Jake (Immortals of New Orleans #8)(77)

"I know what you're thinking." He met Jake's gaze. "I'm not soft. But beasts? They are innocent of man's sins. They should be treated with respect."

"We agree on that." Jake supported various rescues across the country. Before he'd left California, he'd created a nonprofit ranch that could take on larger animals. "It's people who are the problem."

"Let's just say I've put a few of them out of their misery in my lifetime." Quintus took a sip of his bourbon but kept his eyes on Jake. "I sleep well at night." 

"I bet you do." Jake laughed.

"How's Kai?" Quintus asked, changing the subject.

"She's sleeping."

"She's something, isn't she?"

"Yeah, her beast, the pixiu, I'm not sure what I expected. I mean I saw it in my mind … you know how we do sometimes."

"I don't see visions. I don't have a mate." Sadness flashed in his eyes but he forced an impassive expression onto his face.

"It's just … I could see her sometimes. Like a whisper of a vision. But holy shit … " Jake took a deep breath, recalling his fierce mate. "Those wings."

"Claws. Scales." Quintus cocked his head, smiling.

"She's like a cross between a tiger and golden horse … and then those fangs. I imagine she'd tear up." Jake smiled as he recalled the rush of the moment. She'd been magnificent, dangerous. When she'd shifted, he'd forced himself to remain calm despite the shock that had rolled through his gut at the spectacular sight.

"Without a doubt. She'll fly, so good luck to the next asshole who tries to outrun her."

"Hell, she could probably take someone in a car. I guess we'll find out soon." Jake laughed. "And that thing she does with the gold? Can materialize like you. Obviously she can't control that yet."

"She'll hone her talents over time," Quintus predicted. "You'll guide her. She listens to you."

"I have to tell ya. This master thing? I don't really know if that's the right term."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because she's my mate. The two times I've," Jake paused, considering his words, "commanded her. It's no different than how I'd talk to wolves. The Anzober pack. I was with them for a while, and I could do it. Once you establish dominance, it's natural."

"And so it is with Kai. Except she's not wolf."

"No, not even close. But it doesn't matter. That's what I'm saying."

"Not all masters are wolves," Quintus stated, his tone filled with regret. "You talk to the pixiu in the manner to which you are accustomed."

"She'll become part of my pack."

"Others may not accept her," he warned.

"Yeah, well, they can go fuck themselves, because she's mine. You know it's taken me a while to come to terms with becoming Alpha, but I know in my heart … Anzober is mine. I think I've always known."

"Ah … Acadian Wolves. You're close to Logan?" Quintus asked.

"Yeah, but it's not just Logan. Before Logan, Marcel ran the pack. And his father before him. I was away for a while … joined the Navy, but yeah, the pack was always home."

"But wolves leave."

"Yeah, I know. Tristan went to Philadelphia. Hunter's in Wyoming."

"So why not California?"

"I don't know." Jake shrugged. "My mom and dad? They live in Hawaii now. They're still considered part of Acadian Wolves but they rarely get involved with pack activities. Just spend most of their time traveling."

"Siblings?"

"I've got a brother." Jake's chest tightened at the mention of his only sibling. Julian. He shook his head and took a draw of his whiskey.

"I take it he's not in New Orleans?"

"Nah, he's rogue. Took off about twenty years ago. At first we kept in touch with phone calls here and there, but then just kind of lost contact. At the time, I was so fucking pissed. Like how could he just leave Mom and Dad? It didn't make sense. Rogue wolves … they're not that common. Haven't seen it happen very often in my lifetime. My parents seemed to take it pretty well, but I couldn't forgive him."



       
         
       
        

"And now?"

"Now?" Jake gazed into his now empty glass and blew out a breath. "I guess I'm wondering if maybe he's an Alpha like me. Like maybe he chose not to go after a pack. He was close to Marcel. So fightin' him wouldn't have been an option."

"Is that when you joined the Navy?"

"Yeah, I just needed to get away from everyone. My parents seemed to be A-Okay with it. Same with Marcel. When Jules left? I don't know. None of it made sense at the time. It's one thing to decide to move like Tristan did. It's a whole other ball game to pack up and hit the road with no forwarding address. That right there is some bullshit." Jake sighed and shoved to his feet. He went to the bar and grabbed the bottle, returning to fill both their glasses. "When all that shit first went down in San Diego, I didn't want to go. But then once I got there, when I got to the beach, I was like, 'I could live here'. I love the beach, man."