Wining Celeste (Book 4) Jacobs Broken Mercenaries

chapter 2

Grayson
Just when I think shit around here couldn’t get any worse, the universe proves me wrong. It’s like the fucking end of the world out there and I thought that’s what we stopped, but according to Jacob, this is the ripple effect. What happened that night didn’t just affect our world. It’s somehow spilled into the humans as well. There’s a spike in murders, suicides and unnatural deaths. Not to mention the strange shit happening in thousands of different species. Vampires spontaneously combusting, shifters shifting with no cause even after decades of control, species mixing and conceiving abominations. It’s like a supernatural shift has occurred and messed up everything. At least that’s Jacob’s theory. Even we’ve been affected, Elliot’s horns keep poisoning him. I shifted into wolf form in the shower demolishing the tub surround, and Amanda’s been extra ‘hungry’ no harm there. I’m waiting for one of us to sprout an extra head or something. The heavens still can’t find Lucifer and it’s making them edgy. Rumor has it their ability to shift to earth is intermittent. I crack a smile at the thought of those smug assholes shook. I’m currently on Tally duty. We all miss Jace and mourn his Loss but Tally isn’t moving on. She spends all day and night trying to track Lucifer, hell-bent on revenge. The angels still insist the union is vital. I think Tally would agree to it just to kill him in his sleep. Right now, I’m in the desert watching her rip apart a pyramid, knowing damn well Lucifer’s not in there. We’ve been to a few of these expeditions already. It doesn’t bother me. I could use the distractions. There’s nothing waiting for me at home and that’s the problem… Celeste her name is like a benediction on my tongue. Yeah, I got it bad, but who can blame me. I’m a wolf. Our mate is like our sole purpose in life. If only she felt the same. Just thinking about her gets me hard as stone. She looks like a sexy librarian. So prim and proper, but you know underneath that perfect exterior is a wild animal just begging to be coaxed. But for me, she’s as cold as ice. That doesn’t mean I’ve given up. I just need a plan. Wolves are good at strategy, especially this one. “Nothing.” Tally says.  I don’t know how much longer I can watch her crack. Every time she returns empty-handed, she falls a little deeper into her depressed state. “Better luck next time, kid.” “Don’t call me that! I’m not a kid.” She snaps at me and shrugs my hand off her shoulder. “Noted.” I offer, stepping back to follow her lead. I frown at her, knowing the moment we’re back home she’ll be glued to the computer, searching for the next possible lead. She’s already lost weight and looks well beyond her years. I guess we all deal with grief differently, but I wish she’d find a less obsessive and healthier alternative. Tally sleeps on the plane. I don’t dare move or make a sound. She needs sleep, and this is probably all she’ll get this week. It’s around three am when we step in the door and this time Jacobs standing at the entrance. His arms are folded, and he looks cross. I come in first and, like a kid catching shit, I swallow. If you knew Jacob, there’s no shame in the reaction. He tilts his head to the side, dismissing me, and I happily take off, feeling bad for Tally. Maybe it’s what she needs; a little tough love. Nothing else has worked. I’m halfway up the stairs when I pick up a scent that has my mouth watering and my pupils dilating... Celeste! I follow her trail to Elliot’s room and common sense takes a backseat as I barrel through the door. “What the fuck!” Elliot barks as he jumps out of bed, naked. “Grayson?... She’s not here, I just visited her.” this comes from Jolene through a sleep laced voice. Fuck. “Sorry...” I absently mutter. For a split second, I think about investigating further when Elliot growls “out!” I reluctantly leave, savoring the slight scent... My sleep is restless. I dream of her and its vivid. I can feel her silky raven hair. Touch her warm milky skin, imaging what she looks like under her modest and constrictive clothing. Those curves... my mouth waters in my sleep and I’m so revved I have to stroke myself off three times and I still can’t sleep. When the sun begins to rise. I shift and go for a run. The sun warms my coat as I speed through the trees. Branches scrape my fur and the dense earth packs around my paws. Birds scatter in the tree above me and I lick my lips, salivating at the temptation. A rustling catches my attention, making my ear twitch, and I crouch down on the mossy earth. A large hare pokes out, sniffing the air. My back claws dig into the ground as I intently watch the hare’s every move. He’s brave. I know he scents me, yet he brazenly exits the safety of his burrow. His hunger is greater than mine as he scours the earth for forbs and grass. My shoulders bow and I hunch, ready to pounce. Like a spring I launch. All my muscles tense and earth flies around me. The moment the hare realizes his slight, he pounces, but it’s too late. I have the drop on him. Contact... my teeth sink into his hind quarter and I make quick work of his warm flesh. Morning runs are the best. I shift back outside my window and climb up onto the balcony. After dressing, I head to the kitchen in search of Jolene; I’ve already had my breakfast. Jolene meets me at the door. “You really should bring clothes, Grayson, and change in the woods.” She berates me with a laugh. Shit! Elliot stands behind her. His lips are a thin white slash on his face and his horns are dripping venom. “Grayson quit pissing Elliot off, He’s making a mess of my floor!” Jacob sits behind his paper and thankfully his monotone voice doesn’t hold any bite. It’s just Elliot I need to worry about. “Sorry, man. I couldn’t sleep and I didn’t think anyone was up.” “Bring clothes and stay out of our room!” he growls. Jolene comes up behind him and circles his waste. Elliot instantly calms. Her touch is like magic. “Noted.” I tell him. Elliot doesn’t even hear me. His sole focus is on Jolene. I try not to be jealous but their love for each other is aweing. When they finally sit down, I begin subtly prodding. “How was your meet?” I ask. Elliot gives me a side glare and I shrug him off. “Oh, it was okay.” That’s it? She smothers a smile and I realize she’s purposely toying with me. “Celeste gave me the tour... she was looking as gorgeous as ever and I agreed to join the coven.” “That’s good news Jolene I think the coven will really help you grow your magic. It’s good for you to branch out.” Jacob exclaims. “I hope... I don’t know why, but I get the feeling I joined a war, not a coven.” “What makes you say that?” I look between Jolene and Jacob, intrigued by their conversation even Elliot looks overly interested. “Well, celeste said she needed me. She used the term uprising.” “Interesting.” Jacob mutters; deep in thought. Elliot looks to be mulling over the information, probably trying to determine if there’s any danger in Jolene’s involvement. So, things aren’t perfect in her world. I wonder if this information can be used to my benefit. “So... are you going to her or is she coming to you?” I ask, trying to keep the desperation out of my voice. Elliot rolls his eyes and shakes his head; while shoving mouthfuls of captain crunch into his mouth. “Neither actually we agreed to meet.” Okay, not the worst answer, but not the best. I was hoping she would come here but I can still make a meet work. “Where are these meetings?” Jolene’s sympathetic look deflates me. I know I’m not going to like the next thing she says. “Grayson, I know you like her, but these meetings are important, and I can’t break Celeste’s confidence by having you tag along or show up chasing her off. I’m sorry but you’re not invited... I’ll put in a good word; I promise.” Yep, dagger through the heart. I offer her what I think resembles a smile, dropping my shoulders in defeat. “When you’re done here… I need you guys to check out a crime scene in our neck of the woods. There was a fae kidnaping and a fire nearby. I think they are linked... Tally and I will be unavailable this afternoon.” Jacob drops a file on the table and walks away; leaving us all guessing what he’s up to.