“I can’t do all the exams I’d like to do here. You’ll have to come to the hospital with me.”
Heath sighed. “Is it necessary?”
“Yes. I need to know what happened to you. I’m going to touch you now, all right?”
Jayden snapped his head up only to realize Jared was talking about Heath’s head, not the rest of his body. Of course not. Jared was happily mated, and even if he wasn’t, he’d never hit on another man’s mate.
Jared gently probed Heath’s head and Heath winced. “That hurt.”
“That’s because you were hurt here.” Jared moved Heath’s hair out of the way, and Jayden didn’t even pretend to read anymore. “You hit your head, or someone hit it, I can’t be sure. It’s mostly healed by now, but I can still see the signs. Does it hurt a lot?”
“Not really. It’s more... tender, I guess.”
“You were hurt about three or four weeks ago, I think. It healed nicely.”
“Is that why I can’t remember anything?”
Jared sighed and took his gloves off, then threw them away. “I think so. It looks like retrograde amnesia. It happens with a series of illnesses, or even only shock, but with your injury...”
“What can I do to get better?”
Jared grimaced and Jayden put his book away. From the doc’s face, he didn’t have good news.
“It’s not as easy as you think. When you were hit, your brain moved in your skull and the tissues got damaged. Even now that you’re mostly healed, you don’t have your memories. It’s not something I can cure.”
Heath’s eyes were wild. “What about finding out who I am? Maybe if I saw things I knew from before, or people—”
“It doesn’t work like that, Heath. You’re talking about the reminder effect. I know what it is, but it can’t make you remember. I’m afraid that your only possibility is to wait and hope for a spontaneous recovery.”
Heath looked so distraught that Jayden couldn’t keep his distance anymore. He got up from his chair and walked to Heath’s side, grabbing his hand and holding it tightly. Heath gave him a tiny smile in answer, telling Jayden he’d done the right thing.
“What if I never remember?”
“We’ll ask Isaiah to look for your family. And the fact that you remembered your name might mean you’ll remember at least some things.”
“What about what caused his injury?” Jayden asked.
Jared shook his head. “Usually, even when patients do get their memories back, the accident stays blurry. He could remember some details, but probably not everything.”
Jayden looked at the clock on the infirmary wall and grimaced. “Are you done? Dominic asked us to go see him at three, and it’s already three fifteen.”
“I’m done for now, but I want Heath to do more tests. Just come by when you can and I’ll have Noem shimmer us to the hospital.”
Jayden gently pulled Heath from the bed and into the hallway. He looked dazed, and Jayden’s heart hurt for him. Jayden didn’t know what he’d do in Heath’s place. He didn’t have overly happy memories of his own childhood or his family, but everything from the time he’d arrived in Whitedell... that, he wanted to remember.
Dominic’s office was just next door and Jayden knocked on the door. He opened it when Dominic answered and immediately started talking. “I’m sorry. I know we’re late. But we were with Jared, and I didn’t want to interrupt him while he was examining Heath. I know I should have called, or come and knocked, but I didn’t want to leave him alone and I left my phone in my room.”
Dominic raised a hand, interrupting Jayden’s word-vomit. “It’s fine. Just sit, please.”
Jayden pulled Heath along to the chairs. Dominic linked his fingers together on top of his desk and watched them, and Jayden felt like a naughty kid in front of the principal. He briefly wondered what kind of punishment Dominic would give if they really were principal and student before deciding that the thought looked too much like an erotic fantasy and filling it away for future examination. Not that he usually fantasized about Dominic. Okay, maybe he did, but now he’d found his mate, so he didn’t need to do it anymore. Probably. Hopefully.
“I’m Dominic Nash, the pride’s alpha.”
“Heath. I don’t know my full name, though.”
“It’s fine. What did Jared say about your memory loss?”
“That he can’t do anything. I just have to wait and hope I’ll remember.”
Dominic frowned. “I’m sorry.”
Heath shook his head and hid his face in his hands. “I know.”
“And you don’t remember anything but your name?”
“No. Just... flashes, smells, things like that. Nothing concrete.”
Dominic nodded. “You can stay here for as long as you want and need to, of course.” His gaze slid to Jayden before going back to Heath. “We can give you a room, if you want one, and money to help you buy what you need. We can even find you a job.”
Heath chuckled darkly. “A job? I don’t even know what I can do. Did I go to college? What did I graduate in? What did I do before hitting my head?”
“I can’t even imagine what you’re going through, but I and every pride member will do anything we can. You can take as much time as you need. Money isn’t a problem.”
Heath took a deep breath and let his hands fall from his face. “Thank you. Do you think there’s any way to find out who I am?”
“I already asked Isaiah to look through the requests for help that were made to the council. We have several for disappearances, so hopefully your family is looking for you.”
“Isaiah?”
“He’s our computer guy. His office is in this hallway if you ever need him, right next door.”
“Sure, okay.” Heath looked bewildered and Jayden wanted to take him away and back to their room. Not that it was their room yet, but he could hope.
“So, will you need a room of your own while we wait?”
Heath looked at Jayden as if looking for an answer, and Jayden blurted out, “He can stay with me. If he wants. If he doesn’t, then I’m sure Keenan can find him a room. Oh God, Keenan. I still have to tell him I found my mate. That is, if you’re okay with me telling my friends. We can keep it a secret if you’d rather not, or course.”
“Jayden,” Dominic said wearily. Heath only smiled and nodded.
“I’d like to stay with Jayden, then.”
“Will you need a bigger room?”
“I... not yet.” Heath looked at Jayden again. “Not that I don’t think whatever there is between us won’t be permanent, but I don’t know if I have a home. Maybe we’ll decide to move there, or maybe not, but I think it might be too early to move.”
Jayden’s chest hurt at the thought of leaving his pride, his family, but he just nodded and looked down. “Sure.”
“All right. Jayden, go to Keenan. He’ll give you whatever money you need for Heath. You can borrow one of the pride’s cars and go shopping.”
“What about my job?” Jayden asked.
“Your reading can wait a day, or even two. Why don’t you take these next five days until Christmas to be with your mate?”
Jayden squirmed in his chair. “I can still go to the library, right?”
Dominic chuckled. “Of course you can, but I’d like to think you’ll have better things to do.”
Jayden blushed and looked at Heath, who looked marginally better. “Okay.”
“Off you go, then. I have a meeting at five, and I still have to reread my notes before Shad comes by.”
Jayden nodded at the alpha and got up. He strode to the door and felt Heath follow him. He wasn’t exactly looking forward going to seeing Keenan, if anything because he knew his friend would be a little too enthusiastic at the news, and Jayden didn’t want to scare Heath away. Although, since he was still present after Jayden had talked his ears off more than once, Keenan would be a piece of cake for him.
&nbs
p; * * * *
Jayden looked nervous, and Heath tried to remember if his mate had ever told him about this Keenan they were about to talk to.
“Keenan’s your friend?” he asked.
Jayden looked at him for a few seconds. “Yes. One of my best friends, actually.”
“Why are you so nervous, then? Shouldn’t you be happy to tell him about me? Or... is it that you’d rather keep it a secret?” Dang, that thought hurt more than it should have considering they’d met only a few weeks ago and talked only the day before.
Jayden stopped walking and turned to face Heath. “No! Where did you take that from? Have I ever said anything that made you think I didn’t want people to know?”
“No, you didn’t. I’m just trying to understand, Jayden. You might have talked to me about a lot of things while I was still a bear, but I’m not stupid enough to think you spilled all your secrets.”
“I don’t have secrets.”
Heath snorted. “Everyone does. I’m sure I have some too, even if I don’t remember them.”
Jayden must have seen something on Heath’s face, because he reached out and took his hand. “We’ll find your family. I can’t promise you’ll ever remember, but I can promise we’ll do anything we can to find out what happened to you.”
Heath’s breath hitched. “I know. I never doubted that.”
“Why not?”
“Because you don’t seem like the type to leave a friend in need.”
Jayden tilted his head to the side. “Is that what I am? Your friend?”
“For now. I do hope you won’t be just a friend after we get to know each other.”
Jayden looked at Heath before nodding. “I hope so too. You’re my mate, and I want you to be with me as more than a friend.” The blush on Jayden’s cheeks was adorable.
“I want that, too.” Heath acted on instinct when he reached out with his free hand and cupped Jayden’s face. He took a step forward, bringing their bodies closer, and dipped his head to press a kiss on Jayden’s lips.
He’d expected Jayden to shy away or to keep the kiss chaste, but instead he found himself with an armful of mate. Jayden let Heath’s hand go and grabbed his shoulders, pulling him down until he was comfortable kissing back. And kissing back he did.
Jayden probed at Heath’s lips with his tongue until Heath opened up. He also pushed against Heath, until Heath finally gave in and stepped backward until his back hit the hallway wall. He slid down a bit, just enough to be level with Jayden, and Jayden wound his arms around Heath’s neck, as if he were afraid Heath would run away if he let go.
Heath was surprised at the aggressive way Jayden kissed, but he certainly didn’t mind it. He looped his arms around Jayden’s waist and pulled him closer, until their bodies were plastered together and he could feel Jayden’s hard cock poking his thigh.
Jayden buried his hands into Heath’s hair and used his hold to angle Heath’s head, deepening the kiss even more.
Then someone cleared their throat right next to them.
Jayden sprang away from Heath, leaving him feeling bereft. His mate had never looked so good—swollen lips, reddened cheeks, glinting eyes with blown pupils. Jayden was panting a bit and his eyes were huge as he looked at the man who’d interrupted them.
“Not that I didn’t enjoy the show, but there are kids around at this time of the day,” the man said.
“I know, sorry. We just got carried away, but it won’t happen again, I swear. Or at least I hope so. I guess we’ll have to keep the kissing to the bedroom, but you know how it is. When the need strikes... not that I have to act on it, of course, but I couldn’t resist this time, and—”
“Jayden, it’s fine. I never said you couldn’t kiss your...” the man’s glance slid to Heath and Heath held his hand out.
“I’m Heath, Jayden’s mate.”
The man’s eyes widened and he beamed. “Really? Wow, congrats, guys. Keenan is going to be so happy to hear that.” Jayden groaned while the man grabbed Heath’s hand and shook. “I’m Jonah, Keenan’s mate.”
Heath smiled at Jonah, but he kept glancing at Jayden, who was standing near the opposite wall like a kid caught being naughty. Heath didn’t like seeing his mate treated like that, but he was the new guy there, so he kept his mouth shut—for now. He reached for Jayden instead and pulled him close, grinning at the wide eyed glance Jayden gave him. Heath kissed the top of his head and held him close, and Jayden slid his arms around Heath’s waist after a few seconds of hesitation.
“Are you going to see Keenan?” Jonah asked.
“Yes. Heath... well, he has some problems, so we need to talk to Keenan.”
Heath was glad that Jayden didn’t talk about his memory loss, although he wasn’t fooling himself that most of the people living in the big house would soon know. Still, it was nice of Jayden to respect Heath’s right to privacy.
“I’ll let you go, then.”
Jonah left and Jayden went to stand in front of the door right next to Dominic’s. He paused and tilted his head forward. “Keenan is... well, he’s enthusiastic. He’s likely to hug you and scream in delight when I tell him you’re my mate. He’s a bit weird, but he cares for me and the rest of the pride, very much so. I know not everyone likes him and that he’s too much for some people, but he’s one of my best friends, and I love him. I don’t... I don’t want to choose between the two of you.”
Heath took Jayden’s hand and gently guided him until they faced each other. “Who said you’d have to choose?”
Jayden shrugged. “No one, but I wanted you to know, that’s all.”
“I think I know better than anyone what it feels like to be alone. I don’t know anyone. I don’t even know myself right now. So I won’t ever ask you to choose between me and your friends or your family.”
Jayden looked up and nibbled on his lower lip. “But what if your family lives far away from here? You’re going to go back, and I’ll have to choose. If you even want me to go with you, of course. We haven’t talked about it, I know, but you’re my mate, so it’s kind of implied that I go where you go. Unless you don’t want me to, but then you’ll have to tell me.”
Heath waited until Jayden ran out of words to lean forward and kiss him softly. “I can’t tell you my family lives close to this place, but I think we should think about that when we find out about them. It’s no use worrying over it right now, when we don’t have anything concrete.”
Jayden sighed. “I know. I just... my mind tends to grab stuff and run away with it.”
Heath kissed his mate again. “I already knew that about you. I can only promise you that I’ll talk to you about things before making a decision. If you want us to be together, then we’ll make the decisions together.”
“And you want that? For us to be together?” Jayden’s eyes were so full of hope it almost hurt to see.
Heath nodded and pulled Jayden against his body. “Yeah, I want that.”
“But what if—”
“Jayden. Uh, sorry for interrupting you, but I just think we should hold the what-ifs until we have more information. Okay?”
Jayden nodded. “Okay. And don’t worry about interrupting me. Everyone does.”
Heath moved away and cupped his mate’s cheek. “Well, I don’t like doing it, and I’ll try to keep it at a minimum.”
“Thank you.”
“Ready to go now?”
“I think so.”
The door swung open before Jayden could knock. Heath barely had the time to see the man who opened it before he swiped Jayden in a bear hug. “I’m so happy for you.”
Heath almost didn’t hear the words. He kept an eye on the two embracing men, but Jayden didn’t look in distress, so he just waited for them to hug it out. When they finally did, he got his first good eyeful of what had to be Keenan.
He’d almost expected Keenan to be bouncing around, but the man was surprisingly calm when he held his hand out
to Heath. “I’m Keenan Ellis, nice to meet you.”
“Umm, Heath. Nice to meet you too.”
“Come in, you two. I’ll take good care of you, I promise.” The grin on Keenan’s face was almost enough to scare Heath.
* * * *
Jayden slumped on the couch in Keenan’s office and Heath followed him. Keenan sat crossed-legged on the coffee table in front of them, ignoring the noises the wood made when he did. He noticed Heath glancing at Keenan, but he didn’t say anything.
“So, am I scaring you?”
Heath startled and Jayden bit his lower lip in an effort not to laugh.
“Sorry?”
Keenan waved at both of them. “You’re not as stealthy as you think you are. And the walls have ears in this house.”
“Yeah, yours,” Jayden answered. “Especially when you place bugs around.”
“I can’t believe you’re bringing this up again! It was the one time, but no one’s letting me forget about it. First you make me sound like I’m a monster, then you’re afraid your mate won’t like me?”
Jayden grinned. He knew Keenan wasn’t serious, but Heath’s glance bounced between the two of them. “Not a monster, no, but a snoop and a smartass, yes.”
Keenan huffed. “I swear I can’t believe you. Usually it takes a chocolate chip cookie to shut you up, but your mate pops up and I have to work especially hard to get you to talk. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Cookie?” Heath asked, and Jayden was happy with the interruption.
Keenan grinned. “Yup. The chocolate chip ones. Although I’m betting you have better ways to shut him up, huh?”
Jayden blushed and reached over to slap Keenan’s knee. “Can we get to the point, please?”
“Hey, he needs my help to learn how to deal with you.”
Heath snuck an arm around Jayden’s waist and pulled him closer, making Jayden blush again. “I think I’ll be fine on my own, thank you. After all, it’s not like I have anything better to do than getting to know Jayden and finding out how to deal with him.”
Keenan leaned forward with interest obvious in his eyes. “Ooooh, I sense a secret there. Want to tell Uncle Keenan what happened?”
Jayden Page 3
