Savage Desire
Chapter 12

By the time they got to their floor, Jeremy's heart was pounding so hard Ryan was getting alarmed. He lifted his head from Jeremy's shoulder and stared at his face. The vulnerability and pain etched on the alpha's gorgeous face shook Ryan. He could tell from Jeremy's face that his teeth were tightly clenched. And when he reached out to open Ryan's door, Ryan didn't miss how his hand shook like a junky's in need of a fix.

"Jeremy?"

"Where's your keycard?" Jeremy asked in a hoarse voice, not meeting Ryan's eyes.

"What's wrong?" Ryan asked softly, completely forgetting that he was still in Jeremy's arms.

"It's noth..."

"Bullshit." Ryan growled, suddenly remembering the position he was in. "What is wrong with you?" He demanded as he unlocked his legs from around Jeremy and slid down. Jeremy didn't stop him.

"I'll be fine." Jeremy said grupy and then turned to go...towards the elevator.

And that was when it hit Ryan... Jeremy had been okay till he'd reminded him of how he felt about him. Well, he hadn't even finished what he'd wanted to say but Jeremy didn't have to be a genius to know how he felt. But shouldn't Jeremy be used to it by then, Ryan wondered in surprise.

"I don't have my keycard." Ryan suddenly blurted out. When Jeremy turned to look at him, he shrugged nonchalantly. "I put it in Gloria's bag. Maybe I can use the door in your suite..."

Without a word Jeremy went to his door and pressed his right thumb to the fingerprint reader. When the door opened, he stepped aside and gestured for Ryan to precede him into his luxurious suite.

"After you." Ryan tipped his head, noticing that Jeremy had actually broken out in sweat. Fuck! He entered after Jeremy and closed the door behind him.

"I have to go." Jeremy's voice shook.

"Are you going back to the arena?" Ryan asked, not making any attempt to move towards the connecting door.

Jeremy shook his head, no. "I'm going for a run."

"You...your mother said you came to the arena right after a run. Do you have to..."

"I need to." Jeremy looked as if he was about to explode.

"Why?" Ryan whispered, moving closer to where Jeremy stood, rubbing his chest vigorously as if he was trying to get rid of an ache. Ryan didn't miss how Jeremy's breath was coming out harshly. "Is it because of what I said?"

"This has nothing to do with you." Jeremy lied. He just wanted to get out of there. "See you tomorrow." He turned to go but Ryan's hand shot out to hold his wrist. "I need to go Ry..."

"Look at me." Ryan sounded like he wouldn't take any disobedience. He saw Jeremy freeze, and then turn around slowly to face him. "Good. Now shift."

"What?" The alpha whispered, surprised at the command.

"You heard me, Jeremy. Shift."

"You don't want that right now Ryan." Jeremy gasped.

"Let me be the judge of that. Shift." Ryan closed his eyes but could tell that Jeremy was still motionless, staring at him. "Please..." He breathed.

Jeremy's hands went to the buttons on his jeans. He unbuttoned them slowly. Then he bent down to take of his boots and socks. Next, he stepped out of his jeans, his boxer briefs following. By that point he was trembling all over. His chest hurt so bad. He thought he would be used to Ryan's hurtful words by then....wouldn't be afected so much by them but on the contrary, even the wrong look from Ryan a ected him...painfully. His wolf supered the most. Jeremy didn't know what Ryan wanted with his wolf. But he really didn't think it was the best time for Ryan to be around the beast. Not when he was hurting so bad. He wasn't worried about his mate's safety though. He wolf would never harm Ryan. With a deep breath, Jeremy shifted.

Ryan felt the change in the room. It actually felt as though the room had suddenly gotten smaller. He knew he was in the room with Jeremy's wolf but he wasn't scared at all. He opened his eyes and looked at the magnificent red wolf. It was huge. Ryan was shocked to realize that the wolf was almost as tall as him, and way bigger. Jeremy's wolf would definitely tip the scale at two hundred kilograms or more. The only time he'd come into contact with Jeremy's wolf, Ryan had been angry and in so much pain he hadn't looked at the wolf at all. Gloria had said an alpha wolf was big but he hadn't thought it would be that big. And all that fur...it was beautiful. Ryan approached the wolf slowly. It stood still. And just as Ryan knew from his own studies a depressed wolf behaved, Ryan noticed that the wolf's ears were back, his eyes downcast and his tail hung straight down. Ryan groaned. When he raised a hand to touch the side of the wolf's neck and rubbed his fingers gently into the fur, the wolf leaned into the caress with a little whimper. "Now listen to me." Ryan said softly. "You're not the one I'm angry at. It's the human Jeremy, for allowing himself to lose control and treat me the way he did. I don't want you to ever think I hate you 'cause I don't. I'm so sorry for putting you through all that pain with my utterances. I don't mean to. What happened really hurts me. There's a saying that time heals wounds but this one is not going to heal anytime soon. I'm bound to make references to what happened to me and tell Jeremy exactly what I think of him every now and then. It's a human thing. Try not to let it bother you please." He rubbed his face against the wolf, loving how soft and cozy it felt, loving its unique smell. "I just wanted you to know that." Then as if he couldn't help himself, Ryan began to scatter little kisses all over the wolf's face. "You're gorgeous." He breathed.

He moved round the wolf, touching it, rubbing it, talking to it, till it raised its fluy tail and began to wag it. By the time Ryan went back to face it, the wolf looked...cheerful. Though it kept its eyes on Ryan with a gaze that pierced into his soul, its eyes were relaxed. That powerful jaw had dropped and the wolf was panting slightly. Ryan could have sworn it was smiling. And when that huge long tongue came out to lick Ryan's face, he couldn't stop the delighted laughter that burst from his throat.

"Cut that out, Jer." Ryan said without thinking. He certainly didn't notice he'd used Jeremy's pet name. He watched as Jeremy's wolf flopped down in a relaxed position, keeping a watchful eye on Ryan the whole time. Ryan also flopped down beside the wolf and cuddled against him as if it was the most natural thing. He threw an arm around the wolf and buried his face in its coat. Then he finally communicated through their link. 'Are you going to talk to me?'

Jeremy's wolf couldn't suppress his chuckle. 'I was waiting for you to give me permission.

Ryan laughed out loud. 'Are you okay?' He asked softly.

'I'll live. The red wolf responded.

'How's he...doing in there?' Ryan asked quietly.

Somehow he felt sorry for Jeremy but he knew he had to do what he was doing to help the wolf who hurt every time he said a mean word to Jeremy. After all, the wolf didn't do anything to him. Gloria's training had made him appreciate the link between wolves and their humans better. And he didn't think it was fair to the wolf if he allowed him to hurt as he constantly did albeit unconsciously.

'How do you think?' The wolf drawled. 'I put him to sleep. He's out.'

'Really?' Ryan's eyes widened. 'I didn't know you could do that.

'I can and I have.' Jeremy said smugly. 'Ryan?'

'Uh-huh?'

'Thanks!

Ryan nodded and relaxed even more against the wolf. He could remain that way till the next day, he thought.

'Nothing is stopping you! Jeremy's wolf responded amused. 'But you might want to sleep in the comfort of a bed seeing as you have to be rested for lectures tomorrow!

Ryan groaned. 'I totally forgot. I have a lecture as early as seven in the morning!'

'Couldn't you have waited till Monday?' Jeremy's wolf asked dryly. 'Who resumes work on a Friday?'

Ryan chuckled. 'Tomorrow, I'm only going to give them the main areas to concentrate on for the rest of the semester since we've already wasted so much time, thanks to me. Serious work will begin on Monday! He explained. 'I just hope all that has happened in the past weeks will not get me distracted when I finally stand in front of my class. He said wistfully.

'You'll be fine. You're a pro. Nothing can distract you from doing what you love.

'Let's hope so. Ryan sighed, running his fingers through the alpha's fur.

'Shift. Ryan heard the wolf's soft whisper.

'Why?'

'I want to see him. Please. When Ryan got to his feet and began to strip, the wolf had to suppress the urge to howl his joy. 'Thank you.' He said instead. And when he saw Ryan's keycard slip out of his pocket onto the rug, he chuckled. 'Somebody lied.' The wolf drawled.

'I wanted to talk to you! Ryan shrugged nonchalantly, trying to appear as if it wasn't a big deal but he couldn't

stop the hot colour that rose in his cheeks.

'You don't need an excuse to talk to me Ryan. You should know that by now. All you have to do is tell me what you want! Jeremy's wolf mumbled.

'I don't get it.' Ryan said, suddenly looking curious. 'We were linked. How come Jeremy couldn't tell I was lying about the keycard?'

'I guess we were hurting too much to pick up on that! The alpha wolf said. 'Or you were probably too desperate to tell that lie you blocked me reflexively.'

Ryan grinned. 'I'll go for reason two. That's progress. Gloria said I'll get the hang of shielding my thoughts soon.' He said as he got on all fours, ready to shift.

'Is it easier now?' The alpha asked softly.

"Piece of cake." Ryan spoke aloud cockily and then quickly shifted into that stunning pure white wolf.

The big red wolf stood up. And for a full minute, he just stared at his mate, the awe in his eye clear for Ryan to see. The thrill that the alpha felt inside at the fact that Ryan could shift so easily without pain was massive. Some sentences are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on Ebookex.com. Visit Ebookex.com to read the complete chapters for free. A bitten wolf could sometimes go a whole year before they mastered the art of a painless shift. His mother had done a great job. But then, his mate was no ordinary werewolf. 'Hey! Jeremy's wolf finally breathed, moving closer to the one being that caused his heart to flutter inside his chest.

'Hey! Ryan responded softly...almost shyly. Jeremy made him feel beautiful with the way he looked at him. Almost as if he were a rare, exquisite diamond and at the same time, a yummy ice cream sundae or the meatiest part of a freshly killed antelope. 'You are absolutely breathtaking. The alpha's voice was barely above a whisper. Somehow he felt as if he was in the presence of a sacred entity. It felt almost as if Ryan would disappear if he spoke above a whisper.

Ryan knew Jeremy's wolf meant every word. He could see it in his eyes. Besides, Gloria had told him that he was the most beautiful wolf she'd ever laid eyes on. And coming from such an elderly and experienced person, that was rich.

'I know.' Ryan purred with a naughty twinkle in his eyes which made the alpha burst into laughter despite himself.

'Very modest aren't we.' cheek. He loved this jovial smell divine.'

He smirked, nuzzling Ryan's side of his mate. 'F**k, you!

'So do you.' Ryan's wolf breathed, licking the chin, muzzle and mouth of the bigger wolf. 'Teach me how to put him to sleep. He whispered. 'I want this to be between just us.'

The alpha nodded eagerly. 'Just think of him fast asleep. He instructed. 'You're in your wolf form now. It means your wolf is stronger so use that strength. Suppress him with all your will. Close your eyes. The alpha watched as his mate's eyes fluttered shut. 'Concentrate. Come on, you can do it. He whispered.

'Oh my God, he's out! Ryan's wolf breathed, opening his eyes. 'He's actually snoring!

'You're mean, Ryan. The alpha laughed, nuzzling the soft coat of his mate. 'I want to sni you all over. The alpha husked. 'May I?'

Ryan's wolf rubbed himself against with a relaxed demeanor, indicating the huge red wolf his willingness to receive his attentions. He made quiet whining sounds as he nibbled on the alpha's coat. 'You may. He whispered eventually.

The alpha didn't just sni] his mate. He licked every inch of him. His initial licking of the white wolf's face and body could have passed for grooming or bonding, which was a usual lupine behaviour. But when he urged Ryan's wolf onto his back and went to town on his tummy and genitals with that deliciously rough tongue, Ryan's wolf thought he would pass out from sensory overload. 'Jeremy...' He whimpered shakily, totally aroused.

But hearing his name on his mate's lips rather brought the alpha back to his senses. He immediately backed o, completely missing the look of disappointment that flashed across his mate's face. Jeremy's wolf flopped back down beside his mate who was panting harshly from s****l excitement.

'I'm sorry. The alpha apologized. 'You just taste and smell so good I got carried away!

The alpha wanted his mate so much he hurt. But he sure as fuck wasn't going to do anything about it. Since that night when Jeremy had brutally taken Ryan, he hadn't allowed himself the pleasure of a release. Though he'd brought his mate to an orgasm on two diferent occasions after that incident, and had heard Ryan get of in his room lots of times, Jeremy somehow felt he didn't deserve the pleasure after what he'd done to Ryan. So he wasn't surprised at all at his state of arousal. It was only to be expected after going so long without release. That was a record actually.

'Can we just lie here together? Please?' The alpha pleaded.

Ryan's wolf rolled over and propped his chin across his mate's neck. He was still trembling from arousal and he knew that Jeremy's wolf could feel it. All he needed to do was ask and he knew the alpha would give him the release he craved. But he curbed his hunger and willed his body to calm down. That didn't stop the beautiful white wolf from whining its frustration. After a while he took a deep whi of his huge mate and felt himself relax. Ryan's wolf definitely loved the feel of his mate against him. He'd never felt more comfortable and peaceful. He unconsciously began to purr, drawing a soft laughter from Jeremy's wolf.

'What?' Ryan's wolf mumbled.

'You're purring.

'Oh. Is that a bad thing?'

'I like it. It shows how content you are!

Ryan's wolf chuckled. 'I am. Just wait till Goody Two-Shoes wakes up.' He added dryly, making the alpha laugh.

'How did you replace your training?'

'It was fun and interesting. Your mother is the best.'

'I know.

'Did it of end Jeremy when I picked his mother over him?' Ryan's wolf asked in a small voice filled with guilt.

Jeremy's wolf chuckled. 'What did you expect?' He murmured. 'It's an honour to train a mate. You robbed us of that. But he gets it. Besides, his mother is a superb trainer so he consoled himself. Tell me about the training!

With a sigh, Ryan's wolf went ahead to tell his mate all about his training, the fun moments that still made him smile whenever he remembered it, and what he thought of the werewolf species in general.

'You bunch of mutts behave in a risky and morally questionable manner. You...you love to walk on the wild side. You're all...dare I say it? Recklessly bold.

'Mutts?' The alpha growled. 'Really? And was that the only conclusion you could come up with?'

'Damn straight it was. Ryan's wolf chuckled. 'I love to hunt by the way. It's fun!

'I know. Run with me one evening! Jeremy's wolf requested softly.

'Okay!'

'Sure you can get Goody Two-Shoes to agree?' The alpha drawled, drawing laughter from his mate.

'He likes you. I think I can manage that.'

'Can't wait.

And the two wolves had a lengthy chat, getting to know each other, giving each other insights on their humans and what made them tick, and generally enjoying being together. Although they didn't want to, they eventually fell asleep at dawn, snuggled tightly against each other.

When Philip entered his alpha's suite the next morning, it was to replace the huge red wolf and the stunningly, beautiful, white wolf, cuddled cozily together right there on the plush rug in the suite...fast asleep. The head Beta quickly pulled out his cell phone from his pocket and took a shot of the pair with a shit-eating grin on his face. He immediately sent it to Stan who whistled so wolfishly over the link the three of them shared, Jeremy opened his eyes.

'Really?' Jeremy drawled as he took in the sight of his Beta grinning mischievously at his cell phone. He couldn't believe his silly wolf had put him to sleep for that long. When he heard his wolf in his mind saying he needed the rest, he gave a soft growl. 'What time is it, Lip?' He didn't move a muscle as he didn't want to disturb Ryan.

'It's almost six.' Philip responded, folding his arms across his chest and grinning like a simpleton.

'Shit.' Jeremy growled. 'He'll be late. I need to wake...

'Wait wait... Philip gushed. 'Did you at least ask him to mate with you?'

'Lip come on...' Jeremy groaned. 'That was the last thing on my mind.'

'Does everything have to be about sex?' Philip snapped. 'This is very important.'

'Who said anything about s*x? Ever heard of spending quality time?' Jeremy chuckled. 'Now get the hell out of here so I can wake him up. The big red wolf told his Beta as he gently extricated himself from his mate. He stood and stretched, then turned to face his Beta, who hadn't moved at all. 'Is there a problem?'

'No, no. But you have to bring it up soon, Alpha.' Philip said stubbornly. 'The news of you replaceing your mate spread like wildfire last night. Much as the pack is happy for you, we both know Ryan will become a target. Till you mate him properly and give him your mark, he's not safe. All those hopefuls will try to harm him now that they know they don't stand a chance of ruling by your side. Besides, you can't be sure of everyone, Jer.'

'I know. I know. Fuck!' The alpha swore with frustration. Left to him alone, his mate would be given whatever time

he needed to accept the idea of mating with him and accepting his mark. But he knew that what his Beta had just said was very real. They were animals at the end of the day, and a jealous animal acted very irrationally. 'I shouldn't have kissed him last night.' He groaned. 'What was I thinking?'

'You did the right thing. If you hadn't, he would have been humiliated and you know it. You did what any mate would do under the circumstances. Besides, most importantly, it showed the people that you are not disgusted with the fact that your mate turned out to be a man. Everyone knows how you feel about...that kind of relationship. Philip tried to suppress his amused smirk but couldn't.

'Up yours, buddy. Jeremy rasped, wishing he could flip Philip o. I did it because I'd been dying to for a very long time. He groaned. 'Not even wild horses would have stopped me from tasting those lips. Now I've only succeeded in putting his life in danger. Why do I always make his life hell with my actions?' The alpha sounded distressed.

'It was going to come out at a point, Jer.' Philip pointed out. 'If you ask me, that was perfect. But it still put a target on his back. That's just how it is. The only way he can be protected is if he has your mark and you know it.'

Mating with Jeremy and receiving his mark was actually Ryan's golden ticket to a safe and peaceful life because Jeremy would be able to sense it anytime he was in danger, no matter how far apart they would be on the planet. That was the biggest advantage of being mated to an alpha. The mark would also scare people with evil intentions away from Ryan. It was only someone with a death wish who would dare attack someone who had been marked as an alpha's mate. The disadvantage, however, was that whenever there was war, the alpha's mate was always a target. The enemy would either attack the alpha's mate to make a statement or kidnap the alpha's mate to force an alpha to surrender. But for now, Ryan would be safer and better of with his mate's mark. They needed to be mated in the right ceremony in the shortest possible time and Jeremy knew it.

'I don't want to rush him.' Jeremy groaned.

'Just talk to him, Jer. Make him understand. It's for his own good...and the pack's. The alpha couldn't concentrate on the pack as he should if he was always worried about the safety of his mate. 'The attacks can begin at any time.' Philip looked worried. "Cause I don't think your kind of women would need time to plan!

'They don't.' Jeremy sighed. He mostly went in for women who were not only strong, but also sure of themselves. 'But the last thing I want to do is force him, Lip. I don't want him to give in simply because he was forced or scared into agreeing. That's not the kind of relationship I want with him. The eyes of the alpha were filled with apprehension. 'I want more. He whispered.

Philip stifled his surprised gasp. He was seeing a totally diferent side of the Jeremy he'd known since childhood. By his nature, Jeremy was not one to let his guard down and allow himself to feel. But Philip could see that Jeremy had really strong feelings for his mate. What made anyone who found a mate happy was the hope of gaining that inner bliss that Jeremy couldn't seem to suppress. And that was just so damned beautiful to witness. It dawned on Philip just how important Ryan was to his friend's happiness. For a moment, the Beta was busting with joy but then he suddenly remembered how badly Jeremy had treated the one person who held the key to his happiness, and instantly got angry. They wouldn't have been in their current predicament if Jeremy had... 'You should have thought of that before allowing yourself to lose control.' Philip growled. But even as he pushed the thought onto their link, he knew that it was a mean thing to say. And the devastated look in the red wolf's eyes said it all. 'I'm sorry Jer." 'Never apologize when you're right. The alpha said grupy. 'You know Luna is going to punish me don't you...' It wasn't a question. Everyone who knew what he'd done to his mate knew the axe was going to come down at a point. They just didn't know when. Philip nodded. 'Don't think about it.'

The wolf gave a humourless laugh. 'I have more important things to think about right now. My main aim is to get him to forgive me. He said, looking at his sleeping mate. 'I'm scared, Lip. Jeremy whispered.

'We'll get through this, Jer. My main concern right now is his safety. But just do whatever you feel is right. I'll support whatever decision you make. But know this; if any of your whores make an attempt on his life, I'm going to kill first and then ask questions later. You might not be able to do it but I can. Just giving you a heads up.' Philip turned to go. But at the door, he stopped with his hand on the doorknob and spoke without turning; 'I hope you know, that with the way you're feeling about him, should anything fatal happen to him, even Luna can't stop you from the terror that you would unleash.

'I know.' Jeremy said quietly.

'Think about that.' With those last words, the Beta left the suite.

'Fuck, fuck, fuck.' Jeremy muttered as he went to stand beside his beautiful sleeping mate. As he looked down at him, he felt his heart swell with tenderness and joy. The alpha knew he wouldn't survive if anything happened to the stunning creature he was looking at. 'Watch over him Luna. He prayed.

Ryan came awake to a delicious wetness on his face. He opened his eyes and saw a huge wolf licking his face. Jeremy. Ryan came wide awake and giggle through their link.

'Isn't it too early to be awake?' He purred, enjoying the feel of that amazing tongue on his coat.

'It's actually late prof. Jeremy nibbled under Ryan's neck. 'You'll be late for lectures if you don't get ready now!'

'Oh snap. Ryan groaned as he jumped up and stretched.

'Hey, don't forget our plan to go for a run.' Jeremy said nuzzling Ryan's neck, breathing in his well-loved scent.

'It's a date. Ryan said and promptly grimaced. To think his first date was going to be as a wolf.

'We can always go on a real human date.' Jeremy said softly.

Ryan gu awed. 'You really think Goody Two...' Ryan trailed of, remembering that his human was no longer sleeping. The two wolves burst into laughter to the annoyance of Ryan's human and amusement of Jeremy's. Though they were both awake, they'd remained silent throughout the exchange between their wolves. Of course Ryan chose that moment to prompt his wolf to get going.

'It was nice spending time with you.' The white wolf told Jeremy. 'When are we going for that run?'

'Whenever you can.

'Tonight! Ryan said immediately.

'It's a date. Jeremy grinned. 'Now shift with me.' He said softly. 'Let's piss em o}]!

Ryan's wolf laughed. 'You mean piss ME of]. I like the idea. Let's. The white wolf laughed as he shifted back to human. The human looked down at his exposed nakedness and felt no urgency to cover up. Ryan realized he actually felt comfortable in his nakedness around Jeremy. Speaking of whom... He looked up to see a gloriously naked Jeremy standing before him. That body...that cock... Damn! He wanted to trace his hands and tongue along the mouthwatering ridges of muscle covering Jeremy's body. Ryan tore his eyes away from Jeremy's body with dificulty and looked up at the projected clock on the wall. "Just great." He muttered.

"Not my fault." Jeremy mumbled. "You asked to see my wolf."

Ryan flounce past Jeremy with a scowl on his face and grabbed his stu of the couch. Then without a word to his mate, he went to his room to get ready for his lecture. But even as he got ready, Ryan couldn't stop the smile that turned up the corners of his mouth. Though his wolf had been in charge throughout the night, he couldn't deny the contentment he felt within. And that kiss at the arena had been something else. Just thinking about it made his lips tingle.

"God, what am I going to do?" Ryan whispered to himself. Jeremy was gradually getting past his defenses. And that scared the shit out of Ryan.