Arrow Inferno

***

Ryan stared at his mate's captivatingly gorgeous face. He looked to be in deep thought. They were in bed after a busy day. Lunch had been a fun affair with Gloria and Deloris telling everyone stories about the battle. When Gloria recounted the story about the three Wyatt warlocks, everyone erupted into laughter. And Reynard Wyatt's silly talk definitely amused them. Even Paige had felt free enough to recount some of the funny things the albino had said to her. She'd insisted that at a point she'd actually thought the man was a professional comedian. It had been a fun time and by the time everyone left, it was already evening. Immediately they'd gotten back to the suite, Jeremy had informed Ryan that he needed to see the high priestess. He thought he should at least apologize for trying to kill her. Ryan had encouraged him to go because he thought that Jeremy really needed to do that.

Around nine p. m., Gloria had called the suite and asked to speak to Jeremy. When Ryan informed her that his mate was meeting with the high priestess, she'd told him that she'd gone to see the priestess with Jeremy and that they'd only spent about thirty minutes at the woman's house. According to Gloria, she'd just had a call from the high priestess saying that Jeremy had left his cell phone in her home. And since Gloria couldn't seem to get Jeremy on his mind-link, she'd decided to call the suite instead to tell them that his phone was at the residence of the high priestess, just in case he was looking for it. Ryan had thanked Gloria and promised to pass on the information.

From what Gloria had said, Jeremy was obviously not in the pack house. She would have been able to reach him on his mind-link if he'd been there. Ryan acknowledged the fact that Jeremy was a grown man and an alpha who answered to no one. But it still hurt that Jeremy hadn't told him that he was going out. He deserved that, Ryan fumed. After all, he was his mate.

Jeremy had come back to the suite around midnight and told Ryan even before he could complain, that he'd gone out with Phillip and Stan. He said he'd decided to go hang out at their favourite joint. Ryan had curbed his irritation and nodded his understanding. He didn't think he needed to give Jeremy any stress after what he'd had to endure at the Fort. If he wanted to kick back and relax in his favourite joint, so be it. But Ryan hadn't been able to curb the panicky feeling that had settled inside the pit of his stomach. Just one look at Jeremy's face and it was obvious that his mate wasn't comfortable around him.

Oh, he could feel Jeremy's desire for him all right and he wanted him right back but for some reason, Jeremy didn't seem to want to be alone with him. Fuck, his mate hadn't even given him a kiss since his return. Apart from the first few minutes of raw affection and desire that Jeremy had displayed immediately after he'd woken up from his deep slumber, he hadn't been his usual affectionate self. It was almost as if Jeremy had erected a wall between them. In fact, his mate had shown other people more affection than he'd shown him. And that hurt a lot.

Ryan knew the exact moment that the emotional barrier had gone up. It had been immediately after his revelation that he'd kissed someone else. He didn't understand why that should be an issue though. He'd been under a spell for goodness sake. He had to take that wall down any way he could, Ryan thought determinedly. But how?

Jeremy had taken a long shower and then joined Ryan in bed but he'd stayed on his side of the bed. The glass that he'd shattered earlier had been replaced with a tinted one this time. From the bed area, one could see anything on the other side of the tinted glass, but someone on the other side wouldn't be able to see anyone inside the bed area. The darkness of the glass made it seem as if they were inside a cocoon, cut off from the world but on the contrary, Ryan had never felt more distanced from Jeremy as he did right then. It was almost one a. m. but Ryan was strung too tight to even feel sleepy despite the fact that he'd woken up very early the day before, thanks to Jeremy. He turned on his side and look at Jeremy.

"Jeremy?" Ryan called out softly and watched as his mate turned beautiful blue eyes on him. Ryan's felt a chill trickled down his spine at the myriad of emotions that swirled in Jeremy's eyes. The discontent and wretchedness in those eyes made Ryan's heartbeat quicken with dread. He swallowed audibly. "Jeremy, I'm sorry." Ryan didn't know what else to say. Yes, he hadn't been conscious of his actions but somehow, he felt he needed to apologize. "Please. I thought I was dream..."

"I know Ryan." Jeremy groaned, turning on his side to face his unhappy mate. "It's just that...fuck!" He swore, rolling back onto his back and flinging an arm across his eyes. "I need some time, please." The anguish in his voice couldn't be masked.

Ryan whimpered. What else could he say when someone asked for some time? "I understand." He responded quietly and rolled over to face the other side.

"Fuck!" Jeremy exploded and shot out of bed and out of the bed area.

Ryan didn't turn to look at his mate. He just willed himself to sleep but the tears clogging his throat made sleep impossible. After what felt like hours but was in fact, less than an hour, Jeremy came back to bed and pulled Ryan's tense body against his so that he was spooned behind Ryan. He felt Ryan's despair and vulnerability and wished he could simply forget about everything. But he just couldn't. Was he taking things too seriously because of the agony and anger he felt within due to all the torture he'd endured in purgatory? Jeremy knew that he needed to reassure his mate that his feelings towards him hadn't changed. He needed Ryan to understand him.

"You know I love you, baby." Jeremy groaned into Ryan's hair. "You know I adore you. Hell, I worship the ground you walk on. You are my world, Ryan. That hasn't changed and can never change. It's just that the thought of someone else's lips on yours is driving me insane."

"Paige kissed me that time..."

"It's not the same and you know it," Jeremy growled. "Fuck, I can't look at you without..."

"Would it be better if I told you it wasn't a deep kiss?" Ryan had never sounded more desperate. He needed his mate to look past that stupid image. "There was no tongue, there was no..."

"Shhhh..." Jeremy tightened his hold on Ryan, plastering himself even more against him in the process. His breath hitched in his throat when his cock slipped between the crease of Ryan's butt cheeks. He went rock hard. "Shit." Why the fuck hadn't he at least worn boxer briefs, Jeremy scolded himself. His dick obviously had a mind of its own. It wanted inside his mate.

Ryan felt Jeremy's erection against him and felt himself tremble with raw hunger. Despite the ache inside his chest, he'd never wanted Jeremy more. Since drinking Jeremy's cum the night before, Ryan hadn't completely gone flaccid. The craving for his mate was so bad it was almost as if he was an addict having withdrawal symptoms. For some reason, the mere idea of getting himself off made him sick, which was very strange considering the fact that till he mated with Jeremy, all he knew was his hand. He needed Jeremy. But Ryan didn't think Jeremy was ready to give him what he wanted. Well, there was no harm in asking, was there? As his mate, Jeremy had to give him sex if he wanted it. Hell, he was ready to beg if he had to. He wanted to feel Jeremy inside him that badly.