Chapter 5

The guys all sat down at the table in the Bulkhead. They were waiting on Clay, but they were honestly not sure he would even show. Jason made a point of making it an order, but that didn't mean Clay would agree to it. It had been two days since they arrived back from their mission from hell. Jason had spent the night with Clay, sleeping on the couch while Clay rested in his bed. The next morning though Clay was kicking him out and was not in the mood to talk at all. Jason knew that Clay wasn't used to having people in his life. That was made clear when he didn't even know what comfort from his pack felt like. No one had even provided a small piece of comfort to Clay in twenty-four years, not even his mother. There had to be a story there, but he doubted that Clay would ever truly open up to them about it. At least, not anytime soon.

"Do you think he'll show?" Sonny asked.

"I don't know." Ray answered.

"He better, I ordered him to." Jason added, but he also knew he couldn't technically order Clay to hang out with them outside of work.

"Can't hold it against him Jase if he doesn't show. He doesn't really seem to like to be in large crowds." Ray said. The last thing they needed was Clay putting up more walls around him. They had enough that they had to try and get through.

"That's typical with his pack. They like to keep to themselves, they prefer the quiet. You have to remember he's originally from the north, there isn't much up there. Even though he wasn't raised there, those genetic quirks are still within him." Trent supplied.

"I know, but it's been five weeks he's been with us. You would think we would have gotten somewhere in that time." Sonny complained, still frustrated that they weren't breaking through Clay's walls.

"He's had a rough childhood Son, that puts people on edge. We got a very long road ahead of us before he's going to fully trust us and be open and honest with us." Ray said. He understood where Sonny was coming from, but unfortunately it wasn't going to be that simple.

"His childhood had to be a lot rougher than we expected. He didn't know what comfort felt like." Brock commented sadly.

"And that's the thing, if he didn't grow up here, where the hell did he grow up? And why the fuck wasn't he with Ash?" Sonny asked the burning question they were all wondering about.

"What I can't figure out, how did Ash and Spense's mom end up together? Ash is a black wolf and his mom was the last white. Why would she pick a black wolf out of all of her options?" Trent asked.

"Maybe it wasn't about the history, maybe she thought Clay would be grey." Jason commented.

That was the thing, Clay should be grey, the fact that he was white was a miracle. If she had slept with a grey wolf, there was a higher chance of Clay being white. However, a black wolf and a white wolf would make a grey wolf. That was how they had grey wolves.

"The fact that he isn't is one in a million. His mother had to have come from a strong pure bloodline that connected to the original Alpha of the white pack. Her genes had to overpower Ash's. You're right though, she probably figured Clay would be grey. That his white genes would be able to be hidden. They couldn't have known he would be an apex." Trent explained, making sure to keep his voice soft so they wouldn't be overheard.

"He's a fucking unicorn and he's out there getting shot at." Sonny commented.

"It's his choice Son, we can't dictate what he does." Ray instantly argued.

"Are you telling me that you are perfectly fine with him being out there? Alpha or not, he still has omega traits. Are we sure reproductive organs are the only omega parts of him?" Sonny countered.

He didn't have a problem with Clay, but it changed things that he was an apex white wolf, plus he had omega traits. He was worried about something happening to Clay out on a mission or him going into heat. What if someone found out? What if the Upper Brass found out? It was beyond dangerous for Clay to be in the military.

"I don't know how I feel about it. If it were up to me, I wouldn't let him be in the military. He would be working as a professor or engineer or something. Doing a job that won't put his life at risk. And that has nothing to do with any traits, and everything to do with how special and rare he is." Ray answered.

"It's Clay's decision. Just because he could make pups, doesn't mean he wants to. Clay knew going into the Navy what he was and the risk he was taking. He made the decision to help people and we have to respect that." Jason said.

"I've been doing some research and if you mate with an apex, you become one. And if you perform the bonding ceremony with one, you will become stronger." Trent supplied.

"Stronger how?" Sonny asked.

"According to my research, it can make a wolf faster, stronger and have better sight and hearing."

"Why would their mate become an apex though?" Jason asked.

"No one knows for certain. However, I did some reading in old historic books and apparently in the beginning not everyone was an apex. There were more than five, or four now, there were hundreds and they all came from a specific bloodline. Most mated with each other; however, a few that mated with normal wolves were able to access their inner wolf and shift through that mated connection. Those apexes though weren't as strong as a natural apex, but they could shift whenever they wanted. Everything else stayed the same though. As the wars started to go on between the different packs and the wolf hunters, natural and mated apexes were all killed off until a few went into hiding. It's believed that an apex has never mated since at risk of being discovered."

"Well that's cool. How is Clay an apex though? How did his mother become one?" Ray asked, because he still didn't understand how it was possible. For decades there had only been one white wolf in existence that people knew about, but clearly that wasn't the case. Clay's mother had to be born from two white wolves in order for her to be white as well. There was a bigger secret here and it was one they might never get the full answer for.

"We don't know if his mother was an apex. All we know is that she had to come from two white wolves. Chances are they sent her away to keep her hidden. She might not have been an apex. Unfortunately, we won't ever know the truth. As for Clay, we would have to talk to him about it. We would need more information on when he first changed." Trent answered.

"I get the feeling that isn't going to be happening anytime soon." Sonny commented.

"He is going to have to trust us more before that happens. But we'll get there." Jason said confidently.

They had a lot of work they needed to do with Clay to get him to realise that they were his pack now. They would get him there, but it was going to take time. At least now they could do it fully knowing the truth.

"I know I don't have to ask this, but I'm going to. You all are sure you are ok with keeping this a secret? You can't tell anyone, not even Niama Ray. This stays within Bravo and that includes keeping Davis and Mandy in the dark." Jason had to make sure that his guys were good with this. He knew they would be, but he had to hear it for his own sake.

"Come on Brother, you know we got him. Nothing is going to change that." Ray easily said.

"He's right, the pup is ours now. He ain't ever getting rid of us." Sonny added.

"I figured you all would agree to it, but I had to ask. He's here." Jason said with a nod towards the door.

The guys all looked to see Clay making his way over to the bar. They could tell he was tense, he didn't like being here and they were instantly feeling bad about making him come out tonight. Clay made his way over to them with a beer in his hand and sat down in one of the available chairs that was next to Brock.

"Hey, how are you feeling Brother?" Ray asked.

"I'm good." Clay said, as he looked around the bar.

He hated being out in the open like this. He preferred to be in the woods where it was quiet and peaceful. He didn't like being in large crowds with a lot of noise. His hearing was sensitive and being in a bar or a club was always difficult. He also preferred to not be around people that might be able to smell the difference on him. He knew his bracelets covered up his scent almost perfectly, but if a wolf had a strong enough nose, they would be able to pick it up. So far that hadn't happened but Clay was always worried about it. It was also his last day for his heat and he really wasn't in the mood to be around all of these alphas. He wanted to be in bed using one of his sex toys to get him through the rest of his heat.

"Are you ok Sunshine?" Jason asked, worried about how quiet Clay was. He seemed tense and uncomfortable.

"It's loud." Clay simply said. "Why am I here?" He asked next.

"Shit, your ears are more sensitive than ours. We can go out onto the back patio, would that be easier on you?" Jason said. He felt like an idiot. Of course Clay didn't like being in crowds, his hearing would make it harder on him to be around that many people.

"It's fine. Why am I here?" Clay asked again.

They could tell that Clay was not in the mood to be here and they felt bad for making him come out. They didn't even think about how it would be hard on his hearing to be out in a crowd like this.

"After an operation we will normally go out for a drink or have a barbeque at one of our places. You haven't come before and we wanted to get you used to being around us. I told you Sunshine, this is your pack and you need to get used to having your pack around." Jason calmly explained.

"We know your breed generally prefers to be alone, but with you being an alpha, you need to be around your pack. It will make you stronger." Ray added.

"And you thought taking me to a bar a day after I was tortured and nearing the end of my heat was a good idea?" Clay said, clearly annoyed and not impressed.

The guys all looked at each other and they didn't even know what to say to that. They hadn't thought that Clay's heat would be an issue. It didn't even cross their minds that he had been in heat just less than two days ago. That his peak had been during his time they were captured. They knew from their own girlfriends that the last day of their heat could be exhausting. And with Clay still being a virgin they had to imagine it was harder on him. Now that they truly thought about it, Clay looked rundown. He looked exhausted and like he still wasn't feeling all that well after the wolfsbane. He didn't look like he had any physical injuries, but he clearly wasn't ok. They all felt like shit for bringing him here tonight. They should have met him at his own place so he could relax and not have to be around people. Before anymore could be said, they were interrupted by an unwanted wolf.

"Well, if it isn't my worthless son." Ash said with a smirk.

Clay let out a sigh before he spoke and got up. "Now my night is complete."

Clay made his way out of the bar as Ash called out to him. "I didn't dismiss you Pup."

Clay simply gave Ash the middle finger as he kept walking out of the bar. The guys heard Ash growl and go after Clay. They didn't even have to look at the others to know that they were getting up already. They all made their way outside and stayed a bit back so Clay could handle the situation, but they were there should they have to step in.

"A pup like you shouldn't be in a place like this. Unless you are here to let them fuck you." Ash snarled.

"Right, because I'm the whore omega right? Last I checked, you were the PNG and I was the Tier One Seal. Youngest Tier One operator in history. So which one of us is here looking to bend over and get fucked?" Clay snapped.

Clay knew he shouldn't be snapping at him. But Ash had never been a father to him. He never wanted him and he made sure to treat him like shit his whole life. He was done with this day. He was done with Ash trying to make him feel like he was a worthless whore. He was just done with it all. He wanted to be home in his own bed and hopefully tomorrow it would be a bit easier. Before Clay even knew what was happening, Ash's fist had collided with the side of his jaw. Clay knew he should have expected the punch, but he wasn't prepared for it. Before he even had the chance to defend himself the guys were there pushing Ash back and stepping between them.

"Get away from my packmate." Jason growled.

Ash gave a dark laugh. "Your packmate or your team whore. It's smart Hayes, having someone around that could offer some stress relief to your guys. That's the only reason he even made it onto a team. I told him that smell of his won't fool anyone."

"Stay away from him. And if I ever see you again, I'll kill you myself." Jason growled.

He was not going to tolerate anyone speaking about Clay like that, especially for this asshole. He had no idea what had happened to Clay growing up, but he knew Ash wasn't there to raise him. Ash wasn't there to protect him when he clearly needed it most. He wasn't going to allow Ash and his abusive words to be heard by Clay. Ash just chuckled as he turned and headed off. He was going to make sure they all paid for how they spoke to him. He wasn't certain how yet, but he would figure out something good. Something newsworthy.

"You ok Pup?" Sonny asked, concerned and that did Clay in.

"Stop fucking calling me that. I'm not a pup, I'm not some weak and helpless wolf. I am a Tier One operator. I am the youngest operator. I have accomplished something that none of you were able to do. I don't need your protection. I don't need you to fight my battles. I don't need you to defend me. I am not some weak little omega that you have to keep safe from the big bad world." Clay snapped, as his eyes changed to his wolf sky blue color.

The guys were shocked by the sudden anger that they didn't get the chance to comment before Clay was storming off. Sonny went to go and follow him, but Jason snapped his arm out to stop him.

"Don't, let him go. Something is going on with him right now, it's best to let him cool off."

"He needs to talk it out. We shouldn't be letting him deal with whatever this is on his own." Sonny countered.

"No, Jase is right. Clay needs some time to calm down. We also don't know if him still being in heat is making him more temperamental. The best thing we can do right now is to let him have some space to himself." Ray agreed.

"We don't know what his childhood was like, but it couldn't be easy growing up with everyone believing you were an omega. He didn't get his bracelets until he was eighteen. We all know how a good number of omegas get treated, he's probably been through a lot, especially if what Ash had to say to him was any indication." Trent said.

"I'm gonna kill that asshole if I ever see him." Sonny fueled.

None of them liked Ash to begin with, but hearing how he spoke to Clay only made them hate him even more. They didn't know what the full story was, but they were determined to be getting it out of Clay, hopefully soon.

"Get in line. For now, let's leave him alone for the night. I'll go over tomorrow and check in on him." Jason said.

He was worried and concerned for Clay as well, but he also knew that Clay wasn't going to tolerate being around people tonight. They needed to let him be on his own for a little while and then tomorrow Jason would go over to his place and speak with him. Hopefully he would be able to take him out somewhere and they could start his training.