Duty, Love and Sacrifice

Chapter Four

JASON

"They are called strays" Sara stated as Jason, Stephen, Miriam and Laden all sat in Alpha Laden's office looking at Sara as she explains the nature of what had happened previously. After Philip and his men helped the injured from Jason's pack to their infirmary, Sara had led the rest of them to the packhouse to be greeted by the greyhound pack. Despite the unwelcoming visitors, it didn't deter the excitement as some of them could already sense their mate. Jason could breathe a little as their journey wasn't in vain, especially since he met his too as he kept saying her name in his head, the name seeming to give his wolf a sense of calmness. He always thought leaving the palace removed his chances of ever finding his mate and had trained himself to be enough for his pack. However, watching Sara as she stood before them, he couldn't imagine not having her by his side.

"what are strays?" Alpha Laden asks.

"Possessed supernaturals", Jason answers this time, knowing exactly what they are.

"I thought those were myths"

"They are lost in history. The last ones were destroyed during the... Ecliptic war"

"ecliptic war". Both Jason and Sara say at the same time and for a brief moment, they share a look.

"I remember. The witches made a deal with demons, giving them enough energy to possess supernaturals that had evil intentions and control them to help the witches during the war. But once a truce was called, the magic was termed forbidden and wiped from our minds, hoping no one ever remembers".

"But apparently someone did. But do they all turn to wolves?" Stephen asks

"no, each supernatural stay the same but the similarity is the blood-red eyes and the menacing look they give before they pounce on their prey" Jason retorts

"... And their attack is deadlier when you're at your most powerful. Once you're injured by a stray in your wolf form, there's no coming back from it. Your healing abilities are hindered and you'll have to recover like a human. It is why the king ensured everyone in the Palace was also trained in human form. He wanted to be prepared" Sara finishes and Jason looks at her. So she's from the Palace. Staring at her attire, Jason tried to place what she did. She didn't smell royal but she had an authoritative command around her, something that he found exciting.

"We'll need to beef up security and I'll make our neighbouring packs aware of the situation. We may need to go back to the books, find a weakness. " Alpha Laden decides.

"I'll send a message to the king", Miriam says.

"No. Send the message to Cara. She's closer to the covens around the Palace and we should make a visit to the head witch to get answers" Miriam makes a disapproving face but says nothing and leaves. "I leave tomorrow Uncle"

"Wait, why?"

"This is a lead to Casper, Uncle. And there's something about their aura that reminds me of..." Jason watched as she stopped talking as if realising they weren't alone. "Anyways, I'll say my goodbyes and head out in the morning". As if on fire, she stepped out hurriedly and Jason followed after her. As if sensing him, she stopped by an empty corridor, the openness reflecting the moon on her.
"You're following me"
"I am". She sighed heavily and for the first time since he got there, he noticed how tired and frustrated she was. "You're the Procter that swore allegiance to my nephew"

"... And you're the Kings younger brother. How fetching isn't it? I couldn't protect a royal blood and now the moon goddess punishes me by pairing me with one". Jason chuckled as he moved closer to her and rest on the railings as they both stare out, watching the interaction between the two packs.

"You do know I can't let you go"

"I know but I have to. I have a responsibility"

"There's a rumour that you're trying to find Casper". He could sense tension emit from her at the statement.

"will you condemn me too?" he stared at her as she turned to him sharply seeing the rebellion in her eyes. He almost found it cute.

"No. You're his Procter which means you're bound to him in body and soul. You can sense what others can't, except his mate". He watches her relax and can't help his lips move up a bit.

"I need to find him. And these strays, showing up now. It must be a sign." he nods, his memory reliving the ecliptic war. He had just been initiated into adulthood when the war was at its peak. His father had died in the war and things had gotten heated before he left the Palace, starting a warrior pack on the land his father had bestowed on him. Staring at Sara's demeanour, she reminded him of his own Procter, before he left the Palace- fierce and vigilante.

"I understand. But you don't have to go on this road alone". Jason watched his mate as she looked up at him, her eyes holding a fire he barely saw in women these days. Curious, he rests his right hand on her cheek tracing it softly. Every part of him wanted to hold her down and mark her and never let her go on her dangerous quest. But if anyone knew the importance of duty, it was him. He caressed the softness of her cheeks before letting slide to the back of her neck.

Gently, he moved their faces closer and placed his lips softly on her. Subconsciously, she moved closer, fitting her body to his and explored his lips too letting him in. He felt all his blood run down to his privates and tried to restrain himself, focusing solely on the kiss and how the softness of her lips made him run wild. He won't lie and say he hadn't kissed a few women growing up.
But there was nothing like kissing your mate.

Authors note:
So what do you think? Sorry for not updating on time. Covid-19 means more work at home. So Jason gets a taste of his mate, although he doesn't want to get too caught up in the mate pull. And what about Sara? Is she willing to let him into her life and risk having to choose between her mate and her obligation?
Also, there is nothing like age difference in the supernatural world since they can live for more than a century.
Until next time my lovelies