Arrow Inferno
Chapter 71: Jeremy Stanton vs. Ryan Hicks ~ Feral attraction in the midst of hatred… Saying goodbye to the family!

***

The atmosphere in Jeremy's suite was a solemn one. It was almost midnight. The only dry eyes in the room were that of Jeremy's. He was focusing every ounce of energy he had left on acting calm to enable the others relax. But it was obviously not working. Even Philip couldn't hold in his grief. He kept disappearing into Jeremy's bathroom to weep.

"Dude," Jeremy growled when Philip joined them after staying inside the bathroom for about ten minutes. "Pull yourself together. You're the fucking alpha."

But Philip couldn't even give his usual flippant responses. He just stood quietly beside Stan with his head bowed. Jeremy sighed as he gently rubbed Ryan on the back. He was proud of how composed his mate looked. His eyes were wet but he'd managed not to break down. Jeremy was grateful because he really didn't know whether he could handle it if Ryan did break down. There was a sudden shimmering of light which made everyone tense up. The High Priestess stood before them by the time the shimmering light disappeared.

At twelve midnight on the dot, a portal was going to open for Jeremy to go through. It was only going to stay open for a minute. But the High Priestess wasn't there to ensure Jeremy entered the portal. He didn't have any choice but to enter it. She was there for Ryan. Immediately after Jeremy disappeared, she was to cloak Ryan's feelings for his mate. The indestructible cloaking was to take away Ryan's hunger and pain, to enable Ryan live comfortably and peacefully in the absence of his mate. Jeremy on the other hand was to experience the full-blown pain and hunger that came with the absence of a mate, in addition to whatever agony he was going to endure from every painful memory. The High Priestess was there to see to the cloaking herself because it was the highest form of cloaking and therefore needed an ultimate power and authority to be effected.

"Alpha Jeremy." She bowed her head respectfully. "You should say your farewells. It's almost time."

"Fuck!" Stan roared and punched the wall. He left a dent. The warrior's fangs had dropped down and his claws had elongated.

"Stan." Jeremy gave a sharp growl and went to his friend. "Hey, settle down." He ordered. Then the alpha drew his friend into his arms. Stan's body shook. It was obvious that he was trying very hard not to give in to the rage that was boiling in his veins and for that, Jeremy was grateful. "Better?" Jeremy asked after a while. At Stan's nod, Jeremy bumped their foreheads together and said with mock anger; "Better fix that dent before I get back."

"Oh, Jer..." Stan hugged Jeremy again. "Come back safe."

"I don't have any other choice," Jeremy muttered and then let go of Stan. Then he turned to a quietly sobbing Paige and drew her into a tight embrace. "Damn, it sure is refreshing to see the queen bitch in tears." He teased, drawing a teary smile from Paige.

"Jer, about what I said yesterday...I didn't mean..."

"Yes, you did." Jeremy cut her off softly. "You never say anything you don't mean. And that's what I love about you." He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "I know how you feel," Jeremy murmured. "And I respect that. But please keep an eye..." But Paige covered Jeremy's mouth with her hand to stop his request.

"I'm never leaving his side," Paige said quietly. "You have my word. I've already asked Philip to assign me to him as his guard. I'm told he doesn't like having guards so I'm just going to be his friend. I called Professor Fynn this morning." She nodded with a grin when Jeremy raised a brow. Professor Fynn was on the board of UCLA and a very good friend of Joel's... Paige's dad. "It's been arranged. I start lecturing their freshman engineering class from Monday. Your man and I will be joined at the hip, Jer." She grinned.

"Oh god, that doesn't sound good." Jeremy groaned. "You're going to corrupt him Slip." He reached up to catch a tear that slipped onto her cheek, with his thumb.

"You bet your sexy self I am." Paige smiled through her tears. "I'm going to be his partner in crime, his best friend, the yin to his yang..."

Jeremy burst into laughter, making everyone turn to look at them. "Oh my god, you're crazy." He laughed. "He will appreciate having a friend than a guard. Thanks Paige." Jeremy said softly. "Maybe you should convince your stubborn new best friend to move in here." He murmured. "You can fully convert his room into a study for him."

"Consider it done," Paige smirked. "Just make sure you come back to him because that mouth..."

"Fuck you Slip." Jeremy moved to Joel next. "So sorry for letting you down Uncle Jo," Jeremy said quietly.

"You have no idea how proud I am of you son," Joel said in a hoarse voice. "Everyone makes mistakes. It's how they make up for those mistakes that matter most. That man couldn't have asked for a more caring and amazing mate. I've never respected you more Jeremy. I know it's going to be difficult but try to focus on him no matter the pain you're in. It should help."

"Thanks, Uncle. Please keep an eye on mum..." Jeremy trailed off. He didn't know whether to smile or frown or maintain a straight face. None of them had even given a thought to what happened between Joel and Gloria the night before. They'd been too preoccupied with what was about to happen.

Joel cleared his throat. "You don't have to ask me to." The elderly man actually blushed. "You know I'll take care of her."

"I know you will. Thanks." With that, Jeremy moved to his mother and just took her into his arms. He held her as she sobbed her heart out. And he had to suppress the urge to cry too. "You do know you could have baked me some muffins to take, don't you?" Jeremy finally drawled, knowing that would get a rise out of his mother. It did.

"You silly boy." She said through her tears. "I've never gone more than a month without seeing or talking to you. Now I'm not going to see you or hear your voice for two whole years... And you're thinking about muffins? What am I going to do Jeremy?" She sobbed.

"Shh...you'll be fine, mum. I'll be back before you know it." Jeremy hugged her tighter to him. "Two years is just around the corner."

"No, it's not." Gloria snapped. "You had better stay strong and come back to us because you're all I have in this world. And Ryan...you're all he has. Don't forget that."

"I won't." He hugged his mother again. "He's going to be a mess mum. Look out for him, please. Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."

"Don't worry about him," Gloria said softly. "He'll be okay. I love you son."

"Love you too mum." Jeremy kissed his mother on both cheeks and then moved to Philip.

"This is it." Philip's voice didn't even sound like his.

"This is it," Jeremy said. "Listen, if this goes south, I want a big funeral, alright? I'm talking epic. Open bar, choir, orgies, the works..."

A tear slid down Philip's cheek even as he shook his head in amusement. "Done." He whispered.

"Great." Jeremy grinned. "Come here." And the two friends hugged each other fiercely.

"Alpha?" The high priestess called softly. A gentle reminder.

Jeremy went to where Ryan sat with his hands covering his face and gently pulled him up into his arms. There was no hiding it... Ryan was trembling. His breath came out harshly. He'd been able to keep it together since their 'no negativity' agreement. He understood that he would only be adding to Jeremy's pain if he made him any sadder than he already was. But Ryan couldn't seem to hold it together. Panic bubbled up within him. His chest burned.

"Ryan..." Jeremy whispered, the pain and wretchedness etched on his mate's gorgeous face hitting him like a physical blow.

"I can't Jer." Ryan's voice shook. "I'm sorry but..." His bottom lip quivered.

"Oh god..." Jeremy breathed shakily, feeling a sharp pain through my chest. He was fully mated to Ryan now so seeing and feeling his misery cause him great pain. A pained whimper tore out of Jeremy's throat that had him squeezing his eyes shut.

"I'm trying to be strong." Ryan sounded out of breath. "Really, I am."

"I know..."

"I hate this..." Ryan was hyperventilating.

"Baby, breathe... Come on Ryan, breathe." Jeremy looked desperate. "Look at me, Ryan."

But the urge to cry was overwhelming and Ryan couldn't fight it anymore. The pressure building up within him made him feel as if his head was about to explode.

"Jeremy..." Tears poured down his face. "Jeremy..."

"God, Ryan..." Jeremy knew he had to reach Ryan on some level...calm him down... reduce his pain and in the process, reduce his own suffering. He did the only thing he could... He kissed his mate.

Jeremy entwined his fingers in Ryan's hair and took his mouth in an incredibly gentle, delicate, tender, and simply delicious kiss. He kissed Ryan as if he couldn't stop. He could taste the salt in their kiss but didn't know whether it was due to Ryan's tears or his and frankly, he didn't care. Their open mouths slid across each other's, tongues licking and tasting, making love to each other.

Everyone in the suite quietly watched the intimate display. Even the high priestess looked totally floored. Though it was time, she didn't have the heart to interrupt.