Page 5 of Sex and Suspicion

"Jimmy was crossing the backyard of the pack house, not sure where he was coming from or where he was going. He’s a pack member and can freely access this area without question, so I was not paying him any attention, and for that, I am sorry." Hayes reached out with his other hand and brushed the hair back from Jake's forehead. It was an intimate gesture that Jake thoroughly enjoyed. This attraction he was feeling for Hayes made no sense, but it was getting stronger by the minute.

“He saw you there on the beach taking pictures and then, for some reason, ran at you, shifted, and attacked. I don't know why. He’s currently being questioned." Okay, there was one hell of a lot in this explanation to unpack. Jake simply stared at him and blinked repeatedly while trying to pull together a response.

“What are you trying to tell me?” He asked.

"You saw it. You saw who we are." Things started clicking in Jake's head, and the thoughts that were coming to him had to be crazy. What he was beginning to understand was outrageous and not real.

“It’s not real, I was scared and seeing things that weren’t there.” Jake sat up abruptly and scrambled for an explanation he could accept. Hayes moved to the edge of the bed and placed his arm around Jake while still holding his hand in a firm grip.

"It was real. What you saw was the truth."

“That dog was a man?”

“Yes.”

“You’re a huge black wolf?”

“Yes.” Jake tried to jerk away from him, but Hayes was holding him fast. His breathing became labored, and his heart felt like it would pound right out of his chest.

"This is crazy, absolutely fucking crazy." Jake was shouting, and he couldn't stop. He needed to get out of there.

"Look at me," Hayes demanded, and Jake did what he asked without even thinking. It was a natural response to his tense words, and again, it made no sense, but it felt completely right. "You wandered into a secret that has existed since time began.” Hayes let his eyes travel over Jake's expression, trying to read his reaction and understanding.

“There is a reason for all the folklore surrounding the supernatural and mystical beasts. It was founded in truth. Yes, I am a wolf, and this is a wolf pack. The Bay Harbor Community is the Bay Harbor Wolf Pack led by Alpha Henrik Vaughn.” Hayes fell silent as he continued to watch Jake very closely.

His hands still held him in place, but not aggressively. In his heart, he knew what Hayes was telling him was real, but his mind tried to deny it and tried to find alternative answers for the things he saw and the explanation Hayes was providing. “It’s impossible.” He uttered breathlessly.

“You saw it with your own eyes. You saw me shift, and you saw me shift back.” He spoke strong and clear and held Jake’s gaze solidly. “You saw Jimmy shift back to human when Travis took him away. How do you explain that?”

"I don't know." Jake was losing this. He had nothing apart from perhaps being delusional, but there was no reason for him to suddenly experience delusions out of nowhere. His mind was spinning, and he wanted to scream. Hayes suddenly stepped back and shifted right there in front of him in the full light of the room.

Jake jumped back with his back against the headboard and stared at the large animal pacing the room and coming gradually closer. The animal, a wolf, stared at him with those same dark eyes as Hayes, and his fur was reminiscent of Hayes’ sleek black hair. He recognized this animal, and slowly, he found himself relaxing, moving across the bed toward him.

The wolf came closer. He was so large that he stood taller than the bed, and when he approached, Jake tentatively reached out his hand. The wolf, Hayes, laid his head on Jake's leg, and Jake ran his hand through the soft, thick fur. The touch was magical. He knew this wolf. He knew this man, but from where and how? The questions bombarded him for several seconds, and then suddenly, it didn't matter.

He saw something in the depth of that stare that called to him on a level he could not deny. He felt the soul of that gorgeous black wolf touch his soul and claim him as his own. The wolf owned him at that moment, and he owned the wolf. They were meant to be one. "I know you." He whispered, and the wolf shifted into Hayes, standing there completely naked and looking every bit delicious.

He leaned closer, and Jake ran his hand over Hayes' naked shoulder and down his arm. He could not deny what he just saw, but the realization that shifters were real was a lot to take in and process. Hayes was worth the effort, and somehow, it was made very clear in that brief encounter that they were destined for one another.

“I believe you.” Jake watched as Hayes sat down on the edge of the bed and took Jake into his arms. “How long have you known that I was yours?” This new reality was taking shape, and Jake had a few questions.

“I didn’t know that you were my Fated mate until I picked you up in my arms and scented your blood. The scent and your touch made it very clear who you were.”

“You didn’t know me when you were down the beach and giving me the stink eye?” Jake’s lips curved slightly into a soft smile.

"I didn't know you. I thought you were very handsome but also a little suspicious." Hayes pulled him snugly into his arms, and Jake ate up the attention. The fear and trepidation of a few minutes ago had completely faded away. Seeing Hayes shift and interact with the wolf made everything so clear.

“I should have known. I was compelled to watch you, feeling a draw to be near you. At the time, I thought it was instinct alerting me to trouble. But it was Fate bringing my mate to me." Jake looked up at Hayes, and their eyes connected, and what happened next was wonderful and natural.

Hayes looked down into those light brown eyes, and his heart went to pieces. He’d never felt such warmth and attraction as was emanating from this young man. He was laying himself wide open to Hayes, so honest and pure. Hayes couldn't stop himself, and he didn't try.

He took those plump red lips in a kiss that branded and claimed. It burned to the soul, leaving no doubt as to his desire. The touch and the taste were unlike anything in this world. His mate made his blood burn, and his heart beat out of his chest. The excitement was incredible. His wolf was demanding they mark and claim this gorgeous man, and Hayes was of the mind to agree with him. Why wait? What would be gained?

The kiss ended slowly, with Hayes trailing moist kisses down Jake's throat and across his shoulder, paying special care to the wound that was now nearly completely healed.

“You’re my mate," Hayes said the word again, feeling the surge of pride and longing rush through him. "Every shifter is promised a mate given to them by Fate. They are their perfect match, their partner in life and eternal lover.”

Hayes knew he was giving way more information than Jake was probably capable of processing at the moment, but he needed to get across to him the importance of their connection. He needed to start to build the bond that would, in the end, seal them together as one. It was a compulsion and a burning need.

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