In his blood-induced haze, Tim whirled around, barked, and jumped the intruder. Walter’s terrified cry of, “Jayden!” brought Tim to his senses.
Blinking down at the panting man lying underneath him, Tim yipped pitifully. Jay! Oh God! I’m so sorry. Please, I’m sorry.
Tim bent down to nuzzle Jay’s face, but Jay snatched Tim’s snout with both hands, holding him away from his face.
“You stupid, overprotective, overbearing nutcase! Don’t even think about getting close with that mouth of yours now. How could you attack my father?” Jay yelled, his voice thick with anger.
I’m sorry! I really am but… but he tried to take you away from me. I—
“Oh, bullshit! You know I wouldn’t leave you. We talked about it, like, forever! I would have figured out a way to convince him you’re harmless, which is now impossible, thanks to you!”
Tim lowered his body on top of Jay’s, tucking his tail tightly between his legs. He didn’t know what to say or do to make things right again. Waiting for his racing heart to calm down a bit, he focused on feeling the warm body of Jay underneath him. Jay was still here, with him, and no one had taken him away.
“You! You… beast! Get off my son!” Walter squeezed out.
Laboriously, Walter hauled himself up on his feet, ignoring Ralf’s offered hand. Ralf hovered close to the injured man, who cradled his arm against his body.
“Dad! Please. He’s not going to hurt me, but you shouldn’t yell at him. I’m sorry he hurt you and he is too. I’ll… we will explain everything,” Jay said pleadingly. He directed a glare at Tim. “You stop trying to push your bloodied nose into my face.”
Robin materialized next to them, bringing a wet towel with him. “He can’t help it. He needs to scent you, maybe even mark you again.”
“Now? Of all times? Don’t you wolves have any self-restraint?”
Robin chuckled. “Not when it comes to our mates. At least that’s what I’ve heard about it. It’s correct, though, right, Mom?”
Paula nodded, looking at Tim oddly. Robin wiped Tim’s snout clean, then helped Jay clean his hands while Tim busied himself scenting Jay.
Tim’s tail came out of its hiding place and wagged from side to side as he nuzzled and licked Jay’s throat. Ralf went to the bathroom for a clean towel, which he carefully slung around Walter’s arm after some coaxing. He also managed to guide Walter to the sofa, where the injured man sat down with a hiss.
The atmosphere in the room remained explosive, everyone waiting for someone else to start a conversation or do something, anything. All of them kept quiet, and Tim watched Jay's expression for a sign that he heard Tim’s telepathically spoken stream of apologies.
When Robin got up with the soiled towel, Jay wrapped both arms around Tim’s thickly furred neck. “I got that you’re sorry. Stop it now, please.”
Walter snorted. “How did you get he’s sorry? He telegraphed you telepathically?”
Tim growled upon hearing the sarcastic tone. Jay slapped a hand down on his left flank harshly, and Tim yelped.
“Stop being such a prick!” Jay yelled. He grabbed fistfuls of fur in Tim’s face, holding Tim in place as he glared up at him. “This is my father—you better get a grip on your hormones. Got it?”
Tim whimpered in affirmation. Robin burst out laughing. “Wow! This is priceless!”
“Robin!” Paula scolded. “This is not a joke! Your brother attacked a human. A human to whom we have to explain ourselves now. This is serious.”
Robin sobered up immediately, darting a wary glance from one person to the other. Jay did the same. With a sigh, he wiggled out from underneath Tim and crouched in front of him. Tim immediately put his forepaws onto Jay’s shoulders and started licking him again.
“Tim, stop that.”
Tim’s eyes narrowed. No way was he going to stop scenting Jay. He growled irritably and rubbed his furred cheek against Jay’s slightly stubbled jaw. You’re mine.
“Yes, dear master, and nothing will ever change that fact. Now, how about you change back to your human form so we can talk to my father?”
Tim glanced back over his shoulder, not in the least keen on having to talk to Walter. He’d rather nuzzle Jay, maybe claim him again and forget about the rest of the world. A tug at one of his ears brought him back to reality. “Timothy Evans, are you listening to me?”
Tim cringed. Nudging his face against Jay’s, he replied, Yes, I am. Don’t call me by my full name—that’s reserved for my mother when she’s pissed off.
“Well, I’m pissed off too, so get used to it.”
“What the hell are you talking about? It’s like listening to one side of a conversation,” Walter groused.
Ralf offered him two painkillers and a glass of water. Walter stared at them reluctantly, but the pain was apparently severe enough for him to take the offered pills. While Ralf began on cleaning out the wound, he said, “That’s because you are only listening in to one part of the conversation. Werewolves, and even humans who are mated to a werewolf, have the ability to talk telepathically.”
“I’ve never heard of that ability,” Walter replied.
“You haven’t heard of werewolves before, either,” Jay threw in. Tim watched Walter’s body stiffen, and then he glanced at Jay, who had seen Walter’s reaction too and obviously come to the same conclusion. Disbelievingly, Jay stated, “You have heard about werewolves before.”
Walter’s shoulders sagged in defeat. “Yes, I have.”
Silence descended once again. Tim took in Jay’s shocked face and shifted, the need to hold Jay close overwhelming him. Walter’s eyes almost popped out of their sockets when a naked Tim gathered his son into his arms.
“Hey, baby brother in the room!” Robin shouted while he covered his eyes with his hands.
Tim shot him a flat look, got up from the floor with Jay cradled against his body, and walked over to the vacated armchair. He plopped into it and settled Jay comfortably on his lap.
“Are you crazy? Get dressed! We’re going to have a serious conversation with my father, whom you just attacked due to a total lack of reason and… and….” The rest of Jay’s words merged into laughter.
Tim grinned unrepentantly at him. He patted Jay’s back before telling him in a mock-earnest voice, “He has to get used to the insanity. I’m just easing him into it more quickly.”
Walter snorted, a very small smile appearing on his face, smoothing out some of the lines of pain. “You’re doing a fine job, here. I’d still prefer if you were wearing some clothes.”
“Me too!” Robin quipped. “I’ll even be so kind as to get you some since you’ll only get growly if you have to do it on your own.”
“Thank you, baby,” Paula said softly.
She still wore the same odd expression on her face. Tim gazed at her thoughtfully for a moment, then decided she was probably only a bit sad because another one of her children had found his mate. No matter how much she wished for her kids to lead a self-determined life with a loving partner, she always found it hard to let go of one of them.
While Robin ran upstairs, the strained and silent atmosphere remained. When Robin came back Tim felt a bit more comfortable since at least the urgent feeling of an explosion approaching had vanished.
Robin pulled a startled and unresisting Jay up from Tim’s lap, leaving Tim openly gaping at his brother. Still surprised, he took the bundle with clothes Robin shoved into his hands. Robin muttered, “The things I do for you.”
“He’d do the same for you,” Jay said softly.
“I know.”
A hiss from Walter drew everyone’s attention to him. Ralf finished wrapping a dressing around his arm, saying, “That should do for the moment. If you like, I can drive you to the hospital after our conversation, so you know your son is in safe hands.”
Jay stepped in the direction of Walter but stopped dead in his tracks upon hearing Tim’s sharp command of, “Stay where you are.”
Jay whirled a
round and put his hands on his hips, glaring at Tim. “You… this is unbelievable! You don’t get to tell me what to do. I just want to go over to my father and you go all ballistic!”
“You can go over to him when I’m finished dressing and can accompany you.”
Jay threw his hands up in the air in exasperation and groaned loudly. Robin slung an arm around his shoulders, deadpanning, “You always have to remind yourself he’s got other redeeming qualities.”
Paula and Ralf groaned, and Walter exclaimed, “Too much information!”
Tim hastily threw on the rest of his clothes, clipped Robin’s right ear, and pulled Jay back against his chest, possessively wrapping his arms around him.
“Don’t throw a fit.” Robin rolled his eyes before strolling over to Paula. He sat down cross-legged in front of her and leaned his back against her legs, observing the scene on display. In a conspiratorial whisper, he told Paula, “We should have taped this—we’d have blackmail material for all eternity.”
“Mom, do something about him or I will,” Tim said.
“No, you won’t, because that would mean getting your hands off your mate.” Robin grinned at him smugly.
Tim and Jay walked over to Ralf and Walter, avoiding stepping on any of the scattered items on the floor, and sat down opposite them. Jay darted a quick glance to Tim, then asked, Will you freak out if I go over to my father and hug him?
Tim could feel his face harden, but he forced himself to do the right thing. Shaking his head, he said, “No, go on.”
Jay got up, walked over to Walter, and hugged him, careful of his injured arm. Tim watched him rest his head on Walter’s shoulder, an affectionate and deeply comfortable gesture, which made him grit his teeth.
Robin cleared his throat. “Uh, cuddling with someone else, even if it’s your father, is not a good thing after being mated for only a few hours. Just thought I’d let you know before Tim goes out of his mind again.”
Jay sighed and pressed a quick kiss on Walter’s cheek, which earned him a growl from Tim and a concerned as well as affectionate look from Walter.
After walking back to Tim and plopping down on his lap, Jay snapped, “Get over yourself.” Turning to Walter, he asked, “How did you know about werewolves?”
“Your mother was one.”
“She was? But that would most likely mean Jayden is a wolf as well, and he absolutely doesn’t smell like one,” Ralf said with a frown.
Tim tensed, unconsciously pulling Jay closer to him. If Walter knew about his mother, then he might know about Jay’s secret as well. Tim feared Ralf’s reaction with every fiber of his being.
Not wanting Walter to spill his son’s secret unknowingly, Tim wracked his mind to come up with anything to stop this conversation. But fear had him frozen to the spot, his arms clamped around Jay.
“Tim? Why are you scared?” Ralf asked, the frown deepening.
“Maybe he had bad experiences like my wife had? See, I was her second husband, and I only found out about her true nature when Jay was about seven years old. She made me promise to never tell Jay about who he is and what really happened to his biological father and his sister. She told me all about how dangerous werewolves are. Just because she married a fox-shifter and got his children—”
Ralf shot up from the sofa, his face a mask of fury as he pointed at Tim. “You mated a hybrid?”
In one swift motion, Tim pushed Jay from his lap, stood up, and pulled Jay behind his back, shielding him with his own body. “He’s my mate.”
“No! That can’t be!” Ralf’s voice boomed.
“Ralf!” Paula cried out. Robin scrambled out of her way, watching her roll toward Ralf, who wore a murderous expression.
“Yes, he is, and I don't care if you approve of him. Jay is my mate!” Tim yelled at Ralf. He knew he’d just declared war on him, clearly stating that he fully intended to disobey Ralf, the leader of their pack. It was just… he couldn’t help himself. This was Jay, his mate, and Tim couldn’t understand Ralf’s intense hatred. Tim had no time to ponder Ralf’s strong reaction farther.
He heard Jay gasping behind his back when Ralf shifted, charging toward them. Tim didn’t know if Ralf wanted to attack Jay or him or both of them, but he lost no time. He shifted as well, bracing himself to fight Ralf.
Jay! Shift! We’ll run!
He heard Jay whimpering but also saw that he did as he was told. Ralf stopped in front of Tim, his hackles raised and his eyes riveted on the small wolf-fox.
“Ralf, please!” Paula pleaded.
She reached between them, intent on touching their noses with her fingertips, something she did to soothe them. It always worked—except this time.
Jay yipped, bounced down from the armchair, and walked straight over to Paula. Ralf howled and jumped.
Jay!
Twenty-Seven
PAULA shoved herself out of her wheelchair, right in the flight path of her attacking husband. She collided with Ralf, the impact sending her to the floor, where she dropped with a loud thud and a pained shout.
“Mom!” Robin yelled.
“Stay away!” she replied, breathlessly.
Ralf bared his teeth, his fur standing on end as he lay down next to her. Paula lifted a hand and gently patted the black wolf’s snout, whispering soothing words to him. Jay sat down in front of Ralf and tilted his head to the side, studying the couple in front of him. Tim sidled up next to Jay, his breath still coming in fast, shallow gasps.
Are you crazy? Get behind me! Tim demanded.
Why did your father freak out like that? Wait, scratch that, I know the answer already. If you’re mated to me, you might soil your pure bloodline or some other shit like that. Sheesh, we can’t even have children since we’re two men, and… wait. Neither of us will miraculously shift into a female, right?
Tim turned to direct an incredulous look at Jay. I can’t believe you’re asking me such stupid questions when your life is in danger!
Is it really? I mean, I should be able to fight him off and even if I can’t, I still have you. Also, your mother is doing a fine job at calming your dad, Jay replied, unfazed by the seriousness of the situation.
Tim nudged his head firmly against the pristine white chest of him, forcing Jay to back off. Growling and snapping whenever Jay tried to sidestep him, Tim ranted, You can’t fight my father off, you’re half his size and weight! Do you have a case of the stupids? Did all the sex we had short-circuit your brain? Please tell me you’re not always this dense.
Asshole! Jay snapped back. I’m sure I’m more agile than your father and—
No! We’re not going there. You and I will walk out of the back door and leave. Right now.
What? No!
This is not up for discussion! Tim hollered. Concluding that sensible arguments wouldn’t work with Jay, he went for showing. He jumped Jay and wrestled him on the floor, where he easily kept him down even though Jay struggled with all his might.
“Jayden! Oh my God! We need to get out of here!” Walter cried out.
Still think you can fight off my father? He’s way more powerful than I am and he’s pissed off, Tim said.
Jay tried getting away from Tim once more. He gave up when it became obvious he wasn’t going anywhere if Tim didn’t want him to go.
Subdued, Jay asked, What about my dad?
My father won’t attack him.
How can you be so sure about that?
I know my father.
If that’s supposed to be reassuring, I have to tell you it’s not working. Why did you let him know what I am if you knew how your father would react? Or didn’t you know him as well as you thought?
Tim sighed. Bending down to lick behind Jay’s ears, Tim responded, I was surprised your father knew about werewolves and who you are. I wanted to stop your father from accidentally revealing your secret but… you saw how that worked out.
“Tim? You'd better take your mate, change back in your human form, and put some distance between
yourself and your father,” Paula advised, her breathing sounding raspy and pained. She firmly tugged at one of Ralf’s black ears and said, “I’m sure he’ll come to his senses in time.”
Ralf nuzzled his face against hers, yipping softly. Tim didn’t know whether Ralf’s reaction should be taken as a sign of affirmation or not.
Tim released Jay, who immediately bounced to his feet and shook himself vigorously. Jay nestled up close against Tim and gently bumped their heads together before tucking his head under Tim’s snout.
“If I say you’re a cute couple, I’ll probably be the next one on Dad’s list to attack,” Robin said, receiving a glare and a growl from Ralf.
Tim looked over at Ralf, who snuggled up to Paula, her face showing intense lines of pain. Robin walked over to crouch next to her. Tentatively, he reached out and laid a hand on her shoulder. “Mom? How bad is the pain? Do you need a doctor?”
Ralf glanced at his wife worriedly when she didn’t react promptly. Robin repeated his question, this time sounding more urgent. “Mom? Do you need a doctor? Or… or even an ambulance?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Where are you hurt?” Robin asked.
“My spine. I think I hurt my spine again. Everything’s turning numb, everything. Even my arms started feeling weird,” Paula whispered.
Everyone in the room froze, the whispered words chilling them to the bones.
Tim stared at Paula, an odd sense of detachment settling over him. This couldn’t be. This just couldn’t be happening again.
The last time he had found Jay, Paula had been attacked by other pack members. She had barely survived, even with her immense werewolf healing powers. Her spinal cord had been damaged, hence the wheelchair. Since the attack, Paula couldn’t feel anything below the waist. She, as well as her whole family, had dealt with it as well as possible, but… what if she lost feeling in her arms permanently now too? After colliding with her own husband? Tim swallowed hard.
Secret Chemistry (Shifters) Page 17