The markets were crowded when we arrived. I was relieved that we weren't trapped in the hunk of metal that was the truck.

The leaden silence during the ride had been another sort of death for me. The cool air outside was just what I needed to clear my head and put some physical distance between Jamison and I.

I had briefly contemplated the idea of rolling out of the truck door. I wouldn't die from the impact of hitting the road but it would hurt like hell. It was the only reason I remained buckled in my seat.

The sun was setting, and the stalls were just beginning to flick on their lanterns to cast soft lights on their displays. The market was held in a wide alleyway, behind tall, brick buildings that had long been abandoned. Most lanterns glowed a misty pink, casting fuzzy shadows against the pebbled walk way.

The market was conveniently located in an area that shifters and humans overlapped, which explained the amount of humans bustling among the shifters. I was half expecting fights to break out any minute, but everyone seemed to be on their own mission, minding their own business.

Jamison felt like my own looming shadow as we traversed through the bodies mingling in the market. Thankfully, he had left his E.S uniform at home and was dressed in black trousers and a plain grey shirt. It shouldn't have garnered him too much attention, but then again, this was Jamison we were talking about.

I noted a few gazes had strayed to him. He simply scowled in their direction as if repulsed by the attention.

He kept quiet as we visited several stores, vetting out their ingredients. I'd been surprised that they had almost every ingredient in their possession. I wondered briefly how they managed to get a hold of the rare roots and flora.

"I'm surprised we could grab Nightshade from here." I told Jamison as the stall owner piled some into a bag, handing it to me. Jamison took the bag from me, just like he had done with every other stall we purchased an item.

"You don't need to carry all of it. I can help." I extended my hand, gesturing for him to pass some of the bags.

Jamison shook his head. "You know what we're looking for. I don't know what half of those ingredients on the list look like."

I didn't know how to respond. Jamison wasn't being courteous to me by holding the bags. He simply didn't know what to look for. It wasn't like I was going to fight him to let me haul a few bags. Jamison appeared to be handling himself well, holding the packages we'd purchased. He almost resembled a dutiful servant if not for the scowl he flashed when someone stared a little too long in his direction.

I mean, it couldn't be helped. Jamison stuck out among the crowd. Maybe it was the way he moved or the don't-talk-to-me aura he exuded. Whatever it was, he emanated an energy that gravitated curious glances.

While we strolled by a stall packed with aged meat, a lady dressed in a blue garment waved me over, gesturing to her humble display of potions.

"Keep walking. Don't entertain her." Jamison abruptly leaned down towards ny ear, whispering the words. I jolted, surprised by his sudden closeness.

"It looks like she needs customers for her stall."

"That, or the products she offers, are ridiculously useless."

"It wouldn't hurt to have a look."

"Don't -"

"Young lady, welcome." The woman spread her arms over her colourful potions. I ignored Jamison's long sigh as he reluctantly stood to my side, meeting the lady's gaze.

Her smile faltered as Jamison met her gaze with an unimpressed brow raise. "Y-you two look like young lovers. I have the thing just for you." She rushed to grab a purple and blue potion. She passed me the blue one while she handed Jamison the purple one.

"Don't misunderstand. We're only Pack mates." I said.

I could feel Jamison's gaze on my profile.

Hmm, did I protest a little too fast?

The lady, on the other hand, didn't seem like she believed my words. She eyed Jamison, then me in silence. "Regardless, I have some lovely potions that would benefit you both. The ones in your hand young lady is a relaxer. Just add a few drops into your bath water, and your muscles will ease."

It was something that sounded useful. It would be good to use after a long day.

"And you have a vial that will boost your health." The woman spoke to Jamison. "It'll take a few hours to work, so I suggest taking it now if you want to see the effects of it."

Jamison peered at the fragile vial between his fingers. "I really don't think I need this."

"I'll give it to you for free." She grinned.

Jamison still hesitated.

"I'll have a try." I took the potion from Jamison and uncapped it, giving it a sniff. It smelt like crushed cranberries. I tipped half of the contents down my throat. The liquid was cold and a tinge sour as it soaked my tongue.

Jamison took the remainder of the potion with one gulp.

The lady glanced between us, clasping her hands together. "W-well, I hope the rest of your night bodes well...and that it brings you two closer."

For some reason, her words sounded ominous.

"You can also take that potion for free." She gestured to my hand.

"Oh, thank you."

The woman grinned and resumed calling out to others who passed her stall.

As we walked to the truck, Jamison spoke. "Why did you drink it? Who knows what she put in it."

"You drank it too." I reminded him.

"I wanted to double-check that you hadn't ingested something dangerous."

"I'm not dumb. That concoction was mostly made out of crushed fruits. If there was something else in there, I would've at least sniffed it out. If anything, the potion is just a cheap thing that doesn't work like she says it does."

Jamison unlocked the truck and placed our purchased goods in the back seat. I took the passenger seat, shivering as the cold set in.

While we drove back to the Pack, I thought about where I would start with the elixirs.

The Alpha hadn't clarified exactly where I would conduct my elixir making. He simply asked for the ingredients and instructed me to make some. I was thinking McKenna would allow me to use her cottage, but I didn't want to intrude on her personal space. The injured Pack members sought her for healing, and if I was there occupying space, it would be cumbersome on both of us.

While Jamison drove, I adjusted the heater and switched on the radio, but Jamison turned down the volume.

"Jamison, why-"

"I didn't get to say thank you." He relented the words on a single breath.

"Thank you?" I asked, genuinely confused.

Jamison peered over at me with pursed lips. "You saved my life. I owe you a life debt."

I contemplated his words. He didn't sound insincere. I studied his expression. There wasn't much I could glean from him, but I knew that he meant his words.

I ducked away from his sight and picked at my sleeve. "You don't need to thank me."

"I do." Jamison insisted. "I owe you a life debt."

I felt a little uncomfortable by the solemn tone of his voice.

I didn't know what else to say, so I kept silent, gazing outside the window as a soft downpour of rain fell. The sound of rain was like a lullaby.

The silence lingered as I struggled with a response. I didn't like that Jamison owed me anything, even if it was to my benefit. I hadn't thought he would even suggest a life debt, but then again, Jamison was an outstanding Elite Syndicate Enforcer. They thrived on their honour, and it seemed like Jamison was intent on being honourable in this regard.

"Are you saying that you will put your life on the line to save mine if it comes to it?"

"Yes." The man answered without a pause.

I could see that he was looking at me from the reflection of my window. I sighed.

There would be no use in trying to argue with him about this.

The rest of the journey home was uneventful. Since Jamison seemed comfortable in the quiet, with the radio on low, I felt my eyelids sag with fatigue.

I didn't realise I had dozed off until I felt a soft nudge to my thigh. I blinked, peering around the truck. Jamison was hunched over the console, with his fingers tapping on my thigh again when I failed to give him a decipherable response.

"We're here." He said quietly.

I glanced out the window. The sun was long gone, and it was dark. The lights in the truck were on, illuminating Jamison's face as he slipped the truck key into his pocket. "You fell asleep halfway on the drive here." Jamison explained when I simply continued to stare at him like a lost soul.

"Oh."

It could've been the light or my interrupted sleep, but I was certain the corner of his lips lifted a little. Jamison pulled back as I straightened up in the passenger seat and stretched my arms.

"We should let Jude know we're here with the ingredients."

I nodded and took half of our goods. Jamison took the remainder.

The Alpha was enjoying dinner when Jamison and I walked through the front door. Aella had been in the midst of wiping the corner of her mate's lip when Jamison dumped the pile of ingredients on the Alpha's desk.

Aella jumped up from the sudden intrusion. "A knock on the door would've been nice Jamison."

"The door was wide open. I didn't think I was interrupting anything." Jamison replied. "You should've locked the door if you wanted some privacy. Wouldn't you agree Mila?"

"Leave me out of this." I held out my hands in a surrender gesture. Aella laughed as she glanced between Jamison and I.

The Alpha didn't bother hiding his look of irritation as he set aside his meal. "You would've scented Aella the second you crossed the front door."

Jamison shrugged. "Well, let's not dwell in the past guys. We're here because we managed to obtain the ingredients for the elixir. Where do you want it kept?"

"Good job." The Alpha searched the ingredients with a pensive expression. "I didn't think the markets would have all the ingredients. Mila, where do you want these set up?"

"Is there a place I can use that is already equipped with the tools I need?"

"There's McKenna's old cottage you can use. It's well equipped." The Alpha replied.

"Then I'll take it."

"Jamison, I'll have you walk there with Mila to show her the way, as it's well into the trees."

Jamison nodded in response.

"Tomorrow, I'll get started on it." I shared.

The Alpha and Luna were pleased as I headed out with Jamison.

"The place will probably need a good clean as it has been years since it was last used." Jamison shared as he walked ahead with swift steps. "I could get Jane and a few other Pack mates to help you with this tomorrow."

"That would be good, thank you."

It was a good ten minute walk until Jamison pointed out the roof of the cottage peaking up from between the trees. I could just make out the dark blue shade of the stout chimney from where we were.

Up close, the cottage was small with only two small windows and a worn red door. Jamison unlatched the lock that secured the front door and pushed it open. It swung back with an eerie creak.

The place smelt like old books and mildew. Jamison flicked on the lights, but the single light bulb failed to flare to life and died after a few weak flickers.

Darkness flooded the room, but I could see the outlines of furniture dotted around the main space of the cottage. There was a rustling noise as Jamison placed the ingredients on the surface of something.

"I'll get the lights fixed early in the morning. I'll have the water checked too. I'm not sure if it still runs here." Jamison said in a distracted tone. I noted that he was scanning the room, as if looking for something else to add on his list to fix up.

"I'll come by tomorrow and help you out." I offered.

Jamison didn't argue with me on this, which surprised me.

I eventually found a place to set down my share of ingredients and faced Jamison in the dark. "Let's call it a night. I'll see you in the morning- Jamison?"

Jamison had gone very still, which wasn't really unusual. However, his eyes had flashed a brillant gold before it fizzled like a blown out candle. Jamison cursed as he stumbled, falling to his knees.

I knelt down, cupping one of his broad shoulders. "Jamison?"

Jamsion shuddered as I spoke his name. I could hear his breaths leave his lips in harsh rasps.

"Can you breathe? What's going on?"

"That woman." He gritted out, heaving. "The potion she gave me- it was an aphrodisiac."

"An aphrodisiac?"

"Seeing as you're fine, this one seems to only work on men." Jamison huffed. He grunted as a wave of heat rolled through his body.

I unlatched my hand from his shoulder, feeling that his skin had gotten hotter to the touch.

"I'll get McKenna." I stood to leave but Jamison groaned, shaking as another wave of heat assaulted his body.

"McKenna won't be able to do a thing for this." Jamison clenched his fists.

I gulped as Jamison suddenly trapped my gaze. I tensed, unprepared by the intensity of it.