Fighting For A Goddess

I'm All Yours

“Are you sure that’s what you heard, Max?” Xander asked as he ran his hands down his face in frustration. The situation with Jade was so much worse than he could’ve imagined. He was planning on asking her to stay at the packhouse with Aidan, but now she didn’t have a choice. It wasn’t safe for her to be anywhere else. He also needed to figure out a way to tell her about werewolves without scaring her off. If demons were really after her, he couldn’t just leave her in the dark.

“Yes. He knew Jade’s name. Claimed this Abaddon, or king, as he referred to him, wants Jade. He threatened that he’d send an army for her,” Max repeated, leaning forward in his chair. They were in Xander’s study.

Xander’s brows furrowed together, “Okay. I’ll reach out to the Elders. We also need to call an emergency Alpha council. If demons are back and plotting something, then we all need to be on high alert,” he decided.

“We also need to find someone that can help us understand why Jade is being targeted. Perhaps a witch?” Eric said thoughtfully as he ran his thumb back and forth under his lower lip.

“You want to take Jade to a witch?” Max asked, not hiding his disgust with the suggestion.

“Well, there’s got to be a reason the demons are after her. We need to do our research on this Abaddon guy, but there’s obviously more to Jade than just being ridiculously pretty,” Eric responded.

Max glared at Eric, “Or we go back to her house and drag her demon dad into the basement and get answers the fun way.” Max smiled darkly.

“Max is right,” Xander admitted. “We should start by trying to get answers from Jade’s father. But, finding a witch isn’t a bad idea either. I would like the protection spells on the house checked, it’s been centuries since they were cast.” Xander said as he looked around the room. Werewolves weren’t capable of sensing magic. Only those who practiced magic could see or feel it.

“I’ll go scrap that piece of s**t off the floor of Jade’s house and lock him up in the cells. We’ll have some fun with him tomorrow,” Max said, sounding a little too excited.

“Tomorrow I’ll start searching for a witch we can trust,” Eric announced as he stood up. “It’s late, I’m going to get some sleep.”

Xander nodded in agreement but stayed seated in his chair. Max eyed him as he followed Eric out.

……..

Jade opened her eyes and looked around the unfamiliar room. The events of last night came flooding back to her. She realized she must be in one of Xander’s friends' rooms. It wasn’t as extravagant as Xander’s room, but it felt a lot homier. She looked down at Aidan who was still softly snoring. They were in a large bed, with soft, white bedding. There was a couch along the wall, and stacks of books all around the bed and the couch. Jade smiled as she saw several of her favorite books among the stacks. This room also had a fireplace and a TV, and a few doors that she assumed were the closet and bathroom.

She carefully got out of bed and walked to the door that was the closest to her. It was a large bathroom with a clawfoot tub and a walk-in shower. She glanced around, noticing that there were only male products scattered around the room. She went to the bathroom and walked to the double sinks to wash her hands. She looked up in the mirror and cringed when she saw her neck. It looked like she was wearing a purple and blue turtleneck.

She washed her face with cold water and walked out of the bathroom. Aidan was still asleep. She checked the clock on the bedside table. It was just after 8 am. She never slept this late, but last night was the best sleep she’d had in months despite the pain in her throat and neck. She was relieved and somewhat surprised that the pain wasn't worse. Last night, it felt like lava had been poured down her throat.

She stepped out of the bathroom and made her way over to the window. She was several stories up and could see all the way to the treeline of the forest from here. There was a soft mist covering the grass, giving the outside world an ominous look. She looked down at her arms and legs. They were covered in bruises. She sighed, wishing she had something to wear that wasn’t her pajama shorts and camisole. She didn’t want Aidan or anyone else to see her body like this.

Her father had never hurt Aidan like that before. She felt sick as she thought about him pulling Aidan out of bed and using him to get to her. Maybe she could move up her plan to leave. She didn’t know if they could survive a few more days.

She heard a soft knock at the door and opened it to see Max standing there. His dark eyes lit up when she opened the door, but the sparkle in them faded when his eyes traveled to her neck.

"Good morning. Can I come in?" He asked.

Jade nodded and moved out of the way. Max closed the door behind him before reaching out and brushing his fingertips across her neck. Goosebumps broke out on her skin everywhere Max touched. She normally didn't like being touched, especially by someone she just met last night, but when this man touched her it felt comforting... like she'd known him for years.

Max's hand traveled up to her chin. He gently tilted her head up to make her look at him. Her striking green eyes danced with confusion.

"Jade, I know you just met me... and with everything you've just been through, I don't want to overwhelm you. But, can I ask you for something?"

Jade's brows furrowed together, but she nodded yes slightly.

"Can you let me take care of you? Let me take care of you and Aidan.”

Jade just stared at him. She couldn't believe that this god of a man was even asking her this question. After a moment, she stepped back and Max's hand dropped from her chin. A look of disappointment crossed his features.

“Max…” Jade looked down at his feet as she spoke, her voice still a scratchy whisper. “I’m leaving in a few days, I’m taking Aidan and I’m moving as far away as I can get.”

“You can’t leave Jade,” Max said softly.

“I have to leave. I have to keep Aidan safe... and we both need to get away from that house. So, please don’t do this.”

“Don’t do what, Jade?” Max said confused.

“Don’t make me fall for you,” she exhaled softly. She felt heat in her cheeks as she blushed at her own words. Max’s face broke into an irresistible smile.

“Is that what I’m doing?” he said playfully, his gaze dropping down to her lips.

“Yes,” she sighed, unconsciously biting her lower lip. Max’s eyes darkened.

He stepped forward and whispered in Jade’s ear, “Fall for me, Jade…I’m all yours.”

She felt butterflies in her stomach as he moved closer, “You and Aidan are safe now. Just give me a chance to show you that I can take care of you and make you both happy. Give me a chance with you," Max searched Jade’s beautiful green eyes.

This was crazy, she just met this guy last night, why was she so tempted to say yes? She wanted to do more than just say yes to him... she wanted to crash her lips on his and run her fingers through his hair. What was wrong with her? She just met this man but when she looked at him... she felt like she was home... in a way that her actual home had never made her feel.

"Just promise me you'll think about it?" Max asked as he gazed at her with his steely gray eyes.

"Okay," she said in a raspy whisper.

I’m going to go shower, feel free to join me,” he said as he winked at her. Her eyes widened to saucers making Max softly chuckle. He walked into the bathroom and shut the door. Jade sat there staring at the door, trying to slow her heart rate down.