Page 90 of Healer’s Betrayal

I shake my head and feel a smile coming on. “I’ll do it.”

I start towards the door, but he snags my hand. “I’ve got it.” Before he walks to the door, I watch as he stops next to Noah. “Hey, Bud, you good?” Noah nods at him. “Can you do me a favor? Can you put in headphones for a little bit?” Noah looks to me, and I give him a reassuring nod. He pulls out his headphones and puts them on, and Jackson rubs the top of his head. “Thanks.” Then he stands to his feet, glances at me once more, and then walks over to the door. He opens the door and stands in front of it, so I can’t see what’s going on. I’m not about to have that, so I walk over and put my hand on his back. When he doesn’t move, I pinch his side. He turns so his eyes meet mine, and I expect to see frustration. What I don’t expect to see is the look of heat he sends my way. You want to play, Beautiful? We can play...just as soon as they leave. He doesn’t look away when he says the words, and I feel my face heat. I can’t even say anything back; it’s like my brain shuts down. He smirks and then turns back to the door. Done with this, I burrow my way under his arm.

Ha. I did it. I look up to give him a grin of satisfaction, and I realize just how close we are. I’m literally trapped between his arm and his body. I did not think this through, I think to myself. He gives me one more heated look and then faces the hall. I force myself to look that way too. I don’t look at Garrett, because he’s just plain scary. But I do meet Emma’s eyes. She gives me a knowing smile. “Come on in,” I tell them, stepping back and forcing Jackson to back up with me. I grin at getting the upper hand, but it’s a moment too soon because a hand drops across my stomach. Jackson pulls me against him, and I catch my breath and stay quiet as Garrett and Emma walk past us and into the room.

Mate, Jackson practically purrs in my head. Are you sure you know what you’re doing? Somehow, his thumb finds my skin, and he strokes it gently. The feel of his calloused thumb on my stomach sends a bolt of heat through me. I step away from him, and I hear a chuckle through our bond. I know my face is red, but I can’t ignore our company any more. I start towards Garrett and Emma, but Jackson tugs on my hand and slips his fingers through mine.

Emma smiles at Noah. “Hey, Noah.” Noah gives her a nod of acknowledgment.

I look towards the two of them and see that Garrett is standing with his feet planted, but he has his hand on Emma’s back. He makes a pretty imposing figure, and I can feel myself start to tense. That is until I look up at Jackson. Something about just looking at him soothes me, and I step closer to him. “So,” I start. “This isn’t a social visit.”

“No, it’s not,” Garrett says. He looks at Jackson, with a look that I can only guess means he’s sizing him up. “What’s your plan?”

I can tell Jackson is surprised by the question, but he still answers right away. “We’re going after the vampires.”

Garrett doesn’t look very surprised, but I am. “Wait, what?”

Jackson glances down at me and runs his gaze over my face. “We’re going to find the ones that are after you and end them.”

“Renee?” I ask. He doesn’t answer out loud, but the answer is all over his face. “Jackson,” I breathe.

“She left you to die.” His voice is a rumble.

“You can’t go alone,” Garrett says, studying him.

Jackson stares right back. “I won’t. My group will be at my back.”

Garrett’s quiet a moment. “You sure they’re not pack?”

Jackson’s voice is hard when he answers. “That’s the second time you’ve asked. The answer is still no.”

“Why?” Garrett asks quietly. “You’re dominant enough to be the leader.”

“I’m not going to do that to them. Most of them barely escaped with their lives; I won’t lord over them and control them.”

Emma glances up at Garrett but stays quiet. Garrett studies Jackson again. Jackson doesn’t move a muscle. “I’m going to go out on a limb and say you didn’t grow up in a good pack. If you did, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” I can tell Jackson is irritated, but he stays quiet. “I don’t lord over my pack, and I certainly don’t control them.”

Jackson scoffs. “You’re one of the most powerful alphas in the country.”

Garrett doesn’t miss a beat. “Yes, and I don’t need my people to cower in fear before me to prove that. I know my strength; I don’t have to prove it, except for the occasional challenge. I love my pack, and I use my strength for the good of the pack. Because I’m so strong, I keep our pack in line. I keep them safe; I handle problems. I deal with the wolves that get out of line because I love them and want what’s best for them. By not taking control of your people, you leave them without a leader.”

“I can lead without being their alpha,” Jackson responds gruffly.

“You can, but you can’t truly keep them safe.” Jackson growls at that, and I squeeze his hand. I don’t know anything about packs, but I know Jackson is struggling with this right now. “You can’t let the entire pack know instantly when there’s a threat to their safety. You can’t use your alpha power to stop a teen or someone who’s going to hurt themself or someone in your pack. I use my dominance to protect and take care of my pack. Ask any one of my wolves if they’re happy in my pack. For the general majority, they are. I’m not dominating and controlling them; I’m protecting them.”

“That’s what you say,” Jackson tosses back to him.

Garrett’s eyes flash. “You think any one of the dominants with me couldn’t be the alpha of their own pack? You think I control Max or Liam? Not a chance. But by coming under my authority, we work together for the betterment of the pack.” His voice gentles the littlest bit. “Somebody has to lead. Look at any institution; look at nature. If I were to guess, those closest to you want you to lead. They would follow you if you did; they’re simply waiting for you to make your move.” He wraps an arm around Emma and pulls her close. “I love my mate more than anything in this world, and because of that, I protect her. I’m not better than her, and she’s not beneath me.”

“But I need Garrett to lead,” Emma interjects quietly. “I don’t want to. I stand beside him and support him a hundred percent, but I don’t want to be the leader. Your people probably feel the same way,” she says gently.

“Lead the right way,” Garrett adds. “Lead the way you didn’t see it done. Lead by doing the hard things nobody else wants to do. That’s not dominance; that’s love.”

Chapter 39

Jackson

Garrett’s words ring through my mind and seem to find purchase. I’ve never wanted a pack because of how corrupted the pack that Ransom, Lucien, and I escaped from was. But I know Garrett isn’t that way. His pack members are happy; the females are precious and protected at all cost. I can see that firsthand. Kayla squeezes my hand. “I have to go to the bathroom,” she says quietly. “I’ll be right back.”