ENDURING {Sequel to Everlasting} ❗️EDITING ❗️

Chapter 31

"If you stay calm, so will he. Just breathe." I muse quietly, standing behind Apollo with the lunging rope in my hands.

I made sure to work him before bringing Jackson in, hopefully it helped to make them both a little more comfortable with one another.

Jackson is legit cringing right now, his hand shaking so hard that half of the honey and oats is on the floor. I've never seen Jackson so stricken with fear, not even when he got on the plane to Africa.

"It's not working, this was a bad idea." Jackson says, flustered as he eyes Apollo as if the horse is going to suddenly hurl itself towards him.

"You said the same thing when we began training together, remember? And I told you then that if you work at it, you'll see results and this is no different. Apollo will trust you, but you have to do the same in return." I advise him, offering a small smile of encouragement.

Jackson's eyes flicker back and forth, from me to Apollo. So I decide to try a different method, and slip off my wide stretchy headband.

"What are you doing!?" Jackson hisses, immediately stepping away as I reach up to him.

"You just need to close your eyes and trust me." I say firmly, offering him the headband.

He glances between me and Apollo. "If something goes wrong, I'll have it shot." He threatens me out of worry.

I roll my eyes at him.

"Threaten him again and I'll have you shot." I retort childishly.

Jackson scowls and snatches the headband, stretching wide over his fat head and covering his eyes. I wave my hand a couple times, even moving to poke him right in the eyeball but he doesn't flinch.

"I want you to listen, to feel his breath, his pulse." I say quietly, taking Jackson's stiff hand and extending it towards Apollo. This time, even though Jackson is tense and perhaps a little terrified, his emotions are somewhat contained.

I place Jackson's hand on Apollo's broad neck, instantly seeing him become rigged. I don't force Jackson to pet him, but I do take my hand back and step away.

"No, no-"

"You're already touching him. You can either let your fear control you, or you can let him know that you're not a danger to him. You can always heal, Jackson...Apollo won't." I explain softly.

Sensing that being here will affect Jackson's choice, I turn away and head up to the house.

The second I enter my home, I hear the shrill sound of my phone ringing. Rushing to grab it from the kitchen counter, I quickly answer it before it ends.

"Hello?" I question.

"Two young girls were taken last night, no one has seen or heard anything. We could use your help-"

He didn't need to ask.

"Who is the Alpha?" I question, knowing that if I'm going to find these girls their Alpha will be useful.

"Markus." Luthers tone shifts, displeasure filling it.

Great. The sexist Alpha that has zero interest in having a conversation with any female unless she is on her knees.

"Alright, I'll give him a call. Will you email me everything you have on the girls?" I ask.

"Of course, thank you Katalayha." Luther exhales lightly, relieved I didn't turn it down. Teenage wolves being taken isn't completely uncommon, but it does seem strange that no one saw or heard anything.