“Let’s head to the training grounds before we leave. I need to talk to Sam for just a moment.” Hunter linked his hand with Freja’s. “We’ll be back later tonight, Lucie. Don’t leave the pack borders.” There was a low, threatening growl in Hunter’s tone. It was a warning to Lucie not to disobey him.
“Don’t worry. I won’t let her anywhere near the border.” Jasper grinned as he looked down at his prisoner.
“Lucie, don’t overthink everything. Premonitions are just that. They’re not concrete. It’s a warning of a possible future, one we will make sure we stop from happening. Just worry about yourself.” Lita looked into the green eyes of her granddaughter, eyes that were so similar to her own.
“Thanks, grandma. I’ll try to push it from my mind for now.” Lucie watched her family walk off toward the lower training ground. She still wasn’t sure about this whole guardian business, but if it was Justice, at least she was already comfortable with him.
“Just you and me.” Jasper sighed, smiling.
“Lucie, you’re back!”
Lucie turned to see two guys jogging up to them. It was Kurt, her brother’s future beta, son of Sam and Renee. Their family had always been the betas to the alpha. It all started with Caden, who was Asher’s beta, then his son Sam, who was Hunter’s beta, and now Sam’s son Kurt, who was the future beta. Kurt was only a few months older than them. He had dark hair and brown eyes and was an easygoing, sweet guy.
The other man was Jamie, Aedan’s future gamma, who was the son of the previous gamma Winston. Jamie was only seventeen. His father had found his mate Florence after the demon war was over. Florence was a witch, not a werewolf. Unfortunately, a couple of years ago, she got very sick and passed away. It was a tough adjustment, but together, Jamie and his father had managed.
“Do you have any idea how much punishment we received? Aedan put everyone to work. We did three days of training because you disappeared,” Jamie complained.
“That was your fault, Jamie!” Kurt said with a twisted face. “If you wouldn’t have run off with those other pups, Lucie never would have left the territory.”
“I just went after them to keep them safe!” Jamie glared at him. “Besides, my dad already punished me enough. He’s making me do night drills all summer because of it.”
“You are a leader, Jamie. As the pack’s future gamma, you need to lead by example.” Kurt shook his head in annoyance. “Anyway, Luce Luce, you look fine. Is everything okay? I see Jasper found you. Nice going, Jasper.”
“I’m perfectly fine.” Lucie held her hands out with a shrug.
“Lucie can’t ever disappear. I’ll always find her,” Jasper teased, poking the side of Lucie’s head.
“Aren’t you both supposed to be at the training grounds right now?” Lucie gave them both a crooked smile. “Skipping?”
“No way, princess!” Kurt said in an offended tone. “We’re being sent to the kiddies today. We’re in charge of seeing which ones are getting close to shifting.”
“Which we’re now running late for.” Jamie grinned, looking back at Kurt.
“Shit. Gotta run, Lucie. Fill us in on the details later!” Kurt yelled as the two quickly jogged away.
“They’re going to get yelled at.” Lucie giggled, smiling up at Jasper. “Want to raid the kitchen for snacks?”
“Sure, snacks sound great, but I’m on to you. You just want to be as close to Derrick as you can.” Jasper gave her a wry smile and winked at her. He watched her cheeks redden slightly. “You know, I can’t tell you how happy I am that you two are mates. You’re both my favorite people, and there is no better outcome than this.”
“I don’t think it could be more perfect either. I wish we could spend more time together, but I guess we have our whole future for that.” Lucie’s voice was soft as she stared at the house.
Jasper roughed her hair up. “Let’s see if those legs of yours are fully healed. Race ya?”
“Oh you are on!”
CHAPTER 30
Lucie could feel the leftover tightness from her injury. Even though her leg was healed, the muscles still needed to be stretched out. Not that she could beat Jasper running anyway … at least not in this form. She never made a sound, but her eyebrows might have furrowed a bit from the pain. She wasn’t sure, but Jasper stopped abruptly and turned to face her with a frown.
“How bad is it, Lucie?” Jasper asked quietly.
“Not bad enough that I’d use it as an excuse for losing.”
He stepped closer, rested his forehead on hers, and sighed.
“Lucie, will you promise me something?” Jasper whispered, staring into her eyes, their foreheads still touching.
She looked into his serious, deep brown eyes as the wind played with his blonde hair, confused. “What is it?”
