Chapter 15

Jason froze, staring at me. Disbelief all over his face. "What did you say?"

"Trevor...is...alive." My lip was quivering as I spoke. The sheer look on Jason's face was enough for me to lose my emotional control. "I was afraid to tell you. I don't know what he is."

"Was he in this house?" he gritted out.

"No, of course not." Jason's anger was rising rapidly. Stepping back, I instantly regretted my decision to tell him. "Please don't be angry with me."

Without a word, he stormed away from me upstairs. Frozen in place, I stood and sobbed my heart out. Everything that I worked for with Jason was gone. He didn't want me anymore.

Forcing my legs, I went upstairs to see Diedre cleaning up broken ceramic, and glass. Honing further, there was slamming and the sound of wood being splintered.

"What's going on?" Diedre asked, distressed.

"Something personal between Jason, and I."

My puffy, red face was the only thing anyone could see. Anthony came down the stairs, looking upset. "I don't know what happened, but you have to do something. He's uncontrollable."

"Anthony, I think they had an argument--"

"Regardless, she is his mate. It's her duty as his mate, and Luna to subdue him."  Nodding, I walked past him. Gently he tugged on my arm. "If you need anything, mindlink me."

Cautiously going upstairs, the sounds of destruction subsided. Holes in the walls, and dry wall were all over the place. For the first time in a long time, I was scared to face Jason.

'How could she does this? Why wouldn't she tell me?'

"Jason?" I called out through the door. "Can I come in?"

All I got was silence.

Carefully, pushing the door open, our whole room was destroyed. The dresser was splintered, the bed frame was broken, and even glass was broken on the window. Poking my nose around the room, I didn't see him. Closing the door behind me, a presence came behind me.

Frozen in place, I almost mind linked Anthony. Rather, I went for the door knob again, when the door was slammed. Covering my face, I felt Jason's breath on my neck. Gathering my courage, I looked at Jason's arms. Veins were protruding. This was going to be ugly.

"Why did you lie to me?" Jackson growled.

"Jackson, I beg you, let me explain."

Turning slowly, Jackson's eyes were pitch black. "Why should I? All you'll do is lie again." Reaching forward, I tried to touch him, but he recoiled. Pulling at his hair, he paced around the room. "Were you ever going to tell me?" His breathing was erratic.

Dipping down, I knew one person who could help me. Viola.

'Viola, help me, please.'

'Don't worry, I'm coming to help our mate.'

Switching to Viola, I could feel my eyes shift to gold. Viola was in charge now.

"Jackson," Viola said.

He turned rapidly when he heard her voice. "Viola," he growled. "Why are you here?"

"Because you won't listen to Dakota." She growled. "She didn't lie to you."

"She didn't tell me that her brother was alive!" he snarled.

"Because she didn't know!" Viola snarled back. "Twelve years she thought he was dead. There has to be a reason he presented himself now!"

"He told you nothing?!"

"Dakota swears that he didn't. She has no reason to lie to you. She was scared!" Viola was practically screaming in his face. "She loves you, damn it!"

Jackson pinned Viola to the wall, "Do not speak to me like that! I'm your Alpha!"

"You're also my mate, and I, your Luna! I have a right to speak."

Releasing Viola, Jackson continued to pace the room. She decided it may be in everyone's best interest if she diffused the situation a little. "Jackson, she didn't expect to see Trevor again. He begged her not to say anything to anyone. Whatever he is into, he's in deep. He loves his sister, and didn't want to put her in danger."

Jackson's shoulders slumped, when he plopped himself on the edge to the bay window. "But why couldn't she just tell me? Doesn't she trust me enough to tell me?"

Switching back, I decided to face Jackson without Viola.

'Are you sure about this, Dakota?' she asked concerned.

'I'm sure. If I can't face him for something like this, what will it be like when it's more serious?'

"Jackson," I said, softly, caressing his cheek.

"Dakota," Jackson replied.

Standing in between his legs, I took gentle hold of both sides of his face. Seeing his black eyes made me nervous, but I knew this was the only way. "Jackson, can I talk to Jason? Please, he needs to hear me."

Jackson shook his head a little, rubbing his eyes. When he picked his head back up, I saw Jason's beautiful brown eyes looking at me. Pressing my forehead to his, I could feel his breath fan on my face. "Jason?"

"Yes," he replied.

"Are you angry with me?"

Sighing, he wasn't sure how to answer at first. "No, I'm not angry. But I just don't understand why you couldn't tell me the truth?"

"Because he asked me not to. After all this time, I thought he was dead. Frankly, I thought I was hallucinating." Those were not a lies. I hadn't seen my brother in so long, thought he was dead, and magically, he comes back. It all seemed like a dream. Maybe I didn't want the dream to be over. "We have to keep this to ourselves."

Jason raised his eyebrow, "What? Why?"

"Since we moved up the ceremony, how can we tell my parents that he's alive without a full blown search for him? Besides, I don't know what he's involved with. He's not the same, Jason." Something deep inside told me that he became a hybrid.

"So, you want this to stay to ourselves until the right time?"

"Yes, we can wait until after the ceremony. It's only a couple of days. We can sit my parents down before they go home--"

Interrupting me, "Have you considered that even when we tell them, they will still want to search for him?"

Huck Finn. "He left me a letter downstairs. That's how I realized that he coming here was no hallucination."

Racing downstairs, Jason was hot on my heels. Going into the office, I scanned the shelves for the book. "Here it is." Pulling it out, I flipped to the middle, where I left it.

"A letter?" Taking it from my hands, he inspected it. "Did you read it?"

Shaking my head, "No." Honestly, I was too afraid. Twelve years of believing my brother was dead, and he shows up. Clearly, he's different. Based on the way he was acting, I get the feeling that he's involved in something dangerous. "I'm not ready to, yet."

Jason gave me a empathetic look. Wrapping his arm around my shoulders, he just gazed down at me while I looked at the letter in my hand. Kissing my hair, I could feel the love coming from him. He wasn't angry anymore; now he was just concerned.

A knock on the door roused us both. "Alpha? Luna?" Anica called.

"Come in," I answered.

"Luna, would you be able to help me with something?" She looked slightly nervous when she spoke; I think she was afraid to interrupt. Jason slipped the letter into his pocket, without Anica seeing.

"Oh, of course, Anica." Releasing Jason, I paused at the door. "I love you, Jason."

"I love you, Dakota."

Going towards the living room, a sudden scream made me jump. It was Ashley.

"Dakota!" she belted out.

"Oh my goddess, Ashley!" I exclaimed, throwing my arms around her. Seeing my best friend made me happy. It seemed like I hadn't seen her in forever. Certainly haven't spoken to her in weeks.

"Oh my goodness, Dakota. You are glowing," she beamed.

"So are you," I replied, almost questioningly. Her face turned bright red. Oh, gross. "Oh, Ash. When?"

"Apparently, not that long after you. Devon was so angry about it, and when I tried to comfort him, the next thing I know--"

"Oh, goddess, please stop." I was so grossed out by the idea that Devon and Ashley...had sex. "Speaking of, where is Devon?"

"He's helping your Dad get the bags inside. Your Mom is coming later with Ronnie, since he had school."

The door burst open with Devon, and my father carrying all the bags. "Dakota!" Dad exclaimed, dropping the bags.

"Daddy," I cried, throwing myself around him.

"Alpha Mayfield," Jason's voice rang out.

They shook hands, "Alpha Morgan," Devon responded. "How is she doing with her Luna responsibilities?"

"Devon, dear brother, I'm not deaf." Jason chuckled at my response.

Laughing, my brother took me into his arms in a bear hug. "Ah, Dak. I missed you."

"I missed you too, Dev."

Seriousness came over his face, "How are you doing with your Luna responsibilities?"

"She's been doing well," Jason answered for me. "Since she had her heat though, it's been hard for her. The pack is aware that she's the Luna."

"Alright, that's enough, you two," Dad warned. "We're here for a happy occasion."

The two Alpha's backed off each other immediately, hearing the former Alpha use his voice. Ashley and I watched in awe as my father did that. He still had such Alpha power over the younger ones.

Breaking the silence, I took Ashley's hand leading her into the dining room where Diedre was making calls, and setting up for the party.

"Diedre Morgan, this is Ashley Greene, my best friend and my brother's mate."

She stood up, embracing Ashley which took her by surprise. "You are so cute," she squealed.

"Good lord, Diedre. Let the poor girl go," Anthony's voice boomed.

All of us turned our heads toward the former Alpha. I could feel Ashley trembling beside me. "Anthony Morgan, this is my best friend Ashley, Devon's mate."

Sticking his hand out, he took a much more subtle approach to my friend. "Nice to meet you." His enormous hand completely engulfed her small one.

"Nice to meet you too."

"Don't worry, dear. He may be big, and burly but he's just a big teddy bear." Anthony rolled his eyes at his wife.  Ashley and I both giggled at the older woman.

"Anica, Alyssa, Sadie, Tamara come meet the Luna's best friend!" she called.

Stepping into the room, the women looked to me. "Ashley, this is Anica and Alyssa, the Beta's sister and mother." They shook hands, firmly. Looking to Sadie, she kept her head down, but there was a smirk on her stupid face. "And this is Tamara, and Sadie, 3rd in command Andrew's mother and sister."

"It's so nice to meet all of you," Ashley smiled.

My fists were clenched at the mere sight of Sadie. Obviously, no one knew what happened days before. A hand fell to my shoulder, it was Anthony. I'm sure he could see the tension between us. "Dakota, why don't you take Anica and show Ashley around?"

"Of course, we won't be long. We'll come back and help with arrangements." I smiled at the older man, he was very understanding of my anger toward Sadie.

'I'll make sure Sadie stays away from you and Jason.' he mindlinked.

I just smiled and walked out with the girls. "So why do you hate that Sadie girl?" Ashley asked.

"You saw that?"

Anica laughed. "You weren't exactly subtle."

Ashley nudged Anica for answers. "So, what's the deal?"

"Sadie used to sleep with Jason." Her blunt response threw Ashley off.

"Oh, by the way, where are Brian, Alexander, and the twins?"

"They're going to come with your Mom, and Ronnie. Devon wanted extra security for them."

Jason came jogging up to us. "Ladies," he said, respectfully.

"Alpha." They bowed.

"Dakota," he started. "I have to speak to your brother about our alliance. We may be adding more packs from the surrounding areas. If you show Ashley around, I'd like you to take Andrew, and Willie with you."

"I don't think that will be necessary--"

"Please, just do as I ask. I don't know how long this meeting will take."

"Shouldn't I be in that meeting?"

"You'll be part of it in a little bit. Part of your duty is arranging the party, too." Pouting, he kissed me sweetly. "There are many facets to being a Luna. One step at a time." Kissing the back of my hand, he walked off to his meeting.

Willie and Andrew walked up, ready to escort us around. "Luna," they said in unison.

"Anica, Ashley, these are the Beta and Third, Willie and Andrew. They'll be walking around with us. I promise they'll keep their distance." Glaring at them, they dropped their heads.

Showing Ashley all over the house, I could see she was getting bored. Stepping outside, I saw the tent that was already set up, most likely by Willie and Andrew. Ashley reclined on the lounge chair, with Anica next to her. Plopping myself on the chair next to Anica, my mind was racing with what I was going to tell my parents about Trevor.

"Dakota, are you listening to me?" Anica said, poking me.

"Huh?"

"To answer your question, Anica, she was not listening," Ashley teased.

Poking her head out, Diedre called to us. "Dakota, honey, your Mother is here with your brother!"

Bolting up, I ran inside. My Mom was in the kitchen with Ronnie talking to Tamara, and Diedre. "Mom?"

Looking over, she caught sight of me. Wrapping my arms around her neck, she kissed the side of my head. "Dakota, look at you. Jason taking care of you?"

"Yes, Mama. I love him."

"Oh, honey. I'm so glad." Her face was red from tears, her eyes puffy. "Honey, where's your father?"

"He's in a meeting with Jason, and Devon."

Ronnie was looking around; I could see that he felt out of place. "Hey, baby brother."

Walking back over, he hugged me. "Hey, Dak."

"What's wrong?"

"This is just sort of overwhelming for me," he whispered.

I felt really bad for my brother. He looked so uncomfortable in this environment. Staying close to my Mom would be hard since she, and Diedre were already running around getting things ready for the weekend. "Stay with Brian and Alexander. By the way, where are the twins?"

"They smelled you outside, and went that way. Brian and Alexander went into the meeting with Devon, and Dad."

Squeals moved me from my spot. Erika and Mandy barreled at me. "Dakota!" they said in unison.

I got strangled in their hugs, since they do most things together. "Hey guys. It's great to see you."

'Dakota, I need you in the office.' Jason's voice rang in my head.

Releasing the twins, I wondered what he needed. "Hey, could you guys keep an eye on Ronnie? The Alpha needs to speak to me."

They nodded their heads in response.

Willie and Andrew followed me. "Hey, can one of you stay with my friends?"

Looking at each other, rock-paper-scissors-shoot ensued. Andrew lost. Trudging back in defeat, Willie looked proud of himself. "Jason wants to speak to me, hang out here for a minute."

"Yes, Lu--Dakota."

Going into the office, Jason was sitting in his chair with the letter from Trevor in front of him. "I think we should read this."