Chapter 31: Chapter 30

Chris let himself be led through the corridors, wanting to turn back and argue the case more. “He’s still a prisoner.” Why? He didn’t need to be a prisoner!

Chris glanced back as if he were going to backtrack, seeing one of the guards, Pete, behind them.

“We’ve said what we could,” Jaxson stated, subtly tugging his hand.

“We should have said more. There was more to-”

“Chris, we made our point. It’s in your brother’s hands.”

“You don’t think it worked… do you?”

“There’s no point thinking until we know the outcome, then we can figure out a plan.” Jaxson’s arm slid around Chris’ back, tugging him forward.

Chris sighed but nodded in acceptance, letting Jaxson lead him up the grand staircase and towards the family wing.

Pete left them at the door and stood guard while Chris took more of a lead when they entered, after all, it was his home and allowed Jaxson to follow him into the sitting room. “Are you mad I kissed you?” Jaxson asked, holding himself stiffly.

“What? No.” Chris frowned, moving to the window to look out over the woodland.

“I… I just couldn’t say it.”

“I didn’t think you were going to admit it,” Chris whispered. “Did you know about Jesse?”

“He told me, told me we weren’t alone.” Jaxson walked up behind Chris, slinging an arm over the front of his shoulders. “We’re not the only ones.”

Chris leant back, letting his head drop onto Jaxson’s shoulder. “There really are other same-sex matehoods?”

“Yes.” Jaxson slid his arm around Chris’ stomach. “Still want me?”

“Yes.”

“Even though I could be jailed and you won’t see me?”

“I can’t let that happen. It wasn’t your fault.”

“If it does?”

“I’ll be by your side,” Chris promised, shifting in the embrace to be chest to chest with him. He cupped Jaxson’s stubble lined cheek, “I won’t let you go.”

“Me neither.” Jaxson’s hand reached up, tangling his fingers into Chris’ silky walnut hair. His thumb came up to brush Chris’ bottom lip. “You really want me?” he breathed, an uncertainty in his cognac eyes.

Chris darted his tongue out, catching the thumb before smirking. “I think it should be me asking that.” He kissed the tip of Jaxson’s thumb. “Of course I want you.”

“Tell me I’m yours,” he whispered, a clear anxiety in his every word.

Chris grabbed his hand, “You. Are. Mine.” He punctuated each word with a kiss to each of his fingers. “I’m sorry you doubt me, Jax. I’ve been an idiot.”

Jaxson released his hand and cupped Chris’ face, resting their foreheads together. “As have I. Forgive me?”

“Nothing to forgive. Do you forgive me?” Chris asked as he relaxed into Jaxson’s hold. He felt warm, even with the impending uncertainty over their heads, he felt like nothing could disturb the feeling of sheer perfection flooding his system.

“Of course. You know…” Jaxson rubbed his nose against his. “We’re not in the dungeon anymore.” he gave a somewhat cheeky smirk.

Chris chuckled, breaking away enough to run his lips down his jaw and neck, “We’re not. I’d kind of like to wait until it’s all… you know.”

“If I’m jailed?” the fear wasn’t lost to Chris’ ears.

Reaching up, he traced his cheekbone, nose, lips and jaw. His wolf rumbled happily, as did Jaxson’s judging by the noises. “You won’t be. I will never allow it. I’ll fight it, with everything I have I’ll fight it.”

“If they make the decision…”

“We’ll run.”

“Huh?” Jaxson pulled away from Chris’ caress, a frown firmly on his face.

“We’ll go to America, or… Italy. Anywhere.”

“To the humans?”

“Yeah.”

“You’d do that?”

“If they can’t accept it? If they want to punish you? Yes.”

“They won’t be punishing me for wanting you, they’ll be punishing me for my actions.”

“Which you did because he was insulting me. He was insulting what’s yours.”

A heat flashed in Jaxson’s brown eyes. “Mine.” He gripped Chris securely before walking backwards, his knees hitting the sofa. He glided onto the soft cushions, tugging Chris down on top of him.

Chris pushed himself up, taking his weight off Jaxson but was soon pulled back down, nestling him into his side, his head rested on Jaxson’s chest. Jaxson tugged him closer, his arms around him while the back of the sofa nestled his back. He was tucked in so securely he felt nothing would ever touch him. Nothing could harm him. Nothing could break the comforting spell.

Chris buried his nose into Jaxson, nuzzling hard to soak in… him. All of him. His beautiful scent. His hard body. His comfort. Tingles shot up his arm with every brush of Jaxson’s hand. He wanted more. Chris slipped his hand under Jaxson’s t-shirt, instantly those pleasant shocks of electricity zapped through his hand. Jaxson sighed, a pleasant, contented sound.

It felt so right. Crushed against his side. He honestly wondered why he fought it…. Or how he fought it until now. ’Human idiot.’ His wolf happily pitched in. He grumbled to himself.

“Could stay like this forever,” Jaxson sighed.

“Do?”

Jaxson chuckled, his chest vibrating against Chris’ ear and cheek.

“Hate to say there are probably other things we have to do.”

“Shush.”

Jaxson tightened his grip even more, “Your wish is my command.”