Chapter Twenty-Four

I felt at peace after playing the koto. It reaffirmed what I already knew. We will win this war. The real question is how much are we going to have to go through to get to the end?

There are a few steps that we need to follow to end this

First, find the witch and either kill her or get her to release her spell.

Two, team up with other packs and go raid Daniel Verners territory

Lastly, find Dana and Chris Scott. They are the key to this whole mess.

That's just the basic steps.

There are a few things that I need to work out with in myself that would help guarantee our victory.

One, regaining my voice. I need to find the confidence deep with in myself to talk. I need to be able to communicate with those around me.

Accepting intimacy would be the second. Its been a little over five years since that happened. I have a mate. We are attached together by a red string. Jackson is a good man and deserves someone who can handle intimacy. He needs someone who can help him achieve his full power. I will be that person.

A added benefit of being fully mated is that Jackson can claim Seoul as his own. Daniel Verner is Seouls biological father. If I bare Jacksons mark he can claim Seoul as his own severing Daniels rights to ever see his child.

The jeep comes to a subtle stop as it retakes its original position in Mitildas driveway. Elixer and his mate hop out and circle around to unload the Koto. Jackson gently lifts Seoul off of my lap and drapes him across his shoulder. I climb out with my book in hand.

"It looks like Dean has finally made it." Elixer said gesturing to the black motorcycle peeking out from behind a bush.

I couldn't help but be curious. What is he like? Do I look like him? Do I look like my mother? Does he know why I was kidnapped?

I follow the men into the house using them as a shield.

"Welcome back boys! Did you have fun?" Alpha Foster asked.

"Yeah the strip mall was actually really neat. It was very ethnically diverse. Rin had made some long lasting connections with a few of the shop owners. The experience was amazing." Exliers mate said with a wide grin on his face.

"Rin did you find you find what you needed?" Mitilda asked looking through Jackson.

"The music store owner gave her the koto that she use to play." Jackson said.

"I've never heard anything like it before." Elixer said.

I peek around Jackson and see the man who should have been my father. He is well over six foot tall and looks unnaturally buff. His long black hair is slicked back exposing the scars that litter his chiseled face.

I don't see the resemblance.

"Rin this is Dean Foster." Alpha Foster said gesturing to the tall man. When his eyes finally landed on me they filled with tears.

"You look just like Sandra." He said wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.

"That's what we were all kind of wondering. Why would Chris and Dana want your child?" Mitilda asked.

"I was suppose to marry Dana but she was in love with Chris and I met Sandra shortly after high school. Couldn't it have just been a hospital mix up?" Dean asked shrugging.

"Brother Its possible but I really doubt it." Alpha Foster said shrugging.

"Everyone seems to be under the influence of a witch. She is putting something into the string that keeps mates from recognizing each other or they are rejecting each other flat out." Mitilda starts.

"Then you have Daniel Verner kidnapping girls trying to produce an heir." Elixer chimed in.

"Wait Verner is behind all of those missing girls?" Dean asked. Everyone nodded their heads.

"He already has an heir." Dean growled.

"Ashs mate is of the same gender. While they could adopt a child and deem it as heir Alpha Verner is not okay with it. He wants someone with true Verner blood." Jackson added.

"She wolves can't have children unless they are fully mated. So, his efforts are useless." Dead said with the matter of fact look on his face.

"Your right but he is desperate. So desperate that he kidnapped a human girl." Alpha Foster started.

"She gave birth to a little boy with the alpha gene." Mitilda continued.

"Okay, so we need to protect the child at all cost." Dean said putting his fist to his palm.

"So, Uncle Rin's Son Seoul is the heir to the Salamander pack." Mitilda declared.

"Oh Jesus. She's only what eighteen?" Dean asked running his fingers through his hair.

"Nineteen. Which means she had him a couple of days after her fifteenth birthday." Jackson chimed in.

"Who asked you?" Dean growled.

"I am her mate." Jackson growled back.

"Alright gentlemen lets calm down." Elixer said putting himself in between the two men. I run my hand up the back of Jacksons t-shirt. I could feel every muscle that is tensed, bold ready to fight. I rub soft circles on his lower back. I feel him start to relax. His blue eyes glancing between his opponent and myself.

Seoul repositioned himself on Jacksons shoulder.

"Dean!" Alpha Foster. I didn't have to look at him to know that he was angry. His voice alone made me shrink into Jackson.

"Why don't you three retire for the night." Mitilda offered.

"Where do you want us to put this?" Elixer asked pointing to the Koto. I put my hands on the base and gingerly pulled it out of his grasp. I don't want to damage it.

I follow Jackson down the short hall. He gently lays Seoul on the bed and pulls me into a hug. He is so tall he engulfs me.

"I had fun today." He said against my shoulder.

"It was amazing to see you play. You taught yourself?" He asks.

My head moved up and down. Why can't I talk?

"I could see how you won nationals. Your great. I've never heard anything like that before." He says flashing me a smile. I feel my cheeks heat up.

He stands up, and makes his way to the door. I feel cold. I don't want him to leave.

I don't want to be alone.

I want him to stay.

Jackson stay.

I watched the door open.

Use your words Rin! Tell him you want him to stay.

"Goodnight Rin." Jackson said.

I launch myself forward grabbing his arm. He looks at me. His blue eyes show his confusion.

"Whats wrong?" He asks stepping back into the room closing the door.

Use your words

Use your words.

Rin use your words.

Words

Words

"Rin its going to be okay." Jackson said wrapping his arms around my small frame. His nose finds its way to the crook of my neck.

I feel hot tears stream down my face. I'm frustrated to the point that I want to cry.

"Its okay Rin." He says rubbing soothing circles up and down my back.

I don't want him to leave.

"Please stay." The words left my mouth but the don't sound like me. The English words are heavily accented. Most people would have asked me to repeat myself but Jackson didn't. He knew.

"Okay, I won't leave. I'll stay right here." He says giving my neck a quick kiss. I feel the pull. I want the mark. I want to be his.

Language is my hardest subject.

I've never been good at talking.

Conveying my feelings.

Expressing what I want.

This time I am going to let my body do the talking.