Chapter 17

    Jay couldn’t wait to come back to Missoula. Not only college was waiting for her, but also two interesting trails – of the murderers of their mother and Dominic – the hunter. She wanted to learn something more about him. But before Carter and Christian came back home for the last days of summer, the hunk had sunk into the ground. They couldn’t find a trace of the killer as well. They needed her, though didn’t want to admit it. Especially now, when she was to lead their small group. Besides, they stopped their investigation to spend few days at home. Maybe they’ll have more luck when they come back with fresh heads.

    - I know that you have a lot of packing and you can’t wait to finally break free, - Sean stood in the doorway of Jess’s bedroom, where they were just sitting. – But I would like to talk to you.

    He called them with hand movement and headed towards the stairs. They had no choice but to go after him, and because they got used to his behavior, they didn’t comment on it. He led them through the terrace at the back of the house, straight to the wooden shed, where the exercise room was placed. Once again, they were captivated by the extraordinary beauty of the forest adjacent to their estate. Their house was a little off the beaten track, about half mile separated them from the nearest neighbors, and it was more than three miles from larger clusters of homes.

    When they entered the shed, they walked directly to the table, on which training weapon usually laid. They trained with everything. They even mastered the use of the whip and learned to hit with a chain so as not to hurt themselves. Though it took a lot of time and didn’t go without pain. But thanks to their gifts they had no scars so far.

    They thought that Sean would like to kick their asses one more time, before they’ll leave. But this time the table was empty. Though not entirely. There was something on it, but Sean took care so that everything was covered well.

    - I watched you carefully. – He began quietly. – Your muscles’ work, the way you move. I was assessing your speed and agility, but also the capability to analyze the situation and making quick decisions, the ability to use various types of weapons.

    - Yeah, you did. – Carter gave him a smile expressing gratitude. – You used to give us a rough ride, especially, when we couldn’t deal with something. – Sean smiled back.

    - All this, - he continued, - to select the most suitable type of weapon for you. For last month I worked over special specimen of weapon. I’ve made fourteen pieces, as each of you will receive two. But it’s up to you, if you’ll learn to fight both hands simultaneously, and in my opinion you have predisposition towards it, or you’ll have a spare one. – Saying this, he grabbed the cloth covering the table, and with one, quick pull he revealed a unique cold steel. – They were made on the pattern of Samurai sword, but they significantly differ from the original. First of all, length and weight were adjusted, so the use of it would come to you naturally. The second thing is that I had to use appropriate material, so you could use it to fight every supernatural being. Thus, the blade itself is made of silver.

    - Perfect for shape-shifters. – Jay watched the swords with unfeigned admiration.

    - Covered with aspen wood for vampires. – He winked and smiled at them, pleased.

    - And something for witches? – Christian asked.

    - Silver and wood were joined together with magic. I won’t deny that Isabela helped me with it. It was she, who chose crystals appropriate for each of you, and those were sealed in handles. Together with your energy, they’ll become a perfect weapon against witches, all you need to do is to hit.

    It seemed easy. Each of them received their swords. They knew how to use cold steel. They’d spent hundreds, and even thousands of hours, on trainings with swords, sabers and bokkens. But they had to sense new work tools.

    - Train hard! – Sean said. – Especially you, because when you’ll go to college I won’t be able to oversee your progress.

    - Thanks. – With this one word they expressed all their feelings. Gratitude, respect, sense of community. And love, as Sean became for them an elder brother, in some sense.

    - Just take care of yourselves. – He added, then he walked out of the shed and headed towards the forest.

    Two years ago it was already hard for him, when he lost sight of the eldest twins. Now Jess and Jay were leaving. And it was Jaysabel that he felt a special bond with. She was remarkably like her mother, not only physically. She had steadfast willpower, fortitude and zeal to fight. Apart from that she was incredibly stubborn. ‘She will be a good leader one day.’ He thought with pride, not knowing, that Isabo had already appointed her as leader.

    He himself relinquished leadership of his pack to fight alongside Isabo, and when she was murdered so brutally, he couldn’t do otherwise than to fulfill the promise once given and take care of her children. He undertook the task and gave them all the knowledge, directed to the right path and loved them. He didn’t feel like their father. ‘At least I’m only thirty-three!’ But they were like younger siblings for him, of whom he had to take care. Like Maria, he couldn’t, and didn’t want to, just turn around and go his own way. They became a part of his world.

    As well as Maria.

    A walk did him well, so when he came out from the trees he went straight home. He knew that he’ll find her in the kitchen. She was cooking dinner quietly, and the sauce, she was just stirring, smelled fabulously. He silently approached her from behind, hugged her waist and buried his face in her fluffy, shiny black hair. She smelled of chocolate and oranges, and snuggled into him so trustfully.

    He could still remember her eyes, when he told her his secret and transformed into a wolf for her. Terror, sudden need to escape. But also overwhelming sadness, pain and compassion.

    And love.

   Actually, it was her feelings for him that had a large influence on him, and consequently pushed him to take that step. He wanted her to know who he was. He didn’t want to cheat on her. Maria was his mate, and it was extremely hard for him to stay away from her for such a long time.

    He was afraid that she would run away. He thought that the truth was too much for her. That she would perceived him as a monster. That she would turn her back on him with fear and disgust in heart. That she’ll reject him.

    She not only stayed, but loved him even more. She gave him her heart, soul and body. And she saw him as a good and sensitive man.

    Could he not to fell in love with such a wonderful woman? Even if she wasn’t his mate, he would fall for her anyway. ‘But thank to Moon Goddess, Maria is my mate!’ He thought gratefully.

    - What are you thinking about? – Maria snapped him out of thoughts.

    - About how lucky I am that I’ve found you. – He smiled at her and kissed her on the lips. – I love you.

    - I love you too. – She kissed him back. – And now go and call them for dinner. – She chuckled.

    - And where are they? – He frowned. – I didn’t see them behind the house.

    - I saw them going to the woods. They’re probably by the lake, practicing with those fancy swords you’ve made for them. – She smirked.

    - Good. – He stated.

    - I’m worrying about them, Sean. – She said out of the blue. – Especially about Jay.

    - Why? – He asked. – You’ve noticed something?

    - Last week, when she came back from a horse ride. – She said. – Since then there’s something in her eyes. As if she had some troubles, but she’s trying to hide it. I can’t explain that.

    - Maybe she was at the clearing? – He suggested.

    - I don’t think so. – Maria shook her head. – She avoids that place. But still, she was pale then. As if she saw a ghost. – She shivered involuntarily.

    - And if she did? – He thought about their meeting with Isabo last June. – Just kidding. – He laughed when he saw Maria’s scared eyes.

    - You moron! – She pushed him lightly. – Just go, find them and call them for dinner. – She ordered.

    - I’ll go get them. – He headed towards the back door, but turned to face Maria one more time. – You’ll miss me? – He asked with a twinkle in his eye.

    - I already do! – He laughed. – You’ve got half an hour, so hurry up! – She rushed him.

    - Yes m’am! – He grinned.

    As soon as he left the house, his smile vanished. He pondered over Maria’s words. How couldn’t he notice that something was wrong? That something is bothering Jay. They’re going to leave tomorrow or on the next day at least, so he has little time to look closer at her. But he’ll find out what’s wrong. 

***

    Deep in the forest, Jay and her brothers were practicing with new weapon. The swords were light and perfectly balanced for each of them, so using them was amazingly easy and enjoyable. They fought with each other, at first for fun, but then it turned more serious. It ended with bruises and cuts, which healed slowly as they didn’t pay much attention to them.

    Later on they cleaned the swords and washed themselves in the lake. The place was so peaceful at that August afternoon. ‘Completely different than on a memorable morning in June.’ Jay thought and her brothers looked at her immediately. Apparently she thought that ‘out loud’.

    ‘We were working so hard on covering our thoughts that we forgot to practice on mind-linking.’ Christian noticed.

    ‘We can do it now.’ Daniel suggested.

    ‘Great idea.’ Jess agreed.

    ‘But no dirty thoughts!’ Jay warned them. ‘I don’t think I could handle it!’ She heard their laugh and she smiled too.

    ‘Okay! How do you feel about Sean and Maria?’ Mark asked.

    ‘I don’t know.’ Carter thought. ‘It was completely unexpected!’

    ‘Well, I think it’s great!’ Michael cut in. ‘They’re perfect for each other.’

    ‘She’s his mate.’ Christian added.

    ‘What?’ The rest asked in unison.

    ‘Couldn’t you see that?’ He was surprised. ‘The way he looks at her! It was so clear, but at the same time he kept her at bay.’

    ‘We should have known when he shifted for her. But we all thought that he just wanted her to know the truth.’ Jay noticed.

    They suddenly heard some noise. Rustle of leaves.

    ‘Try to concentrate and find out who’s coming.’ Carter thought and they did as he said.

    ‘It’s Sean.’ Jay was first to answer.

    ‘Yeah, it’s him.’ The rest agreed with her only few seconds later.

    ‘You think we can use mind-link when you’ll be in Missoula?’ Daniel asked.

    ‘At least we can try.’ Carter thought and then Sean appeared.

    ‘Move your asses!’ He joined with them through mind-link. ‘You need to work on it.’ He added when they frowned at him.

    - How did you do that? – Mark asked.

    - You weren’t covering enough and I could hear your thoughts from far away. – He said. – You’ll work it out. Now let’s go, dinner’s almost ready. – He added.

    They stood up, collected all their stuff and went back home to eat dinner with two of their best friends.