His heat was building much faster, and much stronger than before, so that by the time he was standing under the tree atop the hill, he was hard as a rock.
DARREN ! A rough hand grabbed his shoulder and spun him around.
Darren’s eyes were slightly glazed as he struggled to fight with the overwhelming need that was building, and Jasper took quick notice, freezing where he stood to stare back at the smaller man. It felt like ages by the time either of them moved.
Jasper’s pheromones slowly filled the air, mingling with Darren’s and exciting him more.
I’m sorry. The Alpha suddenly apologized. I think this is my fault.
Darren stumbled backwards until he was pressed against the tree with his legs firmly squeezed together. Never in his life had he felt a need this strong before.
Jasper leaned in with his arms on either side of Darren. This is because of last night, isn’t it ?
Darren couldn’t find the words to respond as his mind was muddled with overwhelming lust. What the hell was happening ? Wasn’t the collar supposed to protect him from this sort of thing ?
I didn’t mean to. I think it’s because I was rejected. My body’s been giving off pheromones when I don’t mean to and…Well I didn’t mean for it to affect you. I just…God you smell so good. Suddenly, the lust laden Alpha pressed his body against Darren’s as he buried his head against the rogue’s shoulder.
Darren’s instincts screamed, ‘Push him off !’ but his lower half was screaming even louder, ‘Tap that ass and pass !’
A hand slithered its way down the rogues side, stopping just above the hem of his pants as Jasper whispered huskily into Darren’s ear. Since this is my fault, I can help you take care of it. Do you want me to ?
Once more, the English barely registered as the rogue rolled his head back. His heat was making it difficult to concentrate on anything other than Jasper. It was annoying.
Grasping the man by the front of his shirt, Darren clutched him closer and nodded, figuring it’d be best to get it over with.
It took a split second for the Alpha to react as he reached down the rogue’s pants and grasped his erection firmly.
Darren gasped at the contact and the collar began buzzing as their mate bond tried to intensify the interaction. Biting his lip, the rogue leaned back and closed his eyes. He could hear Jasper’s breathing pick up as the Alpha meticulously stroked and squeezed intermittently. He did his best to fight any urge he had to buck against the hand that was pleasuring him, and just stood there, taking it all.
It wasn’t long until Darren’s body shuddered and he was finally released from the heat’s curse. Gasping, he regained control of his senses just in time to catch Jasper leaning in for a kiss.
Unfortunately for him, Darren had no intention of going any further and promptly smashed his head against the man’s face with a savage headbutt.
What the fuck ?! Jasper yelped, jumping back as he cradled his forehead. Why would you do that ?!
Darren was still standing against the tree, totally stunned by what just happened. He had gone in heat so suddenly that he had no idea how to deal with it and consented to letting Jasper ‘help’. Honestly, he knew the guy didn’t deserve the headbutt, but it was a knee-jerk reaction.
I don’t know. Darren replied lamely.
As the Alpha tentatively checked for bleeding, Darren readjusted his pants so he was no longer exposed. Glancing around, he prayed that no one had witnessed anything.
Can you at least try not to be such an asshat ? Jasper growled out as his own excitement died down in leu of pain.
Excuse me ? Did you just call me ‘pants’ ?
What ?
What else would an ass wear for a hat ? Darren explained, trying his best to change the topic and spilling word vomit as he did so.
Jasper looked at him like he was insane, then shook his head and stared off into the sky.
It was going to take a while for the scent of their arousal to fade away, so the rogue would have to wait and wash off before he could head back into town without drawing unwanted attention to the fact that he was in heat. I think I need a bathroom. He muttered, unwilling to make eye contact with the Alpha.
Jasper agreed and they quickly drove to the nearest gas station. The soap there would suffice to wash away most of the scent. When they were done, Darren refused to get in the car and started walking along the nearest strip mall.
The Alpha stepped behind him. You’re not trying to avoid me now, are you ?
A blush returned to the rogue’s face as he was confronted with the unwanted topic. No ?
Because you agreed to-
I know ! Darren snapped and walked faster.
What pissed him off most was the fact that he couldn’t even be angry at the man for what he did. Jasper had asked first, and even blamed himself, not knowing it was the mate bond’s fault. He thought he was bonded to someone else that had rejected him, and was still willing to ‘help’ Darren.
Where are you going ? Jasper asked, keeping up with the beet red rogue.
Darren examined their surroundings before returning his full attention to the Alpha. I can see more ghosts now.
Jasper suddenly looked excited. That’s great ! But, none of the kids disappeared around here ?
I know. The point of going into town was just to confirm if I could see more. Since the highest population would be closer to the center of town, I figured there’d be a higher concentration of ghosts too. Turning, Darren glanced at a teenage spirit who was leaning against the wall of a music shop.
So I was right. Jasper concluded. They weren’t showing themselves before because you were an outsider.
It annoyed Darren that the Alpha’s suspicions were correct, but he couldn’t deny it anymore. After all, ghosts could have preferences too, and these ones were once loyal pack members. The old lady in the park was most likely a rare exception.
Darren sighed dejectedly. Yeah, big deal. How about we loop back around to areas that the kids were last seen and see if we can find witnesses ?
Sounds good. Jasper agreed, immediately putting his original plans on hold.
The first place they decided to check was the kindergarten playground. As they pulled up, a chill fell upon the car and suddenly Darren found himself rubbing his arms for warmth. A presence then caught his attention and the rogue turned around to find a strange man slouching in the back seat.
A shiver went down his spine as the man slowly raised his head, then smiled. Most of his teeth were rotten or missing, and his face was slim and boney.
Then, he vanished.
Jasper noticed the rogue staring off into the back seat and turned to see what was so interesting. Something back there ?
Darren nodded silently.
Is it a ghost ?
He figured if anyone would know who the guy was, it’d be one of the Alphas. Do you know anything about a creepy dude with bad teeth that used to hang out around here ?
Jasper eyed him seriously for a good long minute. Jared Holmes. He tried to join the pack some years ago but got rejected when I caught him snooping around the school. He had a really bad criminal record and we banned him from returning.
Darren glanced back once more in case the creep was still there. I think he returned anyways.
You’re saying he’s dead ?
Yeah, and ghosts have a habit of haunting people, so if there was a kid he had targeted before being banned, they would most likely be the one he’s haunting now.
And he was in the back seat ? Why ?
That was a logical question, and Darren had to think it over before realizing the most likely reason. Because of you.
Me ?