Chasing Tails (Original)

30. Ghost Chase Part 1

"I don't know," He admitted. He didn't know why he hadn't just asked her yet. It might be out of fear. He was terrified of making her fear him. He was also terrified of bringing her pain. He wanted to protect her from whatever it was that was giving her nightmares and waking him up from his sleep. But he was terrified of reminding her of them, of taking her back to her solemn days when she barely spoke to him and barely ate. It might be the fact that she was his mate. He didn't want to - couldn't - force her to do anything. He didn't want to risk being the reason that she's hurt. Holding back on sex was one thing. His wolf pressured him to hold back there but even in his mind, he knew it wouldn't be right. But holding back on finding out what was terrifying her was another. His wolf was just as eager as he was - so much that he was pressuring Dresden to push her further. He just couldn't do it.

"She's just now opening up to me. I don't want to force it but I can't stand not knowing." He growled. Jack looked up at him in amusement, knowing the curiosity was getting under Dresden's skin. "Shit! I hate this!"

"So glad I don't have to deal with a mate," Jack chuckled, taking a pleasuring moment of teasing his Alpha. Dresden glared at him.

"Ow! Mother of All! Fuck!"

The entire room was silent. Their eyes were solely on the one person who cursed so loudly. No one would have expected such dirty words to come out of her mouth. Even Jack was shocked. Julie, oblivious to them all, turned around, clutching her hand in front of her. A small gash that was spilling out blood was across her hand and she was staring at it in awe.

"How does that even happen?" Jack laughed lowly, not being able to help himself as he fell over. Dresden growled at him and the rest, making his way towards her. He took her hand in his and looked at it.

"What the hell did you do?" She shrugged.

"I don't know. Besty just bit me for no reason." By that time, the entire class was erupted, choking back on stiffling laughters, unable to face her. They avoided turning around, knowing Dresden would kick their asses but they, much like their beta, couldn't help themselves.

Dresden ignored them, focusing solely on his mate. He looked over her hand. It wasn't a bad wound and in a few days would hardly be there. But she was just healing and she didn't need another wound for her body to focus on. He sighed, seeing no other way to get what he wanted. He held her hand tightly, making sure she couldn't escape and began to lick it. She inhaled sharply and immediately attempted to withdraw her hand from his grasp. He held it sternly, making sure to lick it clean.

Julie winced, feeling something scratchy against her skin. Tears had stung her eyes, feeling the wound sting as it slowly closed back up. She tried to pull her hand away, wanting to argue that she was fine but he wouldn't let her. He held onto it firmly until he finished, giving it back to her. She looked at it, finding barely a mark left and stared up at him.

"How did you do that?" She asked. She had heard about certain Weres having unique abilities but she didn't expect her Alpha to be one of them. Dresden crossed his arms over his chest and glared down at her.

"It's a wolf trait that runs in my family." He explained. "What were you doing to cut yourself like that?" She eyed her hand, too focused on the fact that her Alpha just licked her. The idea of his tongue on her skin made her embarrassed, shivering even from the idea. Her skin tingled at the sensation though, the warmth of his tongue spreading through her hand like wildfire. Still, the healing part stung and it grossed her out even.

"That's kind of nasty." She rubbed her hand on her jeans, shaking off her thoughts. "I have no idea what did this to me but..."

Her mind ran off track. As she looked up to face her Alpha, her eyes caught something that shouldn't be there. Dresden raised his eyebrow patiently, watching her closely. She stared out the window behind him, seeming almost frozen, as if she was just hit with a powerful sense. He turned around to follow her gaze but he didn't see anything out of the ordinary. Even with his Were sight, there was nothing other than trees and the normal wildlife. Despite that, she was entirely zoned out.

"Julie?" He questioned, leaning to match her eye level. He recgonized the dazed look, remembering it from when she was sleep running. His worry rose, wondering what she had seen to make her zone out. She jumped when she heard his voice, her eyes recognizing him once more. She looked back to the window, her mouth stuttering to say something.

"I...I've got to go."

Jack watched as Julie left the room, completely leaving her stuff behind. Dresden followed after her without a second thought, his mind looking as confused as Jack was. He recognized the scene before, remembering that night and he wondered what she was chasing after this time. He knew for sure she wasn't sleep running and that meant that she either saw something they didn't or she was hallucinating. Either way, it was slowly eating at her - that much was evident.

He wiped his hands with the towel, telling the others to mind their own business and get back to working on their cars. He dropped his towel down and then left the class room for some privacy. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed the number he knew he shouldn't have. If Dresden were to find out, he'd be dead but he had no other choice. He wasn't going to get answers from Andy or Zach anytime soon. He was just grateful he got this number when he did.

"Hello?" Rose answered, her voice a sexier tone than he remembered. He recognized the suspicion in her voice though and he couldn't help but wonder what it was about. "Who's this?"

"Jack," He answered. "Julie's beta?" He heard Rose growl in annoyance and waited patiently for her to reply.

"What can i do to help, Jack? First, how am I so sure you really are Jack?"

"What do you mean?" He asked, leaning against the wall.

"Don't act like you don't know. A lot of packs have been turning against each other lately - especially in that area. So how do I know this is really Jack?"  He wondered if she had been dealing with the attacking pack as well. If she had heard the rumors, maybe she was the one who was pressuring Ollie to get onto Dresden. He wondered if it was really a smart thing to be asking her about Julie now of all times.

"Alright," Jack agreed, deciding to ask anyway. "You looked extremely hot that night when you showed up for your siblings sorting." He smirked, fully remembering every detail about her.

"I get it." She sighed. "You're the pervert who was staring at my chest the entire time."

"It's mating season. I couldn't resist." He chuckled.

"What do you need? Is Julie okay?" Jack sniffed the air around him, making sure no one was close enough to listen in. He didn't sense anyone nearby and that meant definite privacy. In times like this, it was important and it wasn't going to last long. He'd have to hurrt with this conversation.

"Julie is okay for the most part." He answered. "She ran in her sleep and keeps having nightmares. Now she's having after something."

"Oh no," Rose started, her tone changing to worrying mother instantly. "Did someone go after her?"

"Of course someone went after her." Jack snorted. "The Alpha, her mate, did." Rose groaned.

"How could I forget? What was his name? Dreary? Dracula? Draco? Dresden?"

"That's the one." Jack couldn't help but smirk at her name list for Dresden. Each one remindined him of Dresden almost immediately. "I'm not calling to find out what she's chasing - if you know it. I'm calling because I'm curious about something else."

"Something else that concerns Julie, I assume? What is it?"

"Is it possible for Julie to get her wolf back?"