Big Bad Wolfie novel Chapter 18

"Isaiah, please gently escort these girls, back to their homes," Wolfie finally conceded.

"We know the way," Manda, Tessy's thirteen year old sister, snapped.

We all looked to her.

I sighed, "Manda please. Go. Stay safe. Take care of your little sister. I'll handle all of this."

She looked at me, wariness in her eyes.

Manda's not the type to be wary or worry. She's tough and doesn't like people seeing her as anything but. Which is why even her small expression of uncertainty is saddening.

"I promise. Your parents will be back soon, and everything will be alright."

I didn't coo it to her. She's not the kind to buy that. Her little sister, who I'm still holding close to my side, eats it up, but her? No. I looked her in the eyes and promised her, and thankfully, I could tell it made her feel a little better.

She sighed, "c'mon Tess," she glared at the wolves while taking her sister's hand and going in the direction of their home with her nose up.

I smirked, you go girl.

Isaiah only followed behind them, glaring at their backs. The other guards that were chasing Manda, dispersed and wandered off. Off to find some other little girls to hunt down, I'd assume.

•••Jason's POV•••

I watched Isaiah trail behind the young girls.

I shook my head silently, but made sure Maria was still turned the other way while I did.

This isn't what I wanted.

I don't like hurting people. Especially not kids.

Especially not my mate.

I hate that there are little girls being chased around by. . . By "monsters".

And. . . And I hate how close Isaiah just got to Maria. He got too close to her, right? I'm not just being unreasonable, right? When he was in wolf form, he was growling way too threateningly, right? And then I put a stop to it — like the knight in shining armor that I am, well. . . That I am most of the time — right? But then in human form he got even closer. Way. Way too close. . . . . . . . . . .

Breathe.

Am I right?

But she can't know that.

She has to see me as the ruthless leader that I truly am willing to be, to keep all the power.

'You sound like you're trying to convince yourself,' Malaki budded in.

'Did anyone ask you?' I snapped back.

'Chill man, and don't worry, when you lose your will to keep control because of our breathtaking mate — like I know you will — I'll be there to snap you back into it.'

'You're alright with our mate hating us for all eternity?' I sent an image of me raising my brow to the back of mind, where he resides. 'And never actually mating with us?'

'Oh please, she'll give up and come crawling to us in due time.'

'. . . I don't know Ki. I've heard things —'

'Forget about all that. Besides I've got a plan.' A picture of his wolf grin flashed in front of my eyes. 'It's for the next time we get her alone in her room.'

'Wait, you're not gonna —'

'Don't be stupid, of course I'm not gonna mate with her.'

I let out a small sigh of relief.

'Not unless she says please.'

'Ki!'

'What?!'

'I can't even with you.'

. . . Oh goddess, please get that image out of my head. I'll lose my mind.

'No, keep it there as long as possible.'

'Malaki!'

'What?!'

'Stop being such a creep!'

'She's our mate, and don't pretend you don't like it just as much.'

'I know, but you don't have to say it out loud. I half mumbled in my head, checking around us for any eavesdroppers.'

'I didn't! I'm in your head! And stop looking around, no one can here us.'

'Y'know what, just shut up and go to sleep.'

And he actually listened to me.

For once.

Which is. . . Weird, now that I think about it.

Why did he — WOAH!

I was barely quick enough, and I almost didn't even succeed in catching Maria mid fall. I didn't see what happened, I was distracted.

What the heck?!

She fainted?!

'I saw her swaying and then down she went. Pay attention to our mate Jason!' Ki snapped at me.

'You were distracting me!'

'Yeah well we're lucky I noticed, or else you would have just stayed standing there like an idiot.'

I growled at him, then turned to the more pressing matters. My currently unconscious mate in my arms.

The second part I don't mind, but the first, I need fixed.

Now.

Everything that happened next happened very quickly. A woman I half recognize from the momentary introductions, came running out her door and down her porch steps, over to us.

"Maria!" She shouted, eyes wide, looking scared.

I understand the feeling.

Malaki cleared his throat.

I mean, no I don't. I've never been scared in my life.

She touched her forehead and cheeks, and I did the same.

She's freezing.

REALLY, freezing.

She's always cold.

But now she's freezing.

Malaki nearly let a growl rip out of him at the thought of our mate being sick.

The woman looked up at me, her eyes now surprisingly hard and strong.

"Go get the doctor," she ordered.

Malaki stirred at that, but we both let it slide because she's helping us.

"Where is he?" I demand.

"She," she corrected. "And where do you think?" She deadpans.

Breathe.

Don't lose it.

I turn to Zach and nudge my head in the direction of the prisons, "Go."

He takes off running and soon, I'm doing the same toward the master house. I don't have time to think about what happens to the lady behind me, but I hear her yell something before I slam the front door shut with the hand that's not supporting Maria.

"Bring Rose and Brandon with you!" She yelled to Zach, "you're gonna need them."

I don't know what Zach responded, or if he even did. All I can seem to think about is getting Maria safe in bed.

Which is unlike me, not be able to multitask, but all my attention is on her. I can't seem to tear my eyes away from her lid covered ones that I can see Jolt and dart in different directions, even while unconscious.

I finally made it to the room I've been staying in and set her on my bed. I don't know why I brought her here; I was just on auto pilot.

I started pacing the floor, but before I knew it, Zach's voice filled the mind link, "where are you guys?"

"My room," I responded.

"On my way."

'Hurry,' Ki growled through the link.

"Yes alpha."

I shook my head, what did I do to deserve such a good beta and best friend?

"I don't know, you got lucky," I heard through the link. I could practically feel the smirk in his voice.

"You weren't supposed to hear that you @ss."