Chapter 45: Chapter Forty-Four

Georgie grabbed my hand and led me in Connie’s direction, “Why does Jax call you Little Duck?”

I swung our hands as we walked, “When he and I met, I was using the last name Drake, which I found funny because it means dragon, but he took it as what you call a male duck and started calling me Little Duck as a result.”

Georgie giggled, “Jax is silly. I like him.”

I chuckled, “He is silly. I like him too.”

“But what about Fox?” He asked seriously.

I laughed, “I can be friends with Jax and still be mates with Fox.”

“Good. I don’t think Jax’s mate would like it if you tried to steal her mate, and I like Fox too.”

We made it to where Connie was, when she saw me she hustled over, and wrapped me in a hug, “Thank you for bringing them home.”

I returned her hug, “Any time. I’m just happy I was able to save them.” I pulled back, “I was wondering if you might know about their things. There’s Finley, Johnny and Clarie Easton, and Logan.”

“Finley? She was there?” I nodded and tears spilled from her eyes, “Sh-she was the leader of the rebellion. I-we thought Joseph had her killed and dumped in the jungle.”

“He did something much worse than that. He took her voice.”

Connie’s heart broke before my eyes, “Do you think she’ll heal?”

“I don’t know. We’ll know more once she’s seen by Kachina or Lavi. One good thing happened, she found her mate.”

Her face lit up just slightly, “Who?”

I couldn’t keep the smile off my face, “Jace. It makes sense she’s a leader, I would bet anything her dragon is probably as big as ours are as well.”

“Your dragon is big?” Georgie asked.

“All storm dragons are typically larger than others, some are even the same size as the royal dragons, but none of the royal dragons match the size of storm dragon royals or their mates,” I explained to him.

“So I’ll be a big dragon one day?” He asked.

“Yes, Little Dragon, you’ll be a big dragon one day.” I ruffled his hair, “Connie, what about their stuff?”

“Oh! Yes. Joseph wanted their things thrown away. We hoped somehow they were still alive and would find their way back, so we saved some of their things,” she led Georgie and I to a small building. Once inside she walked over to a corner and began prying up the wooden floor. I walked over to help her, we started pulling their things from the hole in the floor. “This is the last of it,” she said, pulling out the last few items.

Georgie grabbed as much as he could carry, making us both laugh, “Are you sure you can carry all of that, Little Dragon?” He nodded enthusiastically, “Okay. Let’s head back to them so they can sort through their things.”

We walked up to where they’re all standing, Jace and Finley included. “Whatcha got there, cus?”

“It’s the stuff Connie and the others saved from Joseph,” I told them.

Connie put down the things at their feet, “I wish we could’ve saved more. I wi-wish-” Connie broke down completely, Finley and I both rushed to her side.

I put an arm around her and Finley cupped her face, wiping the tears away and bringing it up so that Connie had to look at her. She shook her head and gestured to the things and patted her heart. I smiled at my mother’s matchmaking skills.

Connie calmed down at her hand signals, and I looked at Finley, “Leader of the rebellion huh?” She looked startled and worried, “Thank you for doing something for our people. Jace is lucky to have you as a mate, and he better remember it. I’m not above kicking my little cousin’s ass.”

She silently laughed and nodded her understanding while Jace groaned loudly behind her. “Amaya I swear to the gods I will replace every piece of clothing you own with bright pink shirts and pants. Even your mission clothes.”

I growled, “You wouldn’t.”

He smirked, “I already have an Amazon folder set up with everything I’m going to buy you.”

“That’s disturbing,” I said, turning and walking over to Jax who was still with our mystery wolf. “Any change?”

He shook his head, “I thought he would wake up by now. Even Alanza’s sister has woken up, so why not him? His wolf is still strong, he should’ve woken up by now.”

“His body is probably still trying to heal from the poisons. He’ll wake up soon.” I reassured him, “I’m going to go find Fox. Let me know when he wakes up.”

“I think he’s with the other SEALs.”

I nodded and walked in the general direction of where I last saw the SEALs. I sniffed around and finally found the SEALs without Fox. I walked up to them, “Have you guys seen Fox?”

“Yeah, he said he needed to think about some things. I think he’s walking around the edge of the village.” Matthew said, “Trouble in paradise?”

“Fuck off, Alverez,” I said before walking away. I walked to the edge of the village, and followed his scent until I found him. “Hey! Fox, wait up.”

He let out a sigh but stopped walking so I could catch up to him. “I can’t do this. I thought that I could, but how can I help you lead these people when they’ve gone through that?”

“The same way I can even though Joseph is my uncle, or Jace can even though Joseph is his father. These people have suffered under my uncle’s hand, and yet they’re still willing to give my father and I a shot. Georgie’s parents were killed by hunters, just a few months ago. Did you know that?” He shook his head, “He still got worried for you when I mentioned that I liked Jax. He was defensive for you because he likes you. These people have been through so much, yes, but we’re nothing if not hardy creatures. All you have to do is prove to them you aren’t like the hunters. You’re already on your way with what you did with Johnny. Instead of getting defensive you immediately apologized, that said so much about your character to them. Please don’t do this.”

“Are you absolutely sure I’m your mate? How can you accept me after what you went through? I saw all of your scars and then on top of it all you were raped.”

“I am sure. I can accept you because I know who you are. You aren’t those men who did this to me or to them. The goddess doesn’t make mistakes. She knew what was going to happen and paired us together for a reason. Don’t give up on that.”

“Amaya. He’s awake,” Jax’s voice rang in my head.

I groaned aloud. Fox raised an eyebrow, “Jax just mind linked me. The wolf we rescued is finally awake. We’re not done,” he nodded so I turned and ran for Jax and the unknown wolf.