Rogues Attack

CHAPTER 31- Rogues Attack
JASMINE’S P. O. V.
It has been two weeks since that talk with Hunter. I noticed that one of my pillows went missing that night. I am assuming that is how Hunter is getting to sleep. He is getting my scent from the pillow. Christian came back today, he plans to stay for a week. I have nothing that I can give this guy. It is becoming increasingly obvious to me that I need Hunter. I can’t continue to punish him for something that someone else did. Allison disappeared two weeks ago. This makes it even harder to keep Hunter at a distance.
Here it is midnight and I can’t sleep. All I want is Hunter here by my side. I can’t let him know that yet though. I still need time. There are still flashes of Hunter with Allison flying through my mind. I am not sure if they will ever go away. They do happen less often.
That is it, I can’t take it anymore. I have never done this before but desperate times call for desperate measures. I jump out of bed and take the one flight of stairs down to Hunter’s room. I give the door a knock. He grumbles a come in. Probably thinking it is his parents. I hear they are pressuring him about the two of us. I come in and go to the side of the bed that I usually take in my room. I don’t even ask, I just slide in the covers. He sits up straight and flicks on a light.
I see the smirk on his lips. “Well, this is a change.”
“I couldn’t sleep. Don’t act like you weren’t the one that took my pillow for the same reason.” I fluff up the pillows as I get comfortable.
“I never said it wasn’t.” He flicks the light back off and moves his body closer to me. “I am going to hold you, just warning you now.” I feel his arms slide around me. It doesn’t take long before I drift off to sleep. I haven’t slept that well since the day he left my room.
I woke up the next morning completely tangled in Hunter’s arms. He wasn’t joking about holding me. I am completely pinned into his body, there is no way I am getting out of this bed without waking him. “Hunter, I need to get up.”
He pulls me even closer. “No you don’t.” He groans.
“Hunter, I have to go to the bathroom. If you don’t let me up, I will not make it.” I say sternly.
“That is an excuse. But I will let you up, on the condition that you will come back for five minutes.” I can feel him smirk against my neck.
“Fine, five minutes.” I grumble, but it’s fake. I love this side of him.
I get up and do my business in his bathroom and come back out. He is laying there, he puts his arm up to indicate that I need to get back in his arms. I smile and get back in. “You know we have training right?”
“You know I will function a lot better with five more minutes. It has been too long since I have woken up with you in my arms. I want to enjoy every minute of it.” He starts kissing me on the neck. “I love you being right here.”
“I love being here too.” I murmur back.
“How much longer are we going to do this crap? Allison is gone. I don’t see the point in keeping this off. I want you back.”
I go silent. I don’t have an answer for him. I want to say yes, but I am still scared. I still have flashes of Allison. I am not ready yet. “Soon. Not yet.”
He growls. “This is stupid. I will keep it up, but I don’t like it.” I can feel his hands sliding my shirt up so that he can touch my sides without the fabric in the way. His kisses on my neck become more needy, he’s pulling me closer. “I need you.” He mumbles into my skin.
“We don’t have time for that.”
“I will make the time.” He pulls me over so that I am on my back. Now he is on top of me. Pinning me down so that he can plant kisses on me. He keeps doing that and I just might give in. He has me panting and heaving. I can feel his need through his kisses. If I am being honest my needs too.
“ROGUE ATTACK.” Runs through both our heads. Saved by the Alpha. “SOUTH EAST QUADRANT NOW!” I am sure this was addressed to everyone who can fight.
Hunter and I both jump out of bed and run to the door, at the door we are greeted by both his parents. Who seemed pleased to see me leaving his room. I am sure I look how they suspect. We all ran as a group down the stairs and straight out the door. There is no concern for clothes at this point. We all shifted while in our clothes, tearing them as we ran.
The pounding of paws is thrilling. It sounds powerful. Growls and snarls meet the pounding. We are ready for a fight. If there is one thing that we will not tolerate it is rogues on our land. When we arrive at the area father stated we find five rogues. Not a lot but the faster we deal with them the better. It is at least ten to one. With Hunter and I there along with my father, we make short work of them. Our wolves are bigger and stronger than theirs. It takes a total of ten minutes to get them pinned down and sedated.
“Good work everyone. As a reward, no training this morning.” My father links to us all.
I for one am too worked up to do much. I need to run. I think Hunter feels the same because we both take off towards the woods. We are running and sniping at each other much like we did on that first run. It is fun and thrilling. I can see why I need this man. He completes me. We feel the same about everything. If there is one thing that I am certain of it is that we are a good match. I just need to get over a few things.
When I start to tire Hunter catches me, pinning me to the ground. He rubs his muzzle against mine. Inwardly I smile. He really does love me. I nip at his muzzle, he nips back. He slides his body next to mine. I love the feel of our fur against each other. Apparently he does too, because he keeps rubbing against mine. After a while I know that we need to go back. I get up and shake out my fur as he stands and stretches out.
I start walking back to the pack house. I don’t want to run, it would ruin the mood I am in. I like this feeling of just the two of us. We walk in silence for a while. After several minutes Hunter breaks the silence. “You know we could go back and finish what we started.” I can hear the cocky attitude through the link.
“Not a chance, wolf boy. I need more time and you know it.”
“Come on, we are already naked. It wouldn’t take much. You know you want this body.”
“Self assured aren’t we?”
“If I wasn’t I would have fallen apart already. I have to know you want me.” There is a little sadness in his tone and his wolf head points towards the ground. He doesn’t want to hear any different.
“Don’t doubt that I want you. I just need time Hunter.”
He rubs his body against mine. “I need you. Baby, promise you are mine.”
“You are my mate Hunter. Of course I am yours.”
“When will you re-mark me then?”
“When I am ready.” I state as we come into the clearing. I can see Jay up ahead. He is watching for us. As soon as he sees us come out of the woods he runs up to us. With his vampire speed it only takes him seconds.
“I was worried as hell about you two. Why didn’t you come back with the rest of them?” We can’t answer him. “Right you can’t talk. Well when you shift back I want an explanation. I am assuming you two are going to need me to open doors. If you are like the rest then you have no clothes. It was not a pretty sight.” He cringes a little. I can imagine a bunch of people coming into the pack house butt naked. I nod my big head. “Although I wouldn’t mind seeing Jasmine shift back.” That earns him a little snip from Hunter. “Kidding. Next time get me, I could have fought too. We need like a beeper or something. Maybe there is a way to include me in the link?” He is blabbering. He must have been really worried.
We arrive at the pack house and Jay follows us both to our rooms opening doors for us along the way. I can tell that he is waiting outside my door as I dress. So I forgo a shower and just get some clothes on. When I come out he is still standing there. “I really am glad you guys are ok.”
“Sorry you were worried. But I did have a thought, while you were blabbering away. I have heard that vampires can read minds. Maybe we can have some sort of system where you can read my mind at times.” There are many instances where I wouldn’t want that but I want to let Jay feel comfortable. Anything for my best friend.
“Only one problem. I don’t know how to do that.” He looks a little disappointed.
“Let’s go to the library. There are a few books on vampires in there, maybe we will find one that will help.” I start to lead the way to the library.
“You think?” I chuckle at his response.
“I wouldn’t have suggested it if I didn’t.”
Once we are in the library I go straight to the vampire section. I have memorized where it was since Jay turned. “This is all the books that we have on vampires. If there is any way that we can communicate without talking, it is going to be here.” I point to the shelf.
“Research, awesome.” I can hear the sarcasm dripping from his statement.
“We could just leave things the way they are. You know, with you not knowing what the hell is going on.”
“Alright, I see your point.” He grabs the first book off the shelf. “I better get a cookie when we are done.”
“Baby.” Chuckling. Even so, I will make sure he gets his cookie.
“If I get a cookie, call me whatever you want.” Jay says as he takes a few books over to a table to read through them.
I take a few and take a seat next to him. I skim the books and find a few passages that look promising, but I want more before we start trying to test them out. The passages are a bit vague. I delve back into the shelves, I am standing there looking at the titles to try to decipher if they will be of use, when Hunter comes up behind me and wraps his arms around me.
“I have been looking for you.” He whispers into my ear, lips barely brushing the skin there.
I smile at him. “I was helping Jay with a beeper situation.”
He chuckles. “What?”
“You know how worried he was about us, when the rogues attacked. Well, I am figuring out a way that he can have a link as well. It is a little complicated with vampires, but it is possible.” I pull another book. Hunter pulls me closer to him.
“I want to talk to you about this time frame. I am starting to really need you.” He mumbles into my neck.
“I know this is difficult. I still need more time. It isn’t exactly something to just get over. Imagine if you caught me with someone half dressed and my tongue down their throat.” He clutches my body and growls. “See, not an easy image to have. And I actually saw it. It is going to take me time.”
“I get it I really do, but it is really hard to be away from you. Plus I know that guy is hovering around here somewhere trying to steal you away from me.” He is kissing my neck now. That feels so good.
“Just keep doing that and I am not going anywhere.”
He smiles into my skin. “Your wish is my command.” His kisses turn into nibbles. Even better. I almost forgot that we are in the library. That is until Jay comes up to the book shelf.
“You guys know you are in public right?” I straightened up a little.
Hunter grumbles. “I was forgetting. Thanks for the reminder.”
Jay smiles. “Any time.” Clearly Hunter was not grateful. He really wanted to keep doing what he was doing. I, on the other hand, am thankful for the reminder. I don’t need to be getting lost right now.
I pull another couple of books and head back to the table. Before I can take a seat Alpha Christian comes in. He sees me and heads straight to me. “There you are. I am so grateful you are alright after that attack this morning.”
I give him a smile. “I am fit as a fiddle. Thank you for your concern.”
He still has a serious look on his face. “I was wondering if I could borrow you for a moment. I have something I would like to discuss with you.”
I hear Hunter let out a growl next to me. I give him a warning look. “Yes, Alpha.” I make sure to emphasize the title so that Hunter will back down.
He puts an arm out for me to take. I can hear Hunter let out another growl, but Jay puts his hand on his shoulder. I take Christian’s arm and follow his lead.
“I see we are back to Alpha, what happened to Christian?”
“Sorry, I was trying to get Hunter to calm down. I figured if I used your title that he might settle down a little. He is a bit possessive. Especially when it comes to you.”
“I see. Are you two back together?” I can’t read his tone. Everything is completely neutral.
“Sort of but not really. He is my mate, it is not something that I can easily push away.”
“I understand, but this puts me at a bit of a disadvantage. I was going to talk to you about my proposal again. It would seem that the rogues have targeted your pack. If this keeps up then you are going to be forced to move territories or be demolished. I would hate to see that happen to the pack. If we were to join our packs then the rogues would back off. The pack would be too big for them to face.”
“I see, so for the pack’s safety you want a speedy answer.” This is not at all how I would like things to go. Where is the love or passion? I just don’t want to feel like this is something that I have to do.
“I think it would be beneficial. I am not just asking for the pack. I want you to be my mate as well. I haven’t stopped thinking about you since I left. I know it seems like I am feeding off the opportunity, maybe I am. I am using the rogues to my advantage at this point.” He takes my hand. “I wouldn’t even mind if you kept Hunter as an affair. I just want you as my mate.”
“I would never do that to either of you. I don’t know what my answer will be at this point. I do want what is best for the pack, but Hunter is my mate. I feel a need for him that no one else can fill.”
He takes my other hand. “I can. I will do everything possible to fill that need. You will never feel the loss of the mate bond. I will make it my life’s mission to make sure that you are treated as you should be.” He kisses both of my hands.
“Christian, this is really a lot to take in. I don’t know how I am supposed to answer this question. I want to make sure that I am making the right decision. I have to make the right choice for the pack. I will be stronger with my mate. But the pack will be stronger with an alliance.”
“I see your point. I know I am asking a lot. I am essentially asking you to give up your mate for your pack. For me.” I can see in his eyes he gets what he is asking. But he isn’t going to relent. “But it isn’t as though you haven’t already rejected him.” He had to make that point. It’s true, but I don’t like to be reminded of what we are going through.
“I need more time Christian.”
“I don’t think time is on our side.” He looks as if the pressure is killing him.
“Then my answer is no. I am not going to tell you yes right now. If you need an answer now then it is no.” I make sure that my resolve is firm.
“I understand. I will give you more time to reconsider.” He comes closer to whisper in my ear. “I really hope I can get you to reconsider.” He takes his hands and places them on my side. “I would love to have you as my mate.” He pulls my body to his. If anyone saw this exchange there would definitely be talk. He gives me a peck on the cheek and then breaks away from me. “Until later. I will be here for the week. I plan to spend a great deal of time getting you to choose me.” With that he just walks off.
I stand there completely at a loss for words. I told him no. I rejected the proposal and he is still trying. What the hell just happened? I literally went from having everyone telling me that I am never going to be with anyone, to having three guys vying for my attention. Only one of which I actually want. Hunter is my mate and I know that he is going to be perfect for me. I just have to deal with the issue of seeing him with Allison. I know deep down that it wasn’t his fault, it is just a little hard to get past.
I head back to the library to work with Jay on his link issue. At least that is something that I can fix now. When I come back Hunter is sitting next to Jay with a fuming look on his face, his arms folded over his chest. It is adorable. I sit across the table from him and start grabbing books, like I don’t even see him. He needs to squirm a little.
“So, what did your boyfriend want?” He growls out.
“Only to ask to marry me again.” I state as I look through another book.
“You aren’t even going to protest the boyfriend part?” He is leaning forward on the table now.
Jay puts his hand on Hunter’s shoulder. “Dude, she is messing with you. She knows you’re pissed.”
“Yeah, I am pissed. My mate is running around with another guy.” Hunter seaths.
“Would you like to know my answer, or are you just going to assume?” I point out as I continue not to look at him.
“What? Did you give him an answer?” He looks scared. Ok, he has squirmed enough.
“I told him no. He says he still wants to pursue me, but I told him no.” I look up in Hunter’s eyes to see relief pass by. Then anger that Christian still wants me to be with him.
“He isn’t going to take no for an answer?” Hunter is pissed agian. If I don’t stop him then he is going to do something stupid. Like trying to beat down a visiting Alpha.
“He will, he just hopes that I will change my mind. As things stand right now, I am choosing to focus on the pack and myself. I don’t need a mate.” I continue to flip through the books.
“You are my mate.” He practically yells. A few people look over, thankfully the room isn’t that popular.
“Yes, I am.” I smile at him. I get up and come and take the seat next to him. I pull his chair closer. “You are my mate too. I just need to deal with mental images. Give me time and I will be yours completely, no one else’s.”
He slides his arms around my waist and pulls me closer so that I might as well be sitting on his lap. “I do not like that guy.” He whispers in my ear.
“I know.” I whisper back. I can feel him calming having me here in his arms.
“Can I sleep with you tonight? I really need it.”
I think it would be best with Christian here. That way at least Hunter wakes in a calm manner. “Alright, but my room. I want a familiar setting.”
“I like your room better anyway.” He smiles at me.
“You need to bring my pillow back.” I smile back at him.
“How else will I get it to smell like you?” He tickles my side. He is trying to be cute.
Jay scoffs, “As cute as you two are, it’s making me sick. Can we get back to the point at hand.” He waves the book he’s reading at us. “I want my cookie.” Hunter looks at him confused. Jay points at me. “She said I will get a cookie when we are done. I hate research.”
Hunter laughs. “I’ll make sure you get your cookie. Have we found anything in these books?”
I pulled out the two that had the passages that looked promising. “I found these, they refer to a vampire having a special link with a werewolf but it is a little vague as to how they did it. Something about sharing a part of each other. I am not sure what that means.”
Jay gets a serious look on his face, “I do, but you aren’t going to like it.”
“Well, what is it?” I ask. We don’t have to look anymore if he has his answer.
“The vampire that I was talking to at the wedding explained one thing explicitly to me. That is that everything that has to be done with vampires involves blood. If it says that we have to share something, that something is blood. It would be like a blood brother thing.” He looks at me with a little bit of pleading on his face. He hates not being helpful, this morning was his chance to help and know that I was safe. He couldn’t because he didn’t even know about it.
I sigh. “How much blood?”
“I would assume it is a bite thing. The vampire at the wedding said that if you need blood for something besides feeding that usually it doesn’t take much. Blood is very powerful to us, a little goes a long way.”
Hunter looks at me. “You aren’t considering this are you?”
I think for a moment. “I am. Jay needs this. If we are able to link him then he can be on alert like the rest of the pack. He will be able to fight right by our sides. His presence would be an incredible asset.”
“Plus I am her best friend.” Jay points out. He’s right, if he wasn’t my best friend I wouldn’t even think about this.
I shrug. “I think it is a good idea. I want you to feed first. I don’t want you to accidently drain me.”
Hunter squeezes me. “Are you crazy? You can’t let a vampire drink your blood.”
“This is Jay we are talking about.” I point out.
“Yeah, and he is newly turned. He could lose it.” He turns to Jay. “Don’t get me wrong, I think you are a great guy and all, but this is Jasmine we are talking about.”
He shrugs. “I get it. I don’t think I will lose control, but I know it is possible.”
I squeeze Hunter. “You will be there to make sure that everything is alright.”
“Damn straight I am going to be there. I am not letting you do this without me. I also know that you are going to do this, even if I object full heartedly.” I give his cheek a kiss. “Not going to work for this one. I need a full on kiss.”
I chuckle but comply. He buries his hands in my hair. Pulling me as close as he can until Jay clears his throat.
“Cute. Anyway, I am going to go eat and get my cookie. Then I will meet you tonight. I want to have this link as soon as possible. And Jasmine.” I look over at him. “Thank you for understanding.”
I give him a smile. “What are best friends for?”
“Zoe can’t say that.” He points out as he stands.
“No, she can’t.” I chuckle. I stand too to start putting the books back where we got them. I know there is someone to do that, but I never like other people to do things for me.