Page 99 of Confusing Hearts

“Yes, but the Grand Council has already called a temporary peace. Representatives from the largest fifteen packs are coming together tonight to discuss. I have to believe it’s going to work out okay.”

“I’m calling the brothers in,” Matt said. “I’m not a panther and he’s not my King, but you are my brother and I will fight by your side to the death.”

“Thanks, Matt. I really appreciate that, dude. Let’s hope it doesn’t come down to that.”

Jenna

Chapter 28

When Chase got off the phone with Matt, he kissed me and left. As much as I loved him, I was glad for a few minutes alone for my meltdown. After a good cry and a shower, I picked up my phone and called Tessa.

“Jenna, are you okay?” she asked. “Mother just called. Daddy’s ordering all of us to North Dakota. He says he’s coming to get you and bring you home. I swear I didn’t tell them anything.”

“I know you wouldn’t have done that. I just can’t believe he’s acting like this. Mother didn’t even want to hear my explanation. She just started ranting about how Chase couldn’t be my mate because the seer said I’d mate a lion and it would destroy the panthers or some nonsense like that.”

Tessa was quiet on the other end, and it gave me a bad feeling. “Tessa?”

“She really told you about that?” she finally asked.

“You knew?” I couldn’t help the hurt that knowledge caused.

“Yeah, everyone knows. Daddy said that telling you could lead you down the path, that we should never discuss it. He had all of us relocate to the ARC so we could keep an eye on you and take out any lions that tried to come too near you. It’s the real reason he’s so hung up on this pure bloodline stuff. He’s spent our entire lives trying to keep the prophecy from becoming reality. The seer terrifies him—it’s why he keeps her close and happy.”

I was stunned and didn’t know what to say.

“Jenna, are you still there? Hello?”

“I’m here,” I said, feeling disconnected from it all.

“I’m sorry. We were sworn to secrecy—never to discuss it with you. Most of us were relieved when you started showing interest in Chase, though shocked when you mated him. Still, it wasn’t a lion, so we thought the prophecy couldn’t be fulfilled now, and yet here we are about to walk into war, felines against canines. It’s insane, and Jenna?”

“Yeah?”

“I don’t care what he says. I know you chose Chase of your own free will. You told me you love him, and I’ll support that. If it comes down to it, I won’t fight against you. You’re my sister. There are others here who feel the same way.”

“Thank you, Tessa. I love you,” I told her honestly. I didn’t know what else to say. Her choosing me meant more than I could ever explain. “I guess I’ll see you Saturday on the battlefield.”

“I guess so, and I love you, too.”

When Tessa hung up, I realized I was numb. So much had happened. I had so much information to digest. It was too much. I curled up in a tight ball and let the darkness take me over, grateful for it.

When I stirred again, the room was dark. I could feel Chase’s arm draped heavily over my waist and his warm body pressed against my back. Safety and love washed over me. I pushed aside the thoughts running through my head, threatening to overtake me, and just reveled in my mate. I breathed in his woodsy scent and snuggled back into him a little closer. He was snoring lightly, but his arm flexed protectively tighter around me.

Pain, hurt, and fear were prevalent emotions after all I had learned. Our pack, and from the sounds of it, many other wolves, would be marching into battle for me. I’d have to live with the outcome of that. My parents would do anything they felt necessary to get me back, not even realizing I was right here and if they’d just open up and talk to me they’d see that. But they were too blinded by their own ignorance and assumptions to even consider what impact their actions were having on me, their own daughter.

Somehow I must have fallen back to sleep, because the next conscious thing I remembered was Kyle standing over us. I yelped and pulled the covers closer around me. Looking down, I had my pajamas on and remembered changing before Chase came in. Relieved, I sat up and stretched.

“Hey, man, what’s going on?” Chase asked Kyle.

“I think you two should be present for this morning’s meetings. Sorry to intrude so early. Breakfast is ready and we’ll be heading out in thirty minutes,” he said, before turning and walking back out of the room.

I relaxed when the door closed behind him. It wasn’t that I had anything against Kyle, I didn’t. He had just startled me and set my panther on high alert with the awkward wake-up call.

Chase groaned and pulled me back into him. He started kissing down my neck.

“Today’s a big day, we shouldn’t keep him waiting,” I reminded him.

“You understand what’s going on today, right?” Chase asked.

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