Page 14 of Jabba's Journey

My wolf chuffs in delight inside of me while I grin down at her.

But instead of carrying on in a romantic vein like Ishouldbe doing, I change the subject. “I did mention what you said your grimoire had written in it,” I tell her. “Cyrus and Corbin are going to ask their mates to go through theirs to see if there’s anything that can be added to the lore your grandmother gave you. Because we all can feel something’s coming.”

“Well, whatever I can do to help keep everyone protected, Jabba. Now, will you turn your back so I can undress and slip into the hot spring? I can feel it pulling at my soul.”

I turn around, mentally kicking myself for not following my heart.

I’ve spent so much of my life on the outside looking in, I feel broken sometimes. Of course, I sense that in Electra as well, so maybe the gods decided to take two halves and make them whole. Regardless, she’s mine and I’ll take her any way I can.

“Jabba?”

“Yeah,” I answer, not wanting to turn around and see the disappointment on her face when she realizes her mate isn’t suave or debonair.

“Are you going to join me or just stand there with your back turned to me? I mean, the view is phenomenal, don’t get me wrong,” she teases, “but I was under the impression you wanted to enjoy the water as well.”

I see my witch has a bit of mischief in her, which has my heart swelling. Perhaps there’s hope for us after all. Turning, I walk to the water and step inside, groaning at the way the warmth seeps into my body.

“Damn, this feels good. I always forget, y’know?”

“I don’t see how you could, this is like being given an IV for me. Already I feel a lot better, and we haven’t been in very long at all.”

I watch as she leans back and closes her eyes, peace crossing her expression as she relaxes into the water. Once I assess the surrounding area for any threats, I do the same, content for the time being to be near my mate.

My heart.

My everything.

Chapter Eight

Electra

“Child, are you listening?”A soothing, motherly voice I don’t recognize asks.

“I’m here,” I reply, allowing myself to be drawn into the comfort of her words.

It’s not lost on me that wherever I’m at isn’t in the hot spring with Jabba any longer, but I’ve never been here before, so I have no reference.

“I know you have questions about your mate. Let me show you how life can be,” the melodic voice states.

Flashes and images fly through my head in rapid succession. I see Jabba next to me, two small children laughing and running at our feet. Both have my hair color, but the little boy is already tall like his daddy, while the little girl is petite like me. My belly is rounded, and Jabba’s hand is protectively covering it while he talks to the kids.

More scenes erupt in my brain; I see Jazzy and Sage, a few years older, with smaller children nearby, while Jabba’s other brothers laugh and joke around a huge bonfire.

“I don’t understand,” I murmur.

“This is what can be, should you accept his mate claim,” the voice says. “Now, let me show you what will happen if you don’t.”

Fear grips me as I see myself in a small hovel, my body and face aged as bitterness wafts around me. I look like I’m muttering out loud as I walk outside and follow a long and winding path that’s apparently not far from the clubhouse. I can see the people I’ve met milling around and my heart clenches when I spot the man who is quickly stealing my heart. Jabba.

Only he’s different. There are no easy smiles; in fact, he’s off to the side, his arms crossed over his chest with what appears to be a permanent scowl if the wrinkles on his forehead are any indication. Jazzy and Sage walk by, steering clear of him, which breaks my heart having seen how loving he is with the two little girls.

“Why? Before I came along, he didn’t even know he had a mate,” I whisper. I truly don’t understand.

“It’s two sides of the coin, Electra. The moment you two touched, you set Fate in motion. Because of your histories, you’ll either have joy and happiness, which will not be without its trials, of course, or pain and sorrow. Rejecting one’s mate has drastic consequences for both parties involved.”

“I choose joy,” I murmur. “I choose Jabba.”

I wake up to Jabba holding me close to his chest, his voice ragged as though he’s been screaming. “Jabba?”

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