Page 6 of Jabba's Journey

I don’t know who he is to me or why fate decided we needed to meet by happenstance, but my instincts scream that I need to be open-minded to our paths interconnecting the way they have.

“Thank you for rescuing me,” I say, turning to look at Jabba. “I’m sure I was a surprise.”

“Wouldn’t have left anyone there, even if it was a surprise,” he advises. “Those bastards are pure evil.”

Harmony and Karsyn are nodding in agreement. I haven’t had a lot of exposure to the Red Caps; my mother warned me about them when I was very young, but their reputation precedes them. Before any of us can say anything else, Jazzy and Sage come back in, braids flying, and Jazzy places a pad of paper and a pen next to me on the bed.

“Thank you, girls,” I say, picking the pad and pen up so I can start a list. “Um, how long before I can go home?”

I must be hearing things because I hear Jabba mumble something that sounds like ‘never’, but that’s not possible, is it? Shrugging, I don’t wait for an answer but instead, start writing.

Chapter Three

Jabba

While Electra writes her list,I try to reconcile the things I’m feeling inside with what I always believed about myself. Growing up, I was always told there wasn’t anyone out there for me; I was too big, ungainly, odd. Since finding my place in the Iron Howlers, I’ve adjusted my thinking slightly, but where women and mates are concerned, not so much.

So, to see this tiny pixie with runes etched in her skin denoting she’s a magical being and feel the current running through my body with the knowledge that she’sminehas me off my game somewhat. It’s taken everything in my power not to spend every second in her presence, even when she was unconscious. My wolf was upset that we weren’t allowed to care for her when we first got her back to the clubhouse, but I wasn’t ready to reveal what she was to me, so instead, I allowed Harmony to do her thing.

Now, however,Iwant to be the one to tend to her and take care of all her needs. Ever since she woke up and I caught hercrystalline blue eyes in my gaze, I’ve had to keep my headstrong wolf in check. That bastard is impatient on most days, but right now, he wants me to throw her over my shoulder and head to our den and not come up for air until she’s mated, claimed, and carrying our pup.

“You’re sure this isn’t too much trouble?” she asks, interrupting my thoughts. The fact that she sounds insecure believing that someone would do something to help her out just because it’s the right thing to do has my beast snarling. He wants me to track down anyone who put that doubt in her tone and shred him into minuscule pieces. Nobody has the right to make my female feel less than her worth.

Needing to clear the murderous thoughts from my head, I decide to put all of my attention on her and ask, “Not at all. Are you noting where things are located?”

Eventually, I’ll know everything about her and vice versa, but until we have that discussion, she deserves her privacy. Which means no snooping, even though a piece of me wants to solve the mystery that is my mate.

“Yes. My door is coded, but I’ve written that down.” At my narrow-eyed look she continues, “I often have to go out searching for the things I need and carrying keys doesn’t allow me to move silently so I don’t disturb the wildlife, so I had my door coded for convenience.”

“That makes sense,” Karsyn states, interrupting us. She looks over at Harmony and says, “Maybe Cyrus and Corbin will consider that, because I know Corbin at least has lost a ton of keys over the years.” I smirk at her commentary because men claim women’s purses are black holes, but when you stop and think about it, so are men’s pockets.

I bet he has lost items when he shifts, because while he’s an Alpha, if he transforms while dressed, his clothes are still shredded just like ours are, and keys go flying. Hell, I’ve lost a few wallets over the years and don’t even get me started on how many fucking debit cards I’ve had to replace. My bank ladies don’t even raise a brow any longer when I have to walk into the local branch. It’s something to think about; I mean, if we’re not driving anywhere, maybe we shouldn’t bother putting our wallets in our pockets. Then I nix that idea, because it’s like the swipe of deodorant; it’s an automatic habit and I don’t think any of us will be able to break it easily. Perhaps we need to have a prospect stay nearby who can collect all of our shit when we have to shift unexpectedly. Something else to ponder.

“I’ll bring it up to Cyrus the next time we have church,” I say, addressing their suggestion since I think from a security standpoint it’s something to consider. I know our tech guys will ensure the security at both clubhouses remains intact, but it’ll definitely keep our keys from getting into the wrong hands.

Especially since we have Jazzy and Sage to protect, plus the future babies that I’m sure are coming from Harmony and Karsyn. Both clubs are gonna be growing, and it’s one of my jobs to ensure all of us remain safe from harm. The second the thought of growth in the clubhouse flashes through my head, I shake it off because my imagination went directly to Electra’s belly rounded with my pup. We’re not there yet. But one day, when she’s accepted the significance of me in her life, I’m sure that topic will come up in conversation. And color me surprised, I’m ready for it. Probably because I’ve yearned for a family I could call my own since the one I was raised in felt so toxic.

She breaks into my thoughts once again when she says to Jazzy, “Sprinkles isn’t shy at all, and she’ll go into her carrier without aproblem. That’s in my mudroom, which is where my washer and dryer are, so you should be able to find it.”

“I can’t wait to pet her,” Sage says, looking at Jazzy. “Is she fuzzy?”

I chuckle as her question has Electra talking about her pet, her face so animated that it sends me down the path of wondering how she’ll look when she’s sated.

Dammit, there I go again! Shaking my head at my musings which are causing inappropriate bodily reactions, I look at Harmony and ask, “Your mate busy?”

“When isn’t he?” she retorts, grinning at me. “Probably, but I’ve already let him know what’s going on.” When Electra looks at her in shock because she hasn’t physically grabbed her phone and sent a text or made a phone call, Harmony simply taps her forehead with her finger and smiles. When Electra’s mouth opens in a wide O, I duck my head for a second, so she doesn’t see my grin.

I nod, knowing she reached out through their link and told him of the current plan in place. “Good.”

Seeing that Electra is tearing off a page from the notebook, I reach out and take it from her, our fingers lightly brushing. The look on her face tells me she feels the same spark I do, a current of electricity.

“You just rest, we’ll be back before you know it.” I make the excuse, not ready to answer any of her questions about the feelings that flowed between us. When I get the courage to tell her what she is to me and likewise me with her, we’ll broach that subject.

“Oh! I have a clean litter box in the mudroom as well,” she says, smiling at me. “And an unopened bag of her litter.” I grab a pen off my desk and add those items then tilt my head, waiting to see if she thinks of something she might have forgotten. When a few seconds go by and she doesn’t come up with anything else, I know I’m good to go.

“We’ve got it, I promise. Come on, girls, let’s blow this popsicle stand,” I say to Jazzy and Sage who are practically bouncing out of their skin.

Since I only own a motorcycle and have two little girls coming along with me to help me gather Electra’s things, I took the club’s communal truck.

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