6
"Ianto! Wake up! You're dreaming!"
he was in his room, lying on the floor by his bed, with Jack lightly smacking his face, trying to shake him out of his nightmare.
He was awake now, and very aware. It was like the nightmare had never happened. Everything was quiet. He was safe right there in Jack's arms. Oh, he was there. He was really there and he knew that he would never abandon his side.
Ianto broke down in tears and buried his face in his strong chest. His mind raced with frightening and crazy images - he closed his eyes in horror as he watched his whole world fall apart around him.
Jack gently stroked his hair as he let him sob it out, but only for a few moments. Jack helped him back to the bed and they both sat down.
"What happened?" Jack asked.
Ianto told him everything, even though he found most of it difficult and humiliating to say out-loud. Even he had a hard time believing the story coming out of his own mouth. What the hell was happening to him?
"It's okay. I understand how strong the pull is, but you have to stay strong - this is only going to get harder."
"We have to stop it. I want to go to him so badly, right now. The only thing stopping me… is you." Ianto didn't want to believe the words that had tumbled from his mouth. But as he said them he knew that every single word was true. Jack truly was the only thing keeping him together right now. If he didn't have him to keep him grounded then, surely, he would have run to Connor by now.
Ianto squeezed his arms tight around his saviour, his face still resting against his warm chest.
Jack seemed shocked by his words. He pulled him up off his chest and stared into his eyes, moving closer to him. His eyes moved over his face, as if discovering something beautiful for the first time, something unreal.
Ianto thought he saw a look of happiness cross Jack's face; the normally rugged textures of pain and remorse melted into something more relaxed and beautiful. Underneath his dark, brooding werewolf hunter's exterior, there was something loving and gentle. Something that had been lost to the world for a long time.
Without a word, Jack kissed him deeply. His lips were soft but strong. They pressed against Ianto's slowly at first, and then moved a bit deeper into the movement, stirring something deep inside of Ianto.
As Ianto surrendered himself to the lust and love emerging between the two of them, an idea appeared inside his mind.
He saw something… but he wasn't sure what to make out of it at first. There was an image flashing in his head over and over, like a flickering sign.
"What is it?" Jack asked as their lips parted. He must have seen it on his face.
"I know where Connor is."
"Are you sure this is right?" Jack asked.
"Absolutely," Ianto replied.
.
.
The house they were staring at looked just like any other house on the block. It was a nice two-story home in an upper-middle class section of the city. It appeared to be well kept and the yard seemed properly cared for. Connor had done a great job blending in.
"God, I can feel him so strongly here," Ianto said. "Every fiber of my being just wants to run to him."
"Keep it in check," Jack said.
"Doing my best," Ianto said. "Ah, there it is."
He pointed to the church across the street. This is where he'd seen the clue that led him here. It was something so simple, and yet it had somehow stuck enough in his subconscious that it was there when he needed it. In his nightmare, Connor had said that he'd been watching him for a long time; that phrase kept repeating over and over in his mind. He wasn't sure why, but then he remembered a moment a few months back.
He'd done a wedding photography job for a young couple at this church. He was outside taking pictures of the bride and groom exiting the church, when he suddenly had the feeling that he was being watched. He tried to ignore it and focus on his work, but the nagging sensation kept gnawing at him. When the feeling had become too much, and he finally turned around, he could see something watching out of the window of the house across from the church. He didn't think much of it at the time, but he could have sworn that he saw red eyes looking back at him. It was only for a moment and then it was gone. He dismissed it as nothing and didn't think anything else of it until now.
That must have been when Connor first noticed him.
He had been following him since then. That chance crossing of paths put a curse on him that may cost Ianto his life. Now that he stood right outside his house, he would know he was there for sure. He could feel him; surely, he must feel Ianto too.
"He knows we're here, doesn't he?" Ianto asked. "He's linked with me."
"Yes, he knows."
"Then why am I here? I should have stayed and just told you where to go."
"Because I need you to distract him. He isn't lying when he says he loves you, or when he says that you're connected forever. Having you here will throw him off balance. He'll want to protect you, and when he senses our bond, it'll drive him nuts."
"What about his pack? We'll be outnumbered."
"No. An alpha as arrogant as Connor would never ask for his pack's help to fight a mortal. Besides, he thinks he can twist your head so much that you'll kill me."
"What if he's right? You have no idea how in my head he is. I'm not sure I could fight that command from him."
"I trust you. You're much stronger than you know," Jack said. He gave Ianto a quick kiss and then got out of the car.
Ianto paused, collected himself, and then followed. Jack led him around to the back door. He pulled a small lock-picking kit from inside his coat and got to work. A minute later, the door popped open with ease Jack slowly swung the door open with his foot and entered the house, two Webley guns in hand, raised at eye level. Both were loaded with custom-made silver bullets - he'd been waiting for this day for a long time. Even though it was barely nine in the morning, the house was fully lit.
Ianto was amazed at how open and large the inside of the home was. It was beautiful. They passed through the kitchen and into the living room where Connor sat in a large chair that looked almost like some kind of a throne. He had a smug expression on his face. It was as if he hadn't a care in the world.
"Hello, my love. I knew you couldn't stay away for long," Connor said. Ianto wanted to respond but, nothing would come out of his mouth.
"And it looks like you've even brought me a guest," he continued, mockingly. "Hello, Jack. How are you?"
Jack quickly raised his gun and fired at Connor's chest. The bullet struck an empty chair. Connor was gone. He'd disappeared.
"What..." That was all Ianto got out before seeing a flash of motion beside him. A split second later Jack flew across the room and collided with the wall. He dropped to the ground with a sickening bounce. He lay completely still.
"Jack!" Ianto yelled. He started to rush to his aid but Connor grabbed him, holding him in place.
"It's okay my love. His time is over. Nothing can come between us," he said. His voice was low and soft, almost purring. It echoed inside his head, trying to burrow its way deeper. Oh, he was losing the battle. He could feel him taking over his mind and his soul. And it was okay. He wanted to give in to him. God, he didn't know he could love someone this much… No! It's a trick. It isn't real… or is it?
He didn't know anymore. Distinguishing between his real feelings, who he really was, and this false thing that had been forced upon him was almost impossible. He just wanted to let go. He knew that he was falling in love with Jack. But his whole being was consumed with love for Connor. It felt like his insides were being ripped apart in two different directions. Connor appeared beside Ianto and wrapped his arms around him, pulling Ianto close to him.
"I know how you're feeling," Connor purred in his ear, "I can hear every thought you have. The bond between an alpha and his mate can never be broken. Our love is stronger than any mortal could ever know. We now exist as one being."
Connor leaned in, giving him a deep, passionate kiss. He'd never felt so loved as he did right now. Ianto knew that it was over at that moment. This was too much. He was not strong enough to deal with this. A decision had to be made, but there was no way he could do it. Jack had failed, and now he completely belonged to Connor. And nothing in the world sounded better to him right at that moment.
A twitch of movement caught his attention out of the corner of his eye. It was Jack. His eyes were partially open. He pretended to be unconscious, but Ianto could see his hand slowly inching towards the gun lying by his side. He knew what he had to do. Ianto wrapped his arms around Connor and pulled him in close, kissing him even harder. He completely surrendered to him. This is all he had to do, nothing but this. Allow him to take him fully and be absorbed in this moment between the two of them.
Jack would do the rest - he trusted him.
Ianto's conscious mind was no longer in control, his body and soul belonged to Connor.
Ianto leaned in to him, entwining himself with him as though they were one. He could feel his heart beating on his chest, as his began to match its rhythm. They were truly becoming one. He would be his mate for eternity, and together their pack would reverse the centuries of hiding in the shadows. They would lead their kind to greatness. This was all that he wanted - all that he needed…
The gunshot sounded like it was a mile away.
It was more of an echo; something that barely pulled Ianto out of his trance. What he did hear was the sickening sound of the bullet tearing through Connor's flesh. His body jerked sideways as he let out an ear-piercing howl.
Connor stumbled backwards and then collapsed to the floor, blood oozing from the massive wound in his back. Ianto stood, frozen, staring at Connor's motionless body. The room spun around him and he could feel a tremendous pain ripping though his body, as if he himself had been shot. Jack stood over the wolf emptying the gun until it clicked hollowly.
Every bit of sadness, anger, jealousy, rage, and total anguish he had ever felt in his life came rushing into the present moment - his love lay dying on the floor.
Lying at Ianto's feet was his dying Alpha mate, now fully shifted into a full wolf. He was huge and beautiful; more beautiful, he thought, than he had ever seen him. He threw himself to the floor and wrapped his arms around the massive dying wolf.
He could feel the life slipping out of him as his body began to grow cold. He held one of his massive paws in his hand, and as he did his own hand started to shift and change, transforming into a monstrous paw. Fur began spreading from his hands, arms, and all the way down his body as he started to shift into a wolf.
Intense pain shot through his body as his bones elongated and his organs stretched and twisted, making way for his new form.
What was happening? This couldn't be… he tried to fight it back, but it was just too strong.
He was powerless to stop it.
Jack grabbed him and pulled him away from the dying beast. He struggled to hold on, but he was too weak, unaccustomed to his half-shifted form. His human hands felt odd at first, but something in Jack's touch sent a wave of emotion shooting through his body. His new, half-animal, form was more sensitive to emotion and energy than his normal self, and what he felt in Jack's desperation to save him was something stronger than he'd ever felt in his entire life - love, real true love.
Jack pulled him in close to him, wrapping his arms around him. Everything began to reverse, the anger and pain he had felt at the loss of his mate began to dissipate and the wolf form that he had started to shift into slowly retreated - the real Ianto started coming back.
He collapsed into Jack's arms finally back to his normal form again. He barely had the strength to keep his head up.
"It's okay," Jack said. "It's over."
Ianto looked back at Connor's body - it was still beautiful, still magnificent. He looked so young now, even innocent. But he was gone. Ianto knew that a part of him would always care for him, even though he would never admit that to Jack.
He was fully himself again, back in control of his thoughts, but part of him would forever miss the bond that he had shared with Connor.
.
.
"So, where are you going now?" Ianto asked.
Jack sighed and shook his head. "I don't know. Wherever the job takes me."
"Well, I'd be okay with you staying here for a while," Ianto said. "You know just in case something else bad happens to me."
Jack smiled and stroked his head. The two of them were lying in bed. It had been two days since Jack killed Connor and Ianto had no bad dreams or physical issues. He really was himself again. But now he faced something else equally horrifying… he was about to lose Jack.
He knew he loved Jack before, but now that the thrall of Connor was off him he could see clearly with his own eyes. He knew that the love he had for him was by far the strongest love he'd ever known. And it was real. There was nothing supernatural about it.
"You know I can't do that. I have a job," Jack said. "It's important."
"Well, take me with you," Ianto said.
"I can't. You have a life here, a career. Besides if you're with me it's dangerous for you. The next alpha I meet might already have a mate and just decide to kill you to hurt me."
"I'm willing to take that risk," Ianto said. "I'm a big boy, I can handle myself."
With that he rolled over on top of Jack and pulled the sheet down below his waist, exposing his beautiful nude body. It was time for round two of their lovemaking for tonight. Sometimes they even got in a third round if the stamina was running high.
Jack laughed and leaned back ready for the ride of a lifetime - and Ianto was determined to give it to him. He lowered himself down on Jack's already hard cock and began to move. The two of them fit perfectly. It was like they just intuitively knew what to do to send the other one over the edge. Each time was even better than the last.
Ianto took his time, letting it all happen gradually. There was no rush. When he knew Jack was getting close, he decided to try something different. He stopped suddenly and just sat there looking down at him, barely moving.
"Don't stop…" Jack groaned.
"I'll make a deal with you," Ianto said.
"What?"
"If I can make you come three times, then you take me with you," Ianto offered.
"No…"
"Then I'm going to sit here and just keep you on the edge for such a long time…"
Jack laughed loudly. "Okay Tiger. Give it a shot."
Ianto smiled and resumed the motions.
The next day they packed up and headed North together, ready for the next adventure.
The End
