Arrow Inferno
Chapter 37: Jeremy Stanton vs. Ryan Hicks Feral attraction in the midst of hatred… My Mate!

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Jeremy slowly completed the act of pulling up his warrior. Then with a grace that made almost everyone in the arena smile with admiration and pride, he leaped over the rings and landed outside it. Then he started towards Ryan with a confident, natural, sexy swagger that made Ryan moan unconsciously.

Ryan saw Jeremy walking towards him and felt his heart race. He really didn't know what Jeremy had in mind but the fact that he was coming to him...with that mouth, was okay with him. His lust-filled eyes were focused intently on Jeremy's lips. As Jeremy drew closer, Ryan's breath started coming out harshly, the riot of his emotions and the depth of his hunger taking complete control of his senses. By the time Jeremy got to him, Ryan felt as if he would go insane if he didn't taste those lips. It was that bad.

Jeremy smelt his mate's need and didn't disappoint. He reached for Ryan's hand and pulled him up. Then he slipped a hand into the back of Ryan's hair and cupped one side of his face with the other. Jeremy then stared down at Ryan, giving his eyes a moment to feast on his mesmerizing beauty. Then almost as if in a slow-motion, Jeremy dipped his head and captured Ryan's soft full lips in the sweetest of kisses.

A collective gasp went up in the arena. To say the people were shocked would definitely be an understatement. What shocked them, even more, was the power they felt in the air. They felt the surge of electricity in the whole arena and immediately understood what was happening. And that astonished them even more. But the alpha and the man he was kissing seemed to be in a world of their own.

Ryan was adrift in a world of sensation. Jeremy's lips on his felt heavenly. It felt even better than he remembered. Every nerve in his body was tuned to Jeremy's, making the whole experience absolutely mind-blowing. Ryan melted into Jeremy, fiercely kissing him back with so much passion it surprised both of them. His eyeballs rolled behind their closed lids when he felt Jeremy's tongue flick against the roof of his mouth. He couldn't suppress the moan that tore out of his throat. That erotic sound was Jeremy's undoing.

The alpha dropped his hands to Ryan's waist and picked him up, not releasing his mate's sweet lips for even a second. Ryan's arms instinctively moved up to coil themselves around Jeremy's neck as his legs wound around his hips. When Jeremy felt Ryan lock his arms and legs around him...almost as if he really wanted to be there in his arms, he groaned fervently into the kiss. His mate was too delicious and sensual for his own good. Jeremy plundered that sweet mouth like it was his only opportunity. It was a deep, ravenous, and rapturous kiss which shook both men to their very souls. After what seemed like hours, they came up for a much-needed air.

Both men tried to catch their breath. Jeremy could feel Ryan's hardness between them, hidden from the view of the people staring at them. His was on full display for everyone to see. That kind of bulge couldn't be concealed. But Jeremy wasn't worried about that because that was one of the perks of being a werewolf...they embraced it whenever nature took its course. There was no shame but rather, pride. Jeremy heard someone begin to clap...which the others immediately joined in. But he only had eyes for his mate. He had to stifle his moan at the drugged look on Ryan's face.

That look made the alpha even harder. And when Ryan's tongue darted out to flick at the kiss-swollen bottom curve of his own mouth, Jeremy couldn't resist the urge to take those succulent lips for a second time. With an animalistic needy sound, he took Ryan's chin between his thumb and forefinger and kissed him again, a soft and gentle caress. A low whimper escaped Ryan when Jeremy gently sucked his lower lip into his mouth and flicked his tongue against it. He couldn't suppress the shiver of delight that rippled through him at that sensual caress. Dear Lord, the man could kiss. When the kiss ended Jeremy leaned his forehead against Ryan's and just locked eyes with him, his fingers slowly combing through Ryan's white tresses.

The arena had gone quiet again. The people watched the tenderness being displayed by the alpha and felt like intruders. It was almost as if the two men were in a world of their own and the people definitely didn't want to interrupt them. Jeremy had so much to say but he remained silent, afraid of what might come out of his mouth if he tried to say anything. The feeling within the alpha at that very moment was overwhelming. He was on fire. He wanted inside his mate... needed to be one with him. But he'd promised. The problem was, knowing that he couldn't have Ryan made Jeremy want him even more.

Ryan was the first to break the silence. "You look so fucking hot in those jeans." He breathed, giving Jeremy a heated look that sent a shiver down his spine.

Jeremy tried not to look shocked at Ryan's words. He stared into Ryan's eyes, his gaze heavy-lidded and hot. "Glad you like it." His voice took on a sexy, raspy warmth that drew a moan from Ryan. Jeremy could have bet his last cent his mate had completely forgotten they had an audience. It was refreshing to see Ryan's guard down for once and Jeremy relished it. At least till someone let out a piercing whistle. Then Ryan's head shot up.

"Oh fuck!" He groaned when he noticed that all eyes were on them. "What did you do?" Ryan whispered shakily.

"I did what you demanded," Jeremy said, his voice low pitched and to Ryan's ears, sexy as hell.

"I didn't demand any such thing." He gasped, his cheeks turning a sweet, deep pink that Jeremy found so fucking adorable.

"Oh, you so did." A ghost of a smile touched Jeremy's sexy mouth. "Everyone in here heard you."

With widened eyes, Ryan turned his head and looked down to where Gloria was seated. Just a nod from the amused woman confirmed what Jeremy had said.

"Oh my God." He groaned as he buried his face against Jeremy's neck. He'd wanted so desperately that the need had overridden his sense of self-preservation. "But I only thought it." Ryan moaned. "And you're not even in my head." "Tell me about it," Jeremy murmured.

"How am I going to leave here with everyone angrily watching and judging me?" Ryan moaned shakily.

"No one is judging you." Jeremy's voice sent a delightful shiver down Ryan's spine despite himself.

"Yes, they are." Ryan insisted. "I ruined their training."

"Let's see whether they're as angry as you think." Jeremy said, and then added in a whisper; "May I please link with you?" At Ryan's nod, Jeremy quickly opened his mind-link with him and then switched to his mind-link with everyone in the arena. 'Hello everyone. Meet Professor Ryan Hicks. My mate.'

The werewolves, who by then knew exactly what was going on, burst into cheers and applause. It was not every day a werewolf found a soul mate. And the fact that it was their alpha who'd found his made it an even sweeter news. Some had shock written all over their faces, some disbelief, others had smirks on their faces as if to tell the alpha to dare defy Luna. But in addition to each telling facial expression was absolute thrill which they couldn't mask. The applause was deafening. Ryan would have gladly coiled inside Jeremy if he could. "Jesus, Jeremy." He moaned, making the alpha burst into laughter.

"You need to stop being so fucking adorable," Jeremy murmured as his hand rubbed Ryan's back possessively. "A wave would do." He said, and then promptly laughed when Ryan waved for a second without actually raising his head...almost as if he were doing a 'Nae Nae'. Even the werewolves laughed. "Should I take you to the room?"

"Please," Ryan whined. "I can't be here at this point."

With an amused chuckle, Jeremy addressed his pack again. 'Taking my shy mate home folks. If I get lucky, I'll not come back tonight. If I don't, on the other hand, you'll see me soon.' He lightly slapped Ryan on the arse amidst catcalls, whistles, raucous laughter, and shouts of "be nice, Ryan".

Everyone was still laughing as Jeremy walked out of the arena with Ryan tucked against the broad expanse of his chest.

"I'm gonna kill you," Ryan growled.

"After just saving your arse?" Jeremy drawled.

"They think we're going to..."

"It was just a joke, Ryan." Jeremy sighed.

"Put me down," Ryan said, raising his head from where it had been tucked all along.

"No. I prefer you right where you are." Jeremy kept striding towards his house.

Ryan placed his head back on Jeremy's shoulder without any protest because there was no cozier place than Jeremy's arms anyway. He remained so quiet, Jeremy thought he had dozed off but he was very much awake. "This doesn't change anything," Ryan said quietly after a lengthy silence. "I still..."

"I know, Ryan." Jeremy rasped, knowing exactly what Ryan had been about to say. "You don't have to tell me. I know." Jeremy swallowed hard, willing his suddenly accelerated heartbeat to slow down. Just a hint of how his mate really felt about him was enough to dampen his spirits and cause him agonizing pain.

The alpha was definitely not a happy man.