Jaxson (River Pack Wolves 1)(61)

“As you know, someone in the government is stalking shifters,” Jaxson continued. “I don’t know why, but they’re performing experiments that mess with our ability to shift, and there’s no way that’s a good thing for any shifter, whether you’re on their radar or not. I’m confident we can ferret out whoever is behind this—we’ll expose them to the light of day and bring an end to this crime against shifter-kind. But you’re going to need full faith in your alpha in order for us all to work together and defeat this common enemy.” He took a breath as he slowly scanned the attentive faces. “To do that, you need to know a secret I’ve been hiding from all of you for years.”

Several furtive glances were exchanged and a murmur rose up.

Jaxson waited a moment before he continued. “When I was sixteen, I made the mistake of letting a witch seduce me.” Some eyebrows rose, but the room quieted. “When she couldn’t get what she wanted from me, she cursed me. Any mate I claimed… would die.” An audible gasp went around the room.

Even from across the room, Olivia could see Terra Wilding’s eyes go wide and her face pale.

Jaxson held up a hand to quiet them again. “I should have taken a mate years ago, but because of the curse, I’ve been stalling. I knew that, eventually, I would have to step down.” An angry murmur swelled up this time, with sounds of disagreement and growls mixed in. “I had hoped…” he said loud enough to rise about the noise. “I had hoped that I would be able to carry you through this crisis. But instead, an answer to my problem stumbled into my life.” He looked at Olivia then, with an expression so soft, it melted her heart. “An answer I wasn’t expecting and would never have dreamed possible.” He turned back to them. “Olivia broke the curse.”

Another gasp went around, along with frowns of confusion.

“How did she do it?” a voice from the crowd threw out. Olivia searched for the source—it was Jace, standing next to Jaxson’s mother, a scowl etched deep in his forehead. “You’re talking about a magical curse. How does a human break a curse like that?”

Olivia swallowed. Here it comes, she thought. They’re going to toss me out the moment they know the truth.

“Olivia is half witch.” Jaxson’s voice was soft, but it carried over the crowd like a gong sounding.

Jace’s scowl grew deeper. He crossed his arms and stared hard at Olivia, like he might see the witchy part if he looked hard enough. Olivia tried not to shrink away. He wasn’t exactly glaring at her… more like he was trying to figure this whole thing out.

“Olivia used her magic to break the curse,” Jaxson continued. “She nearly died last night taking the poison of the curse into her own body and battling it there.” He dropped her hand and slipped his arm around her shoulder, drawing her close. “I knew she was brave before she did such a stupid thing trying to save me from my own foolishness.” He looked back at the gathered shifters. Their faces were mostly blank with shock. “But this thing she did for me… if I hadn’t already fallen in love with her, that would have pretty much sealed the deal.” He took another breath and blew it out. “And so, we’re here to tell you that, last night, I made Olivia my mate.”

Jace uncrossed his arms and lurched forward. Jared’s hand landed on his shoulder, trying to hold him back, but Jace shook him off.

“How is that even possible?” Jace asked in an angry voice. “You say she’s a witch. You can’t mate with one of those.” He glared at her and turned back to Jaxson. “Maybe she didn’t save you, Jaxson. Maybe she’s put a love curse on you! Maybe this is just her messing with all of us. You know how they are.”

Jaxson locked gazes with his brother. “I know because she’s carrying my magic in her blood, Jace. I can feel her love for me.”

His eyebrows flew up. “What?”

But instead of replying, Jaxson swept his gaze back to the others. “I’m stepping down as your alpha.” He raised a hand toward them. “I release you from your pledges.” He dropped his hand. “I always knew this day would come. I fully understand why you wouldn’t want an alpha who has mated with a witch, but trust me when I tell you, she hasn’t cursed me. She hasn’t thrown a love spell over me.” He turned to her with love in his eyes. “She’s the best damn thing that’s ever happened to me, and I’m not letting her go.”

The shifters looked uncomfortably at one another, but they were keeping quiet.