Arrow Inferno
Chapter 118: Jeremy Stanton vs. Ryan Hicks ~ Feral attraction in the midst of hatred… Exuding pheromones!

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Throughout the feasting, Jeremy made sure he was never far from Ryan. The alphas didn't miss the ring on Jeremy's finger. They made it a point to not only admire the classically unique ring but tease him as well. Some wondered whether he wouldn't be better off keeping the ring on a chain around his neck. Jeremy had laughingly responded that he would rather keep it on a finger than hang it around his neck like a dog.

At a point, Jeremy saw Ryan surrounded by about thirty alphas. He could see the blatant lust in the eyes of some and that pissed him off. He didn't have to be a genius to tell that the alphas were not interested in whatever they were talking about with his adorable mate. They just wanted to be around Ryan.

"Excuse me, Mason." Jeremy excused himself from the oldest alpha. He needed to stake his claim. He slipped his arms around Ryan from behind when he got to him. "Hey, beautiful." He murmured huskily. "Missed you." Jeremy pressed a gentle kiss against Ryan's temple. But there was nothing gentle about the look in his eyes. That look screamed 'back off'.

Some of the alphas took the hint and left. Others, not so much. But since none of them made any inappropriate moves towards his mate, Jeremy remained calm. Well, until Jake T, whose eyes were glazed with lust and mischief, casually leaned in to breathe Ryan in. Ignoring Jeremy's growl, he murmured;

"No wonder Red Eyes is so crazy for you." Jake T addressed Ryan but his eyes were locked on Jeremy's. "You smell fucking amazing." He added huskily. This time Jeremy's growl was accompanied by bared teeth. "Aw settle down boss. The guy is so soaked with your scent I'd never dream of touching him." With that, he grabbed Jeremy's shoulder and dragged him away towards a group of alphas. "No one will touch him. Relax."

"Fuck you, T," Jeremy muttered as he allowed himself to be led away.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah... Listen, that mate of yours looks like he's gonna burst a nut any second." Jake T drawled. "Ever considered edging him? Using that technique on him will not only teach your man better control but will also give him back- arching, toe-curling, screaming orgasms that will make him your bitch for..."

"Ryan isn't and will never be anyone's bitch." Jeremy growled, cutting Jake T off. "Definitely not mine. And I'm pretty sure he'll kill me before the end of a session of edging." Jeremy muttered as he bumped fists with the group of alphas Jake T had led him to.

"You might never know." Jake T chuckled. "He might love the intensity so much he might actually become addicted to it. What's the worst that can happen?"

"My murder, you asshole." Jeremy laughed as he accepted the glass of scotch that was pushed into his hand.

All in all, they had a nice time with the alphas. When it was time for Jeremy and Ryan to take their leave, the alphas were regretful that the AA and his mate weren't going to be with them till the following day but they understood. "Enjoy your vacation, Jeremy," Mason said with a twinkle in his eyes as he and two other alphas followed Jeremy, Ryan, and Phillip to the CO50 Valkyrie Aircraft.

"Oh, I intend to." Jeremy chuckled, shaking the oldest alpha's outstretched hand. "You guys should get in touch if there's anything that can't wait," Jeremy said hugging the other two alphas.

All three alphas smiled at Ryan but didn't attempt to touch him. Even Phillip refrained from hugging Ryan after hugging his friend, which rather surprised Jeremy but he didn't comment on it. Just as Jeremy and Ryan were about to board the plane, two more alphas came to join them with an issue they thought couldn't wait.

"I'll be on the plane," Ryan said quickly. "I need to respond to some important emails anyway so I might as well do that now." He gave Phillip a quick hug. "It was a pleasure meeting you all." He said to the others.

"The pleasure was ours, Ryan," Mason responded with a respectful bow.

"Enjoy your ride co-pilot." Phillip chuckled as Ryan started towards the aircraft.

"With a co-pilot like me, Jeremy definitely needs divine intervention." Ryan laughed as he waved at them.

"Then I say he already has what he needs." Mason boomed, making the others laugh.

'Take that plug out before you get seated.' It was said quietly on their mind-link. But the command behind it was clear.

Ryan turned his head to look at his mate but Jeremy seemed to be in a deep discussion with the alphas. The man knew just what to do and say to get his blood pumping, Ryan thought stifling his groan of desire. He climbed on board and did exactly as his mate had instructed before getting on his laptop.

After a quick discussion between Jeremy and the alphas, they all left to join the celebration, leaving only Phillip.

"Had a good ride?" Phillip asked with a smirk.

"The best, Lip. The best." Jeremy breathed.

"Enjoying the poor guy's misery huh?" Phillip laughed. "You have forty-five minutes to get to the Island, buddy." With his arms folded across his broad chest, the new alpha of Stanwood Pack watched his friend with eyes glistening with amusement. "You really need to get the poor man off before he explodes." He pointed out in a calm and even voice. "Make those forty-five minutes count."

Jeremy could neither suppress his groan nor his grin. He didn't bother letting Phillip know that he'd gotten Ryan off on their ride to the meeting. The degree of lust coming off his mate actually marveled him. One would have thought that brutal release he'd given Ryan earlier would have taken the edge off but on the contrary, the intensity of Ryan's lust seemed to be increasing by the minute. He'd been tempted to drag Ryan into the bathroom for a quickie at a point but had decided against it.

"I plan on...taking care of matters before we take off," Jeremy muttered, knocking a fist against Phillip's.

"That's what I'm talking about." Phillip chuckled. "Give me a call when you get to the Island."

"Will do that." With that, the AA climbed into the cockpit and closed the hatch.