Chapter 20 Jasper's POV " This Packhouse used to be safe until your arrival , " I snapped , leading them to Dakota's room . " If you dislike me so much , then just say it , " Dakota said fiercely . " Take your friend to your room and stay in there until I return , " I said , ignoring her words . " Where are you going ? " 60 55 vouchers " To join my brothers and see what's going on ," " I sighed . " Today of all days . The guards and maids are off duty and dad must be at the Pack office . " " I don't want to sit in my room waiting for you , " Dakota countered . " What ! " I arched an eyebrow . " Do you realize we are trying to protect you ? " " Yes , I do . But , I can also protect myself- " " Or die trying , " I chimed in . " I'm not going to die , " she fired . " I only want to prove myself ." " Now is not the time , Dakota , " I said and turned around to leave . " What about Alicia's mom ? " " Conan will handle everything about her ," I turned back and looked at Alicia . " Trust me , your mom is going to be fine . Conan will definitely make sure of that . " She nodded , tears still streaming down her cheeks . " I'll be right back , dear little stubborn stepsister of mine , " I grinned and quickly left . " Logan ," I called , returning to the sitting room but he was not there . " Logan . Where are you ? " Shit ! He was nowhere to be found . Had they kidnapped him ? I tried calling him but it wouldn't connect . " If anything happens to my brother , you Hybrids will have me to deal with ," I mumbled under my breath . I stood in the sitting room , fists clenched at my sides , trying to decide whether to leave Dakota and Alicia behind or storm into the woods to find Logan myself . My chest felt tight with panic . If anything happened to Logan ... " Jasper ! " Her voice cut through my thoughts like a blade . I turned sharply , and there she was - Dakota , standing in the doorway , hair messy from the rush , eyes glinting with something that looked too much like determination . 16:08 Fri , Sep 19 d .. Chapter 20 " What are you doing here ? " I barked . " Didn't I tell you to stay in your room ? " " I know where they might be . " For a second , I froze . " What ? " 460 55 vouchere She stepped forward , clutching her grandmother's worn leather book to her chest like it held the answer to everything . " It's in here . The Hybrids ... they had a house - an old one on the outskirts of the woods . It's written as a safe zone for them . No one outside their kind is allowed there ." Her words made my stomach twist . That sounded exactly like the kind of place they'd take Logan . " You're sure ? " I asked , already grabbing my car keys from the coffee table . " I'm not really sure but we can check it out . " Her chin lifted . " Fine . " I stalked toward the door . " Stay here and lock all the doors until I get back ." " I'm coming with you ." I spun around so fast she nearly bumped into me . " Like hell you are . " " Logan is my family too ! " she argued , stepping right into my space . " And I'm not sitting here like some helpless princess while he could be in danger . " " This isn't a debate , Dakota . " My voice dropped , cold as steel . " Then stop wasting time arguing with me and let's go ! " " Goddamn it- " I pinched the bridge of my nose , fighting the urge to throw her over my shoulder and lock her in her room . " Where's Alicia ? " " I helped her shower . She's resting in bed , " she said quickly . That was surprisingly responsible of her . Still , I wasn't comfortable leaving Alicia alone . I dialed one of our warriors , Matteo . " Get back to the Packhouse . Immediately . Alicia's in my stepsister's room . Guard her with your life until I return . " " Yes , Alpha , " came the reply , firm and prompt . I hung up and turned to Dakota . " Let's go ." The car ride was tense . Too quiet , except for the way Dakota kept sneaking glances at me . I gripped the wheel tighter . Bang ! The steering jerked . " Damn it ! " I swerved us to the side of the road and slammed on the brakes . " Of course ." " What happened ? " Dakota asked , eyes wide . 16:08 Fri , Sep 19 J Chapter 20 ក ន 60 10 vouchers " Flat tire . " I jumped out , slamming the door behind me . The crisp night air hit my face , but it did nothing to cool the rage simmering inside me . Not tonight . Not when Logan's life could be hanging by a thread . I tried everything , spare tire , tools but luck wasn't on my side . The car wasn't moving . " Perfect , " I muttered , giving the tire a sharp kick . Then another for good measure . " Just perfect ! " Dakota climbed out slowly , her boots crunching on the gravel . " What now ? " " We walk ." I didn't wait for her answer . I grabbed my jacket , slung it over my shoulder , and started down the dark stretch of road . " Walk ? Jasper , the woods are miles away ." " Then you better keep up , " I tossed over my shoulder . For a while , there was only the sound of our footsteps and her soft breathing as she hurried to match my pace . Finally , her voice broke the silence . " Why do you and your brothers like to bully people so much ? " I stopped dead in my tracks and turned to glare at her . " What ? " " You heard me ." Her tone was cool , too calm for someone jogging after me in the dark . " Everyone says you were different before . That you used to be smart . Kind , even . Then suddenly - bam . You turned into the holy trinity of jerks . " I narrowed my eyes . " People talk too much . " " People notice patterns ," she shot back . " Was it your girlfriends ? Did they mess you up that bad ? " I snorted . " Wow . You really think you've got us all figured out , don't you ? " " I'm just asking . " " Well , you're wrong ." I shoved my hands in my pockets and started walking again . " People deserve to be bullied sometimes . " " No one deserves it , " she argued , keeping pace . " Not like the way you guys do it ." My jaw tightened . She didn't know a damn thing about us . About me . " I also heard , " she continued , voice softening like she thought she could lure me into confession , " that you used to be top of the class . Straight - A student . That Logan still is ... underneath all the attitude ." That hit a nerve . I shot her a look over my shoulder . " Logan's smarter than most people give him credit for , " I said quietly . " Even when he acts like a fool ." Dakota smiled faintly , like she'd just uncovered some deep secret . " So it's true then . " " Drop it , Dakota . " 16:08 Fri , Sep 19 Chapter 20 " Fine , " she muttered . " You're impossible , you know that ? " " Good . Maybe you'll stop following me everywhere then ." She laughed , a soft sound that somehow made my chest tighten . " Not a chance ." Before I could fire back , she stumbled . 駿 65 vouchers " Dakota ! " I lunged just as her foot caught on a loose stone . She pitched forward , but I caught her by the waist before she hit the ground . Her body collided with mine , warm and soft against my chest . For a moment , everything went silent . Her wide eyes met mine , and the air between us shifted - charged , heavy . My hands were still on her waist , and hers had landed against my chest . I could feel her heartbeat , fast and wild , syncing with mine . " Careful ," I murmured , voice low , rougher than I intended . " Thanks , " she whispered , but she didn't move . Neither did I. The scent of her hair drifted up wildflowers and something sweet that made my wolf stir restlessly inside me . My grip tightened unconsciously , pulling her just a little closer . " This is awkward , " she said , but her voice trembled like she didn't mean it . " Is it ? " I asked , tilting my head slightly . Her lips parted , like she wanted to answer , but no sound came out . Her cheeks were flushed , her eyes bright under the pale moonlight , and for one insane second , I wanted to close the distance between us . Wanted to taste the defiance on her lips . But then a distant howl shattered the moment , dragging me back to reality . I let her go so abruptly she stumbled again , but this time she caught herself . " We need to move , " I said gruffly , avoiding her eyes . " Logan's out there . " She nodded , biting her lip . " Right . " We started walking again . I could feel her gaze on me . 16:08 Fri , Sep 19 d Chapter 21