“Of course, I do,” Jonas huffed with a frown.
“Why shouldn’t I hold that drunken night in the bar against you?” he teased lightly.
“I was nursing my broken heart.”
Alister’s pulse leaped. “So you said.”
“I didn’t expect to find you there.” Jonas almost repeated the words he’d spoken to Alister that night.
“I didn’t expect you to show up there.”
“You left the summit early. Hence, the broken heart.”
Alister avoided the probing gaze and shrugged. “I didn’t leave the area though.”
“No,” Jonas agreed. “You didn’t.”
Alister found his gaze caught and held by golden-colored eyes. The room grew hot and he abruptly stood. No way was Jonas in any state to pick up where they’d left off in the woods.
“Finished?”
“Is there more?”
“Of course,” he said with some amusement. “You wolves and your high metabolisms.”
He made his way to dish up another bowl and poured a splash of whiskey into a glass. After handing Jonas the bowl, he placed the glass on the nightstand and resumed his seat on the side of the bed.
Only when Jonas had finished his second helping and was slowly sipping at the liquor did the alpha break the silence.
“So, you’re leaving tonight?”
“Tomorrow night. I’ll make it down to the border of Oregon. There are several wizards who will carry the message the rest of the way.” It was safer and it also allowed him to make a quick trip versus the time it would take him to travel to and from Cornelius’ location.
Of course, once the message was received, Alister knew his father would portal straight to the cabin. He let his gaze wander over Jonas, suddenly unable to meet the man’s eyes.
“I’ll be okay,” Jonas rasped.
He mustered a smile and plucked at the edge of the blanket that covered Jonas’ damaged legs.
“Where’s Ian?”
“He’s gone ahead to help the packs ward off any attack.” Yet now, Alister wasn’t so sure that sending Ian ahead had been the best idea. Ian had wanted to stay, but Alister had assured his uncle he could look after Jonas. And he could look after the alpha, but not if he wasn’t here.
“Good idea,” Jonas said.
“I’ll place extra wards around the cabin,” Alister said around a tight throat. “I’ve crafted an invisibility shield that should keep you hidden until I return. Don’t go outside for anything.”
“I won’t.” The alpha’s hand suddenly settled over his and Alister forgot how to breathe.
The feel of Jonas’ rough palm had him sliding their fingers together. Jonas squeezed his hand tightly and Alister’s chest tightened.
“Look at me,” Jonas said huskily.
“No.”
“Alister.”
“What?” He brushed his thumb across the top of the man’s knuckles.
“Kiss me.”
Oh fuck. Alister closed his eyes when the softly spoken words went straight to his cock. His breath shuddered out and then he inhaled quickly. The sound seemed to echo loudly around the room.
He wanted to stay strong, but when Jonas tugged him closer, Alister went.
He went until he was close enough to become lost in the soft gold of Jonas’ eyes. His breath mingled with the alpha’s. Their lips parted. Alister swept his tongue over his own dry lips.
Jonas brushed his mouth against his and Alister was lost. He moaned and gently pressed his lips against the cracked lips of the man he loved more than life. When Jonas pressed harder, Alister felt the moment the wolf’s lip gave way and the metallic taste of blood.
He eased back, but Jonas held his hand tightly. Alister refused to look away. He needed to cherish every moment he had with Jonas, but the thought of losing this man almost brought him to his knees.
“I need to go.” Alister stood up.
“Alister,” Jonas coaxed.
“I’ll be right back,” he said and stepped out into the cold night air.
With his back to the cabin’s exterior, he drew in several deep breaths of much needed oxygen.
His pulse settled down and he rubbed his damp palms along his pressed slacks.
How in the hell was he supposed to tell Jonas that if they couldn’t find Pethious, he was going to die?
Jonas
He smiled, leaning his head back to rest against the pillow.
Several minutes later, Alister stepped back into the cozy cabin and closed the door. Quiet steps took him to the fireplace where he stroked up the fire. The wood crackled in the quiet room and the smell of burning cedar pleasantly filled the air.
“Still hungry?” Alister approached and placed a cool palm to his forehead.
“No.” He gazed up into Alister’s eyes, wishing he had the strength to pull the man closer. He could smile, though, and did so until Alister sighed and sank down on the edge of the bed. He rolled his head and nudged his cheek against the wizard’s thigh. The man’s nearness was all he really needed. He thought somewhere off in the distance he heard his wolf howling, but it was too faint and he was too tired to fight the sleepiness that was dragging at his limbs.
“Don’t leave me.”
“I won’t. When I go, I’ll make sure you’re awake.” Long fingers combed through his hair.
“You called me love,” he whispered.
“I did,” came the quiet reply.
Alister reached over and pulled a book from the pile on the small table and opened to the first page. It was one of their favorite things to do. They’d found an old library in France one year and had spent hours combing through books and reading to each other.
“Call me Ishmael,” Alister began reading.
He smiled and drifted to sleep listening to the sound of Alister’s deep voice reading Moby Dick.
A faint curse and rattle of a pot drew him awake and he glanced at the window. The sky was dark, so the day had passed and he had no recollection of it except for brief moments when Alister had woke him to help him drink and then go to the bathroom a few more times.
Still as weak as a kitten, he rolled his head to the side. No, scratch that, he was weaker. Before, he could at least move his arms and hands, but now they lay unmoving at his sides.
“Alister.” The man’s name a breathy sound.
“I’m here.” Worried green eyes in a beautiful face were hovering over him. Tender fingers brushed the hair back from his forehead. “What do you need? Hungry?”
He slowly shook his head.
“I made dinner.”
He wished he had more of an appetite, but in all honesty, he wasn’t sure he had the strength to chew and swallow.
“Hold on,” Alister said and left him only to reappear with a cup. He was gently lifted and Alister slipped behind him to support him sitting up. The cup was placed to his lips and he took a slow swallow of broth. Some dribbled down his chin, but the taste was so good on his tongue and he realized he was starving. It took a while and he wore most of it on his shirt, but he managed to drink the whole mug of broth.
“I’m leaving tonight,” Alister whispered.
His breath shuddered out.