Page 107 of Jake

Chapter Eighteen

The whirl of the blades cut into the dry desert air. Jake glanced to Kai, who gave him a shaky smile. He could sense her trepidation, but his warrior mate, determined to find her sister, was prepared to fight to the death. Quintus, an unlikely ally, sat stoically, his focus on the dark horizon. With the sun nearly set, they’d attack within minutes. Jake’s eyes met Hunter’s, and the great Alpha nodded. His Acadian brother had no obligation to help him, but he’d committed to helping Jake find Kai’s sister and killing Kasdeya.

As the helicopter drew closer to its destination, Jake closed his eyes, reaching for his pack. Men, women and children, all within Anzober Wolves, would sense his call to them. While unable to identify their location, their pain twisted through his psyche. He shoved the guilt for leaving them to the recesses of his mind. All that mattered now was taking control of what had been rightfully his.

They began their descent and Jake squeezed Kai’s hand. I love you. The thought ran through his mind and he attempted to conceal it, aware she could hear him. He’d never thought he’d fall for a woman he’d only known for a few days but the attraction to his mate could not be denied. Their souls had known each other long before they’d met, and he’d never let her go.

As he peered out the window into the distance, pinpricks of light shone through a blanket of darkness. The distressed hum of his wolves buzzed in his mind.

Jake turned up the volume on his headset, alerting the group. “Something’s off with the pack.”

“What’s up?” Hunter asked.

“I feel them. They’re upset, I know that much. I can’t tell what’s going on, though.” Jake cursed inwardly.

Going home to New Orleans, he’d attempted to shut down his Alpha nature. Despite being away from Anzober Wolves, their energy ran through his veins. He’d stay angry with himself for leaving them if it helped, but he knew that it was essential to remain focused on the task at hand.

“They’ll spot us before we land. Quint, you stay with Kai. Find Shilan first. Kai, if you can materialize her out of here, do it. I know you’ve only done it a few times, so if it doesn’t work, get yourself to the chopper and go.”

“You’re going after Kasdeya?” she asked.

“I’m taking out whoever’s terrorizing the wolves. Could be her, could be the brown wolf that split in San Fran. Either way, this ends tonight.”

“Kasdeya is mine,” Quintus told them.

“After Shilan. Look Quint, I know you want her, and if I don’t kill her first, you can have at it. But I need you to get Shilan. I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

“Can you feel her?” Kai asked him.

“No. But that doesn’t mean she’s not there.” As disappointment painted across her face, he attempted his best to explain without giving her false hope. “She’s not a wolf. Anzober was mine for a short while. So during that time, this vibe thing…the way I can feel them? It was just getting started. I don’t know if in time I’ll be able to sense Shilan because you’re sisters, but right now, I can’t do it.”

“It’s rare to get a vibe on anything else but your pack,” Hunter added. “Like now, you might get a sense there’s supe floating around but you can’t tell how they’re feeling. The only reason you get on with Kai is because you’re mates.”

“I can get a read on Quint here. But it’s not like with Kai or the wolves.” Jake brought her palm to his lips and kissed it. “We’ll get your sister. I promise. You are the one who holds the power to find her, and Quint and I will make sure you both get home safe. Find her, okay?”

Kai nodded, and Jake sensed her swirling fear.

“I swear to you, Kai. We’ll make it out of this.” The thrum of the pack grew more intense as the helicopter descended. Jake stripped off his t-shirt and jeans, readying to shift. Although there were times he carried a gun, tonight he’d take them all as wolf, tearing into every last adversary, establishing his dominance, commanding his pack. “Two minutes. Y’all ready?”

“Jake,” Kai said. She wrapped her arms around her Alpha, “Thank you.”

“I promise when this is all over…” I’ll complete the mating. I’ll love you forever. “You and I will have time just for us on a beach somewhere. Chasing sunsets together.”

“Be safe,” she whispered.

Jake pressed his lips to hers, a gentle goodbye kiss. Goddess, he loved this woman. As he tore his lips from hers, he sighed, forcing himself to let her go. As the helicopter touched ground, he stood and slid open the door.

“Take care of her, Quint.” Jake gave a parting glance and leapt into the air, transforming into his magnificent black wolf.

His paws clutched the dry dirt as he tore into the night. Hunter growled, hot on his heels. The cool desert air carried the trail of his enemy, a vaguely familiar scent nagging his memory. Neither Acadian nor Anzober, the rogue wolf had once crossed his path. The brown wolf had been in his presence for only seconds yesterday, and he hadn’t had a chance to identify him. But as Jake sprinted toward the house, his mind churned with the memories. He went on alert as he recalled the stench. Unclean and impure, it’d been tainted by demonic forces. With an odor of rotting flesh, the wolf had died, then been reborn. Logic told Jake it wasn’t possible but there could be no mistaking it. No fucking way. Jake’s heart pounded in his chest as the realization slammed into him.

He spied the doors to the pack house open, and he knew they’d be waiting. A trap. He sniffed and caught the scent of Kasdeya inside. The Alpha paused at the wooden stairs, strategizing his attack. He’d draw his enemies into the open where they would be judged by the pack.

Transforming to human, he sucked a breath as he stood upright, anger burning in his blood. He glanced behind him, and caught a glimpse of Quintus ducking behind a truck with Kai. Hunter remained as wolf, as Jake went on the aggressive.

“Chaz,” he yelled. Chaz Baldwin. Jake’s eyes flared in rage as his adversary stepped out of the darkness and onto the porch, illuminated by the spotlight.

“Did you really think you could take my pack from me?” Chaz sneered, extending his arms, proudly displaying his nude form.