Hunted Down by His Alpha (5 page)

CHAPTER NINE

Tobias

We spent three days in my bed. Food was delivered and left half-eaten as we slaked our lust, never fully winding down from each shattering release before starting up again. He was insatiable and his stamina unnatural as he took me over and over, again and again. I’d been bent over every steady surface and fucked against every wall we wouldn’t slam through when the sun set on the third day.

I stroked my hands down his smooth chest, tracing the dips and ridges of each slab of thick muscle bisecting his torso when he nuzzled his face against my drying hair and spoke.

“It’s time we returned home, Tobias.”

I wanted to hear him call me Toby, and told him so.

“I haven’t called you Toby since you were a pup. You demanded that I call you Tobias when you reached adolescence.”

I’d firmly stayed away from asking him anything about himself or what he knew about me for the last three days, preferring to get lost in the pleasure of his sleek, powerful body and thick, perpetually hard cock. If I hadn’t been right next to him for the last seventy-two hours I would have sworn he was constantly popping little blue pills to stay that way.

I couldn’t remain ignorant though. Michael had died before he could tell me about my past and here was a man who seemed certain that he knew it, that he had shared it with me. I wasn’t going to leave with him—I didn’t have much of a life here, but it was something—and before he left, alone, I had to get some answers from him.

I pushed away and sat up, moaning as I did so. I could feel him leaking from my body. Dusk was falling over the city and the last of the light was slipping from the room.

“Who are you really, Hayden? How do you know me?”

He frowned at me, his green eyes steady on mine. Now that night was falling his eyes had begun taking on that bright, almost unnatural color again.

“I’ve told you, mate. I’m your alpha.”

I tried to shift back as I tensed. Something inside of me reacted to his words but I had no idea what he was on about. “Alpha? What’s an alpha?”

“The leader of your pack. Our pack. We were called the Monrningside Pack before the merger two years ago.”

I blinked. “Pack? As in dogs?”

He bared his teeth in what I guessed was supposed to be a smile. “Not dogs, little mate. Wolves. Wolf shifters to be exact. You could say werewolves except we don’t go crazy at the full moon. Only slightly more…
intense
”

I shook my head even as a part of me nodded. “You’re crazy,” I blurted out as I scrambled back against the wall at the head of my mattress. “Maybe we fucked too much and it shook one of your screws loose, but there are no such things as werewolves.”
Aren’t there?
A pesky voice asked. I shook my head again, more frantically this time. “You’ve been watching way too much TV. Look, the sex has been fun and fucking amazing and all, but I think it’s time you leave,” I said as I stumbled out of the bed, pulling the sheet up with me. It was a flimsy shield at best, but it was better than nothing while I demanded he get the hell out and take his damn crazy with him.

He looked at me in amusement, cocking a dark brow at my hard expression as I tried to look tough. “I’m not going anywhere, Tobias. Especially not without you.”

“Too bad, I want you out. If you don’t leave I’ll the cops,” I threatened. I didn’t know how smart that was. The man could easily overpower me and I had no fucking idea where my phone was. I didn’t think yelling for help would be of much use in this shitty neighborhood either.

I swallowed and backed up a step as he slid fluidly onto his feet and came towards me. I held my hand out, trying to keep him from advancing.

“I’m a wolf shifter, Tobias, and you’re one too.”

“Bullshit,” I snarled. “There’s no such thing. The last time I checked, I don’t get hairy at a full moon or chase my imaginary tail.”

He chuckled but it sounded mirthless. He was in front of me now with the wall at my back. To say I was between a rock and a hard place was more than apt. Three guesses as to who the rock was. His hands shot out as I tried to slip away, caging me in. He moved closer until I could see the shards of dark green highlighting the light color of his eyes.

“You’re a werewolf and my mate. You don’t shift, though. You can’t.”

“What do you mean I can’t?” I asked, humoring him.

“You’re a half-blood, a halfling. Your father human, your mother our kind. But other than that, you’re one of us, mine. And you know it,” Hayden cut in when I opened my mouth to scoff and argue with him again. “Think about it. Deep down you know it. You’re faster than a regular human, stronger. Your sense of smell and taste more intense, your eyesight better than twenty-twenty. You can see clearly at night, you can hear sounds no one else can.”

My throat went dry and I could feel my stomach flip as his words sank in.
No, he had to be crazy. It wasn’t true
. But it was. I was faster, stronger. I could see far distances and make out the small details, and I could hear better than I knew was humanly possible. Even now I could hear the argument going on three floors below at the other end of the building. I squeezed my eyes shut and sagged against the wall.
Shit.
This wasn’t happening.

I felt Hayden’s hand on my chin as he forced my face back up.

“Look at me, Tobias.”

It was impossible to ignore the command in his voice.

“You’re a shifter and my mate. And it’s time for us to go home.”

I shook my head. “No. This is my home.” My voice was quiet, shaky.

He gave me a patient look. “This is not home. Home is with me and I need to return to the packlands. Our pack needs me, and I need you to be safe. Need to know you’re beside me and safe, especially when the pups come.”

I blinked then frowned. “Pups? You’re getting puppies?” Did werewolves keep dogs as pets? I would have laughed if I weren’t so caught up in how surreal this all was.

Hayden’s hand slid up to cup the side of my face, his thumb brushing tenderly over my temple. He looked at me gently, the hard line of his mouth softening as the corner tugged up. “You’re pregnant with my pups,
our
pups.”

“Fuck off. There’s no way I’m pregnant. I’m a guy and last time I checked guys can’t get pregnant. Werewolf or not.”

“You’re pregnant. I can smell it on you, your scent’s changed.”

I shook my head. Fuck, I felt like I was on repeat. “That’s impossible.”

His dark eyebrow shot up again. “As impossible as werewolves.”

I glared at him. “The jury’s still out on that one.”

Hayden’s hand dropped away as he stepped back with a sigh. “Fine. If this is the only way.”

I frowned, wondering what he was on about. If he’d finally given up on his absurd tale of crazy when I watched something happen that was fucking impossible. His body seemed to pop and shift as he bent over and dark fur suddenly sprouted all over his body as he dropped onto all fours in front of me, a tail suddenly appearing behind him. His head lifted and I found myself staring into the eyes of the wolf from my dream.

My scream got strangled in my tight throat as terror and horror bubbled up like acid. I bolted for the door and felt the large wolf—
werewolf
, because fuck, they were real!—flash past me and block my path. I skidded to a stop and felt myself falling down hard onto my ass, my stomach ready to empty itself all over me as fear cut off all the oxygen in the room. The large wolf padded over, its cold, wet nose nudging against my bare stomach as I made a strangled sound of fear.

And then I was wrapped in warm, human arms. Hayden lifted me against his chest and carried me back to the bed, lowering himself down onto it with me in his lap.

“Breathe,” he ordered gently as he cradled my head against the crook of his neck and rubbed his hand soothingly up and down my back.

I drew in deep shuddering gasps, filling my lungs again and pushing back the black edging my vision.

“It’s real,” I whispered as I started to shake violently. I felt Hayden’s arms come up tight around me, and I turned into his chest, seeking safety and comfort from the man who’d scared the shit out of me and tilted my world on its axis. And yet I wasn’t afraid of him. The significance of that seemed mild in comparison to what the hell was going on around me though. I felt like one of those snow globes that had been shaken too vigorously and cracked.

Hayden held me for who knows how long until my shaking died down to trembling and then finally they stopped altogether. Everything was too absurd to be a mere dream. Suddenly
this
was my reality.

“So, I’m a werewolf. Like you. But not. And I’m pregnant. With puppies.”

“You’re pregnant with pups, not puppies,” Hayden said gently into my hair, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

“More than one?”

“More than one.”

“How many.”

“Alphas breed in litters. Seth, the mate of Wyatt, one of the five other alphas, just gave birth to five pups.”

“
Five?”
I squawked.

I felt him nod. “They’re adorable. You’ll get to meet them when we get back. They’ve just started shifting.”

“Shifting? And Seth’s a guy’s name—don’t tell me he’s a guy too?” Well, at least I wasn’t going to be the only pregnant male in existence. The thought didn’t seem to make things better.

“Yes, Seth’s male. And the pups learn to shift at one week old.”

Hold on, shift?
I swallowed. “And they’re born as…?”

“Pups. Wolves.”

I’d never fainted before in my life, but it seemed like today was going to be a day of firsts. “Jesus Christ. I’m going to give birth to wolves? Out of where?” I wasn’t too good at keeping the hysteria out of my voice.

There was a pregnant—damn the pun—pause that really didn’t help. Fuck, I wanted to throw up. Or was that the pregnancy?

“Generally, male wolves give birth in shifted form. But your ability to shift is…”

“
Oh, god.
” I’d started shaking again. This was crazy, maybe I was going crazy. Had gone crazy.

Hayden’s arms tightened around me and I forced myself to breathe. At least I wasn’t in the crazy alone.

“We’re going to figure it out, Tobias. I’m not going to let anything happen to you. I won’t. We’ve got still got five months to figure this out—”

“Five months?”

“The gestation period for wolves is only five months.”

“I guess that’s better than nine months,” I said hollowly, trying to look on the bright side. Was there a bright side?

“That’s why I want you back in the safety of packlands. I’m not letting anyone take you from me again.”

I pushed back and looked up at him, frowning at the hard look and grief that filled his eyes. “You’ve said that before. What do you mean take me from you?”

“You—” he swallowed and seemed to take a deep breath before he answered me again. “Five years ago, you were taken from me, taken from packlands and no matter where I looked I couldn’t find you. You disappeared without a trace.” His hand was trembling as he reached up to cup my face.

I frowned. “How do you know I was taken, that I didn’t just, uh, run away?” I knew I’d asked something reprehensible as raw, sharp pain flashed in the green depths of his eyes.

“You don’t remember. But you loved me, as much as I love you.” He smiled sadly. “You’ve always known you were my mate as I’ve always known you were mine the moment your mother came to the pack when you were seven. You used to follow me around and ask me when I’d claim you even though you were still a child and I was already running the pack. I’d have to constantly promise you soon just so you’d stop trying to climb all over me and go play with the other pups.” His eyes took on a gentle, warm look as he spilled memories I didn’t remember having or making with him. “But still, you never left my side. Even when your mother passed away and I thought the grief would consume you.” So I’d had a mother. The thought was distant, the pain of her lost as much so for a figure I didn’t remember, as I tried to grasp what Hayden was telling me.

“When you were thirteen you crawled into my bed and tried to wake me up in ways you shouldn’t have done until you were older and I spanked your ass hard enough that you were pouting and walking funny for a couple of days afterwards, but it didn’t stop you.” He chuckled and stroked my cheek as he looked down at the person I didn’t remember being. “I should say I’ve lost count of the times you demanded I claim you, but I haven’t. Just as I haven’t lost count of the times you smiled at me, or came running to me crying and wanting me to make the world right again. Just because you don’t remember, it doesn’t mean I haven’t. And even if you don’t regain those memories, it doesn’t matter. I’ll hold them and we can make new ones together.”

I felt my eyes burn and ducked my head, pressing my cheek against the curve of his neck as I felt a part of me cry for what I’d lost.

CHAPTER TEN

Hayden

“He’s with me and safe.”

“Did he mention anything about what happened five years ago?” The anxiety in Roman’s voice came through clear.

I shifted my phone as I glanced at Tobias. He had his back turned to me and was packing something away in his backpack. “No, and I haven’t asked him yet. It won’t make any difference though. He’s lost his memory. He didn’t even recognize me.” The softly soften admission was gut wrenching and I felt my chest twist with pain.

“Lost his memory?” My phone seemed to vibrate with Roman’s gasp of shock.

I rubbed a weary hand over my eyes. “I don’t know how much of the last five years he remembers, but he’s drawn a blank on anything before that. I’m worried Roman. I can’t help wondering what whoever took him did to him. Did they traumatize him so much he couldn’t do anything but block everything out?” My hand shook and I forced myself to draw in deep breaths. Tobias might not have been able to sense my emotions like a wolf could, but I knew my mate was damn perceptive.

I gritted my teeth as rage suddenly suffused me. “If I ever find that son of a bitch who took him…” the phone in my hand creaked ominously.

“Then I’ll be right next to you when you tear him apart. But for now I think it’s best you get your mate back to packlands where it’s safe.”

“I’ve already informed the other alphas we’ll be back by dawn. We’re heading back as soon as Tobias is ready.”

“Be safe, Hayden.”

I ended the call and slipped the phone back into my pocket as I headed towards the sweet sight of my mate. “Is that all you want to bring?” I asked as Tobias swept his eyes over the apartment and turned back to me, nodding.

He only had his backpack and it didn’t look even near full. “Yeah, there’s nothing else I need from here.” His eyes were sad, but he came towards me and didn’t flinch from my hold as I pulled him against me and pressed a kiss to his forehead.

My little mate was strong.

We walked out of the building and I lead us down to where my truck was parked, opening the passenger side door to let him in. I made sure his belt was secured before I closed the door and rounded over to my side. I knew he wasn’t helpless—was far from it—but I didn’t think my protective instincts would abate anytime soon, if ever. I knew I wouldn’t survive losing him a second time.

“Is your home far from here?” he asked quietly as I pulled the truck into traffic. It was late now, and rush hour had long since passed, although the streets were far from quiet.

“
Our
home. It takes six hours on the road. I’d prefer to make it all in one go, but if you need to stop and rest tell me.” I glanced over at Tobias and frowned. Exhaustion lined his face.

“Why don’t you try and get some sleep now. I’ll wake you if necessary.”

“Like you need to stop and go for a run under the moonlight?” he joked, smiling as he turned to me.

I felt an answering smile tug at my mouth. “Just like that. But I’ll do my best to keep my wolf in check.” My wolf gave a huff, but I could tell he was enjoying our mate’s bantering.

“Okay. A nap sounds good. Wake me up if you want to swap places too. I haven’t driven in a while, but I’ve got my license.”

I wasn’t about to wake him for something like that but I didn’t want him arguing. I nodded. “Now sleep.”

He narrowed his eyes at me at the command, but then he was leaning back and minutes later I heard his deep, even breathing.

“Good night, little mate.”

The drive back down south didn’t feel nearly as long with my little wolf snoring softly beside me. Knowing he was with me and safe went a long way in making the trip back a lot more enjoyable than the one up had been.

Nearly six hours later I was regretfully waking him up.

He roused with a soft huff of sleep and yawned. Drowsy blue-green eyes turned on me and he smiled softly, still half-asleep. My heart tugged at the intimate look, filling with warmth and love, and I had to fight the urge to stop the truck right there so I could pull him into my arms and kiss him.

Then he blinked at the moment was gone. He straightened and looked around. “We’re here?”

“Welcome home, mate.”

He seemed to drink it all in as the first rays of the pinkening dawn spread over the valley, touching the packlands. A few of the elder packmates were already up and about, some sitting on their porches and taking in the dawn.

“And everyone who lives here are werewolves?”

I heard the amazement in his voice and had to grin. “Not what you were expecting? We evolved from caves out in the wild some time ago.”

He gave me a look. “I kinda figured that out when I saw the phone and truck,” he answered dryly.

I laughed as I pulled up in the drive. Undoing my seatbelt, I leaned over and wrapped my arm around Tobias’s neck, pulling him in for a kiss. He was sweet and pliant against my lips.

I smiled at his dazed, soft look as I pulled away. “Come on, let’s get in. You could do with a real bed.”

He cocked an eyebrow up at me. “For sleeping or for something else?”

I grinned cockily letting him make what he would of it as I got out. His door slammed behind mine and together we walked up to the door.

“Welcome home,” I said as I opened the door and nudged him forward, letting him precede me.

“Wow.” Pride swelled as I watched his sandy-brown head swivel around the room taking it all in with wide eyes. I’d built this house with my mate in mind, knowing I’d be sharing it with him someday.

“I can give you a tour later, if you want. But first I think you need to get some proper sleep.” He was going to start looking like a panda with those circles under his eyes. “The bedroom’s this way.” I smiled as he followed me with round eyes to the master bedroom.

“It definitely looks different on the inside than it looks on the outside,” he remarked with a small laugh as I placed his backpack on a chair. He’d caught sight of the large king bed and was trying to look anywhere but at it.

It was cute as hell.

“Are all of the houses here like that?”

I pulled back the sheets and wrapped my hand around his wrist so I could pull him to the bed. “Most of the ones I’ve been in are. We like to keep the exterior modest and low-key but the interiors are all modeled to our needs,” I explained as I unzipped his jacket and pushed it off his shoulders. I swept off his t-shirt next.

“You know I can undress myself,” he said wryly as his t-shirt came off his head.

I grinned. “Yeah, but this is more fun for me.” I reached for his fly. He stepped out of his jeans as they dropped and then he was all naked and wriggly as I pushed him down onto the sheets. I pulled the sheets back up and secured them over his shoulders.

He looked up at me quizzically. “You’re not coming to bed?”

I shook my head. “I’ve got to go see the other alphas and see if anything important came up while I was away and apprise them of our situation.” I leaned down and pressed a kiss to his forehead. “Get some rest while I’m gone, I’ll be back soon.”

He looked unsure but seconds later his expression was smooth. “Okay.”

I was feeling impatient as I walked into Wyatt’s house several minutes later. I wanted to hurry back to my little mate’s side. It was going to be hard not having him by my side twenty-four-seven. I knew I could have easily called the alphas and had the meeting at my residence, but I didn’t know how I would react to having any other wolves around Tobias just yet. It was going to be difficult learning to trust others around him.

“It went well, then. Judging by the look on your face and the change in your scent,” Brevyn said as he turned purple eyes onto me appraisingly.

I took a seat next to Grey even though I was feeling too restless to sit and nodded. “I found him and brought him back. He’s at home, in bed, resting.”

“We won’t keep you long then,” Wyatt said.

“I’d appreciate that.” I looked at each of them and couldn’t help the smile that broke out as I relayed the news I needed to give. “Tobias is pregnant. With my pups.”

There wasn’t a look of shock on any of the other five faces. Ryland and Soren were the first to jump out of their seats and come over to give me a slapping bear hug. “Congrats! We couldn’t be happier for you.”

The others echoed their enthusiastic sentiments and well wishes. There would be another birth in Spring and our pack numbers would grow again.

We spent the next several minutes going over the important things that’d come up in my absence—issues that had been resolved and were still ongoing. The next piece of news had me stilling as horror swept through me.

“There was a large fire in the Savatore Pack. Half of their community was destroyed. We’ve sent over some funds, along with some of our wolves to help them rebuild,” Soren relayed grimly.

I tried to clear my throat of the thickness clogging it. Even now I couldn’t stomach the thought of fire, still felt the fear roll through me at the mention of one. “Were there any casualties?”

“Five.” The Salvatore Pack was a pack west of us and though they were bigger than our individual packs had been before the merger, no one could afford to lose five lives—whether the pack was made up of hundreds or single digits.

“Fuck,” the bit off expletive was bitter on my tongue. I rubbed an exhausted hand down my face. “Tell them we’ll do whatever we can to help.”

“We have and they know we will.”

I nodded and had to forcibly keep myself in the chair as they went through the last pieces of news. I wanted nothing more than to run home and hold Tobias in my arms. To feel him against me and inhale his scent. If I had lost him in that fire… I shuddered as I always did at the thought as terror welled up.

“We’ll end the meeting here,” Brevyn said as he stood up and the rest of us followed.

I knew they were ending it early for my sake and I was thankful. The run back home was invigorating, even unshifted, and I was making plans to take Tobias out for a run with my wolf when I saw the male at our front door. I growled as my wolf came to the surface, snarling and snapping, and the distance to the door had never seemed so long as I sprinted towards it.