Revolutionary

Amusement adorned Jackson’s features, his cognac gaze assessing Vivianne’s reaction to what he’d shown her. By the crimson color staining her cheeks he’d guess she was a wee bit flustered. He would’ve blamed the bourbon, but her remark about having not seen a man in a certain capacity in two centuries told him everything he needed to know. He tried to stifle a chuckle, failing miserably and adverting his gaze while doing so. If she were to slap him, he’d certainly deserve it. “I... I’m sorry... I don’t mean to laugh. I’ve never shared myself with anyone like that before and I don’t know how to censor what you see without altering what I need you to see.”

She was lovely; a breath of fresh air in the otherwise stagnant humidity. His fascination with her was not unfounded and he was grateful that she came back so his curiosity could be put to rest. His intrigue, however, was an entirely different beast. The more he discovered, the more he wanted to know. She spoke of Klaus as if she felt betrayed by what Jackson had shown her. He was no stranger to that betrayal. Truth be told, Hayley’s loyalty to the Mikaelson’s was probably what got him killed. He’d been used as a pawn in a game of retaliation, but having been given a second chance, he felt no resentment. Jackson had been resurrected with a purpose. One far more important than even Vincent knew. He’d stopped projecting to Viv for several reasons, one being a trigger he couldn’t divulge. He knew at some point his mission would be revealed, but today he was simply happy to be Jackson Kenner, hybrid alpha of The Crescent Wolfpack.

“I don’t think you missed much being raised in the Quarter. It was a different time then. We were oppressed. Your father gave you the childhood fitting of the queen you are. I can’t find fault with that. Things weren’t much better when I was a kid, the curses and all. These kids though...” He joined her at the window watching the children play, running and catching fireflies, laughing and living carefree. “...They’ll have a childhood to cherish. I’ve seen to that.” She was about to leave when he reached for her arm, gently but firmly pulling her back to stop her. “I’m sorry Viv, but I can’t let you leave. Not alone. There’s a threat trying to infiltrate my pack and while you’re safe here now, the second you step on the outskirts of my bayou, you’ll be in grave danger.” His dark brows were furrowed with a brooding look on his rugged features. “There’s an omega... a lone wolf from another pack. He was their alpha and they banished him. I don’t know all the details surrounding his exile, but he killed one of our elders, leaving a message that our pack needed a better alpha. My moral code defines this as treason. We’ve been hunting him, but so far have tuned up nothing. So at least let me escort you to the Quarter.”

Jackson wouldn’t accept no for an answer. Even with her witchy brain melting abilities, if something happened to her, he’d be devastated with guilt. It was dark now, only the moonlight, fireflies and their superior vision lighting the way as he walked her through the grassy trails of the bayou back to her vehicle. “I’ll ride with you and I’ll have Aiden come...” His thought was interrupted by a deep growl elicited by pain ripping through his flesh from the trap he’d stepped on. A string of explicatives followed that would make a sailor blush. “Sh*t!! The goddamn bloody f***ing hell!!” He wasn’t yelling at her, but in general as panic set in. Not only had he not seen that coming, they didn’t place traps in the bayou, not even for gators. He didn’t see what was coming next either. In a blur Viv was down, a grotesque figure at her throat. He could hear her heartbeat, but she wasn’t moving or using magic to defend herself, which led him to believe she was unconscious. His blood began to boiling, his irises blazing with amber flames. The surrounding water turned to fire as if a layer of oil was burning atop. An apocalyptic scene was unfolding as he found the strength to stand, even with a trap around his ankle.

Although Jackson had been tasked with a specific Divine purpose, this was not part of it. However, he was given discretion to play judge, jury and executioner when appropriate and given his role as the alpha of his pack, right here, right now, was nothing more than appropriate. A wave of kinetic energy threw the figure from Vivianne, tossing him to the ground like a rag doll. Of course it was him, the omega. “You dare to venture into my territory, extinguish an elder, set traps and attack a woman... I don’t know who you think you are, but you will never be me. Not now, not ever. There is no better alpha for this pack than the one who you will never be.” The omega’s body was frozen, unable to move while Jackson approached him, picking him up. The fear on his face was as if he’d seen the wrath of God and known it was real. Fangs burst from Jack’s mouth, sinking into the omega’s neck. Not wanting the foul blood of a coward to taint him, he didn’t drink. His teeth crushed the windpipe snuffing the oxygen supply before ripping the omega’s throat out, leaving his head barely attached. Torn flesh tangled with muscle and bone fragments hung from the lifeless body as the blood drained from it. Dropping him to the ground, Jackson caused the omega to spontaneously combust before wiping his mouth and turning toward Vivianne who was no longer unconscious, but gazing at him in disbelief.