Chapter 08 #2
“Did I what? You can ask me anything,” Jaxom said as he cupped the man’s cheek.
He was so damn handsome. Stubble caressed the palm of his hand.
He didn’t realize how sensual beard stubble could be.
Tonight would be filed with explorations of the unknown.
Jaxom’s wolf was only too happy to throw himself into the experience.
“Did you want to reject me out here? Away from prying eyes?” his guy asked. Fear rippled in his voice.
“Why would I reject what the Moon Goddess has gifted me?” Jaxom asked in a touch of heat and anger. He slowly pressed the man back against a tree. He couldn’t stop running his thumb across those beautiful freckles dusting those high cheekbones. “What’s your name, handsome?”
“Um, Drake Loftus.” The man shook as he ran his hands up Jaxom’s ribs. He wanted more of his mate’s touch. It was like the world was complete. They were meant to be together forever.
“Drake. I like that.” Drake’s name was familiar but he couldn’t place it at the moment. His mate was still trembling in his arms like he was scared. Jaxom stepped in closer, crowding the object of his affection. “Do you want to reject me, Drake?”
“No, no,” he stuttered and shook his head, “but I’m not Alpha blood, not clean. I have a, a past.”
Jaxom’s heart swelled with his honesty. Still pissed him off, though. How dare anyone imply his mate wasn’t good enough. He’d deal with anyone trying to come between him and Drake.
“Who doesn’t have a past? And clean? What does that even mean?
” Jaxom swept his lips across Drake’s, drinking him in.
“And as far as Alpha blood goes, who cares? I never have. Good Alphas are made not born. Nobody has the right to be an Alpha without earning it. The Moon Goddess has clearly stated that you’ve earned it. ”
“I, um, I have?” A crinkle of joy lit up Drake’s face. Jaxom smiled in return.
“Hmm, I was going to mate,” Jaxom kissed him again, “mark,” he nipped the sensitive nape of Drake’s neck, making him gasp, “and then show you off, but not now.”
“What? Why not?”
Drake’s beautiful eyes got squinty with worry. The joy was quickly draining. Jaxom pressed his body tight against Drake’s. He felt every muscle, his stomach pumping oxygen, his body trembling. He tried to pump reassurance through the rapidly growing mate-bond.
“Because the order has changed.” Jaxom ground his hips against Drake’s. “Show you off, mate, mark, and then show you off some more. The world will know that you are mine and I’m proud to be yours, too.”
Drake whimpered into Jaxom’s mouth as he claimed him with a scorching kiss. It was a kiss he didn’t want to end. The man tasted like heaven and his groans turned Jaxom to putty in his hands. But, first things first.
“Okay, okay,” Jaxom breathed as he backed off. Just a hairsbreadth between them. “Time to announce you to the world.”
“You don’t wanna talk first?” Drake asked. For all the guy’s muscles, tattoos and stubbly beard, he seemed to be convinced Jaxom would reject him in the end.
“Is the ‘not clean’ thing bothering you, handsome?”
“Yeah,” he whispered. Jaxom could see him turn red, shame washing over his face. “I was in an orphanage for most of my life. There was a woman there, a teacher. She blackmailed me to sleep with her.”
“Was that about two years ago? And she was executed for the sexual abuse of multiple children?” Jaxom couldn’t stop the growl of anger his wolf was forcing out.
He did know mate’s name from the news. Mate had been hurt.
How dare anyone hurt his mate. The story had been all over the news for days.
Mate had been slandered by the abuser’s family.
Other people had come out in support, telling the slanderers to shut up.
It made more sense that Drake would be afraid of getting rejected.
The whole thing must have been a horrifying storm in a young guy’s life.
“Yeah. You need to know what you’re getting into with me. Some stories never die.”
Drake’s shame stabbed at Jaxom. Stupid shame for circumstances beyond a kid's control.
“I cheered the day that bitch died.” Drake’s mouth fell open and his eyes got big.
“I cheered even more knowing that the first victim that turned her in had a dad in his life willing to fight for his son. He never stopped fighting for you, did he? He told you your fated mate would find you worthy, didn’t he? ”
Jaxom’s harsh voice sent ripples up Drake’s spine. Drake gripped him tighter as the words hit the core of who he was. Jaxom could feel something settle in his mate. It was encouraging.
“Yes,” Drake whispered. He breathed deep as he clung to Jaxom.
“He was right.” Jaxom kissed Drake again. Those soft lips and slight stubble begged to be kissed. “I will never stop fighting for you, either.”
“Thank you,” Drake collapsed in Jaxom’s arms, clinging to him. He buried his face in the nape of Jaxom’s neck, shaking like a leaf. The worry of rejection was real. Mate never needed to worry about that again.
“It’s time to meet your new family members.”
Jaxom gave Drake a few moments to collect himself.
He kept mate tight to his body for continued reassurance.
Breath evened out and the shaking subsided.
He slowly pressed kisses onto Jaxom’s neck sending tingles into places only too happy to pay attention.
He drank in the confidence slowly replacing the fear in his mate.
Hints at being claimed fueled a desire for seclusion. But, not yet.
It took everything in Jaxom to change the plan and wait to mark Drake even if only for a few more moments.
His wolf approved of the plan to show him off.
However, the delay in making mate officially his was setting him on edge.
Threats of violence flooded Jaxom. No one was allowed to get between him and his mate.
Mate needed to know rejection was not an option. They would be together forever.
Jaxom and Drake walked hand in hand to the main ballroom. Couples in tuxedos and ball gowns graced the floor. Tables were decorated in festive winter blues and whites. The moon on a cold solstice night.
“Is your dad here?” Jaxom asked. No time to waste hunting their family members down. It would be quick and fast but Drake would know Jaxom was serious. The world would know he was proud to be Drake’s mate.
“Yeah, he’s over there.”
Drake pointed to the far left. A middle aged version of Drake, sans tattoos, sat alone watching the dancing.
He looked content. A man used to holding his own council.
He caught sight of Drake as Jaxom led the way to his table.
A joyous grin spread across his face at the sight of their clasped hands.
“Drake?” he asked, although the question was just a formality.
“Um, dad, this is Jaxom Bane. My mate,” Drake said with quiet pride. Jaxom wanted to cheer in victory, howl to the moon. His mate was accepting him.
“Congratulations, you two. I couldn’t be more thrilled. Jaxom, my name’s Chip, but you can call me dad, too.” Chip almost offered Jaxom his hand then looked at his son and teased, “Not touching your mate until you’re marked. Have fun tonight, son.”
Jaxom spotted his parents coming their way. His mom shimmered in a beautiful burnt orange evening gown. It set off her hourglass figure, black hair and blue eyes. His dad looked stern as usual, only softened by the smile he gave Drake.
“Jaxom, who is this fine young man?” his mom asked. She bounced on her tiptoes wanting to hug. She was always hugging people, but not tonight. Tension ran high in newly found mates. Physical contact from anyone else was unwelcome. Many brawls had started from careless touches.
“Mom, dad, this is my mate Drake Loftus. And, I think you’ve met his dad, Chip Loftus.”
“I am so happy to meet you, Drake. It looks like we’ve two new members of the pack. Your dad has agreed to come on as another Delta and train the pups.”
“Dad, that’s awesome,” Drake said. He swayed towards his dad, but never let Jaxom’s hand go.
“The cabin is ready, Jaxom,” His mom said with a teary smile. “I can’t believe my baby is all grown up!”
Jaxom smiled at his handsome mate. “Wanna go on a run?”
“Yes.” Drake bobbed his head at the Alpha, Luna, and his father as Jaxom pulled him to the entrance.