The Prince's Guard

Jaxson snarled. Two against one wasn’t a particularly fair fight, but nothing he couldn’t cope with. He was a little more preoccupied with the three on Chris. He’d pushed as much confidence and courage into him, knowing he wasn’t a fighter. He lunged at the tan wolf who had first appeared from the trees in skin form. A clear wound oozing from his jaw. Jaxson wasn’t without injury. He was ignoring a burn in his ribs and a hind leg that wouldn’t straighten.

It would be really nice for his body not to hurt for just one day.

He pushed forward, forcing the lighter wolf towards the trees, a pain slammed through his front leg and he found himself on his back, he snarled, he needed to focus but the scene to his left was one he couldn’t ignore. His uncle bearing down on Chris. Bearing down on what’s his.

The disappointment and hurt was grinding into him like a pestle against mortar. Kicking the wolf that was pinning him to the soft moss strewn floor, he barrelled towards the husky wolf he knew well. Hatred burning in his veins. “Get off my mate!” he roared through the link, slamming his body into Blake.

He half landed in the rock pools that had instantly made him think of Chris when he thought to areas of the wood that his mate would like. A place that would be perfect to seal their bond.

Wasn’t perfect anymore.

Jaxson landed on the husky wolf, slamming his claws into the neck beneath him.

“You’re an abomination that will never be accepted,” his uncle’s voice growled in his head.

“There’s nothing abominable about me. It’s natural.” He could see the hatred in the dark brown eyes below him. A look that would haunt him. A look that drove his own hatred further to the surface.

His uncle may never have been the brains behind the operation, but he sure was the heart. He was certain it was his uncle who had let the others in… betrayed the pack. He slammed both paws under his chin, wrenching his head up at a sickening angle. He didn’t have a chance to look at the damage he’d done before he was smashed to the ground by a heavy body. Snapping up to his new attacker, blocking teeth and claws.

But before he could right himself, a familiar scent rushed past him, slamming the assailant to the ground. With a whine, he rolled onto his legs, turning his head this way and that seeing royal guards easily taking back control. His attention immediately went to finding Chris.

He limped, spotting raven fur amongst the browns and greys. Passing the bodies still growling, he found two raven wolves, one a little larger than the other; King Marcus.

“Jaxson!” Chris’ head instantly turned as if he felt him approach.

Jaxson pressed his head against Chris’.

“Do you need the infirmary, Royal Guard Jaxson?” The King’s voice entered his head.

“I’ll be fine, Your Majesty.” Chris nuzzled into his neck before moving down and licking the wound on Jaxson’s leg. The stinging pain vanished.

Jaxson licked every inch he could reach, over his raven head, his ears, down his neck. Blood danced on his tongue every now and then; it was hard to spot blood amongst the black. “I was so worried.” Jaxson continued licking Chris as if he were a pup.

“Marc’s watching… can you do this when there are not twenty guards around?” If he were in human form, Jaxson was certain Chris would be blushing. He didn’t feel ready to step away, protectively placing his head atop Chris’ neck, he watched warily. While he knew the attack was over, there was a need in him to protect that was stronger than expectation and display. In public, Chris was still a prince while he a guard. Mate displays were different for royalty and Jaxson knew it. Was he stepping away? No.

He was mated.

He was truly mated.

Nuzzling into Chris’ luscious fur he didn’t notice the guard in skin form offering them both clothes. “Jax?”

His eyes fluttered open seeing the guard. With a huff, he drew away enough to take the clothes offered before nudging Chris with his muzzle into the trees away from the guards milling around. He wasn’t really paying attention to what they were doing.

As soon as they were out of sight, Chris shifted followed by Jaxson who pushed Chris against a tree before he could contemplate dressing.

“We were interrupted,” Jaxson growled, nipping at his mark upon his mate proudly.

Chris bucked against him, their arousals catching on each other. “We… there’s too many… they’ll hear.”

“Don’t care.”

“I promise we’ll complete… just… not here. I want to be in our suite. Please Jax?”

Jaxson growled against him but relented, pulling away. “You’re going to kill me.”

“Sorry-”

“While I do so enjoy that white arse. Put some clothes on, the King wants you.” Jaxson turned to see Adam smirking. He growled, yanking joggers from the bundle that had fallen on the floor when he shoved Chris against the tree. “Stop looking at my mate,” Jaxson growled, protectively shielding him.

“Congrats.” Adam’s smirk turned to a warm, proud smile. “Knew I smelt the difference.” He straightened. “My Prince, I am to escort you to the palace. Your mate will join you momentarily.”

Heat coursed through Jaxson’s veins. He couldn’t allow Chris out of his sight, there was just… it was an instinct. Before Chris could move, he’d gripped his hip, preventing any movement from behind him. He shook his head viciously.

“Er… I don’t think that’s going to happen, Adam,” Chris stated clearly feeling the panicked protection seep into him from his mate. “Jaxson. I want clothes.”

Jaxson wearily watched his surroundings as he leant, scooping a t-shirt and jeans clearly meant for Chris.

“I’m a packmate, Jax. I’m on your side.”

“So was Uncle Blake,” he snarled. He felt exposed, vulnerable. He didn’t protect Chris, he pulled him from the palace to somewhere so isolated they could be surrounded without his knowledge.

It was all his fault.

“We’re safe, Jax.” Arms slid around his shoulders, snaking down his chest. “I’m fine. We’re both safe,” Chris reassured, tugging him close into his chest.

Jaxson’s eyes darted around, his stance one ready to fight. Adam’s eyes glazed a moment before he lowered himself to the ground. Sitting cross-legged, he made himself as small as he could. “I would never wish harm on you. My friend. My brother. Your wolf is on edge, how long have you had both sides of you back?”

Jaxson growled, his upper lip bared as if there were fangs to show but only human teeth were displayed.

“This morning,” Chris mumbled from behind him. While Jaxson could feel some peace filtering into him, he felt fear, concern which marred into his own. He couldn’t explain where this primal need was coming from, it were like man and beast had truly become one, there was no distinguishing them.

“Jax, please, calm down,” Chris pleaded.

“They hurt you, could have killed you. I couldn’t do anything.”

“You were fighting to get to me. It’s not your fault.”

“Is.”

“I have the guards surrounding us, no one can penetrate their wall. You’ve trained with these males. You know them.”

“Knew Blake.”

“Blake is dead. As are the others. The threat to your mate has been eradicated,” Adam explained.

“There’s others…”

“Jaxson, was your Uncle a Royal Guard?”

“No.”

“Was your Uncle a Town Guard?”

“No… he wasn’t a guard.”

“He wasn’t. You’re right. What is a guard’s oath?”

“Protect all wolves. Serve the town. Guard the royals.”

“Say it in full. The full oath.”

Jaxson took a breath, his mind not really in the here and now. The words came forth regardless, it was a well-practised speech, a rehearsed oath he believed. “I swear in every endeavour to protect all wolves. I will do right to all manner of wurwulf after the laws and usages of this realm, without fear or favour, affection or ill will. My oath, I do so speak, will support the crown to greatness.”

“Say it again.”

As he began to speak, it wasn’t only his voice. Adam joined, as did the unseen guards that surrounded them in the trees. The oath was loud and clear upon all guards’ lips. A union of strength and brotherhood.

“AGAIN!” Adam bellowed.

The sound rang through the trees, the words he’d practised from being a young pup who was desperate to be a guard.

Slipping to his knees, his warring mind slowed and calmed. Adrenaline escaped him like a plug had been pulled. He found Chris in front of him, burying his head into Jaxson’s neck. Resting his forehead on his shoulder, he breathed in, breathed a scent he’d known without realising for nearing a decade. A scent that he’d subconsciously wanted… needed to be at home. To feel home.

“I think it is me who needs you,” Jaxson mumbled.

“No. We need each other.”

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