Page 83 of Campfires & Canines
Jasper lets me cry it out until my cheek is flat on the vinyl table and my tears are spent.
He sits across from me. “Look, I’m going to get you out of here.”
I sit up so fast pain shoots through my arm. My breath is a hiss.
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t exactly want to be tethered to someone we…” He trails off.
“Abducted?” I supply.
“Yeah,” he says.
“You’re seriously going to help me?” I whisper, scared Sienna might hear through the ceiling.
He looks at the table. “I want to. But it’s going to be hard.”
“I don’t care. I’ll do whatever I have to,” I emphasize.
He smirks wryly. “We’ll see about that.”
We stand before Sienna and Ferris, who are holding court in a pair of armchairs before the sleek marble fireplace. Modular seating wraps the cold room. They sent away the attending pack membersso we could have privacy.
My left arm supports my right, and Jasper’s hands are heavy on my hips.
“So you’ve decided you prefer Jasper, after all.” Sienna’s face pinches in suspicion.
I inhale slowly. “I would prefer a strong partner and some sort of autonomy over a life locked in a basement.” It’s technically true.
“I am going to take her on a tour of our territory and then get her settled into my house,” Jasper says.
“And?” Sienna asks.
“We would like an official claiming celebration since we are alpha heirs,” he requests. I try to keep my breathing even though my heart is racing.
“Of course,” Ferris answers. He lifts Sienna’s hand and kisses it. They’re the picture of magnanimous leaders, even if it’s a façade over rotten teeth and claws.
“I think it’s an exceptional idea. I’ll get the team started right away,” Sienna says. “Do you have any preferences?”
I shake my head. “Hazel has never attended one before, so we will trust your decisions,” Jasper says smoothly.
“Perfect. Let’s say nine o’clock for your little party?”
“Nine is good.” Jasper steers me away. The moment we are out of sight, my muscles slacken.
“Well done,” he murmurs in my ear.
Jasper guides me to the left into a foyer. He pushes open an ornate ivory door, and I step through and get my first real view of Granite Ridge Pack.
The sky is gloomy, casting the entire compound in a gray light.
It's so entirely different from Heath's pack, I'm shocked. Concrete buildings line up on either side of a dirt road.
I want to relax, but the show isn’t over. Jasper’s plan is clever, but it’s risky. But I meant it when I said I would do whatever’s necessary. Step one was requesting a celebration for our official claiming. Step two, convince everyone we’re genuine. My stomach clenches with guilt.
Jasper takes my hard, guiding me down the main road. Sickly-looking weeds grow up around the sides.
Jasper shows me their training building. It's all cinder blocks and steel. Their cafeteria sits directly opposite, maintaining the uniform look.
