Jax had been in shock for some time. Truth be told he wouldn't be able to say how long he'd been in shock. For the first few hours he'd felt like he was walking around in a haze. He was a strong man, being in shock, walking around like he didn't have a clue... hell that wasn't him, wasn't him at all.

Learning that monsters existed, that Werewolves are real was an unreal concept. He'd been suspicious of Braedon and a few of the others, knew something about them wasn't quite right, but he'd never been able to figure out what it was. Now... well now he wasn't at all sure he wanted to know.

The trouble was, two young women he'd watched out for as if they were his own now resided with a group... or should he say, a Pack of wolves on the north coast. Tempest too had been his; to a point. She was kind and giving, but kept a great deal to herself, putting more effort into her work than into building relationships.

Finding out Tempest was one of them... a Were, was a hell of a shock, but she helped him see that she was still Tempest, still his friend. Watching Trae turn from a man into a wolf was not something he'd ever believed possible. Even now, part of him still couldn't believe it had happened.

Tempest asked him not to do anything until he'd time to process what had happened. He did that for several hours before he began pacing the length of his living room. He'd eventually given up, gone into work to try and take his mind of it all. He was worried about Kasey and Chrissy even though he'd been assured they were both safe.

He lasted that night and most of the next day, catching cat naps on the couch in his office before panic took control. He packed a bag, tossed it into the back seat of his four-wheel-drive and headed out. He needed to see his girls, see for himself that they were all right. Only then would he be able to relax.

His phone rang several times, unfortunately it was in his jacket pocket in the back seat so there was no way he could answer it. Hours later he pulled into a service station to get petrol, it was then he got his phone, putting it on the front passenger seat. He had to get going, he needed to keep moving before he got too tired to drive. He knew there'd be missed calls from Tempest, they were having some kind of celebration and she'd invited him.

I'll make it up to her when I get back. He kept telling himself this, hoping he really would be able to make it up to her. With a sigh, he ran his fingers through his hair, the thought of Tempest worrying about him gnawing at his gut.

Jax was an honourable man, never one to shirk what was necessary. He picked up the phone and dialled her number. She picked up on the fourth ring.

"Jax?"

"Tempest. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you tonight."

"Jax, I was worried, are you all right?" She heard him sigh, fear creeping into her heart. "Jax?"

"I'm fine honey. At least I will be once I see for myself that my girls are safe."

Tempest could hear the sound of an engine in the back ground. Her stomach churned, knotted with concern. "Jax, where exactly are you?"

"I'm sorry I couldn't' make it tonight honey, I wanted to get going before weekend traffic got too bad."

"Jax?"

"I'm about an hour past...Jesus-H-Christ!"

Tempest heard the screeching of brakes and a thump like Jax had hit something. "Jax! Jax are you all right? Jax!"

"I have to go." Jax replied then the phone went dead.

Jax stopped the car and got out, moving as quickly as he could to the front of the car. "I'll be damned!" Jax watched as the beast he'd hit with his car shifted into the body of a beautiful women. Going by the length of her legs she was tall and curvaceous with long raven hair. He knelt beside her to check her pulse, sighed in relief when he found it had a strong beat.

Getting to his feet, Jax checked the road for other cars then grabbed a travel blanket from the boot and opened the back door of the car. Carefully he lifted the woman, wrapping the blanket around her before lifting her in his arms. As gently as he could he placed her in the backseat doing his best to ensure her comfort before closing the door.

"Shit!" Jax ran a hand over his face, grabbed his phone from the front seat and dialled.

It was picked up on the third ring. "Jax, Tempest called, she's concerned about you."

"I'll call her later, right now we have a bigger problem." He wasn't exactly sure how Braedon was going to react to what he had to say, but forged ahead.

"I'm not far from where I'm assuming your Compound is. One of your people ran out in front of me. She was moving too fast for me to stop or veer out of the way. I've got her in the back seat wrapped in a blanket. You might want to consider sending one of your men out to guide me in."

Braedon's heart almost stopped. "What does she look like?"

Jax described the woman in his backseat, ignoring Braedon's growl as he did so. "There isn't a mark on her, but I'm worried about internal injuries."

"Someone is on the way. Take care Jax, you carry a precious cargo."

Jax hit the end button got into the drives seat and tossed the phone onto the seat beside him. Not sure whether to wait or not, he started the car and moved off, figuring whoever Braedon sent would see him.

About five minutes down the road he spotted a figure running out of the bush onto the road. Thankfully he was able to stop without hitting this person. Next thing he knew there was a young woman approaching all but screaming at him.

"Where is she? Is she all right?"

Jax turned to the backseat to indicate that was where the woman was and the girl opened the door, slipped in the back seat and placed the woman's head on her lap. "Mum, mum can you hear me?" when there was no answer the girl growled, "Jaz, wake up, please, please wake up."

Jesus-H-Christ! "She's Braedon's sister?" The girl nodded and he stilled at the realisation of what Braedon had meant when he said he'd be carrying precious cargo. "Okay, let's get her home. I have no idea where I'm going, so you'll have to guide me. Can you do that?"

The young girl nodded, "Yes, but I..."

"You're Cade right? I'm Jax, a good friend of Kasey and Chrissy's." he saw the shocked expression on her face. "Kasey told me all about you and your brother... Cord I think?" again she nodded.

Jax sighed, "I know what you are, you and your people. That's why I'm here. I wanted to see my girls, make sure they really are safe."

"They're safe." Cade offered him a small smile. "We should get going, I want to examine Jaz and make sure there's nothing broken."

"How'd you find us anyway? What'd you do cut through the bush?"

"I have certain abilities. I sensed Jaz was in danger, was able to hone in on where she was. I sent a message to my mate so he'd know where I was going then I ran. I didn't think, just ran to where I knew she'd be." Cade ran a hand over her head and laughed when she brushed leaves and twigs from it.

They were stopped ten kilometres down the road. Eli waving them onto a dirt road. When they pulled off the highway and stopped, he got in beside Jax, giving him a nod before turning his attention to the two women in the backseat.

"How is she?" he smiled, "How are you?" he reached out a hand needing to touch his mate, let her know he was there for her.

Cade seemed to relax, "There doesn't seem to be any injuries, but I need to check her over properly." She smiled, "I'm okay Eli, but Cord is going to be worried."

Eli gave Cade's leg a squeeze, "I'm sure Jaz will be fine." He turned to Jax, "follow the road until it widens into a fork, then take the right road. It'll take you through to the Compound, from there I'll direct you to Jaz's house."

Jax did as Eli said without question. When they were on the road to the Compound he looked at Eli, "Cade's your mate?"

Eli smiled, his entire face lighting up. "Yes, Cade is my mate, my life. She is a very special young woman. I'm sure you will learn of her gifts as you get to know her."

It took another ten minutes to get to the parking area. They didn't stop, Eli directing Jax directly to Jaz's house. As they got out of the car, Eli opened the back door intending to carry Jaz inside. Jax beat him to it, "Since it was my car that hit her, I'd say she's my responsibility. I'll carry her inside, you just show me where you want her."

Eli gave him a nod in acknowledgement and headed for the door opening it so Jax could move smoothly through the house and upstairs. Cade had run ahead and pulled down the bedcovers so she could more easily get Jaz settled.

Once Jaz was in bed Cade turned to the men, "Please wait outside, I'm sure the house will be inundated with family and friend wanting to know what's happened."

Eli gave his mates hand a squeeze, "I'll keep everyone downstairs, but they'll want to know how she is."

"Eli I have no idea what's going on or why... "She sighed, "I'll let you know how she is as soon as I can." That being said Eli moved towards the door grabbing Jax as he did so.

No sooner had they closed the door than they heard voices downstairs. Eli headed to the top of the stairs, Jax, feeling responsible paced outside the door waiting on word from Cade. He knew he'd have to face Braedon and Nicolas, but not until he knew how the woman was doing.

"Eli!" yelled Braedon, "Where is she? How badly injured is she?"

Nicolas too was throwing questions at him, "What the hell happened? You'd better keep the bastard that hit her away from me..." and so on.

Kasey and Chrissy doing their best to make their way up the stairs and almost got by Eli until they spotted Jax at the top of the stairs and retreated to stand beside their mates.

Jax was about to make his way down the stairs when he saw Jacob approaching from the back stairwell. For some reason he knew not to interfere in what the man was doing, so started down the stairs distracting everyone.

He looked from Kasey to Chrissy at first ignoring their mates but also noting that Nate stood on the doorstep unsure if he should enter or not. He opened his arms and his girls came to him. For several minutes Jax felt as if he'd come home, that all was right with the world. He kissed the tops of their heads and breathed them in.

Someone cleared their throat and as much as he wanted to ignore it, he couldn't. He had to face these men and explain himself. Keeping his arms around his girls, he looked up at the two men who'd claimed them.

"Braedon, Nicolas. I take it Wade or Tempest let you know I was on my way here." They nodded in acknowledgement and he continued. "Your sister came running out in front of me, she was travelling way too fast for me to avoid hitting her." He sighed, "She was in wolf form at the time." He shook his head. "I'm still getting used to the fact that you can... shift."

Braedon held his emotions in check, his sister was upstairs injured by this man, but it wasn't his fault, he wasn't sure exactly who to blame. Jaz perhaps, but then why would she be behaving in such a manner. He knew Nate finding his mate had brought back old memories, but what was between them was so long ago. She should have been over it all by now.

"We don't blame you Jax, we just want to make sure you are both all right." He looked to Eli.

"Cade's with Jaz, she'll give us the heads up shortly. For now all we can do is wait."

~~~~~~~~~~~

Jacob moved with all the stealth of is kind, needing to make sure his friend wasn't too badly injured. Jaz was a Were yes, but she hadn't been herself of late and he'd been concerned about her. He slipped quietly into Jaz's room hoping Cade would be able to tell him something that might explain why Jaz had run out in front of a moving car.

"She isn't injured Jake, not physically." Cade shook her head doing her best to hold back tears. "She's lost so much weight. I can't believe I didn't notice sooner." Cade turned to Jacob, tears now running down her cheeks. "I don't understand what's going on. It's like she's in pain and just when it seems the wound is healing, it's almost like someone rips the bandage of and opens it up again."

Cade sat on the edge of the bed smoothing loose hair off her surrogate mother's face. "I know there was something between her and Nate. I know him finding Phia hurt her, but this..." she shook her head unable to continue.

Jacob moved closer, placed a hand on her shoulder. "This isn't my story to tell Cade, just know she'll need our support. I'll speak with her when she wakes, mayhap she'll open up to me, let me know what set things off so badly."

"Why not her brothers?"

Jacob sighed, giving her shoulder a squeeze. "Just be there for her." He turned and slipped out of the room, minutes later coming in through the front door.

Everyone was sitting in the living room when Cade came down, all eyes suddenly on her. "Jaz is resting at the moment. She doesn't appear to have any injuries external or internal." She sighed, "Jaz is exhausted and is going to need some time. I'm sorry, but I need you all to leave her be for now."

Braedon came to his feet, as did Nicolas, but she stood her ground. "I know she's your sister, but she's my mother and while I'm living in this house I'm responsible for her. Please give her some space, whether or not she tells you what happened... that's up to her."

She noticed Nate sitting beside a very pale Phia. The look she gave him was enough, he got to his feet ready to leave. "Wait!" cried Phia, "I don't understand what's happening; from what I've been told Nate and Jaz were friends good friends. Why is she so angry, so defensive with him? I mean..." she lowered her head unsure of what else to say.

Nate pulled her to his side shaking his head, "Leave it Phia. Jaz told me I'm not welcome in her house I need to respect that. I can only hope she soon comes to her senses and realises how immature she's been."

His words grated on Cade and if glares could kill, he'd be dead and dusted. "If I know anything about Jaz, it's that she usually has a good reason for whatever she does. I'm fairly certain that's the case here. Now if you don't mind Nate, I think you should leave." Her words were spoken not only as a daughter but as a Guardian. The tone one he could not ignore. Cade knew he wouldn't come near the house again, sadly she also realised that Phia probably wouldn't either.

"What the hell is going on here!" exclaimed Braedon.

Cade turned her glare towards the Alpha, "Don't make me force you to leave too. And don't think I won't. I don't know the full story here; I doubt any of us do, so I'd suggest you all keep your anger, blame and innuendo to yourself. Jaz will explain herself when she's ready or not, that's her choice."

Hand on her hips she stood her ground waiting for everyone to leave. Both Braedon and Nicolas glared at Eli before leaving. He knew they'd be having soon be having words, but Cade was his mate, he'd stand by what she'd said.

Jax was pulled along by Kasey and Chrissy, kept looking over his shoulder to no avail. He felt responsible for Jaz, would have rather stayed in case there was something he could do to help. Unfortunately his girls were having none of it.

Jacob was the last one to leave, "I'll check in with you later. Call me when she wakes."

Eli ran a hand through is hair and laughed, "Do you realise you just through them all out?"

Cade shrugged, "The last thing Jaz needs is a house full of people throwing questions at her." She sighed, "Did you notice Phia? She told me she was going to see Jaz this morning. She's pregnant."

"You can tell that just by looking at her?"

Cade smiled softly, "I can tell a great deal by looking at people."

"Do you think that's what set this off?"

"I don't know Eli, but I have to tell you I'd damned sick of not knowing what's going on." She looked at her mate hopefully. "I have a feeling I'm going to need to keep Braedon and Nicolas away from her for a while. The last thing she needs right now are those two demanding answers she's probably not ready to give."

He nodded, letting her know he'd do what he could. "Did you have to throw Nate out like that?" Cade glared at him in answer and he recounted, "Okay, okay he shouldn't have said what he did, but to do it in front of everyone."

"What he said, he pretty much said she was being childish and should grow up. He said it, to save face because she doesn't want him in her home anymore. Eli, has no idea what's going on with Jaz. None of us does. He had no right to say what he did." She leaned into him wrapping her arms around him, "I know he's your best friend, but Jaz is the closest thing I have to a mother. Right now she can't protect herself and it doesn't look like anyone else is going to."

He kissed the top of her head, "You're right Cade it looks like everyone's assuming Jaz is at fault for whatever's been going on. I'll keep an open mind. She's been a good friend and she has after all been taking care of my mate until she's ready to be with me."

Angelique came in just then with Cord in tow. "How's Jaz?" she released Cord who immediately ran to his sisters open arms.

"She's resting right. I was just about to make a start on..." She laughed, I'd say breakfast but it's almost time for lunch."

"Brunch!" Angelique pronounced. "People in fancy places call a mix of breakfast and lunch, brunch. How about I give you a hand?"

Cade gave her friend a nod and they all made their way to the kitchen to organise something to each. Eli was on coffee, Cord set the table and both girls fixed the food. As they sat down to eat each one of them at intervals looked towards the doorway leading to the stairs and Jaz.

Jaz slept the rest of day and through the night. It was as though her body was finally catching up on all the sleep she'd lost worrying about the past and how she was going to deal with the present.

Cade took her brother in to see Jaz, realising he needed to see for himself that she was in one piece. He sat with her for a while giving Cade time to put her head down for an hour or so. When she woke, she ushered Cord into the care of Angelique promising she'd come get him if Jaz woke up.

Cade sat in the chair beside the bed and watched over Jaz. As promised, Jax called in to see if how she was doing and if there was anything he could do to help. He stayed an hour or so, making coffee and sandwiches for Cade and Eli. It wasn't necessary, but he needed to do something.

Next morning he was back, said he was going to make a start on breakfast. When he got to the kitchen it was to find Emma Kincaid working over the stove. Jax looked at her curiously, "Excuse me, but have we met?"

Emma laughed, "I doubt that very much young man. You're from the city?" he nodded and when she smiled he knew without a doubt who the woman was. "Braedon tells me you've been keeping an eye out for my daughter Tempest."

His face broke into a smile, "That I have. I was just about to make a start on breakfast, but it looks like you beat me to it."

"There's plenty to go around, take a seat the others will be down shortly."

Jax took a seat just as he heard foot falls coming down the stairs. When he saw Cade he came to his feet his question clear on his face.

"She's still asleep. I'm hoping she'll wake up soon, I don't like that she's been out for so long."

"Nonsense dear, she's healing while she sleeping. Jaz will wake up when she's ready. She'll need you, Eli and Cord to make sure she isn't overwhelmed by visitors." She said giving Cade a knowing smile.

"Thanks for stepping in to help Emma. I... that is, we really appreciate it."

"No thanks needed dear, I'll stay as long as I'm needed. Jaz has taken care of every single member of this Pack at one time or another. It's about time someone took care of her. Now sit down, breakfast is ready."

They sat eating their fill. While clearing the table Emma had a quiet word with Cord. "I know you'd like to sit by your mother's side and wait for her to wake up, but I don't think she'd appreciate you spending all your time watching her. How about you give me a hand doing some baking? That way you'll be close by and you'll have a couple of cakes and several batches of cookies by the time we're done. What do you say?"

Cord was a smart kid, he knew Emma was trying to keep him busy and out of the way. He also knew that at least if he was helping her in the kitchen, Cade wouldn't have to worry about where he was or him being underfoot.

"Sounds good Emma," he smiled.

Something inside of Cade relaxed, she smiled at Emma grateful that she was there. She was also grateful that school was out for the next two weeks or she'd be arguing with Cord trying to convince him to go to school. She turned at her brother, "I promise I'll call you when she wakes up."

"Okay Candy, but mums gonna be starving when she wakes up."

"Jaz might not be up to eating too much when she first wakes up, I was think I'd fix her a light vegetable broth first up then a chicken soup for when she finds her appetite. If we bake some bread it'll go down well for dinner."

Emma and Cord got busy baking and cooking. Eli took Jax on a tour of the Compound and Cade sat watch beside Jaz. She sat quietly for a time, then picked up the book on the bedside table. After finding the book mark and making an approximation of where Jaz was up too, she started reading.

When she tired of reading Cade talked to Jaz, telling her about the ups and downs of the journey to the Compound. It had taken them almost three months to get there. They were tired hungry, cold and in need of someone who cared. Jaz turned out to be that someone.

Cade had no idea where they were going, all they had was a story her father had told them and a kind of knowing that told her she was headed in the right direction.

Finally tired of her own voice Cade sat on the side of the bed taking Jaz's hand in her own. "I'm not sure if you can hear me mum and I know you need your rest. God knows you've always put others needs before your own."

She sighed, "I'm scared mum. I don't know what to do. I don't know what's going to happen and I don't like that certain people are acting like... well like you should push aside whatever is upsetting you and just get on with things."

She laughed, "You're not going to believe this, but I pretty much kicked both your brothers out of the house. Told them you need rest and waking to a house full of people expecting you to answer all their questions would be too much for you right now."

Cade wiped at tears, "I don't understand what's happening. I know Jacob does, but he won't say anything. He told me it's not his story to tell and that's fair enough, but we're family now and I can't take care of you if I don't know what's wrong.

"I'm not going to tell you to wake up. You do that when you're ready. I'll be here and so will Eli and Cord. Oh and Jax, the guy who ran you over. He's here too, he's worried about you. Emma's here with us as well. She showed up early this morning, said she'd stay as long as she's needed. I think she kind of needs us as much as we need her right now. She needs to be needed and I don't' think she's felt that for a long time. So don't worry, we're fine, you rest up and take your time okay."

Cade sat quietly holding Jaz's hand. Kasey and Chrissy had come by to see if there was any change and Emma had stepped in letting them know she'd send word as soon as Jaz was up of visitors. After that it was fairly quiet, Jax and Angelique being the only visitors and both only there to see what they could do to help.

It was late afternoon; Cade had been with Jaz all day, being to believe she might never wake up. Her eyes feeling heavy, she realised she needed to get up and move around or she'd fall asleep. As she came to her feet Jaz's hand gripped hold of hers.

She immediately sat on the side of the bed, "Mum?"

"Cade, you shouldn't worry so much. I'm not going anywhere." Her eyes slowly opened and even though they were full of pain they were the most beautiful eyes she's ever seen. She moved as if to go get the others, Jaz spoke again, softly. "Not yet. Let me catch my breath first."

Cade nodded, holding back happy tears. "Are you okay? I mean... you really had us worried."

"I apologise for the worry I caused you. I didn't go looking for a car to run into." She smiled softly. "I'm guessing Jaxon is a little shook up?"

"He's more worried about you. He keeps sneaking away from the main house to see if you are away yet."

Jaz closed her eyes, "He feels responsible. He shouldn't. I wasn't in a good place; I should have gone up the mountain to the Elders. I... I needed to run. When I started I couldn't stop. I don't think I had any sense of direction or danger I just ran and kept running." She tried to sit up, Cade helped her then held her close grateful that her surrogate mother had come back to her and...

"Cord." He'd been in the doorway, ran to his mother when she spoke his name. All three held each other for several minutes. They may not be blood, but they were family. They still had no idea what had happened, but she was back, she was wide awake and she was theirs.

Eli came through the doorway looking more relaxed than he had for some time. "Welcome back Jaz. Emma's putting up a tray for you; she'll be up in a few minutes. I thought you might like to freshen up? Cord how about we leave the ladies to it, your mother is going to be fine now."

Jaz gave Cord a kiss on the forehead, "Go, I'm sure Emma has an early dinner ready for you too. You can come sit with me before you go to bed." He left with Eli, Jaz giving him a grateful smile as they left.

Jaz had showered and changed into something warm and comfortable when Emma knocked on the door. Between her and Cade they soon had Jaz settled with her tray. "Eat! And don't worry about your family; I'll care for them until you can. Cade why don't you go eat, I'll sit with your mother."

There were no need for words between these two women; they sat quietly while Jaz ate her meal. It was after Emma had moved the tray away that they spoke. "You can be proud on your family Jaz. Cade stood up to both your brothers, then your sister-in-laws. There was no way anyone was going to get to you before she'd spoken to you."

"Cade's a great deal stronger than people give her credit for; she's also perceptive and somewhat angry because she doesn't know what's going on. What I've been dealing with."

"I'm thinking it's time to share old secrets my dear."

Jaz looked up at the woman in shock. No one knew her secret, no one except Jacob. She opened her mouth to speak, unable to find her voice the only sound she could produce was a painful groan.

Emma saw the shocked expression, "I'm a mother too Jaz. I know what it's like to lose the one thing you love the most." She wiped at her eyes with the back of a hand, "I had my Tempest for a good many years, but when she left it was as if someone had taken part of me away. I carry that loss even now, just like you do."

Emma got to her feet and closed the bedroom door, before sitting on the side of the bed. "I know your loss Jaz, not your story. I'm thinking it's time you at least spoke to your family about this. And by family I mean those sitting at the table downstairs.

"The rest of your family will need to know eventually, but you're still recovering and it won't hurt them to wait a while longer." She patted Jaz on the hand, "I'll take this tray down, Cord will no doubt want to bring you a sweet treat. We've been baking all day and he's proud of what he's produced."

"You're a good woman Emma; you'll always be welcome in my home."

Emma gave Jaz a smile and left her to her thoughts. She had watched Jaz since she was a child, hoped that she and Tempest would have become closer, was relieved when they didn't. She had her own secrets, secrets that had only just come to light. Jaz was going to need some support and she see to it that she got it.