52

Suddenly Jasper was getting back on his feet, and a new feeling was coming through their bond.
Rage.
The Alpha turned and snarled at the shocked woman, who then pulled the trigger once more.
Again Jasper stumbled, but this time he caught himself and continued to walk as each injury healed itself seamlessly.
The woman’s face became panicked as she quickly realized her advantage was no longer effective. So, she turned to run, but Jasper began shifting as he sprinted after her.
Normally a werewolf only had one form, and it looked very much like an average wolf, but Alphas were different. Alphas had a second form that they could always use regardless of what phase the moon was in. One that more closely resembled the old legends of a bipedal creature. It walked upright like a man, but had all the features of a wolf.
This was the Alpha’s true form, intended to only be used when defending the pack.
With a dangerous, inhuman growl, Jasper caught up to the woman and snatched her by the back of her shirt. In response, Mary ducked down, slipping out of her top and backing away in her undershirt.
Jasper quickly tossed the cloth to the side and prowled closer, causing the woman to raise the gun again, this time aiming for his head.
You might be able to heal general wounds, but what about wounds to the brain ?
The Alpha paused, and Darren felt a wave of panic flow through their bond.
Thanks to their unfiltered connection, the rogue realized why the man was hesitating. It was because she had guessed right. While Jasper could heal just about any wound to his body, he wouldn’t be able to recover if his brains were blown out.
Dizzy and fearful, Darren struggled to his feet as he was overcome with new determination.
He had to do something, or else Jasper was going to die.
His mate was going to die.
Darren felt a wave of cold hit him and he gasped, surprised, as his body became light as a feather. The colors of the world began to fall away, replaced by shades of grey as an ethereal glow permeated his vision.
He didn’t know what was happening, but what he did know was that one second it was just the three of them, and the next, they were surrounded by ghosts. Some of them were familiar faces, such as the teacher’s spirit that guarded the preschool and the old woman from the park. As a matter of fact, it looked like Darren had somehow summoned every ghost from miles around, and they were all focused on Mary.
Both Jasper and Mary were glancing around wide eyed, and it took a second for Darren to realize that he wasn’t the only one who could see them.
A rush of adrenaline had the rogue walking forward, and the ghosts copied what he did, circling in on the woman ahead.
Panicked, Mary turned the gun on the supernatural intruders. Back away ! Back away now ! She ordered.
Then she paused when she spotted a familiar face.
This spirit was young and well dressed, and from the looks of it, he recognized her too.
Mary’s breath picked up as the man stared back in disappointment, and a sob wracked her body as she lowered the gun.
Taking advantage of the situation, Jasper reacted instantly by rushing forward and disarming the woman with a clawed swipe.
Mary tried to pull away but was startled when all the ghosts suddenly rushed her. All of them slamming into her form and disappearing on contact.
As the last of them faded, Mary fell to her knees, bewildered, and Jasper stood over her to make sure she didn’t try to escape again.
Darren, meanwhile, felt like all the energy in his body had been drained and sat down to catch his breath. Whelp. Didn’t know I could do that.
It was an absolute miracle that Darren managed to stay awake long enough for help to arrive. With Mary detained, Jasper had confiscated her phone so he could tell the police where to find them.
Due to his wound and excessive blood loss, the rogue had to be rushed to the emergency room immediately. Unbeknownst to them, Darren was NOT a fan of such places due to the high concentration of spirits that tended to linger there, so he struggled until they knocked him out with some pain killers.
When he finally came to, he found Jasper sitting beside his bed and chatting with some random blond.
Darren rolled his head over and took note that this woman was extremely attractive, which didn’t sit right with him as she continued to act much too friendly towards the Alpha.
Mustering up what little strength he had, Darren sat up with a groan, drawing the attention of both his guests.
Wait ! Darren, don’t do that ! Jasper was upon him instantly, pressing the rogue back down into a laying position.
What’s wrong with letting him sit up ?
He keeps trying to leave for some reason. Jasper explained.
Darren recognized the woman’s voice and turned. Now that he could see her face, he realized it wasn’t just some random stranger that had come to flirt with Jasper.
Marcy ? He croaked, then broke into a coughing fit.
Marcy looked panicked for a moment, then spun around until she spotted a passing nurse and practically tackled them to demand a cup of water.
Why’s she here ? Darren decided to ask once his throat stopped threatening to choke him out.
I called your family. Jasper explained. Your parents were…Busy, but Marcy insisted on visiting. I thought that maybe you wouldn’t try to run off again if someone familiar was here.
When did I try to run off ?
Every time you woke up.
Darren blinked. I don’t remember any of that.
The Alpha smiled. I’m not surprised. The doctors had you on some pretty heavy meds. I tried to keep watch over you so they wouldn’t have to do that, but it was difficult since I had an entire investigation to wrap up.
Instantly Darren popped up from the bed. How did it go ? Where’s Mary ? Did you find the kids ? Is Sophie free ?
Jasper sighed, Lay back down and I’ll tell you.
Darren flopped backwards and looked up expectantly.
Mary’s in jail. We found enough evidence to connect her to the property near the lake, and the cops that went to investigate it said that the basement was decorated like some kind of daycare. They found hair and toys from the missing kids down there, as well as some transaction papers and billing statements on alias accounts. It’s going to take a while, but we should be able to track all the kids down and bring them home. As for Sophie, she’s free and helped testify against Mary once we explained everything to her. As for Gerrit… Jasper glanced away.
What ? Darren asked. He knew that Gerrit would be the most impacted by everything. Not only did the man lose his father, but now his mother as well…
He’s…He took a few days off and rented a hotel to stay at. He said he couldn’t stay in the Alpha House anymore. I’d have let him take more time off, but he insisted on coming back to work. I think keeping busy is his coping mechanism. You’d be surprised how much work he’s gotten done. I wish I was half as efficient as he was.