Page 19 of Predator (Stope Packs #4)

Jackson soon found himself in the Nightsom mansion’s opulent living room with a glass of aged scotch in his hand. Actual doilies decorated each polished table. He resisted the urge to snort as he glanced sideways at Emily beneath his lashes. Did she like doilies?

“They were my mother’s,” she said softly.

Made sense. If Philip took Jackson up on his newest offer, would he have to take doilies back with him? He’d do it if it made Emily happy. One kiss had nearly set them both on fire, and he wanted her in his bed. He also wanted her fucking safe.

Philip Nightsom sat across from him in an ornate, floral-patterned armchair, his posture straight and gaze steady. Victor lounged on the matching sofa beside him, his green eyes assessing. Emily sat beside Jackson on the loveseat, the warmth of her leg a temptation he shouldn’t have noticed.

The door opened and Nadia bustled inside, her cheeks flushed. “Sorry, I’m late.” She clutched a clipboard against her chest as she moved toward Victor, sitting beside him with a quick smile. “I was meeting with a few people interested in starting a farm. We have enough territory for both crops and livestock. I think crops should go on the eastern side and livestock on the west. I’ll draw up a proposal.” Her smile widened. “Hi, Emily. How are you?”

“I’m good.” Emily laughed, her eyes filled with mirth. “How about you?”

“Much better. Hi, Jackson,” Nadia added, and he nodded in response. “I think I can help with the farming here. I’ve got some plans and sketches. They’re efficient.” She patted the clipboard as if it contained the key to their future.

“I’m sure.” Emily’s eyes warmed. “Where’s your hulking bodyguard?”

Nadia blushed. “Outside working on his new truck. He avoids being inside as much as possible.” She turned her attention to Jackson. “I don’t suppose you know anything about him?”

“Nope.” The resemblance between her and Emily still threw Jackson. It was fascinating, really. Nadia looked happier than the last time he had seen her, which gave him hope. One glance at her and he knew she wasn’t a fighter, though deep down, he was starting to doubt if Emily was one, either. She presented as delicate, even with her height. It would tempt many to challenge her if she tried to serve as the pack’s Alpha.

The safest course for Emily Nightsom’s life was to mate him. The truth strengthened his resolve. It was the best thing for her. Plus, it was what he wanted. For now, he sat back and studied Victor, who looked insolent. “Somebody kidnapped Emily the other night. Did you hire them?”

Victor reared back. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

“I believe my words were clear.” His voice dropped Alpha low.

Philip Nightsom set down his scotch and looked at his daughter with concern. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” Emily said. “But somebody hired three males to abduct me. The ringleader said someone hired him.” She stared at her cousin as she spoke. “Vic, you’re the only one I know with a motive.”

“Motive?” Victor sneered. “What motive would I have?”

Nadia jerked her head toward him. “Duh. You want to be the Alpha of this pack someday, and right now, Emily’s got the job if she wants it, right?”

“Exactly,” Emily said smoothly.

Victor crossed his beefy arms. “I’m not worried about you being the Alpha, Emily Nightsom, and you should know that right now. I don’t think you have a chance in hell. If you try to step up someday, I’ll challenge you, and I’ll win.”

Silence thickened in the room, but Emily didn’t flinch. “If you come at me, Vic, you’d better not miss.”

Victor’s eyes narrowed, a predatory gleam in their depths.

Jackson’s wolf rumbled beneath his skin, itching to tear into the cocky male. “You should watch how you speak to her,” Jackson warned.

“I don’t answer to you,” Victor shot back.

“Yet,” Jackson replied, his smile cold. “But if you come after Emily again, you will.”

Victor met Emily’s stare, his chest puffing out as tension thickened the air.

Philip’s gaze shifted between them, his mouth tightening. “I’m not going anywhere, but it’s good to plan for the future.”

“You’re getting older.” Victor’s tone was flat, lacking any pretense of tact. “I could challenge you now and win.”

A low growl rumbled from Philip’s chest, vibrating through the room.

Jackson watched them closely. His gut told him Victor was right in that, as a younger wolf, he’d probably win. The only thing stopping him was the pack’s devotion to Emily. But loyalty could only shield a leader for so long.

“I’m ready,” Victor said, the muscles in his jaw tightening. “Ready to succeed at the trials.”

“Trials?” Jackson asked, glancing at Emily.

She inhaled slowly. “I have no idea what he’s talking about.”

Yet another fucking secret. Fantastic.

Philip nodded. “Jackson, it’s none of your concern.”

“I see.” Jackson’s voice dropped, steel threading through the words. His pulse pounded hard in his head. “I’m going to ask you one more time. Did you come into my territory and kidnap Emily?”

Victor’s eyes flared. “No. I don’t need to kidnap anyone to take what’s mine.”

Emily studied him closely, finally settling back in her seat. “I believe him. Vic doesn’t know anything about either kidnapping.”

That’s what Jackson’s gut told him, as well. His gaze slid to Nadia. “How about you?”

Nadia’s eyes widened. “Why would I kidnap my sister?”

“Answer the question,” Jackson ordered.

The female paled. “I don’t know anything about a kidnapping.”

“Jackson, she’s telling the truth.” Emily slapped his jean-clad thigh in a warning. “Besides, neither of us knew we had a sister during the first kidnapping. There’s no connection.”

The thought of Emily being vulnerable under someone else’s control made Jackson’s wolf claw at him. It never should have happened. Not even once.

“That’s not exactly true.” Nadia’s voice softened. “I’ve always known that Philip Nightsom was my father, but I never planned to come here until he invited me. When he did, I wanted to meet everyone.” Her smile brightened as she glanced at Emily. “I have a sister.”

Emily’s smile was both sweet and unguarded. “You do have a sister,” Emily said smoothly. “Also, you don’t seem much like a kidnapper.”

Nadia tapped a finger against her lips. “I bet I could think of a nice and efficient way to do it, but I see no reason to bother.”

“Agreed,” Victor said lowly. His gaze held a spark of something dark and unreadable. “Since we’re having this little family get-together, why don’t we talk about a transition of power?”

“No.” Philip’s voice cut through the room with the finality of a judge’s gavel. “I’m not giving up my role as Alpha of this pack. So, back the fuck off.”

Victor glared at him, muscles tightening in his arms as if ready to strike. His shoulders squared, and his nostrils flared, but something held him back.

Jackson studied the younger wolf. Perhaps Victor wasn’t as confident in his ability to beat Philip as he pretended. That was interesting.

The tension in the room thickened, tightening like a rope about to snap. Emily’s gaze flicked from her father to Victor, then to Jackson, her thoughts hidden behind her cool, composed mask. Snow tapped against the tall windows, soft and persistent, a reminder of the storm brewing beyond the walls. The fireplace crackled behind them, its warmth at odds with the chill running beneath the surface of the conversation.

“Well.” Nadia broke the silence, her tone light. “This is cozy.”

Nobody laughed.

Philip might last another thirty years in the role, but he did look older and slightly weaker than just the other day. Was the stress getting to him? Age was normal, and his progression was standard. Jackson wondered why Philip hadn’t mated again to produce more heirs. Unless he had truly believed that Emily would take the reins. Why didn’t everyone see the fragility in her that Jackson did? The thought tightened his chest in a way he didn’t appreciate.

Emily took a deep breath. “Jackson, I hope you don’t mind, but I’d really like to speak with my family alone.”

He tilted his head slightly, his eyebrows lifting. “Why?”

She blinked, surprise flashing across her face at his bluntness. She should know by now that he was usually blunt.

“Pack business,” she said simply as she stood. “And since we aren’t—” She hesitated, her lips parting slightly before she continued. “Since we aren’t mated, you don’t belong in that conversation.” She gestured him toward the door.

Irritation clocked through him, and he masked it. He stood. “That’s fine, but after your meeting, Philip and I need to speak. Alone.”

“Agreed.” Philip leaned forward slightly, his sharp gaze locking with Jackson’s.

Jackson followed Emily to the door, walking outside as she firmly shut it behind him. What did she need to discuss with her family that required his absence? Exactly what kinds of secrets did Emily Nightsom have? The question lodged in his chest, unwanted and persistent, as he forced himself to focus on the task at hand. If Philip agreed to his terms, there would be no more secrets between them.

Period.

Emily shut the front door as Jackson stepped onto the porch, irritation cascading off him. She rolled her eyes before returning to the living room.

Nadia flipped through her notes. “What are we discussing?”

“I like your idea of creating farming land.” Emily offered her sister a small smile.

“Thanks.”

Victor stood abruptly. “I’m done with this conversation.”

“Wait.” Emily’s smile didn’t waver, though heat simmered beneath her skin. “I wanted to say something about your threat to challenge my father.”

Victor cocked his head. “Oh, yeah? What’s that?”

Emily swung without hesitation, her fist connecting solidly with his nose.

Blood spurted as Victor staggered back, clutching his face. “What the fuck?”

Philip surged to his feet. “Emily! There will be no fighting in my house.”

“Oh, my goodness.” Emily snatched a linen doily from the nearest table. It was one of the replacements, not one her mother had made. “I’m sorry. I just lost my temper.” She patted Victor’s face awkwardly, dabbing at the blood.

“She hit me,” Victor growled, voice muffled behind his hands.

“I said I was sorry.” Emily shrugged. “Besides, you’re an Alpha male, Victor. You’ll heal within minutes. Probably.”

Victor glared at her, eyes dark with fury, but he didn’t say another word. He stormed toward the door, pausing just before stepping outside. “This isn’t over, Emily Nightsom. We’re going to come to blows one day.”

The door slammed behind him, and his footsteps thudded down the stairs outside.

“What the hell was that about?” Philip rounded on her, eyes blazing.

Emily exhaled, placing the doily carefully on the piano and ensuring no blood touched the polished wood. “Sorry about that. I needed his blood.”

Philip took a step back. “Excuse me?”

“I need to speak with both of you.” Her voice softened slightly as she glanced toward her sister.

Nadia’s eyes remained wide as she lowered herself onto the edge of the couch. “You just punched him right in the face.”

“I did.”

Nadia cleared her throat. “Were you really that angry?”

“No. Like I said, I needed his blood.” Emily clasped her hands tightly, her fingers cold despite the warmth of the room. “I’ve been feeling off for the last month or so. It comes and goes, but it’s gotten worse.

Her father sat heavily in his chair and reached for his scotch. “How bad?”

“Dizzy spells. Nausea. Weakness and numbness in my limbs—especially my legs.”

The glass paused halfway to his lips, his eyes darkening. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I didn’t want to worry you. Our healer doesn’t know what’s wrong.” She took a steadying breath, her pulse drumming in her ears. “But I think you know.”

Philip’s shoulders slumped. “I can’t believe it’s happening again.”

Nadia leaned forward, her hands gripping her knees. “What’s happening?”

Emily’s gaze met hers, steady and unflinching. “The women in my family, on my mom’s side anyway, die young. My mother. Her mother. I remember how Mom went from being fine to dying in a short timeframe, and she told me about the illness. We both hoped I’d be different.”

Philip’s hand trembled slightly as he set down his glass. “So did I.”

“How far back does it go?” Nadia asked quietly.

Philip ground the heel of his palm against his eye. “We don’t know for sure. But Emily’s great-grandmother died young, as well. No one ever found out why.”

Emily swallowed the lump rising in her throat. “I need everyone’s blood. A doctor in Jackson’s pack might be able to help. She’s more advanced with scientific research.”

Philip’s jaw clenched, his eyes darting toward the window before returning to Emily. “Do you trust her?”

“I do.” Emily stepped closer, her voice firm. “This is my chance, Dad. Maybe my only one.”

Silence weighed heavily until Philip finally nodded. “All right. I’ll do whatever I can to help.”

“Me, too.” Nadia placed her hand over Emily’s. “But I don’t see how my blood will assist you since the illness is on your maternal side.”

Emily shrugged. “Who knows? Maybe your blood will show what mine’s missing.”

Nadia patted her hand. “Then you can have all you need.”

Emily nodded. “Dr. Gwen is bound by doctor-patient confidentiality. She promised not to tell anyone, including Jackson.” She stared at her father. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before, but I didn’t want to worry you.”

His gaze darkened. “You can tell me anything, Em. I’m here to help.”

Emily smiled. “Good. I trust the doctor. She’s corresponding with our healer now, and she should be here shortly to draw blood.” At least their healer had enough training to take blood samples.

Philip’s gaze drifted to the window, then back. “I’m trusting you with this.”

“And I’m trusting the doctors,” Emily replied. “If there’s a chance I can live longer, I’m taking it.”

“Hey, if they fix this,” Nadia murmured, “you can step up as the Alpha someday, right?”

“It’s possible,” Emily replied, glancing at her father. “But not for decades.”

Philip chuckled, the tension in the room easing slightly.

Emily barely held on to her smile. “What was Victor talking about when he claimed he was ready for the trials?”

Philip looked down and then back up. “I can’t tell you unless you declare your intention to become the Alpha. I’ve taken an oath in blood.”

Just fantastic. Deep down, nothing inside her wanted to be the Alpha of this pack. The responsibility, the constant weight of being challenged to the death, had never been part of the life she’d imagined for herself. But she knew if Victor ever got his hands on the pack, he would destroy everything her father had built.

The truth was simple. She only had two paths in life: either she died young, like her mother and grandmother before her, or she stepped up as Alpha and fought to survive for as long as she could—after going through some secret trials. Both futures weighed heavily on her, settling in her chest like anchors tied to her ribs.

And neither path led to Jackson Tryne.