Lessons Learned

by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

  Jude pulled up to the coffee shop and parked next to Nicholas’ huge black diesel truck. He smiled at the monster as he made his way inside. Talk stopped abruptly as he found his brothers.

  “Okay, don’t do that.” Jude sat down, hip-bumping Kellan over. “What were you talking about?”

  Scott sipped his coffee with a smile. “Hayden.”

  Jude rolled his eyes.

  “Oh come on, Jude!” Kellan laughed. “Please don’t sit there and try to convince us you don’t find him seriously hot! Even Caden thinks Hayden is smokin’.”

  Nicholas sat back and draped his arm over the high-backed chair.

  “Seems you may have lost your chance with him anyway,” he suggested casually.

  Jude’s head snapped up. “What?”

  Scott nodded. “Oh yeah, I guess Ross and Hayden decided to make a go of it.” He watched Jude’s features closely. The disappointment was etched clearly across his face and Scott winked at Kellan. They all knew what they were doing to their brother was seriously mean, but Jude needed a wake-up call.

  “When?” Jude asked softly.

  “Couple weeks now I guess?” Kellan nodded to Scott.

  “How did you guys know?” Jude looked at his brothers. All of them were mated and happy.

  “How did we know what?” Nicholas replied.

  “That your guys were the ones for you? I mean look at you, Scott; you were slammed with the bond and fought it. How do you know the one the fates pick is the right one?”

  “You don’t, but you hope,” Kellan answered. “The minute I set eyes on Caden, I wanted to strangle him. He pursued me, though, and then I got to know him better. Now I can’t see my life without him.”

  “I want that someday,” Jude sighed. “So, did the mate bond hit Hayden then?”

  “No, I think they are just together because it hasn’t hit either of them. They’ve known each other a long time, too,” Scott offered.

  Nicholas coughed and cocked an eyebrow at Scott. He glanced at Jude. “So, Siberia, huh?”

  Jude nodded. “Yeah. I think it will be cool to get out of work for a while. I really want to practice my new fighting skills.”

  “Well, after what Nikolai put you through, I’d want to try them out, too,” Nicholas chuckled.

  Jude grinned. “I did get in some of my own ass kicking. For a human, he’s fucking scary.”

  They all nodded in agreement and Jude laughed.

  After talking about work, their husbands and life in general, the foursome parted ways in the parking lot. Jude smiled over at Scott as they both unlocked their vehicles.

  “So, I’ll see you when I see you?” Jude hugged Scott.

  “You will.” Scott pulled out of the hug and held Jude at arm’s length. “Do me a favor, okay? Don’t close your eyes or your heart. I know the one who’s meant for you is right around the corner.”

  “I’ll try.”

  Jude sat in his car as his brothers all pulled out of the parking lot. He needed to get out of town. Hell, what he needed was to get out of his own mind for a bit. Jude sighed and started his truck.

  “What I need is a good lay.”

  ~*~

  Jude packed up his duffle bag and waited out front for the van that would take him to Caden’s airstrip. The day had finally come, and now he and the team were going to Siberia. It was his second time going out on a mission since he’d started training and he couldn’t wait to show the guys what he’d learned.

  He’d found out recently that his father had asked James to keep him out of the fights. That hadn’t gone over well.

  Jude sighed and shielded his eyes from the sun. He was going to be thirty soon and his father still treated him as if he were twelve. It was infuriating, as well as annoying. It wasn’t like he was delicate. So he was shorter than the other guys; and maybe he wasn’t huge, but he was agile and quick.

  He spotted the van coming around the corner and smiled. He was finally getting to do something.

  The van pulled to a stop and Jude slid open the door. Nikolai sat in the driver’s seat smiling at him.

  “Morning, Nik.” Jude slid in and put his seatbelt on.

  “Isn’t that kinda unnecessary?” Nikolai motioned to the seatbelt. “I mean, you guys don’t die, right? Unless you get shot in the heart?”

  “Or lose our head,” Jude grinned.

  Nikolai’s brows furrowed. “I thought it was only a shot to the heart?”

  “I’m not going to be getting much done without a head, am I? We don’t divulge everything, you know? We do have weaknesses.”

  Nikolai smirked and turned around. “So anyway, everybody else was busy, so I’m taking you out there and then I have to get back to school.”

  “Oh yeah. How’s that going?”

  “It’s great! I go between missions, and Colin gets my assignments and stuff when I’m away so I’m never behind.” Nikolai shifted in the seat. “So, you’re the only one on this flight; everyone’s already out there.”

  Jude started in the seat. “What? Why? Did my dad have anything to do with this?”

  “No. I mean I was at the meeting your dad had. If it wasn’t for Hayden and that Jackson guy — you know the alpha of the Cali pack? — you wouldn’t go anywhere, ever.”

  Jude narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean Hayden was there?”

  “Um, he’s the beta in your dad’s pack. Of course he was there.”

  Jude balled his fists. “I don’t need Hayden’s help!”

  “Well, he got it done.” Nikolai looked over his shoulder at Jude. “Your dad seemed a bit flustered in Jackson’s presence.”

  Jude’s anger deflated and he grinned. “I think he’s got a thing for Jackson.”

  “I thought he was straight? I mean, isn’t he?”

  “He loved my mom.” Jude looked out the window. “He’s been alone since she died. I hope he does have feelings for Jackson, because I know Jackson feels something for him.”

  “Oh yeah he does,” Nikolai cracked up. “The way he was looking at your dad; man, it was so obvious.”

  “Yeah?” Jude smiled. He hoped his dad did have feelings for the other alpha. Maybe he’d lay off of him for a while.

  “Your dad loves you, Jude. You’re all he has left of your mom. I saw a picture of her, by the way. You look just like her. Well, except for the hair.”

  “So I’ve been told.”

  “Those eyes.” Nikolai looked in the rear view mirror at Jude. “I mean, I’ve never seen eyes that color.” He looked forward again. “We’re here.”

  Jude looked at the jet waiting on standby. Sabine waved from the stairs.

  “Uh oh,” Nikolai laughed.

  Jude grinned. “I’m not worried. One, I’m gay, and two, she’s with Stuart. Kind of.”

  “Good luck anyway. You’ll forgive me if I don’t get out?”

  Jude cracked up. “Yeah, thanks, Nik.”

  Jude made his way to the jet and took the steps. Sabine smiled wide at him.

  “Allo, Jude. How are you?”

  “Ready to rumble.” Jude sat in the front and reclined the chair. It was going to be a long ride.

  ~*~

  The plane landed on Wayne’s airstrip in Siberia and a car was waiting for him. Well, a Land Rover was waiting for him. Jude opened the door; the keys were in the ignition, and there was a map. He slid into the car and turned the GPS on. The ride wouldn’t take too long, according to the map and the annoying GPS on the dash.

  Jude surveyed the land as he drove. This part of Siberia was desolate, not much by the way of towns at all.

  He passed a chateau and smiled. It was the house Nikolai and Colin had stayed in when Nik was protecting Colin from Carmine Rizzo.

  Jude snickered.

  Protecting Colin — that was a joke. Colin Greystone was pretty damn lethal for a human. The house had taken a beating when Rizzo sent his goons for Colin. Thankfully, the RPG round missed the house, but it still caused some damage.

&nbs
p; The enclosure gate came into view soon and Jude parked the Land Rover off to the side, next to a military Hummer. He bundled his jacket around him as he slipped from the car. Even in September, Russia was cold. The highs were mid-forties. He looked up at the massive gate and sighed.

  “Well, lookie here.”

  Jude was startled by the voice and looked over his shoulder. A smirking Carson Drake stood on the other side of the fence. Jude sighed. Carson Drake was a werewolf, and father to Jagger and Taylor Drake. The man was an asshole and had been put in the enclosure for safekeeping after he wreaked havoc on many lives and even attempted to kill Caden Fournier.

  “Hello, Carson.” Jude walked to the gate and punched in the code.

  “Wayne must be low on security.” Carson eyed Jude. “Aren’t you a little short?”

  “Back off, Drake.”

  Jude jumped at the new voice. A voice he knew very well. He spun around. Hayden was standing right behind him.

  “Hayden?” Jude’s jaw dropped.

  Carson chuckled. “Seems little Jude didn’t know you guys were working together.”

  “Fuck off, Drake!” Jude hissed.

  “Don’t make me hurt you, Drake,” Hayden warned.

  Jude felt his anger boiling. Not only was he stuck in Siberia, but he was stuck with Hayden?

  “Where is everyone else?” Jude asked.

  “We’re it.” Hayden crossed his arms.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Try not to get hurt in the big, bad wilderness, Jude,” Carson sang out.

  “Shut the fuck up!” Hayden pointed at Carson. “You haven’t changed a damn bit!”

  “I can take care of myself, Hayden!” Jude pushed Hayden in the chest. Too bad it didn’t do shit. “What is going on here?”

  “I asked for you,” Hayden said, running a hand through his hair.

  “What?!”

  “Look, your dad didn’t want you going at all, okay? I had to say I’d go with.”

  “Son of a bitch!” Jude shouted. He paced back and forth. This was just great! So much for thinking his dad actually thought he could take care of himself! Jude almost snorted. He should have known. Hayden just stood there, shifting from one foot to the other and clasping his hands.

  “If I throw a stick will you go away?” Jude cocked an eyebrow.

  Hayden frowned. “I can play this shit just as well as you, probably even better, so let’s play nice, okay?”

  “Did I hurt your feelings? Should I find you a tampon, too?”

  “All I heard just now was blah, blah, blah, I’m a dick,” Hayden sighed. “We need to get along out here, Jude. So suck it up and try to act like an adult.”

  He pulled Jude by his bicep out of Carson’s earshot — or he hoped he did, anyway. Jude yanked his arm back and stood in front of him, hands on his hips, lips pursed. God, he looked absolutely adorable. Hayden shook his head clear.

  “Look, I asked for you because I think we need to talk.”

  “About what?” Jude tilted his head.

  Hayden sighed in exasperation. “Do I really have to spell it out for you?”

  “I think you do. I don’t know why you asked for me. It’s obvious you and Ross are together.” Jude looked away as he said it. He knew his face was heating from embarrassment.

  “W — what?” Hayden spluttered.

  “Oh yeah, I was there at the club when you poured your heart out to him in a song. It was just so precious. I’m surprised the glasses didn’t break, however. You need more practice.”

  Jude regretted the words as soon as they left his lips.

  Hayden looked devastated.

  Jude opened his mouth to take it back, but Hayden shifted and ran off. Jude sighed and heard clapping behind him. He turned to see Carson smirking.

  “Wow, and I thought I was an asshole. Looks like the shoe’s on the other foot — you’ve become the bully,” Carson pointed out smugly.

  “You are an asshole, Carson.” Jude stalked over to the man. “How do you know anything?”

  “I’m here all the time. I’ve had years to think about what I’ve done and who I’ve become. Nothing but time out here, actually.” Carson looked at the sky. “It’s going to get dark soon and you’ll need shelter.”

  He looked back at Jude. “Ross, Noah and Hayden have been out here before; I’ve been around at their campfires so I know that Hayden Cox has a thing for you, Jude. Not Ross.”

  Jude stepped back in shock. “What?”

  “God, are you really that clueless? The guy has been bending over backwards to try and make things up to you and what do you do? You pick on him, belittle him. As I said, you’ve become the bully. Didn’t you throw him into some cake?”

  “He tried to kiss me!” Jude snapped.

  Carson tilted his head. “Duh.”

  Jude’s eyes widened.

  “Oh! There it is!” Carson clapped.

  Jude rubbed his face with his hands. Hayden had feelings for him? Carson was a known liar; what if he was just yanking his chain? Carson’s voice broke through his reverie.

  “You need to get to the shelter up to the north. The bad comes out at night.” Carson turned on his heel and looked over his shoulder. “Hayden will have gone there.”

  “The bad?”

  “Walter. He’s all rogue, Jude.”

  Carson shifted and ran off into the woods. Jude took in his surroundings, and then started walking north. A path became visible a good mile in and he followed it. The smell of a campfire took him right to the mouth of a cave and Jude looked around inside.

  No sign of Hayden.

  He dropped his pack and surveyed the cave. It was warm and dry, and make-shift beds had been set up. Jude stepped out of the cave and looked around. It sat up on the side of a mountain and the drop-off was a good fifty feet. Hayden was nowhere to be seen. Jude walked back into the cave and sat on one of the beds. He took in his accommodations.

  “Well, this is going to be fun.”

  ~*Chapter Five*~

  The smell of bacon woke him from a sound sleep and Jude opened his eyes slowly. Shadows on the cave walls told him the sun was up. He slipped out of bed and yanked his sweats on. Even though the sun was out, it was chilly. Hayden was sitting by the campfire, flipping bacon in a pan.

  Jude leaned against the mouth of the cave and took in Hayden’s impressive size. He’d always been a big boy, but now, as a werewolf and a man, he was huge.

  Jude coughed quietly and Hayden didn’t even flinch.

  “Morning.” Jude took a seat at the fire pit.

  “Morning,” Hayden grumbled. He’d waited until Jude had fallen asleep before coming back to the cave. Then he’d been up half the night guarding Jude in case Walter came around.

  “Look, about yesterday — ”

  “Don’t worry about it.” Hayden stood up and cocked his head to the side at the sun. “We have a lot of ground to cover so let’s get a move on.”

  Jude’s shoulders slumped and he sighed. “Fine.”

  After shoving down food faster than he ever had, Jude packed his bag and stood in the cave as Hayden undressed. They were going to cover the miles in wolf form, which meant getting naked to shift. Jude’s eyes widened as Hayden’s boxers came down. Well holy big dick and balls, Batman! Hayden was packing some serious length and girth between those thighs! Jude licked his lips.

  “Hello?” Hayden narrowed his eyes. “Do you plan on ruining your clothes or are you going to undress, too?”

  Jude thought about his own prick in comparison. It wasn’t small by any means, but next to Hayden’s? Jude turned around and removed his sweatpants.

  “Seriously?” Hayden sighed in frustration. “I’m not going to look.”

  “That’s what they all say.” Jude glanced over at Hayden.

  “Whatever.” Hayden shifted and then grabbed his pack between his canines.

  He padded over to Jude and huffed. Jude swatted at his muzzle and folded his clothes. Hayden almost smiled in wolf f
orm. Jude had one nice, tight ass.

  As soon as Jude shifted, they ran south towards Boguchany — the only area they hadn’t explored too much. The Reka Angara was a body of water that straddled the Siberian enclosure. James had sent a drone out to cover miles of the forest; the only life signs that had been picked up were the ones they were already aware of. Jude stayed close to him as they ran, his thoughts off.

  Hayden was glad for it, because right now, he had nothing to say. Jude’s comment had hurt him and he wasn’t ready to discuss it further.

  After hours of covering the terrain, Hayden spotted an area where they could hole up for the night. The sun was setting and the temperatures were dropping.

  The small cave could barely accommodate them both, but it would do. Hayden set his pack down inside the small cave and took the spot in the corner. Jude padded in after him and set his own pack down. He seemed to eye the cave, and then their eyes met. Jude’s narrowed and Hayden sighed, closing his eyes. He didn’t have the energy to deal with Jude right now. He’d take a quick nap, and then make food.

  A soft huff blew across his nose and he opened one eye to see Jude looking down on him. He inched his ass back against the cave wall, making room for Jude. Jude seemed to eye him before lying down next to him and snuggling in. After that, sleep came quickly.

  Hayden awoke with a start at the sound of small feet outside the cave. He inched his way out and poked his head out. A rabbit froze in its tracks. Hayden tilted his head and sent the mental message: the rabbit was safe. It wouldn’t even feed one of them properly. Hayden went back in the cave and shifted. After getting dressed, he started a fire and took their meals out of his bag. Once they ran out of food, they could either hunt or have James send them supplies.

  Hayden stoked the fire and sat back, looking at the stars.

  “Hey.” Jude sat down and rubbed his hands together.

  “Hungry?” Hayden handed over the bowl of food he had filled.

  Jude took a taste and licked his lips. “Not bad. What is it?”

  “Beef stew.” Hayden handed the package over to Jude.

  “Self-heating?” Jude turned the package over. “MRE, huh?”

  “Yeah, Meals Ready to Eat. The joke was MRE stands for Meals Rarely Eaten. They aren’t that bad, but I have to eat four just to feel full.”