Keeper (Matefinder Next Generation Book 1) by Leia Stone Page B

“I’ll be back in a couple hours.”
    *
    The drive to Gavin’s house was equal parts comical and awfully sad.
    Tom tried to speak quietly but Jax and I heard it all.
    “They brought the fever down, so they must know what they are doing.” His hand was on Gavin’s knee.
    I looked in the rearview mirror at Gavin as Jax drove. Gavin simply nodded and stared out the window.
    “So, you’re like them?” Tom whispered.
    Gavin met his grandfather’s eyes. “Kind of.”
    Tom nodded, patting Gavin’s leg. “I hope you’re not upset that I declined the big guy’s offer to live on the mountain, but you know your grandmother.”
    Gavin chuckled, nodding. “It’s fine.”
    Tom smiled. “I read somewhere that when the wolves shift to their animal form, they get nude. Can you imagine your grandma hanging the washing on the line and getting an eyeful?”
    Gavin full on laughed now and I found myself smiling at his brief bit of happiness.
    Tom was quiet for a while then he turned to Gavin once more. “But you’ll be okay now, right? They can help with the …” He indicated Gavin’s arms.
    Gavin mustered a fake smile. “I’m gonna be fine, Pop. Don’t you worry.”
    My heart broke for my mate then. He must be scared; he heard Nahuel tell him he was a dead man walking and now he was coming to live on a mountain full of werewolves at the stern request of one of the most powerful Alphas in the world. My father. Yet, he still held strong to reassure his family. A worthy mate, I could do no better, I was sure. It was in that moment that I knew I would fall in love with this man. This man I would most likely spend the rest of my life with. I was just hoping it was longer than the four days we had been given by Gretchen.
    Gavin’s eyes suddenly met mine in the mirror, they held a passionate fierceness that matched my own. If there was a way to stop whatever ailed him and live a long and happy life together, we would give it our all. Spirit didn’t make mistakes, Gavin was my perfect match whether I knew his middle name or not. Suddenly a warm hand squeezed mine. Jaxon. I was not alone in this. Together we would all figure it out. A weight that had firmly settled on my shoulders since the dreams began, dissipated a little bit then.
    We drove the rest of the way in silence. Once we pulled up to Gavin’s house, Jax and I told them we would wait in the car. He would have to say goodbye to his family and pack up all of his things. My twin pulled on the bond to get my attention, looking up, I saw a seriousness in his eyes.
    “Does this mean we aren’t going off to college?” he asked.
    I laughed. “Oh, Jaxon. For a second there, I thought you might actually say something sincere.”
    He smiled. “I’m just kidding. Trying to make you smile.”
    I gave him a tight smile and we just stared at each other, at a loss for words. Finally he leaned forward.
    “Is he your mate?” he asked sincerely.
    All of a sudden tears welled in my eyes. I nodded.
    Jax grabbed my forearm in a firm grip. “Then we will do everything in our power to save him. Do you understand me?”
    Jax’s eyes were a fierce blue threading with yellow. I growled my agreement. Jax was my twin, my protector, my closest confidant. If I couldn’t tell him, I couldn’t tell anyone.
    “We’re True Mates, Jax. Born mated, can have children tomorrow if we wanted. No need for a ceremony. But Nahuel said that if he dies … I die too.”
    Jax’s eyes were wide. “How is that possible? No!”
    I shrugged, helpless. “Mom saw something. We need to get it out of her. I’m freakin out here.”
    Jax nodded and then we both saw Gavin coming out of the house in a black hoodie, carrying a big duffle bag.
    My heart sped up and Jax grinned. “I’ve never seen you like this. You’ve had every unmated guy in the pack after you for years and you never looked half as riled up as you look now.”
    Gavin’s hand was on the door handle.
    “Shh!”
    Opening the door, Gavin