Page 3 of Sex and Suspicion (Bay Harbor Wolves #9)
The Alpha motioned for Hayes to step out into the hall with him. The door was left open so Hayes could keep watch on his mate. “Travis reported that Jimmy Lee shifted and attacked the young man while he was on the beach taking pictures.” Alpha Henrik was asking for clarification.
“Yes, I don’t know what the catalyst for his rage was.
The young man’s name is Jake. I was watching him and feeling a strange sense of familiarity, so I didn't let him get out of my sight.
He didn't do anything, no aggressive moves toward the property, and he did not trespass.
" Hayes shook his head, mystified by why Jimmy would feel the need to attack.
“Travis is holding Jimmy in the stockade, but he's not forthcoming with his reasoning for the attack as yet.
We'll get to the bottom of it and, in the meantime, take care of you, mate. I’ve arranged for you to have a room on the second floor.
It would be better to keep Jake here until we figure this out and you have a chance to bring him into the Pack.
" The Alpha was clearly concerned about the cause of the attack, but he was also being supportive of Hayes.
"He saw a lot. Jimmy shifted, and then I shifted. It was quite the free-for-all." Hayes shook his head.
“He’s your mate, he'll understand. He's scared, but he is not scared of you, and that's the important thing." He patted Hayes on the shoulder and then headed out, most likely to meet again with Travis and Jimmy. Hayes went back to stand at Jake’s bedside.
He finally had a moment to really look at his mate to see everything that made him so special.
He was young, that was obvious, and his face possessed an innocence that was charming.
His hair hung long past his ears and was a lovely reddish blond, and his eyes were an intense and beautiful light brown.
His complexion was creamy and soft, just aching to be caressed.
Everything about young Jake attracted Hayes and made his blood burn for him.
Hayes threaded his fingers through Jake's hair several times and then scooped him up into his arms and carried him out of the room.
Jake was still unconscious, and the Doctor told him that he'd be out for a few hours.
It would give him time to get them settled in the bedroom upstairs and give him time to figure out how he was going to explain all of this to his unsuspecting mate.
He was very pleased with his mate. Humans made fantastic partners, but explaining the supernatural was long and arduous.
He wished there was an easier way. Jake had witnessed plenty, and hopefully, he remembered everything he saw.
Hayes would start there and build on what he already knew, and hopefully, his young mate would keep an open mind.
The bedroom was large and plush, with a big king bed in the middle of the room and an attached bath.
It was perfect for their time together. Hayes owned a small bungalow on the edge of town.
He liked the privacy it gave him, and it also allowed him to keep watch on the border.
His home was only a few feet away from the border, which separated pack lands from state lands.
He hoped that Jake liked his home and would be comfortable there.
He placed Jake on the bed and made him comfortable.
The Doctor had removed Jake's sweater, and the t-shirt he was wearing was covered in blood.
Hayes carefully took it off him and then got a basin of hot water and a washcloth from the bathroom.
Taking a seat on the edge of the bed, he slowly and methodically cleaned his mate, removing all remnants of blood and dirt.
He left his jeans but removed his tennis shoes and his socks.
The process of washing Jake brought Hayes a peace that touched him deep in his soul.
Being with his mate and caring for him helped to overcome the pain of not protecting him from the attack.
It was crazy to feel responsible since he had no idea that Jimmy would do such a thing, but still, in his heart, he felt like he should have known and should have prevented it from happening.
He finished and then covered Jake in one of the thick, soft blankets, tucking him in and dropping a kiss on his forehead.
"When you wake, we will talk, my love." He said and was rewarded with a soft moan, which made him smile, and he dropped another kiss before responding to the light knock on his door.
“How’s he doing?” Zayn stepped in, and Hayes closed the door. "The Alpha filled me in on what happened, and I'm sorry your mate was injured."
"Yeah, me too." Hayes rubbed the back of his neck, feeling suddenly agitated.
"It'll be okay, Hayes. You got to him before Jimmy could do any lasting damage. Your mate will recover.” Zayn sensed his difficulty and easily calmed him down, which Hayes appreciated.
“This . . .” He gestured toward Jake on the bed. "This was so unexpected, and then to realize that the man bleeding out on the beach was my mate really threw me for a bit."
"Understandable, Hayes, but you handled it even with the fiercest instincts and hormones raging through your system.
You managed the situation." Zayn patted his shoulder.
"Stop beating yourself up and bask in the presence of your newfound mate. Your life will forever be changed, my friend, and I mean that in the best way possible.” He smiled.
"I know, and I am grateful, shocked that Fate chose me but very grateful.”
“I have some information on him." Hayes gave him his full attention, eager to know more about his young mate.
“His full name is Jake Kolly. He's nineteen years old, and he's originally from the Detroit area. He moved here a few months ago with his older brother Aidan. He’s an aspiring photographer working side jobs along with working part-time at that vintage theater on Langly.” His mate was just getting settled in the area.
It was too bad that his introduction to the Pack involved being attacked.
Hayes wished they could have met under better circumstances.
“He and his brother live together, so he may come looking for him. Don’t worry about it, we’ll deal with the brother.
Just take care of your mate and get him settled as soon as possible.
” Hayes understood the possible threat that Jake posed as a human with the knowledge of the supernatural.
They had one hell of a lot to discuss when he woke up.