Jade's pov
“Jade, dear you must awaken so I can get you hidden in the trailer,” Monica beseeched. Cracking open my swollen eyes I felt like crap. “I'm sort of awake and feeling awful,” I murmured. Feeling her hand on my forehead she exhaled sharply and said, “You have a fever. I have medicine that will help but first I need you in the trailer.” Deliriously, I nodded and when I opened the door I tumbled to the ground. My injuries screamed painfully. “Do you need me to carry you,” Monica asked me as she hung out of the passenger side. Shaking my head I told her that I was fine and just needed to get my bearings. Getting to my feet I stood there with my hand braced against the side of the truck. Monica came around to my side and suggested that I allow her to lift me into the open trailer. “Sit down in the middle so I can cover you with the items. Go ahead and get some sleep, it's going to take several hours to get there,” she instructed. Not having the strength to question why I had to hide I did what she asked while soft parcels were placed around me. Soon a green tarp was spread out over the entire load and the sunlight was gone from my eyes. Hearing the sound of engines approaching and Monica greeting whoever had arrived I shrank further into the pile. My movement was noticed and one of the men made note of it. “What stray did you find this time Red? You know your son said not to bring anything more after that bear cub fiasco,” he growled. “This one's special besides he won't know if you don't tell him,” she answered back, causing me to grin slightly even though I was feeling apprehensive. The trailer soon started to move along the uneven ground nulling me to sleep once again which gave my body a chance to heal more. Several hours later I was awoken by the voice of an angry man asking Monica what she thought she was doing. “You're not supposed to be venturing out to get supplies by yourself! You know that,” the stranger asserted. “Nonsense Conri, I am perfectly capable of driving and finding my way home,” Monica answered and I shifted myself to try and see where we had arrived. “What stray have you brought home this time?” I gritted my teeth and remained still while feeling a hand patting me from above the tarp. “It's something special dear son and nothing to worry your stubborn self over. I plan on caring for her,’’ Monica's chipper voice asserted. “I smell blood. Get it healed and released back into the wild,” the man huffed and I could hear him stride away. Peeking out from under the tarp Monica laughed. “You look much better than before, Jade, you must have good wolf-healing genes,” she stated with admiration. Nodding my head my eyes scanned the ginormous resort-style structure and the other smaller buildings. “This place is huge!” Chuckling, Monica nodded. “So are the male Lycan which is why I have hidden you. I didn't want you to scurry aware in fear,” she said sympathetically. “Thanks, I am very leery of the opposite sex,” I admitted but knew that she was already well aware. Glancing around Monica lifted the tarp and asked me to climb out and follow her. “I'm going to bring you to my room so you can get cleaned up. I'm sure that I can find you something to wear from the pup's used clothes shelves. “Thank you, I would appreciate that,” I said softly as I scurried behind her through the thawing snow that covered the gravel. As we stepped up onto the patio of the largest structure Monica turned and told me to be sure to wipe off my feet on the rug at the entrance. “Certainly, I have manners,” I muttered and heard her chuckle. Standing in the doorway my eyes widened and my mouth dropped open. The interior was breathtaking in a rustic fashion. My arm hairs rose in recognition. I glanced at the inside and back at Monica in confusion. “This is a Royal household. I thought you said that you weren't royalty?” I stated my concern. Monica shrugged and said, “Lycans don't care about titles. They care about loyalty dear but honestly, I swear to you that I'm not royalty.” “Mother, who is that?” The man's stern voice from earlier filled the air and I was quickly collected by her as she tucked me behind herself. “She's a friend that I met during my drive. I'm going to care for her and get her a job in the pack pub,” she asserted. Peeking around her back I looked up at the breathtaking man whose bare tanned chest was covered in tattoos. My mouth went dry as my heartbeat increased. “Well, do the proper thing and introduce your pet project,” he sighed. I shrank back and started to shiver, from fear or something else I didn't know but was thankful that Monica picked up on it and covered for me. “Not at this time Conri, wait until she's had a chance to get well first. You know first impressions are important,” she stated firmly and to my shock, the man answered. “Very well, Mother, but she's wearing my shirt.” Glancing down at the flannel I gritted my teeth and quickly removed it and stuck my arm around Monica with it dangling from my hand. Feeling it get plucked from my fingers I closed my fist and tucked it back close to my body. “If you will excuse us, I will be going to my room,” Monica declared and turned to me with a big smile on her face. “Come along, let's go get you cleaned up, Jade,” she chimed as she escorted me up a flight of stairs. Glancing back I saw Conri watching us curiously as he sniffed the shirt I'd been wearing. “That male is your son,” I asked her. “Yes, he is also the Lycan King and Alpha of this area,” she said casually and I almost choked. “But you said that you weren't royalty?” “I'm not, just my son and his late father were,” she explained and I eyed her incredulously and sighed as she brought me to her actual suite.Jade's pov I'd been taught by my pack and parents that Lycans were a breed apart from us but we both followed the Moon Goddess and her council so perhaps my old pack was wrong I thought as I listened to Monica explaining to me about her ensuite. She was telling me which bedroom I would use, where the bathroom was, and the necessities for a bath or shower. “Thank you, I don't know what would have happened to me if you hadn't driven past me,” I said sincerely, causing her to laugh. Coming toward me she sighed. “I may have had ulterior motives, don't hate me Jade but I love my son and since his father's passing I worry about him and his future,” she said reluctantly. “Finding you is an answer to a prayer I've made to the Goddess, for several decades,” she added. Raising my brow I exhaled deeply and said, “I am the last person that you would want to have for your son. First, you know nothing about me and secondly, I was raised to be untrusting of others, especially men. Not to ment
Conri Rex’s pov Taking my mom directly to my office to avoid any interruptions when we arrived I was shocked to see her looking worried. “What is going on and why do you look distressed,” I asked her as she sat down and rubbed her eyes. “I'm worried about that young lady. She was injured more than I had realized yet refuses to drink the medicine I offered,” she muttered softly. Shaking my head I pulled up a chair to sit beside her and watched her wipe away a tear that had fallen from her eyes. She had always been a caring person and had been all my life. “I should have gotten her before the incident,” she groaned sadly. Confused about what she was talking about I asked, “What is going on Mother? Did you get another one of your visions or has the Goddess herself been putting ideas in your head?” Giving me a glare my mom pffted at me. “She was beaten by her father and his guards and then tossed onto a secluded gravel road, that is terrible!” “Why did they do that? If y
Jade’s pov Watching Monica and Conri returning to the dining room I kept a close eye on Monica in hopes she would spill what was discussed. After they took their seats the king mumbled softly and announced that he was excusing himself. I watched him stand and leave abruptly in concern. Turning to Monica I asked her what that was about. “I have no clue, dear,” she said honestly and I chewed on my last bite of food in worry. “Why am I concerned about Conri? I mean I'm certain that he can take care of himself. He was a Lycan king after all, I mused then grinned slightly to myself. Glancing over at Monica I asked her what her son's tattoos were about causing her to chuckle. “You're going to ask him about what they all mean,” she replied and I shook my head timidly. ‘’I couldn't do that! He is the king and I am not even a Lycan or have a wolf for that matter,” I muttered sourly. “Well, dear since we're finished with the meal, how about you and I take a walk around this hu
Jade’s pov Awakened by Monica holding a cup out at me with a grin on her face I sat up yawning and stretching. “Wake yourself and drink this. It will perk you up and make you feel like a million bucks,” she insisted. Taking it from her fingers I asked her if it was coffee and she made a goofy facial expression and told me no. Sniffing the contents it smelled alright so I took a sip and quickly drained it all. Smacking my lips I thanked her and handed the cup back. “Get up dear, we have a lot to get accomplished today,” she said in encouragement. Feeling a warmth starting to spread throughout my body I narrowed my eyes as my cheeks flushed. ‘“I feel hot and very exhausted. I just want to sleep,” I muttered as she quickly felt my forehead. “You're burning up, crap,” she cursed and quickly rushed out of the room. Closing my eyes I fell into a dream-like state and was aware of Monica rushing back in biting her nails nervously with Gabby thumbing through an ancient spell book. I
Jade’s pov “Jade, wait up,” I heard Monica shout as I reached the entrance of the establishment. Rushing to my side she said, “It's technically not open yet but they will allow you in when accompanying Conri or me,” she explained as she reached out past me and rapped on the door. The door opened and an old man spied Monica and grinned. “Hey sweetie, are you coming for breakfast?” “You Betcha Derek, you are the only man I know that can cook like a Michelin star chef,” she chuckled then introduced me to her friend, explaining how I wished to work. His kind eyes looked at me as he nodded. “She's pretty and will earn much if she can waitress,” he said firmly. Nodding I told him that I had experience and could easily carry a tray full of drinks. “Great, come on in and Monica go to your table and I will whip up a nice morning feast for you both,” Derek said with a wink to my dear friend. Putting her arm around my shoulders she led me inside and told the man that Conri w
Jade’s pov Seeing Monica sitting in her living room area of our shared suite she grinned up at me. “Did he ask you to go see the flowers?” Nodding, I told her he said that it was just a friendly outing when I asked him if it was a date,” I murmured, causing her to roll her eyes. “He doesn't know how to behave around females that don't fling themselves at him. Jade, don't make it easy for the fool. Let him work for it,” she asserted and I chuckled. “I'm not sure what you expect me to do Monica. I'm not an expert with men and I may not go with him,” I stated disparagingly. “Oh dear, the king is interested in you, whether he is my son or not you can't refuse the king!” Side-eyeing her I huffed as I sat beside her on the couch. “Will he be aggressive with me if I thwart his advances? I'm not sure if I am ready for that,” I explained my concern. Days before I told her that my heartbeat increased and my arm hair raised in Conri's presence. She had encouraged me to pursue h
Jade’s pov Once Monica was finished with my hair she beamed at how lovely I looked. “You're going to knock his socks off,” she laughed and as I looked at myself in her full-length mirror I blinked at the site. “I look different,” I mumbled softly as I turned to see my profile. “You look like you, Jade, just more refined,” Monica giggled. The door opened to her room and I heard Conri say, “Holy crap, you're stunning!” Seeing him wearing gray sweatpants and an oversized flannel with a t-shirt underneath I glanced down at myself with a frown. Side-eyeing Monica, I huffed. ‘“I'm overdressed,” I growled. She hurried toward her son and shooed him off telling him to change. “Dress up, you silly boy!” I covered my chuckle with my closed fist. “Monica, we are just going out to look at flower fields, it's not a formal situation,” I giggled. Shaking her head she sighed. “Still, you deserve more than his casual attire,” she stated firmly and I nodded slightly. Inha
Jade’s pov Finishing up the simple lunch Conri said something that stopped me cold. “Your father and Barron have been searching for you. Now that I know your entire story I am certain that it's due to the money your father received,” he huffed in annoyance. “Have they come to your pack,” I asked in fear. Shaking his head he explained that his guards informed him yesterday that it was only the younger male that had been poking around. Shuddering about Barron I frowned. Thinking about it I wondered if something had happened to my dad. Looking at Conri I inquired, “Can you check on my father's pack through the Moon Council's website?” Nodding he said, “Certainly we can both check once we get back to my home office but the website doesn't get very detailed about individuals.” ‘“I just want to check that my father is still breathing. It would give that much. I know he treated me poorly but Barron's family are notorious for ending others,” I muttered. “Yeah, a Phillips mu