Jared's Heart

by Fel Fern

“If we kill the mutt and rid ourselves of evidence—” one suggested, but Al silenced him with a look.

  “No. The Alpha would know if one of his wolves died, and he’d value this one.” Al shook his head. Not a dumb one, this gangster. He looked straight at Matthias, then Jared. “Pack up, boys. We’re moving.”

  From beneath the house, or building, Jared heard the faint rumble of bike engines. Cursing, Al walked to the window. “Three men,” Al said, breathing a sigh of relief. “Deal with them. Now.”

  The werehyenas scrambled downstairs. Jared knew this particular ploy. His wolf tentatively reached out, and knew his brothers and sisters were downstairs—and not just three of them. The three riders acted as decoy. The rest lay in wait to attack at the right moment.

  “You placed me in a precarious position, Matthias,” Al said, walking around Jared’s cage, but his gaze remained fixed on Matthias. Drawing out a gun from his inside pocket, Al calmly shoved the barrel through Jared’s bars, pointing it to his forehead. Breathing hard, Jared didn’t move. He knew the bastard loaded his gun with silver, and there was little chance he’d miss.

  “Don’t,” Matthias said hoarsely. “You want me, not Jared. Kill me or we’ll work out a deal, but leave him the fuck alone.”

  Jared’s ears caught the sound of the squeamish from somewhere in the house. Yells and growls were punctured by the deadly and rapid sound of gunfire.

  “The Darkfall wolves aren’t known for their mercy, bear. Kill or set this pup free, I’m a hunted man.” Al wore a bitter smile. “The family won’t risk angering the pack. They’ll cut my men and me off, and I can’t let that happen.”

  “What do you plan to do then?” Matthias asked.

  “Cut my losses,” Al answered simply, then pulled the trigger.

  Matthias howled in fury, hands yanking at the bar. Jared dodged at the last second, groaning as the bullet tore through layers of skin and muscle, lodging into his left shoulder. The sound of metal screeching shocked both Al and he. Jared stared, as Matthias stopped bothering with the cage. Fur replaced skin.

  “Matthias, what the fuck are you doing?” Jared demanded, but Matthias didn’t listen. He grew bigger in mass, but the cage could no longer keep him in. Metal creaked. Jared saw the silver cuffs chafing his skin from the sudden shift, but the links broke. With a howl, Matthias freed himself from the cage, rising on his hind legs, bulk and height taking up most of the space in the room.

  With a scream, Al fired, unloading shots into Matthias as he backed into Jared’s cage. Seeing Matthias keep on going despite taking the brunt of bullets, Jared shoved his bound hands out and yanked at Al’s ankle hard. The gangster fell, revolver falling from his grip. Matthias went in for the kill then. With thick powerful furry paws he lifted Al up with ease. The gangster screamed as bone crunched. The door to the attic burst open, revealing Alessio in human form, bloody, gun in hand, two wolves on either side of him, but Matthias finished Al off quickly, canines sinking into his throat.

  “Well,” Alessio said after. He fished through Al’s corpse and found a key to unlock my cage and restraints. “It looks like we came late to the party.”

  “Alessio, I’m fine,” Jared began when Alessio began checking him over for injuries. “Please, help Matthias. The fucker shot him a couple of times in the chest.”

  Jared pushed the beta aside, heart aching at the sight of Matthias slumped against the wall, leaving a crimson stain. He hadn’t gone back to human, and he looked like a huge teddy bear, figure unmoving.

  “Matthias!” Jared began, but Alessio held him steady. He snarled when Alessio slapped him.

  “Calm the fuck down, pup. Mark, call Doc up here,” Alessio told one of the wolves, then let Jared go to Matthias.

  “You stupid reckless bear,” Jared declared, crawling near him. Matthias attempted to swat at him weakly with a furred hand, but Jake caught it, rubbing his face to the brown fur, tears leaking down his face.

  “Move aside. You pups always need to be so dramatic,” a voice snapped. Doc, the pack medic, knelt beside Matthias. When Matthias didn’t respond, Doc turned to Jared. “Can you tell your mate to shift back to human?”

  Jared didn’t correct Doc’s label. He rubbed at Matthias’s arm, looking into his black eyes. “Come on, baby. I know you’re tired and in pain, but stay with me. Shift, so Doc can look at you. I didn’t get myself kidnap by a fucking bunch of mobsters just to see you die.”

  Planting a kiss on Matthias’s scarred muzzle seemed to do the trick. With a soft snarl of pain, Matthias shifted back to human. Jared’s heart leaped in his throat. The blood and bullet holes looked stark against his tanned chest. He let Doc do a quick assessment. Matthias reached for him, and Jared laced their fingers together. God. He’d seen his share of injuries and Matthias’s didn’t look good. With so many silver bullets pumped into him, it was a wonder he was still breathing.

  “Well?” Alessio demanded. “Can you save Jared’s bear?”

  Doc looked grave. “I can extract the bullets so poison would no longer enter his bloodstream, but with this much damage,” Doc trailed off, but Jared didn’t need him to finish.

  “Do it, take the bullets out,” Jared decided.

  “But,” Doc began.

  “Doc, do as he says. Please,” Alessio said.

  With a shake of his head, Doc began laying out supplies. It was painful to watch Doc pull out the bullets with a sterilized knife. Matthias took six bullets in all for Jared. By the time Doc finished, Matthias’s breaths grew shallow, and Jared could hear his weakening heart.

  Jared felt Matthias lean his head against him, breath still warmth. “It’s enough, pup. You’ve done enough. I love you, you know that? But it looks like this is the end for me.”

  The three words stunned Jared into silence. No one spoke, but the three words reverberated into his head repeatedly. Jared knew it too of course. “You selfish fucker,” Jared spat, making Matthias look at him wearily. “I know that too. I don’t fucking know when it happened, but somewhere between bearing our souls to each other on paper, we fell in love. You think you can die now? Well fuck you.”

  Jared straddled Matthias, ignoring Doc’s sound of protest.

  “Jared, don’t make this worse,” Alessio said.

  Jared craned his head to look at Alessio, who was like an older brother to him. “I’m not. Matthias is going to fucking live, or I go with him.”

  Alessio regarded him for a second, and then nodded, understanding the risky undertaking Jared wanted to make. “Clear the room.”

  “I need your help. I’ve never done this before,” Jared whispered.

  “I’ll stay,” Alessio promised.

  With the room clear, Jared looked into Matthias’s wary eyes. “Are you in this with me, Matthias? Will you do this last thing and fight this battle with me?”

  At his nod, Jared locked his arms around Matthias’s neck, careful of the wounds on his chest. To calm himself down and reassure himself he could do this, he talked. “If the mating mark is successful, I’ll channel my life force to you.”

  Jared leaned forward to kiss Matthias. He thought it would be agony, kissing a soon-to-be-dead man, but Matthias seemed far from dead when he wrapped his arms around Jared’s waist, bringing him close. The werebear took over, claiming Jared’s lips hungrily, the passion there overwhelming. Jared felt his own cock, thickening, and Matthias’s dick growing hard, pressing against his belly. Seemed right they were fucking, loving so hard, just to get another shot at living. If God granted Jared this chance, he swore he’d never let Matthias go again.

  Matthias released his lips, panting, breaths labored, heartbeats counted. Jared rested his forehead against Matthias’s. “Baby, do you feel how fucking hard am I for you? How badly I need you?”

  Jared’s hand slipped between their bodies, reaching for Matthias’s prick. He glided his fist up and down, rhythm fast, until Matthias groaned.

  “Dying in the midst of sex is one hell of a way to go,” Matthias wh
ispered.

  “You’re not dying,” Jared said, picking the speed up until Matthias gasped.

  “Jared, you have to do it now,” Alessio said, and Jared had nearly forgotten he was there in the room with them.

  Confident Alessio won’t let him down, Jared offered his throat to Matthias. Instantly, Matthias let out a sharp exhale. He nosed his way up the side of Jared’s neck, other hand curling around Jared’s shaft. A mating mark hurt like hell, so they needed something to keep their mind off the pain. Jared groaned, thrusting his hips into Matthias’s hand. The werebear let out a growl, unsheathing his canines.

  “Do it, love. Make me yours. Forever,” Jared urged. Matthias sunk his canines deep, the sting making Jared gasped.

  Matthias pumped his cock faster, and Jared groaned as pain mixed with pleasure.

  “Come for me, pup,” Matthias said after pulling his canines up.

  Balls drawn close to his body, Jared stopped fisting Matthias’s cock. He flung his arms around his neck, fingers digging into the powerful muscles of his back, and screamed out Matthias’s name. The room reeled, and waves of pleasure assaulted his body. His cum splashed over Matthias’s upper body.

  “Jared, you need to pay attention,” commanded Alessio. “Find the bond between your wolf and Matthias’s bear.”

  Struggling to focus, Jared reached for their beasts. The two animals didn’t carry separate energies any longer, they formed one single bond, a perfect fit. He felt sluggish, but Matthias’s growl as he came, spilling his seed over Jared’s chest and belly, anchored Jared to what he needed to do.

  “Transfer some of our life force to him now,” Alessio said in a patient voice.

  Jared didn’t understand at first, but then he saw Matthias’s hurt bear. He transferred some of his energy then, speeding up Matthias’s supernatural regenerative abilities to chase the poison away. To his amazement, the wounds on Matthias’s chest began to heal, but Jared also felt his body weakening.

  “Enough,” Matthias said after, kissing him on the lips, sounding stronger than ever. “Thank you, baby.”

  With a sigh, Jared leaned against Matthias, the wounds there closing with an astonishing pace. He was aware of Alessio yelling for Doc, and Doc kneeling beside them again, calling Jared crazy.

  “Well, it worked didn’t it?” Jared asked, vision blurring. He wasn’t concerned. It was far from Jared’s time to die, but he sure could use a good sleep. Doc tended to the mating mark on his neck, proclaiming it to be clean after disinfecting and bandaging the wound.

  “Sleep,” Matthias said against his ear, stroking his back, making Jared purr. In the back of Jared’s mind he realized werewolves didn’t purr.

  “What’s going to happen next?” Jared asked, voice slurring.

  “We’re going home,” Matthias said, voice filled with an emotion Jared had never heard before. Relief mixed with pure and undiluted joy.

  “To Darkfall?” Jared asked, seeing their dream home in his mind.

  It won’t be easy he knew, but bit by bit, they’d pull through. Jane would eventually come around, and so would the rest of the pack. For now, Jared let sleep take him, satisfied he and Matthias could live another day. In a way, both of their old selves died today to make way for the new.

  Reborn, no less perfect, but better and wiser, Jared mused, cuddling Matthias close.

  Chapter Eight

  A Few Months Later

  “Jared, your mate’s waiting by the reception,” Isaac, fellow pack member and co-worker at the town paranormal protective services, said by Jared’s desk.

  Jared stretched out his legs, unable to keep the grin off his face. “Thanks, bud.”

  Also an enforcer for the pack, Jared considered Isaac a good friend. Isaac had been on a long mission for the pack when Matthias came to town, and just came back a few days ago. Otherwise, Jared would have asked for Isaac’s help. When Isaac hesitated and didn’t leave immediately, Jared asked, “Is there something else?”

  Shaking his head, Isaac was about to walk away, Jared grabbed his arm. Isaac sighed, running a hand frustrated hand through his short blond hair. “Seems like plenty of pack members are finding their mates these days. It feels awful being left in the dark.”

  Understanding, Jared patted his shoulder. “You’ll find your mate someday, or he’ll find you. We wolves aren’t built to go at the world alone.”

  Isaac nodded, dark eyes grave, becoming serious. “I hope you’re right. Are you really doing good? Last I heard, Jane threatened to slit your werebear’s throat.”

  “That’s old news. She still doesn’t like him, but the others have gotten used to Matthias,” Jared explained. He didn’t elaborate it hadn’t been easy these past few months, but he regretted nothing. Helping Matthias adapt back to the real world had been a joy and a testing trial at the same time. Besides, Isaac looked like he had problems of his own. “How did your diplomatic mission go?”

  The most level-headed among the pack’s five enforcers, Jared, knew Sergio often sent Matthias on missions that required peaceful negotiations as opposed to using claws and teeth.

  “Some good and some bad. There’s mostly a positive response. Many folks like the concept of a peaceful one world, with paranormals and humans settling their differences.”

  Jared knew after the pack’s recent skirmish with a group of fanatic human hunters who hated supernaturals, Alessio convinced Sergio to talk to neighboring packs. “It’s a Friday. Relax, have some fun.”

  “Too bad I don’t have my wingman any more. He’s off the singles list,” Isaac said with a grin.

  “Hey, you still got me. Call me whenever you need me,” Jared offered. “Plus, you haven’t met Matthias yet, right?”

  “Looking forward to it,” Isaac said with a nod. “Don’t keep your bear waiting.”

  After Isaac left, Jared shut his PC down and quickly tidied his paperwork. He walked the office cubicles and headed to the reception area. The receptionist, Mary, gave him a wink and nodded to Matthias, who chose to sit on one of the couches, reading a pamphlet. Jared’s bear looked like he came straight from his workplace—the Bentley Garage and repairs. Damn it, did Matthias look good to eat, in his oil-stained jeans and plain shirt. He smelled of diesel, sun, and a unique musky bear scent that was decidedly Matthias.

  As if sensing his arrival, Matthias placed the pamphlet down. Looked right at him, and then smirked his evil bear grin. “I smell horny pup.”

  Shooting him a glare, Jared glanced back to see if Mary had heard. The receptionist let out a polite cough and pretended to be interested in her computer screen. Jared stalked to Matthias, about to give him a talking to, but Matthias rose and shoved a bouquet of daises in front of Jared’s nose.

  “Uh, thanks?” Jared didn’t know what else to say. He accepted the bouquet, drawing his brows. “They’re lovely, but aren’t we past this stage? Wait, did you do something wrong, is that why you’re giving me these?”

  Matthias snorted, and began herding him out the center’s doors. “Can’t I play nice mate?”

  Jared gave him a sheepish look. “Sorry, baby. Thank you, for the flowers.”

  “Polite isn’t you, pup,” Matthias said, making Jared groan. “Behave, or I won’t show you what else I have in store for the evening.”

  “More gifts?” Jared asked, unable to keep the excitement from his voice as they walked to Matthias’s pickup. Usually, Matthias picked Jared up from work, but something about tonight felt different. Jared lowered his voice as he slid in to the seat next to the driver’s. “Naughty toys, I hope?”

  Chuckling, Matthias steered the truck out of the lot. “I have that too, but think bigger, pup.”

  Jared gave him a suspicious look. “Seriously, tell me you didn’t do something drastic, like commit a crime.”

  He froze at the mention of anything related to crime, but Matthias didn’t seem to care. In the end, the court found evidence that the cause of the car accident had been engine trouble. Although Matthias a
dmitted having one too many drinks that day, Jared felt a little guilty knowing the cause had been something no one could predict. None of the past mattered, though. Matthias and he planned to look forward to what the future would bring. Jared continued, “Give me a clue, please?”

  Matthias shook his head. “Open the dashboard. Wear what you find.”

  “Ooh, are we playing a game?” Jared asked, aware of his cock, pressing against his jeans. He could smell Matthias’s need too, thick like his own. Telling Matthias to just fuck him now, and save dinner for later seemed crude. Clearing his throat, Jared opened the dashboard, frowning at the hint of red. Pulling the silky fabric out, it took Jared a second to realize it was a red blindfold.

  He licked his lips, looking at Matthias hopefully, but Matthias kept his eyes on the road, always the careful driver. “In the kinky mood, aren’t we, bear?”

  “I thought my pup needed some spice,” Matthias agreed.

  Heart thumping, Jared secured the blindfold over his eyes. Without sight, he breathed hard, trusting Matthias to give him one hell of a surprise. After what felt like hours, Jared whined. “Are we there yet?”

  “It’s only been ten minutes, pup. This is the third time you’ve asked. Ask me one more time, and there’s a spanking in store for you tonight.”

  The image rose in Jared’s head, unbidden, and made his skin flush. He imagined Matthias bending him over his lap, while he’d squirm and complain. He visualized the tension as Jared awaited for Matthias’s hand to descend, leave hand prints over his ass.

  He’d beg and plead, promise Matthias he would make amends on his knees, knowing Matthias would put him on his knees nonetheless. Well, Jared didn’t mind. It was fucking hot, slipping Matthias’s dick between his lips and hearing Matthias groan. He swallowed, and asked the same question again, making Matthias growl.

  “That’s it up,” Matthias muttered, but Jared could hear the amusement and affection in his voice.

  What felt like eternity later, the truck came to a stop. Jared began to touch the blindfold, but Matthias’s command stopped him cold. “Keep it on, or else.”