33. Charlie

33

Charlie

I’m doing everything I can to hide my nerves for this evening. My first formal event as the unofficial Luna of Solaris Village. Holy crow. Holly and I crashed into Emma’s large bedroom earlier so we could all prepare for dinner together. Emma is in better spirits today than earlier this week when I visited her. She hasn’t said much about what happened, but I know it’s terrible. I see the same dead look in her eyes that has been in mine for the last four years.

Jackson had gone over what would happen tonight after our bath last night. He explained how Emma would be honored and that this honor rarely happens in our culture, especially for a human. Every Alpha in the Greater Community would pledge their service to her and Hunter for their efforts to bring everyone home. Hunter had plans to propose to her, which is a sweet gesture for his human mate.

Taking in Emma now, she’s glowing, and that pregnancy glow looks good on her. She shifts on the bed, her face laced with compassion as she asks me, “How are you feeling?”Her eyes flit to Holly, who just walked into the bathroom. I follow her gaze, then drag my eyes back to my hands. Fidgeting with the loose skin along my nails, I think over every possible answer.

I know she’s asking about my brother and Ax, but this entire situation is surreal. Is it possible to heal and not talk about it? To accept the fates I’ve been handed? And not need to tell everyone about my trauma?

Or should I tell Emma the truth of what I’m feeling? I’m terrified that Ax will show up tonight. I’m scared of what Jackson will do. I don’t want him to get hurt. I know just by being here, I’ve started a war.A war that I don’t want my Pack to fight. My nail rips the loose skin off, and I bring the burning injury to my mouth to suck off the sting. I look up to her green eyes and say the only two words I can manage.

“I’m scared…” Her eyes soften, and she places her hand on mine, stopping my assault on the unsuspecting skin.

I’m scared for my mate.

I’m scared for my Pack.

I’m scared that everything I’ve built here will destroyed the way it was four years ago when Ax killed my brother.

My hands are clammy as I nervously smooth down my dress. The three of us are poised at the doors to the dining room, awaiting the butler’s announcement. This situation is reminiscent of the night of the Auction, a memory that sends shivers down my spine. The dress I’m wearing is a rich crimson. A gift from Holly, yet eerily similar to the one I wore that fateful night. It’s as if I’m being led to the slaughter once more.

My ears strain against the doors, picking up the murmur of the gathering crowd inside. My breath quickens with mounting anxiety. A single slip of my real name could shatter the facade I’ve built. My heart races in my chest.

‘Just breathe ,’ my wolf urges. A wave of comfort washes over me through our bond, a silent reassurance from Jackson. His simple act eases the tension in my chest.

I look at my two best friends, and Emma’s hands tremble as she holds them close to her body. I wonder if she feels the same need to bolt that I feel. Just as I go to offer her a comforting word or touch the doors open.The hum of people falls silent as Holly and I walk in.Every man in the room stands, and Jackson meets me halfway.

‘ You are a sight, Little Phoenix .’ His voice is confident and endearing as he guides me to my seat with the slightest touch on the small of my back. I take a moment to scan the faces and catch Hunter’s morphing between shock and surprise. The sight has me hiding a smile. He quickly covers it as he heads to take Emma’s hand.

‘Are you okay?’ Jackson asks.

I begin the slow assault on my cuticle under the table. I give him a nod. I’m not sure I can use words right now. His hand slides to my thigh and squeezes. Offering me his strength once more, he takes my hand and stops the anxious movement.

We all give Hunter our full attention and pay our respects to Emma for saving our pack. She really is an amazing human.The applause is loud, and the nausea rolls through my body from the overwhelming sounds as I squeeze Jackson’s hand. I’m holding it together by a thread.

My breathing grows shallower as I hold Jackson’s hand with both of mine. He’s the only thing tethering me to this place. I’m trying toquell the rolling nausea, and just as I start to feel the pit in my stomach release, the back door bursts open. The scent hits me first. I stand so quickly that it sends my chair to the floor. The need to run is overwhelming as Ax fills the doorway.

His voice echoes off the now silent walls. The windows seem to funnel his words straight at us like weapons. “Jackson White, I believe you have something of mine.” Jackson presses to stand slowly, his body rigid and in complete control. Effortlessly, he maneuvers me behind him protectively. I take two steps back, putting more space between me and the man who singlehandedly ruined my life.

Pulsing anger rolls through my body, a small ripple growing stronger with each moment. The emotions flooding my system have my wolf pulling forward, and a growl rumbles through me.

‘Charlie.’ Jackson’s warning fills my head.

Four more men fill the dining room; Ax is at the center of his entourage. Each man stands at least six foot three or bigger with broad shoulders and menacing looks pinching their face. Then there’s Ax, a wicked glint in his eyes, one that haunts me.

He approaches indolently, and I take in the difference in his appearance. His ashy brown hair is tied back with loose wisps that have escaped the tie. His dark eyes are accentuated with even darker circles, making his face look more decrepit.I follow the lines to his mouth, where his yellow teeth peek out of the sneer he wears as he takes in my mate.

My stomach rolls at his scent. The cinnamon smell is more pungent than before, laced with a putrid smell like a decaying animal. I take two more steps back. Wyatt and Reacher flank me on both sides. I’m glad they’re my pack because the dominant energy coming off them is heavy.

Jackson breaks the silence that’s filled the large dining hall. “Ax, come to my office; let’s chat like adults.” I feel the thrum of anxiety pulsing through our bond.

Ax tilts his head slightly as he looks past Jackson to me. I feel his stare crushing me like a lead weight. “Only if Rose joins us. I have a gift for my bride.” He drawls out the last word.

Within a blink, Jackson has Ax by the throat across the room pinned to the wall. His claws are extended and held at Ax’s throat. My voice is broken as I try to call him; instead, my feet carry me towards my mate at a full sprint before strong arms wrap around my waist, hauling me back. I know it’s Reacher, and I don’t even wonder if I’m in danger. I try to elbow him and get back to Jackson, but he blocks it easily.

“Calm down,” he whispers, “Jackson needs to handle this.”

“It’s my fight,” I seethe as I wiggle in his grip again, watching the two men talk in angry whispers.

Then Jackson lets Ax slide slowly down the wall. The angry mob surrounds him, and my breath catches because Jackson doesn’t see the other four men stalking closer to his back.

“Jackson, “I scream at him, trying to alert him to the danger. His eyes flash towards me.

His Alpha bark reverberates through everyone in the room, “Reacher, Wyatt, Killian, my office, Charlie—you come to.” His tone almost sounds defeated as he walks to me. His arms pull me close to his body, his eyes search Reacher’s face, and he pulls me quickly from the room.

‘What’s going on?’ I ask through the bond.

Jackson escorts me to the wall closest to his office, his eyes pleading with me. ‘There is something I’ve been meaning to tell you for weeks. Just never seemed right. Now, though, I’m afraid I won’t have a choice but to come clean to you and my siblings.’

His words are quick, and I’m having trouble following what he’s saying.

“Fuck,” he whispers out loud as he opens his office door and pulls me inside to the farthest corner of the room.‘ Charlie, I have two choices: save you or save them, and I’m choosing you every time. So, no matter what happens, you need to go to the safe room if anything gets physical. I installed a lock inside with a code that only Reacher and I know. Once it’s locked, no one can get inside. We will come for you once it’s safe. Understand?’

My head shakes, ‘ No, I don’t understand any of this.’

“Jackson, I—” my words are cut off as he pulls my body behind his when Ax and his entourage push into the office. They spread out quickly, blocking the only exit.

The room is heavy with all the dominant males. I didn’t realize everyone had followed us so closely. Hunter and Will are on the right side of the desk near the window. Reacher, Killian, and Wyatt stand near me on the left.

The putrid smell that wafts off Ax has me pulling my hand to my mouth. His eyes latch on the movement. “Rose, you’ve become quite the woman. Red has always suited you.” My stomach is not that strong, and the reflex to throw up shudders through me. He continues, “I never regretted my purchase, and unless Jackson has something better to buy you with, I’m afraid you’re mine still, Bride. ”

Jackson shifts forward a step, “She’s mated. She’s mine. There is nothing that can be traded for her. She is not property and will not be owned.” Jackson’s hands clench, and claws extend, but he stays calm outside.

The words ‘ Protect her. Claim her. Free Her.’ Echoes through our bond, and I know his wolf is close.

Ax sneers, “Fine. I challenge you to a duel to the death. Victor keeps the girl.”

Ax’s words have me shooting forward, screaming, “No. No! I’ll do anything, but I can’t lose him too.” The words get caught in my throat, and the emotions overwhelm my system as Jackson catches me around the waist and pulls me tight to his body. “Please, I’ll go with you. Just don’t… don’t do this.”

Ax laughs, and Jackson pulls me back to his chest.

‘Mate,’ he growls.

I turn in his arms and allow this one last touch as my hand drags up his scruffy dark beard. ‘ No, I told you once I was afraid of my love for you because I knew it would ruin me. Jackson, this is me letting it. Please, I can’t lose you, too,’ tears line my lashes .

Ax gestures for Jackson to let me go, and I attempt to pull myself from his arms, but his grip tightens.

“Please let me go,” I plead. Searching his face one last time and trying to memorize every perfect part of it. I catalog the love he has for me as his head shakes slowly. My eyes clouded with tears. I blink away at the reality of what I’m doing and what I’m offering this evil man in place of saving Jackson .

‘Never.’ Is his response. His wolf pressing in on mine. ‘ Never, little wolf.’ Tears stain my cheeks because this is my death, our death. My hand drags down to my stomach, and Ax’s eyes catch it.

“Oh,” the surprise in Ax’s voice is laced with sarcastic joy, “You’re already with child; that’ll save me time. Your father did say you would provide me an heir.” He sneers, his hand outstretched towards me as I choke on a sob. This monster can never have my baby. He gestures for me to come to him again, his hands wrinkled and speckled with dark marks. I fold my body into Jackson’s arms, taking in my mate’s scent one last time.

“Don’t be like that, love. Come here; maybe Jackson can be like his father and buy the child back after it’s born if it’s unfit to lead my Pack.” His voice is cold and void of any emotion. Jackson’s deep growl rocks through the room.