Page 112 of Campfires & Canines
Closing my eyes for a second, I let the betrayal sting and fade. The
Heath’s mouth is a thin line. "The rogue wolves?"
"Ours. But I didn't even know about it until after we came to confront you about Hazel."
"Why abduct her?"
"My mother wanted to absorb her into our pack." He folds his hands in his lap, his gaze flickering towards Slate. "She wanted us to be mates so we could claim your pack someday. I didn't know what to do to protect her. I was trying to find a way out of it, but then my mother was demanding I claim her immediately. So we acted the part to keep her satisfied, and planned her escape."
Cringing, I glance at Slate. Tension holds his frame stiff, but his head is still inclined towards me, and his grip on my thigh hasn’t wavered.
"What happened after you let her go?" Heath's voice is soft.
Jasper looks away. "They beat the shit out of me. I had to fight my sister so I told them that Ember was trying to kill Hazel, and that Hazel managed to escape while I was defending her. If you think I look bad, you should see Ember right now.”
I never thought I’d feel bad for his psycho sister, but the idea of her own parents punishing her physically makes my stomach roil.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t make the decision to take you, but it’s my fault any of this happened,” he says, his aqua eyes meeting mine. He slouches in his seat. I want to forgive him, but now isn’t the time.
Clearing his throat, Heath folds his hands on the table. "I expect loyalty from my pack, without exception. And I expect absolute honest, no withholding information. Or the consequences will be serious.”
Jasper blinks at him. "Yes, Alpha."
"Then I'd like to welcome you to our pack," Heath begins. Jasper's eyes widen. "I'm sure we can find a place for you. Do you want to join our pack? You are free to go otherwise."
"Alpha, I didn't expect this," Jasper stammers.
Frowning, Heath studies Jasper. "What did you expect?"
Jasper looks over at me, his expression still confused. "In Granite Ridge, any wolves we take from other packs are used for labor only, if they are allowed to live. They don't have any sort of freedom."
Heath's jaw tightens and he lets out a slow breath. "That's not how we operate here. What would you like to do in our pack? You can work towards being in our rankings or take a community role.”
Jasper wavers and I see tentative hope bloom in his eyes. "I enjoy patrolling and protecting, sir. But I'll take any role offered."
"Alright, why don't you train with Fisher for a few weeks and we can go from there?" Heath says and Jasper nods, still looking shocked. "Elm, would you take Jasper to our guest cabin and make sure he has what he needs?"
Heath stands, effectively dismissing us. Slate’s hand is steady on my back as we pause at the doorway. I want to hug Jasper or maybe strangle him. He frustrates me, and I still feel betrayed by him, but I choose to believe the Jasper in front of me is the real one.
"I'm glad you're okay," I say. He dips his head in respectful acknowledgment. As he meets Slate's gaze, his feet halt.
My mate bridges the gap. "Thank you for getting her home," he says. They still have a lot to sort out, but it's a start.
19. Fireworks & Forevers
Slate
While Hazel checks in with our friends, I take some supplies out to my favorite spot. She's waiting in our home when I return. Her wide, concerned eyes meet mine, and my heart bursts.
"Hey," I say, going to her.
"Where were you?" she asks softly, resting her cheek against my shoulder. I love how she always reaches for me.
"I want to take you somewhere special to me," I say, "Come on, let's grab some food and head out."
She nods. We bypass the normal dinner gathering and I snag the picnic basket Clove and Crickett put together for us. They were enthusiastically supportive of my plan.
We walk hand in hand throughthe forest.
