Page 24 of Snatching Jackie (Wintermoon Shorts #5)

JABARI

The Spa—One Week Later

J ackie slaps my chest playfully as we approach the entrance to the spa, but I catch her hand mid-motion as her lips part, taking me in.

I’ve made an effort with my appearance today—my beard is trimmed and shaped, my hair neat, clothes clean and actually fitting my frame properly.

The dark green henley she picked out for me brings out the color of my eyes, and the jeans are a far cry from the baggy, worn ones I used to prefer.

The morning air is cool and refreshing, with a faint scent of pine. Around us, Wintermoon is gradually stirring—other shifters acknowledging each other as they go about their day, some heading to the market, others to their various tasks within the community.

I’ve come to understand that my personal presentation carries weight, not just with Jackie, but with everyone in Wintermoon. My growing respect from the community has boosted my confidence, a change I hadn’t noticed until recently.

My bear stirs with pride when Jackie’s eyes linger on me, her approval evident in the slight catch of her breath. It’s a small thing, but these moments feel like miracles—the way she looks at me, touches me, chooses me every day.

“Let me try this,” she says, gesturing toward the spa entrance.

“I will not fight with you about this,” I tell her, keeping my voice gentle. “I know you need this, for your independence.”

I lean down and steal a kiss from her lips, savoring the taste of her—honey and warmth and home.

My bear rumbles with displeasure inside me at the thought of being separated from our mate, especially in a place we’re forbidden to enter.

The spa is meant to give the women space from us shifters, a respite where they can relax without our hovering presence.

My bear hates every aspect of it, clawing at my insides with growing agitation.

I smile when I spot Silas standing nearby, looking as lost as I feel.

Jewel has just casually walked into the spa, and my brother’s expression is one of pure abandonment.

His shoulders are slightly slumped, hands shoved deep in his pockets as if he doesn’t know what to do with them now that they’re not holding his mate.

He hates being separated from her too, especially now that she’s carrying his cub. The protective instincts in male shifters grow stronger when our mates are pregnant, making the separation even more difficult.

Jackie reaches up to gently stroke my cheek, her touch sending warmth through me. Then she looks over to Silas.

“Take care of my man,” she tells him with a smile.

Silas smiles back and bows his head to her respectfully. “Always.”

The interaction fills me with warmth, seeing my alpha, my brother, show such respect to my mate. I’ve watched how she’s slowly carved out her own space among us, winning over even the most skeptical members of Frost Clan with her warmth and strength.

Jackie takes the bag of hair tools and products from my hand and walks toward the building. I watch her until she disappears inside, drinking in the sway of her hips, the confident set of her shoulders. Even in the simple act of walking away, she captivates me.

Once she’s out of view, my bear whines in disapproval, a low, mournful sound that echoes through my mind. We want our woman back.

“We’re almost finished with the space,” Silas says, turning to me. His voice lowers as if Jackie might somehow hear us from inside. “Jackie’s moving truck is scheduled to arrive at the docks a month before we can announce that the space is ready for her to open.”

The weight of keeping this secret from her feels heavier with each passing day.

“She doesn’t like surprises, and she’s complaining to me about not knowing what we are doing. She’s getting suspicious,” I explain.

Silas sighs heavily, his breath forming a small cloud in the cool air. “It’s just a couple of months more, and I really want to do this for you and my new sister-in-law.”

“We can just tell her now because we’re close,” I suggest, feeling the weight of keeping secrets from my mate.

The space is nearly ready—the walls painted in the soft colors Jackie once mentioned she loved, the displays crafted by Kane from House of Zorah nearly finished, the lighting installed to showcase clothing in the most flattering way.

Silas groans, his disapproval evident in the set of his jaw. “I don’t agree, brother, but I won’t come between you and your decisions for your mate.”

His words hit a nerve, sending a flare of irritation through me. “Why does it feel like I’m choosing between my woman and my clan in this situation?” I ask, frustration bubbling to the surface. “Something I’d never do to you. Something I’d never do to the clan.”

Silas looks flustered, his usual composure slipping as he realizes how his words have landed. A flash of regret crosses his features, and he takes a step closer.

“That was not my intention, brother. In fact, I’ll stand down from here on out and let you take care of your own house,” he says, his voice softening.

He takes a deep breath, his eyes meeting mine directly.

“You longed for this, made it your identity. You were going to be a father and a good husband to your woman. And when I saw you with Jackie, the pride in your eyes, the way she’s awakened a happiness in your bear—it’s something I haven’t seen since we were cubs, before the Great War.

” His voice grows quieter, laden with emotion rarely displayed by my stoic brother.

“I got carried away, trying to use my authority as alpha when I should be your brother instead.”

I’m speechless. Silas rarely speaks so openly about his feelings. He’s always been the steady one, the responsible one, weighted down by leadership without complaint. To see him this vulnerable, this honest about his excitement for my happiness—it hits me in an unexpected way.

“Thank you, brother,” I manage finally, the words inadequate for the emotion swelling within me.

“The clan is still helping you with this project,” Silas assures me, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “It’s a gift from all of us, from Wintermoon. Our women sacrifice a lot to be with us. I want to make sure Jackie knows she’s appreciated, like all the women of our clan.”

“Let’s get to work then,” I say, ready to move forward, to build this gift for my mate.

We climb into the truck, the vehicle dipping slightly under our combined weight.

Silas starts the engine, and the rumble vibrates through the frame as we pull away from the spa and head down the road.

The forests of Wintermoon pass by in a blur of green and gold as autumn begins to paint the landscape.

As we drive, my mind drifts to a worry that’s been growing lately, gnawing at me during quiet moments.

“Jackie is beginning to worry that she hasn’t claimed me yet,” I admit. The admission feels like exposing a wound, but if I can’t speak openly with my brother, who can I turn to?

“It’s only been four months,” Silas responds, keeping his eyes on the road. “Some women take longer to get comfortable.”

I go quiet, my bear growing restless within me, disagreeing with Silas’s casual dismissal. Four months feels like an eternity when you’ve already waited centuries. Every night when I hold Jackie in my arms, I wonder if tomorrow will be the day she feels the urge to complete our bond.

“But everyone else in the clan seems to be fully mated, and the women have gotten pregnant,” I point out, unable to keep the edge of worry from my voice. “It didn’t take long for you and Jewel either.”

Silas keeps his gaze fixed ahead, his fingers drumming lightly on the steering wheel. I find the sound oddly comforting.

“Well, how about this?” he says finally.

“You’ve already been what humans like to call a late bloomer.

You were the last to learn how to shift in our clan, and I remember mother and father being worried when you didn’t shift for so long.

” He glances at me briefly. “Then there was finding Jackie—you were the last in the clan to find her. So maybe you were just meant to take your time on this journey.”

His words settle over me, easing some of my anxiety. My bear calms slightly, accepting the wisdom in what my brother says. Perhaps this, like everything in my life, will happen when the time is right.

“Oh, and by the way,” Silas adds, a hint of mischief in his voice, “you’re going to need to learn how to drive.”

I glare at him, and he laughs at my expression.

“Yeah, get pissed off, brother, but it’s happening,” he says, his tone shifting to one of authority.

“Now that’s an order I’m enforcing. This is a different time, and our women are different.

The wagons aren’t going to work for them.

” He gestures toward the road ahead. “You need to learn how to drive so you can get your woman to her prenatal appointments especially. You see that Jewel’s belly is growing.

She’s got a strong cub, and it’s wearing her down. ”

I nod reluctantly. Inside, I’m cringing at the thought of operating these metal deathtraps, but for Jackie, I’ll do it. I’ll do anything for her—learn to drive, build her a business, adapt to this new world that moves too fast and makes too much noise. None of it matters if it brings her happiness.

“Fine,” I concede. “I guess it means I’m getting my first driving lesson today.”

The docks come into view. Silas pulls the truck to a stop near the wooden piers where our clan members are already gathering. The morning sun reflects off the lake, gentle waves lapping at the dock as they prepare for another day of work on Jackie’s surprise.

“I can only give you a few hours of labor today while my woman is in that dreadful building,” he says, the hint of a pout in his voice making him sound more like a cub than an alpha.

I fall into laughter at his dramatic tone. “Oh brother, I know just what you mean. I will be cutting this shift short myself.” My expression grows more serious. “But my bear will have to get used to this. Jackie truly wants to work, and I want her to be happy.”

“You are a good mate to her, brother,” Silas says, then narrows his eyes thoughtfully. “She hasn’t run from your bear yet, has she?”

I glare at him. “No.”

Silas shrugs casually as he pulls the truck into a parking spot. “Maybe she should. It would definitely speed up the claiming process.”

“I don’t want to hurt my mate,” I protest, remembering how badly Jewel was hurt after running from Silas’s bear. “She couldn’t move for days.”

Silas rolls his eyes as he cuts the engine. “I think all human mates should run from their bear just once. That way, they truly understand.”

My bear perks up at this idea, excitement rushing through him at the thought of chasing Jackie through the forest, catching her. I feel annoyance at Silas for planting this seed. The last thing I need is my bear getting ideas about frightening Jackie.

I climb out of the truck, desperate to end this conversation, and go to stand by the water’s edge to wait for the ferry. The rest of the clan is already here, ready to work on Jackie’s boutique. Several nod respectfully as I approach, but they give me space, sensing my mood.

I should be content. I have Jackie, the space is nearly ready, but I’m longing for more. I want to see my mate’s belly grow with our cub. I want to witness the joy in her eyes when she sees her retail space for the first time.

I’m convinced that this, her business, is what’s holding her back, making her feel like she’s losing herself. Once she sees that she can have a piece of her old life here in Wintermoon, she’ll finally feel complete.

My bear, however, disagrees. He thinks Jackie needs to run from him, to trigger the primal instinct that will make her claim us fully, binding us together.

And deep down, despite my protests to Silas, a part of me is beginning to wonder if he’s right.