Stirrings pt 1

Jessa sat back on the plush seat and took James's hand. He could feel her tension, but he knew it wasn't fear, it was anticipation. She was ready. She was only waiting for the sunrise tomorrow morning. The troops would rally, and she would lead them into her old territory and into war. Even if Blackfang somehow got a tip off it was much too late to do anything substantial tonight. There were merely hours before they stormed the gates.

They arrived at the pack house of the Silver Moon pack lands. It was the nearest neighbor of Blackfang and there was a lot of tension between the packs as well. So, no one figured anyone would come sniffing around the pack borders. Their Alpha Lee Johnson had already sent out command to the members patrolling the lines tonight that no one was to say a word about the visitors on their lands tonight. Not a word. If anyone saw even so much as a shadow out of place it was to be reported immediately. They didn't need snooping neighbors. The visitors were housed on the inner pack lands, but they weren't willing to take any chances. They had the element of surprise and they wanted to keep it that way.

Jessa smiled wryly thinking about the dumbfounded looks on her former packs faces when she showed up on their doorstep with James for a "visit" and to get answers. She imagined they'd sneer at her and likely lie about knowing anything. And that was fine. She'd have her answers eventually, she just knew she would, but it would get them in the door, and that was all they needed. She could feel her power welling up in her body, and tried to keep it under control. She couldn't afford to lose control now. She didn't need to drain her energy. She was still new to it all and it still took a bit of doing out of her to use her gifts. It didn't matter if James ripped Julien and Heath to shreds, though she'd like her shot at them herself, she'd use strength on them. Her powers were reserved for the so called Luna Kelly and Hanny. She promised she would do her best to not kill them, but she couldn't be sure she'd keep that promise. Her mouth was salivating at the prospect of their bloodied and twisted bodies beneath Jewel's paws. Her white fur red from it.

She shook her head. She had to get a handle on her bloodlust. She did NOT want them dead. She wanted them very much alive and locked away in the most hideous dungeon she could design. Where they'd receive the same treatment she and her siblings were shown. Kelly's life of luxury and leisure was fast coming to an end and it made Jessa giddy with excitement at the thought.

As they pulled up to the pack house James stepped from the limo and helped Jessa to her feet. Goddess it felt good to stretch! She didn't realize just how hungry and tired she really was. She'd be sure to get sleep tonight, she needed all the energy she could get for tomorrow. It was likely around 3pm at this point and she felt like she could sleep a decade. But she would lounge around and take it easy then turn in early.

Walking through the pack house she half paid attention to the Luna beside her pointing out the amenities. Until she mentioned the dining room. The smells of food wafted out teasing Jessa's nose. She quickly excused herself and quickly strolled into the dining room eliciting snickers from everyone behind her. Jessa didn't pay them attention and began to make a plate. She couldn't fathom why she was so hungry all of a sudden.

Luna Linda nudged James and crooked her head to the side for him to hang back. She knew James and his brothers. They'd run wild with her own sons when they visited at events and parties. She knew and liked Luna Mae. They often exchanged emails and recipes. She had some gifts herself, and there was certainly more to James's mate and Luna then the eye met. She radiated with powers. Strong ones.

"James, I imagine you're aware your mate has powers." She began tentatively. When he nodded she continued on "You know I myself am gifted, but there's more here… I can't explain it James. She's more. I doubt she even knows it herself. Stick close to her in the fight son. There's something shimmering there. The pack elders talk, we all know some of what's happened to her and her siblings, we know her origins are unknown. She'll need you. Tomorrow. Something will happen, I feel it, but I can't know what. I'd love to be there with her myself, but I'm far too old for wars anymore. She has her witches to look after her too. I like these two. They seem to be on the good ones. Most are. Others, not so much…" They loaded their plates and joined Jessa at the table. She was tucking into poached salmon and a rare steak. Goddess she was ravenous.

James eyed her plate noting that her usual habit of salads and veggies were absent on today's plate. There was simply a baked potato among the various meats. He just chalked it up to her needing the protein.

He planned to take her to the spa on the pack land later on. Get her a good massage and pamper her a bit. She looked a little too tightly wound up and he wanted her to relax a bit and rest up for tomorrow. He was terrified she'd overdo herself and cause damage. He had no plans at all of letting her out of his sights.

After the meal everyone was mingling with the pack members and some mates had even been found. He pulled Ivy to the side and relayed his conversation with Luna Linda. Ivy said that she and Moira had already planned to stick with Jess and help her capture the gruesome twosome and imprison them. Ivy had no doubt they used black magicks. It wouldn't be too hard to take them down, they'd already descended to madness, the rest was a cake walk. They had a plan in place and several alternatives to combat any possible hiccups. There was no chance they'd ever get to Jessa.

As for Jessa, a strange pulling kept sweeping through her body. A surge of something that whispered at immense power and potential that she couldn't begin to fathom. Jewel, for once, was silent to her when she tried to reach out to her to get her take. She could only wonder if it was something her wolf companion was hiding from her, or if Jewel simply rested before the big fight. It wouldn't be unwise of anyone to rest up before such an important war was to commence, but Jewel wasn't just any wolf, she was blessed and marked by the Moon Goddess herself. Her energy knew no bounds.

Tired of the thoughts racing past her as well, Jewel spoke up at last and told Jess what was going on.

"I am partly resting, yes, but also biding time. There are things I cannot reveal to you yet Jessa, you'll just have to trust me and know I do this for our own good. Revealed too soon, it could spoil all. I know you feel the stirring, I do too, but just as I have to wait, so do you." And with that Jewel faded back into the recesses of Jessa's mind.

A little put out and a lot confused Jess blew out a breath that sounded more like a huff and carried herself to the guest room reserved for her and James. She had all ideas on drawing a nice relaxing bath and sinking in up to her neck.

The bathroom upon opening the door did not disappoint. There was a marble tub big enough for her and James and one more in the corner of the room by large windows with privacy screens all around. She could see out, but knew from arriving and seeing the windows glinting, that no one could see in. It offered views of the nearby woods and mountains. All in rich shades of summer greens and a flower garden below with riots of colors and types of flowers blooming everywhere. Jess sank happily into the water and dozed off looking out the window. That's how James found her later, dreaming with a smile on her face floating on the water.