by Maggie Walsh
“As if. Anywho, we’ve had trucks arriving for days and I had everything you marked as shop put into the garage, and anything marked personal put in Jag’s suite. Whenever you’re ready to get to work putting your workshop together, I have twenty volunteers champing at the bit to help. They’re all curious to see your wares,” Blu said, and wiggled his eyebrows.
“That’s great, thank you. Caleb said you were just like Marlo and he wasn’t kidding. I appreciate all your help, Blu. I’ll have to let all those looky-loos know that I take on testers for my toys and pay them for their opinions,” Bo replied.
Blu’s eyes lit up as he smiled wide again. “Ooh, I know a few of the more sexually challenged around here that could use a few good toys as well as some extra cash. I’ll send them your way.
In the meantime, TJ said dinner will be in two hours, but he has a tray of cheese, crackers, and sliced fruit in the fridge if you two are hungry from your long drive. He also said it would keep if you had other, more pressing matters to attend to first,” Blu said, giving them a knowing smile.
He and Jag both laughed as Jag replied, “Keep your mind out of the gutter, Blu. Thank TJ for us, but I do think I want to take my mate to show him our suite, and maybe lie down for a while. It’s been a busy few days and I’m sure Bo’s as exhausted as I am.”
Bo groaned as he leaned into Jag’s chest. “Gods, yes. Everything's been going like we’re on crack and kickstart. Then, to just sit back and do nothing on that drive and I feel like I can sleep for a week. I would kill for a shower right now, then a nice soft mattress.”
“Why don’t you two go take care of yourselves and we’ll call you for dinner,” Ridge offered.
“Sound great, man, thanks. Come on, babe, and I’ll show you one of the best showers in all the world,” Jag said, and took his hand then led Bo down a long hallway and pointed out rooms as they passed the doors. Bo knew he would have to be given another tour to remember all of that, because he really was just too tired right now. As much as he wanted to get naked and fuck his mate, Bo needed some sleep first, then that shower, then some food. After that he would be ready for whatever his mate wanted to put him through.
Jag stopped in front of a door and turned to him, then kissed him lightly on the lips. “I know we haven’t had alone time in a few days, and I promise I’ll make it up to you, but first, I think I need to take care of my mate in another way, like a shower, a nice nap, and some food.”
Bo pulled back and gave him a suspicious look. “Can you read minds, because I was just thinking that same thing?”
Jag chuckled, then kissed him again. “No, I just know how I’m feeling right now, and I can see how tired you are. So, what will it be nap or shower first?”
“I think nap, then I can use the shower to wake me up,” Bo replied.
“Okay then, nap it is,” Jag said, and took his hand again as he opened the door with the other. Bo froze as he stepped into the room when his gaze fell on the twink lying naked and spread wide in the center of his mate’s bed.
CHAPTER 10
Jag was shocked beyond words when he stepped into his room to find Erno spread-eagled on his bed in all his naked glory wearing only a smile. His wolf reared up inside him and began to growl violently, wanting to come out and rip apart the threat to his mate. Not that Erno was a physical threat to Bo, but emotionally, Jag and his wolf didn’t know how Bo would take this sight.
Erno smiled at him, his eyes filled with desire as he slowly sat up, moving like a cat. The little shit stuck a finger in his mouth and gave it a suck as he batted his eyelashes, then said, “Welcome home, Sir. I knew you would be in need of me upon your return, so I got myself all ready for you. You can send the tramp away now, I’m here to make all your fantasies come true and I’ll take very good care of you.”
It was as if someone had covered his bedroom floor with quick drying cement and his feet were trapped. The bigger problem was that it seemed to be working on his mouth too, because for the life of him Jag couldn’t form any words. The anger that was boiling up inside him was so great, he was afraid for Erno’s life. He stood frozen watching in horror as Bo dropped his hand and stepped further into the room.
Bo walked to the foot of the bed, not saying a word, just kept staring at the man. Erno crossed his arms over his chest and pouted, his gaze shifting between Jag and Bo. Then the little shit sneered at Bo with eyes full of hatred and spat, “You can’t do anything for him. You’re not even his type.
Why don’t you run along and bend over for someone else, because my Sir is just that, mine and I don’t share.”
“Stop being an easy lay and put some clothes on. Have more respect for yourself,” Bo said calmly and quietly, but Jag could hear that his mate was trying to control himself.
“Fuck you, bitch. You stroll in here with my Sir and try to tell me what to do? I don't think so.
Go now before I scratch your eyes out,” Erno screeched, and Jag’s wolf finally made himself known.
A deep deadly growl rose up from within as Jag felt his eyes shift to his wolf and his claws sprang from his fingers. Jag now saw red and was doing everything he could to keep his wolf back.
Bo spun around to face him just as Jag heard feet run up behind him, and Ridge, Caleb, and Blu all cursed. Next thing he knew Bo walked away from the bed and straight past him and out the door. Still, Jag couldn’t move, afraid that if he did his room would soon be coated in blood and Erno would be left in pieces.
Blu stormed past him cursing and shouting, “Oh, hell no. Get the fuck out of that bed, you little trollop. I swear to the gods they need to be smacked for not giving you a damn brain.” Blu stamped across the room where a robe was lying on the chair and snatched it up, then he headed straight for the bed and grabbed a hold of Erno’s hair and dragged the man off the bed and to his feet as Erno screamed and fought.
Without releasing his hold on Erno’s hair, Blu spun the little man to face him, then Blu’s face twisted with rage, his eyes began to glow and his claws grew. He brought up a hand and wrapped it around Erno’s throat as he sneered vehemently in Erno’s face. “Who the hell let you in here?”
“Take your hands off me, you fucking bitch!” Erno screamed. “Alpha, help me.”
“Alpha Heart won’t and can’t help you now, you fucking pig. You’ve just broken our most sacred law against true mates, you stupid asshole. How dare you come in here like this when our beta has returned with his true mate. And don’t try to tell me you didn’t know, because I know you were there when I was telling Keir and Lasse. You did this on purpose. Now tell me who let your dumb ass in here before I rip your throat out?”
“He can’t have a true mate, he’s mine,” Erno whined, as tears ran down his cheeks.
“Oh, gods damn, you are too stupid for words,” Blu huffed in exasperation, then picked up the robe he had dropped and pressed it to Erno’s chest at the same time he tightened his hold on the little wolf's hair, causing Erno to whimper and flinch, then Blu dragged him from the room.
Jag’s breath was coming in hard pants and his teeth hurt from clenching his jaw so tight. Even though Erno was now out of his sight, the rage wasn’t going away. His body was ramrod straight and strung tight, and he was afraid one move and he would lose control and go ballistic, which would endanger pretty much everyone who crossed his path. Jag couldn’t remember ever feeling so much anger in his life.
Ridge stepped in front of him and Jag could see his best friend was being cautious, but was also ready to jump in and stop him if need be. “You need to try to control the beast, Jag. Take deep breaths and fight him back.” Jag couldn’t reply. He could only stand there barely holding onto his shit.
“Caleb, you need to get out right now, love. Go to the kitchen and get TJ, but I don’t want you to come back, okay?”
Jag heard shuffling behind him and knew Caleb had gone to do as his mate asked. A moment later he heard the heavy footfalls of TJ coming into the room. “Alpha?”
; “His wolf has control right now and Jag can’t pull it back. We need to block the exits before he shifts and his wolf gets out and someone gets hurt. His true mate was threatened and the wolf won’t be satisfied until he tastes blood,” Ridge explained in a calm voice.
“Fucking hell. Was that why my little brother was dragging that little shit Erno out of here? I hope Blu kicks his ass,” TJ said as he closed the door behind him, and Jag heard the lock engage.
Yeah, like that was going to stop his beast.
Jag could feel the fur start to sprout from his arms and legs as his bones began to crack and reform. He was losing the battle with his wolf and Jag was terrified for the first time in his life.
He had never felt this out of control before.
“Son of a bitch! Grab him!” Ridge yelled, and in the next moment a huge ass wolf stood before him and jumped on top of him bringing Jag to the floor. At the same time as Ridge hit him, another wolf grabbed him from behind and they all dropped together. He lay between the two hulking forms growling and snarling, snapping at anything that got close to his jaws.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Bo had absolutely no idea where he was going. All he knew was he needed to get out. He ran blindly through one hall after another. He wasn’t angry at Jag for the twink being in his bed, or even for not saying, or doing anything. Bo knew that Jag had no idea the little man would be there, and he also knew that the sight of the guy was just as big of a shock to Jag as it was to him, probably more so.
He wasn’t stupid enough to think that Jag had never had a lover before they met, or many for that matter. Jag was in his fifties, which in their world meant nothing in the whole age division thing.
Hell, Bo was half Jag’s age, and probably had just as many lovers and hookups as Jag had with countless other men in his life. It was who he was as a delta and Jag knew it. Bo didn’t give a damn if Jag had fucked Erno right before Jag came to the York pack a week ago. That was before they realized they were mates and claimed each other. What or who was in their past were just that, their past.
In all honesty, Bo had felt horrified for his mate when they stepped into that room. Bo had felt the shock and stress coming from Jag as well as the pure rage that was building inside him. Bo had learned over the past week that it had something to do with true mates. They were aware of what the other was feeling, and Jag had been beyond pissed and a bit mortified. He could feel the panic inside his mate as well, and knew Jag was probably thinking about him and what Bo was thinking. Neither of them had said the words yet, but Bo knew Jag loved him and would never look at another for the rest of their lives, just like he loved Jag and no other man would ever gain his attention.
He had been very prepared to handle the situation and calmly get the little shit out of his mate’s bed, then insist they drag the bed outside and burn the damn thing, because there was no fucking way he was ever lying in it, but when the others arrived, Bo was suddenly filled with pain and shame. A feeling he was not used to and had no idea how to process, or handle.
Having the others come in and witness the scene was humiliating, and Bo couldn't stay there. He and Jag had been having a wonderful day. He had been all excited about getting to his new pack and meeting all the people, like Blu who Jag had told him about on the drive there. He wanted to look around his new home and where they would set up his workshop, then hopefully spend the night making love to his man, but the little fuck had taken all of that away from him, and tarnished his entrance to the pack.
What would his new pack mates say when they found out what happened? And Bo knew everyone would hear about it by morning. It was a pack thing, everyone was in everyone else's business and the rumor mill ran at top speed when something happened. Would this indiscretion be a black mark on Jag’s standing and good name in the pack? Would it stop this pack from accepting him as one of them now, or as Jag’s true mate? Would the punishment for something they had no idea about, or control over be too great a price to pay? Would things get so bad that Ridge would have no other choice but to send them away, banish them, or ask Dell to take them in? Then would the story pass on to his birth pack, and how would it affect his standing with them?
Crap, there were too many questions and he had no answers. Bo couldn’t handle the drama. It was one of the major reasons why he was happy to be born a delta, because it was known by all that his kind like to fuck. They were a promiscuous breed and jumped from lover to lover and no one batted an eye. It just was. And the lovers left behind in their wake knew the score before anyone touched anyone else’s willies. There was no declaration of love or expectations for commitment and a future. No obsession or stalking. They met, they agreed to fuck, did what they wanted to one another’s bodies, then walked away, both satisfied and happy. But, this relationship and love shit was just full of drama and Bo didn’t know how to deal with that.
The most drama he ever dealt with was watching Alex ponder and fret over Tug. Longingly looking at the large bartender, then turning his head and acting like he hadn’t just wiped drool from his chin when the man turned in his direction.
Bo blew out a heavy sigh as he pushed open a set of doors and stepped through. He was so lost in thought that he had no idea where he had just gone, but as he took a few steps, the scent of chlorine tickled his nose and Bo stopped. His eyes widened in wonder as his mouth dropped open and he slowly turned his head to look around. He stood in some kind of tropical rainforest, or some shit.
There was a large built-in pool with a jacuzzi, surrounded by a slate brick patio with sunchairs, tables and chairs set up around it. A large brick barbecue was built against the side of the house and there was a fireplace with a very comfortable looking living room set before it.
Further out he was amazed to see all the foliage. So many different trees, bushes, and flowers filled the area and he saw a butterfly go by. He couldn’t see it but coming from somewhere down the brick path through the trees, Bo could hear a waterfall. A bird flew past his face causing Bo to take a step back as he looked up, then his jaw dropped again when he noticed the high glass roof with a few solar panels off to one side.
“Unbelievable, isn’t it?” Caleb said from behind him, and Bo closed his eyes.
He knew his friend meant well, but Bo really didn’t want to talk to anyone right now. He just wanted to be alone with his thoughts and try to work everything out in his head.
“You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to, but I am here if you need to,” Caleb offered.
Bo nodded and grunted, letting his friend know he had heard him. “I don’t want to talk about it,” he grumbled softly.
“I get it. I was worried too when I first came here wondering if the pack would accept me. Especially seeing I was mated to the alpha and was now their alpha mate, but at the same time I was a complete stranger to them.”
“Let me guess, then they met you and everyone fell madly in love with you and it all worked out and you and Ridge are living the perfect mated couple’s life?” He replied sarcastically.
Caleb chuckled and moved to a table and chair set and took a seat. “No, actually. When I got here, it was too late to even do a tour, then the next morning Ridge and I took off to go... um...claim each other.”
Bo turned to look at Caleb and gave him a knowing smirk. “That was pretty freaky, but cool at the same time, right?”
Caleb laughed again and motioned for Bo to sit. Once he was seated across from his friend, Caleb continued his story. “That part of the claiming was unexpected, but hot. I wouldn’t change it. But anyway, once we came back here to the pack, I still hadn’t had the chance to meet anyone, because we were attacked and I was right there in the middle of the fight. Immediately, we had to head back to my dad and you know what happened there. What I’m saying is, it took time for the pack to get used to me and me them, just like it will take you.”
Bo sighed and turned his head, looking at his surroundings. “What a great fucking welcome to the pack,” he mum
bled.
“Yeah, it certainly sucks, but is in no way your fault or your mate’s. The blame lies with Erno and Erno alone. I honestly don’t know his story, even though I’ve been here just over seven months. The Heart pack doesn’t have the numbers we have back home, but there’s a lot of them.
And even though I have met everyone, I don’t actually know them yet. Again, it takes time.
What I do know of Erno from stories Blu, TJ, Mason and a few others have told me, the guy is kind of messed up. From what they say he has abandonment issues as well as daddy issues. Erno has a problem with confusing being treated with respect and kindness for love. With Jag being Ridge’s lead beta for so long until I came along, you know it’s one of the beta’s jobs to make sure the members of the pack are looked after and doing okay. Well, Jag had done his job. He’s really good at it too and everyone loves and respects him. He takes one day a week and walks the whole pack, talking and catching up with everyone, checking on them and offering help wherever he can.”
Bo gave him a sideways look and shook his head, then turned away.
Caleb chuckled. “Oh shut up. I know that look. Your mate is a really good man and I am honored to call him my friend. I don’t know what I would have done without having Jag, Blu, and TJ around to help me these last seven months. But, I know what you’re thinking, and yes, Jag and Erno had a sexual relationship, but as far as I’ve heard that was years ago and it was only a handful of times and they both moved on, so to see what we did today is confusing. I haven’t talked to Ridge yet, but I could see it written all over his face, that he was just as shocked as you and Jag to find Erno there.”
“Maybe they should learn to either lock their doors, so people can’t just walk in, or teach the pack manners and boundaries,” Bo mumbled as he crossed his arms over his chest.
Caleb shook his head. “No, the pack doesn’t just come in whenever they want. You know that’s not accepted in the alpha house. Only those that live in the house are allowed to enter whenever they want, and that is only my mate and me, you and Jag, Mason, and then Blu and TJ. Even though the front door is unlocked, the tunnels leading to the alpha house aren’t, so Erno had to walk through the front door without being seen by Blu, which is the biggest shock. Blu knows everything going on in this house.”
