Chapter 26 #2
Jaxom mind-linked Gamma Peter and the guards. Did you hear what he whispered?
The angry look on his face was answer enough. Wolves did not play with fated mate-bonds. Jaxom turned on his heals and left the library. He had to go back to his old suite for one more box, unfortunately.
He finally got back to the new suite only to see Drake waving Alpha King Renz' letter in the air. A letter which he’d already opened.
“Jaxom, what the actual fuck is this? My dearest Jaxom,” Drake began reading. “I write this to you in the hope that you see it is time for our union to become official. Over the years I was patient. I waited patiently for your arrival in Ecrin.
“Our land is facing challenges never seen before. Rogues roam the forest in numbers so great they are threatening strong packs. The crops have been failing at greater rates. Nut and fruit trees are dying from blight by the millions.
“Prophecy, from gifted witches, have made clear to me that our combined power and wisdom will bring prosperity to our land. The Blessed Moon Goddess, Selene, put your mate in front of you as a test. It's time to sacrifice of your happiness for the good of the people you love, including your mate.
“The time is growing short. With crop failures this coming growing season, many people will die from starvation. I cannot stress how imperative it is for you to obey and pass the test the Moon Goddess has given you.
“Please do not make me force your hand. War with an ally such as the Blood Moon Pack would be traumatic for all. Our oldest ally needs to remain strong so that we can all win against the rogues as you have done time and time again.
“I love you. I pray to the Moon Goddess for your swift travel to the capital city. It is an easy thing to break the mate-bond so that we can be the chosen mates the Moon Goddess needs us to be.
“I’ve been told you only have until the 14th of Aun. Unfortunately, my lover, that is all the time I can give you so your pack can make proper arrangements. With my deepest love and admiration and respect, your chosen mate, Alpha fucking sleazeball Renz Silas Bonham.”
Jaxom sighed in irritation. This day was the worst day of his life.
The day he met his new mate but couldn’t celebrate because they’d been attacked, had to move suites, learned his new mate was going to spend more time suffering from the effects of wolf’s bane, and was sexually propositioned again by that sleaze bag so called Alpha King.
Now he’d really ticked his first mate off.
“That’s why I went back to our suite to get this.” Jaxom lifted the box he was carrying.
“Do you mean to tell me there is more like this?” Drake’s face was turning red. “Is this why you told me to stay away from Renz before you left?”
Might have been a better idea to tell him about the little kingling three years ago. His dad didn’t know about the additional letters either. He was going to tan Jaxom’s hide.
“Spill everything, now.” Drake took the box out of Jaxom’s hands and sat down beside Hayden like Jaxom was now the enemy. That stung.
“The day after my eighteenth birthday, Renz approached me in the library to become his chosen mate. He said we’d be a powerful couple leading the kingdom.”
“Son of a bitch. Why didn’t you tell me that, Jaxom?” Drake was perusing the first letter. “A couple simple sentences, ‘This is not over. Come to me. Your future mate, Prince Renz.’ So, you rejected his proposal and he didn’t like it?”
“We also reported to the Elders. That letter there was the crown’s response. The pithy little letter was Renz’ true response,” Jaxom said quietly. “I didn’t tell you because he was only threatening me.”
“Does your dad know?” Hayden asked. His eyes were so sleepy.
“Sorry I woke you up, Hayden,” Jaxom said.
“I’m not. I’m wounded, not stupid or 12 years old despite the teddy bear. I’m in this with you. I need to know.”
Drake gave Jaxom a steely glare. Jaxom had the good sense to turn red in embarrassment.
“What am I missing that you’re silently arguing?” Hayden asked with a smirk. The guy was getting a kick out of this.
“A few more details about your health. I wanted to wait so you can be more healed up but Drake’s pressure analogy is too true.” Jaxom explained needing to sedate Hayden through his first and second full moons. And, their fears about the pain of the wolf’s bane causing him to become suicidal.
Hayden started to laugh. The laugh turned into a groan. “Okay, not suicidal. I’ve dealt with pain all my life. I’m not trying to be arrogant, but an attack will just be another day of the week.”
“You’re not out of the woods yet, Jaxom,” Drake cut in. “So, the crown and Renz sends you messages. Your dad and Elders know of the crown’s letter. Why not these four letters? Let’s put the newest to the side for a moment.”
Jaxom scrubbed his fingertips into his scalp. Drake wasn’t going to like any answer.
“The first one I ignored because I figured he was unhappy he got caught. Before the second letter I’d already found you. So, I figured he was jealous and would burn it off.”
“I’ll forgive those two cause it makes sense. The third and fourth?”
Jaxom couldn’t look at Drake. That third letter was a graphic description about how their first fuck would be. It was bold, forceful and borderline rape. No one in their right mind would call Renz a good lover if he thought that scenario was sexy.
“Disgust. I just couldn’t deal with it so I put it away and got on with life.
” Jaxom felt his stomach dropping. Every time Renz came up, that damn fear the dude would actually get his hand on Jaxom clawed its way through his soul.
Jaxom shook his head and stared at the ground.
The little kingling tainted everything he touched. Dread echoed in his every footstep.
Drake cupped Jaxom’s face, making him look up.
He was so angry and intense. “My mate gets graphic, sexually inappropriate letters from a person in power and he decides to ignore it? My mate has been ordered to reject me by the King, the fucking Alpha King, and he doesn’t tell me?
He knew you were already mated, that you weren’t his fated mate, and you didn’t tell anyone! ?”
Hayden cleared his throat, the newest letter in his hand. “Guys, it’s bigger than a little obsession.”
“What? What are you talking about?” Drake turned to Hayden, one arm slung around Jaxom, holding him tight.
“The 14th of Aun. My birthday is the 15th of Aun. He knows,” Hayden said softly.
All the color had drained from his face.
“Listen. Tell your dad about the letters right now. Have him come get them or send them to him with a guard. He needs to know because his pack has been threatened and you had witnesses. Then, we’re all going to bed.
You guys haven’t slept since the night before last. You’re exhausted and I am, too.
Tell him Hayden commands sleep and meetings in the morning. ”
“Okay, voice of reason,” Jaxom said. “That okay with you, Drake?”
“I can’t sleep.” Drake drew in a shaky breath.
“Yes, you can.” Hayden was putting his foot down and Jaxom was having a hard time not laughing. “Take me to bed, Drake.”
Jaxom tried to stifle the giggle. It was rapidly turning into full blow laughter.
Apparently, he was much more tired than he thought.
This response was completely inappropriate but he couldn't stop laughing.
It was all too much. So much to work through.
He was laughing so hard tears were streaming down his face.
“Jaxom in the middle. I need to hold him.” Drake said in irritation at Jaxom’s laughter. It took a good couple of minutes to finally calm down.
***
Drake settled into sleep faster than he expected. He was running through the forest. Bramble, vines, and cliff to the right of him. No matter how he tried, the way was always blocked. Jaxom was there, right there on the other side. Massive trees sprouted up in front of him. Blocking the way.