Chapter 18

**Jaxson**

“Focus Jaxson.” My father lectured me as I fought against the chains.
“I’m trying!” I growled out, flashing my crimson eyes.
“You’re holding back.” He leaned on the wall. “Get angry!”
I could feel the demon wolf trying to tear through me as I thrashed against the chains. I just wanted this lesson to be over and go back to the comfort of my mate. I was supposed to be training to control my anger and it seemed to be pointless. No matter what, my wolf didn’t want to get angry.
In any other situation, he would’ve already taken over my body. Not in this particular situation though. My wolf didn’t like to be told what to do. That’s exactly why he was fighting this.
“Ok.” My father paused. “How did your wolf feel when your brother had his hands all over your mate?”
I growled at the thought of Duke touching her. I didn’t like it one bit, and I remember as I lashed out and damn near killed him because he told me he wanted a taste of her. My eyes flashed red, and I could feel my claws coming out as my father’s question played over and over in my head.
“Dmitry!” I warned my father, calling him by his first name. I never did that unless I was about to snap. I hadn’t called him that since the day Tara died when he told me my brother had shown his face at the border.
“Yes, get angry! Let your beast free.” He taunted me trying to get a rise out of my wolf. The blood boiled in my veins as I thrashed pulling the chains. “Now take that anger and lock it back in the cage. Control it.”
Sweat dripped off my hair and trickled down my face as I yanked on the chains as hard as I could. I could feel my wolf ripping right through me making my bones ache to get free.
“Lana…” I hissed out to him. “She’s the only one that can calm him. Please.”
I begged him, but he shook his head no.
I let out an animalistic howl and I felt the chains snap freeing me from the wall. My father ran outside the cage, locking me inside. He took a step back.
“Shit!” I heard him mutter under his breath and ran up the stairs, leaving me pounding the bars of the cell. I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself down, but it was no good. My chest heaved as I breathed hard holding my chest.
Jaxson, calm down.
You can do this.
I sniffed the air and smelled the sweet smell of her. My mate.
“Jaxson.” She whispered in her sweet voice.
“Lana.” I croaked out in a strained voice as I slid down to the cold cement floor.
“Calm down, you can do this, baby.” She purred, wrapping her fingers around the bars.
“Stay back, I don’t want to hurt you.” I whimpered in pain on my hands and knees.
“I’m not afraid of you.” She reached out in between the cell bars. “You won’t hurt me.”
On my hands and knees, I peered up to her and my wolf whined to me as he slowly let me take back over my body. I collapsed to the floor and felt myself growing weaker as she unlocked the door. My eyes closed as I fell limp and let sleep take over.
The next time I woke up, I was in my room and Lana was dabbing a cold washcloth on my forehead.
Had I dreamed the entire lesson with my father?
I whimpered as she wiped my face and ran her fingers through my hair. “Are you okay?”
I nodded knowing I was lying. I was far from okay but didn’t want to upset her. I didn’t want her to worry about me when she was carrying our child.
She hovered over me and looked deep in my eyes. “I know you're lying to me, but I’ll let that slide.”
I visibly gulped as her hair tickled my face and tried to focus on anything else. Her breasts were in my face as she straddled me. I was trying hard to not get an erection, but it wasn’t doing any good that she had her hands all over me and on top of me with her body pressed to mine.
“Lana,” I growled, warning her she was playing a dangerous game with me.
“Jaxson.” She countered and traced a finger down my chest and down to the button of my jeans.
“Please Lana,” I breathed out, not sure exactly what I was begging for.
Was I begging her to stop or for her inch her hand down lower?
A knock sounded on the door making her jerk away from me and stand up. Cole stood there with anger written all over his face. I sat up on my elbows and asked. “What is it?”
“Your sister said Lorenzo has been sending her texts saying we have one week to surrender the hybrid. If we don’t, they…”
“They’ll what?”
“They’ll take her by force.” He finished glowering his golden eyes out of breath.
Lana went to leave, but I pulled her down by her wrist. “Stay and rest. I have some business with Cole.”
As I pulled my shirt over my head, I leaned down and pecked her lips. She closed her eyes just as I walked away. I knew she was exhausted from taking care of me plus being pregnant. I led him to the office and sat down behind my desk pulling out the bottle of whiskey.
“He’s not going to fucking touch her or my sister.” I twisted the cap off, pouring us a shot.
“So what are we going to do?”
“We are going to get my father to bring us his witch and find out what she knows about the motherfucker.”
“When?” He asked downing his shot.
“Now. Go get him.”
***
**Lorenzo**

I traced the picture of Lana as I curled my lips up. You will be mine again just as soon as I plan my attack on your precious alpha mate’s pack. I’ll make sure you never leave me. I did regret having to beat her, but the damn woman wouldn’t submit to me like a she-wolf was supposed to do. I left her in that ditch as a lesson.
When I went back that night to retrieve her, she was gone and the scent of the Scarlet Peak all over the place where I left her. I was so angry that I called my friend Duke to recruit someone to spy on them and then report back to me.
The informant had been in the pack for years, which made him perfect for the job. He’s been wanting to take his revenge on them, and now seemed like the perfect time to do that. He nervously stood in front of me as sweat dripped down his forehead.
“What have you found out?” Bringing the glass to my lips.
“She’s pregnant, and her witch powers have started to surface.”
“Good, it won’t be long now. You may go, tell the maid to bring me my dinner.” He nodded and left.
A knock sounded on the door and in stepped the nervous woman with a tray of food. She laid it down and I gripped her by the arm.
“Come here,” I commanded her and she bowed her head as I let go of her. She walked around the desk and kneeled with her head down. I gripped her chin forcing her to look at me.
“Come. Sit.” I patted my thigh.
“I-I don’t…” I pulled her up and forced her to sit on my thigh.
“Shh. I don’t bite. Well, I don’t bite hard.” She bit her lip as I pushed her hair to the side, sinking my teeth into her neck.
She tried to scream, but I covered her mouth with my free hand. Her blood tasted sweeter than anything I’d ever tasted before in my life.
She struggled to get free, and I took off my belt and wrapped it tightly around her wrists to keep her from pushing me away. I made sure to make it tight enough to restrain her. I sucked on her neck, and let the blood slide down my throat. I could feel her growing weaker as I sucked her blood harder. I retracted my teeth from her neck and watched as she went limp in my arms.
I picked up my phone and dialed the number. “I need you to dispose of the maid on the border of the Crimson Peak territory.”
The plan was starting and when they found out who I had just killed they would be angry. I would be ready for anything they sent my way. I would always be one step ahead of them as long as my informant didn’t fail me. Jaxson would no doubt be contacting me as soon as they discover the body.