Page 7 of Beyond Fate

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“This isn’t how our family works,” Jax said as he listened to Jaytee head upstairs. He agreed with what his brother had said. They were a close-knit family who supported each other.

“No, it isn’t,” Kalen agreed. “Our attempts to talk to Damon have only pushed him further away from us. I think it’s time to let our animal instincts take over.”

Jax agreed. There were times when physical confrontation was the only solution to a problem. It might be viewed as primitive to some, but they were wolves, and it was not only a part of who they were but ingrained in their nature.

It was unfortunate the situation had come to that point. Jax couldn’t begin to imagine what his little brother was going through, but damn if he would let Damon freeze him out. His heart was too big to become incased in ice.

“Remember when Raidh was attacked by those vampires and almost died? Damon went apeshit.”

Kalen nodded. “We were all worried.”

“But it was Damon who behaved the most frantic,” Jax continued. “He shouted we had to do something, because he wasn’t going to just stand by and watch Raidh die.”

In the end, they had watched him die. Jax had felt agonizing pain when Raidh had taken his last breath. Though he couldn’t feel his siblings’ pain the way the twins could feel each other’s, that night he’d felt Jaytee’s deeply.

His dad smirked. “I’m picking up what you’re putting down. We have to do something, because we’re not going to stand here and watch Damon suffer.”

“Exactly,” Jax said.

“About time,” Elvine interjected from where she was hovering close to the ceiling.

Jax had completely forgotten she was there. Annoying as she might be, truthfully, he found her breathtakingly beautiful. She was short with gorgeous green eyes, and he absolutely loved her unicorn-blue hair. But since he didn’t feel the pull toward her, Jax felt it best to keep his feelings to himself. She seemed too innocent, and he didn’t want to make it awkward between them if things didn’t work out, especially since his family adored her so much.

“Feet on the floor, young lady,” Kalen said in a firm, but gentle tone. Jax had a feeling his dad saw her as a daughter figure.

Luckily, Kalen hadn’t killed her the night she’d boldly walked into the house looking for Raidh. As tiny as Elvine was, she hadn’t shown any fear in the face of four deadly wolf shifters, displaying a fiery and determined attitude. Jax admired that about her.

Elvine descended and tucked her diaphanous wings into her back, blending them seamlessly into her olive-colored skin. It always amazed Jaytee how they just seem to completely vanish when she did that.

“So, what’s the plan?” she asked excitedly. “I’m tired of Mr. Grouchy Socks. I want Mr. Scratchy Crotch back.” She rubbed her hands together mischievously. “Do we get out the frying pan and knock some sense into him?”

Jax covered his grin with a scowl. “We want him to confront his problems, not give him brain damage.”

“You’re a little too eager to use that frying pan.” Kalen chuckled.

She shrugged. “I want my playful wolf back. Do you think we should involve his mate? Damon seems to take out his anger on Casimir more than anyone else.”

Jax had also noticed that. After Damon escaped the ancient sleep, it was Casimir who’d fed him, yet he’d been treating the fae warrior as an enemy ever since. Jax wasn’t sure why, either. Preternatural looked for their mates their entire lives and didn’t feel complete without them.

So why was Damon taking out his aggression on Casimir the most?

“No,” Kalen answered firmly. “They have to work through their personal issues with each other. We stay out of it.” He gave Elvine a stern look. “Do you understand, young lady?”

She pouted. “Yes, Dad.”

Kalen’s gaze softened with affection and pride when she addressed him with that term.

Their family was growing, and Jax couldn’t have been happier. He just wished he could find his mate too. His dad, as well. Kalen deserved happiness just as much as anyone else, if not more so.

Though their mom hadn’t been Kalen’s mate, he’d still loved her deeply. Her death at the hands of hunters nearly 150 years ago had left a profound mark on all of them.

In Jax’s opinion, his dad had done an amazing job raising three wild wolf pups, turning them into exceptional men like himself.

And now they had to help guide Damon back to being the remarkable man he truly was.

Chapter Three

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