Lessons Learned

by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

  “We’re planning on that.” Jude eyed Dane closer. “They bit you.”

  “No shit Captain Obvious,” Dane sighed and rubbed his face with his hands. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that. I’m trying to fight this as much as possible.”

  A growl shook the plane and Jude looked over his shoulder. Anya was baring her teeth at Dane — her hackles a mile high.

  “It’s okay, Anya.” Jude turned back to Dane. “It is okay, right?” Dane nodded and Jude took another step closer. “You need to come with us.”

  Dane shook his head. “I can’t. If I leave, they’ll know Dasan got out. I can’t take that chance. They have to think he’s still here and I’m looking for him.”

  “Do you have forms of communication out here?”

  Dane shook his head. “Petey took everything we had. He, Carl and some guy named Gary came in and killed half my pack. They left me and Lev alive and I kicked Dasan out to protect him a few days later when he came back from one of his excursions. They know he’s here, though, and they will do anything to get their hands on him.”

  Jude put his hand out. “I’m Jude Brooks.”

  Dane gasped. “You have to get out of here!”

  “I’ve already had my run-in with Petey. I would have killed him had it not been for the fact that he had my mate attacked.” Jude stopped and opened his mouth in surprise. Had he just said ‘mate’? Oh God, he had.

  Jude shook his head clear and regarded Dane.

  “Are you mated?”

  “No, I haven’t found the one yet.” Dane looked around the plane. “I have to go. Carl will know I’m gone.”

  “Wait a second.” Jude grabbed Dane’s wrist. A low growl rose from the other man and Jude tightened his grip. “Don’t underestimate me, Dane. I killed Walter and a few more of those yellow-eyed bastards. Now, hold still.” Jude’s canines elongated and he bit Dane’s wrist.

  “What the fuck!” Dane backed up into one of the airplane seats.

  Jude released Dane’s wrist and put his hands on his hips. “You’re not homophobic, are you?”

  “Hell no!” Dane rubbed his already healing wrist. Pain shot up his forearm and heat enveloped him. “Oh shit,” he whispered, falling to his knees. “What did you do?”

  Jude squatted by Dane and tapped his forehead. “Maccon blood. I’ve made it so we can communicate telepathically. It should also help with the rogue bite you’ve gotten. It might take some time, but it should eventually reverse itself. Keep your eyes and ears open for us, okay?”

  Dane nodded and Jude patted his back. “Good, now go back and pretend like none of this happened. Hayden and I will take care of Dasan and Lev. I promise.”

  Dane let out a slow breath and gripped one of the seats, pulling himself to his feet. He swayed a little and Jude righted him. “Walk slowly past Anya and don’t make eye contact, got it?”

  Dane fell in behind him and Jude exited the plane, placing himself between Anya and Dane. As soon as Dane was out of sight, Jude made his way back towards their hideout. He passed the females and stopped.

  “Kill anything that looks rogue.”

  ~*Chapter Eight*~

  Hayden was transported directly to a facility in Washington that Alexander and Evangeline had been working on since they’d become aware of rogues. It was finally up and running, and Hayden was placed in a private room to recover.

  Jude sat with him, sleeping now and then. Dasan had been taken to Wayne’s place in Alaska and his parents’ remains were to be buried within the next few days in Washington. Lev also went to Alaska to brief Wayne on his ex-pack. They would all be meeting in Ireland next week for the meeting of the packs.

  Hayden already looked better. His color was coming back rapidly.

  Jude kissed Hayden’s forehead and caressed his cheek. His brows furrowed and he leaned in again, touching his lips to Hayden’s cool brow. Blond lashes fluttered and blue eyes looked into his.

  “Hey,” Hayden smiled.

  “Hey yourself. How are you feeling?”

  Hayden moved his legs and arms and looked up at Jude.

  “I feel fine. I mean really fine.” Hayden sat up. He should still be sweating and puking, among other things. He’d been bitten more than once. He took Jude’s hand.

  “You stayed with me.”

  “Of course I did.” Jude leaned in and pressed his lips to Hayden’s. “I wasn’t going to leave you.”

  A soft knock interrupted them and Alexander poked his head around the door.

  “May I come in?” Alexander looked from Jude to Hayden.

  “Of course.” Jude stood up and backed away, allowing Alexander access to Hayden.

  “You look much, much better.” Alexander checked Hayden’s pupils. He sat on the edge of the bed. “Did you do something different this time?”

  “What do you mean?” Hayden sat upright and regarded Alexander.

  “I took blood when you arrived. The cells were attacking the rogue saliva. It was as if they were seeking them out and destroying them. A little army of white blood cells, if you will.”

  “Isn’t that what they’re supposed to do?” Jude asked.

  “Yes, but these were different. The lupine blood did not have a chance to combat the saliva at all. The cells were on the warpath destroying everything. Under the microscope, it looked as if they were singling out only the rogue poison and stopped to chat with the lupine blood,” Alexander chuckled.

  Hayden’s head snapped up. “Jude bit me.”

  Alexander turned to Jude. “During mating?”

  “What? No!” Jude stepped back. “Hayden asked me to bite his neck so I did, to help him heal.”

  “Straight into the jugular?” Alexander stood up.

  Jude nodded.

  “I bit Jude, too,” Hayden said softly. “During mating.”

  Jude sighed. “Do you have to tell everyone our business?”

  Alexander chuckled. “I am everyone?”

  “Do not say a word!” Jude pointed at his alpha.

  “I won’t. I would like to run some tests on you, Jude. Something in your blood is different from the others.”

  “Now I’m the monkey?” Jude ran a hand through his hair.

  “That’s what the rogue said, that Petey wanted Jude’s blood.” Hayden got out of bed and threw his jeans on.

  “What are you doing?” Jude grabbed Hayden’s bicep. “Back in bed, mister!”

  “I’m fine, Jude. Better than fine.” Hayden took Jude’s hand and kissed the top of it. “I’ve never felt better.”

  “Wonderful!” Jude pushed Hayden back on the bed. “Back in bed.”

  “But — ”

  “Back. In. Bed,” Jude growled a warning.

  “Okay, okay!” Hayden put his hands up.

  “Jude…” Alexander began.

  “Fine, you can take a sample, but do it in here because I’m not leaving Hayden unsupervised.” Jude narrowed his eyes at Hayden.

  “I’m not a child.” Hayden raised his chin in defiance.

  Jude stuck his tongue out.

  “I will be back,” Alexander chuckled and closed the door behind him.

  Jude took his shoes off and crawled into the bed with Hayden, snuggling into his side. He inhaled deeply the masculine scent of Hayden Cox. His body went haywire and the hairs on his arms stood straight up. Jude’s cock filled almost instantaneously to the point of pain.

  “You smell sexy,” Hayden groaned, smelling Jude’s hair.

  “So do you,” Jude breathed. “No sex, though. Not until we get a green light from Alexander.”

  “How about an amber light?”

  “No.”

  ~*~

  Jude woke to find Alexander leaning over him. Hayden was still asleep, wrapped around him tightly.

  “Hey,” Jude whispered, untangling himself from Hayden’s arms.

  “Hayden can leave whenever he wants. He is completely cured with no sign of the saliva in his system.” Alexander motioned for them to walk
into the hall. Jude followed him out and leaned against the wall, waiting for Alexander to tell him whatever was making him practically dance from foot to foot.

  “Well?” Jude asked.

  “I found something in your blood that I have never seen before!”

  “Meaning?” Jude said in exasperation.

  “I think I know why Petey wants you.”

  Jude tilted his head. “I don’t understand.”

  Alexander coughed slightly and looked away, mumbling.

  “What was that?” Jude stepped closer.

  “You have a feline gene.”

  “I’m sorry, could you repeat that?”

  “It seems you carry the feline gene, and no, not the common house cat. I know your mother was albino, which gave you your unique eye color. But I believe she or your father may have had a dormant feline shifter gene.”

  “So what? Now I’m going to start purring? And why didn’t my father tell me this?”

  “He may not have known, Jude. I only stumbled upon it during my testing.”

  “So I’m like a jaguar or something?”

  “More like a white tiger. At least that’s the only genetic marker that lined up with yours.”

  Jude tilted his head and contemplated the new information. “I can live with that. White tigers are cool-looking.”

  “This may be why Petey wants you.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Think about it. If he can re-create your DNA, he can make his own cross breeds.”

  Jude growled. “He’s crazy enough to do it, isn’t he?”

  “They must have gotten a blood sample from you when you were captured by Pierce. I’ll ask Stuart, but I think he would have mentioned it.”

  Jude looked back at the door to Hayden’s room. “Thank you, Alexander, for telling me.”

  “I want you to remain safe, Jude.”

  “I will.” Jude hugged Alexander and entered Hayden’s room. Hayden was half out of the bed but stopped cold when the door shut.

  “Where do you think you’re going?”

  Hayden sighed and sat back on the bed. “I just want out of here, okay?”

  “I have to tell you something.” Jude sat down and took Hayden’s hand.

  “Is it about your blood?” Hayden searched Jude’s face. “We’ll deal with Petey and his assholes together, okay? And don’t give me the whole ‘I can take care of myself shit’ — ”

  “Alexander says I carry a feline gene,” Jude blurted.

  Hayden’s mouth dropped open.

  Jude’s cheeks heated and he looked down at his hands. “I’ll understand if you don’t want me anymore. I mean, I’m not full werewolf — ”

  Jude was pushed down on the bed and Hayden’s loud growl filled the room. His lips were crushed under Hayden’s and hands threaded in his hair. Jude gripped Hayden’s biceps as the kiss intensified. Hayden pulled away slowly, leaving light kisses on Jude’s lips.

  “Do I need to buy a litter box?” Hayden chuckled.

  “Not funny,” Jude groused.

  “Catnip?”

  Jude smiled and slid a hand to cup Hayden’s hardened dick. He squeezed and bit down on Hayden’s lower lip. “I’m a white tiger, supposedly. Does the big bad werewolf want to tangle with the big kitty?”

  “God, I would love to see that,” Hayden said sincerely.

  “You would?”

  “Hell yes! Do you know how beautiful they are?”

  Jude searched Hayden’s eyes for any hint of sarcasm and saw none.

  “You’re really okay with all this?”

  “Of course I am, Jude. I couldn’t care less if you shifted into a mouse.”

  Jude looked at the time.

  “Are you sure you’re up to leaving? I want to go see my dad and I want you to come with me.”

  “Of course.” Hayden caressed Jude’s face.

  “Well, let’s go then.” Jude got up and grabbed Hayden’s shoes for him. He heard a low chuckle behind him and turned to see Hayden stifling a laugh. “What?”

  “Here kitty, kitty,” Hayden called softly.

  “I’m buying a dog whistle.”

  ~*~

  The ride to his father’s house didn’t take long. Jonas had bought a house within miles of most of his pack. Jude sat in the passenger seat of Hayden’s Hummer and looked out the window at the passing houses.

  A white tiger?

  He’d never heard of a shifter having two different forms, but he hadn’t heard of one with healing blood either until Wayne and the Maccon line had entered his life.

  Hayden pulled into the driveway of the two-story modest home and turned to face Jude as he cut the engine.

  “Are you sure you want to do this now?”

  Jude nodded and took Hayden’s hand. The front door opened and his father stood with a smile on his face.

  “Jude?”

  Jude exited the Hummer and made his way over to his father. He seemed to sense something was wrong and took Jude’s hands.

  “What is it?” Jonas asked.

  “We need to go inside and talk.”

  “Okay.” Jonas nodded and led the way.

  Jude looked around the modest house. Pictures of wolves adorned the walls as well as a large family portrait above the fireplace. His mother’s almost white hair stood out against Jude and his father’s ebony locks in the picture. She was beautiful; she always had been. Jude wondered why she hadn’t said anything about the sleeper gene during her after-life visit to him. Unless she didn’t know?

  Jonas sat down and motioned to the loveseat across from him.

  “I have to say, it warms my heart to see you together.”

  “Are you a feline shifter, Dad?” Jude got straight to the point. His father’s eyes widened and Jude narrowed his eyes. “You are!”

  “What’s going on Jude? Why are you asking me this?”

  “Alexander took a sample of my blood, Dad. My DNA shows feline genetics.”

  Jonas sighed and dropped his face into his hands.

  “I was hoping we would never have to have this conversation.”

  “Great. That’s just great, Dad!”

  “What is your feline counterpart?” Hayden asked quietly.

  Jonas looked up. “A Maltese tiger.”

  Hayden whistled.

  “We’re rare,” Jonas said, standing up and pacing back and forth. He stopped and looked at Jude. “What did Alexander say?”

  “The closest he can figure, it’s a white tiger.”

  Jonas nodded and resumed pacing. “That would make sense.”

  “None of this makes sense!” Jude shouted. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  “I didn’t know if you’d gotten the gene! Your mother was an albino, which explains your eyes, and now your feline side…” Jonas sighed.

  “Have you ever shifted?” Hayden asked curiously.

  “Once, a long time ago. I was in China and I ran into another Maltese. Being near one set loose my own. Being a werewolf as well made my feline half much bigger than a normal tiger.”

  Jude sat back. “So, if I were to go and find a white tiger, it may set off my own feline side?”

  Jonas nodded. “Although I’d avoid the zoos. They may lock you up thinking you’re one that got out,” Jonas sighed. “I’m sorry, Jude. I never really thought this would come up. If I had a clue I’d passed on the gene to you, I would have said something a long time ago.”

  “Well, I’m not going to go all crazy and shit, Dad. I’ll deal with this just like I do everything else.”

  “Meaning what?” Jonas crossed the room to his son.

  “You treat me like I’m breakable, like at any given moment I’m going to croak or something.”

  “I can’t lose you!”

  “Hayden, Ross, Scott and Noah are like your children, aren’t they?” Jude stood up and pointed a finger at his father. “Yet you allow them to go out on dangerous missions and never once worry about them when they are out!”

&nb
sp; “Bullshit!” Jonas roared.

  Jude stepped back as claws sprang from his father’s fingertips and the walls in the house shook.

  “Those boys are mine! They are just as important to me as you are! Of course I worry; I worry all the time about all of you. I can’t lose another person in my life.”

  Jude narrowed his eyes at his father.

  “That’s why you push Jackson away, isn’t it?” Jude stepped closer to his father. “You’re worried something will happen to him, and you’ll lose him.”

  “I don’t want him to know what I am,” Jonas said quietly.

  “Why? It’s so cool,” Jude grinned. His father remained tight-lipped. Jude took his father’s hands. “It’s so obvious how you feel about him, Dad.”

  Jonas hugged his son. “Go spend some time with Hayden, okay? I’ll see you in Ireland soon.”

  “Dad…”

  “Go. We’ll talk soon okay?”

  Jude nodded and stepped away. Hayden’s strong hand slid into his and he turned to face him.

  “Ready?” Hayden asked.

  “Yes.”

  ~*~

  Hayden sat quietly and watched the road. Jude was staring out the window. They hadn’t said much since leaving Jonas’ house. Hayden reached across the seat and took Jude’s fingers. Jude turned from the window and gave him a tentative smile.

  “Where do you want to go?” Hayden watched the road again.

  “I don’t want to go to my house; I live with the sexquartet,” Jude chuckled.

  “I think Ross and Noah are on a mission.” Hayden glanced at Jude. “So you can come to my place.”

  “I would like that.”

  Hayden’s heart raced at the thought of being alone with Jude. He wanted to touch him again, he needed assurances that they were really together. Hayden pulled into the parking lot of his apartment building and walked with Jude to the building. Jude’s hand slipped into his and Hayden looked down at their joined hands. His stomach flipped and he felt a line of sweat forming on his brow. Why was he so nervous? They’d been together before.

  Hayden unlocked the door to his unit and let Jude go in first. He exhaled a silent breath as he noticed Ross had cleaned.