Chapter Twenty-Two
A pollo charged at the lion on top of his mate and shoved him off Jost. The lion rolled and shook his head as it got to its feet. “It’s Jenrick!” Jost shouted as he pushed back away from where Jenrick prowled in front of them. Apollo had figured that much out and followed Jenrick as he moved. Holding a hand out, he pulled Jost to him and behind as soon as Jost grabbed him. “We need to get the police.”
“They’re on their way.” Apollo didn’t take his eyes from Jenrick, and when the lion rushed him, Apollo pushed Jost back and met Jenrick’s charge. He was knocked off his feet and rolled to the side, gritting his teeth when Jenrick’s claws ripped through his side. “Jost, run!”
An enraged shriek hit the air and Apollo had seconds to realize it was Jost before Jost shifted and charged Jenrick. Apollo jumped up and kicked Jenrick when he rolled past, then grabbed a large branch and swung it at him. There was no point in his shifting into his zebra form, he would be easier to attack. So even though it felt wrong, Apollo remained human.
Jost jumped on Jenrick’s back and bit deep, then cried out when Jenrick shook him off, throwing Jost into a tree trunk. Apollo lunged forward, swinging his branch and smacked Jenrick over the head, causing the lion to howl in pain and swing around to face him. Apollo adjusted his grip on the branch and spread his legs, waiting for Jenrick’s attack. Keeping an eye on Jenrick, he glanced at Jost, watching him get up and shake his head. “Go,” he murmured, hoping Jost heard him. Jost growled in response and came over to him, standing next to him.
A sound behind him had Apollo tensing until he heard, “Jenrick Neeson. Stop right there or I will shoot.”
Apollo took a step back, then paused when Jenrick’s head swung to him. Jost growled and tried to nudge Apollo out of the way, but he sank his fingers into Jost’s mane and whispered, “We go together.”
“Jenrick. Shift now. Don’t make me shoot you.”
Jenrick shook his head, then lunged at Apollo and Jost. Jost shoulder barged Apollo out of the way, then cried out when Jenrick hit him. Apollo lost it. He rolled to stand, then jumped on Jenrick, hitting him until several darts pierced Jenrick’s skin. Less than a minute later Jenrick lay still on the floor and Apollo kneeled next to Jost, seeing blood on his side. “I need you to shift so you can be treated.”
Jost whined, then his body shuddered, and he lay in human form on the cold, wet ground. Apollo ripped his coat off and covered Jost, then picked him up, noticing the change in his scent signalling Jost’s heat. His body reacted but he ruthlessly pushed those needs back. Jost had been injured. That had to be his priority. “Are paramedics on their way?”
The officer nodded as he warily eyed Jenrick’s still form. “Five minutes out. Should be here once you reach the edge of the trees. Another unit is on its way too.” He stopped talking when Jenrick shifted, then pulled his arms back and cuffed him. “Go, Apollo. We can handle it from here.”
Apollo nodded and cradled Jost in his arms as he ran through the trees, heading to where he’d parked his car behind Jost’s. From the moment he’d received Jost’s call, he’d been on edge, his chest tight as fear built inside until he heard Jost calling his name. The fear didn’t dissipate, though. He saw Jenrick, saw his mate, and knew he had to protect his Jost.
“I love you,” he whispered as he ran.
“I love you, too,” Jost coughed. “He said they’d told him where I would be. Who did he mean?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll find out. We’re almost out now, Jost. Hold on a little while longer, then we can get you the help you need.” God, his mate was injured, and Apollo tightened his hold on him, tears slipping free. “Your heat.”
“Early, but I think it’s because of what’s happened between us. I’ll be fine. It’s in the early stages.”
Bursting from the tree line, Apollo looked both ways, then saw the paramedics parked by their cars. “Here!” he screamed, running toward them. When he reached them, he said, “He’s been attacked by another lion. He shifted but still has injuries.” The paramedics took Jost into their van and Apollo waited outside, watching as they tended to his mate. A phone ringing caught his attention, and he searched the area until he located it. Picking it up, he saw ‘Dad’ on the screen and knew Anslem was calling Jost.
“Hey, Anslem. It’s Apollo.” Taking a deep breath, he carried on, “Jost’s been injured. Jenrick was waiting for him and attacked him. The police have Jenrick now. We’ll be heading to the ER as soon as they’ve seen to him.”
“He’s alive?”
“Yes, but he took claws to his side and was thrown into a tree. He protected me.”
“We’re on our way to St. Ann’s now. We’ll meet you there.”
Anslem hung up, and Apollo let his hand fall to his side. What kind of mate was he that he couldn’t defend Jost? “We’re ready to go.”
Apollo nodded and jumped in the back and watched Jost, who smiled up at him. “My dad taught me to fight when I was younger because I’m an omega.”
“He did?”
Jost nodded, then placed a hand on his chest, wincing slightly. “I can feel you and you need to stop.” Jost glanced over at the other man, who appeared to be taking notes. “I’m a predator even if I’m an omega. You did the right thing not shifting, and this was my battle to face. I needed to face him down. Thank you for being there.”
“Jost—”
“No. I needed to do it after everything he put me through. Knowing you were there helped.” Jost sighed and closed his eyes. “I expect you to be there later.” Apollo sighed. Jost could feel his emotions through their bond, and knew Apollo felt like a failure. “Come here,” Jost whispered.
Apollo carefully leaned closer, putting his ear near Jost’s lips. “You’re both alphas but he is a predator, and I know him. He wouldn’t have stopped until he’d hurt you or even killed you. I had to do this.” Jost lifted his hand and traced Apollo’s lips. “This was my battle. Do you see that?”
“I do, but I’m an alpha and I’m your mate—”
“And as my mate, you supported me. I won’t be happy with you if you continue to feel this way. You gave me the chance to stand up strong and defend myself. You have no idea how much that means to me. I love you.”
“I love you, too. Now rest so your body can heal.” Apollo stroked Jost’s hair back and smiled when Jost closed his eyes. No matter how much it jarred Apollo, he had given Jost the chance to be strong in the face of someone who had caused him so much pain. That made Apollo’s feelings of failure lessen somewhat.
By the time they arrived at the hospital, Jost was barely conscious and was quickly wheeled inside. Apollo entered the ER and saw Jost’s family going straight over to them. “He has some injuries, but he should be fine.”
“Has he told you exactly what happened?” Anslem demanded.
“I got a phone call, and he only managed to say a couple of words, but I heard screams and shouts and knew I had to find him. I tracked him from where he works to where his car was on the side of the road, then through the trees. I could hear him screaming and soon realized it was Jenrick.” Apollo paused. “Jost held his own. He wanted to stand and fight Jenrick. He said on the way here it was something he had to do.”
“And you?”
“I knew I couldn’t shift. I might be an alpha, but I am a prey species. I fought in this form and helped Jost when he needed me. It was important to him to defend himself. He was amazing to see and a huge credit to you both.”
“And it hurt you, too,” Ella murmured.
“It did, but I’m proud of him. He found the strength and courage to stand up for himself. He needed to do it.”
“He did, but it isn’t easy to sit back and watch when everything inside you is screaming at you to jump in and defend them.” Anslem sighed and rubbed his hands over his face. “Do you need a checkup?” Anslem looked Apollo up and down and Apollo shook his head.
“A couple of shifts and I’ll be fine. Jost took claws to the side. I’m more worried about him.”
“I hate to say it, but he’s gone through worse with Jenrick.” Anslem stood when a doctor approached them. “Any news?”
Doctor Sargesson nodded. “Jost Webber will need to remain with us for a day or so. I want to monitor him while he shifts and see the progression of his healing. He had to have his wounds cleaned and disinfected and, barring any reactions from the treatment, he should be fine. He’s a tough omega.”
“Can I go and see him?” Ella asked.
“We’re moving him to his own room, then you can go.” The doctor smiled, then left, and Ella leaned against Anslem. Anslem kissed her head and moved them both over to some empty seats, and Apollo watched as he whispered to her, drawing a small smile from her.
Apollo found his own seat and leaned back, closing his eyes. “He’ll likely stand trial,” he murmured.
“I imagine so unless he goes for the diminished responsibility angle.” Anslem shrugged. “It wouldn’t surprise me if he pleads insanity. Or tries to.”
“He knew exactly what he was doing, so I’d fight that, but who knows.” Apollo exhaled heavily. The wait felt like hours but was nowhere near that, and Apollo shook his head when Ella asked if he wanted to go in before them. Jost was their son, and he knew they’d be anxious to see him. Due to their bond, Apollo knew how Jost felt, and he could feel the happiness Jost felt and knew his parents were with him.
It wasn’t long before Ella came out and told Apollo to go in. Apollo walked inside the room Jost was in and froze at the sight of him in the hospital bed. He looked tiny lying there, but when Jost smiled, Apollo rushed over and kissed him. Jost’s hand cupped his cheek, and he whispered, “They’ve given me drugs to hold back my heat. I’ll be okay until they wear off.”
“That’s good. I want you to be fully recovered.”
“I think I need to move in with you.” Jost smiled softly as he caressed Apollo’s cheek.
“You do?”
“Don’t ask me to help,” Anslem grunted. “I’m too old for that.”
“When I’m released, we’ll do it, and Dad will help.”
“I will, will I?” Anslem smiled. “As long as there is beer in the fridge, I’ll help.”
“I love you, Dad.”
Anslem rolled his eyes. “You love me now.”
Apollo chuckled, then sat on a plastic chair and watched Jost fall asleep. God, he could have lost Jost and that thought terrified him, but he had made it in time and now he could plan their future together. Apollo, Jost, and who knew how many babies? Kissing Jost’s forehead, Apollo smiled. As soon as Jost left the hospital they’d get started on those kids.