Jaded Hearts
Chapter 104

Taylor

Finally, it was the day we’d all been waiting for. It was time for operation “Baby Shower.”

Given how dangerous it all was, the girls and I gave it the corny spy name to lighten the mood. We knew there would be casualties from our packs, and we didn’t take it lightly, but we had to laugh to keep from shitting ourselves over how scary it really was.

Guys from Opal Moon, along with plenty of our own, were already discretely stationed along the road. It was a three-hour drive, almost two hundred miles, and they made sure there was a wolf hidden throughout the entire stretch. When we were ambushed, they would let the packs know, and everyone would move in as quickly as possible.

Xander and our crew refused to be more than four miles behind. Once they’d shifted, it would only take them a couple of minutes to reach us, which they still thought was too long.

“Alright, ladies, take these and put them on,” Tyson said, handing the four of us little black boxes.

I opened it to reveal a beautiful platinum charm bracelet with two tiny wolves and a bear on it.

“This is amazing. What did you guys get?” I excitedly asked.

“Three tiny wolves,” Alaia said.

Morgan smiled. “A wolf and a bear for me.”

“Wolf and bear on mine, too. I guess we’re ignoring my vampire b***d?” Aires asked.

“For this, yes, we are,” Tyson replied.

“What are these for? They’re incredible,” I said while putting mine on.

“I’m glad you ladies like them. They’re trackers, the strongest ones I’ve ever designed. No metal boxes, basements, or anything of the sort will block the signals. So, if any of you do manage to get taken, I’ll be able to replace you almost immediately.”

“You really think I’ll let a bloodsucker take one of us?” Aires asked.

“No, but we’re covering all our bases. And as capable as you are, I know Henry would appreciate the added security the tracker provides as well. His mate is marching right into the middle of a war, in the bait car. Think of it from his point of view.”

“Did you give him one too? He’s already out there, and I don’t even know where. He left when I was asleep, oso! I didn’t even get to tell him goodbye.”

“Aires, relax. No, I didn’t give him a damn charm bracelet. The vamps don’t want him. If anyone is going to be taken, it would be one of you four. And Henry is one of the best fighters here. You’ll see him when this is all over. Chill out.”

I stepped over to him and pulled him aside.

“Not cool, babe. You can’t expect her to ‘chill’ when her mate could possibly die today. Are you chill? Is anyone here chill? No. You need to apologize.”

“Are you serious, sunshine? This is how we talk to each other. It’s always been tough love between the two of us.”

“Please apologize to Aires. This is hard on all of us, but especially her. This is all new for her, and she doesn’t want to lose it.”

“Fine.”

He walked over to where Aires was staring down into the box and pulled her into a hug. “I’m sorry. He’ll come back, Air. He hasn’t had enough time with your crazy a*s yet. This isn’t his first rodeo. Just have faith in him, okay?”

She nodded her head and put on the bracelet. “If you see him out there, watch his back for me. I keep yours safe, and you keep mine safe. Deal?”

“It’s a deal.”

The other four guys walked in, and soon, it was time for us to load up. After a lot of nervous hugs and k****s, we all piled into one of the pack’s many black Tahoe’s and headed down the road. Before we could even make it off pack territory, my phone rang.

The screen in the dash lit up with Matt’s name.

“Is everything alright? Did we forget something?” I asked when I answered.

“Nope, just drive. We need to be able to hear what’s happening since we won’t be able to see,” he replied.

“So, you’re going to sit on the phone the entire time? What if we wanted to listen to a road trip playlist?” I asked.

“Then play it on someone else’s phone. The second something happens, the five of us will know. We can’t rely on a wolf being in the exact spot where this will all go down. This is non-negotiable, tesoro.”

Of course, they would slip some extra s**t in at the last minute.

“Okay, but we were just about to start comparing all your d**k sizes. You sure you want in on that?”

“We’re shifters; we’ve seen each other’s d***s too many times to count. You’re not getting rid of me that easy, so just drive.”

“Fine. Can someone play some music? I love my husband, but I don’t want to listen to him breathe for the entire trip,” I said sarcastically.

“Aww, baby, I love the sound of you breathing. I can’t believe you don’t feel the same way,” he joked.

“Oh, shut it, you dork.”

Morgan turned the volume on her phone all the way up, and we drove for miles and miles, singing and trying to relax as best we could.

“What happens if we get all the way to Opal Moon without anything happening?” Morgan asked.

“Then I’ll show you ladies my old stomping grounds, and we’ll come back home. I have to admit that I’m kind of hoping for that outcome. I’m not really in the mood for a*****e vampires today,” Alaia replied.

“I don’t think any of us are, but I’m so tired of him hanging over my head. Its time to be done with this so that we can all move on with our lives,” I said.

“I like that idea, and I think I’d like to stick around once all this is over. I feel like I could make a home here. I haven’t had that in a while,” Aires softly said.

I looked up in the rear-view mirror and locked eyes with her for a second. “That’s awesome. We’d all love it if you stayed.”

“I would agree, but f*****g Henry stole you from me!” Kade’s tiny voice yelled through my phone’s speaker.

“No talking! You’re supposed to be listening out for trouble, damnit,” Morgan shouted at my phone.

She then turned around and looked at Aires. “Excuse him. He’s an i***t, but he’s the love of my life. I think it would be amazing if you stayed, and I’m sure Henry would love it too.”

Aires was about to respond when her body tensed up, and her eyes darted to the window. “They’re close,” she said.

“Drew and Lancaster? How can you tell?” Alaia asked.

“I can feel when I’m in the presence of another vampire; it’s what makes me such a good hunter. But it’s not just those two. I think it’s the entire coven,” she replied cautiously.

“Taylor, slow down. We’re coming now,” Tyson shouted through the speaker.

Aires dug around in the bag she’d brought along with her and pulled out a black orb about the size of a Magic 8-Ball.

“Ladies, remember what I told you. When the time comes, hold your breath and keep your eyes shut. Got it?” she asked.

We all nodded and looked along the edge of the road for where the attack would come from.

“I don’t see—”

I was cut off by a tire on the truck blowing, causing us to spin out. Thankfully, we remained on the road, but we were facing the opposite direction when we finally came to a stop.

“What do we do now?” Morgan whispered.

“We stay in the car. If they’re trying to lure us out, they’ll have to try better than that. Blown tire, guys. We spun out, but everyone’s okay,” Aires relayed to the men.

“The guys have already shifted, and they’re on the way. Alaia, link Aaron and send him your location. Have him send his team,” Alexi yelled out.

Alaia did what she was told, and as her eyes were clearing up, a cloud of red smoke appeared around the truck. “That’s Edwards. His dad had the same smoke.”

“He can’t hurt me. He can’t hurt me. He can’t hurt me,” I chanted over and over. I didn’t want to see Drew, but the cold chill and feeling of dread that washed over me let me know that he was close.

The truck suddenly rocked side to side, and then there was a loud crash. When I looked up, Drew and Lancaster were perched on the hood, staring right into the truck. I couldn’t help the scream that tore from my throat. They appeared out of nowhere, and the evil smile on Drew’s face did nothing to calm me.

He was so pale, and his eyes were so bright they almost glowed with the b***d-red tint. His teeth were long and sharp. He was a monster.

“Hello, flower. You’re still the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen. Why don’t you unlock the door and let me in? Or maybe come out and talk to me?”

His eyes began to swirl with both red and black, drawing my attention and holding it.

“Taylor! Close your eyes. That fucker’s trying to compel you,” Aires yelled from the back seat.

Drew jerked his head in her direction, and it seemed he could recognize that she was a vampire. This was not in his plans, and we watched him processing the new information. He turned his attention back to me after a few seconds.

“Don’t listen to her, sweetheart. We love each other, remember? All I’ve ever done is try to show you how much I love you. Those f***s you’re tied to now are only using you. Come out and let’s run away together. I’ll make you my vampire queen. Just you and me.”

The swirling continued, and I realized I didn’t feel compelled to do anything. All I felt was hate, loathing, and disgust. Was this a part of the protection I had? I smiled, then spat at the window.

“f**k you, you piece of s**t! I hate you and can’t wait to see you die!”

“Interesting. Another wolf that can’t be compelled. This pack is getting better and better by the minute, Andrew,” Lancaster mused.

Drew hissed and punched the windshield, making it splinter but not break. He hit it again, and again, and again. Flashbacks from the last time he’d put his hands on me filled my mind. I knew the power behind those punches too well, but I wasn’t afraid.

He hit the window again, and I heard the loudest thunderclap I’d ever experienced before the sky suddenly opened up. It was a downpour; the rain washed out the smoke that surrounded us. Looking out, we saw nothing but red eyes and fangs all over. At least three hundred vampires were out there, wanting our b***d.

“Holy s**t!” Morgan screamed.

Lancaster looked at her and smiled. “We’re coming for you too, darling. You and that poisonous b***h in the back seat!”

At that moment, we heard a loud howl, and it felt like the ground was shaking beneath us as hundreds of wolves moved in from the north and south. Drew was not expecting this and looked around frantically.

“Where did they come from? Guards! Prepare yourselves,” Lancaster yelled.

“Okay, chicas, that’s our cue.” Aires shimmered to the top of the truck and smashed the orb she was holding, then reappeared in the back seat.

Black tendrils snaked out of the broken glass and began to wrap around the vampires. I locked eyes with Drew at the very moment a tendril disappeared up his nose. He watched helplessly as we all held hands and closed our eyes.

Drew hissed again and smashed his fist through the glass, swiping his hand towards my throat. But he was too late. The tingle was like a light electrocution, and when it reached the top of my head, my stomach twisted into a tight-fisted knot. My knees went weak, and I crumpled to the floor of the packhouse living room.

“I really wish I would’ve been prepared for that,” I wheezed through labored breath.

“Deep breaths, honey. Just focus on us,” Alaia said as she rushed to my side and began to hum.

“What was that freaky black ball?” Morgan asked.

“A dampener. It prevents vampires from shimmering for at least twenty-four hours and makes other shifters violently sick, which is why I had you all hold your breath. We couldn’t have them following us home. They need to stay right where they are until our guys are finished with them,” she proudly said.

She then slumped down in a chair and pulled a small bag of b***d from her bag, sinking her teeth into it with a soft m**n. The smell made my stomach roll, and I swore I was a second from passing out.

“Will it hurt the guys?” Alaia asked.

“No, they weren’t close enough for it to touch them, so just the vamps.”

The girls helped me to the couch, where Dr. Bennett was waiting to check on the babies and me. Within a few minutes, the room filled with wolves who had been tasked to stay behind to guard us. There were so many bodies, and it was so warm!

I was really beginning to feel claustrophobic in there. Luckily, Alaia started stroking my head and rubbing my back to calm me. Once the doctor has confirmed that the babies were perfectly healthy and safe, some of the tension that was drowning me began to ease.

“Just lay down now and rest, babe. We’ve done our part. Now it’s time to let the boys do theirs.”