Chapter Thirteen – Are You Dying For A Kiss?
Theodore had to agree that the clothes provided by the Luna's Sentinels didn't feel half-bad on his skin. Momentarily, he had frowned at the sight of the attire chosen for him, as well as at the earth-toned colors – so unlike his own pack, always dressed in white and blue to match their hair and eyes – but once he had donned the outfit, he couldn't help marveling at the pinpoint accuracy with which the Asherman's pack member assigned to this duty had guessed his size.
Everything fit to a tee, and Theodore was a man who appreciated excellence. Ryder Asherman was truly a fortunate wolfshifter to have such a pack to call his own.
And a mate.
They were present at the ritual, since Jack had insisted to the point that he looked like he might burst into tears. Theodore stole a look at his companions. For a moment, his chest swelled with pride, although he couldn't define the reason that lay behind this deep and surprising feeling.
They both looked handsome in the clothes the Luna's Sentinels had chosen for them. Jack wore a short tunic that allowed anyone looking at him to notice the slender silhouette of his legs, which he usually hid in those horrifying baggy jeans. The wrap-around style of his pants displayed how nimble he could be if he put his mind to it, while the subtle embroidery displaying a moon half-hiding in the clouds reminded Theodore, painfully yet sweetly, why he had accepted these two humans in his life.
The mistress of all the wolves in the land would guide them on their way.
Vince, on the other hand, was wearing a sleeveless vest covering his torso that put his muscular arms on full display. Theodore felt a slight jolt coursing through his body as he remembered the way the human guardian had touched him, filling him with sensations, while his wide, sensuous mouth had clamped down hard on his cock.
He had given into weakness by succumbing to desire and dictating to the human guardian what to do. And it had felt amazing, beyond his wildest dreams, not that he had many of those involving mating.
Mating? What was he thinking?
Theodore shook his head, to get rid of such impure thoughts. Focusing on the ritual became considerably harder if he insisted on reliving – in his mind – the events from earlier today.
***
"So, I'm walking you down the aisle. Who would've thought?" Vince expressed his amusement while patting Danny's hand as his best friend was holding his arm with an expression of pure happiness on his face.
"There's no one else I'd rather have by my side on this day. Only," Danny said, pursing his lips in thought for a moment, "this isn't exactly an aisle, right?"
Vince laughed. "Definitely not."
They both looked at the stone path stretching from where they stood to the circular structure, resembling the face of the moon, where Ryder's dad was waiting for them.
They began walking slowly, while Ryder's pack mates began singing a chant in low, mesmerizing voices.
It was a beautiful night. Vince couldn't help stealing a glance at the moon above. She, too, appeared to be blessing this union, and there was no better happy ending – followed by a long, happy life without a doubt – he wished for his friend.
Among the many people present, Vince caught a glimpse of Theodore. Even the moon shone the brightest over Pinemoor. She colored the crown of Theodore's head, making his blond hair silver. He, too, was being gently blessed by her, although by the thoughtful and impenetrable expression on his face, no one would've guessed such a thing.
Theodore Pembroke was a handsome man. Not that Vince hadn't met other handsome men in his life; however, he had never met anyone like the cool and aloof CEO of Pembroke Industries.
An entire world went to battle every day behind that forehead. Vince could swear that, if he looked at the gorgeous alpha of Whiteflame closely and if he was standing a hair's breadth away from him, there was a chance he might begin to read his thoughts.
But it would feel like such a bigger win if Theodore simply began to trust Vince with his doubts and secrets.
That had to be the guardian part of him speaking. It would be so funny if someone as strong and powerful as Theodore felt the need to show weakness or leave himself open to a human, on top of everything else.
Vince was acutely aware of the differences separating them. But look at Danny, he thought, his heart filling with tenderness. He was a human – an exceptional human, no, a healer for his mate's pack – and he was now joining his destiny with the pack alpha's.
So, it was possible. Vince found his good mood growing better. He smiled at Danny. They were now near the dais where the ceremony would take place.
Ryder looked eager to receive his precious mate.
"Please, take good care of my friend," he said.
Ryder's eyes were already fixed on Danny. But he did spare a grateful smile for Vince.
"All of my life," Ryder assured him.
***
"Man, I ate so much cake my belly hurts," Jack complained as he staggered between Theodore and Vince. "I might be a little tipsy, too," he added with a hiccup, which, in his opinion, only proved that he could put on a performance, regardless of the occasion.
"We do not have time for your shenanigans," Theodore informed him in his usual cruel way.
That thought couldn't remain unsaid. "Why are you so cruel, Theo?" Jack complained and leaned hard against the alpha. He was starting to slide down to the ground, but Theodore caught him in the nick of time.
Jack let himself go slack in Theodore's arms. He felt like a heroine in a silent film. So, the logical thing to do was to throw an arm over his eyes and pretend to be asleep. Or having just fainted. Whatever worked to trigger the potential for caring in Theodore freaking Pembroke.
Theo – the annoying ass – dropped him like a sack of potatoes. Vince hurried to remedy the situation, but the damage was done.
"Rude," Jack murmured. It looked like he'd feel tempted to say that a lot when having to deal with Theo the Unapproachable. On the other hand, when he himself got a bit of booze in his system, he tended to become pretty insufferable.
So, they were…
Theo the Unapproachable—
Jack the Insufferable—
And Vee the Dependable.
Yep, they made a great team.
"Why are we hurrying like this?" he asked and started jogging after the other two, who were already walking too fast for his short legs (by comparison) to keep up.
"Because," Theodore said in a low growl, "we need to leave immediately. You two have had your fun. You," he said, turning toward Vince, "saw your friend bonded with the alpha of Luna's Sentinels. And you," he added, turning to face Jack momentarily, "got to stuff your face with disgusting sweets."
"Hey," Jack protested. "There's nothing disgusting about sweet things. Wait, do you hate sweets?"
"With a fiery passion," Theodore assured him.
"Oh." There was hardly any reaction he could muster right now. "But I'm sweet. Do you hate me, too? Wait, don't answer that. It's only awkward if we make it awkward. Let's not make it awkward."
Theodore let out an exasperated sigh and turned on his heel, taking the lead once more. And Jack had to hurry after him once more.
***
"We should at least say goodbye to our gracious hosts, don't you think?" Vince followed Theodore around the kitchen, as the alpha continued to open and close the available cabinets in search of something he didn't name out loud.
"No. These lands have been cursed until very recently. We can't risk having the enemy overhear our plans."
"Are you searching for bugs?" Vince asked, not hesitating to give Theodore a long, disapproving look. As much as he was entitled to at least part of his arrogance because he was an alpha and all, he needed to stop being such a jerk every once in a while.
"This kitchen is bug-free," Jack announced, happy to be included in the conversation.
Vince held out his arm for the clairvoyant to hide under. And glare at Theodore from that safe spot, as if there was some bad blood between them.
Of course. Theodore had been quite unequivocal earlier, when he told Jack he didn't like sweet things. Count on Jack to extend that matter of taste to his own person. For someone who was so adamant about butt sex and not wanting to have it, he surely did want Theodore to notice him.
"And how would you know?" Theodore asked in his usual haughty tone.
Jack scrunched up his nose. "Because the entire place is spotless. Except for that spill," he pointed at a questionable puddle on the counter. "I did that. Let me just wipe it off."
Theodore pushed Jack back and continued his search.
Vince shrugged as Jack exchanged a glance with him. Whatever Theodore was doing, it seemed to be important to him, so their best course of action was to leave him be.
Theodore finally appeared satisfied with the results of his search and turned to face them both. "Pack whatever you need to pack, and let's go."
"What? But I have so many things," Jack complained. "Are we going on foot? I don't have sensible shoes."
Theodore gave Jack a hard stare. "Don't you remember how you traveled here?"
"Oh, okay. But what if we run out of fuel? For all we know, this place beyond the veil could be far, far away."
"When we run out of fuel, we will travel by foot. And you should've thought about bringing sensible shoes," Theodore emphasized each word, "before leaving."
"Really?" Jack bristled. "As far as I recall, we had to leave with the clothes on our back and nothing else."
"Tough luck," Theodore reacted to Jack's righteous indignation.
Vince could no longer keep it in. He began chuckling under his breath, until the two opponents turned to stare at him.
"Don't look at me. I'm simply a witness to your very entertaining performance."
Theodore pursed his lips and straightened his tunic. They were still wearing the clothes they had donned for the bonding ritual. It seemed unlikely that Theodore would prefer to continue wearing them for their travels.
However, it looked like the alpha of Whiteflame was a man of surprises, after all. He caught Jack by the shoulder and began guiding him toward the door.
"Hey," Jack protested, "you said we could pack."
"Vince," Theodore said, "see that you bring the clairvoyant's belongings to the aircraft. I need to have a word with this good-for-nothing troublemaker."
"Vee, help," Jack protested, digging his heels in.
Vince considered Theodore's posture. The alpha wasn't going to hurt the clairvoyant, as much as they evidently enjoyed stamping on each other's toes all the time.
Jack was safe.
"I think you two will have a heartfelt and meaningful conversation without me present. Have fun," he said, grinning, and made a beeline for the bedroom he'd shared with Jack until now.
"Wait, wait, I just need--"
Jack's last words were muffled as Theodore must have dragged the clairvoyant through the main door and then closed it after them.
***
"You must tell me everything you have seen in those cards of yours."
Geez, this guy could be an inconsiderate and insolent asshole. Still pretty, if Jack took his time to check his face out. Which he did. Of course he did.
"I've seen," he began, struggling to break free from Theodore's hold, "things."
"Do not dally," Theodore ordered curtly. "I know you're keeping things from me, and if you hope to achieve some leniency on my part--"
"I saw that I have to kiss you, and Vince has to kiss you, too, and yeah, that's a bit of a euphemism for more hardcore things, and I'm not kidding, I'm scared but also hopeful that if this is what it takes for you to rebuild your pack--"
"Breathe," Theodore said, clasping Jack's shoulder with his hand.
Jack did. Wow, it made a difference. He no longer felt so light-headed.
"Anyway, that's the gist of it. I suppose your thing is pretty big, which basically makes me worry for my tiny thing. But I saw Vee's giant thing, which means that I might get used to the idea. In due time."
"You saw what?!"
"Ouch," Jack complained. Theodore's fingers were digging into his shoulder now. "Everyone needs to start somewhere. Wait, don't tell me yours isn't that big?"
Theodore looked like he was about to give Jack a big chunk of his mind but stopped himself in time.
"Only a kiss?" he asked.
Something was happening to the alpha. Jack realized that the night breeze was rustling through his clothes right now. Because he felt his skin prickling into goosebumps… and it wasn't a bad feeling at all.
Only he was out in a field at night with a wild beast. Well, a wild beast who was very posh and all that, although Jack was starting to doubt the alpha's good upbringing and manners. Of course, how could he be so insensitive? Poor Theo had grown up without his parents.
Without thinking twice, he placed a palm on Theodore's warm cheek. It was supposed to be a gesture of understanding and kindness, but the soft sound escaping the alpha's throat made Jack feel his knees turn to jelly.
"Should I try giving you a kiss?" he asked.
Theodore moved his head to bring his lips close to Jack's. Jack leaned forward and pressed his lips gently against the corner of the other's mouth.
"There, a kiss," he said. "Sorry that it wasn't with tongue and all that. I'm still learning."
"With Vince?" Theodore growled.
Jack wasn't sure if it was wise to give the right answer to that.
"Are you guys ready?" Vince interrupted the skyrocketing tension.
Jack's hand slipped from Theodore's cheek. The alpha turned abruptly to face Vince.
"Here's your bag, Jack," Vince said, his eyes never leaving Theodore.
"Ah, great."
He needed a minute. And to flee the scene, to restore some order to his thoughts. He pretended to be busy checking the contents of his bag. "My favorite pen isn't here," he said. "I'll go after it and come back really fast, okay?"
"Don't--" Theodore started.
"Let him be," Vince warned. "Be back quick, Jack."
"Yes, captain," Jack said cheerfully and broke into a run.
***
"That looked pretty intense," the human guardian commented shamelessly, as soon as the city clairvoyant was out of sight.
"It is none of your damn business what it was," Theodore growled.
To know that the field mouse preferred this buff human over himself opened a wound inside his chest. He touched the place where it hurt, although his ribcage appeared intact. It was silly to have this sort of pain. Only Theodore was finding it harder and harder to chalk it up to being the effects of a curse.
Jack had told him the truth. That meant that Theodore had to create a strong bond with the two humans in his care. But what if they didn't want him? What if they were only playing their roles because they simply enjoyed joining in on an adventure?
Clearly, they liked each other.
"I can hear you thinking," Vince teased him, coming unbearably close.
"That's preposterous," Theodore protested. "Have you kissed the field mouse?"
"Field mouse," Vince said, obviously amused. "Yes."
Theodore set his jaw hard. "Are you two an item? Are you laughing at me behind my back?"
"No, and no. Are you dying for a kiss, Theodore?"
His name sounded so intimate in the human guardian's mouth.
He did need a kiss. He usually avoided the overly sentimental manifestations of affection in humans. Going hard during intercourse was more his style. Kissing, without a doubt, had always been at the bottom of the list of what he'd do whenever he and a human would get together.
Vince's hand on his cheek was rough where Jack's had been smooth and cinnamon-smelling.
"It's all right," Vince invited him, his voice husky. "You can just ask, and I will grant your wish."
Theodore swatted Vince's hand away. "I do not need it," he said.
Vince chuckled, a sound that went straight to his groin. "Very well. I will wait patiently for you to ask to be kissed."
***
There was just one thing Jack needed to do before leaving like this. He chewed vigorously on the bubblegum he needed for this specific purpose. Damn, he had a pen, but no paper. He didn't want to leave his phone behind, although he doubted they would find good coverage 'beyond the veil', whatever that meant.
In the end, he had to use one of the cards in his pack. There was little space available on the back, but Jack knew how to be efficient when it mattered.
I'm not supposed to leave a note or anything because Theo is a few tin-foil hats short of a conspiracy theorist, but I think it's rude for us to leave without doing so. So, here's the thing: yo, guys, we're going beyond the veil. We'll meet again soon. I hope. By the way, Danny and Ryder, that wedding (bonding) cake was wild.
There, he thought as he pressed the chewed gum against the top of the card, securing it in place. At least, no one would say they had left without saying goodbye, even if this was far from a proper one.
The backdoor groaned softly, making Jack's ears perk up. Quietly, on his tiptoes, he went to check.
It was nothing but the wind. Jack sighed in relief but grabbed his bag quickly. With one hand inside it, he began rubbing the mismatched sock – his luckiest of all the luck charms in his possession. It would be bad if he got kidnapped – or worse – before his adventure with Theodore and Vince even began.
TBC