Arcee X Cliffjumper Novels & Stories

Chapter 35: The Ares Protocol The air in the secret hangar beneath the cliffs hummed with a low-frequency vibration that rattled the marrow of Jade’s bones. Hidden behind a massive, retractable rock face was the Ares—a sleek, delta-winged prototype finished in a matte-black skin that seemed to swallow the dim emergency lighting. It didn't look like a plane; it looked like a shard of obsidian designed to pierce the heavens.

My name is Maxwell, Luna Ravenwood,” he informed before swearing to protect them at the risk of his life. Once they left, I opened the back door and removed the seat, only to find a lot of guns and a crossbow. I was glad that I was told these basic things by Adler when he was giving a tour of the pack. I sat in the driver's seat and turned the Jeep to the right. I was glad that the pack warriors managed to hold them for that long. I drove the jeep at full speed toward the cliff. From the mirror, I could see three mutts running behind the car. Without any second thought, I threw the jeep off the cliff and jumped from the driver’s seat in between.

I never imagined her idea of forever would be so short. No one came to help, so I dragged myself up the cliffside again and again in desperation. It got darker. The wound from the boulder earlier seemed infected now. The pain blurred my vision. I broke down and called Vanessa over and over, begging her to save me. No one answered. Just when I thought all hope was lost, the call finally connected. "Vanessa, please, I'm begging you to help me..." What came through the line was the sound of heavy breathing.

He said with a soft smile as he took his wife’s hand gently and caressed it. “He’s right hunny.” The Luna says and Runa only smiled and nodded. A man stepped out, stood at least five-six, and looked young. “This is Alex, he’s unmated and is a very excellent fighter. If anything happens,” he paused before glancing to Alpha Ace, “Report to us and keep her safe.” “Of course Alpha,” Alex said, crouching down to get bags and placing them in the car that awaited her. She grimaced a bit before giving her farewells to her friends, Sierra and Milo, and her pups she trained for years.

Arrghhhhhh, he felt so stupid! Javier lunged at the ghost in a burst of embarrassed anger. As the Ace at the Apex, he was going to bag a ghost if this was the last thing he would do! He was Javier the Valiant, Javier the Fearless, Javier the Guy Motivated By Embarrassment!

**Lisa's point of view:** Ace’s men led us to another convoy of SUVs waiting outside. The tension in the air was palpable, but knowing Ace was with us brought a sense of calm. Mia, still weak but more hopeful, held my hand tightly as we climbed into the back seat of the lead car. Ace sat beside me, his presence a reassuring anchor. As we drove through the winding roads, Ace filled me in on what had happened during his trip. He had been tracking The Jackal for weeks, only to find that the elusive criminal had orchestrated this attack on our home as a diversion. Ace’s anger was evident, but so was his determination.

𝙰𝚌𝚎 𝙰𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛 7 years old. The brown-haired boy stood there looking at the woman helping her kids choose the toys they wanted. Ace didn't get help from her, he's shy, anxious that she's going to return the ten dollars teddy bear that he brought. His soft small hand clenched the ear of the brown teddy bear, he pouted and with a shaking body, he approached his mother.

Ace cut the thick silence that settled between us with the words, "It's a good thing parents come in pairs. Jericho never has to see one die." I shifted but he held me in place, not wanting me to see his vulnerability, "Ace, what are you talking about?" I heard his gulp, loud and eerie, "I was eleven when we lost our dad. Gunnar had seen it play out in front of him. He didn't come home the same after that. I loved the old man but I wasn't as close to him as Gunnar, so it didn't faze me as much. My mother, I was close to her."

When I swing it open to see Riley and Clint standing there. “Hey, sorry, I’m running late. Come in, I’ll get dressed in a hurry, make yourselves at home.” “Nothing like a little nookie in the shower to start your day off right,” Riley says, giving me a knowing look as she walks in. “I couldn’t agree more,” Drake says walking out, completely unperturbed, looking absolutely dashing and completely put together. “Drake Cazien,” he says, introducing himself. “Beta Clint Forte,” Clint says.