A Bite To Remember Read online

  Nick wasn’t expecting it and fumbled a little, but caught them. “Jagger, let’s go talk somewhere privately while everyone waits in your office,” Nick offered.

  “That’s not necessary, mate. You all go have a nice meeting. I have a headache so I am heading home.” And without saying another word or waiting for anyone to respond, Jagger moved around the group of men and headed toward the front alcove.

  * * * *

  “Mate? You’re Jag’s mate?” Ezra asked happily.

  “Yes,” Nick answered absently as he stared after Jagger. He could see the hurt and dejection in his mate’s eyes and heard it in his voice. He had also heard the small man threaten his mate as they walked into the club. This enhanced hearing of his was working out to be a bigger blessing than he first thought.

  “That’s fantastic. I am so happy for Jagger, that he finally found his dilectus. Many blessings to you both,” Ezra said joyfully.

  Nick turned to face the Re of the vampire world. “Dilectus?”

  Ezra gave him a warm smile. “It is Latin for beloved. As with any shifter, we vampires spend our lives searching for our one true mate as well. Our beloved, or La Vie,” Ezra explained as he moved to the little man’s side and wrapped an arm around him. Ezra’s eyes shown with love and happiness, but the man at his side looked pale and like he was about to throw up. Guilt filled his eyes and Nick wanted to shake the little guy. He knew this man was Jewel and he had hurt his mate.

  “Nick, what’s going on here? I thought Jagger would be joining us?” Destrain asked.

  Without taking his eyes off Jewel, Nick responded in a cold, controlled voice. “I’m afraid not, Destrain. As Jagger and I already told Dain, he would not be involved.”

  “But why? With his history with Ezra he is the best liaison we have,” Destrain questioned.

  Sadness filled Ezra’s eyes. “I think that is my fault, King Destrain. Jagger had a hard time after I found my Jewel. We once had a more personal relationship, besides our friendship, but I never thought it was that big of a deal. Both Jagger and I had never declared our undying love for one another, or anything like that. As far as I was concerned, he was just my best friend, and I thought he felt the same way, but once Jewel came into my life, Jagger couldn’t handle that. Which is why he left. I tried to talk with him, but I guess it was too much for him, and Jagger, well, he lives here now.”

  “Wow, you have done some number on them both, haven’t you?” Nick asked Jewel harshly.

  Ezra’s eyebrows went up for a moment, then his eyes filled with anger, as he pulled his mate closer. “You will watch how you speak to my mate, bear.”

  “Nick, what the fuck is wrong with you?” Wyndingo seethed.

  “Chief Holt, you cannot talk to the Re’s mate like that. We will not allow it. Return to your home and when we are through we will come for you and discuss your attitude,” Dain admonished.

  Nick spun around to face the Regent. Not only shocked from what the man said, but pissed. “Who the fuck do you think you are? And who in the hell do you think you’re talking to? I am not one of your pixies you can just order around and I’ll do what you say. I am alpha of my band and you will watch how you speak with me. I am a leader and outrank you. Now, I have let you all do what you think is best for this town, but my bowing down at your feet was not part of the deal when Illan asked me to come here. We were to work together, Destrain, Wyn, and I, not one over the other, so if you don’t like my attitude, Regent, too fucking bad. Jagger explained to you he would not be in on this meeting with the vampires, yet you ignored him,” Nick seethed, then stepped closer to Dain.

  “Listen and listen good. I don’t give a fuck that you are second in command to Destrain. And although I will listen to the council, I bow down to no one. Don’t you ever dare to talk to me like that again, or tell me what to do. And as for my mate, you will always, always, show him respect. Which includes his wishes, or Regent or not, I will put you down.”

  “Stand down, Nick. Dain may not have rank over you, but as Battalion chief, I do,” Wyndingo ordered.

  Nick turned his head and met Wyndingo’s gaze. “You may be Battalion chief here in Maddox and can give orders on the job, but you have no fucking say what I do in my personal life. And this is personal. So, you stand down and shut the fuck up. My mate and what he wants comes before any of you. He told you he would not be a part of this and you cannot make him. Yet you turned around and didn’t tell Destrain. To me that is a direct insult to my mate and for that I could kill you right now.”

  “Nick, hold on a moment,” Destrain interrupted and looked to Dain. “Did Jagger tell you what Nick just said?”

  “Yes, but you were right there in Nick’s office, Destrain,” Dain answered through clenched teeth.

  “If I remember correctly, I went across the room to make a phone call. I didn’t even know Jagger had left until I turned back to join you. And you totally disregarded his wishes?” Destrain asked in surprise.

  “This is too damn important for one person’s personal bullshit, Destrain. Jagger can man up and stow his shit.”

  Without hesitation, Nick punched Dain square in the face, sending the smaller man flying backwards. Wyndingo caught him before Dain hit the floor, then helped to right him. Dain held his nose, glaring at Nick, as blood ran down his face. “You’re out of control, Nick,” Wyndingo admonished.

  “Maybe someday you will find your mate and then you’ll understand, Wyn. Don’t you ever take my mate’s personal issues and belittle them to bullshit, especially when you have no damn clue what they are. I say we find the man that impregnated you with Rhys and make you sit and have a meeting with him,” Nick threatened. Dain’s face turned white, but his eyes filled with rage.

  “What, don’t want to do that, Regent? Why not? It’s just your personal bullshit and should have no merit. See, when the shoe is on the other foot, you see things differently. So, keep your damn opinion to yourself. Destrain, I apologize to you. Clearly you have been kept in the dark about certain things. But after what I overheard this man say to my mate when we walked in, and what has just happened here, I can no longer be a part of this meeting, either. Or this town. Good luck to you all,” Nick announced and handed Destrain Jagger’s keys.

  “Nick, hold on a minute,” Wyndingo replied.

  “No, Wyn. I won’t be a part of a town that doesn’t care about all its members and puts one person or being’s wishes over the others. This was supposed to be a safe place for all of us, but it has become apparent to me that will only be if we bow down to the pixie. I didn’t sign up for that and if I talk with my men, I am sure they would agree. It’s all yours. My mate and I will be gone in a few days. I’ll inform my guys they are more than welcome to stay here if they wish, but if they don’t, they will be leaving with me,” Nick announced, then turned, and walked away.

  CHAPTER 13

  He would not stand there and listen to this shit. And he most certainly wouldn’t allow anyone to push his mate’s concerns to the side and use him. He would talk to Jagger, then call Illan and see if there was another place he and his men could go. If not, he would find somewhere.

  “Chief Holt! Nick! Wait up,” Ezra called from behind him.

  Nick had reached the elevator, but hadn’t hit the call button yet. He turned and faced the vampire leader. “I mean you no disrespect, Ezra, but I have no wish to speak with you. All I will say is I think you should listen to these men. Destrain in a good man, as well as Illan and Justice, and I think all of you banding together would be a step in the right direction for all paranormals’ futures. Don’t let that little disagreement sway your decision,” Nick replied, then turned away.

  “Honestly, that little disagreement may have been the very thing that swayed me into joining forces with the council. But only if a man like you stays. And not just any man like you, but you. I like that you question them and don’t hold back. I appreciate your passion in standing up for all beings and not bowing to one. And your will
ingness to walk away and tell them they can go fuck themselves says a lot about your character. You’re a man I could align with. But most of all, I respect the way you stood up to everyone for your mate. That is the way it should be. No matter what, mates come first,” Ezra stated.

  “Thank you, Ezra,” Nick said shortly.

  “Now, how about you tell me what’s really going on? I thought Jagger may be uncomfortable with seeing me again, but this is something much more. And I have a feeling it has something to do with my own mate. You said you heard what Jewel said to Jagger when we walked in. I know shifters have advanced hearing, but that’s impressive. I noticed the look on both their faces and it’s not sitting well with me.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Ezra,” Nick replied tightly.

  “Look, Nick, I know my Jewel is not a saint, but he’s my mate and I love him. And as you are with your mate, I will stand by him no matter what, but that’s not to say I may not have to have a long talk with him. And from Jagger’s reaction, something is telling me there is a lot I don’t know, but I would like to. I admit I was a little apprehensive when I heard the dragon and the phoenix had rejoined, but when my people started reporting that the pixies had returned and joined with them, and were planning to call all paranormals together in one place to protect everyone, it piqued my interest. The vampires have been hidden for far too long. We have purposely kept ourselves away from other paranormals, and as most of you had no idea we even existed, I would say we have been successful. But I agree that now with the fairies and the elves making an appearance, we could all be in danger. With my own mate being elven, it has had me on high alert knowing his kind are working with the fairies against the dragons and the phoenix. I have been concerned about this meeting. Wondering if the vampire coming out of hiding was the right move, because of the very thing you pointed out. Yes, I will work with the council and follow their rules, as the vampires always have done, but I will bow to no one. If this alliance is to work, all our people need to be taken into consideration, and all leaders of those people need to be respected and heard. I can see that you are an honest man, Nick, and I would really appreciate that honesty right now,” Ezra said.

  Nick stared at him for a moment contemplating what he should do. He didn’t want his mate hating him and thinking Nick betrayed him, but this needed to end. If for no one else but for Jagger, so that he could put it behind him and move on. Nick sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. He pressed the button on the elevator and a moment later the doors slid open. Nick stepped inside and turned to Ezra. “Come on then.”

  Confusion showed on Ezra’s face, but he stepped into the elevator, joining Nick. He hit the button and the doors closed, then it began to lift.

  When Nick and Ezra stepped off the elevator and entered his and Jagger’s apartment, all was quiet and there was no sign of Jagger. Nick got nervous and moved further into the space, when he saw something move out of the corner of his eye. Turning, he found Jagger sitting at the dining table, which was covered with food, and he was shoveling spoonfuls of chocolate ice cream in his mouth.

  “Jagger, what are you doing?” Ezra cried in concern and moved toward Jagger. “I know you are upset, but stop. You’ll get deathly ill.”

  “He’s fine, Ezra,” Nick stated as he and Jagger just stared at one another. He could see the surprise and hurt in his mate’s eyes at Ezra’s appearance in their home.

  “He won’t be for long. Vampires cannot eat food. Even a small amount can bring great pain,” Ezra replied.

  Nick ignored Ezra and walked to Jagger, then knelt on the floor before him and took one of Jagger’s hands, as their gazes locked. “You know I love you, and I would never do anything to hurt you. I’m sorry about what Dain did. I insisted you would not be in the meeting, but he totally disregarded mine and your wishes. He also didn’t inform Destrain,” Nick started explaining, and Jagger’s brows rose in surprise over his statement about Destrain.

  “I would never let them force you into doing something you didn’t want to do. You are more important than any of them or their wishes. And I promised you I wouldn’t make you do anything you didn’t want to do. Including facing Ezra. I understand why you don’t want to, Jagger, and normally I would agree with you, but I think in this case you may want to change your mind. I am not betraying you by bringing him here. All I ask is that you listen to what he has to say before you decide what you will do. And whatever you decide, I will back you up. And if after, you don’t want to stay here anymore, then we will leave. We’ll find somewhere else to call home and build our lives. Please know that you will always come first, mate,” Nick said tenderly.

  Jagger swallowed hard, his eyes imploring Nick to not make him do this. “You said I didn’t have to do anything I didn’t want to, yet you brought him here, into our home.”

  “I did it for you, Jagger, not for him or anyone else. I can see that what happened causes you great pain and I want to take that away from you. I don’t want my baby hurting anymore. I only want to see you happy. But I don’t think that can truly happen until you find closure and can move on from your past. I will not force you to do anything. If you don’t want to talk with Ezra, then I will ask him to respect your wishes and leave.”

  Jagger stared at him, then shifted his gaze to Ezra for a moment before returning it to him. Lowering his voice so only Nick could hear because of his advance hearing, Jagger replied, “I can’t tell him. I won’t put any stress on his mating. That’s why I left to begin with, Nick.”

  “I know, baby, but I honestly think that if you listen to what Ezra has to say, you will know how to answer him gently. You are the most wonderful, caring man I know, and I believe you will do and say what you feel is right, and it will be perfect.” Nick lifted Jagger’s hand to his lips and kissed it.

  He could see the hesitancy in Jagger’s eyes, but he also saw the moment Jagger stopped fighting himself and resigned to face Ezra. He looked at his best friend and nodded, as he motioned for Ezra to take a seat.

  * * * *

  At first, he was pissed, but more hurt, that Nick would bring Ezra here for him to talk to after everything he had told Nick, and Nick’s promise to him that he wouldn’t have to. But the pleading, loving look in Nick’s eyes, as well as his words, made Jagger relent. As much as he didn’t want to do this, Nick was right. For him to move on with his life he needed to let go of his past. And didn’t he owe that to his mating? To his mate? To give all of himself to Nick and their life together, without the bonds of the past chaining him?

  After Ezra sat, Jagger turned to face him as Nick took the seat beside him and held his hand. He met his best friend’s gaze and could see the concern and confusion. After a few moments of silence, Jagger raised a questioning brow at Ezra.

  “I was shocked when you just disappeared, Jag. And I admit, I was hurt. We've been best friends our whole lives and you just up and left without a word. But you still are my best friend and because of that I know you. Better than anyone else. Well, until you met your mate, that is. But because I know you, I knew you had to have a damn good reason to do what you did. I’m sorry if I hurt you, Jag. I’m sorry that I found my mate and you felt pushed aside. I thought our physical relationship was just friends with benefits, and I had no idea you had stronger feelings for me. If I had, I would have been more considerate to your feelings and not thrown mine and Jewel’s relationship in your face by loving on him in front of you. I―”

  “What?” Jagger said in surprise, interrupting Ezra. “I love you, Ez, but I have never been in love with you, and I certainly wasn’t hurt and pining for you when you found Jewel. I was happy as hell for you. We spent our lives talking about meeting our dilectus. Our La Vie. I may have been a tad jealous because you met yours and I hadn’t, but that was it. I had never looked at our physical relationship as more than it was. Just two friends who could trust each other and turn to one another for sexual release when needed. Without strings. You know why we took that step
. Because of our positions neither of us could trust a lover to not be there just to use us. Either for personal gain or as a spy trying to get information from one of us. We both needed sexual release at times, but you were the only one I trusted to not use me, or to betray me and vice versa. But I was never in love with you.”

  “Then I don’t understand, Jag. Why did you leave? Were you jealous because I became Re?”

  “Hell, no. You say you know me, and you can sit there and ask me that?” Jagger asked angrily.

  Ezra’s shoulders relaxed as he sighed heavily. “No. You’re right. That was stupid of me to say. I know you never wanted to be Re. You were happy being the Regal, and never wanted to be in charge. I’m sorry. But if you weren’t jealous over my position and you weren’t in love with me, then why, Jag? Why did you leave us? Me?” The tears that built in Ezra’s eyes killed him. Jagger just wanted to make all the bullshit go away so that it wouldn’t cause his friend pain, but he was already in pain.

  Jagger looked nervously at Nick who just sat there quietly as he spoke with Ezra. His eyes pleading with his mate to tell him how he was supposed to answer that question without bringing Jewel into it.

  “It was something Jewel did, wasn’t it?” Ezra asked, and Jagger’s head snapped back in his direction. “Well, the look on your face answered that question. Look, Jag, I love my mate more than life itself, and I will do anything for him, but I also know he has issues. Things from his past that make him…let’s just say he has his reasons for being insecure. But that’s his story to tell, not mine. I know Jewel loves me, but he is also afraid that he will lose me. Which he never will, not if I have any say about it. No matter what, I will always love him. I will always want to make him happy and take his pain and fears away. As I know you understand now with having found your own mate. But I would also like to put Jewel’s past behind him so that he can move on and be happy, just like your mate wishes for you.”