Savage Desire
Chapter 23

The atmosphere in Jeremy's suite was a solemn one. It was almost midnight. The only dry eyes in the room were that of Jeremy's. He was focusing every ounce of energy he had left on acting calm to enable the others relax. But it was obviously not working. Even Philip couldn't hold in his grief. He kept disappearing into Jeremy's bathroom to weep. "Dude," Jeremy growled when Philip joined them after staying inside the bathroom for about ten minutes. "Pull yourself together. You're the f*****g alpha."

But Philip couldn't even give his usual flippant responses. He just stood quietly beside Stan with his head bowed. Jeremy sighed as he gently rubbed Ryan on the back. He was proud of how composed his mate looked. His eyes were wet but he'd managed not to break down. Jeremy was grateful because he really didn't know whether he could handle it if Ryan did breakdown. There was a sudden shimmering of light which made everyone tense up. The High Priestess stood before them by the time the shimmering light disappeared.

At twelve midnight on the dot, a portal was going to open for Jeremy to go through. It was only going to stay opened for a minute. But the High Priestess wasn't there to ensure Jeremy entered the portal. He didn't have any choice but to enter it. She was there for Ryan. Immediately after Jeremy disappeared, she was to cloak Ryan's feelings for his mate. The indestructible cloaking was to take away Ryan's hunger and pain, to enable Ryan live comfortably and peacefully in the absence of his mate. Jeremy on the other hand was to experience the full-blown pain and hunger that came with the absence of a mate, in addition to whatever agony he was going to endure from every painful memory. The High Priestess was there to see to the cloaking herself because it was the highest form of cloaking and therefore needed an ultimate power and authority to be elected.

"Alpha Jeremy." She bowed her head respectfully. "You should say your farewells. It's almost time."

"Fuck!" Stan roared and punched the wall. He left a dent. The warrior's fangs had dropped down and his claws had elongated.

"Stan." Jeremy gave a sharp growl and went to his friend. "Hey, settle down." He ordered. Then the alpha drew his friend into his arms. Stan's body shook. It was obvious that he was trying very hard not to give in to the rage that was boiling in his veins and for that, Jeremy was grateful. "Better?" Jeremy asked after a while. At Stan's nod, Jeremy bumped their foreheads together and said with mock anger; "Better fix that dent before I get back."

"Oh Jer..." Stan hugged Jeremy again. "Come back safe."

"I don't have any other choice." Jeremy muttered and then let go of Stan. Then he turned to a quietly sobbing Paige and drew her into a tight embrace. "Damn, it sure is refreshing to see the queen bitch in tears." He teased, drawing a teary smile from Paige. "Jer, about what I said yesterday...I didn't mean..."

"Yes you did." Jeremy cut her o softly. "You never say anything you don't mean. And that's what I love about you." He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "I know how you feel." Jeremy murmured. "And I respect that. But please keep an eye..." But Paige covered Jeremy's mouth with her hand to stop his request.

"I'm never leaving his side." Paige said quietly. "You have my word. I've already asked Philip to assign me to him as his guard. I'm told he doesn't like having guards so I'm just going to be his friend. I called Professor Fynn this morning." She nodded with a grin when Jeremy raised a brow. Professor Fynn was on the board of UCLA and a very good friend of Joel's...Paige's dad. "It's been arranged. I start lecturing their freshman engineering class from Monday. Your man and I will be joined at the hip, Jer." She grinned. "Oh god, that doesn't sound good." Jeremy groaned. "You're going to corrupt him Slip." He reached up to catch a tear that slipped onto her cheek, with his thumb.

"You bet your sexy self I am." Paige smiled through her tears. "I'm going to be his partner in crime, his best friend, the yin to his yang..."

Jeremy burst into laughter, making everyone turn to look at them. "Oh my god, you're crazy." He laughed. "He will appreciate having a friend than a guard. Thanks Paige." Jeremy said softly. "Maybe you should convince your

stubborn new best friend to move in here." He murmured. "You can fully convert his room into a study for him."

"Consider it done." Paige smirked. "Just make sure you come back to him because that mouth..."

"Fuck you Slip." Jeremy moved to Joel next. "So sorry for letting you down Uncle Jo." Jeremy said quietly.

"You have no idea how proud I am of you son." Joel said in a hoarse voice. "Everyone makes mistakes. It's how they make up for those mistakes that matters most. That man couldn't have asked for a more caring and amazing mate. I've never respected you more Jeremy. I know it's going to be dificult but try to focus on him no matter the pain you're in. It should help."

"Thanks Uncle. Please keep an eye on mum..." Jeremy trailed of. He didn't know whether to smile or frown or maintain a straight face. None of them had even given a thought to what happened between Joel and Gloria the night before. They'd been too preoccupied with what was about to happen.

Joel cleared his throat. "You don't have to ask me to." The elderly man actually blushed. "You know I'll take care of her."

"I know you will. Thanks." With that, Jeremy moved to his mother and just took her into his arms. He held her as she sobbed her heart out. And he had to suppress the urge to cry too. "You do know you could have baked me some muins to take, don't you?" Jeremy finally drawled, knowing that would get a rise out of his mother. It did.

"You silly boy." She said through her tears. "I've never gone more than a month without seeing or talking to you. Now I'm not going to see you or hear your voice for two whole years... And you're thinking about muins? What am I going to do Jeremy?" She sobbed. "Shh...you'll be fine, mum. I'll be back before you know it." Jeremy hugged her tighter to him. "Two years is just around the corner."

"No, it's not." Gloria snapped. "You had better stay strong and come back to us because you're all I have in this world. And Ryan...you're all he has. Don't forget that."

"I won't." He hugged his mother again. "He's going to be a mess mum. Look out for him please. Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid." "Don't worry about him." Gloria said softly. "He'll be okay. I love you son."

"Love you too mum." Jeremy kissed his mother on both cheeks and then moved to Philip.

"This is it." Philip's voice didn't even sound like his.

"This is it." Jeremy said. "Listen, if this goes south, I want a big funeral, alright? I'm talking epic. Open bar, choir, orgies, the works..."

A tear slid down Philip's cheek even as he shook his head in amusement. "Done." He whispered.

"Great." Jeremy grinned. "Come here." And the two friends hugged each other fiercely.

"Alpha?" The high priestess called softly. A gentle reminder.

Jeremy went to where Ryan sat with his hands covering his face and gently pulled him up into his arms. There was no hiding it...Ryan was trembling. His breath came out harshly. He'd been able to keep it together since their 'no negativity' agreement. He understood that he would only

be adding to Jeremy's pain if he made him any sadder than he already was. But Ryan couldn't seem to hold it together. Panic bubbled up within him. His chest burned.

"Ryan..." Jeremy whispered, the pain and wretchedness etched on his mate's gorgeous face hitting him like a physical blow.

"I can't Jer." Ryan's voice shook. "I'm sorry but..." His bottom lip quivered.

"Oh god..." Jeremy breathed shakily, feeling a sharp pain through my chest. He was fully mated to Ryan now so seeing and feeling his misery cause him great pain. A pained whimper tore out of Jeremy's throat that had him squeezing his eyes shut. "I'm trying to be strong." Ryan sounded out of breath. "Really, I am."

"I know..."

"I hate this..." Ryan was hyperventilating.

"Baby, breathe... Come on Ryan, breathe." Jeremy looked desperate. "Look at me, Ryan."

But the urge to cry was overwhelming and Ryan couldn't fight it anymore. The pressure building up within him made him feel as if his head was about to explode.

"Jeremy..." Tears poured down his face. "Jeremy..."

"God, Ryan..." Jeremy knew he had to reach Ryan on some level...calm him down...reduce his pain and in the process, reduce his own sußering. He did the only thing he could... He kissed his mate.

Jeremy entwined his fingers in Ryan's hair and took his mouth in an incredibly gentle, delicate, tender and simply delicious kiss. He kissed Ryan as if he couldn't stop. He could taste the salt in their kiss but didn't know whether it was due to Ryan's tears or his and frankly, he didn't care. Their open mouths slid across each other's, tongues licking and tasting, making love to each other.

Everyone in the suite quietly watched the intimate display. Even the high priestess looked totally floored. Though it was time, she didn't have the heart to interrupt.

At exactly midnight, there was a loud whoosh sound. The portal that was to take Jeremy opened. Everyone gasped but the kissing couple. They were totally lost in each other. Jeremy knew it was time for him to go. Hell, he couldn't have missed that dreadful sound. He gently broke of the kiss and hugged Ryan fiercely, practically sufocating him. But Ryan didn't mind at all. He figured he could get away without breathing for a while. They both trembled, their cheeks wet with tears. They could hear sobbing from some of the people inside the suite but they didn't let go of each other to see who it was. Both men felt as if their world had come to an end. And there was nothing they could do about it. Jeremy finally kissed Ryan lightly on the mouth...a final kiss. Then he stepped back from him.

"I love you Ryan." Jeremy's voice broke with emotion, his heart in his eyes for everyone to see. He heard the collective gasp that went up and also saw the shock in Ryan's eyes and gave a tremulous smile. "So f*****g much." And with that heartfelt declaration, the alpha took another step backward, turned around and stepped into the portal. Then the portal closed.

If only Jeremy knew what he'd done to his mate with those three little words... What happened next shocked everyone, especially the High Priestess.

Nobody move after the portal closed. They all stared at the spot where it had been...probably willing it to reappear.

For Ryan, however, the feeling was diferent. Jeremy's final words had hit him hard enough to steal his breath. And the breath-taking joy that invaded his entire body at those words, turned into blinding pain and rage when Jeremy disappeared through that portal. For about ten seconds Ryan ceased breathing. He knew he had to breathe...tried to breathe, but he couldn't. Just when he thought he was going to pass out, he finally succeeded in taking a deep breath. But when he exhaled, his breath came out with a bloodcurdling scream that caused the building itself to shake. Then right before the eyes of the people gathered in the suite, the portal reopened to reveal a stunned Jeremy, staring back at them.

"Oh my god!" Gloria gasped as her hand went to her throat, her shocked gaze fixed on Ryan. That kind of portal... meant to be a doorway to purgatory, could only be opened by a divine power. Even the high priestess couldn't have opened it. So how had Ryan... The High Priestess moved towards Ryan so quickly it was almost a blur. Then reciting some words, she touched Ryan on the forehead with her glowing wand. Ryan instantly stopped screaming and crumbled to the floor in a faint. And that was when everyone heard Jeremy's spine-chilling scream. The portal was still opened so he'd watched his mate fall to the ground. His already afected mind conjured the worst thought...his mate was dead. All the alpha felt was the most intense agony and fury. His eyes turned bloody red. Then he started running towards the people in his suite, his main goal - to reach his mate and kill that high priestess who had caused his death. The High Priestess heard the alpha's enraged scream and pointed her still glowing wand at the portal, closing it instantly.

"Luna!" The High Priestess gasped as she was thrown violently onto her back. She'd never experienced that much

power. And it had come from none other than a newly turned werewolf. She felt totally drained. "All that power..." She panted harshly, staring at Ryan. Her skin was covered in Goosebumps. "We need him on the council." She breathed as Joel helped her up. "Don't hold your breath, you old cow." Stan growled angrily as Philip bent to pick his alpha's mate of the ground.

"You might want to keep your warrior in check Alpha." The high priestess addressed Philip as she got to her feet.

"Everyone is tired, High Priestess," Philip responded quietly, a passed-out Ryan in his arms. "If you would just excuse us... Unless of course there's something else..." He trailed of with a raised brow.

"I'm not the enemy here." The High Priestess said quietly. "You all knew what he'd done and yet you kept quiet. He's an alpha. He has to have better control. Otherwise the pack is not safe. He had to be punished for his actions."

"We know that High Priestess." Joel responded quietly. "We were not trying to hide or cover up anything. We knew it was up to Luna and we accept the verdict. But we just parted ways with someone we all love dearly. Don't blame us for feeling as shitty as we do this very moment."

"Two years will come very soon." The High Priestess responded. "It could have been worse."

"A day, a month, a year...it doesn't really matter." Joel countered. "He's our alpha."

“And did it have to be two years?" Stan sneered. "The longest a werewolf has been sent to the Fort since time immemorial has been two months and you know it. And even those were for murdering. You've condemned him to super in purgatory for two whole years. Why don't you just kill him?" He growled, taking a threatening step towards the High Priestess.

"Relax Stanley." Gloria said, pulling the angry warrior back. "They didn't determine the length of time. Luna did."

"I was there Mama G." Stan gave the high priestess an ice-cold glare. "They so did. And did you have to stop him when he was coming back just now?" He growled at the high priestess.

"Stanley!" The warning in Joel's voice was clear. "You will stop this at once." He rasped. "If he'd succeeded in coming out, Luna would have seen it as Jeremy rebelling. She would have struck him down. High Priestess did all of us a favour by closing it. At least we know he's still alive." "Well, Luna is a mean bitch." Stanley muttered. "Two fucking years?"

"That's where you're wrong." Gloria said quietly. "The length of punishment was determined by the level of pain inside the person wronged. Ryan was hurting. Not to mention the fact that Luna is pissed at Jeremy's reaction to her choice of mate." She explained. "What?" Stan gasped, turning to look at Jeremy's oblivious mate. "But I thought he was okay."

"What he went through is not something you come out of easily Stanley." Gloria said. "None of us knew the extent of his pain. He's been very strong."

"Shit." Philip cussed as he turned to go and put Ryan in Jeremy's bed.

"Thank you High Priestess." Gloria said quietly. At least thanks to her, Ryan didn't have to go through any pain for the absence of his mate.

The High Priestess gave a slight nod and gestured towards a quietly sobbing Paige who was huddled in a corner. "Will she be okay?" The elderly priestess asked quietly.

"She'll be fine." Joel said, turning to go to his daughter.

With a sad smile the high priestess disappeared just as she'd appeared...in a shimmer of white light.

And for the first time, Alpha Jeremy's suite, which had been the center of so much fun and happiness over the years, was eerily quiet. The feeling of misery and dejection was so palpable that none of the suite's occupants could speak. One word best described the whole atmosphere...

Emptiness!

Somewhere in a state-of-the-art board room in one of the finest ofice buildings in New York...

"What do you mean you don't know where he's travelled to?" A tall, white-haired, angry looking man bellowed. "He's the alpha. How come nobody seems to know where he's travelled to? Are you sure your source is being truthful?"

"She is, Sir." The frightened looking albino answered. The Lord Command was not safe to be around when he was as angry as he was right then. The Jackal knew he should tread cautiously. "She wouldn't dare lie to me. We have her daughter."

"Fuck! First, you idiots allow Agyemang to escape. Now you don't know the whereabouts of the most important alpha of all. We need to finish that potion soon otherwise all our hard work will be for nothing. That will be four decades of planning, down the drain. We need Jeremy Stanton's blood and bone marrow to complete this. He beat us once, putting a massive hitch in our plan. I'm not going to allow him to do it again."

"Maybe he's gone into hiding because of Sasha's death." One of the fifteen people around the conference table spoke up.

"Jeremy Stanton doesn't hide from anyone, Frank." The Lord Command snapped.

"Reynard, he can't be gone for long." A pretty brunette who looked not a day over twenty-one but was actually seventy-four years old, said. "I hear he got mated in a private ceremony of sorts just three days ago. He can't possibly leave his mate for long, can he?" "A mate huh?" The Lord Command's face lit up. "Great. That's the first person Jeremy will go to when he gets back from wherever he's gone to. Find her and keep an eye on her..."

"Him." The brunette said.

"What?" The Lord Command looked confused.

"Jeremy's mate...it's a man." She looked as if she was enjoying the man's shock.

"Interesting." The Lord Command turned glassy green eyes onto the albino. "Well, I want eyes on him at all times. And don't fuck this up, Jackal." The threat in his voice was unmistakable. "It is now or never." The desperation and determination in his eyes could not be masked. "That dreadful prophecy cannot come to pass."

According to the prophecy, the Wyatt clan, the most ruthless and deadliest Warlock clan that ever existed, was to be brought to its knees that year by a formidable force. Well, the clan prided itself on the mayhem, destruction and fear they brought upon humankind just for the fun of it. Of course their services were available to any person who could either pay with ridiculously huge sums of money or human sacrifices. Their name struck fear into the hearts of every warlock and witch who knew about them. The Wyatt clan was definitely a force to reckon with. They sure as hell weren't going to wait around to get kicked of the top of the pinnacle. And fortified with all that power from their latest discovery...a potion made from the life force of powerful alphas, that prophecy was as good as void.