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Chapter Fourteen
Jess
I wriggled, a heavy weight pressing against me as my eyes slowly opened. I pushed at the weight, belatedly realizing it was an arm when it tightened around me. I was being spooned, this time by a man instead of a dog. The night before crystallized in my mind and I immediately searched for our mental link, finding it instantly, the bond stronger than I’d ever felt it. It was like an open connection to his mind and I knew it would work both ways.
I felt the moment he woke up, the happiness he felt at having me in his arms, and I snuggled further into his chest.
“Any regrets?” He asked, a flicker of concern drifting to me through our link.
“I should be asking you,” I teased. “You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into.”
“I can feel your contentment,” he murmured drowsily, his arm settling between my breasts. “I had no idea how much stronger the bond would be.”
Her mom’s gone. The thought blasted through my head, the voice distinctly belonging to Trent, and my head reared back, smacking Dom’s chin and we both groaned at the impact.
What do you mean, gone? I snarled, upset that my cozy moment was gone, my happiness once again disrupted by my mother.
Jess? Trent asked warily.
Who else? I snapped, pushing myself up as my hand rubbed the back of my head. I better be the only female in this Pack. I sounded jealous even to myself and hastily added, Forget I said that.
Is that Jess? Another voice entered my head and using the method of elimination I answered, Hey, Liam.
Jess can shift? Liam asked excitedly, and I paused rubbing my head, glancing back at Dom.
“No,” Dom answered quickly, the single word echoing as he said it out loud and over the Pack bond. She can’t shift, we are fully mated and it has some unexpected side effects.
Cool, Liam replied enthusiastically. Sorry about your mom though.
My heart stuttered for a second, his words sounding so final and Dom wrapped his hand around my wrist as tears sprang to my eyes.
Trent, explain what you mean by gone, he commanded.
She flew the coop, slipped the noose, escaped, he said exasperatedly, and I had the distinct impression he was popping a sucker in his mouth.
Do you have a sucker in your mouth? I demanded to know and after a long pause I received a sulky No.
Did you take it out of your mouth before you answered?
This is gonna get old quick, Trent fumed at the same time I said, This is so weird.
Alright, enough. Trent, you and Liam do a search, see if you can find out where she went. I’m only concerned that she doesn’t make another attempt on Jess, Dom ordered.
Umm, Liam interjected, and I had the impression of a drooping tail.
What? Dom snapped, irritation shooting through our bond.
I’m at Leah’s house. I was keeping an eye out because she said she spotted a wolf wandering around outside.
Dom pinched the bridge of his nose while I watched in amusement, enjoying the peek inside of a Pack’s inner workings.
“It’s not funny,” he said aloud, making sure he didn’t broadcast it over the Pack bond.
“It kind of is from where I’m sitting,” I replied, careful to keep my words verbal and not project them mentally. “This is hard,” I muttered under my breath and Dom stroked the inside of my wrist.
“It gets easier.”
Can you determine if it was a Hanley? Dom asked Liam and he didn’t reply. Liam?
I think it was a Navarre wolf, he finally said reluctantly. Not sure which one though.
Let me take a whiff, he ordered and I arched my eyebrow, wondering what the hell, and Trent snorted in amusement, making me realize I’d broadcast that thought.
Shit, this is hard, I grumbled, grimacing as I felt their amusement increase. I did it again, didn’t I?
Yeah, Trent answered, unapologetically laughing at me as he sucked on his lollipop.
Trent, go do a perimeter scan, Dom ordered, Let me know anything you find on her Mom.
Another feeling came through the Pack bond, a snippet of what felt like a memory, as I saw trees and a yard.
Trent snorted, correctly identifying the shifter before Dom could speak. Our young Alpha has been sniffing around Leah, he crowed, sounding a little too happy about the fact.
Caleb? Liam questioned in confusion and Dom confirmed.
Yes, that’s definitely Caleb, he replied and a coil of tension wound through our bond. What is he doing? The thought was more an impression than anything and I realized the others hadn’t heard him.
He had a thing for Leah, I answered, crossing my fingers I’d sent the thought only to him.
Dom harrumphed, giving the distinct impression he wasn’t happy. He’s got enough on his plate at the moment, he grumbled to me and a quick smile lifted my lips.
