Knocking on my door has me glaring at the wooden barrier in annoyance. I had just finished my shower ten minutes ago, learning that my whole body has been surviving on nothing but adrenaline for the last few weeks. Crumbling into the soft bed had been the best decision I made and the ten minutes of silence was bliss – that is until the person on the other side decided to knock and continued to knock when I try to ignore them in hopes the person visiting me would go away. Unfortunately for me, it seems my unwanted house guest is just as stubborn as I am and refuse to leave. With a sigh, I make my way to my door and open it to find Jett standing on the other side, a brown paper bag that carries the scent of burgers cradled in the crook of his left arm.
“Heard through the grapevine that you returned to Crescent Phoenix and thought you would be hungry.” He says before I can greet him. I want to tell him that I am fine, but my stomach decides to growl loudly, clearly proving to Jett that I am starving and in need of food. Moving to the side in silent defeat, I motion for Jett to come in before closing the door.
“So what did you bring?” I ask as I join the man at the small table, Jett quickly taking out a pile of burgers wrapped in foil out and placing them between us.
“Deer meat burgers with everything I can think of on them. Yes, this includes bacon.” He answers with a wink. Grinning, I take one of the still hot burgers and unwrap the foil before digging in. It tastes delicious and I soon I find myself on my third burger while Jett works on his second.
“I saw Brynlee at Gale’s and Asteria’s for a moment. She looks pretty tired and is on bed rest so I told Gale I will fill in as Beta to help him out for now.” Jett breaks the silence and the hand with the half eaten burger pauses just inches from my mouth. I slowly lower my hand onto the table and sigh in frustration. Thankfully Jett doesn’t push for answers, allowing a comfortable silence to pass between us as he reaches for his third burger.
“Viren… he forced her heat and I had to help her through it. The bond healed a bit but I can still feel her reluctance.” I break the silence and look up to find Jett watching me with a thoughtful expression as he chews on the food in his mouth. He takes a moment to swallow before clearing his throat.
“Brynlee is going to be weary around you now more than ever. You hurt her and because of that, she was ready to be rid of you for good.” What he says is the truth but it is hard to accept.
“With you seeing and helping her in such a vulnerable state, she is going to fight the bond even more now because she doesn’t want to be hurt a second time –”
“I know that but I also want her back, need her back.” I cut him off, getting a sigh from Jett.
“Then take your time with her. She has to learn to trust you again and forcing things isn’t going to help you. Take it from someone who lost his Mate because of a mistake.” I hear his voice crack for a moment and send him an apologetic look. I knew he and my mother were Goddess given Mates. Knew that they should have been together but something happened.
“Will you tell me about her and how she died now?” I ask, ready to hear more about my mother.
“Not yet. I will after the pack dinner tomorrow when Asteria and the other’s return home.” Jett answers with a sad smile, reaching over and patting me on the shoulder.
“Like I said Rune, be patient.” He sighs out.
“You are in the same pack as Brynlee again and it is just a matter of time until she warms up to you once more. You got this, even if Quincy also has his eyes on her and will do his best to be with her too.” His words make me growl slightly in annoyance. Quincy is going to be a thorn in my side but outside of training and sparing, there is nothing I can do to him. I may be of Alpha decent, was even Heir to a pack, but he is the Head Warrior in Crescent Phoenix. He out ranks me and I have to respect hierarchy in this pack.
“So how long will Brynlee be off duties?” I ask, changing the subject and curious to hear about how she is doing now that she is home safe.
“A week minimum. She has tests to do next week to make sure she is healed but knowing her, she will be back to her duties in seven days no matter what the results are.” Jett laughs out, making me smile as well. The quality of life within the pack means a lot to her. She tried fighting for better conditions in Pine Moon and had Jett help her back then. It worked for a bit, but after she left, everything changed because of Tanya and Valor. I was so blind to them. So worried about my pack’s safety from the threat of Jonnah that I ignore the threat within.
“Do you think she would let me help her?” I wonder, Jett shrugging as he takes another burger from the pile.
“No clue, Rune. All you can do is ask her.” Jett admits and I nod in understanding. I can’t force my way into Brynlee’s good graces. I need to ask for her permission to help, ask for tasks that I can complete and show that I am sincere towards her and her pack.
I thought if I showed up and went all in she would see how sincere I am about doing right by her and admitting how wrong and stupid I was, but talking to Jett made me realize that I almost made another mistake. Brynlee is the type to love hard but hate harder. If she was betrayed by someone, she would never trust them again – and I just so happen to have committed the biggest betrayal to her. If I want Brynlee, then I have to go slow.
“I have some good news for you.” Piquing my curiosity, I continue eating my half finished burger as Jett explains that the council wants to speak to me about all the evidence I have against Valor and Jonnah. Right now, all of Jonnah’s assets have been frozen by the Werewolf Council while they investigate claims created by smaller packs. It seems Pine Moon wasn’t the only pack that was blackmailed by the man.
“What about Pine Moon?” I ask, worried that Valor and Tanya will come after Brynlee and me considering the information Asteria and Tristan found on Viren’s laptop.
“Right now, nothing. But Asteria called and told me what she found. I think the goal was for Viren to mate with Brynlee so that you would forget about her, but clearly Valor and Tanya did not expect us to find out about their affair. Asteria did send the information to the Council and I expect there to be an investigation on Valor soon enough.” Happy to hear that Valor will be facing the Council soon, I dig in to the rest of the burgers.
I once again change the subject to ask Jett what I had missed in the last few days while I was off rescuing Brynlee. He explains that he has been helping with training the pups in the pack since Brynlee’s kidnapping. It turns out that Brynlee usually ran the training and with her missing, Aunt Asteria needed someone she could trust with the pups while we worked on searching and rescuing her.
I ask if he would like me to take over but he brushed off my question, stating that I am needed as a Warrior to help protect Crescent Phoenix’s borders. I agree that becoming a Warrior will be the best rout but grumbled about being under Quincy’s command. Jett just tells me to treat it like a test of fate and to not cause a fight outside the sparing ring as this is an opportunity to get to know the members of the pack and prove to Brynlee that I have changed.
Long after the burgers are done, I continue asking Jett about the dynamics of Crescent Phoenix seeing as he stayed behind when I went on my mission to save Brynlee and I learn a lot about the pack from the training schedule to the hunting and patrol schedules. It is more than what Quincy told me on our drive back, our conversation being something to fill the silence while Brynlee slept.
Jett then tells me that I will be placed under a wolf of Crescent Phoenix to shadow for a week before being initiated into the pack. It is part of my training and gives me a chance to learn everything I need. From there, I will either be given a house of my own if I want one or be able to stay in the dorms. I know for a fact the one place I want to be is with Brynlee but that will be impossible for now. Instead, I state that until she forgives me, I will stay in the dorms, to which Jett agrees is a good idea.
With my mind cleared and stomach full, Jett wishes me good night, stating he was on the fourth floor in room four-twenty. I chuckle at the number, getting an eye roll from Jett as he says good bye. Because of our talk, Jett helped me come up with a plan to win Brynlee over and as I shut the lights off in my room, readying myself to go to bed, I find myself thinking that I haven’t been this happy in such a long time.