Broken Mates
Chapter 26

Calming down, Jake took his seat beside Colten, getting into his arms while Tristan took a seat beside his mate. Chris, Roy and Corey got up, giving space to both Tristan and Ivan. They took another couch as their seat. "Jake, this is my mate, Ivan Ash, he's also the alpha of the pack" Jake watched his friend happily introduce his mate. Tris always made him feel better when he was in pain or in a bad mood. His smile always worked like magic. So, Tris was his mate. And here he was, thinking Tristan was getting abused. Come to think of it, what kind of an abuser would send people to replace the friend of his victim? It just didn't make sense.

"Remember I told you about a kid? Alan?" Tristan couldn't seemed to stop talking. The words were just coming out on their own without his control. "Yes, I remember. You said you wanted the kid" Jake said, recalling how his friend sounded that day. He couldn't help but laugh. He has never seen his friend sound so desperate for something he wanted.

Colten and Chris couldn't take their eyes off Jake as they watched him laugh. He looked even more gorgeous laughing and he looked better laughing than being in a fearful state.

And so, they promised themselves to always make Jake laugh and try their best to never make him cry. He deserved this much after everything he went through. Colten didn't know the details yet, but he was sure of one thing, he was going to burn down that pack who dared to touch his mate.

"Well, I got him. He was Lvan's son and now he's mine" and for the first time since Jake's arrival, he met Lvan's gaze with a smile on his face. At first, Ivan was shocked. Just a moment ago, the guy looked so scared of him and now he was smiling at him. What were the odds?

He also smiled back.

Jake didn't know what was going on but suddenly, he wasn't scared anymore. He felt like he could trust these people, these alphas, that they were not going to hurt him. That they would protect him, including his mates. Even his wolf was starting to trust them. He wasn't complaining or scolding him anymore. Which was actually a good thing because he was starting to get fed up.

Jake was feeling much better than he was when he first came. He knew he was starting to trust them, feel good about them but what he didn't know was the reason why it was happening so fast.

That was because Colten was using his magic. With his hand holding Jake's, he was using his healing much to heal Jake from the pain he felt. He was healing him emotionally, and that was why he was starting to feel better.

But, using this magic, there was also consequences. Colten's wound closed, but it wasn't completely healed and if he kept using his healing magic to heal Jake, then his wound will open again. But, right now, that wasn't important to him. Jake was important to him, and his first priority.

"Thank you for taking care of my friend, and thank you for saving me" Jake said with a smile, looking at lvan in the eyes. He was looking at him. He was looking at an alpha with a smile while thanking him. He never thought a time like this would come. If this was okay, that meant, being with Chris was going to be okay, right? He wasn't going to freak out, right?

He turned to look at Chris and even smiled at him. Chris felt like he was floating, a giddy feeling travelling through his body. He smiled back, happy, and glad that he received a smile. That meant Jake didn't hate him, right?

"You don't have to thank me. And for my baby" Lvan looked at Tristan who was staring at him with a smile, "I will do anything" Ivan continued with a smile. Tristan kissed his cheek and he (Lvan) laughed.

Oh, how he also wanted a kiss. Jake wanted a kiss from his mates. From Colten, if possible. He turned his head to look at Colten and realised his mate wasn't looking good. Colten looked paler and he was sweating a lot too. He also seemed to be in pain. "Colten" he said softly. His heart dropped when Colten's eyes closed and his head slid down off his shoulder. His mate passed out. "Colten!!" He yelled. No no no, this couldn't be happening, he just found his mate. He didn't want to lose him. No!!

******************

They all stood outside with concern for Colten plastered on their faces, looking at Dr Jones who was about to give them an explanation as to why Colten fainted.

"I don't know what happened but it looks like he exhausted himself. His wound opened again" Chris saw horror, was Colten going into another coma? He didn't think he would be able to stand it if that came true.

"Wound?" Jake asked with so much concern, fear and curiosity. He was so worried about Colten that he didn't realise he was standing so close with alphas who were Lvan, Chris and Roy.

Tristan placed his hand on his friend's shoulder as comfort before explaining, "Colten got hurt trying to save Chris" Jake turned to look at Chris who stood there with so much guilt. Just what did he miss? His mates were in danger all that while he wasn't here. What would have happened to him if they had died? He didn't want to think about it. But, would he have been of help if he was here? He didn't think so, and that made him feel even more helpless.

"You guys don't have to worry, he won't fall into another coma because the wound is healing well. Now, if you will excuse me"

"I'll see you out" Ivan volunteered. Jones nodded and followed after the pack leader with Roy and Corey bidding their goodbyes to Tristan, Jake and Chris before following their alpha.

Some time later, Chris also turned to leave with an expression Jake couldn't read, but he knew, that Chris was feeling guilt, hurt and in pain just like he was. "Where are you going Chris?" Without turning to face Tristan as he was leaving, he answered, "I need some air"

Jake wanted to follow him, to comfort him, but he felt the need to stay because Colten needed him more. Colten was hurt.

"What happened? How did Colten get hurt?"

"Well, a lot happened. I'll explained later but to put it short, some guy tried to kill Chris and Colten took the hit instead. He was in coma until this evening"

"When did he get hurt?"

"The day you called. He was part of the crews who were going to recuse you, but then, he got hurt and couldn't go. Chris didn't want to leave him either, or he would have joined Roy to recuse you"

"Is a good thing he stayed" Jake replied, sadly, his hand on the door.

*****************

He couldn't stay. While they were talking, he realised Colten didn't look good but he didn't act. It was all his fault. If only he acted fast, then none of this would have happened. Then Colten wouldn't have fallen ill again, he wouldn't have fainted again. .......... Okay, maybe Colten falling ill again was inevitable, but, he could have still prevented something but speaking out.

He sighed, it was all his fault all over again.

"Oh, Chris" Sebastian. Chris looked up to see Sebastian, and, he held the arm of someone, it was Four. An ugly expression of killing intent appeared on Chris's face. Oh, how he hate his man. He was the reason Colten got hurt in the first place and he wasn't going to let the man off the hook. This man has been in hiding for the past weeks. They even thought he has left town but here he was. In Chris's reach, oh this man was so dead.

"Sebastian. Where did you replace him?" Chris said, glaring at the old man who refused to look him in the eyes. He had his head lowered, trembling with fear. "This old man is a really weasel. We almost gave up the search for him" "And where was he hiding?"

"In the basement of Secks mansion. I got a call from Mrs Cabby, saying the cleaner who went to clean the house was complaining of a ghost in the basement. I went to check and found out the ghost was Mr Four here" Sebastian let out an evil laughter, "Fucker thought he could run from me"

"Oh he isn't going anywhere, take him to the execution room, I'm going to kill this fucker" Chris exclaimed and head for the house, hearing the old man's pleads "No, no, please don't kill me. I'm sorry, please don't kill me!!" But he pay no heed and Sebastian didn't either, dragging the man into the house.

Someone's disgusting blood was about to be seen.