![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
denyceMasterpost
~Hawaii, approximately 9:00 PM~
Colin stared critically at his reflection then combed his fingers through his hair, cursing at what he saw before his fingers flew to unbutton and take off his shirt. Throwing it on top of the pile along with the others he had previously tried on. In the pile were several shirts of various styles and colors including a dozen graphic tee shirts. Going over to the closet he stood there staring at the few shirts that were left hanging. “Jesus Christ, stop being a fucking prima donna and just pick a goddamn shirt.” Aggravated because he couldn’t deny how anxious he felt. His brother, Edmond would have busted a gut laughing to know he was feeling this nervous; that his famed brother, Colin Farrell didn’t automatically get anyone he wanted whenever he wanted them.
The notion was a fucking joke of epic portions. If it worked that way, he wouldn’t have gone to such measures just to see and be in the same room with Orlando fucking Bloom.
It was insane, and the truth was he hadn’t been this nervous attending the damn Oscars. However he was determined that tonight would be a turning point, and it was due to Dominic Monaghan. Dom was hosting a party to celebrate the success of his show, Lost and its first season wrap up. More importantly, Dom had invited the man Colin had been mooning over, Orlando Bloom.
Just thinking about the brown-eyed elf Colin’s stomach fluttered in anticipation. There was no doubt from the moment he met Orlando he was guilty of acting like an out of control pubescent twelve year-old. He had a similar response to Siobhan whenever he thought back to his first love. The biggest difference - he had been twelve at the time.
Cupid’s bow hit when his former leading lady, Michelle Rodriguez, from the movie: SWAT had invited him to her place in Hawaii. She had bought the place the year before. It was there at Michelle’s party that Colin first met Orlando and the man’s fiancée Kate Bosworth; Michelle’s friend and previous co-star from the film Blue Crush. He’s ashamed to say Orlando’s pending nuptials didn’t diminish his feelings—he was besotted.
He could say it was Orlando’s looks that had captured Colin’s attention, but it was more than a rich mop of brown curls that Colin ached to touch or the magnetic chestnut eyes that sparkled in amusement from all of his jokes, including the lame ones that lay flat like a fucking egg when he’d lost his timing — too busy basking in Orlando’s scent.
It had been that first whiff of Orlando’s scent that drew Colin in, before he even laid eyes on the man. It was intoxicating and called to him.
When he had discovered the man was engaged, sanity should have intervened and he should have backed off. However no matter how irrational it seemed to his embarrassment he didn’t. There was something within Orlando’s scent that pulled at him—to the point he ignored the church and its laws he grew up honoring.
Not that Orlando or Kate realized his interest, but to his shame Chelle had noticed. He had expected her anger for disrespecting her friends within her home instead she appeared intrigued. Chelle, a nickname he had bestowed on Michelle and according to her the only one she’d allowed the privilege; wouldn’t break Kate’s confidence, but at the same time, she encouraged him to hang in there and as she put it—stay the course.
Now he wonders if she was using the knowledge to bait him into buying her house. Hinting that it’d give him a reason to run into Dominic Monaghan and strike up a friendship; Dom who had moved to the island when he landed the role of Charlie on the TV show Lost. Chelle’s reasoning was sound; it was public knowledge that the vast majority of the cast, especially the core fellowship of Lord of the Rings movies were just as close in real life as they had been on the set. Buying Chelle’s house was an avenue albeit an expensive one to get closer to Dom and eventually Orlando.
It was pathetic, but it worked, not that he had gotten any closer to seeing Orlando, but he did accidently run into Dom several times and pursued a friendship with the man. It had turned out that Colin didn’t have to feign a friendship with the man, Dom was a cheeky bastard and they had a lot of fun together. In fact, if he hadn’t so taken with Orlando he would have pursued something with Dom beyond their flirtation not that it actually mattered since the memory of Orlando’s scent basically cock-blocked him from anyone else.
Glancing at the time, he saw it was after nine, the party would be in full swing. “Shit!” Snagging a shirt from the closet, Colin avoided the mirror and quickly donned the shirt as he grabbed his keys and rushed out the door.
Colin parked and turned the ignition off then sat in the car trying to calm down. His stomach was in knots; emotions running high. Emotions that ran the gambit from anxiety to excitement—all centered on the single prospect of seeing Orlando again. It was insane. However at the same time he refused to think about how much he had emotionally banked on Orli’s arrival.
The reality was he’d have tonight and this week; afterward he’d have to head back to LA. Something he’d be worry about if Dom hadn’t told and reassured him that he was expecting both Orlando and Elijah Wood to show up. All Colin had to do was stay long enough for Orli to arrive.
Inhaling a shaky breath Colin opened the car door. His ears perked up when he heard something that sounded familiar in the distance. Turning toward it he waited holding his breath, hoping he had been mistaken.
Then he heard it again. It was clearer, low animalistic growls.
Colin’s stomach flipped as he recognized the distinctive sounds. Without thinking he slammed the car door and started running toward the source.
His heart racing, as he picked up speed—praying he was wrong.
An anguished wail pierced through the night, a hollow victory won—the price a bloody body, now human laying dead at the beast’s feet. Half of its body was hidden and protected within the shadows; still in beast form he shook his fur, much like a dog after its bath. Leaving the dead behind him, he walked out from beneath the shadows and shifted. Changing from beast to man. Colin paused, frozen unable to move toward the other fallen body—the one he had tried to save. Trembling, shaking in anger and denial as he stared at the motionless body.
Under his breath, Colin swore, “Fuck, fuck!” Under him his feet moved and kicked sand, racing until he skidded falling to his knees close to the body. Fear assaulted Colin’s mind, his hand shook as he tentatively reached out to touch and gently turn the still body over. Fingers hovered over the thick crust of sand soaked in blood that covered most of his chest wound. There was no movement only a faint shallow sound of a heartbeat. Panicked his mind screamed, Run! Run for help.
In his hesitation, rationality, and reason followed—if he called for help and they came what could he say when they saw him nude, covered in blood, not to mention the dead mutilated body less than ten feet behind him. Worse, if he left now and ran for help, his friend would definitely die. Colin gaped from the wound to the surrounding blood that soaked the sand.
Instinctively Colin knew Dom had lost too much blood; the wound too deep. His wounds were meant to kill; he could feel it, Dom was dying.
Somehow he must have accidentally scented Dom drawing the lycan to him. The realization opened a floodgate of guilt destined to plague him. Dom was his friend; he couldn’t just let him die. Not because of him. Without a second thought Colin leaned in closer to Dom’s body as he allowed instinct to take over. Breathing in Dom’s scent, Colin pushed pass the stink and rot to smell the man who would be his cub. Willing his beast to return, Colin’s jaw dropped and elongated, ragged teeth pushed through bone. Instantly hair grew and rippled running across his torso and back. Muscles and bone popped and expanded forcing rapid changes from his human form back into his beast—a werewolf.
Colin and his beast were one.
The beast paused; his snout wet nuzzled up and down Dom’s jugular to find the right spot before his back incisors descended pushing into skin to mark Dom as his cub.
Once Dom was marked, Colin pulled back satisfied he was successful yet he had to focus and stop Dom’s bleeding. Belying his size Colin’s beast extended his nail and delicately pawed sand away from the gash. His breath hovered hotly over the wound; tentatively his tongue licked then dug toward the deepest part of the ragged wound. Pushing, opening the wound further to allow a fresh flow of blood. Dom made no sound. Colin continued to dig deeper into the wound as far as he dared—his throat rattled followed by large drops of mucus and saliva to saturate the wounded area. His tongue moved pushing the secretions deep into the wound, coating the entire area. He repeated the procedure until the entire wound was covered heavily, only stopping when he could smell a difference. The bleeding had stopped; it was an uphill battle but his saliva was healing torn flesh, slowly winning the battle against the fatal wound. For the moment his hobbit was stable, Dom would live.
Still in beast form, Colin paused in his inspection to gaze at the man himself, who was now his cub. The hobbit looked deathly; his pasty white skin seemed to illuminate under the moon’s gaze and highlight the spattering patches of blood. Short streaks of blond hair stuck out in every direction, stubble shadowed along his jaw. However the taut lean muscles that covered Dom’s thin frame completed the look and captured Dom’s vulnerability; fragile as any newborn and looking nothing like he had from the movie as the famed hobbit, Merry.
New and foreign emotions assaulted him; for the first time since he had been saved from his own death, Colin had a glimpse of what he was capable of in his true origin. The insight led to a newer understanding of his Sire and originator, Jeremy and the enormous responsibility his Alpha had undergone when he saved Colin’s own life.
Colin had falsely believed fathering his son, James, had given him an understanding of that responsibility but he was wrong. What he felt right now for Dom— only scratched the surface. With the back of his hand he caressed Dom’s cheek, staring down at his new cub: feelings intermingled, of both human and beast merged beyond his human capacity. What Colin immediately understood was it was too late to undo anything. Compulsively, instinct guided his next move, as he leaned forward to lick Dom’s face clean, his beast’s baser need to nurse and tend his cub foremost in his mind. A more reasonable rational human side cautioned his beast to stop. Colin felt torn, but they weren’t safe. Reluctantly the beast listened, and with one last nuzzle moved away from his cub.
Hunched over protecting Dom his beast focused on the surrounding area. In the far distance, he could hear the laughter; the party was still in full swing unaware of their missing host. Colin moved cautiously toward the slain body.
Studying the area, he quickly gathered and lifted what was left of the now torn human body and walked toward the water’s edge. The warm water gently lapped at his paws up to his ankles as he waded further in. Nearly at waist level, taking aim toward a reef some thirty feet away; Colin used all of his strength to fling the body out as far as he could. Hoping the sea life would depose of the body and wash away any evidence of their kind.
A moment passed before his beast’s body rippled back into its human form. Once he was human, Colin sank into the water arching back to fully submerge his body and wash away the remaining blood. Seconds later, Colin emerged out of the water his focus clear: to protect Dom—his new cub.
~4 Hours later, Colin’s place on Oahu~
Frantic, Colin was beside himself; he didn’t understand why, but Dom was gradually getting worse.
Once they had arrived safely at his place Colin had proceeded to change back into his beast, to once again clean the wound using more spores from his saliva. Now that they were safe, Colin was able to indulge in his cub, and imprint his scent. Half way through Colin lifted his head and nuzzled along Dom’s neck down to his groin trying to understand what he was and was not sensing. Abruptly he pulled away. Fury and pain hit as he realized what it was he was sensing; someone else’s mark on his cub.
Forcibly he pushed away from the bed and Dom. His body shaking, Colin tried to clear his head and center himself. Jealousy flared, his possessive nature roared in anger. His heart ached with the knowledge of that mark. With a quick glance at Dom, Colin knew it was too late, Dom was his cub. Aching in pain his beast gave up control and allowed Colin to shift back into his human form. Dazed in disbelief he walked backward until his back finally hit the wall where he slid down. Crouching on the floor, his knees to his chest and his hands raked through his hair as he tried to wade through the waves of emotions where pain, anger, sorrow and betrayal stood at the fore.
Closing his eyes unmindful of his tears, or his panted breath, Colin concentrated on Jeremy, his originator the man who had sired him. On Jeremy’s arms his strength, and his calming voice. Once he was able to focus, Colin started replaying the events in his mind. Immediately he crossed off the lycan he’d fought and killed. The lycan’s scent was repugnant and un-kept. Although the lycan was a pure blood, Colin was sure he was still a cub.
Whoever had marked Dom was older, an alpha. Colin suspected the alpha was even older than Jeremy possibly even older than Jeremy’s Sire. Its scent increased and grew stronger, enough that Colin was able to pick up a significant amount of differences between the two lycans. The most prominent it was the alpha that had marked Dom was of a different breed, one Colin had never encountered.
Suddenly Colin felt dizzy—something was very wrong. Struggling to ignore the nausea, when wave after wave of dizziness hit him like a two-by-four. Colin crawled back over to the bed and reached for his cell phone on the nightstand. Flipping the lid he called Jeremy.
~11:30 P.M. Los Angeles (2:30 a.m. Hawaii)~
After the sixth ring Jeremy finally pushed the pillow off his head, glared at the clock then scanned the room for his cell phone and spotted it across the room. Getting up, he grabbed the cell and was ready to scream several choice obscenities until he saw who was calling. Though he was still annoyed, it didn’t stop the corners of his mouth lifting. With Colin he could forgive anything, and climbed back into bed as he sleepily answered, “Hey Col.”
Jeremy was greeted with harsh panting and silence. Worry immediately surfaced, and he sat up. “Colin?” The response was a low whimpering whine. At the sound Jeremy’s heartbeat raced as fear clutched his heart. “Cub, focus. Talk to me!”
Colin’s breath hitched, teeth chattering then Jeremy only heard silence. Long seconds passed before he heard Colin exhale; the sound only eased Jeremy’s anxiety a pinch – relieved enough to know Colin was still capable of following his orders.
Although if he’d been human Jeremy wouldn’t have been able to catch Colin’s whispered mumble. Thankfully he wasn’t and could clearly hear the fear and horror in his cub’s words. “Sire, I thought it was me—because of my scent. Jeremy I couldn’t… couldn’t let him die because of me.”
Jeremy tasted the bitter metallic of his blood and forcibly swallowed it down with his panic. “Who Colin? Who was going to die?”
“Dom, the hobbit, though it wasn’t his fault. I think the lycan thought I marked him.” Colin paused in his telling. Jeremy heard him lick his lips and knew his cub was re-playing the events in his mind. “He’s so fucking charming; we had so much fun together. I wanted the elf, I think he knew that, still everything seemed to be okay with the cheeky prick. Why I might have scented him… can’t say for sure. Didn’t realize it if I did, wasn’t conscious of it. At the party, it was just after I arrived, and I heard him the lycan laughing. When I found him…. he was toying with Dom because of the mark…wanted to leave a message. Fuck, the blood, so much blood.”
Even over the phone Jeremy could feel the depth of Colin’s anguish; heard the sniffles of his nose running as freely as his tears. “I didn’t mean to, I didn’t think and instinct took over—I’m sorry Sire.”
Trapped miles away from his cub, Jeremy was forced to listen to Colin’s ragged harsh breaths. Felt his own tangible emotions teetering toward the edge and had to fight for control. He had no choice Colin needed him. “Shhhhhhh, you’re doing good Col, what happened?”
Colin didn’t bother to hide the whimpers escaping his throat. Then Jeremy heard a low keening as Colin moved. “It wasn’t me; I didn’t mark him, but I didn’t know, didn’t think… It happened so fast, I changed, we were fighting—I killed him. The lycan… I killed him, Sire.”
Jeremy stifled his moan and closed his eyes as tears slid down his face. Colin was only a cub, he had never hurt another before, but the picture Colin painted that he had killed another lycan. He was too young, too sweet for such horror, the internal conflict between human and beast. Jeremy knew, he had gone through it decades before. Remembered how disturbed and shaken he had been by the fierce violence that collided with the nature of his beast—the deep satisfaction and glory his beast felt. Ethically, morally and emotionally it was everything he was opposed to, how he was brought up. The magnitude of shame for his beast’s satisfaction shadowed everything he felt for years. Jeremy knew his cub would be no different. Between Colin’s country and his family’s teachings, the ingrained Thou shall not kill—the church’s faith was deeply embedded within his cub. This wasn’t something Colin would be able to just shake off.
Even as Jeremy remembered his own painful journey of acceptance; internally his beast roared with pride and approval that his cub fought and won. Concurrently Jeremy agreed as long as it kept Colin alive he was able to dismiss any slivers of human remorse for the other lycan. Suddenly Jeremy realized he didn’t hear anything and growled out, “Colin, stay with me!”
Catching Colin’s startled moan, Jeremy rushed on. “I know you did what you had to—I don’t doubt your judgment cub, but I need you to stay with me. Now tell me, what happened next?”
He could feel Colin’s hesitation, and imagined Colin blinking away his tears. Could hear the rustle of his cub as he moved, distinctly hear him sniff as if he was scenting then heard him start to lick lavishly over a body.
Jeremy drew in a breath realizing what happened, that Colin Sired a cub. Colin’s whisper broke through his shock confirming his suspicion. “He was dying. I couldn’t let him after I…he couldn’t die! I did everything you did for me. At first it seemed to be working, but it stopped—and I feel a pull. The other mark, I couldn’t scent it before. Somehow it’s stronger now, and it’s pulling me… I’m sorry Sire.”
“Fuck!” The word slipped out as Jeremy closed his eyes in anguish as he began to understand what was happening. “Colin, Colin?” The faint grunt barely reassured him. “Baby, I need you to be strong…” Jeremy swallowed the bile that threatened knowing he was going to have to manipulate his cub. A manipulation he suspected would haunt him later on, but there might not be a later on if he didn’t. His own beast raged inside him with primal fear of losing his cub. “Baby, your cub—he needs you, he’s your responsibly now. I need you to be strong for both of you until I can get there. Can you do that, to save your hobbit?”
Jeremy held his breath hoping it wasn’t too late. Then heard a faint, “Save Dom, save hobbit…”
With those words Jeremy breathed a sigh of relief, and was once again grateful for his cub’s stubborn Irish pride. “Yeah save the hobbit, your cub, we can do that. You’re at your new place, right? The one you bought from Michelle?” Without waiting for a reply he started to move quickly through his room, thumbing through his black book until he found the right number. He dialed it from the landline.
“Yesss, Chelllle’s.” Jeremy frowned at Colin’s slurred words. On the other phone he heard swearing. “Niles it’s me, Renner, I have an emergency. Need to be in Honolulu, now!”
Jeremy barely registered his friends swearing basically stating it was impossible. Jeremy growled in response, “No Niles, make it happen! Any flight, as soon as possible understand me!” Holding both phones he heard nothing but silence, his stomach clenched as he waited.
Niles cursed, “I’ll arrange it. We’re done after this though… got it?”
Jeremy nodded knowing he’d burn whatever bridges he had to save his cub, “Yeah we’ll be done. You’re at home?”
“Yeah. I can probably get you on their next flight—in less than two hours.”
“Make it happen, Niles. I’ll be at your place in twenty.” Jeremy quickly hung up the phone. “You hear that Colin, I’m on my way. You stay with your cub—keep him alive, okay? I’ll be there soon—I promise!”
Only a low shallow grunt answered him. Colin was growing weaker. Jeremy knew it had to be the hobbits mark. He had heard stories from his own Sire, legends of the old ones, alphas, using magic to bind a mark, that it was suppose to act as a shield to protect them or in this case a weapon to kill; where the mark would turn into a deadly drug. That’s what he suspected was happening now, the magic was slowly making its way through Colin’s system, poisoning his cub. Colin was too young to combat the mark. Only another Alpha in equal status to the alpha that had originally marked the hobbit might be able to combat such a mark. Jeremy only hoped he was strong enough to save Colin and his new cub.
With thoughts of the past and his Sire, Jeremy immediately dialed Jeff’s number. He felt a mixture of relief and regret when it went straight to voice mail. Only then did he remember that Jeff was on a weekend retreat sans any electronics. Raw pain twisted in his gut realizing that he’d have to leave a message that Jeff wouldn’t even know his need until it was too late. Abruptly the message beep sounded and he didn’t have time to consider how the message might sound to his Sire as Jeremy listed the highlights of Colin’s call before he trailed off into silence. Afraid to actually voice that he might be too late and terrified by the thought of what he’d find when he got there; swallowing hard against his vivid imagination an involuntary whimper escaped, just before his thumb hit end button.
~3 Hours later over the Pacific Ocean~
Cursing under his breath, Jeremy tried not to think of the busy signal on Colin’s cell. He had lost contact an hour before—not that Colin had the strength to talk anymore, but being able to hear his cub’s shallow breathing, or even the soft grunts of acknowledgement, had eased his mind. Now he had to wait, but at least he was in the air. Niles had come through for him, and somehow got him on an air express parcel overnight flight, a flight that would touchdown in Honolulu in two and half hours. Before he left he had Niles call ahead and arrange for a rental car to be waiting for him once he landed.
Jeremy silently replayed his mantra, Cub, be strong, be strong, be strong… as his fear increased, he was no longer sure who the mantra was for: himself or his cub. He had to hang on, his cub needed him, and he needed his cub. The echo of his beast whimpered in fear then roared in anger within his mind whenever he lingered on the thought of losing Colin. No he had to do exactly what he told Colin, and he started chanting the mantra once again.
~5:30 am Oahu (Kate Bosworth’s beach condo)~
Orlando was jarred awake as the car hit the curb turning into the driveway before the cabbie pulled to a full stop in front of Kate’s house.
The cab driver quickly jumped out to open Orlando’s door, mumbling an apology. “Sorry about that bro.”
Orli smiled, “No worries mate.”
The front door opened and Kate leaned against the frame as Orli dug in his pockets for money while the driver retrieved his luggage.
“Aloha, thought you couldn’t make it earlier.”
Orli handed the driver several bills, offering his thanks. Then turned his attention to Kate, smiling and giving her a quick kiss, “Aloha yourself. A photo shoot was cancelled last minute; got the earliest flight I could. Didn’t expect you to be up yet? Thought you might be a bit hung over from one of Dom’s concoctions?”
“Up, packing, and no concoction. I learned my lesson last time.” Kate stated as she helped him bring in the rest of his luggage.
Surprised he couldn’t conceal the disappointment in his voice. “Packing? Thought we’d get a few days?”
Kate answered sadly, “I know, I wanted that too.” She continued to talk, her excitement high as she walked back into the bedroom to finish her packing. “My agent worked out an exclusive audition. A role Theron turned down, can you believe it? Seems Janet’s dating Charlize’s agent. Small world, huh?” Kate paused and turned to him expecting him to say something.
He didn’t bother to hide his pout as he sat in a dazed slump on the bed, his back leaning against the headboard. She stood close, her knees knocking against the bed. Her face slid into an exaggerated pout. “I know, but it’s in New York; tomorrow at 3:00 their time and you know how I am with flying.”
Orli automatically nodded, “Jay meeting you there then?”
“Yeah,” She turned and pushed the suitcase down the other end of the bed before she knelt on the mattress and scooted closer. Her fingers easily swept a few curls out of his eyes as she moved closer until she clasped his face between her hands. Her face was just inches from his, staring into his eyes. “You’re not really upset, are you?”
Orli smirked, and then he grabbed her around the waist until he had her firmly in his lap. Kissing her ear. “Disappointed yes; upset no.” His finger forced her to look at him. “We’ve discussed this before Kate. You don’t have to wait for me, anytime you and Jay want to go public and announce our breakup… I just thought it’d be a good time to tell the guys, you know.”
“I know, Orli, and you should tell them. I’m just sorry I can’t be there with you. If you want to hold off telling them until I get back…”
“Naw. I better not. I have a feeling Dom might already know…or at least suspect.”
“Hmmm, you might have some competition for his time.” Kate answered cryptically as she nestled back into Orli’s arms.
“Huh? Elijah here already?”
“Not that I know of. He wasn’t there last night, though I think this might be a good wakeup call…”
In disbelief Orli look at her, “You trying to say Dom’s seeing someone?”
Kate bit her lip.
“Kate?” Orli persisted.
She slid off Orli’s lap, “Honestly I don’t know. What I do know, is he left his own party pretty early, and the rumor is he took off with a certain Irish rogue.”
Orli frowned, “Irish… who?”
Kate had started packing again, smirking she asked, “Right, and how many Irish rogues do you know that could possibly sweep Dom off his feet?”
“Farrell? That Irish?” He dubiously asked.
“The one and only. Actually, I didn’t see Colin, but that guy. Hmmm, you know the one, his name was Fox. Not Mulder, the other one that works with Dom.” Orli swallowed his sigh, knowing he was too tired to wait out Kate’s usual long winded narratives of gossip. It must have shown on his face because he caught her rolling her eyes at his expression.
“Right well, Fox said he had seen Colin near the set a few days ago. Then someone else said they saw Colin earlier last night taking off in his car with Dom. I didn’t see it, and the one who supposedly did was, well thoroughly wasted, but the end result was the same, Dom was gone.”
“And he didn’t come back?” Orli quietly asked.
Kate shook her head, “Not while I was there, but I’m not surprised either. From the bits I do know of Colin and Dom, those two could have gotten into anything. Though they probably got back after I left. I took off early myself, since I have one of the first flights out.”
Orli nodded, “Oh, what time is your flight?”
“7:45, car’s picking me up,” Kate glanced over at the clock, “damn, actually any minute.”
Closing the suitcase she added it to her other three by the door. The door was open and they both heard the car pulling up. “I’m sorry Orli…I wish…”
“Shhhh, it’ll be fine,” He grabbed her hugging her tight; “miss you already.”
Kate nodded, unable to speak; she hated good-byes as much as he did. Orli pulled away slightly tilting her head up then leaned down and kissed her. At first the kiss was light and sweet. His lips licked then nibbled hers open, enjoying her sweet taste. Kate leaned into his arms, opening herself further. Orli shifted, pulling Kate up against his body. For a moment their tongues played then dueled until he completely dominated her and devoured her mouth; Kate moaned her pleasure as she completely surrendered. Both ignored the sound of the car horn, but slowly started to pull away.
She didn’t try to hide her arousal, “Hmmm, that was…”
Grinning Orli slowly licked his lips, “Yeah, guess you can pass that on to Jay.”
Suddenly she started to fan her face, as if she was trying to clear her head then stated. “I think he might miss a technique or two in the transfer.”
Orli chuckled, “If you rather I could always tutor him on those techniques?”
Blushing and reaching around him she smacked his ass, “You keep your sinful lips from my man, thank you very much!”
Orli grinned, “Sinful?”
“Yes, and no kissing—until he’s officially my groom!” At the slip, Kate blushed; Orli raised his brow in question realizing she was serious.
It was obvious she hadn’t meant to tell anyone. He gently cupped her face, his thumb dancing across her cheek, “I’m happy for you Kate, really I am.” They silently stood there for a moment in their own world.
The horn blasted out again. “Damn it, I gotta go.”
“I know, come on.” He grabbed two of her suitcases, as she grabbed the third.
At the door they didn’t kiss or hug, they never did. Just a quiet nod, their eyes meeting, it was all they needed and that alone spoke volumes of their love and friendship.
~8:15 AM Honolulu airport in Hawaii~
Once he landed, Jeremy pulled out his cell and waited for a signal; hoping to find a message from Jeff – there was none. Snapping his cell closed, Jeremy stopped for a moment looking around the gate hoping to spot one of Niles’ people. He didn’t have long to wait as a young Hawaiian came up to him, “You Renner?”
“Yeah. Did Niles mention I needed transportation?”
The young man nodded, “This way,” and proceeded to lead him out of the airport terminal.
Minutes later they stood outside in Hawaii’s morning heat. The young man turned and tossed a set of keys to Jeremy. “Niles said you needed to get where you’re going quick. Thought this might be better to get in and out of traffic, otherwise you might be sitting for a while. Unless you can’t ride?”
Jeremy stared at the red Ducati 999 nodding in approval. “That’ll work.”
Pulling out his wallet, Jeremy was about to tip the young man but his guide held up his hand to stop Jeremy, “No bro, it’s all taken care of, Aloha.”
Jeremy didn’t waste any time putting on the helmet, and revved the engine to life.
Twenty minutes later he was still weaving in and out of standstill traffic. For the umpteenth time he silently thanked the kid for his quick thinking. At least he was moving. Jeremy finally saw his exit. Throttling the engine he made his way to the right shoulder speeding pass the traffic toward his exit.
Minutes later he was winding his way through the narrow side streets. Jeremy’s heart pounded, his fear palpable as he came closer to his cub; his beast roared in anxious anticipation. Jeremy almost missed the private side street that was half hidden from the main road. Switching gears he cut back, half spinning the bike kicking dirt and debris everywhere when he veered pass the pavement. The bike almost skidded out from under him before straightening. Throttling the engine again he raced down the private street to where his cub lay.
The intensity of his fear heightened as he drove up to the house. Cutting the engine, Jeremy practically leaped from the bike racing to reach Colin. The front door and the screen door were unlocked, pausing he caught the scent of Colin’s blood then his heart pounded harder as he heard an unmistakable whimper. His body moved quickly following his cub’s scent.
Jeremy stood momentarily frozen in the doorway of the bedroom. His nostrils flared as Colin continued whimpering. His cub’s body was curled protectively around the hobbit, his new cub. Even from where he stood the heavy scent of another lycan’s claim on the hobbit filled him with dread. An alpha lycan that was much older, possibly an elder, but what had him worried was the fact it was a lycan of a different breed. Inhaling deeply, Jeremy tried to ascertain as much information from where he stood; knowing once he touched Colin his rationality would be hindered.
With difficulty he pushed his beast down continuing to filter through the varying layers of scents within the room surrounding the cubs. He never noticed the splintering of wood crushing beneath his fingers as he forced himself to concentrate. Finally he was able to differentiate scents; first picking up a young lycan’s scent, even without tasting Colin’s blood, Jeremy was able to ascertain that it had to be the lycan that originally attacked Dom and subsequently the same one Colin had killed in order to save Dom.
The cub Colin had killed had been a pure bred lycan only a few years older than Colin though of an inferior common breed; as opposed to the claim mark on the hobbit that was from an older and rarer breed of lycan. Strangely the hobbit was only a claimed human, not pack, or mate. Jeremy also realized it was true what he had suspected— the mark was entrenched in magic.
It was the magic that was affecting his cub. Jeremy reasoned it was the earlier attack on Dom that had activated the magic and didn’t register Colin’s attempt to save the hobbit. Its magical properties acted as poison attacking the one who harmed the human’s life force. He had heard others talk about the tales. When he had questioned his Sire, Jeff had said although there was a kernel of truth their tales were nothing more than exaggerated fables by well meaning alpha’s to scare and control young cubs.
Apparently this was one of those kernels of truth. Jeremy closed his eyes in torment as realization hit that he had missed the opportunity to break the magical claim surrounding his cub. It was too late.
Colin had already accepted and bonded with his cub. If he attempted to break the bond now Jeremy was certain the consequences to Colin would be disastrous even if he lived through the ordeal. Though if he left them as they were he believed the ending result would be the same, only slower with Colin following the hobbit into death, and that was unacceptable. Without his Sire’s knowledgeable advice he was quickly running out of options; his beast growled echoing his feelings of frustration.
At the sound Colin whimpered in recognition, though he never moved away from his cub only snuggling closer; slowly, almost sensuously, licking his cub from neck up to his ear. Jeremy stared transfixed at the sight trying to ignore the pangs of jealousy that flared throughout his body. The jealousy felt inappropriate, Colin was his cub, not his mate. As close as they were he had never considered trying to tame Colin’s wild free nature by claiming him as a mate.
A mate the word suddenly echoed in his mind—was it possible? Mating with the hobbit, would it make a difference? It was a gamble, his only option. He was older, an alpha, much stronger than Colin. Between the two of them they might change the outcome; his beast growled in agreement.
It was rash, but he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. Having made a decision Jeremy quickly moved toward the bed and stripped out of his clothes. Kneeling on the bed he leaned down nuzzling his cub’s neck inhaling his scent. Internally he didn’t argue as his beast demanded control to taste and ensure that they hadn’t lost their cub to the magic. Partially shifting Jeremy nipped Colin’s skin drawing blood. Colin moaned in approval to his Sire’s touch, but didn’t release his hold on his own cub. Shifting back, Jeremy muttered, “I’m here cub, I’m here…” even more determined to succeed as he felt Colin’s pain more acutely through his cub’s blood.
Slowly he turned eyeing the hobbit, who was to become his mate. His mind raced at the possible consequences—for each of them. Of what this would mean and do to each of them, but more importantly to Dom: to wake up and find himself no longer human. Would he find lycanthropy to be a curse or a blessing? To discover he was dying and turned without his consent then worse to find himself mated to a stranger- would he accept them and his new life, or would it drive him insane? They wouldn’t know until Dom woke and understood what happened. But however Dom reacted, it’d strongly affect both of them, Colin as Dom’s Sire and Jeremy as his mate. Then there was Jeff not to mention the lycan who originally marked Dom. Although none of it mattered not now against Colin’s survival. Jeremy had one priority to save his cub’s life, and now his mate’s.
Jeremy’s nostril’s flared and his body shifted as he leaned forward nipping and tasting the hobbit for the first time. Colin continued holding his cub, but submitted to his Sire, allowing him more room and access to his cub. Satisfied with Colin’s acceptance Jeremy maneuvered his body until he lay directly on top of the hobbit scenting his new mate. His cock hardened, his bones cracked and popped, his body lengthening, hair sprung covering the naked skin of his human shell; his beast emerged ready to save his cub and claim his new mate.
Next~
Colin stared critically at his reflection then combed his fingers through his hair, cursing at what he saw before his fingers flew to unbutton and take off his shirt. Throwing it on top of the pile along with the others he had previously tried on. In the pile were several shirts of various styles and colors including a dozen graphic tee shirts. Going over to the closet he stood there staring at the few shirts that were left hanging. “Jesus Christ, stop being a fucking prima donna and just pick a goddamn shirt.” Aggravated because he couldn’t deny how anxious he felt. His brother, Edmond would have busted a gut laughing to know he was feeling this nervous; that his famed brother, Colin Farrell didn’t automatically get anyone he wanted whenever he wanted them.
The notion was a fucking joke of epic portions. If it worked that way, he wouldn’t have gone to such measures just to see and be in the same room with Orlando fucking Bloom.
It was insane, and the truth was he hadn’t been this nervous attending the damn Oscars. However he was determined that tonight would be a turning point, and it was due to Dominic Monaghan. Dom was hosting a party to celebrate the success of his show, Lost and its first season wrap up. More importantly, Dom had invited the man Colin had been mooning over, Orlando Bloom.
Just thinking about the brown-eyed elf Colin’s stomach fluttered in anticipation. There was no doubt from the moment he met Orlando he was guilty of acting like an out of control pubescent twelve year-old. He had a similar response to Siobhan whenever he thought back to his first love. The biggest difference - he had been twelve at the time.
Cupid’s bow hit when his former leading lady, Michelle Rodriguez, from the movie: SWAT had invited him to her place in Hawaii. She had bought the place the year before. It was there at Michelle’s party that Colin first met Orlando and the man’s fiancée Kate Bosworth; Michelle’s friend and previous co-star from the film Blue Crush. He’s ashamed to say Orlando’s pending nuptials didn’t diminish his feelings—he was besotted.
He could say it was Orlando’s looks that had captured Colin’s attention, but it was more than a rich mop of brown curls that Colin ached to touch or the magnetic chestnut eyes that sparkled in amusement from all of his jokes, including the lame ones that lay flat like a fucking egg when he’d lost his timing — too busy basking in Orlando’s scent.
It had been that first whiff of Orlando’s scent that drew Colin in, before he even laid eyes on the man. It was intoxicating and called to him.
When he had discovered the man was engaged, sanity should have intervened and he should have backed off. However no matter how irrational it seemed to his embarrassment he didn’t. There was something within Orlando’s scent that pulled at him—to the point he ignored the church and its laws he grew up honoring.
Not that Orlando or Kate realized his interest, but to his shame Chelle had noticed. He had expected her anger for disrespecting her friends within her home instead she appeared intrigued. Chelle, a nickname he had bestowed on Michelle and according to her the only one she’d allowed the privilege; wouldn’t break Kate’s confidence, but at the same time, she encouraged him to hang in there and as she put it—stay the course.
Now he wonders if she was using the knowledge to bait him into buying her house. Hinting that it’d give him a reason to run into Dominic Monaghan and strike up a friendship; Dom who had moved to the island when he landed the role of Charlie on the TV show Lost. Chelle’s reasoning was sound; it was public knowledge that the vast majority of the cast, especially the core fellowship of Lord of the Rings movies were just as close in real life as they had been on the set. Buying Chelle’s house was an avenue albeit an expensive one to get closer to Dom and eventually Orlando.
It was pathetic, but it worked, not that he had gotten any closer to seeing Orlando, but he did accidently run into Dom several times and pursued a friendship with the man. It had turned out that Colin didn’t have to feign a friendship with the man, Dom was a cheeky bastard and they had a lot of fun together. In fact, if he hadn’t so taken with Orlando he would have pursued something with Dom beyond their flirtation not that it actually mattered since the memory of Orlando’s scent basically cock-blocked him from anyone else.
Glancing at the time, he saw it was after nine, the party would be in full swing. “Shit!” Snagging a shirt from the closet, Colin avoided the mirror and quickly donned the shirt as he grabbed his keys and rushed out the door.
Colin parked and turned the ignition off then sat in the car trying to calm down. His stomach was in knots; emotions running high. Emotions that ran the gambit from anxiety to excitement—all centered on the single prospect of seeing Orlando again. It was insane. However at the same time he refused to think about how much he had emotionally banked on Orli’s arrival.
The reality was he’d have tonight and this week; afterward he’d have to head back to LA. Something he’d be worry about if Dom hadn’t told and reassured him that he was expecting both Orlando and Elijah Wood to show up. All Colin had to do was stay long enough for Orli to arrive.
Inhaling a shaky breath Colin opened the car door. His ears perked up when he heard something that sounded familiar in the distance. Turning toward it he waited holding his breath, hoping he had been mistaken.
Then he heard it again. It was clearer, low animalistic growls.
Colin’s stomach flipped as he recognized the distinctive sounds. Without thinking he slammed the car door and started running toward the source.
His heart racing, as he picked up speed—praying he was wrong.
An anguished wail pierced through the night, a hollow victory won—the price a bloody body, now human laying dead at the beast’s feet. Half of its body was hidden and protected within the shadows; still in beast form he shook his fur, much like a dog after its bath. Leaving the dead behind him, he walked out from beneath the shadows and shifted. Changing from beast to man. Colin paused, frozen unable to move toward the other fallen body—the one he had tried to save. Trembling, shaking in anger and denial as he stared at the motionless body.
Under his breath, Colin swore, “Fuck, fuck!” Under him his feet moved and kicked sand, racing until he skidded falling to his knees close to the body. Fear assaulted Colin’s mind, his hand shook as he tentatively reached out to touch and gently turn the still body over. Fingers hovered over the thick crust of sand soaked in blood that covered most of his chest wound. There was no movement only a faint shallow sound of a heartbeat. Panicked his mind screamed, Run! Run for help.
In his hesitation, rationality, and reason followed—if he called for help and they came what could he say when they saw him nude, covered in blood, not to mention the dead mutilated body less than ten feet behind him. Worse, if he left now and ran for help, his friend would definitely die. Colin gaped from the wound to the surrounding blood that soaked the sand.
Instinctively Colin knew Dom had lost too much blood; the wound too deep. His wounds were meant to kill; he could feel it, Dom was dying.
Somehow he must have accidentally scented Dom drawing the lycan to him. The realization opened a floodgate of guilt destined to plague him. Dom was his friend; he couldn’t just let him die. Not because of him. Without a second thought Colin leaned in closer to Dom’s body as he allowed instinct to take over. Breathing in Dom’s scent, Colin pushed pass the stink and rot to smell the man who would be his cub. Willing his beast to return, Colin’s jaw dropped and elongated, ragged teeth pushed through bone. Instantly hair grew and rippled running across his torso and back. Muscles and bone popped and expanded forcing rapid changes from his human form back into his beast—a werewolf.
Colin and his beast were one.
The beast paused; his snout wet nuzzled up and down Dom’s jugular to find the right spot before his back incisors descended pushing into skin to mark Dom as his cub.
Once Dom was marked, Colin pulled back satisfied he was successful yet he had to focus and stop Dom’s bleeding. Belying his size Colin’s beast extended his nail and delicately pawed sand away from the gash. His breath hovered hotly over the wound; tentatively his tongue licked then dug toward the deepest part of the ragged wound. Pushing, opening the wound further to allow a fresh flow of blood. Dom made no sound. Colin continued to dig deeper into the wound as far as he dared—his throat rattled followed by large drops of mucus and saliva to saturate the wounded area. His tongue moved pushing the secretions deep into the wound, coating the entire area. He repeated the procedure until the entire wound was covered heavily, only stopping when he could smell a difference. The bleeding had stopped; it was an uphill battle but his saliva was healing torn flesh, slowly winning the battle against the fatal wound. For the moment his hobbit was stable, Dom would live.
Still in beast form, Colin paused in his inspection to gaze at the man himself, who was now his cub. The hobbit looked deathly; his pasty white skin seemed to illuminate under the moon’s gaze and highlight the spattering patches of blood. Short streaks of blond hair stuck out in every direction, stubble shadowed along his jaw. However the taut lean muscles that covered Dom’s thin frame completed the look and captured Dom’s vulnerability; fragile as any newborn and looking nothing like he had from the movie as the famed hobbit, Merry.
New and foreign emotions assaulted him; for the first time since he had been saved from his own death, Colin had a glimpse of what he was capable of in his true origin. The insight led to a newer understanding of his Sire and originator, Jeremy and the enormous responsibility his Alpha had undergone when he saved Colin’s own life.
Colin had falsely believed fathering his son, James, had given him an understanding of that responsibility but he was wrong. What he felt right now for Dom— only scratched the surface. With the back of his hand he caressed Dom’s cheek, staring down at his new cub: feelings intermingled, of both human and beast merged beyond his human capacity. What Colin immediately understood was it was too late to undo anything. Compulsively, instinct guided his next move, as he leaned forward to lick Dom’s face clean, his beast’s baser need to nurse and tend his cub foremost in his mind. A more reasonable rational human side cautioned his beast to stop. Colin felt torn, but they weren’t safe. Reluctantly the beast listened, and with one last nuzzle moved away from his cub.
Hunched over protecting Dom his beast focused on the surrounding area. In the far distance, he could hear the laughter; the party was still in full swing unaware of their missing host. Colin moved cautiously toward the slain body.
Studying the area, he quickly gathered and lifted what was left of the now torn human body and walked toward the water’s edge. The warm water gently lapped at his paws up to his ankles as he waded further in. Nearly at waist level, taking aim toward a reef some thirty feet away; Colin used all of his strength to fling the body out as far as he could. Hoping the sea life would depose of the body and wash away any evidence of their kind.
A moment passed before his beast’s body rippled back into its human form. Once he was human, Colin sank into the water arching back to fully submerge his body and wash away the remaining blood. Seconds later, Colin emerged out of the water his focus clear: to protect Dom—his new cub.
Frantic, Colin was beside himself; he didn’t understand why, but Dom was gradually getting worse.
Once they had arrived safely at his place Colin had proceeded to change back into his beast, to once again clean the wound using more spores from his saliva. Now that they were safe, Colin was able to indulge in his cub, and imprint his scent. Half way through Colin lifted his head and nuzzled along Dom’s neck down to his groin trying to understand what he was and was not sensing. Abruptly he pulled away. Fury and pain hit as he realized what it was he was sensing; someone else’s mark on his cub.
Forcibly he pushed away from the bed and Dom. His body shaking, Colin tried to clear his head and center himself. Jealousy flared, his possessive nature roared in anger. His heart ached with the knowledge of that mark. With a quick glance at Dom, Colin knew it was too late, Dom was his cub. Aching in pain his beast gave up control and allowed Colin to shift back into his human form. Dazed in disbelief he walked backward until his back finally hit the wall where he slid down. Crouching on the floor, his knees to his chest and his hands raked through his hair as he tried to wade through the waves of emotions where pain, anger, sorrow and betrayal stood at the fore.
Closing his eyes unmindful of his tears, or his panted breath, Colin concentrated on Jeremy, his originator the man who had sired him. On Jeremy’s arms his strength, and his calming voice. Once he was able to focus, Colin started replaying the events in his mind. Immediately he crossed off the lycan he’d fought and killed. The lycan’s scent was repugnant and un-kept. Although the lycan was a pure blood, Colin was sure he was still a cub.
Whoever had marked Dom was older, an alpha. Colin suspected the alpha was even older than Jeremy possibly even older than Jeremy’s Sire. Its scent increased and grew stronger, enough that Colin was able to pick up a significant amount of differences between the two lycans. The most prominent it was the alpha that had marked Dom was of a different breed, one Colin had never encountered.
Suddenly Colin felt dizzy—something was very wrong. Struggling to ignore the nausea, when wave after wave of dizziness hit him like a two-by-four. Colin crawled back over to the bed and reached for his cell phone on the nightstand. Flipping the lid he called Jeremy.
After the sixth ring Jeremy finally pushed the pillow off his head, glared at the clock then scanned the room for his cell phone and spotted it across the room. Getting up, he grabbed the cell and was ready to scream several choice obscenities until he saw who was calling. Though he was still annoyed, it didn’t stop the corners of his mouth lifting. With Colin he could forgive anything, and climbed back into bed as he sleepily answered, “Hey Col.”
Jeremy was greeted with harsh panting and silence. Worry immediately surfaced, and he sat up. “Colin?” The response was a low whimpering whine. At the sound Jeremy’s heartbeat raced as fear clutched his heart. “Cub, focus. Talk to me!”
Colin’s breath hitched, teeth chattering then Jeremy only heard silence. Long seconds passed before he heard Colin exhale; the sound only eased Jeremy’s anxiety a pinch – relieved enough to know Colin was still capable of following his orders.
Although if he’d been human Jeremy wouldn’t have been able to catch Colin’s whispered mumble. Thankfully he wasn’t and could clearly hear the fear and horror in his cub’s words. “Sire, I thought it was me—because of my scent. Jeremy I couldn’t… couldn’t let him die because of me.”
Jeremy tasted the bitter metallic of his blood and forcibly swallowed it down with his panic. “Who Colin? Who was going to die?”
“Dom, the hobbit, though it wasn’t his fault. I think the lycan thought I marked him.” Colin paused in his telling. Jeremy heard him lick his lips and knew his cub was re-playing the events in his mind. “He’s so fucking charming; we had so much fun together. I wanted the elf, I think he knew that, still everything seemed to be okay with the cheeky prick. Why I might have scented him… can’t say for sure. Didn’t realize it if I did, wasn’t conscious of it. At the party, it was just after I arrived, and I heard him the lycan laughing. When I found him…. he was toying with Dom because of the mark…wanted to leave a message. Fuck, the blood, so much blood.”
Even over the phone Jeremy could feel the depth of Colin’s anguish; heard the sniffles of his nose running as freely as his tears. “I didn’t mean to, I didn’t think and instinct took over—I’m sorry Sire.”
Trapped miles away from his cub, Jeremy was forced to listen to Colin’s ragged harsh breaths. Felt his own tangible emotions teetering toward the edge and had to fight for control. He had no choice Colin needed him. “Shhhhhhh, you’re doing good Col, what happened?”
Colin didn’t bother to hide the whimpers escaping his throat. Then Jeremy heard a low keening as Colin moved. “It wasn’t me; I didn’t mark him, but I didn’t know, didn’t think… It happened so fast, I changed, we were fighting—I killed him. The lycan… I killed him, Sire.”
Jeremy stifled his moan and closed his eyes as tears slid down his face. Colin was only a cub, he had never hurt another before, but the picture Colin painted that he had killed another lycan. He was too young, too sweet for such horror, the internal conflict between human and beast. Jeremy knew, he had gone through it decades before. Remembered how disturbed and shaken he had been by the fierce violence that collided with the nature of his beast—the deep satisfaction and glory his beast felt. Ethically, morally and emotionally it was everything he was opposed to, how he was brought up. The magnitude of shame for his beast’s satisfaction shadowed everything he felt for years. Jeremy knew his cub would be no different. Between Colin’s country and his family’s teachings, the ingrained Thou shall not kill—the church’s faith was deeply embedded within his cub. This wasn’t something Colin would be able to just shake off.
Even as Jeremy remembered his own painful journey of acceptance; internally his beast roared with pride and approval that his cub fought and won. Concurrently Jeremy agreed as long as it kept Colin alive he was able to dismiss any slivers of human remorse for the other lycan. Suddenly Jeremy realized he didn’t hear anything and growled out, “Colin, stay with me!”
Catching Colin’s startled moan, Jeremy rushed on. “I know you did what you had to—I don’t doubt your judgment cub, but I need you to stay with me. Now tell me, what happened next?”
He could feel Colin’s hesitation, and imagined Colin blinking away his tears. Could hear the rustle of his cub as he moved, distinctly hear him sniff as if he was scenting then heard him start to lick lavishly over a body.
Jeremy drew in a breath realizing what happened, that Colin Sired a cub. Colin’s whisper broke through his shock confirming his suspicion. “He was dying. I couldn’t let him after I…he couldn’t die! I did everything you did for me. At first it seemed to be working, but it stopped—and I feel a pull. The other mark, I couldn’t scent it before. Somehow it’s stronger now, and it’s pulling me… I’m sorry Sire.”
“Fuck!” The word slipped out as Jeremy closed his eyes in anguish as he began to understand what was happening. “Colin, Colin?” The faint grunt barely reassured him. “Baby, I need you to be strong…” Jeremy swallowed the bile that threatened knowing he was going to have to manipulate his cub. A manipulation he suspected would haunt him later on, but there might not be a later on if he didn’t. His own beast raged inside him with primal fear of losing his cub. “Baby, your cub—he needs you, he’s your responsibly now. I need you to be strong for both of you until I can get there. Can you do that, to save your hobbit?”
Jeremy held his breath hoping it wasn’t too late. Then heard a faint, “Save Dom, save hobbit…”
With those words Jeremy breathed a sigh of relief, and was once again grateful for his cub’s stubborn Irish pride. “Yeah save the hobbit, your cub, we can do that. You’re at your new place, right? The one you bought from Michelle?” Without waiting for a reply he started to move quickly through his room, thumbing through his black book until he found the right number. He dialed it from the landline.
“Yesss, Chelllle’s.” Jeremy frowned at Colin’s slurred words. On the other phone he heard swearing. “Niles it’s me, Renner, I have an emergency. Need to be in Honolulu, now!”
Jeremy barely registered his friends swearing basically stating it was impossible. Jeremy growled in response, “No Niles, make it happen! Any flight, as soon as possible understand me!” Holding both phones he heard nothing but silence, his stomach clenched as he waited.
Niles cursed, “I’ll arrange it. We’re done after this though… got it?”
Jeremy nodded knowing he’d burn whatever bridges he had to save his cub, “Yeah we’ll be done. You’re at home?”
“Yeah. I can probably get you on their next flight—in less than two hours.”
“Make it happen, Niles. I’ll be at your place in twenty.” Jeremy quickly hung up the phone. “You hear that Colin, I’m on my way. You stay with your cub—keep him alive, okay? I’ll be there soon—I promise!”
Only a low shallow grunt answered him. Colin was growing weaker. Jeremy knew it had to be the hobbits mark. He had heard stories from his own Sire, legends of the old ones, alphas, using magic to bind a mark, that it was suppose to act as a shield to protect them or in this case a weapon to kill; where the mark would turn into a deadly drug. That’s what he suspected was happening now, the magic was slowly making its way through Colin’s system, poisoning his cub. Colin was too young to combat the mark. Only another Alpha in equal status to the alpha that had originally marked the hobbit might be able to combat such a mark. Jeremy only hoped he was strong enough to save Colin and his new cub.
With thoughts of the past and his Sire, Jeremy immediately dialed Jeff’s number. He felt a mixture of relief and regret when it went straight to voice mail. Only then did he remember that Jeff was on a weekend retreat sans any electronics. Raw pain twisted in his gut realizing that he’d have to leave a message that Jeff wouldn’t even know his need until it was too late. Abruptly the message beep sounded and he didn’t have time to consider how the message might sound to his Sire as Jeremy listed the highlights of Colin’s call before he trailed off into silence. Afraid to actually voice that he might be too late and terrified by the thought of what he’d find when he got there; swallowing hard against his vivid imagination an involuntary whimper escaped, just before his thumb hit end button.
Cursing under his breath, Jeremy tried not to think of the busy signal on Colin’s cell. He had lost contact an hour before—not that Colin had the strength to talk anymore, but being able to hear his cub’s shallow breathing, or even the soft grunts of acknowledgement, had eased his mind. Now he had to wait, but at least he was in the air. Niles had come through for him, and somehow got him on an air express parcel overnight flight, a flight that would touchdown in Honolulu in two and half hours. Before he left he had Niles call ahead and arrange for a rental car to be waiting for him once he landed.
Jeremy silently replayed his mantra, Cub, be strong, be strong, be strong… as his fear increased, he was no longer sure who the mantra was for: himself or his cub. He had to hang on, his cub needed him, and he needed his cub. The echo of his beast whimpered in fear then roared in anger within his mind whenever he lingered on the thought of losing Colin. No he had to do exactly what he told Colin, and he started chanting the mantra once again.
Orlando was jarred awake as the car hit the curb turning into the driveway before the cabbie pulled to a full stop in front of Kate’s house.
The cab driver quickly jumped out to open Orlando’s door, mumbling an apology. “Sorry about that bro.”
Orli smiled, “No worries mate.”
The front door opened and Kate leaned against the frame as Orli dug in his pockets for money while the driver retrieved his luggage.
“Aloha, thought you couldn’t make it earlier.”
Orli handed the driver several bills, offering his thanks. Then turned his attention to Kate, smiling and giving her a quick kiss, “Aloha yourself. A photo shoot was cancelled last minute; got the earliest flight I could. Didn’t expect you to be up yet? Thought you might be a bit hung over from one of Dom’s concoctions?”
“Up, packing, and no concoction. I learned my lesson last time.” Kate stated as she helped him bring in the rest of his luggage.
Surprised he couldn’t conceal the disappointment in his voice. “Packing? Thought we’d get a few days?”
Kate answered sadly, “I know, I wanted that too.” She continued to talk, her excitement high as she walked back into the bedroom to finish her packing. “My agent worked out an exclusive audition. A role Theron turned down, can you believe it? Seems Janet’s dating Charlize’s agent. Small world, huh?” Kate paused and turned to him expecting him to say something.
He didn’t bother to hide his pout as he sat in a dazed slump on the bed, his back leaning against the headboard. She stood close, her knees knocking against the bed. Her face slid into an exaggerated pout. “I know, but it’s in New York; tomorrow at 3:00 their time and you know how I am with flying.”
Orli automatically nodded, “Jay meeting you there then?”
“Yeah,” She turned and pushed the suitcase down the other end of the bed before she knelt on the mattress and scooted closer. Her fingers easily swept a few curls out of his eyes as she moved closer until she clasped his face between her hands. Her face was just inches from his, staring into his eyes. “You’re not really upset, are you?”
Orli smirked, and then he grabbed her around the waist until he had her firmly in his lap. Kissing her ear. “Disappointed yes; upset no.” His finger forced her to look at him. “We’ve discussed this before Kate. You don’t have to wait for me, anytime you and Jay want to go public and announce our breakup… I just thought it’d be a good time to tell the guys, you know.”
“I know, Orli, and you should tell them. I’m just sorry I can’t be there with you. If you want to hold off telling them until I get back…”
“Naw. I better not. I have a feeling Dom might already know…or at least suspect.”
“Hmmm, you might have some competition for his time.” Kate answered cryptically as she nestled back into Orli’s arms.
“Huh? Elijah here already?”
“Not that I know of. He wasn’t there last night, though I think this might be a good wakeup call…”
In disbelief Orli look at her, “You trying to say Dom’s seeing someone?”
Kate bit her lip.
“Kate?” Orli persisted.
She slid off Orli’s lap, “Honestly I don’t know. What I do know, is he left his own party pretty early, and the rumor is he took off with a certain Irish rogue.”
Orli frowned, “Irish… who?”
Kate had started packing again, smirking she asked, “Right, and how many Irish rogues do you know that could possibly sweep Dom off his feet?”
“Farrell? That Irish?” He dubiously asked.
“The one and only. Actually, I didn’t see Colin, but that guy. Hmmm, you know the one, his name was Fox. Not Mulder, the other one that works with Dom.” Orli swallowed his sigh, knowing he was too tired to wait out Kate’s usual long winded narratives of gossip. It must have shown on his face because he caught her rolling her eyes at his expression.
“Right well, Fox said he had seen Colin near the set a few days ago. Then someone else said they saw Colin earlier last night taking off in his car with Dom. I didn’t see it, and the one who supposedly did was, well thoroughly wasted, but the end result was the same, Dom was gone.”
“And he didn’t come back?” Orli quietly asked.
Kate shook her head, “Not while I was there, but I’m not surprised either. From the bits I do know of Colin and Dom, those two could have gotten into anything. Though they probably got back after I left. I took off early myself, since I have one of the first flights out.”
Orli nodded, “Oh, what time is your flight?”
“7:45, car’s picking me up,” Kate glanced over at the clock, “damn, actually any minute.”
Closing the suitcase she added it to her other three by the door. The door was open and they both heard the car pulling up. “I’m sorry Orli…I wish…”
“Shhhh, it’ll be fine,” He grabbed her hugging her tight; “miss you already.”
Kate nodded, unable to speak; she hated good-byes as much as he did. Orli pulled away slightly tilting her head up then leaned down and kissed her. At first the kiss was light and sweet. His lips licked then nibbled hers open, enjoying her sweet taste. Kate leaned into his arms, opening herself further. Orli shifted, pulling Kate up against his body. For a moment their tongues played then dueled until he completely dominated her and devoured her mouth; Kate moaned her pleasure as she completely surrendered. Both ignored the sound of the car horn, but slowly started to pull away.
She didn’t try to hide her arousal, “Hmmm, that was…”
Grinning Orli slowly licked his lips, “Yeah, guess you can pass that on to Jay.”
Suddenly she started to fan her face, as if she was trying to clear her head then stated. “I think he might miss a technique or two in the transfer.”
Orli chuckled, “If you rather I could always tutor him on those techniques?”
Blushing and reaching around him she smacked his ass, “You keep your sinful lips from my man, thank you very much!”
Orli grinned, “Sinful?”
“Yes, and no kissing—until he’s officially my groom!” At the slip, Kate blushed; Orli raised his brow in question realizing she was serious.
It was obvious she hadn’t meant to tell anyone. He gently cupped her face, his thumb dancing across her cheek, “I’m happy for you Kate, really I am.” They silently stood there for a moment in their own world.
The horn blasted out again. “Damn it, I gotta go.”
“I know, come on.” He grabbed two of her suitcases, as she grabbed the third.
At the door they didn’t kiss or hug, they never did. Just a quiet nod, their eyes meeting, it was all they needed and that alone spoke volumes of their love and friendship.
Once he landed, Jeremy pulled out his cell and waited for a signal; hoping to find a message from Jeff – there was none. Snapping his cell closed, Jeremy stopped for a moment looking around the gate hoping to spot one of Niles’ people. He didn’t have long to wait as a young Hawaiian came up to him, “You Renner?”
“Yeah. Did Niles mention I needed transportation?”
The young man nodded, “This way,” and proceeded to lead him out of the airport terminal.
Minutes later they stood outside in Hawaii’s morning heat. The young man turned and tossed a set of keys to Jeremy. “Niles said you needed to get where you’re going quick. Thought this might be better to get in and out of traffic, otherwise you might be sitting for a while. Unless you can’t ride?”
Jeremy stared at the red Ducati 999 nodding in approval. “That’ll work.”
Pulling out his wallet, Jeremy was about to tip the young man but his guide held up his hand to stop Jeremy, “No bro, it’s all taken care of, Aloha.”
Jeremy didn’t waste any time putting on the helmet, and revved the engine to life.
Twenty minutes later he was still weaving in and out of standstill traffic. For the umpteenth time he silently thanked the kid for his quick thinking. At least he was moving. Jeremy finally saw his exit. Throttling the engine he made his way to the right shoulder speeding pass the traffic toward his exit.
Minutes later he was winding his way through the narrow side streets. Jeremy’s heart pounded, his fear palpable as he came closer to his cub; his beast roared in anxious anticipation. Jeremy almost missed the private side street that was half hidden from the main road. Switching gears he cut back, half spinning the bike kicking dirt and debris everywhere when he veered pass the pavement. The bike almost skidded out from under him before straightening. Throttling the engine again he raced down the private street to where his cub lay.
The intensity of his fear heightened as he drove up to the house. Cutting the engine, Jeremy practically leaped from the bike racing to reach Colin. The front door and the screen door were unlocked, pausing he caught the scent of Colin’s blood then his heart pounded harder as he heard an unmistakable whimper. His body moved quickly following his cub’s scent.
Jeremy stood momentarily frozen in the doorway of the bedroom. His nostrils flared as Colin continued whimpering. His cub’s body was curled protectively around the hobbit, his new cub. Even from where he stood the heavy scent of another lycan’s claim on the hobbit filled him with dread. An alpha lycan that was much older, possibly an elder, but what had him worried was the fact it was a lycan of a different breed. Inhaling deeply, Jeremy tried to ascertain as much information from where he stood; knowing once he touched Colin his rationality would be hindered.
With difficulty he pushed his beast down continuing to filter through the varying layers of scents within the room surrounding the cubs. He never noticed the splintering of wood crushing beneath his fingers as he forced himself to concentrate. Finally he was able to differentiate scents; first picking up a young lycan’s scent, even without tasting Colin’s blood, Jeremy was able to ascertain that it had to be the lycan that originally attacked Dom and subsequently the same one Colin had killed in order to save Dom.
The cub Colin had killed had been a pure bred lycan only a few years older than Colin though of an inferior common breed; as opposed to the claim mark on the hobbit that was from an older and rarer breed of lycan. Strangely the hobbit was only a claimed human, not pack, or mate. Jeremy also realized it was true what he had suspected— the mark was entrenched in magic.
It was the magic that was affecting his cub. Jeremy reasoned it was the earlier attack on Dom that had activated the magic and didn’t register Colin’s attempt to save the hobbit. Its magical properties acted as poison attacking the one who harmed the human’s life force. He had heard others talk about the tales. When he had questioned his Sire, Jeff had said although there was a kernel of truth their tales were nothing more than exaggerated fables by well meaning alpha’s to scare and control young cubs.
Apparently this was one of those kernels of truth. Jeremy closed his eyes in torment as realization hit that he had missed the opportunity to break the magical claim surrounding his cub. It was too late.
Colin had already accepted and bonded with his cub. If he attempted to break the bond now Jeremy was certain the consequences to Colin would be disastrous even if he lived through the ordeal. Though if he left them as they were he believed the ending result would be the same, only slower with Colin following the hobbit into death, and that was unacceptable. Without his Sire’s knowledgeable advice he was quickly running out of options; his beast growled echoing his feelings of frustration.
At the sound Colin whimpered in recognition, though he never moved away from his cub only snuggling closer; slowly, almost sensuously, licking his cub from neck up to his ear. Jeremy stared transfixed at the sight trying to ignore the pangs of jealousy that flared throughout his body. The jealousy felt inappropriate, Colin was his cub, not his mate. As close as they were he had never considered trying to tame Colin’s wild free nature by claiming him as a mate.
A mate the word suddenly echoed in his mind—was it possible? Mating with the hobbit, would it make a difference? It was a gamble, his only option. He was older, an alpha, much stronger than Colin. Between the two of them they might change the outcome; his beast growled in agreement.
It was rash, but he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. Having made a decision Jeremy quickly moved toward the bed and stripped out of his clothes. Kneeling on the bed he leaned down nuzzling his cub’s neck inhaling his scent. Internally he didn’t argue as his beast demanded control to taste and ensure that they hadn’t lost their cub to the magic. Partially shifting Jeremy nipped Colin’s skin drawing blood. Colin moaned in approval to his Sire’s touch, but didn’t release his hold on his own cub. Shifting back, Jeremy muttered, “I’m here cub, I’m here…” even more determined to succeed as he felt Colin’s pain more acutely through his cub’s blood.
Slowly he turned eyeing the hobbit, who was to become his mate. His mind raced at the possible consequences—for each of them. Of what this would mean and do to each of them, but more importantly to Dom: to wake up and find himself no longer human. Would he find lycanthropy to be a curse or a blessing? To discover he was dying and turned without his consent then worse to find himself mated to a stranger- would he accept them and his new life, or would it drive him insane? They wouldn’t know until Dom woke and understood what happened. But however Dom reacted, it’d strongly affect both of them, Colin as Dom’s Sire and Jeremy as his mate. Then there was Jeff not to mention the lycan who originally marked Dom. Although none of it mattered not now against Colin’s survival. Jeremy had one priority to save his cub’s life, and now his mate’s.
Jeremy’s nostril’s flared and his body shifted as he leaned forward nipping and tasting the hobbit for the first time. Colin continued holding his cub, but submitted to his Sire, allowing him more room and access to his cub. Satisfied with Colin’s acceptance Jeremy maneuvered his body until he lay directly on top of the hobbit scenting his new mate. His cock hardened, his bones cracked and popped, his body lengthening, hair sprung covering the naked skin of his human shell; his beast emerged ready to save his cub and claim his new mate.
Next~