Chapter 26
Jaxom fell back on the couch after the Elders and his dad left. He could feel Drake and Hayden waiting for him to say something. There was plenty he wanted to say. However, the last thing he wanted was to shove his opinion on his mates. No matter what they decided, they would always be his mates.
“So,” he said.
“Yeah, so,” Drake gave him a sad smile. “We need to figure this out. I know what I want.”
“I do, too. I hope…” Hayden swallowed and ate another chip. Nerves ran through both his mates. Insecurity and fear of the unknown.
“I really appreciate you both are willing to go down this path. I want to, too.” Jaxom smiled as he literally felt their sighs of relief.
Drake gave him a piercing look as he continued, “But, we need to do some deep research. I think we have three weeks to see if following the prophecies are really what we all want.”
“It is, Jax,” Drake said firmly. Hayden smiled and nodded.
“You may change your mind. There is no shame in that. Let’s make sure we have all the information we can get before Hayden’s birthday.
Then, we can make an informed decision.” Jaxom got up to kneel beside Hayden and at Drake’s feet.
He took their hands. “Hayden, I told Drake I would never refuse a gift the Moon Goddess gave me. I still believe that is the best path. However, these prophecies are not safe. People really want us dead and they don’t care who they kill to stop the Lycans from returning.
If either of you change your mind, I will accept it.
Please, both of you promise you will go into this with your eyes wide open. ”
“I promise, Jax. I can also promise I want to honor the Moon Goddess’ gift to me, too.” Drake said.
“Me, too,” Hayden squeezed their hands. “I’ve wanted to leave my pack. I’ve wanted to live. I never knew how much I wanted my own family until I met Drake, and then you, Jaxom.”
Jaxom buried his face in the couch between his guys.
Overwhelmed was the only word he had. A few deep breathes later, he looked up at the two men staring down at him.
He couldn’t comprehend how much he loved them.
It seemed like there was no limit. More than anything in the world, he had to make sure they were safe, cared for.
Nothing else, other than finding their Luna, mattered.
He knew the dreams of her lost in the forest were real because the dreams of Hayden’s suffering had been real.
“Okay then. Hayden, your job is to heal. That is the most important thing you can do. Your second job is to read.” Jaxom stopped and felt his face go up in flames. “I mean, you can read, right?”
“I can,” Hayden grinned at his embarrassment. “I was constantly sneaking books. The only way I got an education as a teen.”
“Are you going to be okay being confined for three weeks?” Drake asked.
“So far, yeah. Can’t really move anyway.” Hayden rolled his eyes. “And, I’m ready for another nap.”
“Done. We’ll work on turning this place into a library. Let’s get you in bed. Are you in pain?” Jaxom asked.
“Never been better.” Hayden rolled is eyes again at their looks of disbelief. “Yes, I’m sore. I’m always sore. Just never been so at ease before. And, now I’m sure someone wants to kill me, not just beat me. It’s the best I’ve ever been.”
“I think your nickname shall be Mr. Optimistic,” Drake laughed. “Alright, you want to nap here or in bed?”
“Bed, I guess,” Hayden shrugged.
“Hayden, you are not in the way. What do you want? Regardless, one of us will be near you at all times.” Drake brushed fingers through Hayden’s hair.
“You don’t mind if I say here? I just, I don’t feel like being in bed right now.”
“Done. Let’s get you lying down and Jaxom will get the pillows and blanket.”
“Are you guys always going to be this nice? I like it,” Hayden asked.
Jaxom covered Hayden with a blanket and got the pillow situated. Just these small adjustments had Hayden moaning in pain. In three weeks he’d be mostly healed. Seeing Hayden up and running couldn’t come soon enough.
“Yes, my mate. You don’t need to worry about us turning abusive. This is us. Rest. Relax. Heal.” Jaxom watched Hayden’s eyes close as he surrendered to sleep.
Jaxom mind-linked Drake as he drank in the beauty of his new mate. “What’s the worst part of Hayden’s injuries?”
Drake stood up and backed away from their injured mate. His wolf had risen instantly, looking for a fight. Jaxom had never seen him so angry.
The wolves that have been overdosed on wolf’s bane sometimes can’t handle the pain. They either give up and die or suicide. We may not know how Hayden is doing with the attacks until it’s too late.
Damnit. Jaxom had to back away from Hayden, too, as his wolf fought to tear the world apart for his mate. What else?
He’s too weak to shift at the next two full moons. He’ll need to be sedated. A shift will kill him right now. He can’t wait any longer than two full moons. We’ve got three months to get him healthy enough to shift. No longer than that.
He can’t catch a break! Jaxom fumed through the mind-link.
I think we don’t have a choice but to mate and mark him, and him us, for him to survive. Not trying to coerce you, but that’s the truth. He needs our power to survive this.
I don’t want to let either of you go, but he has to have a choice, Jaxom said fiercely. The feel of Renz’ slimy hands filled him up. There will be no manipulation for Hayden to become ours.
The we need to tell him the rest. I was reluctant to at first. Hayden is strong and needs all the information to make the best decision for himself.
He’ll feel cornered into the mate-bond, Jaxom growled.
I know that might be the case. It may not. But what other way forward do we have? I can’t watch him die!
Jaxom was in awe with how fierce Drake looked.
His mate would take on the world to make sure his mates were safe, his family was protected.
He saw the wisdom in telling Hayden the full truth about his health.
If they did, the fear it would become a forced mate-bond was real.
Hayden had to have the freedom to choose not be backed in a corner.
Let’s give him a week or two to get settled. Maybe we’ll have a better sense of how he’s doing. We don’t know when the attacks will start, do we?
No. It’s such bullshit. He’s so fucking vulnerable.
You make a good shield, handsome.
Not good enough. Drake visibly shrank in on himself.
Knock it off. You know that’s bullshit. Jaxom drew Drake into a hug.
He kissed his cheek and rubbed his back.
You need to relax with Hayden. I need to go to our suite and then the library for books.
The Elders have a list there for me to get in the restricted section.
Let’s get answers. Whatever answers we can get.
Take Peter and four guards with you. Don’t walk alone. Asher is sitting outside our front door. We’ll be safe for the moment.
Pack members already had the living room clean.
There were suitcases of clothes being packed and stacked by the front door.
Everyone was unsure how long they’d stay in the older suite.
It was best to think long term. That section was easier to guard.
It was bit of a shock to realize how carefree they’d been able to live. Everything had changed so rapidly.
Jaxom collected the Lycan books to add to the pile. Two were the gifts his parents had given him on his 18th birthday. He also ordered the Lycan statue to be moved. It was a regular feature in his dreams. It was almost like he was living out the creature’s last days.
In the library, Jaxom got to work pulling the volumes off the shelf that the Elders had recommended.
Elder Pryon had provided a cart to get them back to their room.
It was twelve heavy duty old tomes in total.
He’d peaked inside. The old writing was going to be a slog to get used to.
Thank the Goddess for modern day conveniences.
“Ah, there he is. A perfect end to a beautiful Winter Solstice. I was hoping I’d find you here,” said a sleazy voice from behind him. A hand ran lightly down his back and cupped his buttocks for a moment.
Jaxom moved away and threw a cloth over the books. He beckoned to a guard to take the cart.
“Alpha King Renz,” Jaxom said with as much censure as he dared. Today was not the day to start a war. Jaxom’s skin crawled as the sleaze crowded against him.
“I’ve missed you, gorgeous,” Alpha King Renz stroked Jaxom’s arm. “You never did come to me. You still have time.”
“I have a mate,” Jaxom said firmly.
Renz had sent him a letter every year reminding Jaxom of his expectations.
Last year’s letter had been much more forceful after the passing of his father.
Jaxom had to keep his emotions under control so he didn’t freak Drake out.
It was hard to do with the sick feeling of dread Renz always made him feel.
“You know that makes no difference to me. You can keep him after the mate-bond is broken and ours is in place.” Renz cupped the back of Jaxom’s head as he pressed their bodies together.
“I will not take ‘no’ for an answer. We will be powerful together, lover. If you don’t come to me by the 14th of Aun, I will be forced to move against your pack.
They will lose everything, including their lives, just for being your pack members. ”
Jaxom pushed away from the disgusting son of a bitch before the guy could kiss him.
“Here, lover, a letter from me to you. A token of my undying love.” He put it on the cart.
Jaxom’s men gathered around him. Slowly, they formed a wall between Jaxom and the supposed Alpha King. Jaxom stepped back out in front of them.
“You can try and you will fail.” Jaxom knew wolf culture. He knew the sleazy King’s warriors would fight for him if ordered. He also knew most would eventually choose to fight for the right thing after they realized how corrupt the little shit was.
“Make the right choice, lover, for your people. Don’t make them suffer horrible deaths,” Renz whispered into Jaxom’s ear.