Jackson rubs his tired eyes with his free hand, feeling the exhaustion from last night's interrupted sleep. His mate clings to his other arm like a baby koala, her warmth seeping into his skin most delightfully. After her terrifying nightmare last night, he rushed to her room the moment he heard her distressed cries. She grabbed him so desperately that his heart ached, and she's refused to let go since then. He's not complaining; having her close is pure bliss, a slice of heaven he never wants to end. However, he needs to discuss these recurring dreams with Tyler and Ryker today, especially after yesterday's cryptic conversation that left him with more questions than answers. He's already mind-linked Max to include Ryker in their urgent meeting. While he knows he should get up and shower, he's incredibly reluctant to leave her side. She's curled against him, her arm wrapped tightly around his like he's her lifeline. Her breathing is becoming increasingly labored, and he worries another nightmare is beginning to plague her peaceful sleep.
Suddenly, a soft, sensual moan escapes her lips, and he freezes entirely. His mind races with unwanted possibilities—is she dreaming of another man? That Jared guy, perhaps? Even though he'd made sure he and Jennifer were safely confined to the pack house, could she still be thinking of him? The mere thought makes his wolf bristle with jealousy.
"Oh, Jackson," she moans softly, and his world shifts.
His heart soars to unprecedented heights—she's dreaming about him! Now thoroughly intrigued and admittedly quite pleased, he leans down and gently kisses her neck, inhaling her intoxicating scent. He can't wait for the day when she'll moan his name while awake, not just in her dreams. The thought alone sends shivers down his spine.
"Good morning," comes her sleepy voice, breaking through his thoughts. Her cheeks are flushed with a beautiful shade of pink, making her look absolutely adorable.
"Good morning, Angel," he whispers tenderly, kissing her forehead and savoring the moment.
"Sorry about last night," she murmurs, looking slightly embarrassed.
He thinks he never apologizes for needing me; that's precisely why I'm here. If I had my way, I'd share this bed with you every night, holding you close and keeping your nightmares at bay.
She's biting her lip now, gazing at him with desire-filled eyes that make his wolf howl with satisfaction. She probably doesn't realize how utterly irresistible she looks right now, all sleep-tousled and warm.
"We could talk about that," she says suggestively, rising and heading to the bathroom with deliberate grace, her hips swaying enticingly with each step.
Goddess, he's utterly smitten with this woman. She has no idea of her absolute power over him and how completely she owns his heart and soul.
After a refreshing shower, Jackson joins Zoe for breakfast. He struggles to maintain his focus on the day's agenda while her enchanting presence threatens to derail his thoughts completely.
Once breakfast concludes, he begins preparing for his crucial meetings. Prioritizing her safety above all else, he arranges for Jason and Dustin, two of his most trusted warriors, to accompany the girls on their shopping expedition. He extends his credit card to Zoe, who initially declines with characteristic modesty until her sister whispers something that changes her mind. The slight blush that colors her cheeks as she accepts makes him wonder about the persuasive exchange between the sisters.
He positions himself behind his commanding desk, organizing his thoughts while awaiting the others. A firm knock soon announces the arrival of Max, Tyler, and Ryker, their expressions radiating seriousness and alertness.
"Take your seats," he directs them, motioning toward the chairs before his desk.
"Let me be clear - everything discussed here remains within these walls. Anyone who speaks of this elsewhere will answer directly to me," he declares with unmistakable authority.
"Yes, Alpha," they respond in perfect unison, their voices heavy with loyalty.
"Max, your presence is required due to your exceptional tracking abilities, which we may need shortly," he explains, carefully observing his reaction.
Max's puzzled expression accompanies his acknowledging nod, ready to serve.
"Tyler and Ryker, I require some vital information," he states firmly, preparing to investigate the matters haunting his nights.
They exchange meaningful glances before nodding slowly, their faces etched with deep concern and unspoken worry.
"What was the name of Zoe's high school boyfriend?" he inquires, studying their reactions intently.
"Why do you need to know?" Ryker's voice is strained, underlaid with an emotion Jackson can't quite identify.
"What did he do to her?" Tyler demands, his protective instincts visibly flaring.
Jackson pauses, carefully weighing his words. "I can't reveal everything without betraying her confidence, but he inflicted deep wounds - committed something truly unforgivable. The mere thought ignites my blood with rage, and my wolf nearly seized control when it came up in conversation."
"Jeremiah Miller," Ryker answers grimly, his jaw clenching with barely contained anger.
"Human or werewolf?" Jackson asks, needing to understand exactly what they're facing.
Both brothers shake their heads uncertainly, the room's tension mounting palpably. Tyler's massive fists clench and unclench rhythmically, his eyes flickering dangerously between hazel and pitch black as he desperately struggles to contain his increasingly agitated wolf.
"Never trusted that worthless piece of trash," Tyler snarls venomously. "Always sensed something was wrong with him."
His piercing gaze locks on Max and Jackson intensely, burning with murderous intent. "Find him, and I swear I'll end him myself."
"You'll have to wait your turn," Jackson replies darkly, his wolf's howl for retribution echoing through his being.
Ryker maintains an unsettling silence, his troubled gaze fixed intently on the floor. The visible tension in his shoulders betrays that he's withholding crucial information.
"Why does she suffer such violent nightmares? She keeps crying in her sleep, 'No, Dad, please, you're hurting me,'" Jackson reveals, carefully observing their reactions.
Both brothers instantly snap to attention, exchanging weighted glances that speak volumes of shared trauma.
"Where is your father?" Jackson demands, dreading the inevitable answer.
"Rotting in prison, last we heard," Ryker responds bitterly, his hands visibly trembling.
"Was he abusive?" Jackson inquires, though their reactions have already confirmed his suspicions.
Tyler's caustic laugh fills the room like venom. "Evil incarnate describes him perfectly. Perpetually drunk, specializing in terrorizing women and young girls. Too cowardly to confront men his own size. But he received his just punishment after his final savage attack on Zoe."
Ryker's continuing heavy silence speaks volumes about the horrors they've witnessed.
"Ryker," Jackson prompts firmly, sensing there's more to this dark narrative.
He raises his eyes slowly, tears glistening in his haunted gaze. "I questioned her five times about that night, and she denied it consistently. Had I known the horrific truth then, I would have ended him myself."
"What?" Tyler and Jackson demand simultaneously, the room's tension reaching its peak.
His voice quakes violently as he continues, eyes locked on Tyler with devastating intensity. "The night Mother died, after you prevented Father from attacking Zoe, she escaped to Jeremy's party to flee the nightmare at home. Someone later informed me that he cornered her upstairs like trapped prey. When she finally descended hours later, she was sobbing uncontrollably, her clothing in tatters. That monster dared to claim everyone at the party…" his voice breaks with raw emotion, "took her innocence, saying she preferred it rough. The bastard didn't merely assault her - he violated her completely."
The room falls deathly silent as the horrifying revelation sinks in like lead. Jackson's wolf howls furiously for vengeance. He senses the others' wolves responding in kind, their collective rage charging the air with electric tension. One thing becomes crystal clear - Jeremiah Miller would pay dearly for what he'd done to Jackson's mate.
A savage roar erupted from Tyler's throat, the feral sound bouncing off the study walls with enough force to make the windows shudder ominously. Jackson's body convulsed violently, the shift threatening to consume him as waves of murderous fury surged through his system. Before Max could finish ordering everyone to clear the room, Jackson's transformation had already begun, wild and unstoppable. He glimpsed Ryker, wrestling a still-snarling Tyler toward the exit through his increasingly clouded vision. Max urgently called for Cole, his voice strained with desperation. Lost to blind rage, Jackson overturned his massive oak desk with supernatural strength, sending everything within reach flying across the room in a destructive frenzy. Cole's entrance was lost amid the chaos as Jackson completed his transformation. Max attempted to guide Jackson's enormous wolf form toward the door.
In his feral state, consumed by bloodlust and vengeance, Jackson hurled Max across the room with one powerful strike. Cole charged fearlessly, slamming into Jackson's side with crushing force and briefly throwing him off balance. Through their mental connection, Cole desperately orders him to master his wolf and get outside before someone suffers a serious injury.
Max's words finally penetrated Jackson's crimson haze of fury: "Zoe's returning home. You'll terrify her if she finds you like this."
Those words acted like ice water, sending Jackson's wolf bolting from the study as if hell itself pursued him. A quick-thinking guard swiftly opened the door. He raced toward the forest's sanctuary, paws thundering against the earth. He needed to run until this killing rage subsided until he could face Zoe without frightening her with the darkness consuming his soul. Halfway through his cathartic run, his mind cleared enough to contact Cole, directing him to bring Tyler and Ryker to the backyard for an urgent discussion.
At the forest's edge, Jackson shifted back to human form, gratefully pulling on the shorts Cole had thoughtfully left behind. As always, he understood his needs.
Approaching the table where Tyler and Ryker waited, tension crackled between them. Their fury was still simmering dangerously beneath the surface like molten lava ready to burst forth.
Wielding his alpha authority, Jackson addressed them both with unshakeable resolve. Pointing at Ryker, he declared that none of this was his fault. "Tyler, don't blame your brother. He would have acted immediately had he known the terrible truth. Zoe maintained her silence about everything to protect you both. With your father imprisoned and mother gone, she couldn't bear the thought of losing her brother, too. But make no mistake - I will hunt that monster down and end him myself for what he did to her."
"As for your father," Jackson snarled, his voice dropping to a lethal whisper, "he'll face the same brutal end should our paths ever cross."
"Get in line," Katelynn interjected sharply. Her purposeful strides carried her toward the group, and determination blazed in her eyes.
She confronted her brothers, jabbing an accusing finger at their chests. While she berated them about abandoning an essential meeting because Beth had frantically called about their potentially deadly altercation, both powerful men lowered their heads like chastised pups, expressing genuine remorse to their commanding sister.
When she turned to Jackson, her expression softened slightly. "Zoe's waiting in her room, anxious for answers. You've got quite a bit of explaining to do yourself." Jackson bowed his head in acknowledgment and headed inside to face the consequences, but not before delivering well-deserved smacks to Max and Cole's backs for their ill-timed amusement at his situation.