Arrow Inferno
Chapter 62: Jeremy Stanton vs. Ryan Hicks ~ Feral attraction in the midst of hatred… First date!

***

'Isn't there any other way?' Ryan's wolf murmured, snuggling closer to the alpha.

The alpha and his mate were enjoying the peace and fresh air near a stream after running, hunting, and running some more. The red wolf sighed and licked at the muzzle of his mate. He didn't have to ask what his mate was talking about. 'I have to do this Ryan.' Jeremy prayed his mate would understand.

'I'll miss you.' Ryan whined. 'I'll more than miss you, Jer. I don't know how I'm going to endure your absence.'

'You'll be fine.' Jeremy closed his eyes, hiding the pain he knew was reflected in there. He wanted to spare Ryan that. 'You have Gloria...and all the others who have access to my suite.' He tried to be humorous but failed. 'Jeremy...'

'Don't think about it.' Jeremy whispered nuzzling Ryan's cheek with his wet nose. 'We have the rest of today and the whole of tomorrow. Let's make the most of it. No negative thoughts. Promise me.' 'I can't promise that.' Ryan growled.

'Listen, baby,' Jeremy began softly, 'my whole stay at the Fort is going to be filled with painful memories. Now, if we try and enjoy being with each other, maybe...just maybe, I'll get lucky and enjoy snippets of these memories at some points. Please, Ryan. I know it's going to be difficult not to think about what's coming but... let's try.' He whispered.

'Can you do that for me?'

But instead of answering that question, the white wolf let out a loud pitiful howl which forced a painful growl from the alpha. The alpha felt a physical pain within his chest at his mate's sad howl but didn't stop him. He knew that the wolf needed that. It needed to somehow let out its misery. And the best way for a wolf to do that was howl its pain to the world. There were answering howls from three wolves who although were with them in the woods, maintained a respectful distance. Jeremy was grateful to know his friends were there for them despite the fact that they virtually had a war on their hands. They were the best. They were hurting just as Ryan was. If it weren't for his mate, Jeremy would have been with Philip, Stan, and Paige at that miserable point in his life. But he knew his friends understood. The alpha cuddled even closer to his beautiful howling mate, waiting patiently for those sad howls to end.

When Ryan eventually quieted down, he turned to face Jeremy and asked shakily; 'Is there any...witchery...magic...spell that can be done to put me to sleep? So that I wouldn't feel your absence?' Jeremy's breath hitched in his throat at that question. 'Ryan... There's no such spell. And even if there was, you can't put your life on hold for me.'

'I don't have a life without you.' Ryan growled, suddenly angry. 'Can't you understand that?' He stood up and began to walk away. 'I can't do this. I can't...' And with those anguished words, Ryan began to shift back into human. Then he just collapsed onto the ground and began to sob uncontrollably.

The alpha immediately shifted and went to cover Ryan with his body, making sure he didn't put his full weight on him. He held Ryan as he sobbed, feeling his own heart break. Did he do the right thing by accepting his punishment, Jeremy asked himself as he rocked Ryan. Should he have simply pleaded his case and promised not to question Luna again? Should he have insisted on another form of punishment that wouldn't have taken him away from his mate? Over the years, he'd come to know just how much his being an Alpha with Ojah powers pleased Luna. Hell, it had been said in numerous circles how Luna saw him as her best creation yet.

Yes, Luna would have listened to him if he'd asked to be spared. But Jeremy knew it wasn't right. As alpha and leader of his people, he had to do the right thing. The fact that his pack didn't know what he'd done didn't really matter. It was honorable to accept one's punishment no matter how bad it was. Especially so when that individual knew he deserved to be punished. Jeremy knew that there was a high probability that he was going to die but as far as he was concerned, Luna had in fact been lenient with him. It was rather unfortunate that Ryan had to go through all that sadness but...if even he, wanted him dead at a point for what he'd done to him, then how much more Luna, who he'd disrespected with his actions. She was a god for fuck's sake. She should have smote him months ago.

Ryan must have cried for about thirty minutes straight. Jeremy just held and rocked him, not knowing what to say. Somehow nothing sounded appropriate. They were so much locked up in their grief they didn't even know what was going on around them. They didn't feel the danger when a stubborn lover managed to escape her family and came into the woods to challenge Ryan. Neither did they see how Paige's wolf tore out the challenger's throat without blinking. The alpha and his mate were in a world of their own...a world filled with anguish and misery.

"Can we go back please?" Ryan finally asked shakily.

Jeremy turned him onto his back and stared down at him. He could feel the calmness within Ryan. It was good he'd allowed him to let out his emotions for as long as he wanted.

"Tell me you're okay?" Jeremy whispered, rubbing at Ryan's cheeks.

Ryan let out a shaky breath. "I can never be okay." He sighed. "But I feel a little better."

"How's your wolf?"

"Going crazy." Ryan sighed. "Better than before though."

"Good." Jeremy got to his feet and pulled up a drained Ryan. "Let's go take a hot shower."

***

"What now?" Ryan asked quietly, his voice still weak and broken from crying so much.

They were lying naked on the plush white rug in Jeremy's suite. Ryan played absentmindedly with the hairs around Jeremy's nipples. They'd taken a long hot shower, bathing each other's bodies till they felt refreshed. Then they'd decided to relax on the rug in the living area instead of getting into bed. All the lights had been turned off in the suite. The only source of light came from the sixty-four-inch LED on the wall, which had been left on a music channel, with the sound very low. "Now, I mark you," Jeremy said softly.

"You mean you carry out your wish," Ryan muttered with a slight frown.

"Hey," Jeremy whispered, moving to lean over Ryan. "At least Luna granted me a wish." He gently combed his fingers through Ryan's hair. "Why don't you grant me one too? By ignoring everything and just...being with me. I'd really love that." Jeremy leaned down and captured Ryan's lips in a sweet kiss. "Very much." He murmured against his lips when he released them.

"You really think I can do that?" Ryan murmured.

"I know it will be difficult but I'd be grateful if you could." Jeremy dropped a kiss on the tip of Ryan's nose. "You see...apart from the fact that I hate seeing you sad, seeing you miserable...especially after I mark you, will mess me up." He kissed each eye. "I just might rebel when it's time to go if I think you're in too much pain. It won't be pretty."

"You're not going to cause any chaos," Ryan said softly. "I won't let you."

"Oh baby, I won't even get the chance." Jeremy's chuckle was without humour. "It won't even get there. Luna will..." He gave a deep sigh. "Let's just say I'll be history."

"She wouldn't dare..." Ryan gasped.

"No one defies Luna, baby."

"The bitch." Ryan hissed.

"Hey, don't." Jeremy chastised Ryan with a slight shake of his head, always the alpha. "Don't be angry at her. This is all my fault. I fucked up. And I'm so sorry."

"Alright, alright...no negativity." Ryan sighed. "Let's just...enjoy the time left." He rolled his eyes, making Jeremy laugh. "But you have to make me a promise," Ryan said quietly. "Anything." Jeremy's gaze locked on his mate's.

"Promise me you're going to survive this." Ryan had never sounded more serious. He clearly remembered Gloria saying that people didn't usually survive the Fort.

Jeremy's eyes widened. Yes, he was determined to survive but he couldn't promise that. He definitely didn't want to promise his mate and then break the promise. Two years was an awfully long time for anyone to survive the fort. He had to be real. The alpha gave a deep sigh.

"I promise to try," Jeremy whispered.

"Not good enough," Ryan growled. "Swear it! Give me your oath."

"Ryan..."

"It's the only thing I'm asking of you, Jeremy." Ryan's eyes flashed. "Let me know you have the will. You owe me that." He growled, a myriad of emotions swirling in his eyes...desperation, frustration, and anger.

"I promise Ryan." Jeremy kept his voice low and soothing, using his best calming tone. Ryan was getting worked up and he didn't want that. "I promise to come back to you." The alpha vowed. "I promise on my soul. Okay?"

Ryan could tell from the look in Jeremy's eyes that he meant what he'd said. In order to survive anything, a person first of all, needed to have the strong will to survive. And that was all Ryan wanted from his mate. He felt himself instantly calm down.

Ryan nodded. "Thank you." He murmured and then leaned up to take Jeremy's lips in a hot kiss.