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Disclaimer: I do not own any of the recognizable characters or the plot of Twilight. They belong to Stephenie Meyer.
Chapter 29
"Are they gone?" Asked Edward the second Billy walked in Jacob's room. He had been keeping Seth company while the Aleph made sure the council was a good distance from his lands. The slave had been quiet, lost in his thoughts as he looked out the window fearing their return.
"Yes, for now. I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of that group. It doesn't matter anyway; we'll be ready for them. We won't go down without a fight." Billy stood next to Edward who was sitting on Jacob's usual spot at the table. The cook was giving Seth his space, knowing that the poor man had been through hell once more. He pondered as to the resilience of the human mind, how long would he keep his sanity. What would it take to make the slave break, to give up on the impossible and ridiculous idea of hope?
"What's wrong with him?" Asked Billy with concern evident on his expression and tone of voice.
"Your guess is as good as mine. He has been like than since we came in the room."
"Seth, son they're gone. You can relax, we're here for you." Billy gently pulled the slave away from the window and guided him to the bed. They sat next to each other, the Aleph trying to read the submissive's expression but failing miserably, the slave nervously and with shaky hands twisting a loose thread from his shirt between his thumb and forefinger.
Billy placed one arm over the slave's shoulders, squeezing the shoulder his hand rested on. He felt the submissive tense for a minute before relaxing. "You have nothing to worry about. I instructed the wolves doing patrol not to let them through without my authorization. They will pass the voice to the next shift and so on. For any of those cowards to get near you they will have to fling to and fro many wolves and trust me, they won't even try. Aron is all bark and no bite, and his minions are equally inept."
The submissive still stayed quiet, the twisting of a pesky piece of thread the only evidence that he was awake. What neither dominant could see was that his mind was a hopeless disarray of ideas, fears and worries. "Sir I'm not worried for me, but for you and for my master. Don't take me wrong, I'm very grateful that you protected me, but you shouldn't have put yourself in that position. I'm not worth it."
"Oh Seth that's where you are mistaken, you are worth so much more than you give yourself credit for. I'm a soldier and a darn good one even if I say so myself. I never do anything without a plan. The strategy is simple; they know I'm not running with my tail between my legs, they cannot intimidate me. They are bullies, people like them take advantage of every situation and make it work for their benefit regardless of who they hurt. But they have another thing coming if they think they're going to come into my house and take any member of my family away. And you my dear boy… you are part of my family."
The slave was touched and moved to tears by the Aleph's words. In only few weeks the man beside him had shown him what a real father was. He never thought any dominant would move a finger to take care of him and here was no other than the Aleph himself sitting beside him, calling him family and helping him see what real love felt like.
Seth slipped to the floor kneeling before his father in law. The interminable waterfall originating in his eyes spoke of the emotion in his heart. Even through his tears he still smiled, he was grateful that somebody cared enough for him. Somebody who had no reason to do anything that would benefit him but did it anyway. Billy ran the pad of his fingers over the sub's bald head as he quietly cried with is head on his lap. "Sir I don't want them to take away your home and everything you've worked so hard for." Seth's voice was thick with tears as he lifted his head to speak to Billy.
"Is that what you're worried about?" Seth shook his head in negation. "Then get off this floor, sit next to me and tell me what's in your mind."
"Even if they are cowards they are powerful and have many loyal followers. If they hurt any of you because of me I wouldn't be able to live with myself. They could take away your home or even kill you. I'm a stray dog, I have no home and no family but you sir, have too much to lose." Seth's selfless but self-deprecating words annoyed Billy at the same time that filled him with awe. Life could get anyone down but it had been extra cruel with the slave. Still he cared more for others than for his own well-being.
Billy placed one strong russet hand on the nape of Seth's neck and gently guided him until his head rested on his shoulder. A pair of lanky arms rounded the Aleph's waist as the submissive risked a level of familiarity he had never tried before. "You would be surprised how many people want nothing but to see the council defeated and in prison. They have more opposing wolves than they have loyal ones. I'm in the process of meeting with several packs from Canada and Central America with the only purpose of creating a stronger front against the west and the council. These alliances will provide even more protection for you and Jake. So you see, it's not like we're untouchable but we are not defenseless either."
Seth offered his father in law a cute smile before lowering his head so it rested its previous position again. He wouldn't reveal his thoughts to the Aleph, after all, the only one who expressed an interest into what went on in his head was his master. The submissive sighed thinking of his Jake. How in many occasions he would say something that would make the slave furiously blush or cause his heart to skip a beat. The alpha had caused Seth and all the submissives before him an enormous amount of pain. But the tide had turned and he transformed into the one who would ease his pain. Jacob's love was erasing the bad memories, he was making things right.
"And my dear pup," The submissive's head shot up at the sound of the endearing nickname his master had given him. "Haha don't be so surprised, I think that nickname is the sweetest thing I've ever heard. I'm surprised it came out of my son's head to be totally honest."
"What was I saying? Ah right, look around you. Years ago somebody owned this house, that person took pride in what he or she had been able to achieve. Maybe made many sacrifices or none at all, we'll never know. Unfortunately at the end, they left this earth as naked as they came into existence. You may be asking yourself where I'm going with this. The truth of the matter is that none of this belongs to me. I just walked into this house, saw it was big enough for my wolves and moved in. If the council or anyone else took any of this away I would be upset, angry even, but it wouldn't cripple me. On the other hand when my Sarah was killed I was devastated and wanted death to claim me but I had to live for my son. I believed Jake's soul died the same day his mother was taken from us. But his spirit was not dead; it was hiding behind the despair and the resentment. No one had been able to jump start his heart and get him to feel again. Nobody until you came along. Never think lowly of yourself, son. I will forever be indebted to you for showing my son the way back. Through the evildoings of some men my son was lost, but through the immense love of one man he was found."
"Thank you sir." Seth spoke through tears of joy. He could easily see that the Aleph didn't become who he was by pure coincidence. He was as wise as the day was long and the slave was happy he considered him worthy. The submissive nuzzled his face onto father in law's shoulder making him react by hugging him tight.
At that exact moment the bedroom's door flew open and Jacob walked briskly in the direction of the group. The submissive unlatched himself from Billy's side and ran to meet his wolf half way. "You're here, you're here, you're safe. Puppy I thought I lost you." Jacob's voice trembled with a mixture of panic and relief.
Jacob slid his arms around the sub's waist to help him jump so he could pick him up. The slave's wrapped his legs around Jake's waist as his arms held to the back of his neck. The master walked both of them to his bed before sitting down with the submissive on his lap. Both Edward and Billy felt uncomfortable in the presence of the reunited lovers. They couldn't leave though, they knew Jake would have more than one question and they would do everything in their power to prevent him from digging where he shouldn't.
"Jake, I was so afraid I wouldn't see you again!" Seth's voice was shaky as his body convulsed with emotion. He had to stop talking when his mind became overwhelmed with what overflowed from his heart.
"My puppy, that will never happen. Mark my words, nobody will be able to take you away from me." Jacob didn't try to hide his tears as he wept openly.
His father couldn't remember when was the last time he saw him cry. After Sarah left them, Jake turned into the tin man. No heart, no feelings and no emotion. This was the last piece of the puzzle, his son was definitely back. The Aleph felt his heart swell and his own tears were brimming and threatening to fall like from a glass of water that's too full. Edward was deeply moved by the scene before him. He never knew this side of Jacob, the loving sensitive side had disappeared by the time he met him. Instead all he could see was a bitter man that hated life and everything associated with it.
Seth had been successfully hiding his face from his master. He was enjoying being in the arms he thought he would never feel again. He was certain that the instant Jacob saw the condition of his face and body he would be enraged and would demand answers he was not willing to give. Paul had given them a gift; he gave them more time to be together. The slave prayed that they would always be together but fate had a way of laughing in his face and when he least expected he would feel the sting of real life.
"I missed you pup." Jake's voice carried unmistakable tenderness and immense love.
"What have I told you about denying me your eyes? I missed the way you look at me, your voice, the softness and warmth of your skin." Not caring that they had an audience Jake kissed the submissive's neck trailing up to nibble on his ear. Billy could almost feel the heat emanating from their bodies. He wanted to escape but didn't want to move and interrupt the moment his son and his beloved were sharing. Instead he tried looking any way but in their direction. Edward's smirk made his friend want to smack him where he sat, but he couldn't help being amused watching his friend squirm uncomfortable in his seat.
Seth couldn't enjoy any of it as he felt his heart beat faster and the breath get stuck in his throat. This was it; his master would most probably go on a rampage. Seth didn't know how he would react to being denied the information. It was anybody's guess but he would have his answer soon enough.
The submissive moved his face slowly until he faced his master. Jacob's face contorted in a silent cry of agony and fury. "What the fuck happened to you?! Seth, tell me who beat you, was it the council? Dad, how could you let this happen? And you Ed, what kind or protector are you?" Neither Billy nor Edward were too bothered by Jake's harsh words. They didn't judge him since they would react the same way. Jacob's brain produced questions faster than anyone could provide answers. He first suspected it had been the council and he wanted nothing more than to wring the miserable necks of those entitled, irritating, good for nothing buffoons. He rationalized it was unlikely since it was not their style to damage the merchandise in such a way. Still he had his doubts.
"Jake I can't tell you." Stated Seth in an almost imperceptible voice.
"Why not? Is he threatening you?" The slave shook his head in negation. "Then why won't you say anything? Why are you protecting him? You only kept something from me once; I thought you would never do it again."
The slave felt like someone stabbed him, never in a thousand years he wanted to hurt the man he so desperately loved. Seth removed himself from his master's lap. He didn't do it out of fear, he just didn't feel worthy of being so close to someone he just got upset. Jacob didn't try to stop him; he was too confused and angry. He hated being kept in the dark, it made him feel like a fool. In the past whether it was by coaxing or by ordering him he would've gotten the information from the slave.
The master followed Seth's movements as he walked to the window. The light of the setting sun shone on his face surrounding it with light. Jacob was enthralled with the beauty of his submissive and felt his anger toward the slave melt slowly. The others weren't so lucky; he blamed everyone for Seth's condition. Billy extended his arm to touch Jake's arm lightly and get his attention. "Son, I can almost see the cogs moving inside your head. He won't tell either of us what happened. But please think about this, whoever hit him did us a big favor. The councilmembers came here with their minds made up; the meeting was just a formality. They were going to try to take Seth. I say try because there is no way in hell I was going to let that happen."
"I know that and I'm sorry if I sound impertinent. I'm just so mad, it's not fair. Seth is an angel and these people just want to keep him in hell. Dad this has to stop, please there has to be something you can do." Jacob's voice cracked as he begged his father to help the submissives, especially the one who held his heart.
"I've tried in the past but nobody took me seriously. They knew we owned slaves and your reputation worked against us. Any time I approached someone to ask for support they said no. They all thought I was helping the council and feared retribution."
"Dad we'll work together in this. I'll do everything in my power to help them, even Embry, even though I kind of hate his guts." Stated Jacob with sad humor in his voice. At the mere mention of Sam's submissive Edward perked up in his seat. Jacob smiled knowingly, the cook could deny it but the master could see himself in Ed. He knew the mark of one whose heart had been touched by a submissive. It changed them for the best; it made them a better person.
Jacob stood up and joined his submissive by the window. He rounded the slave's petite body with his strong arms before guiding him so the sub was facing him. The master inspected his lover's face, kissing each bruise and running the pad of his fingers over his cracked lips. "Baby I'll take care of you. This will not happen again. That council is nothing but putrid shells of what at one point was a man. Their existence is a dishonor to our ancestors."
"Jake those men are like vultures; they asked me to strip and examined my body like I was a strange bug. When they looked at me I felt the blood go cold inside my veins. I've been exposed to the lustful stares of many wolves but I've never felt so naked as I did today." Jacob's whole body tensed as his jaw clenched and a deep drawled growl resonated in his ample chest There were only a handful of men he hated more than the council and prayed to be given the opportunity to avenge Seth and all the submissives that had suffered because of their decrees.
"Jake, I was lucky; no, I was blessed; Edward and your dad were my guardian angels. Even though the circumstances were far from ideal I felt safe because they were there." Seth would forever be indebted to Billy and Ed. They put everything on the line to protect one that was considered less than an animal.
The master placed his arms around Seth's neck and bowed his heads until their foreheads were pressed against each other. "Oh God, puppy I'm so sorry I was not here to stop them." A single tear escaped from Jacob's eye sliding slowly down his cheek until it was wiped away by the slave.
"Don't be sad please. Everything is fine. When I was told the council was coming my first thought went to you. I never want to leave your side; unless I'm ordered to go or I die, I'll be here." Seth ran his fingers through his master's inky locks. He loved how the hair felt as it slid through his fingers. He never thought he would love everything about his master, but he did. They got lost in each other's eyes, their embrace felt heavenly. In that uncertain world there was something they could count on, that their love would show them the beauty the universe had to offer. If they had no tomorrow they wanted their last memory to be the depth of the feelings they shared, the warmth of each other's skin as it grazed the sensitive flesh of their lover and the joy that comes from loving and being loved.
Billy and Edward were long forgotten by the couple. Nothing existed aside from the man in front of them. Unfortunately as it always happened, their idyll was interrupted. There was a firm knock on the door that put everyone on alert. "Jake, they told me you came back. I need to talk to you." It was Paul's voice on the other side of the door.
The group exchanged confused looks. The dominants in the room asked themselves why Paul would be knocking on his alpha's door at a time when he was usually home with his family. The only one that suspected what he was there for and looked like he wanted to run away was Seth, but luckily nobody noticed. Jacob stood protectively before the slave who easily hid behind his master's massive form. "Come in Paul."
Jacob felt as Seth slid to the floor to assume his submissive stance. The master hated it; it was humiliating for his pup. "What do you want Paul? We're busy here."
Paul stood several feet away from his alpha. He shifted his weight from the left leg to the right and back to the left while rubbing the back of his neck. He buried his hands in his pockets and inhaled deeply before speaking. "Um I guess you already know. To my defense it was the first thing I could think of."
"What the fuck are you talking about?" Paul's eyes widened as he realized his alpha ignored everything that had transpired between him and the slave. This didn't go unnoticed by the other dominants who looked first at each other and then at the slave in search of answers. But they didn't need to look much further, the truth was screaming in their faces.
Paul knew at that point that denying everything would be useless and futile. He should've trusted the slave but that was very unlike him. His daughter had mentioned many times how good the slave was. He should've listened to her, she was not being deceived, she saw exactly what the slave was made of. "I heard the council coming and I knew you were not here. I had to think fast, there was no time. All I could come up with was making him look like a slave."
Jacob's eyes widened as understanding dawned. His body tensed, his mouth grew into a tense thin line and his movements were temporarily stalled. His best friend, his beta, dared to put his repulsive hands on the sacred skin of his lover. At first he was appalled but inside him the rage was reaching its boiling point. As the rage was unleashed he felt his wolf come to the surface but he pushed it back in. He couldn't completely lose control, his thoughts were with his little submissive and how he could be hurt if he phased and he was in the way.
Jacob took several long strides in Paul's direction, his feet stomping the tile like a jackhammer and cracking a few on its wake. In situations like this things usually seem to be moving in slow motion but it was just a matter of seconds before Jacob's fist collided with his beta's jaw with all the force he could muster. Paul spun to his right side spewing blood that ended up on the wall beside them. This movement left his side open for Jake's fist to get reacquainted with the beta's ribs, shoving the air out of his lungs. The beta turned to face his friend and assumed a defensive stance that was meant to protect him from the attacks; he didn't want to fight his friend. The force of the next blow caused him to stumble back almost knocking him to the floor and for tears to rush into his eyes.
"You dared to hit my slave, this is not the first time, but I'll make sure it's the last!" Jacob was out for blood. He didn't see reason; the anger numbed all his senses and only left the desperate need to kill. Terror invaded all the wolves present; they were going to witness something they never thought they would, an alpha killing his beta.
"Jake don't be such an ass! If he faced the council with rosy cheeks and perfect skin they would've taken him away. C'mon man I have a family!" Paul pleaded for his life; he couldn't believe his time on this earth would end this way. He was not pleading for himself; his thoughts were with his wife and their daughter. His first option was not to die of course, but if there was no other option he always pictured his death as an honorable act in battle. Future generations would write songs about him, telling the story of his loyalty and bravery. But not even in his wildest dreams he thought it could end at the hands of his best friend.
"I don't fucking care! You messed with my family. Never again!" Jacob's face was impossibly close to Paul's, droplets of spit ending up on the beta's face and hair. His lack of control was uncovering a secret they had zealously kept. They never planned on bringing Paul into the mix; he could be their greatest ally or their biggest enemy. Unfortunately for the beta, if Jacob got his way they would never find out.
"Jacob" The Aleph's voice carried such an authority in its softness that made the rabid wolf stop cold, if only for a moment.
"Son listen to reason please, this is wrong and you know it. Whatever is telling you to end his life block it don't listen to it, that's bad counsel." Billy tried to help Paul even though he knew all too well that when his son was in a rampage, there was nothing that could stop him. He was like the juggernaut, once he built up momentum it was game over for his unfortunate victim. That was a great skill to have in the battlefield but not in real life. He couldn't even give him an alpha order, in Jake's state of mind his wolf fed the rage inside him and made him capable of disobeying his father.
"Dad don't interfere, this is between this son of a bitch and me."
Jacob pushed Paul until his back was pressed against the cold wall. His beta had a shattered mandible, a black eye and probably a few cracked ribs. Blood seeped from his lip, heavy droplets hitting the floor with an inaudible sound. Paul debated whether or not to fight his alpha. But he had seen his friend in battle; he recognized he didn't stand a chance in his current wounded condition. He had reached the end of his journey. This was not how he planned it but he had to accept it. As Jacob raised his powerful right fist to land the lethal blow he felt a warm hand touch his bicep. It was barely a tap that would've gone undetected by anyone. The softness of the touch could only be compared to the power behind it. The alpha stopped on his tracks as he turned his head to look at the small figure beside him. A man that until a few months ago he considered to be insignificant and barely a step up from a cockroach made the biggest and baddest warrior of the east pack stop in his tracks.
"Master, he meant no harm. I know he didn't do it out of spite. He might hate me but he is an honorable man. He loves his family, his pack and his alpha. He helped me and he did it for you. Please master stop I beg you." Seth's voice was a balsam to the alpha's tortured soul. His eyes were filled with apprehension but his words were strong. He kept his master anchored to this earth and prevented him from falling off the precipice. The dominants in the room were dumbfounded as they watched the scene unfolding before them in disbelief. They were mesmerized observing the silent conversation between the alpha and his pup. It was like their spirit was doing the talking. Billy knew that Seth had great power over his son but never knew the extent of it.
Jacob loosened his grip of steel and his beta breathed, relieved for the first time since he landed the first blow on the submissive. Seth motioned to move back to his place by his chain but Jake stopped him grabbing his hand and interlacing their fingers. The slave heart began to race as he caught sight of their joined hands. It had been a comedy of indiscretions, first Jacob losing his cool, then the slave touching his master and speaking without authorization. To seal the whole mess the master stopped pretending and did something no master would ever do. Be affectionate to his slave. Even though they had just witnessed a miracle everybody in the room still feared this would end up badly.
"Paul, now you two are even. You saved his life and he saved yours. Before you go I must warn you that if anybody catches wind of what you just witnessed you will pay with your life. No little girl, wife or even an angel will come to your rescue." The beta nodded in understanding and slowly walked to the door, the pain from his broken ribs making it an almost impossible feat.
Billy's voice made Paul stop his painful pilgrimage and turn slowly until he faced them. "Son, you should stop by the dispensary before heading home. Your ribs probably need to be wrapped." The beta nodded as his answer.
Since the moment Paul came in the room to confess his sin Edward had a question dancing around in his head and he needed an answer. "Paul, for how long have you known?" The wolves in the room asked themselves what was Edward talking about, the only one that seemed to understand was the man to whom the question had been directed.
"Since the very beginning; Jake is really good at guarding his thoughts but he failed to remember something important. I'm his beta, what to others is complete silence, to me are ghostly whispers. It's a fail-safe mechanism in case an alpha's thoughts could endanger his pack or the people he is supposed to protect. It's also very useful at unmasking traitors." Paul's explanation left every single wolf in the room thunderstruck, even the Aleph, who couldn't believe he had forgotten that detail. It was both shocking and scary to realize that they had been playing with fire. They thought their secret was being so well kept when in reality every time the alpha thought of his mate while in wolf form his beta saw it.
Jacob was especially stupefied by what he learned. He had been so careless, Paul could've easily gone to the council and Seth would be nothing more than a pile of ash and a memory. His ignorance could've cost the submissive his life. The alpha sat on the bed pulling Seth to his lap. He needed to feel him close, to feel the warmth of his skin. He needed confirmation that his idiocy didn't have consequences.
"Paul does anyone else know?" Asked Billy.
"Nah some guys gossip like old ladies, I tried to dismiss their suspicions saying that if there was something fishy going on I would know. Now if you don't mind I need to get to Carlisle. You can really pack a punch." Paul mindlessly rubbed his side while he waddled toward the door.
Jake left Seth on the bed and caught up with Paul before he could reach the door. "I knew you were a good husband and father. An exemplary friend and wolf but what you've done for Seth and for me left me speechless. I guess that I want to say is I'm sorry and thank you." Jake extended his hand to his beta who shook it weakly before opening the door.
"Paul wait up let me help you; I don't think you'll make it to Carlisle's office on your own." Edward placed Paul's arm across his shoulders to give him some much needed support. He had to be very careful when placing his hand on the injured wolf's waist as to not aggravate his injuries. Billy opened the door and the group exited the room after a quick good bye.
"Puppy you should rest, you had one hell of a day. I'll go to the kitchen to fetch us something to eat. I'll wake you up when I get back."
"Master…" Jacob arched a perfect eyebrow making the submissive correct himself. "Jake, I'll go get our food; you look like you're about to keel over."
"Don't worry about me puppy, when I get back we'll eat and go to bed. I'm so tired, I don't remember when the last time I ran so much and so fast was. Puppy, when they told me the council was here I felt my spirit leave my body and leave in its place something that could only be described as nothingness. I trusted my dad and Ed but it's my job to keep you safe. I was so scared love, so…" Jake's words were drowned by a deep sob that originated in the center of his being. He knew the complications he should expect for loving a submissive but never knew how much his puppy meant to him until he almost lost him.
"Please baby don't cry, look we're together and sooner than we thought. If those men did something good it was bringing you back to me quicker." Seth knelt on the bed and cradled the alpha's head against his chest. The soft and steady thumping of his heart soothing the master.
"I'm so sorry for the way things played out, how Paul saw no other option but to beat you to a pulp." Jake placed his lips ever so softly over the bruise that encased Seth's left eye and kissed it, willing the black and blue to go away. "I know that it was a necessary evil but I wish things were different. Sometimes I observe you while you sleep and fantasize that this was a different time, that we were free to love each other. I would give you everything you deserve. A big house, cars, money, you would never want for anything."
"Jake if this was a different time or even a different earth I would still only want one thing… you." Seth's words as few as they usually were always managed to bring the alpha to his knees.
"I don't deserve you angel. You're so strong and a tougher man than I'll ever be. You're beautiful inside and out. I'm a lucky bastard that's for sure."
"My Jake I'm not beautiful, especially now with all these bruises. I'm but a flea on your fur." The master loved everything about his little submissive but wished that the self-deprecating comments would stop. He tried to be understanding but Seth was seriously pissing him off.
"You are beautiful and it's time you see it. How can you say you're a flea? Damn it pup, that has to be the stupidest thing I've ever heard." To Jake there was nothing more beautiful and loveable than Seth and it infuriated him that someone so perfect couldn't see just how much he was worth.
Noticing the submissive's furrowed eyebrows he realized his comment had been out of place and decided it was better to lighten the mood. "Anyway I don't have fleas; Carlisle puts some special drops between my shoulder blades to prevent them."
Seth opened his eyes comically before asking. "Really?"
Jake had to burst out laughing at his slave's innocent question. "No, hahaha! Puppy, for one so old you're so innocent, this is why I…" Jake stopped himself before he would utter the remaining two words. It was not that he was ashamed of his feelings for the submissive, far from it. Truth of the matter was that he had never declared his love to anyone before and he froze.
"Er, anyway let's get you out of these clothes so you can rest." Jake grabbed the bottom hem of his slave's shirt and pulled it over his head before pushing his pants down and offering his hand for balance while the sub stepped out of them. Until that moment he had only seen the bruises on Seth's face but when he caught sight of the slave's abdomen and hips he felt like somebody squeezed the blood out of his heart.
Without saying anything Jake stood up and guided Seth so he was lying down with his back to the bed. "I'm going to kiss them to make it all better." He whispered to the submissive before worshiping his body. His actions were not sexual in any way; he wanted to show the submissive how much he meant to him. Seth felt self-conscious about his cuts and bruises. He felt ugly and couldn't understand how his master could call him beautiful or how he would voluntarily put his lips on him.
"Baby if I'd known the council was coming I would've killed all of them before they got here." Seth was shocked that his master would literally kill for him. It was baffling as to why he would risk so much for one such as himself.
"You would kill for me?" Seth's question remained unanswered while his master gathered his thoughts. He would not only kill a few lowly wolves, he would kill a whole fucking army. The slave was heartbroken for his master's lack of response but that didn't change his feelings for the alpha.
"It's ok you don't have to answer." Stated the submissive sadly.
"Damn it pup, give a man a chance. Of course I would kill, not just the council, getting rid of those bastards would be the biggest favor I would have ever done humanity, I would dispose of entire armies."
Seth timidly gazed up at his master. "How can you be willing to sacrifice countless lives for me? I'm so insignificant." The slave's voice was so low the master had to strain to hear his question. The submissive was not trying to make the alpha pity him, he just couldn't understand. Since he could remember he had been told he was nothing and only had one purpose in life, to serve the dominants. This had taken a toll on his self-esteem. Of one thing he was sure, he knew without a doubt his small hands would be put to good use if his lover was ever in harm's way. His body would be his shield and if he died for the man he couldn't live without there would be no more dignified death.
"I would do anything to keep you safe from harm. I don't want you to ever feel one ounce of pain." Stated Jacob.
"Jake, pain is part of life; it's as unavoidable as death itself." Once again the master was in awe at his submissive's wisdom. His eternally youthful appearance in sharp contrast with the old wisdom with which he spoke.
He admired Seth but that didn't mean he was happy with what he said. The alpha let out an irritated huff of breath. "Not your pain, if I have any say in the matter you will never be hurt again." Jacob's brows furrowed and as much as he adored his little submissive he was annoyed with him. Just like Seth couldn't understand the entirety of his master's feelings for him, Jacob couldn't understand how his puppy didn't know, or couldn't at least feel the devotion radiating off him. His emotions were palpable and the wolf almost swore he could see specks of them in the air. He always believed his lover to be smart, so why now, of all the times Seth could choose, did he pick to be so thick-headed?
"Jake I know you care for me but I don't want you to ever put yourself on harm's way for me. You're destined to be the next Aleph after your father steps down. One day you'll meet a beautiful woman and you will father the next alpha. As long as you're happy I'll be happy for you."
Jacob's temper rose and he found himself exasperated. "Don't you get it, Seth?!" He shouted, beyond appalled by his tone of voice and how his submissive flinched in fright.
"Get what, master?" There it was, that dreaded word seeping from such precious lips that knew no better. Lips that were never meant to say the word master, they were meant to whisper words of love, of secret desires shared by two lovers.
Jacob's hands rose and he waved them in the air like a mad man, because as it stood, he was. "That I fucking love you!" He earnestly exclaimed, tears brewing, and palms sweaty. The alpha felt just as shocked by his words as Seth looked, but he didn't for a second regret them. Bliss had substituted air in Seth's lungs. For an instant the world stood still. All the hurt and the fear melted away, the sad memories were erased leaving in their place one so powerful that it replaced all the others. Seth's eyes were filled with love that he couldn't express, but as he looked into the soulful eyes of the man he loved he understood that Jake knew it, more importantly, he felt it. Hot tears streamed down their faces as they became each other's reason for living. To many those three words strung together were a cliché but to them they were an affirmation that there was still hope in that twisted world of theirs.
"I love you, puppy." He repeated, though quietly this time, softly, tenderly, the voice of one who had been overmastered by a four letter word.