Chapter 32
Jaxom sat back against a tree trunk and watched Drake and Hayden figure out how to fish in the partially frozen lake.
Drake had spent the last hour chopping ice back to get to a deeper hole to fish out of.
Hayden said he’d never fished and Drake was obsessed with fishing.
It didn’t matter the weather or the condition of the lake.
Watching his overly enthusiastic mate forge a path through thin ice was amusing.
It meant he’d get to warm him up in the shower.
It was warm enough for a winter day. The sun eased into his bones reminding him that life would go on despite tomorrow’s worries.
Jaxom could only pray Hayden was born at midnight or earlier and they just got the date wrong.
He didn’t want to waste any more time waiting.
The need for the completion of their mate-bond was running high.
His wolf continuously pushed through to get a look at Hayden. Needing, wanting, knowing.
“You two are soaking wet. Are you sure this is worth it?”
“Yes,” Drake said.
Jaxom knew Drake knew it wasn’t worth the effort.
He was wearing himself out to get rid of nervous energy.
Drake’s dream was haunting the both of them.
He’d seen his guy watching him. He just wished Drake knew how he’d never leave of his own accord.
Willingly ripping himself away from his mates wasn’t a noble sacrifice he was ever going to make.
Being forced into a corner was entirely different.
Damn Hazel for closing his mouth. Damn Renz for being a sick asshole.
And yet? And yet, what would they be doing instead of spending time at the cabin? Huddling in a corner waiting for the arrival of his doom?
“Alright, cold and colder, let’s go inside before you’re both too sick to have fun tomorrow. Mom sent up a casserole for dinner and it’s ready to eat.”
Hayden’s sensual lips were smiling as he waded out of the icy lake.
They had waterproof gators on but they didn’t keep the cold out.
Three weeks ago, Hayden would have froze to death.
Now, he was cold but still full of life and energy.
In the short time Hayden had been with them, he’d put on weight.
He looked good all filled out. The emasculated look was gone.
He was strong, fierce and surprisingly happy.
He lived like the world amused him. His own little running joke.
Jaxom got Hayden and Drake in the house and enjoyed himself stripping them both naked.
Maybe tonight he’d snuggle up to them sans clothes and enjoy the feel.
They’d been almost naked holding Hayden when in pain.
Tonight needed to be a warm basking, filled with plenty of skin.
Maybe story time to pass an hour or two.
“Shower time.”
Jaxom hustled them into the shower that had six shower heads.
It was one area no expense was spared. He had Drake under two as he slowly soaped up every inch of Hayden.
His mate couldn’t stop blushing as Jaxom handled his body.
He’d washed Hayden after his attacks, but that had been medical.
This, this was more. Sensual. He took time making sure every inch of skin was squeaky clean.
The soapy massage had the effect Jaxom was looking for.
Hayden was panting and needy, leaning into every move Jaxom made.
“You feel warm and clean now?” Jaxom whispered in his ear. A little nip on his earlobe had him squirming.
“Yeah, you were most thorough. Do I get to wash you now?” Hayden quirked an eyebrow in challenge.
“No.”
Jaxom backed him up against the shower wall, thigh between Hayden’s legs.
He pressed kisses along his jaw, down his neck, brushing the nape and then settling in to give him a hickey on the other side he didn’t get earlier.
A mark before the actual event. Hayden whimpered and clung to Jaxom.
He ground up against Jaxom’s thigh only to be refused as Jaxom stepped back with a growled, “That comes later. Stay put while I take care of Drake.”
Jaxom enjoyed the view of Hayden all hot and bothered, standing under the stream of water. He took a deep breath as he turned to Drake. It was time to make a show of his mate for Hayden to enjoy.
He took his time lathering Drake’s hair.
Drake’s eyes closed as Jaxom rinsed his hair out under the water, making sure none got in his lover’s eyes.
Muscles slid under hands rubbing them with soap.
So hard, so slick. A playground of valleys and mountains.
Tattoos disappeared under the soap, only to reappear as the water sluiced over the artwork.
“I didn’t realize how many tattoos you have,” Hayden said as he stared at the show going on in front of him.
“Look all you want, Hayden-love,” Drake moaned as Jaxom played with him. “Maybe you get one, too.”
“Definitely,” Hayden said as he leaned against the shower wall.
Jaxom growled in possession as Drake rose to the occasion.
Drake’s hands were in Jaxom’s hair as he knelt at Drake’s feet to wash them.
He eyed the monster standing up in front of him.
One taste, one taste is all he could risk at the moment.
There was a need to feel Drake all hot and heavy on his tongue.
He pulled back before he got carried away.
“That is for later, too,” Jaxom gave Drake a wicked grin. “Okay. Shower off for Hayden first.”
Hayden stepped out of the shower. Jaxom had him dried off and tucked in on the couch under a blanket. Dinner was ready and he didn’t want it to get cold. His mates had burned calories and there was too much to do later. Food was necessary now so they had energy for main event.
“Naked?”
“You put a stitch of clothes on and I spank you,” Jaxom winked as he went to get Drake.
“You’re being awfully bossy,” Drake said as he stood under the shower head.
“I’m on a mission and anyway, you like it.” Jaxom was unrepentant as he turned the water off and started toweling his mate off. “Turn around so I can get your back.”
“I wish we knew what time Hayden was born,” Drake said as he obeyed. “Better be midnight tonight.”
“Agreed,” Jaxom laughed. “Warm again?”
“Jax?” Drake hesitated, “I’m…”
“It’s going to be fine, my love.” Jaxom gently kissed Drake. “Let’s enjoy today. Tomorrow has its own worries.”
Jaxom tucked Drake up on the couch same as Hayden. He left just enough room to sit between them.
“Dinner is served, my loves. And before you eat, Hayden has a present to open from both of us.” Jaxom plunked a tray of three bowls of casserole and a rectangular gift on the coffee table.
“Another?” Hayden looked at it like it might disappear.
“Go ahead,” Drake encouraged.
Hayden ripped the paper off this time. A beautiful special edition of popular fairy tales fell into his hands. It was leather bound, stamped and hand painted.
“I’ve heard of these fairy tale but never read them,” Hayden said in glee.
“Looks like we have a bookworm on our hands,” Drake said as he watched Hayden’s excitement.
Jaxom scarfed down the casserole in three bites while Hayden was distracted. He plucked the book out of his mate’s hands and gave him the casserole. Drake laughed as Jaxom handed him a bowl, too.
“Story number one, Little Red Riding Hood: The Actual Story, by Wulf Huntington. Chapter One.”
“You’re reading us the story?” Hayden paused his fork. “I’ve never been read a story before.”
“Well then,” Jaxom said gruffly, “expect more stories to come.”
Hayden settled into the couch and leaned against Jaxom as he ate.
Jaxom took on his best narrator voice, giving the characters their own voices, distinct from each other.
Even Drake was leaning in. It wasn’t the first time Jaxom had read to him at the cabin.
By the time Jaxom got to the end of first story, Hayden was asleep and Drake wasn’t far behind.
Maybe they were all running from the unknown harder than he’d realized.
Jaxom leaned his head back against the couch.
Dad? he said through the mind-link.
Everything okay? he immediately answered.
Fine right now. Just needed to let you know Renz will be coming.
What do you mean? He sent another letter? His dad was so angry, but not with him this time.
No. I don’t know when, but it will be very soon. A Hazel thing. The only thing I can tell you is, don’t fight him.
Shit. What does that mean, Jaxom? Why would I want to fight him?
Because he’s coming for me. Don’t fight him. Not yet.
I can’t allow him to take you.
It’s okay, dad. It really is. Protect the pack. Without the pack we have nothing. Live to fight another day. Remember?
It’s a Hazel thing? his dad asked. Jaxom could hear his desperation to argue. It wouldn’t help.
It’s a Hazel thing.
Damnit, Jaxom. I don’t think I can stand by and just let him take you. Don’t you know what he’s capable of? He must be put down.
You will fight, just not this one time. It must happen this way. Jaxom had to get his dad to understand but he couldn’t tell him everything. The rest was no one’s problem but his own. The other way was war breaking out and that would keep him from his Luna. He absolutely had to get to her.
I’m calling Hazel.
Jaxom chuckled and broke the link.
Jaxom let the feel of his mates lull him into sleep. Thinking about Renz would ruin everything. That was a fight for later. Right now, he was squeezed between two amazing men that loved him.
Hayden hadn’t said it yet, but it was there in the way he watched Jaxom and Drake. It was there in the way he came to them for physical affection, laughed like all cares were gone. It was there in how he let them comfort and baby him without turning into an arrogant prick.
Jaxom stood on a cliff of dark brown jagged rocks as the sky battled in lightening and thunder above.
The woman on his back was shaking but her strength was flowing into him.
She was strong and fierce just like he’d always imagined his Luna would be.
Her hand pointed behind them. It was time to run again. His Luna was not safe.