“This is the second time,” Hayden croaked.
“Is the pain less or the same?”
“Fuck!” Hayden shouted as pained ripped through his stomach.
“So, the same.” Alexander motioned to Ross. “Get some ice and plenty of water.” Alexander felt Hayden’s pulse. His skin was on fire. “The fever is starting. How long did it take to recover last time?”
“Three days.” Hayden closed his eyes.
“Get some rest, Hayden.” Hayden shot him a look and Alexander took his hand. “I know it will not be easy. The only thing I can do is keep you hydrated as the fever climbs. You will survive.”
“Barely,” Hayden sighed.
“Shall I call Jonas?”
“No, I’ll be okay.”
Alexander sat on the edge of the bed and smoothed Hayden’s hair from his brow. He turned to look at the other men.
“We will take turns. He must be monitored at all times.”
Ross nodded. “We will.”
Hayden suffered for two nights. Ross and the other men took turns sitting with him as the fever ravaged him. He mumbled, shouted, and at one point, screamed in agony. Ross held Hayden’s hand as his friend thrashed about on the bed. His fever was finally starting to come down.
“Hayden?” Ross dipped the washcloth in the ice water near the bed. “Can you hear me?”
“Jude…”
Ross dabbed Hayden’s brow. “I know, bud.”
Ross smiled as Hayden mumbled Jude’s name over and over. It had taken him a while to figure out that Hayden had feelings for Jude. All throughout school, Hayden had picked on Jude relentlessly. It was difficult for him and Noah to understand how anyone could pick on someone like Jude — he was so nice to everyone, even Hayden.
Once they started spending more time with Hayden, after his parents were killed, he and Noah figured it out. Somewhere along the way, Hayden Cox had fallen in love with Jude Brooks. Ross didn’t think even Hayden knew his feelings ran that deep. If he did, he never mentioned it.
“Ross?” Hayden croaked.
“Hey, you’re back.”
“What day is it?” Hayden sat up slowly.
“It’s Wednesday. How are you feeling?”
“Like a rogue bit me.” Hayden stretched his arms out and looked around the room. “Damn, is it morning?”
“Yep.” Ross leaned back on the bed and let out a sigh. “Damn, this was almost as bad as last time.”
“But not quite.” Hayden got out of bed and looked down at his soaked boxers. “I have got to shower.”
“Yeah, you smell.” Ross waved his hand in front of his nose.
“Hey.” Noah poked his head in the room. He smiled at the sight of Hayden up and looking much better. “We have to get to Seattle.”
“What’s up?” Ross stood up.
“James called. He wants Hayden to meet him at Caden’s office. Jonas and Jackson will be there, as well as Nikolai Markov.”
Hayden’s brows furrowed. “Nik? I thought he was busy training Mitch, Will and Kory?”
The three young men were mated to werewolves, and it had been decided that they should be trained in case rogues came after them.
Noah shifted uncomfortably.
Hayden narrowed his eyes. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Noah sighed and looked at Ross for support.
“Nikolai has been training Jude,” Ross blurted out.
“He WHAT?!” Hayden shouted.
“You wanted Jude to go with you to Siberia; you know damn well Walter the extra-crazy rogue is out there!” Ross said in exasperation.
“I’ll be out in five minutes,” Hayden growled, slamming the bathroom door behind him.
Ross glanced over at Noah.
“Well, this should be fun.”
~*~
Hayden stormed down the hallway toward Caden Fournier’s office. He’d been kept in the dark about Jude’s training. That was definitely something he hadn’t seen coming. He and Nikolai were friends, dammit.
Hayden slammed open the door to the office and all talk ceased. He shut the door behind him and glared at Nikolai Markov.
“Training Jude?” he snarled, eyes flashing. “Really?”
Nikolai crossed his arms over his broad chest and glared right back.
“Yes. Nobody else would do it. ‘Jude’s too fragile; Jude’s not strong enough; Jude’s too compassionate; blah, blah, blah.’ None of you give Jude enough credit!” Nikolai shouted.
“Enough!” Jonas roared. “As I have said before on many occasions, I don’t want my son anywhere near the fighting or the rogues!”
“He’s a grown man, Jonas,” Jackson said quietly. “You can’t control him anymore, and he’s not yours to command. He’s in Alexander’s pack and Alexander has given Jude clearance to fight.”
“He is Jude’s alpha, not his father!” Jonas stormed. “Jude isn’t like the rest of you, he’s…sensitive and loving; he isn’t fierce.”
Hayden laughed out loud and stared at Jonas.
“No offense, but you haven’t seen your son in action. I have, in Germany. He’s just as ruthless as the rest of us, Jonas. I would suggest you back off this or you’ll lose your son in more ways than one.”
“If that’s the case, then why were you so upset to learn Nikolai is training him?” Jonas raised his brows.
“Because HE wanted to be the one to do that. Isn’t that right, Hayden?” Nikolai grinned. “The fact of the matter is, Jude wouldn’t have let you. So instead of sending him out with no knowledge, I took it upon myself to teach him the long sword. Jude is a hell of a good fighter. None of you give him enough credit.”
Jackson placed his hands on Jonas’ shoulders.
“They’re right, Jonas. I know you don’t want to see it, but Jude can take care of himself. You have to let go sometime.”
“He’s all I have left,” Jonas whispered. “I can’t lose him.”
Jackson caressed Jonas’ cheek. “He’s not all you have left.”
Hayden watched the scene between Jonas and Jackson and had to smile. The two alphas definitely had feelings for each other, but they were fighting it tooth and nail — or fang and claw. Both had been married to women and lost them. Now there was an attraction between them and the whole room could feel the sexual tension.
Hayden coughed quietly.
“So, I’m going to Siberia and I want Jude with me.”
Jonas snapped out of his daze and shook his head slightly to clear it. Jackson’s eyes were so damn mesmerizing, and his lips looked so soft.
“Why?”
“I want to work things out with him. Even if he doesn’t want to be with me, I still need him in my life. Even if it’s just as a friend.”
Jonas glanced over at Nikolai and sighed deeply. “Is Jude ready?”
“Pretty much. I’ve got another training session with him, but he’s good with the swords.” Nikolai shuddered. “Really good.”
“He’s ready, Jonas,” Jackson said. “He’s a werewolf with the Maccon line running through his veins. He’ll be okay. You have to trust that Hayden will watch out for your son.”
“I’d give my life for him, Jonas. You know that,” Hayden said quietly.
Jonas sighed and looked around the room. He was outnumbered. He didn’t want to lose Jude, but if he kept denying his son’s wishes, Jude would certainly cut him off. He’d left him before, to avoid the position as beta. He would do it again if he felt his father was interfering.
Fingers slid between his, and he looked at his hand clasped with Jackson’s. They hadn’t spoken in months, but the attraction was still there no matter how hard he tried to fight it. Jackson gave his hand a soft squeeze and Jonas locked eyes with him.
“Keep him safe, Hayden,” Jonas said with a sad sigh.
“You can count on it.”
~*Chapter Two*~
“Fuck me, Nik!” Jude let out a hiss and rolled over onto his stomach. For three hours he’d been training wi
th Nikolai Markov, assassin and friend to the Maccon packs.
Jude hurt in places he hadn’t known existed. Being a werewolf meant pain was fleeting. Getting your ass kicked by Nik Markov meant pain stayed long after you thought it should be gone. Jude looked over his shoulder as Nikolai stood above him.
“Do you know how many times those very words have been uttered in my lifetime?” Nikolai winked at Jude on the ground. He heard a tsking sound behind him and grinned over his shoulder. Colin Greystone was sitting on the fence surrounding the complex and Nikolai smiled at him. “Not lately, babe. I’m off the market for good.”
Colin raised his brows at his boyfriend.
“Really? You still need assurances?” Nikolai stalked Colin like prey, walking ever so slowly toward the man he loved.
Colin grinned and Nikolai stopped. “What?”
He hit the ground with a grunt as Jude tackled him from behind.
“I haven’t been using my werewolf abilities with you, Markov.” Jude leaned into Nik’s ear. “Let’s see how well you fare against me now.”
Colin laughed and clapped his hands. “Kick his ass, Jude!”
“Whose side are you on?” Nikolai narrowed his eyes at Colin.
Colin shrugged his shoulders and stuck his nose back in his textbook.
“I love your boyfriend, Nik. He’s got the most gorgeous eyes,” Jude sighed comically.
“Back off, Jude,” Nikolai growled.
“What do you say, Greystone? Want to try out a real man?” Jude leered at Colin.
Jude’s plan had its desired effect. Nikolai rolled out from beneath him and sprang upright. The fight was on, and Jude used his abilities to their fullest.
Nik stood several inches taller than him and outweighed him by a lot, but Jude had the strength of Wayne Maccon’s bloodline. Nikolai hadn’t seen him coming. Jude ducked under his friend and grabbed him between his legs. Hauling him up over his head, he straightened his arms fully.
“I could drop you,” Jude chuckled. “Or twirl you around like a helicopter?”
Colin coughed quietly. “Could you not hurt him too much, Jude? I’d like to enjoy him later.”
“Lesson over.” Nikolai gripped Jude’s wrist and threw his body weight to the side. Jude let him go and he landed upright in attack position.
“Good job!” Nik put his hand out.
Jude shook Nik’s hand and pulled him in to a hug. “Thanks for the lessons, Nik. I’m supposed to go out on the next hunt. Scott’s been bitching at me to learn the long sword.”
“Oh yes, I heard all about that one,” Nikolai smiled.
He knew who was going out on that hunt: Hayden Cox. It wasn’t really a hunt, either. They were going to the enclosure in Siberia to find a lone wolf that Ruslan Borkosky had seen, but no one recognized. It had saved Borkosky’s life, in fact.
Nik opened his mouth, only to be interrupted by Colin.
“Yes, sweetie, won’t that be fun for Jude?” Colin narrowed his eyes, hoping for Nikolai to get the message to shut the fuck up. He and Scott had talked at length about how to get Jude and Hayden in the same room and talking. The hunt in Russia would take care of that, since Hayden would be the only one out there with Jude.
Nikolai got the message and grinned at his boyfriend. “Yes, pumpkin, so fun!”
Jude looked from Nikolai to Colin and raised his brows.
“Why do I get the feeling you’re hiding something from me?”
“Moi?” Nikolai put his hand to his chest. “Why, Jude Brooks, you do me wrong!”
Colin chuckled from the fence.
Jude eyed the two of them and shrugged his shoulders. “Whatever. Are you two going out with me and Scott tonight?”
Scott Delange was like a brother to him. They’d met as teens when Scott moved into their neighborhood. When Scott’s parents had kicked him out for being gay, Jude packed up and left his beta position within his dad’s pack and went to Vancouver with Scott to join Alexander’s.
He never wanted the position anyway. As the son of the alpha, he was expected to be the beta. But after Hayden left, Jude just couldn’t bring himself out of his funk enough to do the job like he should.
His father had told him what happened to Hayden and his parents. Jude’s heart ached for Hayden’s loss, but the torture he’d endured all those years made it hard for him to forgive Hayden.
God, he knew he was being an ass. When he’d seen Hayden on the dance floor with Ross on Valentine’s Day at the outreach center, he’d wanted to tear Ross’ head off. Ross had been touching Hayden, kissing his neck! Jude’s hands curled into fists as he remembered the sight of Hayden held tightly in Ross’ arms.
He didn’t think they’d gotten romantic.
Had they?
Hayden had always dated girls in school. In fact, he’d dated the head cheerleader, what’s-her-face. So, was he gay now? Bi?
Hayden had tried to kiss him in Russia, at Devin and Andrei’s wedding. Jude thought back to that day. They were both in the kitchen, and he was filling his champagne glass when Hayden wrapped his arms around his waist from behind. He was shocked to be turned in Hayden’s arms, and stunned when Hayden tried to kiss him.
No warning.
His first instinct had been to lean into the kiss. Jude growled inwardly. Hayden had caught him off guard. The anger had risen so fast, he hadn’t thought about his actions — and Hayden had taken flight from the kitchen. Smack dab into the wedding cake in the next room.
Jude scowled. Hayden Cox. Cox the cock. The man had picked on him daily in school. Even then, though, he’d been attracted to the taller man. Now, at almost thirty, Hayden was downright gorgeous.
He stood at six-foot-five to Jude’s five-foot-eleven, and weighed in at a whopping two hundred fifty pounds — solid muscle. His hair had lightened to an even more beautiful shade of blond and his eyes were crystal clear blue.
Jude closed his eyes, thinking about Hayden’s body.
“Jude?” Nikolai waved his hand in front of Jude’s face.
“Huh?” Jude snapped to attention.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, just need a good run, been a while since I shifted.”
Colin’s head popped up. “Cool! I haven’t seen you in wolf form yet.”
“Yes you did, in Germany,” Nikolai pointed out.
“Thanks to Chance, he was invisible! That doesn’t count as seeing him.”
“And you won’t today.” Nikolai crossed his arms over his chest and fixed Colin with a stern look.
“Oh, is that right?” Colin got off the fence and walked to his boyfriend. He stood in front of him and crossed his own arms, looking up into his eyes.
“You’re my boyfriend, not my father. So reel in the bossy attitude.”
Jude snickered.
Nikolai led Colin away from Jude and leaned into his ear, lowering his voice. “He has to get naked to shift.”
Colin sighed loudly in exasperation. “Yes, he does. I’m with you now, remember? Since when are you so insecure?”
“Um, since you said Hayden was hotter than hell?”
Jude perked up at the mention of Hayden’s name. He wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but Nikolai had to know he could hear them like they were standing in front of him.
“You met Hayden?” Jude asked.
Colin looked over his shoulder and grinned. “Oh, yeah!”
Nikolai sighed.
“Oh come on, Nik!” Colin laughed, putting his arms around the taller man’s neck. “Even you have to admit Hayden is gorgeous!”
Nikolai tilted his head, looking into Colin’s eyes. “You’re the only one I see now.”
“Aw, babe.” Colin hugged Nikolai to his chest. “I love you.”
A soft snort came from behind them and Colin turned to see Jude in wolf form. The violet eyes were even more pronounced against Jude’s shiny black coat, which caught and reflected the sun’s rays perfectly.
“Wow!” Colin leaned back into Nik’s chest as Jud
e approached them. In wolf form he came up to Colin’s armpit. He was massive. “So that thing about the Maccon bloodline is true, huh? You guys are huge!”
Jude snorted and managed to look wolfishly smug.
“Really, Jude?” Nikolai sighed in frustration. “Does everything come down to dick size with you?”
Jude eyed Colin’s crotch.
“Hey!” Nikolai slapped Jude’s muzzle. He narrowed his eyes and grinned. “You know who has a huge cock? Hayden.” Nik held back a laugh as Jude raised an eyebrow at him. “Oh, I haven’t seen it up close and all, but you can tell when he wears those tight cargo pants.”
Colin bit his lip to keep from laughing. Jude looked like he might explode from jealousy.
“Weren’t you going for a run?” he reminded him.
Jude huffed and ran off, spraying them with dirt. Colin tipped his head back and eyed Nikolai. “Big cock, huh?”
“Worked, didn’t it?”
Colin laughed.
~*~
Hayden tipped his head back and let the water rush over his face. He scrubbed his chest with body wash and looked down at his neglected dick. He hadn’t so much as looked at another man since seeing Jude again.
Hayden sighed and gripped his dick; he couldn’t even jack off without thinking about Jude. This was becoming problematic. He knew he should find someone to scratch his itch, but he couldn’t see himself with anyone other than Jude.
Valentine’s Day had given him hope, however.
Jude had definitely reacted when he saw Ross dancing with him. They were just friends, but Ross had really played the boyfriend that night. Hayden sighed and pulled up a vision of Jude from that day: tight jeans with a snug, white V-neck T-shirt. His hair had been shorter; it was tapered on the sides and styled on the top. Just enough to grab and hold. Hayden shivered under the hot water as his dick came to life. Jude’s eyes — that was the kicker, those violet eyes. Hayden hummed to himself as he started a nice long pull on his dick.
He hummed a song he’d been trying for several weeks to learn. He’d been going to see Skylar Foxx and Ryder Winters, two kids from the outreach camp, for help with an idea on how to impress Jude. Both of them had musical backgrounds and Hayden had approached them for help after Valentine’s Day. Nikolai had serenaded Colin that night. If Nikolai Markov could sing in public, why couldn’t he?
Lessons Learned Page 2