New Age Werewolf Series Book 1: Taming A She Wolf

Part 53: Just Desserts

I was sitting there, chomping at the bit. This was the longest dinner ever. I looked around the table. Cole was being very attentive, dutifully so. I was trying to figure out if he was sleeping with his eyes open. Vida was taking a drink of water every now and then, trying to stay awake while my father looked on, watching with interest as Ian and Jiro debated old versus new ideas.

"So you see," Ian said with a resolute nod. "It is best to welcome our wolf part-breeds. If the Goddess destined these matches, then who are we to contest them?"

"Partial blood means partial loyalty--"

"Or a better balance of perceptions and diversification of power--"

"So we would have to split our power into smaller pieces--"

"Not if the power itself has grown." Ian sighed again. "Why did you kidnap my sister, anyway, if that is the case?"

Whoa. I didn't expect him to divulge that bit of information. The whole table woke up. Ian looked ready to lunge over the table.

Jiro blinked. "What?"

"My sister-the witch?" he reminded, his voice getting deeper. "Is half wolf. She--"

"Your father mated with a witch?"

"Yes!" Ian banged his fist on the table. "And what you did to her--whatever you did--she still has nightmares about--"

"Ian." I wanted him to calm down, but Ian was emotional. It didn't happen often but when it did, he was dangerous.

"If I had it my way I'd kill you with my bare hands!"

The whole table was quiet except for Ian's breathing.

Jiro took a deep breath. I could see he was trying to stay calm. "I assure you, your--uh--sister--is suffering from drug use and--"

"Stop it, Jiro."

All turned to the dining room entrance. There stood Gina and Zuri , and standing in the center was...Jaeger, being held up by Dar.

"Jaeger?!" I got up so fast, my chair fell. I ran to him, and threw my arms around him. Dar let him go, knowing I had him. I couldn't stop the tears. "Oh, Goddess, is it you?"

"It...it is me, sis," He hugged me back. He was weak. "It's me."

"Oh, Goddess." I heard my father's voice right behind me, and I saw his hand touch Jaeger's cheek. "My son." he was shaking. "My beautiful son!"

I heard Jiro get up, and after that a shuffle and crash behind me. That was undoubtedly Ian.

"Amber, can I kill him now?"

I straightened, and looked to Dar. He took Jaeger again. I turned to my father, who was still looking at Jaeger through his tears. I'd never seen him so sad, so hurt, and so angry. I reached up and touched his face. He gasped at the contact, looking down at me.

"What have I done?" he shook his head, swallowing hard. "What have I done?"

"You trusted your child," I said softly. "he didn't deserve it." I framed his face in my hands. "Don't you see Papa? He didn't deserve it." He hugged us both, and I stepped from the embrace. "You are my father's son. We cannot kill him without breaking his heart."

"You're kidding!" Ian said. He had Jiro by the throat against the wall, a show of true alpha strength. Cole was listening, for the first time waiting for my command, while Vida stood, mouth agape at the whole scene. I nodded to him for help.

"Ian," Cole went to him. "Ian, that is still Amber's brother. We will put him in prison, Ian, and he will suffer everyday that your sister takes back more of her life."

I looked to Zuri. She looked at Dar, who looked displeased. It was clear he and Ian felt the same way.

"Ian?" Zuri whispered, coming toward him. "Ian." She placed her hand on Ian's, the one on Jiro's throat. Ian's eyes were glossy with tears as her whispered voice carried in the still of the room. "Death is too good for him, Ian, too good. Let's just put him where he can't hurt us anymore. He can't hurt us, Ian." He looked down at her, and she spread her arms. "Ian?"

Ian released Jiro to let him go, and before Jiro could move, I helped Gina hold Jaeger up so Dar and Cole could take him.

My father swallowed hard. "I will show you where we can put him."

"Goddess as my witness, he'll never hurt you again!" Ian vowed as tears fell down his cheeks.

"I know," Zuri laughed softly. "I know."

Dar stopped for a moment to kiss his mate's hair before they headed out the door with Jiro.