred bucks says it's within the first minute," Blade took the bait. "Wow, that's a lot of time," Briar snorted. "I say 45 seconds. Especially with how riled up that crowd is." "I'm guessing 30 seconds the moment I step on stage," Garret bartered, wiggling his brows. I smirked before placing my bet. "A thousand says it's going to happen within the first ten seconds we are all on that stage. And it's going to be flung at you," I stated pointedly, looking directly at Garret. "You're on!" Garret laughed. "Ugh! I'm so antsy!" Briar stated, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "These last five minutes are taking forevvveerrr!" "It's been a good run though," Garret murmured whimsically, sounding almost bittersweet since this was the ending. Yes, it indeed had been a good tour. The best by far in my opinion. But I was biased. It was the first tour we had with Adam on our team. My gaze once again turned to his. "Is everything alright over there, vanilla?" I asked, using my favorite nickname. "It is better than alright," he smiled back, brushing my mind with his. I could feel him pouring all of his love, excitement and pride into me. "Though, I'm ready for a break. And so are Aidan and Anika." Thoughts turned to our children: Aidan, eight, and Anika, nine. While they were not my biological children, I didn't see them as anything but . They were visiting with Mrs. Lindsey, their old babysitter, while we were here in California. We didn't get to visit her as often anymore, seeing as we were all residing at our ranch in Wyoming or touring the world for our band. I was ready to head home too. Ready to fall back into a normal routine for a while and enjoy the simplicity of life. Ready to visit my brother, Ty, who had taken over the patriarchal alpha-hood after our father passed away. The kiddos absolutely adored him. And, lastly, to refocus on my position in the North American Immortal Council. I was appointed the position roughly two years ago and worked alongside several primitive wolf packs to help stop the illegal and abhorrent trafficking rings that were taking place. We were so close to finding the head of the snake, it wouldn't take much longer to unearth him. It was then my mind wandered to the threatening messages we had been receiving as of late and knew it was in connection with the illegal underground rings. Adam's mental hug pulled me out of that dark train of thought. "We will catch the bad guys, baby girl. We always do." Yes. We did. But for some reason, this time seemed different. I don't know why, but suddenly my gut was in a tizzy. My pack paused, feeling the unease blossoming in my mind. Something was going to happen tonight. I could feel it. But there was no turning back now. Not as the announcer bounded up on stage to introduce us. My mind reached out to my brother, Chance. Much like Adam, he wasn't a key player in our band, however, he was head of our security. "Everything looks good out here," he stated confidently. "It's probably just the pre-show jitters," I played off, though I wasn't sure I was that convincing. Before anyone could say anything else, the lights were cut so Derrick could start his solo. He paused briefly, a war waging in his chest. We usually didn't ignore gut feelings. For one brief second, I almost gave the order to wait, to delay our opening until we knew for sure nothing was wrong. But, my mind overrode my gut feeling rather quickly. There had been no attacks on us for the past two years. If someone was going to attack, it wouldn't be in front of a crowd of mortals. "Go!" I told him. And he obeyed. Derrick's solo started. About thirty seconds later, Blade and Garret joined him on stage, setting up the big entrance. Briar pecked me on the cheek before bounding out, her vocals joining first. "Everything is going to be fine, baby girl. Go on and enjoy yourself," Adam assured right before I skipped out on the stage, my voice belting into the crowd's excited screams. Adam I couldn't keep my eyes off her. My wonderful, gorgeous Jadea. The black cargo pants hugged her curves deliciously, the tight black crop top and black boots pulling the whole style together. Chains hung from her outfit and large pieces of jewelry completed the look. Her midriff was on full display, showing her impressive six-pack. Snow-white hair was cut in a pixie, the long wisps of it framing her beautiful face. On her left arm and shoulder was the vibrant tattoo she recently had done. It was my paw print with Aidan's and Anika's birthdates woven into the beautiful design. Her sage green eyes sought out mine while she was on the stage, her alluring smile sending butterflies curling through my stomach. Even after all this time, after everything we had been through, my body's reaction to her never dulled. She was everything I ever needed and wanted and more. She was that one and only soul who fit perfectly with mine. I couldn't help but fan the fire throughout the day, knowing there was nothing she could do about it until after the show. It was a good, long tease for both of us. Everything seemed to be going well, up until the moment they were supposed to go on stage. That's when her gut revolted. While I was anxious about this, I was confident nothing would happen. We were center stage in a crowd of thousands. No one in the immortal realm would be stupid enough to do anything here unless they had a death wish. As their first song wrapped up, and they flowed effortlessly into the next, I heard Chance's warning rip through all our minds. I was instantly in motion—as were the rest of the pack—running for Jadea. She was our alpha, and she was a very important and prominent figure in the immortal government. We all converged on her, trying to protect her while Chance tried to reach the threat first. We didn't make it in time. I heard the gun shot and watched in abject horror as the bullet hit its mark. Blood spattered from her head, staining the snow of her hair red. She hit the ground hard. Too much blood was pooling around her. Screams and chaos ensued in the auditorium. "Jadea!" I screamed, just feet from her when Derrick and Blade converged on me, their bodies protectively moving in front of mine as they forcefully pushed me back behind the curtains, trying to protect me, the co-alpha of this pack. "No!" I screamed, as the last vision I saw of my beautiful mate was a bloody pool and an inferno of fire breaking out on the surrounding stage. Our sacred mate's bond a withering black hole.