I nodded, “That’s what he said.” Jason snorted, “I know he could kick my ass, but I’d fight him if he hurt you.” I smiled, “Thanks.” Jason sighed, “Back to what I wanted to talk about, you’re Red One.” I nodded, “I know. I mean other people… and logically… especially since Addison knew I told… you were going to… so I do know that you know that.”
Jason chuckled, “Hearing you ramble again is nicer than I thought. My point is you saved me from the Hunter’s.” I nodded, “Yes, I did. I would’ve been there sooner, but the people I had there didn’t call until, well later than I would’ve liked… so… I was late.”
Jason snorted, “You still came. Did you tie me up in a tree?” I answered, “Yes, they would’ve searched everywhere else…. But obviously, you know, wolves don’t hide in trees. They stay on the ground. So, I tied you up in a tree.”
Jason sighed, “They hurt you because of me.” I shrugged, “It wasn’t because of you, and it wasn’t that bad.” He sighed, “I could've taken it.” I shook my head, “No, you couldn’t have. You were in bad shape. I was the one of us who could take it.”
Jason’s eyes hardened, “I’m your big brother. I’m supposed to protect you.” I shrugged, “You weren’t in a position to. You were hurt, and I’m aware you’re my big brother. Roles reversed; you’d have done the same… I think.”
Jason growled, “You think? I would, Ladybug. I would’ve changed positions with you in a heartbeat. I want to know who hurt you because I intend to come for them. They should’ve come at me or T. They should’ve left you the fuck alone.” Freya chimed in, “Ajax says they are quite serious. He’s snarling.”
I shrugged, “They didn’t come at you though. This is where we are. I saved you and do it all over again. I’d pick saving your life and being punished as opposed to you dying every time. No matter what I thought was between us. I would not leave you behind. We are family.”
Jason reached over and grabbed my hands apologizing, “I’m so sorry. I’ve been having nightmares. I haven’t been sleeping because I see you being tortured for me. I was sick and moody. Everyone told me I was just projecting, but I should’ve dug. I should’ve pushed past the headaches. I should’ve gotten up off my damn floor and done something.”
I frowned asking, “The floor?” Jason sighed, “Dad was always worse. Sometimes he’d be sick for days. It was like he had the human flu or something. Lately, the headaches about you living your dream were so debilitating that I couldn't get off the floor.”
Tears filled my eyes as I asked, “They were that bad? It wasn’t just a regular headache?” Jason nodded, “Yes, they were that bad. It felt like someone was hammering a spike into my head.” I closed my eyes, “I don’t know what to do here, Jason. It hurts.”
I whispered, “I was alone while you had each other, and I had words that weren’t from you. Calls that weren’t you. Did you change your number? Because I called it… a lot. How was I not talking to you?” Jason admitted, “I don’t know because I didn’t change my number, and I called your phone a lot too.”
I replied, “I haven’t had my phone since I woke up in Nashville.” Jason growled, “THOSE MOTHERFUCKING ASSHOLES! I’d bet my life this is you dancing though.” Jason showed me a video on his phone. I answered, “That is me, but the background is wrong. I was dancing in a field in Black Path.” I would like to say it shocked me they did that…but it didn’t. You can’t impersonate my dancing… it sounded conceited but it was true.
He stood to pace for several minutes. My brother knelt before me, taking my hands again, vowing, “This will NOT happen again because if I don’t see you in person for two days I’m coming to find you.” That seemed extreme.
Jason waved, “Headaches be damned. However, if you ever think I’ve said something awful to you, or turned my back on you, I want you to come talk to me in person.” I whispered, “I’ve never been back inside Red Run’s territory since I left.” I’d been on the border… a lot, but I'd never crossed the boundary.
In truth, I had been all over their borders. It was tough not to cross into the territory to save Peter and Chelsea. We were just barely out of their territory, but we’d managed not to cross. I’d been prepared to go in if necessary though.
Jason frowned as if he was confused. I’m sure he wondered how I got him back to Red Run if I didn’t go inside the border. We had a portal in Alpha Raven’s territory. Valentina put him just barely over the border. We’d climbed up into a tree and made sure they found him before she shimmered us out.
Jason told me, “I’d never abandon you, Ladybug.” I sighed, “I didn’t want to believe that you would for a long time. I was punished a lot for a lot of things… one was refusing to believe you’d do that.” Jason growled, “What kind of punishments?”
I shrugged, “Let’s just say… not any Alpha... ummm Peter would use on his people.” Look at that, I said Peter. He’d treat traitors the way I had been, but his own people, no. Jason angrily said, “I can’t believe they hurt you.”
I shrugged, “People hurt people all the time.” Jason turned to me, “It should never have been you. I should’ve protected you.” I sighed, “You can’t protect someone from the world. Forces out of our control acted against us. The problem is, I don’t know how to get past it.”
Jason replied, “We just need time. We will do whatever you want.” I asked, “What about what you need?” Jason frowned, “I don’t need anything.” I tilted my head disagreeing, “That’s not logical. It has to hurt your feelings that I believed you turned your back on me. It has to hurt all of your feelings.” Jason opened and shut his mouth several times.
Eventually he said, “It’s not about us.” I argued, “I disagree. We can’t move forward until all of us are honest. It’s ok to be mad at me…. I’m kind of upset with you. I’m just not the only one in this situation, and logically… you’re upset with me. I had my reasons, but so did you. Those reasons and the truth don’t diminish how we feel about it.”
Jason replied, “I don’t want to be upset with you.” I snorted, “Life is not about what we want all the time. In fact, it rarely is about what we want. There is hurt between us, and not just on my side. They made us hurt each other.”
Jason sighed, “Why are you so damn smart?” I laughed, “I don’t know.” Jason sighed, “Maybe I am upset. Can I see the letter from the fake me?” I faltered saying, “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Jason shrugged, “I saw the one from the fake Peter.”
I winced, “That’s not the same. Besides, it hurt his feelings.” Jason asked, “You have some from Everly don’t you?” I admitted, “Yes.” Jason sighed, “Will you think about letting me see them?” I frowned because I didn’t know if that would make things better or worse.
I agreed, “I’ll think about it.” I might just toss them all in a fire, but I’d think about it first. Jason didn’t need to know I had them all backed up on a computer system even if burned them.
Jason changed the subject, “You girls are going shopping for Addison’s mating dress tomorrow. She’s really excited.” I smiled saying, “Good. Her sorry excuse of a dad burned her mother’s dress when he found her playing with it.”
Jason growled, “I fucking hate that guy.” I chuckled dryly, “Join the club.” Jason snorted, “The McAlister’s are united against Edward Davis.” I smirked, “Then he doesn’t stand a chance… that had to be why they separated us… on some level.” Together we were pretty dang smart.
Jason agreed, “No he doesn’t. You’ll be there, right?” I asked, “Uhh where?” Was he questioning Edward today too? He replied, “At my mating ceremony.” Pain registered in my heart to realize I should’ve been at Tristan’s mating ceremony. I actually missed my brother’s mating ceremony.
I shoved the aside to answer, “I plan to, yes.” Jason smiled, “Good.” He stood, “Alright. I’m going to join the meeting about you beating Claire’s ass.” I coughed, “Broke her back.” Jason ruffled my hair saying, “That’s my Ladybug.”
We awkwardly stood there afterwards. He started to turn away, but I ran into his arms. I knew he was surprised. I whispered, “I really missed you, Jason. I missed us.” Jason hugged me replying, “I missed you too, Ladybug. The few minutes fake you could talk to us sucked.”
