Rise of the Underdogs: JACOB

Awed Awakening

I waited until the room had cleared, leaving only myself, the woman on the bed, and Saffron, who was sleeping in my arms. Laying him in the cradle, I brushed my thumb over his caramel cheek, watching as he unconsciously turned to my touch, a fleeting smile tugging as his lips.

Admittedly, he was a perfect replica of his mother. So small, so innocent – a pure light in a world of shadows. Perfectly untainted by the darkness that jaded so many people before they were half-way through their teen years.

Pressing my fingers to my lips, then to his forehead, I said: “Sleep, little angel. I gotta go check on your Mama now.”

Reaching over to the dial on the wall, I toned down the lights and sighed as I settled in the armchair next to the bed. Gently, I took her hand in mine and pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles. “I know you’re close to waking up. Whatever you’re running from, it led you to me, to safety. To the kind of family that chooses each other repeatedly. Others would try to own you, to demand things you’re unwilling to give, but I won’t do that to you. I won’t reject you, either. In fact, if you accept me, I’m ready and willing to adopt your boy as my own. To raise him in a home with love and understanding.”

Leaning over, I adjusted the blanket around her prone form. When I glanced down at her face, I suddenly realized her eyes were open. My heart sank. Had I just unknowingly confessed without realizing she was actually awake?

Tears shimmered in her eyes, twinned pools of liquid amber that caught the light just right. They were full of fear, full of pain, and it hurt to see it. My chest constricted tightly, my throat drying to the point I felt like I swallowed cotton.

‘Thorne?’ I called, hoping he had an answer.

He raised his head, uncurling enough for the first time in days. To my utter shock, a silver-coloured wolf with gold threaded through her coat stretched and yawned. Standing, it snuggled against Thorne’s darker form before vanishing completely.

My wolf looked at me, his blue eyes bright with knowing and support. ‘She is content. So much so that she only just left my side.’

‘Did you get any information we can use to help her host be at ease?’ I asked.

Thorne tilted his head to the side, ‘Her wolf’s name is Amka. She’s been alone for years since her parents passed, but other than that, she would say nothing about her human. Just drew off my strength enough to survive.’

Centering my thoughts, I sat back down in the chair and waited for her to speak. Hell, she could cuss up a storm like a seasoned sailor with a truckers dialect and I would still cling to every damn word.

“You’re awake,” I said. She flinched when I reached for her, amber gold eyes shimmering with tears of fear and defiance. Laying one hand over hers, I smiled sadly. “It’s okay. No one here will hurt you.”

“Quoi?” The sharp intonation was dulled by the raspiness of her voice. Rugged from not being used but still holding a soft tenor. She’d spoken in flawless French, telling me without many words that she hadn’t really left her heritage just the place.

“Je m’appelle Jacob Grey,” I replied in kind, watching her face go from concerned to curious. “I know you’re scared, and that’s okay. You’re safe here on Howler territory.”

“Tu comprends le Français?” She asked, seemingly shocked to find out I understood her. Suddenly, her eyes turned frantic as she seemed to notice something, or rather, someone was missing. “Mon bebé?”

Smiling, I rose to my feet and moved to the window where Saffron was still sleeping. The peaceful rise and fall of his chest gave me a sliver of hope as I lifted him into my arms. Watching her face as I carried him, holding the baby like he was made from spun glass, I saw the moment tears of gratitude filled her amber orbs.

Bringing him over to her, I wordlessly laid the pup in his mother’s arms. She sobbed brokenly, her head hanging low as she held him like a precious treasure. “Merci… Merci…”

“You don’t need to thank me,” I murmured, settling in the chair as I watched her fuss over Saffron. “Your wolf told mine about the baby, but she wouldn’t go into detail. You’re not the only survivor of Arctic Shield to make it to this land, either. One of my dear friends is a descendant as well. Her name is Ember Forrest.”

Her eyes found mine, and something like surprise flickered in them. Then, slowly, she said, “He is my son.”

“I know,” I replied simply. Standing, I poured out a glass of water. Handing it to her, I asked, “You feel it, don’t you? Amka’s talking to you, isn’t she?”

The gold in her eyes shimmered, taking on a deeper hue. “She says you stayed with us. That you tended my pup with care. That your wolf helped keep her alive. But you will reject me.”

Say what?

“What makes you say that?” Genuine curiosity laced my tone. Gesturing toward the boy in her arms, I pressed on. “Is it because you have a pup?”

“Oui,” she deadpanned. “No male wants another’s child.”

“I’m calling your bluff, then,” I answered.

She frowned, “I do not understand.”

Considering what she was thinking, I leaned forward in the chair. “This might feel rushed, but after today, I’ll let you come to me on your own. You’re my Mate. My fated, Artemis-given Mate, and I will not be rejecting you. Period.”

The scent of fear filled every corner of the room. Her eyes subconsciously fell to the boy she was cradling in her arms. “My pup…”

“Remains with his mother,” I said simply. “You’re not a prisoner. We knew before we found you that you’d shattered the camera to draw our attention to your plight. Our Alpha has already forgiven the slight, so don’t worry about it, okay? As for Saffron? He stays. No take-backs. No refunds. No rejection. Other males not wanting another’s child? Not in this pack.”

The look of pure shock and the small sliver of hope that crossed her features made me smile slightly. “So, before I go find a nurse to bring you food, can I ask what your name is?”

Her eyes snapped to mine again, the hope burning brighter. “You sound like you want to know me.”

“I do, but on your terms. Meaning, when you’re ready to talk, we’ll talk,” I advised, keeping a respectful difference from her for now.

She soothed her pup, gently tracing his features like someone enthralled by purity. “He’s all I have.”

“Not anymore,” I said as I watched her watching him. Careful not to startle her, I lifted Saffron out of her arms and smiled at the boy as he giggled up at me. “You’ve taken good care of him. He’s happy, and it shows. I’m going to change him really quick then I’ll give him back, okay? I won’t just disappear with your precious treasure.”

As if my words were a bolt of lightening, she jolted in the bed. For a heartbeat, nothing. Then, “He wanted to kill my baby. He said it was my fault, my problem, and that he needed to fix it.”

“Whoever he was, he was an i***t,” I replied as I opened the pamper to reveal what my nose already knew. Cleaning him gently, I tickled Saffron’s stomach, grinning as he giggled and kicked his tiny legs. When I was done, I brought him back to her. “Here you go, just like I promised.”

She clutched him close, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Why?”

“Why what? Take care of a child that’s not mine? Tend to the basic needs of a tiny, helpless infant? Keep my word?” I rhymed off.

“All of it,” she admitted softly.

“Because I can,” I stated with as soft a voice I could muster.