"Leo." I turned on my heels and walked away from them before I really said something I would regret. "Leo!"
Even Jacob calling me didn't make me stop. The sound of his voice made me want to turn around and go back to him, but I was too pissed off and I needed some air. I couldn't be around them when they were making such bad and potentially fatal decision. I’d become a doctor to help people, not watch them die from something that could be fixed.
I climbed into my car and pulled off. The sooner I was away from the hospital, the better. Every mile of the trip back home weighed heavily on me, but I kept going. When I thought about Jacob standing there, calling to me, I almost turned the car around, but I forced myself to keep driving.
I couldn't bring myself to go to the house to check on Tom. The last thing I wanted to see was him even weaker and sicker than before. Or worse yet, dead. I still couldn't wrap my head around them deciding to take the man out of the hospital. I puttered around the office getting ready for the day, but my mind kept slipping back to Tom.
And Jacob.
Every time I thought about him, my heart started to race all over again. Was he okay? Had his ex popped back up to cause problems? I wanted to call him. No, not even that felt enough. I wanted to see him. The way he smiled when he talked to me, and his eyes lit up when he looked up at me. It was perfection.
"Are you okay?"
Marcy’s voice startled me, and I realized I'd been staring at my laptop so long the screen had gone dark. In its reflection was a view of a haggard man who looked like he needed a shave and about a month of sleep. It had only been three days since the hospital. I couldn't understand why I was reacting so negatively.
"Leo? Are you getting sick?" Marcy stepped toward me and laid a hand on my forehead. She tilted her head. "No fever."
I shook my head at the nurse. "No, I don't really feel sick. I just feel exhausted and out of it." I ran a hand down my face and felt the stubble that greeted my palm. "Maybe I've been working too much."
"You should go home if you're under the weather." She frowned. "No need for you to wear yourself out."
"No," I sighed and turned my computer back on before I pushed myself out of my chair. "I need to stay here and see my patients."
Marcy looked me up and down. "Well, if you say so. Quite frankly, I think you look like shit."
I snorted and the woman grinned, her eyes crinkling in the corners. "Thank you for that, Marcy." I smiled. "I'm sure I'll be fine. Besides, I don't want to be at home right now anyway."
If I went back to my place, all I would end up thinking about was Jacob. Every day since I'd left him it had been that way. Lying in my bed, staring up at the ceiling, he was the person I thought about most and wondered if he was okay. I should run up to his place and check on him. It would only take a moment.
No. No, I had to work. I growled at myself under my breath the moment Marcy left, and I was alone, trapped with my thoughts again. I felt like I was going crazy. If I didn't get to see Jacob soon...
I quickly snatched up my laptop. Nope, if I couldn't see Jacob, then I couldn't see him and that was okay. My brain called me a liar and my stomach twisted at the thought of never seeing him again. I sighed. This is going to be a long day.
Work was slow and gave me entirely too much time to think and rethink. In the end I'd spent more time wondering about Jacob than anything else. I packed up my things and slipped into my car.
The sun was on its way to setting which threw beautiful pink, orange, and blue hues into the sky. I want to sit somewhere and watch the sunset with Jacob. It was a random thought, but it made me smile.
Suddenly, I couldn't resist the urge anymore. I had to go and see Jacob right now. I pulled out of the parking lot and headed for his house with my heart in my throat. The closer I came to his place, the more the weight on my chest lifted until I felt lighter than I had in days.
I pulled up to the house and sat in the driveway. The area was quiet—another peaceful night as the cicadas started calling and the wind blew gently. I took a moment, inhaled deeply and held it in my lungs. Somewhere close by was Jacob.
Had he missed me the way I'd missed him? Or was he pissed that I'd stormed away from him? My heart raced as I opened the car door and stepped out. Part of me wanted to turn tail and go back home. After all I was still irritated at all of them and the fact that they'd snatched Tom out of the hospital. However, I really needed to see Jacob—even if it was only for a few minutes.
"Besides, I should check on Tom. I might be upset, but I want to make sure he's okay," I muttered to myself, and jammed my hands into my pockets as I slowly walked up the driveway toward the house.
I hadn't heard anything about Tom or seen him at the clinic. That lessened my worries to some extent, because if I didn't see him, then I didn't need to see him, right? Didn't that mean he was back home and on the mend? I really, really hoped that was true.
When I reached the stairs, I glanced up and swallowed hard. I was going to see him again. That thought forced a grin onto my lips that I couldn't hide. Jacob was right on the other side of that door, and I was going to be able to see that smiling, sweet face of his. I started to go up when voices caught my attention. If he wasn’t too pissed at me.
"I told you guys to leave me alone!"
Jacob. I'd know his voice anywhere even if he only whispered in a crowd. Where was it coming from? I rounded the house and found myself picking my way toward the back wondering what was going on. My heart started to beat faster and I tightened my fists.
If that's his no-good ex, I swear I'll punch him.
"And I told you that Allister wouldn’t stand for your insubordination. Everyone in the pack belongs to him and whoever he chooses to mate with is up to him. You will obey, Jacob!" He laughed.
“This is pack land. You can’t be here,” Jacob snapped.
“Pack? This isn't a pack,” the man laughed derisively. “Your alpha is nothing more than a pup playing at running a pack.”
My eyes narrowed. I had no idea what he was talking about, but the edge to his voice and the tone were enough to make me want to rush to Jacob's aid. I stepped out into view ready to have a few words with the guy when he turned and glared at me. His eyes narrowed.
"I suggest you go back inside," the man growled.
I shook my head. "I won't be going anywhere. I'm sure Jacob's already told you a thousand times that he doesn't want to be with Allister. So, leave. Now."
The man stared at me for a minute before he laughed so hard his shoulders shook. "And who the hell do you think you are human?"
I had no idea who I was. I wasn't Jacob’s boyfriend. I wasn't anything to him, but so far, a friend. For me, that was enough. I was still confused by their conversation, but I couldn’t focus on that for now. I stepped forward and pushed up the sleeves of my shirt. "I said, get the hell out of here before I have to kick your ass."
The man bristled. One minute he stood there staring at me as if he could cut me down with a look alone. The next he leapt forward. Before my eyes his body was covered in gray fur before his bones snapped and reshaped. A long muzzle took over his face and his glowing, yellow eyes seemed to mock me.
Is that a fucking wolf?
I stumbled back, too stunned to comprehend what I'd just seen to even react properly. The wolf almost seemed to grin before he launched himself at me. Sharp fangs glittered in the evening sun and my heart dropped into my stomach.
Out of the corner of my eye Jacob turned into a reddish-brown pile of fur. He growled low and raced toward the wolf before his teeth clamped down on his neck. The wolf yelped and rolled into the dirt growling and snarling, but Jacob wouldn't let him go.
Teeth sank into the man's flesh. Is he a man? That's not a man. No, it’s a beast. Or it is both. I still couldn't move, glued to the spot and staring at the fight in front of me while the two wolves rolled on the ground fighting and clawing at each other.
I felt as if I should be doing something. Helping. I
forced my legs to work while my brain was still in shock. A large branch was on the ground a few feet away. I yanked it up and swung the heavy branch at the man who'd threatened me. Thankfully it must have hit him because he answered with a yelp and Jacob nipped at his heels as he tried to run away stumbling and scared.
I panted and dropped the branch when the gray wolf was out of sight. Every bit of adrenaline that pumped through my veins put me on edge. When I turned, Jacob was human again. He stood, his hands covering his groin as his cheeks flared red.
"I think we should talk."
"Yeah," I replied. "I think we fucking should."
9
Jacob
I was left panting and trying to catch my breath as Michael scurried off into the woods. Leo still looked at me as if I had several heads, and I couldn't blame him. I swallowed hard.
I hope this isn't the part where he turns tail and runs.
"We should go into the house," I started carefully. I glanced down. "And I should definitely put some clothes on."
Leo's round eyes swept up and down my body. For a moment he seemed to forget everything that had happened. Finally, he met my gaze and nodded.
"Yes, going inside is probably a good idea."
I smiled softly and reached out my hand. Leo tentatively took it and I thanked the Goddess that he hadn't simply run off screaming. After all, how often did someone just stumble across a pack of wolves? I could still feel the nervous energy that vibrated through him, but at least he hadn't run away from me.
We moved swiftly through the house, avoiding everyone else and finally spilled into my bedroom. I quickly threw the lock and began to rummage through my dresser. I yanked out a pair of black boxers, black jeans and a form-fitting dark blue t-shirt that I tugged over my head. When I turned, Leo was sitting on my bed, eyes still wide as he stared into space.
"Are... you okay?" I asked carefully. "No offense but you look like you're about to pass out." I quickly walked over and touched his shoulder. "Do you want me to get you some water or something?"
Leo slowly shook his head. "No. No, I'm okay." He rubbed a hand down his face before his eyes looked up at me and I shivered as I was held with that intense gaze. "What the hell is going on here? That guy, you... you were both…" He waved a hand around wildly. "What were you?"
Softly, I sighed. "We're shifters. Well, wolf shifters to be specific." I toyed with my fingers. "It just means that we're not exactly human. We can run faster, we're stronger, our sense of smell is heightened." I gazed up at him. "And we're wolves."
Leo opened his mouth and then shut it once more. I was about to speak when he held up a finger. My bottom lip tugged between my teeth as I shifted from one foot to the other. I couldn't rush his processing of the fact that I wasn't human. That mostly, none of us were.
"So, you're not human," he mumbled.
I shook my head. "No."
"And everyone else? Do they know?"
I nodded. "Dominik, Graysen, Soren, Elias and Elenore, they're all shifters too. The only one that’s human is Tom. Although I guess you can kind of tell with him getting as sick as he did and all. Well, he was human.”
Leo shook his head. "Holy shit," he muttered. "Holy. Shit."
I sat down beside him. "Are you angry?" I frowned as I reached out and gently laid a hand on his. "Or disgusted? Afraid? It's so hard to read you right now."
"I'm confused," he admitted. "And yeah, maybe a little bit freaked out."
My shoulders sagged. I didn't want Leo to be afraid of me. "So, I guess you don't want to be around me anymore."
He reached over and grabbed my chin. I gasped lightly. Leo gazed at me intently and shook his head.
"I never said that. I can't be away from you. I tried that, it didn't go so well," he ran a hand over my cheek. "This is weird as hell, but I still can't imagine my life without you. Even now."
I reached up and gripped his wrist. "I can't imagine life without you either. There's so much I need to tell you."
"Then do it." He leaned forward and my heartbeat even faster. "Tell me everything."
I couldn't say a word as his mouth crashed against mine. A whimper left my lips and I clung onto him desperately. He's not afraid of me. That thought looped in my brain as we kissed and panted.
Not yet. I need to tell him everything first. Dominik needs to know about this.
Even if my wolf was howling to feel Leo in more ways than one, I had to hold off. There were so many things we needed to discuss. I took a deep breath and slowly pulled back.
"We need to tell Dominik about this."
Leo tilted his head. "Why?"
"He's our pack alpha." He looked at me confused. "A pack alpha is the wolf that runs it all. He leads us and in turn we listen to him. Something like this, he needs to know that you know. I promised him that I wouldn't lie or hide anything from the pack again."
Slowly, Leo nodded. "I still have to wrap my head around this, all this," he waved a hand indicating the two of us as well. "However, if you need to talk to Dominik first, then I'm right there with you."
I smiled at him softly. "Just wait here. I'll get him and come right back."
Leo nodded again. "I'll be here."
My heart felt light as I quickly bounced off the bed and went in search of Dominik. I found him in the study where he'd moved in a new desk and a computer. Dom gazed up at me and raised a brow.
"Are you okay, Jake?"
I wasn’t even sure how to answer that. “I need to talk to you.”
Dominik frowned. “What about?”
I toyed with my fingers. “Leo kind of found out what we are. Well, he saw me shift and then I had to tell him everything.”
“Ah,” Dominik nodded. “Well, you’ve known he was your fated for a while now, right? It was only a matter of time.”
I nodded. “I did. He’s taking it pretty well, but I wanted to make sure that I told you in case you wanted to speak with us or anything.”
Dom stood and patted my head lightly as he walked by. “I would. Let’s go talk to him.”
My heart sped up as I tried to keep up with Dom’s long strides. We walked upstairs and he knocked on my door gently—I knew that was more as a courtesy than anything else—and then stepped in. Leo stood up from his spot on the bed and dusted off his clothes as if there was a speck of dirt on him. They stared at each other for what felt like years, but I knew it was only seconds. I felt like collapsing from the stress of it all.
“Can I trust you to keep our secret?” Dominik asked straightforwardly.
Leo nodded. “Of course. I would never betray any of you. Human or not.”
Dom grinned. “I didn’t think so. You’ve been good to us since the start.” He clapped Leo on the back and my mate matched Dom’s smile. “Just be sure to keep it that way. We can’t afford to let people know about us. It can be dangerous.” Dom glanced at me. “I think Jake has a lot to discuss with you.”
Leo raised a brow. “More?”
Dom chuckled deeply. “More. I’m sure he hasn’t told you about being fated yet.”
“Fated?” Leo glanced at me. “What is he talking about?”
“Go on,” Dom pushed him toward me. “Take your mate on a walk and tell him everything, Jake.”
I nodded. Slowly I reached out an arm and looped it around one of Leo’s. He patted my hand softly and I melted inside.
“Thank you, Dominik. Let’s take that walk,” I said as I smiled up at Leo.
The doctor nodded at me. “Fine, but if I learn even one more crazy thing today, my head might explode.”
I smirked. “You’d better brace yourself then.”
Leo groaned. “What have I gotten myself into?” There was still a soft smile on his lips, and I felt the calmness that filled him. He was okay. Still a bit confused, but okay.
“I’ll tell you everything.” I took a moment and hugged him tightly as we stood by the front door. “I promise.”
10
Leo
&nb
sp; I still stared at Jacob in disbelief. Even after everything he'd told me I was completely shocked. Yet, I'd seen it with my own eyes when he turned from a man to a wolf. Not to mention all the “fated mate” things he’d disclosed while we walked outside. I knew I had feelings for him, but that didn't make it any easier to digest. At all.
"Are you okay?" Jacob sat next to me on his bed gingerly as if I'd bite or something. He reached out a hand and laid it on my knee. "You still look like you've seen a ghost."
I laughed. "No, just a werewolf," I muttered.
Jacob shook his head. "We're shifters, not werewolves."
I raised a brow. "What's the difference?"
"Well, for one, werewolves are just a fairytale," he smiled. "I'm pretty sure some human got too close and decided to call us that and write about it."
"But it's not entirely wrong," I cut in.
"It's not," Jacob sighed and glanced up at me with concerned eyes. "All of this is freaking you the hell out, isn't it?"
"Yes," I blurted out, and immediately regretted it when Jacob's face fell and he removed his hand from my leg. I quickly grabbed his hand and put it back. "I'm not going to lie, it's a little freaky, but it's who you are. I'm not going to be overwhelmed forever."
Jacob's shoulders slumped more. "It's okay. I never thought…" He shook his head, his long locks hiding his face. "I never thought my fated would be a human. This isn't fair."
I tilted my head. Slowly, I reached out and brushed the hair away from his face before I took his chin and tilted his head up toward me. Jacob blinked quickly, trying to hide the wetness that clung to his bottom lids.
"Who isn't it fair to?" I asked softly. "Me or you?"
Jacob bit his lip, contemplating his answer before he sighed. "I suppose both of us. You didn't ask for this and now you're burdened with this secret." He quickly shook his head and hid his face again. "And I just want an alpha that loves me."
Hunted: An MM Shifter Romance (The Lost Wolves Book 2) Page 5