Page 25 of Nighted

I hurriedly pulled my shirt back over my head, and tucked my blades underneath the chair, but Jasper was unaffected by the precarious position we had almost been caught in. “If you have a problem with my mate or our relationship you can take your issue up with your Alpha.” His voice was tense, and I knew he was ready to defend if it was needed.

The young man walking into the patio light held his hands up. He had short brown hair, and friendly eyes shining brightly in the light. “Nothing bad. My name’s Merrick. I came looking for Ava.”

A growl rumbled deep in Jasper’s chest, and I placed my hand gently across his heart to still him. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “What do you need with my mate?” Again with the mate thing. Jasper hadn’t been kidding around -- he wasn’t taking any more chances.

“Um. It’s kind of personal.” Merrick’s gaze darted around nervously.

He’s scared of you. Don’t be a dick,I mentally shot over to Jasper.

Jasper rolled his eyes in response to my mental message. “Whatever you want to say to Ava, you can say in front of me.”

Merrick looked to me, widening his eyes. I nodded, gesturing for him to continue.

“Okay, then. There’s no easy way to say this. Ava, I’m your brother.”

My mind started spiralling and I burst out laughing. “I don’t have a brother. And no offense, Merrick, but my dad is definitely not a wolf.”

Merrick looked away from me, and then back. “No. My dad’s a wolf. But Monica is my mom. They were a college fling. My dad told me Monica never wanted you to find out. But I knew I needed to say something when I saw you here tonight.”

I shook my head. “This is insane. My mom hates wolves.”

Merrick sighed softly, a sound filled with hundreds of emotions I understood all too well. “Yeah, I know. My dad probably has something to do with the distance. When she realized what I was, she dumped me off on his doorstop real quick and my dad spent most of my life resenting her for it. I haven’t seen her in years.”

Jasper had been quiet throughout the entire exchange, and now he tipped his head toward Merrick. “His eyes.”

I turned my head to look at Jasper, narrowing my own eyes in confusion. “What about them?”

“He has your eyes. Monica’s eyes,” Jasper murmured.

I looked back at Merrick, trying to see what Jasper saw there. “You’re… you’re right, Jasp. You’re telling the truth, aren’t you?” I asked Merrick.

Merrick nodded. “Like I said, I haven’t seen Monica in years, but I knew you had to be her daughter. Of all the Venators to visit…” He shook away some unspoken thought. “How is she doing? Not that I should care. But I can’t help myself.”

Jasper and I exchanged glances. I spoke first. “She’s… missing.”

Merrick creased his forehead in a frown. “Missing? How?”

As gently as we could, Jasper and I explained the events of the last few months to Merrick, including my failed fight and our current fruitless search for Monica. His expression shifted from one of shock, to disbelief, to anger.

“I really shouldn’t be surprised,” Merrick said. “But I’m shocked.”

I nodded. “We all were. But now we’re trying to make things right.”

“Anything you need. I’m there.”

The three of us sat on the patio, facing the deep woods to the side of the house. While the party raged on inside, this side of the porch was quiet with the exception of our quiet talking and the occasional lonely call of an owl. My eyes had adjusted while we sat and talked, slowly learning about each other’s lives. A half-brother. A half wolf brother. It was a lot to take in, but maybe there was a relationship here that could grow where my own family’s hadn’t.

A flash of light in the corner of my eye caught my attention, and I turned to watch a pale, slender figure darting through the trees. Familiar. Too familiar. “Lucy,” I breathed.

“Ava, we’re miles away from town. Lucy wouldn’t be here.” Jasper squinted at me, trying to figure out if I was playing a trick or trying to get out of an uncomfortable conversation.

I shook my head. “No. I saw Lucy. I’m sure of it.” With an apologetic smile at a very confused Merrick, I unsheathed my blades and took off running after her through the dense trees.

Damnit, Ava! You can’t take off like that!Jasper’s growl echoed through my mind.

I ignored him, jogging to catch up with Lucy’s slim frame. If she had followed us out here, then she was definitely in danger.

“Lucy! What are you doing here?”

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