Darkest Hour Before Dawn

by Charlie Cochet

  Hudson hitched a ride with one of the EMTs heading out. They were carrying two Therians with minor injuries. From the hospital, he took a cab to Seb's house. He sent Seb a text to let him know he was okay and at home. Seconds later his phone rang. Hudson answered with a smile. "Hello, darling."

  "You sure you're okay?"

  "Promise. Sarge sent me home anyway."

  "Good," Seb grunted. Silence came on the line before Seb cleared his throat. "When you say 'home,' do you mean...?"

  "Your house." Hudson smiled shyly. "Perhaps when you get home, we can discuss living arrangements."

  Seb's sharp intake of breath was not lost on Hudson.

  "Really?"

  Hudson smiled even though Seb couldn't see him. "Really."

  "Okay. You rest up, and I'll see you tonight?"

  "I'll be here," Hudson promised. "Stay safe."

  "I will. Love you."

  "Love you too." Hudson hung up and headed upstairs to take a shower. As he stood under the hot water, washing away the remains of today's ordeal, it struck him how close he'd come to dying. He should have been shaken up, but he wasn't. Seb had listened. He'd been faced with losing Hudson, and although everything in Seb had likely shouted at him to save his mate, he'd listened to Hudson. Together they helped get Bill and Melissa out of there.

  Hudson shut off the water and ran a towel over his hair before stepping out. He dried off, his heart pounding fiercely. Perhaps they could do this. For the first time in a long time, Hudson felt confident in their bond, in them. Dressed in his atom T-shirt and pajama bottoms, he went downstairs and made a cup of tea. Turning on the telly, he curled up on the couch. He released a yawn and placed his mug on the coffee table before sitting back. He hadn't realized he'd fallen asleep until he felt fingers in his hair. Hudson hummed, his head groggy and body heavy with sleep.

  "Seb," he murmured, too exhausted to open his eyes.

  "Shh. Go back to sleep."

  Hudson nodded. He sighed contentedly and sank back into sweet slumber. When he woke, it was to the sound of the front door opening. Yawning, Hudson sat up. He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hands and frowned.

  "Seb?"

  Seb grinned widely at him as he stepped into the living room. "Hey, sweetheart." He sat down beside Hudson and pulled him onto his lap, inhaling his scent. "God, I missed you."

  "Did you just get home?" Hudson blinked at him.

  Seb chuckled. "Wow, you really are out of it. Just walked in. You were looking right at me." He placed a kiss on Hudson's temple. "Sleepyhead."

  "I could have sworn...." Hudson shook his head. "Must have been dreaming."

  "Of me, I hope," Seb said before capturing Hudson's lips in a gentle kiss. Hudson shifted, straddling Seb's lap and slipping his arms around Seb's neck. Seb released a low groan that rose from his chest. He buried his face against Hudson's neck, wrapping his arms tight around Hudson. When he spoke, his words were a whisper. "I was so scared."

  "Me too," Hudson admitted, running his fingers through Seb's hair as he held Seb to him. He smelled of shower gel and his own delicious scent. He'd showered and changed at work, dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt. His hair was damp, and his jaw clean-shaven. They were quiet, soaking in each other's warmth, holding on as if afraid to let go. Hudson certainly had no intention of letting go, not now, not ever.

  Seb was strong and solid beneath Hudson, and he could feel Seb's heart beating. Sebastian Hobbs was a gift, and Hudson would never take him for granted again.

  "Darling?" Hudson ran his fingers through Seb's silky hair.

  "Hmm?"

  Hudson placed his lips to Seb's ear. "Ask me again."

  Seb straightened, his brows furrowed together. "Ask you what--" His eyes widened. "You mean.... Um...." He cleared his throat. "Will you marry me?"

  Hudson climbed off Seb's lap and peered at him. "That depends."

  "On what?" Seb sounded as though he was holding his breath.

  "On whether you ask me properly." Hudson sniffed and folded his arms over his chest. "I've been waiting a bloody long time for this."

  Seb laughed softly. He got down on one knee, and Hudson's heart was ready to burst from the love he felt for the man in front of him. He smiled down at his beautiful mate.

  "Hudson Colbourn, will you do me the honor of being my husband? Marry me?"

  Hudson cocked his head in thought. "I suppose someone needs to make an honest man out of you."

  "You're killing me here, Lobito." Seb poked Hudson's stomach, making him laugh. "Stop stalling already. I've been waiting a long time for this too. Marry me. Let's be jinxes together."

  Hudson laughed. Seb's dazzling green eyes grew glassy, and Hudson nodded. "Yes, Sebastian. I'll marry you."

  Seb stood and grabbed Hudson, then lifted him off his feet, sniggering when Hudson flailed before bursting into laughter. Hudson was going to do his damnedest to make Seb happy each and every day. They'd lost so much time. He wasn't going to lose any more. He cupped Seb's face and kissed him, a part of him afraid this was all a wonderful dream. So long he'd been without his mate, without his beautiful, amazing man.

  Hudson pulled back, his smile so wide it hurt his face. "Let's not wait."

  "Are you serious?" Seb placed Hudson on his feet. "Don't you want a wedding? You've been so excited about Dex and Sloane's, I thought you'd want the same thing."

  "I have everything I want right here," Hudson assured him. "Of course Dex is going to have a big wedding. That's his style. I believe his last words to me on the subject were, and I quote, 'If I don't get at least a six-tier wedding cake with enough sugar to power the next shuttle launch, I'mma cut a bitch.'"

  Seb laughed at Hudson's impression of Dex. Hudson's American accent was far better than Dex's English one, or what he attempted to pass off as one. If Dex was going to be a spy, he was going to need some lessons.

  "Yeah, that sounds like Dex."

  "Please, darling. After all these years, after everything we've been through, I don't think I can wait another day."

  "Whatever you want, Lobito. Only problem is, it's almost ten in the evening."

  Hudson walked to the coffee table to pick up his phone, a wicked smile on his face. "You seem to forget who our friends are." Hudson tapped away at the screen, then placed the phone to his ear. "Dex? I need your help."

  Chapter 11

  "I... I don't know what to say." Hudson couldn't believe it. He had faith Dex would come through for him, but he'd never expected anything like this.

  Dekatria's expansive, yet cozy, roof garden had been transformed into something out of a fairy tale. Twinkling fairy lights and strings of tiny white flowers were wrapped around the awning's pillars, with more lights decorating every potted tree and shrub. White gossamer curtains draped from the rectangular steel frame erected around the roof. White lanterns hung from its steel rods, alternating with more fairy lights. The floor was covered in white flower petals, and bouquets of white roses in white vases on white plinths created an aisle running to the end of the roof, where a small white gazebo stood, along with a priest who smiled warmly at Hudson.

  To his left, an intricately decorated cake in white, blue, and gold sat in the center of a table sporting a white tablecloth. Gleaming gold dishes held tantalizing appetizers on one end and champagne flutes, bottles of champagne, and a gold bucket with ice on the other. A young Therian in a tuxedo stood in the corner playing a beautiful melody on his violin.

  "You... did all this?"

  Dex smiled. He shoved his hands into his trouser pockets and shrugged. "I had help."

  "But how?" Hudson brushed his fingers over one of the bouquets of white roses.

  "Are you kidding? I called Lou, explained it was for you and Seb. The dude let out a war cry, and his army of perky party people laid siege to this place in less than an hour. Scared the shit out of Bradley. I don't think he'd ever seen Lou in crazy Terminator mode. Like he was sent from the future to put on the perfect last-minute weddi
ng. Austen used his superspy voodoo to get you guys the rings you wanted, Father McByrne, and the marriage license. Cal and Hobbs picked up Julia, Thomas, and Darla. The gang's all here. Everything's ready."

  Hudson's eyes brimmed with unshed tears, and he brought Dex into a big hug. "Thank you, Dex. You don't know how much this means to me."

  "Yeah, I kinda do." Dex wrapped his arms around Hudson, his voice soft. "You deserve it, buddy. You both do."

  "Nina's going to be my maid of honor. Would you... would you be my best man?"

  Dex went quiet, and for a moment, Hudson worried he might have said something wrong. He pulled back, chuckling at the big sappy grin on Dex's face. "Did I break you?"

  "Shut up." Dex sniffed and wiped a tear from his eye. "I'm not crying. You're crying." He grabbed Hudson in a hug that stole the breath from his lungs.

  Hudson laughed as Dex released him. "Is that a yes?"

  "Yes, dork. Of course it's a yes." Dex stepped away and took hold of Hudson's elbow. "Come on. Seb's going to be up here with the Hobbs brood any minute now."

  Hudson paused, turning to Dex. "Could you bring Thomas downstairs? I need to ask him something."

  "You got it."

  With one last hug, Hudson hurried downstairs to the second floor, which was being used as a sort of prep room. He tried not to pace, but it was impossible. They were actually going to do this. He was about to become Hudson Hobbs. A small part of him was saddened at the thought of his absent family. He wished they could be here to witness the happiest moment of his life. His heart quickly reminded him that his family was here. The Hobbs family, Destructive Delta, and their friends were his family, his pack. Hudson smiled.

  The sound of Thomas's electric wheelchair caught his attention, and he beamed brightly at Thomas.

  "My, but you look dashing," Hudson said, coming to kneel beside Thomas. He looked very handsome in his black tuxedo, a white rosebud pinned to his lapel.

  "Not as good as you," Thomas replied, patting Hudson's arm. "That blue suit is stunning. It really brings out your eyes. I can't wait to see Seb's face when he sees you."

  Hudson couldn't help his blush. "Thank you, Thomas." He cleared his throat. "I asked you here in the hopes you might... escort me down the aisle."

  Thomas's eyes got glassy, his smile wide. "I would be honored, son."

  "Thank you. Do you think we're rushing things?"

  "How long have you been in love with Sebastian?" Thomas asked gently.

  "Forever, it seems." Hudson couldn't help his smile as he looked down at his fingers. "I think I loved him from the moment I saw him."

  Thomas sweetly patted his cheek. "Then I think you're good."

  The music coming through the speakers faded into silence. That was his cue. He stood and accompanied Thomas to the lift. Inside, Hudson took a deep breath to calm his nerves. Thomas chuckled and gave Hudson's hand a squeeze.

  "You're doing much better than Seb." Thomas shook his head and laughed. "You should have seen him. He didn't know what to do with himself. Kept saying he should check up on you to make sure you were okay. He was pacing a hole in the floor. Rafe and Ethan were about ready to tie him to a chair."

  "Is he all right?" Hudson asked, his heart swelling. Even at a time like this, Seb's thoughts were on how Hudson was doing, how he was feeling.

  "Rafe threatened to tranq him if he didn't sit his butt down, but then Julia told him he'd have to carry Seb to the altar. Rafe said Ethan would carry him, and Ethan smacked Rafe in the back of the head, and the roughhousing started. You know Seb's not one to miss out on a good brawl with his brothers. It settled his nerves, which I'm pretty sure is what the boys intended, but don't worry, they're still presentable. Their mother would have had their hides otherwise."

  Hudson laughed. No matter how big the Hobbs boys got, one stern look from Julia was all it took. The lift doors opened, and Hudson smiled. He held out his arm, and Thomas placed his hand on the crook of Hudson's arm. They made their way to the marked spot in front of the aisle, and Hudson felt his cheeks burn as Seb's wide-eyed expression melted into a look of pure adoration, his smile reaching his dazzling tear-filled eyes. Seb stood at the altar with Rafe and Ethan at his side. Across from them, beside a handsome Dex dressed in a tuxedo, Nina looked stunning in her beautiful pale blue dress. A photographer snapped away, unobtrusive, and Pachelbel's Canon in D began to play. Hudson made his way down the aisle with Thomas.

  The white chairs to the right of the plinths were filled with his pack. Lou and Bradley sat at the end, most likely so Lou could keep an eye on everything. He dabbed at his eyes with a handkerchief. Hudson was glad to see Austen had granted his request to stay, even if the man was sure to disappear into the night afterward, like the little Felid ninja he was. It was strange seeing Austen in a suit. He looked good. In front of them, Milena sat holding Rosa's hand, and next to Rosa, Letty had her beau's arm around her shoulders. Army-captain-turned-firefighter James Kirk was a sexy white tiger Therian with a charming smile. His name was the source of much entertainment for Dex. Kirk seemed to take it all in stride.

  In front of them sat Calvin, dressed handsomely, his smile wide and his bright blue eyes glassy. He winked at Hudson and gave him a thumbs-up, making Hudson chuckle. Beside him, Darla sniffed. She looked beautiful, her dazzling eyes much like her son's, brimming with unshed tears of joy, and her smile lighting up her face. Next to Darla, Julia held tightly to her handkerchief, a tear rolling down her flushed cheek as she waved at him, the love and happiness in her eyes almost too much for Hudson, and Hudson swallowed hard in an attempt to keep his emotions at bay.

  In the front row, Dom cut a rugged picture in his suit. He smiled brightly at Hudson. Sloane sat beside him, sleek and debonair in his tuxedo, and next to him, Ash sniffed--very macho-like of course--and wrapped an arm around Cael, who sported a wide, boyish grin. Sergeant Maddock beamed proudly at Hudson from beside Cael. Everyone who meant everything to him was here. His family.

  Just before he reached the altar, Hudson caught a whiff of a familiar scent. This time, instead of sending him into a panic, Hudson smiled. His heart swelled, and tears blurred his vision. The thought might seem silly, but it was his wedding day, and if he wanted to believe Alfie was here in spirit, he had the right.

  Thomas kissed the back of Hudson's hand before he went off to join Julia, though not before winking at Seb. Hudson let out a dreamy sigh when Seb reached for him, and everyone chuckled. Hudson couldn't help it. Seb looked incredible in his gray three-piece suit and matching tie. It accentuated his broad shoulders and expansive chest. His green eyes sparkled, and that roguish grin Hudson loved so much had the butterflies in his stomach fluttering wildly.

  They faced each other, Hudson's hands in Seb's larger, stronger ones. The music softened, and Father McByrne began the ceremony. It was beautiful, unlike anything Hudson could have imagined. The Therian's lyrical voice spoke of undying love, a future of togetherness, friendship, loyalty, and laughter. As Hudson and Seb faced an uncertain future, riddled with challenges, and--unbeknown to Father McByrne--most likely bullets, they gripped each other tight, knowing whatever came their way, they would persevere, together. They came close to giving in to their emotions and tears on more than one occasion, but they laughed softly instead and continued until the rings were exchanged.

  Hudson's ring was a simple narrow silver band, but inside the word Lobito was engraved in scripted letters. It filled Hudson's heart with joy, and judging by the tear that rolled down Seb's cheek, Hudson would hazard a guess his mate was pleased with the engraved inscription in his own ring. No matter what happened, those two words would never change.

  Always yours.

  Father McByrne pronounced them married, and everyone cheered as Seb grabbed Hudson and dipped him. Hudson laughed, holding on tight as Seb kissed him. The sweet, tender kiss soon gave way to a heated one, and their family and friends whooped.

  Seb chuckled and lifted Hudson back. He kissed Hudson's cheek before murmuring
in his ear, "Always yours, Lobito."

  "Always," Hudson replied, turning his face to kiss Seb again. He smiled up at Seb and placed a hand to his cheek. "Forever isn't long enough, darling."

  Seb took Hudson's hand and placed it to his lips for a kiss. "Guess we'll just have to make the most of every moment."

  They were rushed by their friends and family, hugs and kisses all around, before the music picked up, and the roof was transformed into a dance floor before Hudson had a chance to blink. Lou was certainly a force to be reckoned with. Everyone talked and laughed, teased, and ate good food. Hudson and Seb cut the cake, and unsurprisingly Dex ended up with a face full of frosting thanks to Ash. Seb's deep rumble of a laugh was the sweetest sound Hudson had ever heard. He realized he'd never been happier than he was at that moment.

  They stuffed themselves full of delicious cake. Lou's catering was exquisite. It was extraordinary how quickly the man was able to pull all this together. Hudson tried his hardest not to laugh when Dex said he wanted a donut wedding cake. He was rather certain Dex was joking, but the look on poor Lou's face said Lou didn't think so.

  "I would sooner walk into a bear Therian sex club naked and covered in honey than allow that monstrosity near a wedding."

  Dex blinked at him. "First, I had no idea you were so kinky. Second, I'm the groom. It's my wedding. You're supposed to give me what I want."

  Lou arched an eyebrow at him. "If you were any other client, yes. As it's you, the answer is a resounding no."

  They all laughed, and Dex flipped them off before he was distracted by more food.

  "Congratulations, both of you." Maddock gave each of them a fierce hug. "It's time for me to head off and leave the festivities to the youngsters."

  "Thank you for coming." Hudson beamed at him before turning to Darla, Julia, and Thomas, who were also getting ready to go. This was more activity than Thomas was used to, and Hudson understood. The fact he'd been here for the ceremony was more than Hudson could have hoped for. Thomas was astounding.

  "You call me if you need anything," Hudson told them, and they promised they would. Julia gave a sniff, and Hudson brought her into his embrace, letting his cheek rest against her head.