CHAPTER SEVEN

T erry sat looking at the television but saw only Henry as he walked out of the restaurant. Would he forgive him? Would he talk to him? Shit-fuck-damn it, he needed to leave. "Look, I'm pretty tired. I had a long day." He said in explanation as he rose from his seat. "I'm going to head out."

"Hey, don't go yet," Kelvin shouted. "Stay and have another drink on me." He insisted and actually took hold of Terry's arm, halting his exit. Terry looked down at Kelvin's grip and very clearly stated. "I'm going home. Goodnight." The rest of the guys waved and wished him goodnight, and Kelvin just glared. He didn't care.

Once he was outside, he reached into his coat pocket for his phone, intending to call Henry and plead for his understanding. He noticed his phone was off completely off. He never turned his phone off. As an officer, he needed to always be available. How did his phone get turned off? He quickly turned it back on and noticed that he'd missed several calls from Ronan James. Not really in the mood to talk with the Alpha Mate, he first tried Henry's number. It went straight to voicemail after one ring. He tried again and the same thing.

He was getting into his car, which he'd parked in the lot across the street, when he saw the Alpha and his mate coming to a screeching halt in front of the restaurant. They both jumped out and headed down the alley at a dead run. Curiosity took over, and he followed, jogging swiftly back across the street to catch up with them.

He saw them both on their knees. There was someone on the ground. Ronan was trying to wake the person while Lance was talking on his cell phone. Terry walked toward them as if in a daze; he couldn't believe what his eyes were seeing.

It had to be a mistake. No . . . no, that can't be right. Henry went home an hour ago. He's home; he's not lying bleeding on the pavement in this alley. No, that is not Henry. It can't be Henry. He burst into a run as panic seized him. Before he could reach the man on the ground, Lance stepped in front of him and stopped him in his tracks. "Henry!" Lance grabbed him by his coat and pulled him up to face him.

"What happened!?" He roared into Terry's face.

"I don't know if he's breathing. I can't feel a pulse." Ronan was shouting.

Terry tried to pull away, he needed to see Henry, and he needed to go to him. His wolf was taking over, as his canines dropped, and his claws grew. "Let me go!" He shouted at his Alpha.

"Not before you explain." Lance held him fast, well able to handle Terry even if he shifted.

"Explain what? Henry left the restaurant an hour ago. I stayed behind with some friends. He shouldn't be lying in this alley! Let me go to him, please!" Lance relented and dropped his grip. Terry immediately dove to his knees beside his mate.

"Henry, Henry, please wake up." He took his hand and touched his face. He was so injured and so bloody. Someone had beaten him and left him lying in this alley. Terry was falling apart, unable to come to terms with the fact that he'd abandoned his mate in the restaurant and left him unprotected. "Who would do this?"

Ronan stared at him without mercy. "A week ago, you would have been my first suspect." It was harsh, and Terry felt the blow. The truth was always hard to handle.

"An ambulance is on its way," Lance announced as he walked back over to his mate and stood behind him. Ronan never let go of Henry's hand and never stopped glaring at Terry. "Why didn't you answer your phone when I called?"

"My phone was off. I noticed it when I was leaving the restaurant. Then I saw you and Lance drive up, so I came to see what you wanted." He talked and explained, but his eyes never left Henry's battered face, and his words were whispers.

"Henry called me. He could barely speak; all he said was hurt, alley, and restaurant before the line went dead. Why did he call me someone who was twenty minutes away instead of his mate who was less than fifty feet away? But then your phone was off, so I guess it doesn't matter."

"I don't know. He never called me. There were no missed calls from Henry. He never called me." Terry was shattered. His life was unraveling before his eyes. All his insecurities and his inability to admit that Henry was his mate seemed ridiculous to him now. In the face of possibly losing his mate, Terry finally realized what was really important. His mate was everything, his life, love, and happiness. He would gladly go with him if Henry died because he would never abandon him again. That was how clearly, he now saw the situation.

The ambulance arrived, and they were all forced to step back. Terry stood there stunned and disbelieving, wishing that this was all just a bad dream. They worked on Henry for quite a while, stabilizing him before lifting him onto a gurney for transport.

Terry listened as the Alpha questioned the EMTs. All he heard was he's bad, very bad. Terry wanted to die right there because he was responsible. If he'd stayed with his mate, Henry wouldn't have been in the alley alone. If he'd acted like a mate should, Henry would have been with him and not alone getting beaten in an alley.

As next of kin, Ronan was allowed to ride with Henry in the ambulance. Ronan was holding his hand and comforting him. Henry trusted Ronan, and when he was in trouble, it was Ronan that he reached out to. That made Terry hate himself even more. His mate hadn't called him; he called Ronan when he needed help.

"Terry." He turned to see Jamie coming down the alley towards him. "I got a call that said that someone was assaulted in this alley."

"Henry." Terry could barely talk, could barely breathe, as he watched the ambulance pull away with his mate inside. Jamie grabbed him roughly by the jacket and turned him around.

"Henry?" Jamie looked pissed and pushed Terry away. "You took him to dinner tonight. How is it that Henry is assaulted to the point of needing an ambulance, and you don't have a mark on you?" He grabbed Terry again and started shaking him. "Talk to me." He shouted.

"We split up inside. I went to sit with some friends that came in, and Henry finished his dinner and then left." Jamie's shocked look of disappointment went straight to Terry's heart and tore it open.

"His car is parked over there, so he was probably jumped on his way to his car." Terry bent down and picked up the mangled takeout container that Henry had been carrying and held it in his hand like something precious. "He didn't finish his steak and fries. He said it was good." Terry suddenly crumpled the container in his hands and started to weep.

Jamie instantly was beside him and pulled him towards the wall hiding him from the other officers. Terry was losing it. He was losing control of his wolf. His grief and guilt were coming together in such force that his wolf would not be denied. His wolf would hunt down the person responsible and kill them. Someone tried to kill his mate, and that person had to die.

"Calm down and get hold of yourself. You can't shift here in front of all these people. Terry listen to me; you have to stay calm; you have to help your mate." Jamie held him and talked to him, until Terry felt his wolf pull back and give the human half of him control once again.

"Okay, I'm okay." Terry couldn't look his friend in the eyes; he was too embarrassed by his behavior and his failure. "I need to go to the hospital." He started walking back toward his car, but Jamie stopped him.

"You're in no shape to drive. I'll take you."

The hospital was bright and active, everyone going somewhere and doing something. Terry felt like he was moving in slow motion as he walked to the front desk and inquired about his mate, his Henry. People knew him here, they knew him as Officer Moore, so they gave him the information he asked for.

"He's in the exam room right now. They're doing a brain scan and taking x-rays. He has regained consciousness, but he is still fading in and out. We will know more when the doctor finishes his examination. The next of kin, Ronan James, is in the room with him." The nurse rattled off the facts with little emotion; not knowing every word was like a sharp knife being plunged into his heart.

Terry moved to the waiting room and took a seat. He dropped his head into his hands and waited. After about two hours, Alpha Lance found him there and took a seat next to him. He sat there in silence with his arms crossed over his chest. Terry kept his eyes on the floor.

"He's going to be okay." Lance finally spoke. Terry sighed with relief and ran his hands roughly through his hair.

"Did he tell you who did this to him?"

"Yeah."

Terry turned and glared at his Alpha, before getting a hold of himself and dropping his eyes to the floor. "Who was it? Please tell me." Terry gritted out between teeth that were suddenly too large.

"Henry has a concussion, broken ribs, stitches, and more cuts and bruises than anyone should have, but he will survive and be okay." Lance paused. "I asked him why he didn't call out to you for help. You were close enough that if he'd yelled, you would have heard him even inside the restaurant." Terry had wondered the same thing. All he had to do was yell for him, and he would have been there.

"He told me you were with your friends, and he was afraid that they would hear if he yelled to you. He didn't believe, that under the circumstances, that you would help him." Lance pinned him with a serious gaze that Terry flinched under its scrutiny. "Do you understand what he was saying?" Terry nodded that he did.

"He believed that I would stand there and watch my friends beat him to death rather than risk my reputation." Terry was stunned and shocked beyond all understanding. He started to tremble with the self-hatred that was consuming him. His inability to man up and claim his mate almost cost Henry his life.

He'd presented himself to his mate as someone who would not help in a crisis, as someone who would willingly standby as he perished. His mate didn't trust him, didn't depend on him, didn't believe him, and didn't believe that he loved and cherished him above all things in this world. "Who did this? It is my right as Henry's mate to take my revenge."

"Kelvin Minter," Lance stated clearly and watched as Terry stood and left the hospital.

Terry was in a blind rage, yet he was singularly focused on one man. Kelvin had tried to take from him the only thing that mattered in his life right now. He destroyed his happiness and any future he hoped to have with his mate, and for that, he was going to take from Kelvin the only thing that mattered to him, which was his life.

He pulled into the drive and floored it, spinning out in the middle of Kelvin's front yard and tearing up the lawn. He wanted to get his attention. It wasn't long before Kelvin came storming out the front door, and Terry leaped from his vehicle, boiling with a rage that was about to be unleashed.

Kelvin stopped immediately, and his demeanor changed, fear taking him over and pleading pouring from his lips. He was speaking and attempting to explain or, worse, justify his actions against Henry. No words could penetrate the red haze that had taken over Terry, and Kelvin's terror was palatable.

Terry noticed the police cruiser pulling up and Jamie stepping out. He wasn't there to stop him; he was there to pay witness. What Kelvin did to Henry, a Fated mate of a fellow pack member, was punishable by death. This was pack business pure and simple.

Suddenly the hatred and anger took him at the sight of this bastard who thought he could brutalize Terry's most precious possession and just walk away. With a roar, Terry charged him, shifting in midair as he met Kelvin half shifted and took him to the ground. Kelvin finished his shift and tried to disengage, kicking out and latching onto Terry's front leg.

Terry twisted him loose, and then the fight was on fur, fangs, dirt flying, and blood spraying as Terry took huge chunks out of Kelvin's hide. It was ferocious, and Kelvin was losing ground fast. There was no way he could win, no way he could defend himself against someone who thought they had nothing left to lose.

Jamie moved closer, keeping watch but not interfering. Terry also saw Kelvin's wife standing on their porch, looking like she couldn't care less that her husband was about to die. Terry intercepted Kelvin as he attempted to slice out with his claws at the underside of Terry's throat, but it was a clumsy effort.

Terry maneuvered and hit Kelvin in the midsection knocking him onto his back on the ground, and Terry was on top with his teeth gripping Kelvin's throat. All it would take was a twist to the right or left, and he could tear out his throat and end him there in his front yard. He held him like that, with Kelvin staying deathly still waiting for Terry's decision.

Jamie came forward and stood beside him, waiting for the final outcome. Terry knew he was within his rights to kill him, but the second he was going to finish him, a vision of Henry came to his mind, a vision of a gentle, kind man a man who would not abide death as a recompense. Terry released him and shifted back as he stood up.

Kelvin remained in his wolf form, lying there looking like the piece of shit that he was. "Gather yourself, your belongings, and your wife and get out of town and get out of this state. If I ever come face to face with you again, I will kill you, and that is a promise." He then turned to Jamie. "Make sure he leaves." He said, and Jamie nodded his assurance.

…

Henry woke with a start, frantically trying to understand where he was and what had happened to him. Then he remembered being here in the hospital, and he had spoken to Lance. He'd told Lance who had hurt him. He glanced around the room and saw Ronan asleep in a chair next to his bed. The one person so obviously missing from the room was Terry, and the knowledge brought a numbing wave of sadness to his mind and body.

"Henry, how do you feel?" He saw that Ronan had moved from the chair and was now standing over him with a concerned but relieved look on his face. "You've been in the hospital about twelve hours." Ronan began to catch him up on the events. "Terry's here if that's what you're wondering? He's in the hall talking to Lance, but he will be back in shortly." He smiled softly. "He's been with you most of the night. Well, except for when he left to . . ." Ronan trailed off.

"To what?"

Ronan didn't answer immediately and avoided eye contact.

"What's the matter?" Henry tried to set up, but Ronan held his shoulder and prevented him from moving.

"Lance told him who did this to you. Its Pack rules around here, and he had a right to take retribution." Ronan glanced at the door and then back at Henry.

"What did he do? Kelvin is his friend." Henry figured he probably told him to stop hitting people and then gave him a fine for getting Henry's blood all over the alley. He couldn't do much without his orientation getting out to the public. "Wait, I know Pack rules and retribution is only for the person injured or their significant other," Henry said.

"Terry claimed you in front of everyone. There are no secrets anymore, Henry. He absolutely fell apart when you were hurt. I know I haven't been a fan of Terry and definitely not a believer in his ability to overcome his prejudices. I was wrong. He claimed you, Henry, he claimed you from the rooftops, and everyone in town knows that he is your mate." Ronan leaned over and adjusted Henry's pillow so he could sit up a bit.

"He came out to . . . everyone?" Henry asked, stunned by the information.

"Everyone."

"Wow. I didn't think he could do it. I love him. I tried very hard not to because I never thought he could change. I never thought he would choose me." His voice was almost a whisper as he struggled to take it all in. "What happened to Kelvin?"

"Terry nearly killed him. He found him at home and called him out. Jamie was present but didn't interfere. Kelvin and his wife have been banished from the Pack." Ronan smiled as Terry walked into the room and riveted Henry with the most possessive and loving stare. "I'll leave you two to catch up." He quickly slipped from the room and closed the door.

"I love you, Henry, and don't ever doubt that I would move heaven and earth to be with you and destroy anyone who gets in our way." Henry held out his arms to Terry, who excitedly rushed forward into the embrace.

"I love you too, Terry. I was just afraid." Terry kissed him lightly and ran his hands over his face and shoulders. "I was afraid you could never really be with me. I lived like that once, and I never wanted to live like that again. I'm sorry I doubted you."

"I'm the one who's sorry." Terry corrected, with a hitch in his voice. "If I'd shown you more care and been a better mate, none of this would have happened. Jamie told me that first day to get my head out of my ass, or I would lose you. I thought I could have both my old life and you." He kissed Henry before continuing as if he just couldn't help himself.

"My old life sucks. I hate the man I used to be, and I hate the friends who think like Kelvin. If I could do it all over again, I would start with this." He reached down and held Henry's face between his palms and stared into his beautiful eyes. "I am so proud to have you as my mate Henry that I can hardly breathe when I think about it. I love you so damn much, and to think that I came so fucking close to losing you forever . . ." He trailed off as his voice became tight with emotion. "I will never cause you to doubt me ever again. Stay with me, sweetheart; please let me claim you properly, and we can begin our lives together. If you can't stay and need to go back to Washington, I will go with you. I'll go anywhere as long as it's with you." Terry hugged him as much as was possible in their current positions and waited for Henry to say something.

"I own my own business, so I can operate anywhere. I noticed that there aren't any CPAs in the area, so I could set up business here." Henry smiled so happy and hopeful for their future, a future he never actually believed in until now.

"As soon as you're well enough, we can go to Seattle and clean out your apartment and office." Terry burst out with plans. "You can bring anything you want to my place …. our place." He corrected himself. "I'll speak with the Alpha and see how soon I can present you to the Pack, and we can have our own commitment ceremony. I want everyone to know that you, Henry Grange, belong to me." Terry was out of breath but smiling when he finally slowed down.

"Sounds good; how long do I have to stay here in the hospital?" Henry threaded his fingers through Terry's blond hair and ate him up with his eyes.

"A couple days, just to make sure they didn't miss anything." Terry watched as Henry's face fell.

"I'm going to miss out on Ronan and Molly's ceremony tomorrow. I worked so hard on the setup, and I was looking forward to attending." Henry knew he was whining but couldn't stop. He wanted to be a part of their celebration and the beginnings of their new lives. He was confused by the indulgent smile that crossed Terry's face.

"Ronan is a computer expert." He pointed to the large screen TV on the wall, which was wired up to a laptop. "You and I are going to watch the entire thing live, right here. Ronan and Molly didn't want you left out.

Henry started to shuffle to the far edge of the bed carefully while holding onto Terry. Terry smiled, "What are you doing, sweetheart?"

"I want you to get on the bed with me. I need to hold you." He started pulling Terry closer, forcing him to comply. Terry chuckled and readily eased himself up on the bed beside his mate. He stretched out next to him and carefully took him into his arms, holding him against his chest. "I love you, Terry. Thank you for choosing me." Henry pressed his face against Terry's chest and inhaled, relaxing with his mate's familiar, comforting smell.

"I will always choose you. If you would have called for me, Henry, I would have saved you. I know that I never showed you how much I care and for that, I am so sorry, sorrier than I can explain in a lifetime. I would not have let anyone lay a hand on you. Not even my Alpha." He held him as tightly as their confines would allow, and then he kissed him long and deep. He pulled back and ran his free hand over Henry's face, loving the softness of his skin.

"As soon as they release you, I want you to move to my place right away." He acknowledged Henry's nod of agreement before continuing. "There may be times that people will still say hurtful and hateful things, but I don't care what anyone thinks. I only care about you and what you think of me. I want you to think highly of me, Henry, and I want you to be proud that I am your mate."

"I am so happy, Terry. I am so proud of you already. It took so much strength to do what you have done and risk everything for me." Henry kissed him lightly, his love and respect shining in his eyes.

"I want to have our commitment ceremony as soon as possible. I want you marked, claimed, and legally bound to me before you come to your senses." Terry laughed and pulled Henry up onto his chest as carefully and cradled him there. Terry and his wolf were finally at peace and satisfied that their mate was home.

...

Henry was released from the hospital on Monday. He ended up having a slight infection, so he needed to stay a couple extra days. Terry never left his side the entire time. He was proving himself to be the perfect boyfriend, perfect partner, and perfect . . . mate. He and Terry had watched the bonding ceremony as promised on the TV in Henry's hospital room. They lay in each other's arms discussing their own bonding ceremony. It had been a perfect four days.

Henry prayed that Terry continued to desire him and a future together once they were away from the privacy of the hospital. He made the declaration in the paper for everyone to see, but would he be able to show what he felt in public? Henry knew there was no going back now.

He'd bared himself to Terry in every way, and at this point, he would be forced to suffer whatever Terry deemed able to give him. He couldn't walk away now, not without losing part of himself. They had already started the bonding process on Friday as they lay together on Henry's bed watching the ceremony. After some very heavy petting, Terry had bitten him, marking Henry as his own. It had been gloriously sensual, and Henry wanted to complete the process right then and there. Terry warned that he was still in the hospital, and as much as Terry wanted to comply, he said that Henry's health came first.

Henry reached up and stroked the scar as he waited for Terry to bring his car around. He was so glad to be finally leaving the hospital and to be heading into his new life. Terry came to an abrupt stop across from the entrance, jumped out, and rounded the car over to where Henry was sitting in the hospital policy wheelchair. He crouched down in front of the chair and took Henry's hand.

"I can't wait to get you home, sweetheart. Ronan took all of your things to our place, so you're all moved in. Once we get the rest of your stuff from Washington, there will be no reason for you to ever leave." He stood and then bent over, putting a loving kiss on Henry's lips. "I love you, Henry."

"I love you too, Terry." Terry just kept staring and rubbing his thumb back and forth across Henry's cheekbone, making sure that Henry knew the depth of his love. Ever since the beat down, Terry had been bending over backward to assure Henry of his love and devotion. On more than one occasion, Terry had asked him to please never doubt him and to never doubt that he would give his life to keep Henry safe.

Terry was helping Henry to his feet with a secure arm around his waist when someone spoke. "Terry." It was Gary, and he was walking toward them. Instantly Terry gently pushed Henry to stand half behind him, taking a protective stance in front of him. Terry did not respond but kept a wary eye on his friend as he continued toward them. Gary moved to the side and stuck out his hand towards Henry. Terry growled, grabbed the hand, and began to twist it.

"Touch him, and I will kill you. I let Kelvin live for Henry's sake as long as he never showed his face around here again, but I will not be so merciful a second time." Terry stated with cold authority that even had Henry quaking.

"I meant no harm." Gary quickly assured. "I heard what happened, and I'm sorry. I wanted you to know that I don't feel the same way that Kelvin does." He pleaded with them for understanding, although Terry still stood in front of Henry because he wasn't taking any chances. He'd nearly lost him, and he would never allow that to happen a second time.

"I don't care that you're mated to a human guy. He is your mate. That is the only fact that matters. We don't all agree with what you used to believe, Terry, but like Jamie, I liked you in spite of your prejudices." He smiled at Terry's surprised expression. "It was only you and Kelvin that had a problem with gays and humans. The rest of us just tolerated your limited thinking. I knew the time would come when you would wise up and be the man, I knew you were." He smiled so warmly at Henry that Terry actually relaxed just a little.

"You have a fine and beautiful mate Terry, and I am proud of you for recognizing it and embracing who you are." He again reached his hand towards Henry, asking for acceptance. Henry reached around Terry and took his hand, and he was gifted with a wonderfully accepting grip.

"Thank you, Gary." Terry sounded humbled by the information given to him. He never realized that the only human-hating homophobes in their group of friends were himself and Kelvin.

"I was hoping that you both will come to dinner at my place once you two get settled, and Henry is feeling better. The wife and I would love to have you." Gary waited hopefully for their response.

"Sure, we'd love to," Henry spoke for both of them, and Terry nodded, completely bowled over by Gary's behavior.

"Thank you, Gary," Terry said again, and Gary nodded.

"I'll let you two get going, and I'll give you a call at the end of the week and set up a date." Gary turned and left. It occurred to them both then that Gary had come there on purpose to see them. He'd tracked them down to tell them his feelings and to assure them of his friendship.

Henry was so happy with the outcome of the visit that he was smiling from ear to ear. He witnessed Terry openly declare their relationship and openly demonstrate his feelings in front of one of his friends. It was one of the most important moments in their relationship. Terry was his mate in every sense of the word.

"Come on, sweetheart, let's go home." Terry kissed Henry full on the lips in front of everyone and guided him over to the car. "I want to get you home." He smiled down at Henry as he got him situated in the passenger seat. "Yeah, Terry, let's go home." Henry looked up at him with all the love he was feeling showing in his eyes. This was the future he'd dreamed of for so long. He had a friend, a lover, and a mate all rolled into one gorgeously handsome shifter.

THE END