Chapter 25

**Jaxson**

Everything seemed to happen in a blur over the last few weeks. Lorenzo was nowhere to be found and I had Lucas downstairs torturing each day in hopes for a location. He knew where Lorenzo was, he just wasn’t saying where. It was Lucas…he was the traitor in my pack. He caused my mate pain, and was responsible for the kidnapping of my mother. I was preparing my pack to take down the man responsible for hurting my mate. It made my wolf angry to know he put his hands on her. Not only was Lorenzo going to have to face me, but he was also going to have to face my father too.
“Jaxson,” Lana placed her hand on my chest. “I think you need to calm down.”
I squeezed my eyes shut and took a breath to calm myself. “I can’t help it…he hurt you, and my mother.”
“Hey look at me, I’m still here safe and sound.” She cupped my face to force me to look down at her.
“I’m going to protect you, Gabriel, and the little one growing inside you. I don’t know what I’d do if I ever lost you.”
“You’re not going to lose anyone…especially not me.” She assured me.
The war was just starting, and I had a feeling there would be casualties…hopefully, I wasn’t one of them.
“Jaxson, he’s ready to talk,” Cole said from the other side of the door.
“Go, I’ll be fine.” She said kissing my lips.
“Try and get some rest, my little mate.”
I stepped out leaving the room and faced Cole. He frowned and looked away from me, making me narrow my eyes. Whatever he found out wasn’t good.
“Tell me,” I growled.
“It’s bad, oh god, I don’t even know where to begin. Lorenzo and the witches are coming together. The war between the witches and werewolves…it’s already happening. Jaxson, I think it’s time to call him.”
“I know.” I sighed.
I didn’t want to call him, but now I have no choice. I was going to have to call the man who all werewolves hated. He was the king to all vampires…brutal and ruthless. I hated to have to call him here, but if it kept my family safe…I would do it. Because if they were looking to take out the werewolves, the vampires would be next.
“Call him, arrange a meeting. Tell him it’s important I speak to him.”
“What are we going to do with Lucas?” He asked.
“Poison him with silver and let him die a slow and agonizing death. With the vampires on our side, he is no longer of use to me.”
“How can you be so sure they’ll side with us?”
“Because if anyone hates witches more than us, it’s vampires.”
***
I stood at the gates of the vampire king’s territory, and watched the guards hiss at me. I know, I don’t like you either.
“The King is expecting me,” I said as one of the guards searched me for weapons.
As soon as they finished; they led me to the gates, and up to the entrance. The place smelled like rotting corpses and I could smell fresh blood as we made it to the king. I bowed my head in respect, and cleared my throat. “My king, I hate to give you such short notice, but I’m afraid a war is breaking out. I have reason to think you might be next.”
“Jaxson, you know you don’t have to call me king. We go way back… call me Allesandro. I’ve heard the whispers amongst my people. A war is brewing…has for a long time. We go way back, yes?”
“Of course, I remember,” I said.
“Then you know, I am on your side. Tara was like a sister to me.”
“Yes, I know.” I sighed.
“I hear through the rumors you found your true mate.” He smiled, drinking the blood from the glass.
“There’s something you need to know about her. She was Tara’s blood sister, and she is a werewolf/witch hybrid. That’s why the witches are doing this. Alpha Lorenzo wants her power. Can I count on you to be on my side?”
“Anything you need, let me know. So, Tara’s sister?”
“I know, it’s crazy. Maybe that’s why I met Tara… to find my mate.”
“What’s her name?”
“Lana. I have to be going, but keep in touch. We’ll talk soon, and let me know if you hear anything.”
“Of course, guards please show Alpha Jaxson out safely. He’s royalty around here.”
I bowed my head to Allesandro again before turning to smirk at the guards. They widened their eyes in fear, and began to lead me out.
That’s right fuckers.
Fucking royalty.
Once upon a time, Allesandro and I were best friends. When we were children, we would meet in the middle of the forest and play. That’s before we knew what we were… completely oblivious to the fact we were supposed to hate each other. Then, we grew up, and drifted apart. In high school, we secretly hung out without our parents knowing, and met Tara. To Allesandro, she was like a sister. But to me, she was more than that… or so I thought.
Arriving back to Crimson Peak territory, I could finally breathe fresh air. Cole stood at the border, and raised his eyebrow to me.
“We’re good. We officially have Allesandro on our side.”
“Lana is waiting for you in the dining room. She’s been worried about you since she woke up. I think she may have had a bad dream.”
“What?” I snapped.
I stepped into the room to see her pacing the floor as my mother tried to calm her down. She sensed me, and ran to me wrapping her arms around my neck. “I was so worried about you. It wasn’t just a dream… it was a vision.”
“Baby calm down, I’m here now. Nothing is going to happen to me.” I whispered and glanced at my mother, but she shook her head. Her body was trembling and I could feel the fear radiating off her body. She didn’t even shake this bad when I told my sister Lorenzo had found her. It pained me so much to see her scared like this, and for the first time…I was powerless. The only thing I could do is to hold her close and assure her nothing was going to happen.
“It was so real.” Tears streamed down her cheeks as she cupped my face.
“Shh, calm down. I’m right here and I'm not going anywhere.” I held her tighter, careful to not hurt her belly.
It took me nearly an hour to get Lana settled down and relaxed. She still didn’t tell me what the dream was about, but I know when she’s ready…she will. I stepped out of the room quietly and whispered to my mother. “Watch after her, and let me know if she starts to have dreams again.”
My mother nodded and I turned to Cole and my father. “We need to talk.”
I knew they wouldn’t like that I’d gone to Alessandro, but I had no choice. We stepped into my office, and I took a deep breath. “I went to see King Allesandro.”
“You can’t be fucking serious!” Cole growled clenching his fists.
“I am. Look, I wouldn’t have gone to him if I didn’t have a choice. Lorenzo and the witches have already taken out two packs. Do you want to be the third? Besides, it was you that told me to get in touch with him.”
Cole growled.
“Cole, Jaxson is right.” My father sighed.
“Fine.” He agreed, but I knew better. He was just saying that to avoid an argument with my father.
“It’s settled, we’re going to fight beside the vampires against Lorenzo and the witches.”