Savage Desire
Chapter 45

Alpha Jeremy Stanton shot out of bed. He turned his head to make sure that his mate was beside him woken him up. Better still, someone had. Someone was in the room with them. But who would risk be the heartbeat, he could smell whoever it was. It was a sweet scent, almost like Ryan's. Maybe whoever the further he moved away from the bed, the fainter the heartbeat got. He crouched down and looked was but strangely, it seemed to beat faster. With a slight frown, Jeremy sat down beside Ryan and laid Then Jeremy heard it again. The other heartbeat. It was still faint, but it was steady. The surprising thi to be emanating from his mate. Why had Ryan's scent changed, Jeremy wondered. Could it have some Ryan's seventh and last day of heat had been two days earlier. His abnormal craze for s*x had diminis strong mating scent had ceased abruptly on the eighth day. His mate still smelt wonderful but that pa Jeremy stretched out beside Ryan. Then he placed his head on his chest, trying to listen to his heartbeat feeling the sound get stronger as he moved down. He couldn't suppress the gasp that tore out of his t didn't have to be a genius to know what that sound he was hearing signified. There was a new life insi "Luna..." Jeremy breathed as his entire body went taut with shock. He couldn't move or make a sound. his entire body going weak. Ryan was pregnant. A myriad of emotion which the alpha couldn't deciphe dificult to breathe. He felt his vision blur as all the strength completely left him.

Jeremy didn't miss the struggle that suddenly began within him. But he was too disoriented to even co was falling. Jeremy knew he had to rein in some control but he was too overwhelmed with emotions h desperate to come out. But something stronger overpowered the wolf. Jeremy's eyes turned bloody re Ryan stirred and stretched. He felt eyes on him even before he opened his eyes. When he saw Jeremy after six a.m.

Ryan was sleeping peacefully on his back with his face turned towards Jeremy. The alpha got out of the bed but didn't move away from it. Something had

ught snooping in none other's room than his, Jeremy wondered. He could hear a heartbeat besides that of his mate. It was faint but it was there. Apart from the room with them wasn't a threat. But what did the person want in the first place? Jeremy moved away from the bed but stopped when he noticed that the bed but there was no one there. He looked down at Ryan's face, angelic in repose, and listened to his heartbeat. It was strong and steady as it always d on his chest, feeling the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest. Why was Ryan's heart beating so fast? He hoped it was nothing serious.

that it seemed to be coming from Ryan. But how? And that scent...it seemed stronger the closer he got to Ryan. It dawned on Jeremy that the scent seemed o do with the heat?

normal on the eight day. Ryan still wanted him but it was not with the intensity and desperation with which he had demanded s*x on those seven days. That r scent...the one that Jeremy just couldn't resist, was no longer there. This new odour, although sweet, seemed rather strange.

closely. He realized that the second heartbeat was coming from below where his head rested on his mate. Jeremy moved his head slowly down Ryan's body, when he got to Ryan's stomach. The alpha just knew what had happened when he realized that the second heartbeat was coming from his mate's belly. He

n.

st stared at Ryan's flat tummy. "Oh. My. God." Jeremy gasped,

d him. He went from shock to emotional within minutes. His chest felt constricted. The lump in his throat felt like a boulder. Jeremy suddenly found it

hend what exactly was going on inside him. He gasped when he felt fiery heat sizzle through his body. He suddenly had no control of his body. He felt as if he didn't have the strength. The last thing he heard as he took the plunge into nothingness, was his wolf's exasperated howl inside him. The beast seemed

g over him and staring at his tummy, Ryan reached out to tenderly run his knuckles against his mate's cheeks. From the clock on the wall, it was a quarter "Hey, what are you doing up?" Ryan whispered. They always slept in. "Couldn't sleep?" He watched as slowly turned his head to look at him. Ryan's brows raised in surprise at the red eyes staring at him. The last time he'd seen the Ojah, his mate was back from purgatory and was dying. He had no fear for Jeremy's Ojah at all. But he didn't know why he was there that morning either. "To what do I owe this...visit?" Ryan asked quietly. "I'm sorry for what I did to you, Ryan." The red-eyed Jeremy said shakily.

Ryan's eyes widened in surprised. He didn't need to ask the Ojah what he was talking about. There was a saying that no one ever forgot their first time. Well...even if it was meant to be forgotten, his first time could definitely be easily remembered.

"I know you are." Ryan moved to sit up. "And I accept your apology. But why now?" He leaned his back against the headboard and watched the Ojah intently.

"I've wanted to come out and apologize but Jeremy and the wolf wouldn't allow me anywhere near you."

"But I thought you were stronger than either of them." Ryan pointed out.

"I am. But when they join forces, they are a formidable force."

"That day I was attacked on campus, you came." Ryan pointed out.

"They didn't have a choice then." He shrugged. "I was your only hope. It was either they allowed me out or Camilla hurt you real bad." The Ojah watched as Ryan nodded. "I wanted to apologize then but before I could speak, you asked for...him. So I gave you him." "I see. You honestly expect me to believe that was the only time you've gotten out?" Ryan watched the Ojah squirm. He didn't know why he felt like drilling the creature who had tortured him when he'd first landed in Stanwood Pack. But he was enjoying himself. "I...I was there during your marking." He lowered his eyes. "Both times."

"Really?" A faint smile touched Ryan's mouth when the Ojah nodded. "Did you enjoy it?" He smirked when the Ojah's head shot up and blood-red eyes stared into his.

"I've never enjoyed anything more." He rasped. "Again, those two didn't have a choice. It wouldn't have been a marking without me."

"So...why did they allow you out this time? How did you get out if you claim they don't want you anywhere around me?"

The Ojah swallowed hard. "Jeremy...Jeremy..."

"Jeremy did what?" Ryan asked gently, noticing how much the Ojah seemed to be struggling. "Tell me." He whispered. "He...he lost control of his body after what he saw." He said quietly. "You know...that will make the toughest of men weak." "What did he..."

"Still talking."

Ryan's eyes widened. "Sorry." He murmured, but that faint smile touched his mouth again. Despite all that the red-eyed alpha had done to him in the past, he admired the hell out of his blunt, unrestrained nature. He found it damn hot.

"I took advantage when I felt him lose control. I fought the wolf and got out. Well, I didn't really fight him..." At this point Ryan couldn't help but feel the Ojah seemed to be talking to himself. "I just bulldozed my way out. He wanted to get out too by the way. I just thought this was my only chance. My chance to sincerely apologize for what I did to you. I know you see me as a monster. I am. But I want you to know that I will never ever harm you or our baby. Ever!"

"What baby?" Ryan frowned as his head began to pound.

"The one in here." He said softly, reaching out to gently rub Ryan's belly.

"Oh..." Ryan gave a short laughter which sounded strained even to his own ears. "There's no baby. It was just the heat that..."

"Close your eyes." The Ojah whispered. "Concentrate...listen, quietly and feel." He instructed and watched as Ryan did as he'd been told.

A loud gasp tore out of Ryan as his eyes shot open. "Oh my god..." A shocked whisper. He suddenly felt light-headed. "I feel it." His hands went to his belly. "Oh my god..."

"You've already said that." The Ojah muttered. "Listen Ryan, it would kill me if you kept the baby away from me for fear that I might harm it." The Ojah went on quietly. "Cause I will protect it with my life. I will protect both of you with my life. I'm nothing without you, Ryan. It will take time but eventually, you will come to know that I live for you." The Ojah finally took a closer look at Ryan's ashen face. "Ryan?" "Why did Jeremy..." Ryan began shakily but trailed of.

"Uh-huh?" The Ojah prompted. "Why do you look like that? Don't you want our baby?" He asked sharply.

"Why did he lose control?" Ryan's voice shook. The last time Jeremy lost control and allowed his Ojah to take over, he hated what he'd been given. Him. "Why?" A tear escaped his eye and slid down his cheek.

"Too much emotion can bring a warrior to his knees. What Jeremy felt when he felt the presence of that baby...I've never felt before." He rasped. "That intense,

unconditional love... It was shocking, it was unexpected, it was overwhelming, and it reduced him to a position of complete submission. If he gets the slightest feeling that you don't want the baby, it will destroy him. So I ask again; don't you want the baby?" The relief that washed over Ryan was instant. He'd heard all that he needed to. "I want it." And Ryan realized he'd meant nothing more. That baby growing inside him was part of him and he loved it already. "Good." The Ojah looked relieved.

"So he's okay with it?" Ryan asked in a small shaky voice. "He's not freaked out by my abnormality?"

"Your..." The Ojah growled low in his throat. "You really need to stop thinking that way about yourself. Remember that very first hand-job he gave you? In the hospital, after I'd..." He trailed of. At Ryan's nod, he continued. "Did you see or feel any disgust from him even then?" Ryan slowly shook his head. Jeremy had simply wanted to give him relief. "He loved you even then. He just didn't know it. He loves everything about you Ryan. You could turn into a cockroach right now, and we...yes, we...would love you till we draw our final breath. Never doubt that. I think that you're an amazing guy and anyone would be lucky to have you." He murmured.

"Thanks." Ryan smiled through his tears.

The Ojah groaned, reaching out to wipe the tears o Ryan's cheeks. “Seeing you in tears is killing me." He growled, moving closer to Ryan. "And to think I pride myself on not feeling."

"But you do." Ryan gave a tremulous smile.

"Yeah, thanks to you." He grunted irritably. "Can I please hug you?" He asked softly.

"You don't have to ask." Ryan moved into the Ojah's arms and melted against him. "Thank you." He whispered.

"No. Thank you."

When Ryan moved out of the Ojah's arms, he couldn't help but notice the wetness in those red eyes. He reached up tentatively to swipe his thumb across one eye and looked at his wet thumb.

"It's water, not blood." Ryan gushed with mock surprise.

"Oh you're mean." The Ojah chuckled. "Can I ask as favour?"

"Anything." Ryan smiled.

“Give him some time. Jeremy I mean." He grimaced. "His mood is afecting me. That's the first time ever that I've... teared up. You're a bad influence." He gently brushed Ryan's hair back. "If he comes out now, he'll just bawl his eyes out. I can feel the intensity of the emotions running through me right now. Give him time." He said softly and waited till Ryan nodded his understanding. "Good. In the meantime, the beast is dying to come out. Cuddle with him for a while. No shifting. At least not until that baby drops." "Seriously?" Ryan gasped. "I love going for runs." He whimpered.

"Well, I'm no expert, but from the little I know, shifting can harm the baby. You have to sacrifice comfort for some of your it."

"You're going to be an amazing father."

"We're going to be the very best." A promise. "Now, I don't want that beast scratching you mistakenly with his claws. Go get something to wear before he shows up."

Laughing at the scowl on the Ojah's face, a naked Ryan got out of bed and made his way to the bathroom to pee and brush his teeth.

"God, I'm hungry." Ryan groaned when he came back into the room and headed for the closet, still stark naked. He pulled on boxers, grey sweatpants and a white long sleeved t-shirt and then headed back to the bed.

But the Ojah grabbed three pillows and steered Ryan towards the plush rug in the room. He arranged the pillows on the rug and gestured for Ryan to get comfortable. Then he grabbed the receiver. "What do you feel like eating this morning?" "Would it sound strange if I say I feel like pizza?" Ryan moaned.

"This early morning?" The Ojah turned his head to give Ryan an incredulous look.

"Yep. With milkshake."

The Ojah chuckled. "What type of pizza and what flavour milkshake?"

"I want their Fully Loaded pizza...family size please." Ryan switched on the huge LED TV on the wall. "For the milkshake, I want coconut."

The Ojah called the restaurant and placed the order in a curt voice that made Ryan laugh as he gazed at his mate's naked butt. He was sure the sta} would wonder what had crawled up Jeremy's arse and died. After placing the order and commanding that they bring it to the bedroom in the shortest possible time, he hung up and went back to where Ryan lay, relaxed against the pillows. Then he got on all fours beside Ryan and gave him a slow wink.

"Take care."

"Fuck, you're hot." Ryan grinned. "Pun absolutely intended. Come here." He breathed.

Then Ryan cupped the back of his mate's ruthless counterpart's head and leaned up to capture his mouth in an openmouthed kiss. The Ojah was shocked initially and didn't kiss Ryan back. But after some coaxing, he allowed himself to kiss Ryan back. It was gentle, slow and hot as f**k. When they parted, they were both breathing hard.

"I enjoyed chatting with you." Ryan breathed.

"Call and hang out with me sometime." The Ojah said with pleading eyes.

"You can count on it." Ryan grinned. "We're definitely doing this again...soon."

"Just ask for me whenever you want. And I'll be with you." And with a final kiss and a hug, the red-eyed alpha shifted into the big, red wolf.