Chapter 57
Odd Encounters
Moon is not shocked when she sees Colin has indeed organized their trip back to Bigs Springs pack like a military operation. Three SUVs sit packed with guards, and Jess is standing next to one of the SUVs talking with Jake looking exasperated. Moon and Colin get closer to the conversation, and Jake has his back to them, and from the sound of it, he’s just as annoyed as Jess.
“I don’t see the problem with me tagging along. I will even take my own car so that takes all the worry off you, young lady.” He snaps.
“Is there a problem, Jess?” Colin’s calm tone and blank face hide the aggravation he’s feeling. He will not tolerate someone speaking to any of his people like that.
“Yes, Alpha. Mr. Woods believes it is important that he accompany us. While I have told him that your orders are to only bring the people you have personally selected. Mr. Woods is unwilling to accept that.” Jess grits her teeth every time she says his name, and the glare on Jake’s face makes his feeling about Jess all too clear.
“Alpha Colin, surely you don’t think I could be a problem. I only want to be of help to maybe help undo some of what I did to Moon as well. I have had so much guilt over what Alpha Mark may have done, and I would like to know if there is some way I can help set it right again.” Jake is still aggravated, but his words seem sincere. Colin has his reservations. There is something off about this Colin can feel it, and so can Farrell. Colin just can’t tell if it is the general dislike of the man or something that he should be worried about.
Moon is still watching Jess’s annoyed expression when suddenly it changes, and her eyes go wide with a look of pure shock. Moon hears someone start to call her name, and then she turns to see Becky frozen in place, her expression the same as Jess’s.
Becky is 4 years older, then Ben. She found her mate when she left for college, and they couldn’t wait to start a family together. When Becky’s mate thought he was just sick with a nasty flu, they were devastated by a diagnosis of Leukemia. It was fast spreading and aggressive. Sam fought hard just to be there to see his youngest son arrive into the world. He passed a few days later. Becky would have died then, too, if it hadn’t been for her children.
Now the way she and Jess are locked in staring at each other, Moon can’t help but smile. When Jess clears her throat and starts walking up to her new found mate. Becky brushes her chestnut hair from her face and smiles at Jess, her cheeks turning pink.
“What did I miss?” Jake starts, but when both women smile and start hugging, Jake hangs his head looking defeated. “Looks like I made a good first impression on my new daughter in law, didn’t I?”
Moon chuckles at him. “Luckily for you, Jess is a pretty forgiving person. But I think Jess is out of the mission now, Sarge.” Moon turns to Colin raising an eyebrow and grinning at her own joke. “Hey, Jake can just take her place then.” Moon suggests, and Colin looks unhappy, but he won’t deny Jess time with her mate. He knows what it means to her.
“I guess there is room now. Jess, you stay and take the time you need. Jess looks torn between her duty and her new mate. Colin looks at her more gently. “I mean it. Go get to know one another. It’s fine.” Jess smiles, and the two new love birds look at each other again. They are going to have a lot to work out. Moon is sure Becky is already thinking of her kids.
Someone in the SUV gets out and hops in the driver’s seat, and Jake gets in the newly open seat. Colin sighs, “Let’s go before plans change even more.” Moon can tell he hates that things have already gone off plan, but he would never deny Jess this moment.
They go get in Colin’s car, and Moon is surprised no one is riding with them. Colin smirks, opening her door for her. “What I wanted you all to myself.” He shrugs, making her blush a little. She just hopes she can manage to not get car sick in the first five miles.
Colin hops in, and one SUV ahead of them pulls out. Colin follows it, and the other to follow behind them. Moon is starting to panic and wonders if she can just call the whole thing off. She doesn’t want to do this and the car is beginning to feel suffocating. Colin takes her hand and brings it to his lips, kissing it lightly. Breaking some of Moon’s spiraling thoughts.
“You need to breathe, love.” He says, and Moon just nods, taking a breath.
“I know it’s silly to be worked up over this. But..” She trails off.
“I don’t think it’s silly. I know you don’t want to do this, but you are because it is important.” Colin tries to reassure her. Moon sits there quietly, thinking for a few moments.
“I’m also worried something will happen while we are gone. We still don’t know who is helping Jamie and what if they try something while we are gone?” Moon questions as she fiddles with her necklace. Colin squeezes her hand a little, trying to reassure her.
“That is why I have extra patrols. Ben has helped organize your people to help as well. Bella is well-guarded, and it will be okay. I have seen to everything the best I can and only have people I absolutely trust around Bella, and we will be back tonight. I know it’s a long drive, but we would both like to get back as soon as possible.” Moon just nods, and Kiara is also trying to reassure her that they are doing what needs to be done. If she doesn’t get to stretch her legs soon, Kiara thinks she might go crazy.
“Okay, I know, but I still don’t like it.” Moon sighs, slumping in the seat a bit more.
Things will be better once I’m completely free. We will be stronger and more connected; you’ll see it will all be worth it. Kiara tries wagging her tail excitedly and bouncing.
I know it will be, but can you stop bouncing? You are not helping at all. Moon turns a little pale, getting nauseous.
Oops sorry. Kiara is unaffected by Moon’s motion sickness and can’t seem to understand why it isn’t affecting her as well. She feels what Moon feels, but this motion sickness has never affected Kiara at all.
Moon’s thoughts also drift back to Rachel and her sister sitting in the dining hall, whispering to one another. Moon doesn’t like Rachel but something about it seemed odd. What could they have been whispering about?