“No biting.” He waggled a finger at the snarling wolverine. The next cage held a polar bear. John opened the cage and released it, making his way down the line of cages. He turned to see the panther still staring at him, as well as the wolverine and the polar bear. They were shifters as well.
“Go,” he whispered. “Look for the plane.”
The shifters looked at each other.
“Just go! I can take care of myself. I’ll send people to retrieve you. They will take good care of you; you won’t be used for experiments. You have my word.”
The wolverine snorted.
John sighed in exasperation. “You want to stay here then?”
That seemed to light a fire under them. John made sure all the animals were freed before moving on. A breeze blew across his face and the smell of blood assaulted his nostrils.
He followed the scent and what he found made his stomach lurch with the urge to vomit. Dane Durov was tied between two trees by his arms and legs. Blood covered his back. A whip rested off to the side on a rock. John’s eyes widened. The handle was braided leather; long strips of leather protruded from the handle and blades were attached to the ends. John flipped his claws out and climbed the tree. He cut Dane’s right hand loose.
“Trap,” Dane rasped. “Run.”
“No.” John cut the rope at Dane’s ankle and then went to work on the other ropes. “I’m not leaving you here.”
He gently got Dane down and laid him out. The young man had been beaten repeatedly. Blood soaked his hair and face.
John stiffened at the loud laugh from behind him.
“Oh, John. Playing hero?”
John turned to see Gary Riviar, Will Cooper’s abusive asshole of an ex-boyfriend. Heat sliced through his abdomen and John cried out.
“Bullets with rogue saliva. Cool, huh?” Gary smiled at the gun in his hand.
More rogues came into the clearing, snapping their jaws at him. John put himself in front of Dane.
“I’m in bad trouble, Sam. Get a message to James. Gary Riviar is out in Siberia with the rogues; they have Dane.”
“What?!”
The ground shook beneath him as if a herd of elephants was running through the forest. The rogues shifted nervously and Gary frowned.
“Who’s with you, John?”
John cried out again as Gary shot a round into his neck. The saliva was already taking effect.
“You’re in trouble now,” Dane croaked, smiling at Gary.
John’s eyes were closing, but his last view was of the massive army of females breaking into the clearing. Then everything went black.
~*~
Something cold brushed his face and John’s eyes fluttered open. Anya’s nose pushed at his temple. The earth all around him was stained red, and pieces of rogue littered the ground. Gary was pinned to a tree while one of the females growled in his face.
“Don’t kill him.” John struggled to stand.
Gary seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
“At least not yet.” John gripped the tree behind him and hauled himself to his feet.
“Why here, Riviar? Why would you bring all this to Maccon land? You had to know our drones were patrolling.”
Gary pursed his lips.
“All right, bite his dick off,” John snarled.
The female made to move and Gary screamed.
“Wait!”
John narrowed his eyes. “Spill it. How is Petey avoiding detection?”
“The witch. They became friends before they agreed to help her get rid of Conner in Ireland. She taught Pierce and Petey everything she knew about black magic. After she got killed, Petey got all of her notes and Pierce’s game plan.”
Gary motioned to the forest surrounding them. “Did you really think to look here for us? Hide in plain sight, right? You caught us out here once, did you really think we’d come back? I doubt it, which is why we did.”
“How much do you know about the comings and goings? What’s the master plan?”
Gary shook his head. “They don’t tell me everything.”
“Then you are of no use to me, asshole.” John shook his head.
“So what? You’re just going to kill me now?”
“Oh, I’m not. I do, however, know someone who wants to kill you in his own special — but really, really painful — way. Does the name Seth Ralston ring any bells?”
Gary’s face paled. He looked at the female holding him down. “Just kill me now.” Seth Ralston was Will’s fucking huge Navy SEAL boyfriend.
The female glanced at John and he shook his head. She huffed and sat down on top of Gary. John could swear she was pouting. He had to chuckle at Gary’s cries, but the pain of the rogue saliva was taking its toll. The bullets had ejected themselves, but the wounds were still pouring blood.
John’s feet slid out from under him and he slumped against the tree. Anya was with him instantly. John cupped her face in his hands.
“Thank you.” John closed his eyes. The fur under his fingers turned to soft skin and he opened his eyes to see Anya looking at him with a small smile. “So beautiful.”
Anya leaned in and covered John’s lips in warmth. It was a soft kiss, nothing too deep. But it had been enough.
“You’re welcome.”
~Chapter Five~
Jonas stirred slowly, heat from Jackson enveloped him and he sighed in bliss. They had kissed most of the night; he could kiss Jackson all day. The man had one hell of a talented tongue. Jonas smiled as Jackson’s hand slid up his back to his nape. Fingers played in his hair and lips brushed his forehead.
“Morning.”
Jonas lifted his head to meet with Jackson’s lips. “Morning.”
They both stiffened at the same time and sat upright.
“Shit!” Jonas climbed out of the sleeping bag and grabbed for his pants.
Jackson was up and putting on his own clothes. “Sam says he’s not far from our location. We’re not going to get there in time in human form.”
Jonas pulled his pants back off and stuffed them in a bag. He threw the bag out of the tent, then exited naked. Shifting, he grabbed the pack in his jaws. Jackson was out seconds later. They left everything behind and ran.
A few minutes into their run they met with guard rogues. Jackson was knocked off his feet when one hit him broadside. Jonas roared and descended on the rogue that was getting ready to attack him. They met with a loud crack and Jonas bit into the vulnerable underbelly of the rogue. A loud whimper resounded around the forest as Jonas locked his jaws on the rogue’s neck and bit down.
Jackson’s loud snarl shook the trees as his rogue met with a violent death. Surveying the area quickly, Jackson snorted and motioned to the fight raging somewhere in front of them. Jonas huffed and they took off in the direction of the battle. The earth below them trembled as if an earthquake was taking place. The forest began to thin and they exited the trees to a horrific sight.
Jackson slid to a stop with Jonas right behind him. It seemed they had arrived too late. Blood covered the ground and the area was crawling with female werewolves. John Quinton was slumped up against a tree and Dane Durov was lying face down on the ground. Both Jackson and Jonas shifted, pulling their clothes on hurriedly.
“John!? Are you all right?” Jackson shouted.
Anya snorted then turned her head as the two men came out of the forest, both holding guns. The smaller one looked right at her, mouth hung open. Seconds later, it hit. Anya looked back at John Quinton. This one she wanted; why was the pull for the other? Anya nuzzled John and padded to the other man.
Jackson watched the female approaching. Jonas’ face looked shell-shocked.
“What’s wrong?” Jackson pulled Jonas around to face him. “What is it?”
“She’s mated to me,” Jonas whispered.
“What!?” Jackson stepped back in surprise. “No. Please tell me you’ve got it wrong.”
Jonas shook his head slowly. His eyes fell to John and Dane; he
quickly made his way over to them. Anya followed at his side.
“What happened?” Jonas lifted John’s face.
“Bullets. Rogue saliva,” John rasped. The fact that Wayne had bitten him meant the saliva wouldn’t kill him, but John knew that he was still in for plenty of misery.
Jackson touched Dane gingerly as he surveyed the man’s wounds. Generally, werewolves healed quickly but the combination of the beatings, fatigue and rogue saliva had taken a toll. “Can you walk, Dane?”
“Don’t know. Maybe.”
“We need an evac now.” Jonas continued to look over John. He made to unzip John’s jacket and a low growl resounded from behind him. Jonas looked over his shoulder at Anya.
“You feel for him? Even though we are mated?”
John’s eyes flew open. “What? What do you mean?”
“Anya is my mate, John,” Jonas said quietly.
John felt the ground fall from beneath him. His one chance at happiness had just been taken away from him by the fates and the gods.
“Well shit,” John sighed.
Jonas caught John before his head fell. He was bad off. Sweat was pouring off the man and he was trembling.
“I’ll get a message to James.” Jackson looked over at Jonas and their eyes met. “This isn’t over, Jonas.”
~*~
Carson had shown up with a four wheeler with a stretcher. They moved John and Dane out of the area and towards the enclosure cabins. The females followed behind them with Anya out in front. With all the excitement, Jackson hadn’t had a few minutes to speak with Jonas. Once they had settled John and Dane in a cabin, Jackson found him. He was by the fire pit staring at the flames.
“So now what?” Jackson sat down across from him.
“I don’t know, Jackson. I’ve been given a mate.”
“But you and me…” Jackson ran a hand through his hair. “So this is it?”
Jonas looked up. The devastation on Jackson’s face was plainly visible. He ached to touch him, to assure him that his feelings weren’t one sided, but how could he? The fates seemed to think he belonged with Anya.
“It’s the mate bond, Jackson. How am I supposed to argue?”
“Well, that works out well for you, doesn’t it?”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
Jackson stood up and pointed an accusing finger. “You never wanted this to begin with! You’ve fought this from the moment I kissed you.”
“That’s not true, Jackson!” Jonas stood up as well.
“Isn’t it? That morning when I came to see you at the beach, you told those people we were ‘friends’! I had my tongue down your throat and my fingers in your ass!”
“Stop being crude,” Jonas hissed. “What was I supposed to say? I didn’t know what to call us! My partner? My lover? What should I have called you?”
“I am more than a friend, Jonas. Or at least I thought I was.”
“You are. What I feel for you…it’s real, Jackson.” Jonas made his way around the fire pit and stood in front of Jackson.
“Then come home with me.” Jackson took Jonas’ hand and rubbed the soft skin with his thumb. “Leave here and be with me.”
“I can’t, you know that.” Jonas sighed and looked towards the cabins. “I have to make this work with Anya. We’re mated.”
“So this is it.” Jackson stepped back.
“You know how this works, Jackson. The fates and gods decide. I have no choice.”
Jackson leaned into Jonas’ face. “I don’t care what the fates and gods decide. I bit you; you are mine, Jonas. You always will be no matter who you bond with.”
Jonas reached out, only to have Jackson bat his hand away.
“Don’t,” Jackson snarled. “I said you were mine, but I’ll never have you, will I?”
“Jackson, please—”
“You never wanted to be gay, Jonas. That’s why you fought this so hard from the beginning. That day at the beach just cemented it for me. You’re fine behind closed doors where the rest of the world can’t see us. Well, I don’t care what people think of me and my choices. I would have gladly paraded you out in public and told them to kiss my ass.”
Jackson took a good, long look at Jonas’ face. He wanted to remember everything about him. “Goodbye, Jonas.”
Jonas closed his eyes as Jackson walked away from him. The reality of the whole situation was like a slap to his face. Was it true? Was he worried about what other people thought? He couldn’t care less that half the people around him were gay; they seemed to deal with life easily. Did he really feel the need to please everyone? Not rock the boat? He was falling in love with Jackson, and was now mated to a female, feral wolf. Jonas looked up at the sky.
“You guys suck.”
~*~
John’s eyelids fluttered open to see Anya at his bedside. She was dressed in sweat pants with a thermal long sleeved shirt. Her copper hair was up on her head in a loose bun. She looked beautiful.
“Hi,” John whispered.
“You look awful.” Anya caressed his cheek.
“Thanks.” John tried to smile. “So,” he coughed lightly. “Mated to Jonas.”
Anya nodded slowly.
“Well that complicates things.”
Anya clenched her hands together. “About the other day—”
“It’s okay, Anya.”
“No, it’s not. You did the right thing and I bit your head off. I didn’t realize you were being a gentleman.”
“Well, you haven’t seen too many of them. You will now. Jonas Brooks is a good man, Anya. He would never hurt you.”
Anya shook her head slowly. “I don’t understand this. I feel something for you — your smell, your touch, it’s as if you are bonded to me. Why am I bonded to the other?”
“I don’t know. It’s not up to me to question the fates, Anya. But you know the rules; once you’re mated, that’s it.”
“But I want you.” Anya whispered.
John reached out and Anya leaned into his palm. “I want you, too. But it seems we’ve had the decision taken from us.”
Anya stood and paced. “I’ve never questioned the fates before; I’ve been here for so many years I think I’ve forgotten how to question anything, but this?” Anya stopped and looked out the window. Her mate was sitting by the fire pit, he looked so sad.
“Go to him, Anya. He’s your mate.” John lay back and closed his eyes. They sprung open again and he looked over at Anya still by the window. “Did you give me the leaves again?”
“Yes.”
“No wonder I feel better.”
There was a knock on the door and it opened. Carson peeked around the side.
“Can I come in?”
“Yes, Anya was just leaving.” John raised a brow at her.
Anya sighed.
“Anya?” Carson stepped back outside.
Anya opened the door further and brushed past Carson Drake. “I’m not in the mood to decapitate you this morning,” she drawled.
Carson let out a breath. “Thank God,” he mumbled. He stepped back inside and closed the door. “Your penis still attached?”
John chuckled, and then winced at the pain in his neck. “Yes. I still have my parts.”
Carson looked out the window. Anya was approaching Jonas Brooks. The man stood up quickly and motioned to the rock across from him.
“What’s that all about?”
“Jonas and Anya are mated.” John exhaled and sat up.
“What? But I thought, I mean I heard—”
“Yes, so did I.” John threw his legs over the side of the bed and rubbed his face with his hands slowly. “I guess the fates had other ideas.”
Carson took the seat across from the bed and eyed John Quinton. It was obvious the man was completely devastated. “God, I’m so sorry, John.”
John looked up; the sincerity in Carson’s voice matched his face. He tried to smile. “Me too.”
There was a knock on the door and then Wa
yne stepped in. The alpha’s presence seemed to take up the entire room and Carson backed up against the wall. Wayne eyed him and then his attention focused on John.
“John.” Wayne nodded in greeting. The man looked like he had been dragged through hell and back. There was a soft cough and then Carson excused himself.
“You stay right there.” Wayne pointed to Carson. He turned back to John. “We’re going to get you back home just as soon as possible. You did good out here, John. You got us Dane.”
“Yes, well, I took a slight beating in the process.” John tried to smile.
Wayne nodded. “I heard. I’m sorry about Anya. Sometimes the fates really make me wonder. I know Jackson Murphy is in love with Jonas.” Wayne sighed and sat down in the corner chair.
There was another soft knock on the door and Wayne stood back up, opening it.
“Ah, Roy, glad you got my message.” Wayne pulled the other man inside.
“Well, you sent two females after me.” Roy shivered.
“They didn’t bite, did they?” Wayne chuckled and sat back down. “Roy, this is Carson, Carson, this is Roy. You two will be working together out here from now on.”
“Wait, what?” Carson eyed the other man. “He’s rogue!”
“And you’re an ass.” Wayne drawled. “It works perfectly.”
“What exactly is it that we are doing?” Carson asked curiously.
“Well, ya see now, Roy’s been hiding down south by the river. He’s been noticing movement, isn’t that right, Roy?”
Roy nodded. “Yes, I didn’t want to stay up here…well, you know?” Roy peeked at Carson.
“No, I don’t.” Carson crossed his arms. “Because I’m an asshole? Huge dick? What?”
“No, because I didn’t think you’d want a rogue around, and judging by how you just reacted to me, I was right.” Roy looked down at his hands.
“Carson’s got no room to talk, do you, Carson? See, he used to beat his sons for being gay, then he changed my mate —well he wasn’t my mate then, into a werewolf. Then he tried to change Caden Fournier into a werewolf. But see, Carson doesn’t know all the rules of changing someone. If they are sick, biting them could kill them, and Caden was dying of cancer.”
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