Jinx’s Mate(36)

“I can’t believe I didn’t ask before. Where are we?” Summer wondered.

“Just outside of Snowshoe, West Virginia. We own over nine hundred and fifty acres.”

Still glancing around, she tipped her head to the side. “Almost a thousand acres? How do you keep it all safe?”

“There are guard houses around the perimeter, where guards are always stationed. Every piece of the board is covered with motion sensors, heat sensors, and cameras. No one can get on or off the property without us being alerted. There is also a second layer of security once you’ve come onto the property,” Lukas explained.

“We are far enough way from any roads or houses that we are never bothered,” Jinx interjected. “You can’t just stumble upon this place, you have to know what you’re looking for to end up here. The guards are well trained and protect the border and the clan.” Jinx led them forward at a slower place so they could keep their distance from the stragglers making their way into the ballroom. “Our homes are built in the center of the land, at the safest point. That building you see just ahead on the hill is ours. From there, we can see almost the whole compound.”

The building he indicated was huge. It was a three-story log home, towering over all the others. A beautiful winding pathway led to the houses below, with shrubs that appeared to be the kind that would flower in the summer.

“That can’t be just for us.” Summer gasped.

“I have taken my quarters on the third floor. Lukas will once again take over the second, and Jackson, I’d like for you and Carson to make your residence on the first floor.”

“Yes, sir. We’ll see to that once we have you and your family safely home for the evening,” Jackson replied, his gaze scanning the area for any possible threats.

“Wow.” It was hard to believe she was about to live in that house. It seemed like too much just for them. “Doesn’t the clan ever have a problem with you towering above them like that? Like you’re watching their every move?”

“It has been like that for centuries. The Alpha is in charge of their safety and the house allows me to watch over the land, and spot threats before they can get close enough to do us any harm,” he explained. “I have no interest in spying on my members, and before I started traveling to Alaska I was only in the house to sleep. You’ll find the clan is always gathered. This building we are going to has a ballroom for special occasions, parties, weddings, that type of thing. It also has a large dining area that will fit all the members. At least weekly, we take our meals together as a family. We’re very close.”

“You mentioned that, but I guess I didn’t believe there could ever be a closeness in a clan like you described.”

“Trust me, lass, there is and you’re about to see it. Remember, I told you we believe it takes a clan to raise a child, well that doesn’t change with families. Everyone is always in everyone’s business, it’s just how we are. I might be Alpha of the clan, but they are still in my business.” He let out a light laugh, the first one she heard that was truly joyful. He was glad to be home. It showed in every part of him.

“They’ve never considered me higher than they are,” he continued, “and I don’t want them to. I’ve always lived by the rule, never ask someone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself. It’s why I have almost every clan male as a willing guard. They know I wouldn’t risk their lives if I wouldn’t do the same, or if I felt like it was a battle we wouldn’t win. The women’s rights movement is just now trying to work its way through the clan.”

“Just now?” She couldn’t keep the surprise out of her voice.

“The clan mainly keeps to our land. We grow and raise our own food. Very rarely do any of us venture off the land. Some of the guards have gone on missions since we’ve started working with the Alaskan Tigers, but before that we were homebodies. Shifters have always protected the women and children. They are the key to allowing our species to continue.” He paused as they neared the entry to the ballroom. “Our protection of women and children make it hard for women to be guards, or anything that puts their lives in danger. Too many of the men would stop what they were doing and would go to protect the women. It’s too far engrained in us. Ty has a woman guard, Shadow, and she’s the Captain of Bethany’s guards, but in all the clans I know, she’s the only one and it took her years to prove herself.”

“If given the chance, others can as well.”

“I agree, but to give them a chance the men must be willing to accept a woman can handle herself. Any woman guard would have to prove herself before she would be allowed to risk herself. Otherwise, too many could die.” He laid his hand on her arm. “I realize it sounds like I live in a cave, and I’m not willing to give women a chance, but that isn’t the case. I’ve seen what Shadow can do and I’d go into battle with her any day.”