Chapter 19: Jeremy Stanton vs. Ryan Hicks Feral attraction in the midst of hatred… Involuntary hatred!

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Ryan had never felt anything so intense. He felt Jeremy’s lips against his temple, kissing him tenderly and felt his eyes water. He wasn’t sure why Jeremy was being so tender with him…almost loving. But he wasn’t in the right frame of mind at that particular moment to dwell on it. He’d never dreamt he would ever feel another person’s hands on him. Ever. Before Ryan could check himself, he was blurting out his thanks.

Jeremy tightened his hold on his mate when he heard the softly spoken word. Though he knew he didn’t deserve that word from Ryan, a sweet feeling burst forth within him, melting him, spreading to even his toes and causing them to curl inside his boots. There was no person as sweet and adorable as his mate in the entire world he was sure. The man awakened something within him…something more than what a mate was supposed to rouse…something he didn’t understand. Jeremy wasn’t surprised Ryan had picked up on it. It scared the shit out of him. He continued to slowly stroke Ryan even after he’d gone soft, inhaling the sweet fragrance of his hair, breathing him in, allowing his delicious and provocative scent that was Ryan’s alone to intoxicate him. Fuck!

“Anytime,” Jeremy said in a low but deep voice and then lightly nipped Ryan’s ear. He felt a shudder pass through Ryan and tightened his hold on him.

Soon Ryan’s breathing returned to normal and he began to pee. When he was done, Jeremy picked him up and deposited him in front of the wash hand basin. He washed and dried the dicks before buttoning Ryan up. Then he picked Ryan up, bridal style, and went to place him on the couch in the room. Jeremy then went to open the door to Philip and a nurse. Whilst the nurse went to change the sheets, Philip handed something…which Ryan knew were boxers for him…to Jeremy and then came to crouch beside Ryan.

“You okay, Prof?” Philip grinned, noting how flushed Ryan looked. He knew sexual satisfaction when he saw it. ‘You sly fox.’ Philip said through his link to Jeremy. ‘You don’t waste time at all do you?’ Philip couldn’t keep the thrill out of his voice.

‘I’m a wolf, not a fox.’ Jeremy countered, through their link. ‘And I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

Philip couldn’t contain himself. He burst into laughter, surprising Ryan who turned his head to look in Jeremy’s direction. He was leaning against the window with his ankles crossed and arms folded across his massive chest. The man simply exuded power. He was staring at Ryan intently, causing Ryan’s face to go even redder. He turned to look at Philip.

“I’m good, Philip.” Ryan lowered his eyes. He didn’t know why but he had a feeling the two men were talking about him somehow. Was Jeremy telling Philip about his abnormality?

“No, Ryan,” Jeremy spoke up from his perch by the window. ‘I would never do that.’ He added through their link.

“Alright, I think that’s my cue to leave,” Philip said, getting to his feet. “See you later guys.” And with a final smirk at Jeremy, he left together with the nurse.

This time Jeremy didn’t lock the door. He went to pick Ryan up and deposited him in bed. Then he removed his shorts, put the boxer briefs on him, and then put the shorts back on him.

“Thanks,” Ryan said quietly, feeling all warm and fuzzy inside at how Jeremy was treating him despite himself.

It was almost as though the man he’d met on that first night was completely different from the one handling him now, Ryan thought. But he was no fool at all. He remembered clearly what Jeremy had done to him. And there was no way the man could change just like that. Jeremy was obviously up to something. Probably trying to avert a lawsuit or something. Though he’d initially thought Jeremy was on a guilt trip, he really didn’t think the man was even capable of guilt. He wasn’t human…literally. He was just a soulless sadist who loved to inflict pain on innocent people. The asshole was going to burn in hell for…

“For fuck’s sake…” Jeremy finally snapped. He’d had it with Ryan’s thoughts about how soulless and wicked he was. “You’re very right. I’m not doing this because I feel guilty. I don’t have to do jack squat. If I wanted to treat you well simply because of guilt, I could get people to give you better care than I’m doing right now.” Jeremy finally turned to look Ryan in the eye. “I’m doing it myself because I want to, okay?” He added quietly. And Jeremy knew he’d never meant anything more. He liked taking care of Ryan.

Ryan’s jaw dropped. The man had never spoken so many words to him at once. Well…he did spew out lots of cruel lines whilst raping him, but this was different. Ryan could feel Jeremy’s desperation and wretchedness. He could also feel his wolf’s agitation within him...the need to comfort Jeremy. Well, that was definitely not going to happen. And all that crap about wanting to care for him himself… What did the sadistic werewolf take him for? An idiot?

“Well, if I don’t see your face again, it would be too soon.” Ryan hissed and almost retracted his words at the look of desolation that appeared in Jeremy’s eyes.

Jeremy lowered his eyes and nodded. “I understand.” He got to his feet, his heart pounding painfully.

“And I will appreciate it if you stayed out of my head,” Ryan added gruffly. “It’s creepy to know someone…like you has access to my thoughts. I don’t know what you’ll do next. Probably cut my throat whilst I sleep simply because I thought about what an asshole you were.” Even before he finished speaking Ryan felt a door shut in his mind and knew the link had been cut. And for the life of him he didn’t understand why he suddenly felt so lonely.

“I’ll call the doctor to come and see to your leg now,” Jeremy said quietly, looking at the clock on the wall. It was almost seven a.m. He started towards the door but stopped. He felt his eyes burn and then felt a film of moisture in them. For a moment he didn’t know what it was. “Fuck.” Jeremy breathed when it dawned on him that he was actually tearing up. Him? The Alpha of one of the most powerful packs in the world? Second in command to the head of all alphas in the world? An Ojah to boot! Tearing up? What the fuck! Jeremy resumed his walk towards the door. “If you need anything, tell the doctors or ask for Philip.”

Till his secret got out, Philip and Stan were the only people he trusted to look out for Ryan. Since Stan was busy with warrior duties, that left Philip who was too glad to see to his alpha and best friend’s mate. Jeremy knew Ryan was in good hands. Without a backward glance, Jeremy left the room.

Ryan watched Jeremy go and wished he could take back his cruel words. The man had been good to him. Albeit his injury had been a result of Jeremy’s sadistic treatment, he’d cared for him as though he were his relation. Hell, most relatives wouldn’t even do what Jeremy had done for him that day. It was like he was a different person. Maybe he was. After all, the whole time he was being cruel to him, he’d had red eyes. Now they were just beautiful deep blue. Maybe he was indeed a different person. Fuck, he needed to speak to someone. Maybe Philip... But Ryan knew Philip would probably say something like…’Jeremy will explain.’ It was all so frustrating.

The doctors came and set his leg again, saying he seemed to be healing just fine. And that he would be able to walk with the help of a stick after a week. They did explain that he would have healed faster had he remained in his wolf form though. But Ryan was okay with healing in human form because there was no way in hell he was going to eat like a dog.