Half-Blooded | The Dark Child Prophecy Series [✔️]

Intermission: Au Revoir

"Those were Moon Worshippers! I am nothing like that."

"...But it doesn't change the fact the Pack is trying to learn how to protect itself and you only made it more clear to us that we can't outrank a half-blooded vampire on the field, especially if they're emotionally motivated."

"I am better than that and you know it. You don't actually give a shit about this...this bond you keep swearing we have. I'm a chess piece to you, to the Pack. A half-blood. I'm done."

"That's not what I meant! Damn it, Serenity, get back here!"

"Bite me, Hellmutt!"

He growled softly, his eyes clenching shut as the words played through his mind for what felt like the millionth time. He couldn't get her out of his head. Everything about her still lingered in his every waking thought.

I shouldn't have yelled at her, he thought with a heavy sigh. He had known better than to lose his temper with her; but, there were moments when the very idea of her made him go crazy with aggravation. She was so frustrating and stubborn and hardheaded. He wanted to shake her stupid and then kiss her in the following moment every time he thought back to their fight. He was ashamed of his own behavior. He had shared a concern with her, but hadn't thought twice about how that concern affected her.

Jason pushed up into a sit in the tall grass that had turned golden-brown with the cooler weather. He sighed and rested his elbows on his bent knees, staring off into space. He looked up at the bare trees and the distant stars. Where are you? Are you home and warm, safe?

He climbed to his feet and brushed the foliage from his clothes. Even though he had tried to reconnect with her to apologize while she was still in the pack house, she hadn't ever opened the door to him. And the few times he found himself in the dream meadow, she wasn't there. Just her scent, left behind like a memory.

He hadn't admitted it to anyone, but he missed her. Running with the pack at the full moon wasn't the same without her. He could still remember the way her blue eyes had taken in everything around them as she learned how to be in her fur. Her gorgeous, golden blonde fur. All he could think about was the fight, the stolen kisses, the way her body felt against his, the curves of her hips and the soft flesh on her neck under his mouth.

Jason shook himself from the thoughts and headed back for the house. No amount of pining and longing would bring her back. If he wanted to see Serenity Mezdor again, he would have to take things into his own hands again.

But not to bring her back here, not with their minds still on what a hybrid can do, his thoughts warned him. His parents had continued to keep the idea alive of what it would mean for their forces if they had loyal hybrids to do their bidding. And while Jason had done what he could to change the topic or take their attention away to other avenues, it always turned back to Serenity.

And she would be a formidable force if there were more of her to submit to the Alpha Elite and follow every command, just like a loyal wolf would.

Jason hopped up the stone steps to the back terrace before walking through the door that was propped open to let the cold air in and cool the pack house to a bearable temperature. More wolves had come from across the region to join in the full moon festival, making rooms scarce. What used to be a household of fifty was now a house of eighty.

He passed the plaque for Jon and touched it as he went, his own little ritual. Just as he rounded through the main foyer and started up the stairs, Maria came down.

"There you are," she breathed, sounding relieved.

Jason frowned, his head tilting to the side. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she said, glancing over her shoulder before her gaze met his on the stairs as she paused. "Do not go upstairs. Hunt is here," she warned.

"Silvia Hunt?"

"Yes, she's in to pay respects to your parents," Maria answered, her eyes rolling dramatically. "God, I can't stand that woman."

"I know. She's a pain. I don't know how Jon put up with her," he said calmly.

"Also," his cousin said quietly, gesturing for him to follow as she continued down the stairs.

"That doesn't sound good," he said slowly, following her lead. Once his steps were even with hers, he looked down at her again, goading her to talk.

"I got a report that Peter Scarlett was seen hanging around outside of Portland," she said softly, glancing up at him. Her brow wrinkled with worry.

Jason squinted his eyes, confused. "Why would he be in Portland instead of up at the Shadow Stalker coven?" he asked quietly once they had moved through the main foyer and into the alpha den where they wouldn't be heard.

"I don't know," Maria replied. "I asked our scout who saw him, but he said he wasn't completely sure if it was him or not from the distance. He didn't want anyone to know he was reporting the sighting in case it would get Peter in trouble... What I can't figure out is why he's not at his assignment."

"He was supposed to stay with Serenity for two weeks to be sure she was adjusting," Jason said slowly, his head shaking. "I haven't been able to contact her at all... I don't see why she wouldn't go home after leaving Meadowlark."

"I don't either, but if it gets back to your mother that Peter broke his obedience, it could be bad. They are already extremely suspect of Serenity's behavior and what she's capable of doing," the petite brunette said. "Do you have any way of contacting her at all at the coven house?"

He shook his head. "No, I've never known how to get in touch with her through usual means."

Maria frowned, turning around from glancing out the window to check for eavesdroppers. She took in his expression and the sudden distance in his eyes, as if he wasn't completely present mentally while he searched his mind for the blonde hybrid. "So you can speak to her," she said softly.

Jason clenched his jaw. "It's still a rough connection on her end," he tried to explain.

"I didn't know that it was a two-way street," she breathed. "I thought your mother meant that you were able to connect with her on your alpha influence. But you... You can hear her, see her there?" she asked, meaning the other dimension.

He nodded slowly.

"Jay, if your mother finds out that she's not where she's supposed to be, Serenity could be right back in trouble again. A big reason they were willing to let her go at all was because of Peter going to escort her. If they find out that she's connected with you, they could—"

"I know," he cut her off quickly. "They could control Serenity through me."