Jim didn't know if he ever felt more used before in his life. Was this how things were going to be between them? Jim didn't even know if this was just Donovan's way of proving something or if he was normally like that. If he was, Jim wasn't sure he wanted to be mated, no matter how sexy the man was.
Tucking his shirt back into his pants, Jim headed for the door. He still had a job to do and not even his thoughts about Donovan were going to keep him from it. His brother needed his help and at least there, he knew what was expected of him.
Walking into the living room, he gazed around the room. His mother was talking quietly with Chase. Donovan stood looking out the front window. Jim took a deep breath, hoping he didn't smell of sex, and cleared his throat.
«Are you all ready to go? Dad is expecting us over at Joe's house,» Jim asked as he walked toward the front door. He could hear Chase and Donovan saying goodbye to his mom as he walked outside and headed for his truck.
Jim climbed in and started the truck, hoping Donovan would ride with his brother instead of him. He didn't know if he was ready to talk to Donovan right now, not the way he was feeling. It would be much better if they each had some space to think.
Even so, as Donovan climbed into the car with his brother, Jim felt disappointed. He shook his head and headed for his brother's house. He was losing his mind. That was it. Donovan was driving him crazy.
«So, what's the story with Jim?» Chase asked as they followed behind him.
«I don't want to talk about it,» Donovan replied stoically as he stared out the window.
«I saw how you looked at him, Donny. I've never seen you look at anyone that way, certainly not another man. So, what's up?» Chase asked.
Donovan turned his head to look over at him. «He's my mate.»
«Fuck!» Chase swore under his breath, shaking his head. «You sure know how to screw things up, don't you? You were supposed to be the one to save the family name. Mom's going to shit bricks when she finds out about this. You know that, don't you?»
Donovan nodded. «Yeah, I kind of figured.»
«Well,» Chase replied, smirking, «If you were going to choose a guy for a mate, you didn't pick a bad looking one. Jim's hot, bro!»
Donovan tried to smile past the possessive growl building in the back of his throat at Chase's words. He knew his brother was gay. He had known for years. He did not like him making comments about his mate, however.
«Course, I prefer my guys to be a little smaller. Someone I can cuddle in my arms. Jim's too masculine for me, but if you like him…» Chase laughed. «You do like him, right?»
«Oh yeah, that doesn't seem to be our problem.»
«Then what is? Why are you riding with me instead of up there with your mate?»
«Because I'm not gay and Jim lives in the closet. Until a few minutes ago, I'd never even kissed another man,» Donovan explained, feeling his cock suddenly harden as he remembered the kiss and the other stuff he had experienced with Jim.
«And now that you have? What do you feel now?»
«Horny!»
«And what are you going to do about it?» Chase asked as they pulled to a stop behind Jim's truck.
«I haven't got a clue,» Donovan replied as he climbed out and followed Jim toward the house and up the steps, waiting while he knocked. He couldn't seem to keep his eyes from trailing down to the tight ass encased in faded jeans. Damn! That man had a perfect ass.
«Hey, Dad, this is Chase and Donovan Morgan from the Shasta pack. Their alpha said we could have them as long as we needed them,» Jim said as he gave his father a slight hug.
«Chase, Donovan, thank you for coming. We can really use your assistance,» Daniel said as he shook both of their hands. «I'm Daniel Nash, alpha of the Wolf Creek Pack. This is my son, Joe, our pack enforcer and the local sheriff. The man sleeping in his lap is his mate, Nate.»
«He's the reason we are here?» Chase asked.
«Yes. If you want to come sit down, I'm sure we can fill you in.»
Donovan sat down across from Joe. He smiled at the sleeping man in Joe's arms, but his attention was on the man that went to stand behind him. He tried to ignore the sweet scent that Jim was giving off when Joe began speaking.
«We need to keep our voices down. Nate just fell asleep and he needs all of the rest he can get,» Joe said, gesturing to the man in his arms.
«What can you tell us?» Chase asked quietly.
«There's a man-Nate calls him the Teacher. We don't know his real name yet. He has spent the better part of the last twenty years making Nate's life hell. He finally escaped the Teacher two years ago, but he's been on the run ever since. The Teacher has his hands in a lot of cookie jars and has a very long reach. No place has been safe for Nate for very long.»
«Why does this guy have such a hard on for your mate?» Donovan asked.
He was surprised when the little man opened his eyes and sat up, looking over at him. «Cause I'm just that damn cute,» Nate said.
Donovan watched with amusement as Joe nuzzled his hair. «Hey, baby, did you have a nice nap?» Joe asked.
«Not really, but I suppose I needed it. So, who are the mountains masquerading as men?» Nate asked, nodding his head towards him and Chase.
Chase leaned forward holding out his hand. «Chase Morgan. My brother Donovan and I were sent down here by our alpha to give you a little added protection.»
Nate grabbed the hand that Joe held out before leaning forward and shaking Chase's hand, then Donovan's. Donovan felt him pause briefly, staring at him before releasing his hand. Did he know about Jim? Could he tell that it was everything Donovan could do not to reach back and touch Jim?
«I guess you want to know about the Teacher?» Nate asked as he released Donovan's hand and sat back in Joe's arms.
«I think we need to know as much as you're comfortable telling us. The more that we know, the better we will be able to protect you,» Donovan replied as he sat back in his seat.
«I'll try to give you the short version then,» Nate replied before taking a deep breath. «The Teacher was made my guardian after my mother died. He uses people like me to make him money, lots of money. I'm one of his top-I get him the most money. That's why he wants me back so bad.»
«You're a prostitute?» Chase asked, his voice laced with horror.
«Not exactly. I have certain abilities. The Teacher sells my services to the highest bidder-government agencies, businessmen, drug dealers, you name it and he sells our services to them. That's how he's gained so much power.»
«Services? Abilities? Mind filling us in on what in the hell you're talking about?» Donovan asked quietly, totally confused at this point. Was he a prostitute?
«For one, I'm a human lie detector. I can tell if someone is lying just by touching them. Two, I can read people's emotions. For example, I know exactly what you are feeling right now and for whom,» Nate replied.
Donovan watched Nate's eye raise up to the gorgeous man standing behind him. He could feel his face heat up when he realized that Nate could sense his desire for Jim. Did he know that they were mates, too?
«That's got to make things interesting, but I can see why the Teacher might want to get you back. So, I guess our job here is to keep him from accomplishing that?» Chase asked a moment later, serious once again.
«Well, I would really appreciate it. Just the thought of that-that man getting his hands on my baby makes me see red,» Joe stated.
«So, from what I understand from my alpha, the Teacher has been seen in town, correct?» Donovan asked.
Joe and Nate both nodded. «Yeah, Joe and I were out eating when I spotted him through the window.»
«Are you sure it was him?» Donovan asked, again, his voice very quiet.