Allies

~Tasha~

It has been two days since I have been on packlands and I am, honestly, not impressed. I can't believe she had the audacity to kick me out of my home and my mate just went along with it. I haven't spoken to him since we left Janessa's office and I don't plan to speak to him anytime soon. When we left Dark Moon, he brought me to the cabin we had built for our private getaways. I can't live this way. I have to cook and clean for myself. I was not raised to be a common woman and I don't plan to start now.

"It's a beautiful Saturday morning. What should we do today?" I can't stand the sound of Herbert's voice. I don't respond to him. I continue to sit in the living room, on the sofa. I haven't cooked since we have been here, haven't spoken to him, hell, I haven't slept in the same bed as him. I know that Janessa's decision had nothing to do with him, but he went along with it. That being the case, he is just as much to blame as she is. "Is this how it's going to be? You ignoring me?" Herbert is standing in front of me now, but I don't look up. I have a magazine in my hands that I'm pretending to read. I continue to flip through the pages, feigning interest in the pictures and text. Herbert sits next to me and grabs my hand. The magazine drops to my lap and I try to get my hand out of his grasp. He won't let me go and I'm trying to keep my cool. "A year is a long time to not speak to me. I know you're angry, but you should know that I love you. We have a year to just be together. We spoke of this many times, so we should try to enjoy the situation we are in." I internally roll my eyes the entire time that Herbert is speaking. He is not saying anything that I want to hear.

I finally get my hand out of his and I stand up. I take a few steps away from the sofa then turn and look at him. "Had you not consistently coddled that girl, I wouldn't be in this situation right now. I can't imagine that my anger will clear up anytime soon so you should just keep that in mind." I continue to walk towards the kitchen until Herbert's voice stops me.

"Why Tasha? Why are you so hellbent on putting Janessa and Jasper together?" As if I'm going to answer him. He wouldn't be able to wrap his small mind around everything. He has always been so worried about looking out for others. It was always left to me to make sure our self interests were taken care of. There would be no point in explaining this to Herbert now. I continue to walk into the kitchen and I hear Herbert sigh. The front door closes and I get my phone out. I have to make this work out to my advantage. I dial the number and wait for the call to be answered.

"What is it, Tasha?"

"My, my Jasper. Don't we sound grumpy today."

"I don't have time for your games. What do you want?"

"Where is this hostility coming from? We are supposed to be working towards the same cause." Jasper gives me a deep laugh.

"How the hell can that be when you managed to get yourself kicked out of your own pack?"

"Let me remind you that I got kicked out in an attempt to help you. Let's not forget that minor detail."

"Help...help me?! You fucking owe me. You owe my parents. I'm simply collecting what is due me."

"You will have it, you will have Janessa. We just need to work together to get it accomplished." Jasper sighs.

"You never told me what you want."

"I want to stay on your packlands. You need me close so I can be able to help you." The silence on the other end is stretching and becoming deafening.

After what feels like forever, Jasper answers, "I will think about it." Dial tone. Well it isn't the answer I was looking for, but it is better than nothing.

~Janessa~

Saturday came faster than I expected. The plan is going down tonight and I have to make sure I have everything in place. I get up early to run training though my mind isn't as on topic as usual. I can't help but to think about Drake. I haven't seen him since he told me about the plan and that night was amazing. I thought our first night together was something, but it pales in comparison.

I finish training and head to the dining room for breakfast. I'm joined by my usual group and we dig in. It is weird knowing that my parents won't be popping in for breakfast like they often did, but what's done is done. I can't go back on my decision and even if I could, it would not make me look very good. "HELLO!!! 'Nessa are you with us?" Lana must have been calling me for a while. I am completely living in my head right now. I shake my head briefly and clear my throat.

"My bad. I just have a lot on my mind." I take a sip of coffee. "We need to meet in my office. There is something going on tonight that we need to be a part of." Lana and Gemma nod and we continue with our meal.

Once finished, I head to my office to take care of some paperwork. After an hour of working, the girls come into my office. I fill them in on what's been going on with Drake and the Reese Corporation. "So what's the plan, Alpha?" Gemma asks.

"Well, he wants me to stay out of it, but you know I can't do that. I was thinking that Markus, Lana, and I can make an appearance. I know that Nemes provided two, on-site security guards overnight. Lana, you and Markus and replace the two guards tonight and I will show when the time comes. We have to free these kids no matter what." Lana and Gemma both nod at me in agreement. "Gemma, you just need to stay here and keep an eye on things."

"I will get with Markus and let him know what's going on."

"That sounds good Lana. We will head out around 9 pm. I want to get there before Drake and his people." The ladies nod in agreement and leave the office. I have a few hours to take care of some pack matters and then things will be going down. Hopefully, once this is settled, Drake and I can move forward together.