16. Strategies and Schemes

MARIGOLD

C ashel meets us at the edge of his territory. His mouth is a grim line, but he doesn’t hesitate to help us.

“I’m sorry to be coming to you like this,” Hazel says, head high despite the child in her arms and the exhaustion weighing her down. “Until we can regather our forces to take back our home, we don’t have many other choices.”

“We have the resources and the space. Isn’t this what allies are for?” Cashel reaches out to grip her shoulders. “They will regret every second they dared to spend in your territory.”

Jasper’s hand tightens over mine. Under his sweats and t-shirt, bruises cover his hip and ribs, causing him to limp. He’s wiped his face the best he can, but blood spots his clothes and hair - and mine too.

The Valley Pack opens up a handful of cabins for us while their team puts together a second dinner that we share in a large meeting space. Like the Raven Pack, they have one central pack house, but with more individual cabins surrounding it.

Jasper eats with one hand, his other hand gripping my thigh possessively. Hazel eats across from us until our team from the Raven Pack returns. As the door opens to reveal more of our packmates, she launches herself across the room into Slate’s arms with a cry.

Heath limps in, his arm over Cedar’s shoulders. Fisher follows, his mouth a grim line. They should be returning home victorious, but Granite Ridge swept that out from under us.

Jasper leans over and kisses my cheek before rising to follow Heath, Slate, and Hazel. Suddenly alone, I curl my arms around my knees.

A shadow blocks out the overhead light for a moment before my father sits beside me.

“You’re okay!” I squeak, squeezing my arms around his shoulders. Tears prick in my eyes for the millionth time in the last few hours. “What happened up there?”

The gray streaks glint in his reddish hair as he shakes his head. “They surrounded the pack buildings and Nyx was so sure that all the security doors would hold. But in less than an hour, they broke windows and simply unlocked the doors from the inside. ”

“They weren’t reinforced?”

“Most of them were.”

“How could she be this stupid?”

Sighing, my dad picks up his bowl. “She’s stayed so far away from everyone else, I don’t think she had any idea what they were capable of. Maybe she believed they would never actually attack.” He takes a bite of his dinner and I make no attempt to fill the gap in our conversation.

“How’d it go back home? I didn’t get much information,” he finally says. The tremor in his voice tells me how deeply he feels this, even if his words are casual.

Rubbing my hands over my face, I slowly exhale. “Within minutes of everyone’s departure, Granite Ridge arrived. They were everywhere. I gathered the kids I was watching into your cabin. So it’s a bit damaged, I’m sorry.”

He cocks his head. “What do you mean a bit damaged?”

“I may have stabbed someone in the living room.” His mouth twitches, prompting a grin to spread across my own face. “Three guys came in, so I stabbed one, and then Jasper took the other two out.”

“Jasper,” he says, more contemplative than questioning. “I saw him in Raven. He went back?”

Swallowing, I nod. “He’s the reason most of us made it out. He realized Granite Ridge wasn’t with Ironcrest in the attack and guessed what they were doing. He reached me just in time, and Hazel rescued a few others.”

“Who was left behind?” His voice drops .

“I don’t know for sure. I think Hazel was trying to account for everyone. They captured Hawthorne, and a few others. Crickett and the two girls are locked away, I think. Not sure who is with them. But they won’t last long down there.”

“We will get them back,” he growls. I nod. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”

My head rests on his shoulder. “You too, Dad.”

JASPER

“This is my fault. They wouldn’t have come after us otherwise,” I say, hanging my head.

Hazel’s eyes blaze. “Absolutely not. If anything, it was revenge for what I did.”

A low chuckle emits from Heath’s reclined form. Marigold’s grandmother Sable has cut away the pants below his knee and is wiping down the gash across his shin. “Unfortunately, this grudge extends far past your recent offenses.”

“Worth burning buildings?” Hazel asks, her mouth downturned.

Heath nods. “As a child, Sienna thought she deserved to be the Alpha someday, but she was rejected over and over. She’s wanted revenge since before you were born.”

“The Granite Ridge Pack has always been in conflict with us, although it used to be friendlier. More rivals than enemies. But when Sienna went to Ferris, it got worse. And it’s been twenty years of that festering. ”

Too many eyes watch me. Gritting my teeth, I slowly nod. “She’s always been unpredictable and vengeful. I’m not sure why I ever thought this day wasn’t coming. But you’re right, when it comes down to it, I don’t think this has to do with me or Hazel. It’s always been her obsession.”

“You more than most know what she’s capable of,” Sable says without looking at Hazel. Slate responds with a growl. It’s a testament to Heath’s poor condition that he does nothing to curb Slate.

“So what happened after we left?” I ask.

“We shot Zephyr to take him out for the day, and left him tied up in Nyx’s care. A group of Ironcrest wolves retreated, but Nyx has plenty of prisoners to deal with. We got your call right around the time we were finishing off the stragglers that didn’t retreat when they had the chance,” Slate says, anger curling around every sound.

“Well, we were able to pull most of the pack out. From what I can gather, most of our elders are still there, along with Hawthorne’s entire family, and Starling is with her grandmother. The rest of the kids aside from those three are all here safe.”

“Glad to hear it,” Heath says.

“My biggest concern is Hawthorne. And we don’t know about Linden either, but we know for sure that Hawthorne took the brunt of their attack.”

The room is solemn. Heath grips his chair arms with white knuckles, and it's impossible to tell if it’s over his Gamma or the pain of the wound Sable is treating .

“So what are we going to do?” Slate asks.

“Get our home back,” Hazel answers viciously, reaching over and threading her fingers through his. My lungs tighten. I don’t want to be here in a meeting, I want to be with Marigold. But this is for her.

“Jasper, what do you think they’ll do now? How will they fortify their position?” Fisher asks.

My teeth roll over my bottom lip as I try to force my thoughts in order. “They’ll centralize. Hostages, leadership, resources, everything.”

“What about defenses?” Heath wonders.

“Maybe cameras, but I think it’s too early for them to have hacked into any of our tech so they’re probably relying on patrols. And they like bigger patrol groups, so it’s easier to hear them coming.”

“We need a way to get inside and get our people out before it turns into an all-out fight and they can be used against us,” Hazel says.

“Focusing our assault on wherever the hostages are held,” Fisher begins. Slate holds up a hand, silencing him.

“The easiest way would be through the front door.” Slate’s voice drops, the determination bright in his mossy eyes. Something about his tone pushes away my conflicted thoughts. He’s right.

And with that, we begin to brainstorm a plan to reclaim our home.

The cabin given to us is a two bedroom. Slate and Hazel take the other bedroom. When I stumble into the building after my brother and his mate, I find Marigold in the bathroom. She stands before the sink and scrubs her hands.

Closing the door behind me, I approach her cautiously. Her eyes are red but dry as if she’s run out of tears.

“I have blood on me,” she whispers. I see droplets drying to brown across her shirt and joggers. The skin on her hands is raw as she continues to scrub. I remember the enemy with my dagger sticking out of his back. It’s the first time she had to kill someone.

“Hey, it’s okay,” I say. Leaning past her to the shower, I crank the handle over to red. “Nothing a hot shower can’t fix.”

Sniffling, she nods and allows me to pull her shirt over her head. “Thank you,” she says. Her hands go to the hem of my shirt, and she gently peels it off me. My hands go to her waist, pulling her closer.

“You were amazing today,” I praise her, “You saved them.” It’s true. Her students would likely be dead now without her bravery and quick thinking.

Her hands skim up my chest and stop at my neck as her thumbs stroke along my jaw.

“You took down two guys,” she murmurs. “You threw that dagger right into that wolf before he could hurt me.”

“I would do it again in a heartbeat to protect you.”

Her alluring lips don’t answer, instead, she presses a kiss to my mouth. There’s more discussion to be had, but I won’t rush her.

Hooking my thumbs into her waistband, I ease her pants down and then turn her toward the shower. Her grip on me tightens, pulling me with her. “You want company?” I ask, smiling wryly. She answers by tugging my hand under the water spray. “Anything for you.”

Shedding my pants, I step into the tub and allow the shower spray to coat me. The tempered glass door slides closed with a dull thud. Water streaks down her stomach as she faces the stream and allows it to strike her face and front. My fingers work through her hair, untangling the remnants of her braid and massaging her scalp.

Finding some soap, I run my palms down her arms and then across her chest. She melts into me. The last of the soap rinses away and I’m drawing leisurely circles across the skin on her ribs.

“See? All better.” I murmur into her neck. At the sound of my voice, she twists in my arms and resumes kissing me, this time fiercer and wilder. Her nails prick the skin on my back as she pulls me flush against her. Water drips from her closed eyelashes, hiding any tears she might shed.

She nips along my jaw, eliciting a shudder and causing my hands to clench in her hair. “Take me to bed.” Blinking at me, she amends, “I need you to hold me and know we’re okay.”

“Alright, Sunshine.”

We borrow towels and wrap ourselves up before creeping across the hall to our designated bedroom. Leaving her hair damp, she climbs under the blankets completely bare. Her wide blue-green eyes watch me, wide and vulnerable .

“So are we okay?” I ask cautiously, crawling across the bedspread toward her. Her tongue swipes her bottom lip and I’m tempted to forgo my questions so I can kiss her senseless. But we need to discuss us. I’m not going back into battle without knowing she’s mine.

“Yes, I think so,” she says.

Drawn to her warmth, I hover over her and nuzzle against her neck. She arches and presents her throat to me. I can’t help the groan that rumbles from my chest. The wolf part of me loves when she’s submissive.

“I’m sorry for going behind your back. I couldn’t stand the thought of you being directly in the path of our enemies,” I say before licking the skin in the hollow under her throat. She rewards me with a soft sigh.

“I should have talked with you first. I should have listened to you,” she says, her hands sliding over my shoulders and pulling me down.

Breathing in her scent, I gather my courage. “So about what I said in your family’s cabin?”

Her breathing halts and her eyes trail over my face while she gathers her thoughts.

“I’m sorry, you don’t need to say anything.” I murmur, “I just wanted you to know I’m ready to commit, whenever you are. And it’s okay if you need time. Months or even years. I’m not going anywhere,” I trail off.

“I want to,” Marigold says. “There’s no point in denying what we are.” Her hand skims down my side. “This is forever. ”

Her words blaze across my skin, leaving a trail of heat and need. She wants me in that all-consuming and permanent way. The need to possess and mark surges in my chest.

“You are my mate.” Her lips form the words that I’m desperate to hear. Everything I’ve wanted. My vision blurs for a moment and I have to suck in air to steady myself.

MARIGOLD

Jasper’s eyes glow so brightly, I suspect they’ll leave spots on my retina. His aqua eyes are incredible at all times, but when he’s angry or aroused, they’re spellbinding.

“Little mate, I want to make you mine,” he says, that velvety voice deep and raw. My stomach swoops.

“Good. Make me yours.” I nip his bottom lip, smiling back at him as his eyes widen. His surprised expression melts away to the cocky smirk I love so much.

He exhales, eyes narrowing. His lips skim over my skin again. “I want to claim you so badly. Are you ready for that?”

“Yes, mark me,” I urge boldly.

His growl rolls into a groan. “I don’t want to rush this because we’re in this situation with tomorrow being dangerous.”

“I don’t care the situation, I want you,” I argue, suddenly impatient.

“Are you sure?” he asks .

“Yes, please, baby,” I beg, knowing how much he loves it. To emphasize my point, I hook my legs around his.

“I love you,” he says, kissing me before I can answer. When he breaks away, I echo him. Reaching up, I thread my fingers through his damp hair.

His eyes are so dark, the aqua is a glowing rim. Hesitating, he bites that full bottom lip. “This might be uncomfortable for you.”

“Worth it,” I say, trying to reassure him even though I’m quite sure it’ll be worse if we don't, considering the throbbing between my legs has me on the verge of humping him.

Keeping his gaze locked on mine, he slides his hand between us, teasing across my entrance and dipping one finger inside of me. My eyes flutter closed at his touch. Grazing upwards, he circles my clit, and my back arches against my will.

My nails dig into his side. “Jasper,” I whimper. When I open my eyes, his focus is still on my face. “Next time I come, I want it to be on your cock.”

He stiffens, the muscles along his back tensing under my hands. “You’re making it hard to stay calm and be gentle,” he says, his voice hoarse.

The joke is so easy, I can’t resist. “Yeah, I make it real hard,” I say with a grin. Snorting, his forehead falls to my chest.

“I can take it. I’m not made of glass.”

“No, you’re much more precious,” he says, pressing a soft kiss to my sternum .

I’m out of patience. My heels dig into his ass as I whisper in his ear, “Then you better fuck me or I’m going to burst into flames.”

His smile is wicked and my blood sings at the glint in his eyes. “If that’s what my mate wants.” Carefully, he lines himself up and nudges my entrance.

As he pushes in, my eyes squeeze shut. The stretch is blissful despite the discomfort, but as he reaches a certain spot, moderate pain jolts me. Gasping, I cling to him.

“Breathe, Sunshine,” his soft voice commands. “Breathe.” I obey. After a couple of breaths, my muscles relax.

“Doing okay?” he asks.

“Fucking fantastic,” I reply, my words choppy.

He brushes his lips across mine and then begins to move.

“Oh,” I blurt. “Oh!”

A growl rumbles from his chest. “You feel incredible.”

I could say the same, but words won’t form in my brain. Instead, I reach one arm above me and push against the headboard to hold my body steady.

“I love you,” I murmur, saying it over again.

His smile is genuine. “I love you too.” He slows and I let out a low whine in protest. “Patience,” he whispers. Sliding a hand under my knee, he adjusts our angle. A little gasp escapes my mouth as he rolls his hips, the angle deeper.

My core clenches around him as I twist under him, trying desperately not to scream. But the feeling of his slow movements inside of me while I shatter is overpowering. He bends over me, stifling my cry with his mouth and tongue.

My pleasure comes in waves, flooding every cell in my body as he begins to move again. These aren’t the smooth thrusts we started with, they’re urgent. He drives into me and then he’s slowing and pushing in harder. I watch his look of concentration as his composure splinters.

His breath is hot on my neck, and my instincts vibrate with the desire to bite and be bitten. He licks down my neck to the juncture of my shoulder. I want to beg, but I stay silent, knowing the instinct must be riding him hard as well. Sharp teeth press against my skin and I can’t breathe. The cut into my skin is exquisite.

He moves back, his mouth slightly open and my blood on his lips. I push up, reaching for him, and he tips his head to offer himself to me. Reverently, I kiss and then bite into the muscle.

The tang of his blood barely registers as a swell of emotion washes over me. Warm affection, passion, the desire to protect, admiration. Everything he’s feeling echoes in me, and for a moment I can’t distinguish my emotions from his.

The bond between us settles and I return to myself. He is like a glowing presence and I suspect I will be able to sense when he walks into a room without needing sight nor scent.

“That’s kind of a lot,” I murmur. Jasper’s answer is pressing his lips to mine, traces of our blood mixing as he presses me back down into the pillow .

The stroke of his tongue is now paired with a wave of his enjoyment alongside my own. I know he feels the same.

Finally he breaks away. “You’ve ruined me,” he rasps.

“Good thing we can do that whenever we like,” I purr into his ear. His answering growl makes my toes curl, as he withdraws and reaches for one of our discarded towels.

A blush heats my cheeks as he cleans me up. And somehow that leads to him touching me again until I’m whimpering his name into the pillow.