The Alpha And His Mate (Silver Hills #1)

Chapter 24

Jax only shifted back to his human form once we had left the dilapidated gothic mansion. He came to my side almost instantly, pale eyes burning with a strange mix of worry and relief. I took in every inch of him, from the rippling dark waves of his hair to the defined plains of his scarred body.

I was immensely overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude. Gratitude that Jax was alive and well, and I had the time to ask him about how he got those scars. The world didn't want us to be together but I didn't care about the world. It dawned on me now that I cared about my mate. And to be without him would be the worst torture that could be devised for me.

It was strange that Diana Thorpe seemed to be the reason he was alive. She stood away from everyone else- the group of us that was me, Jax, and Elisabeth and Genevieve carrying a restrained and chained Victor Thornwood- tugging anxiously at the red silk scarf still wrapped around her neck. Her hair shone like copper in the moonlight, framing her terrified face and wide green eyes.

Victor hadn't taken his eyes off her since she had first arrived. The way he looked at her... it was so similar to how Jax was looking at me.

I turned to him- my mate- and forced a weak smile.

"You're alright?" He asked for the millionth time. He hadn't touched me, as if afraid I would crack into a million pieces.

I nodded and tried to divert his attention. "What will happen to Victor?"

We both turned to watch as Genevieve and Elisabeth chucked him into the boot of a black car I recognised as belonging to the Masons. The vampire lord put up no fight, his arms wrapped around his wounds.

Jax growled, low and deadly. The sound no longer sent chills down my spine. "I should've killed him for what he was trying to do to you!"

I cautiously reached out and placed a hand on his arm. Strange vibrations rippled through his muscles. "I don't wish him dead. And soon you'll realise that neither do you."

He tossed me a look that clearly said we'll see about that. He grimaced and looked thoughtfully as the door slammed shut on Victor, trapping him like a wolf on a fishhook.

"It's weird," Jax thought aloud. "I shouldn't have stood a chance against him. In fact, I had a most embraced death at that point- I was just desperate to defend you. Last minute he just became distracted and distant. It saved my life."

I pondered whether to tell him my suspicions about Diana. Looking at the way she was practically hugging an oak tree, though, I decided to be kind and keep it to myself.

"It is odd," I agreed. "I also think it's odd that Elisabeth brought her mortal cousin along to a vampire fight."

Jax laughed grimly with little humour. "She was the one who knew how to find you. It's a long story," he told me quickly as Genevieve stalked towards us.

"We're hauling his lordship back to the council headquarters. Want a lift?" She pointed towards the car, which Elisabeth was already sat in patiently waiting.

Jax looked to me for an answer. After a split second decision, I shook my head decidedly. "You should look after Diana though," I suggested.

"She does look shaken up," admitted Genevieve through slit eyes. "She was the one who insisted on coming along though."

Nevertheless, Genevieve carefully walked Diana to the car and handed her into the backseat. I wondered if the material that separated the boot to the backseat would be strong enough to stop Victor from clawing his way to reach her.

"You're pretty old," I pointed out to Jax as we watched the car speed off down a ruined and hidden road.

He blinked in surprise. "I am, I suppose. Is that a problem?"