Chapter 12
Brighton
When Brighton first laid eyes on the wolf, unmoving in the grass, he'd been sure, for one terrible moment, that Josh was dead. He'd shifted out of his wolf form as fast as he could and practically screamed Josh's name. He stumbled over to the fallen omega and dropped to his knees beside him.
When two chocolate brown eyes, bloodshot and glassy, blinked up at him, he couldn't help but laugh brokenly. He stroked Josh's head and neck, and the omega's eyes drooped shut. He didn't seem to have any injuries, other than a patch of dried copper on his head. He was most likely just exhausted.
"Fuck," Aidan muttered over his shoulder.
"He's okay," Brighton replied, voice cracking slightly. "He's gonna be fine."
He glanced back into the forest and his lips pulled into a snarl. The stench of the other alpha filled the forest.
Aidan squeezed his shoulder. "Later. We'll get him later, alright? Let's just get Josh home."
Home. Josh's home was currently in flames thanks to that stupid son of a bitch. He growled. Josh didn't even twitch. Brighton stood up and let out a howl.
"You good?"
He had no doubt that Slade heard that warning. "I'm good," he replied.
As much as he'd like to hunt the son of a bitch down, Josh needed him more. He comforted himself with the thought that, if Slade was stupid enough to come back, Brighton would tear him to pieces.
Carefully, Brighton gathered Josh in his arms. The omega was dead weight, but breathing evenly. Brighton pressed his face against soft fur for a second, letting relief fill him, before beginning the walk back.
It took longer to get back to the road as the smoke grew thicker. Thankfully, the forest was damp so the fire wasn't spreading easily. It wouldn't be long for it to die completely. Still, the smoke was inescapable. Brighton coughed and jogged through the worst of it.
The van was waiting for them when they emerged. Jacob let out a small cry and only Gavi's arms around his waist kept him from leaping from his seat.
"He's okay," Brighton called. "Just hang on."
Quickly, Brighton lay Josh down in the back, wrapping him in a thick blanket. Aidan handed him a pair of pants and he grunted in acknowledgment and quickly pulled them on. He sighed and sat down cross-legged beside the omega. He leaned forward and brushed reddish brown bangs out of the peaceful looking face.
"Let's get out of here," he said. Then he was abruptly pushed aside by a hysterical seven year old.
"What's wrong with Dad?" Jacob bawled.
Brighton caught the kid and pulled him into his lap. "He's just unconscious. He'll wake up soon."
Jacob looked miserably at his dad, then out the window as they passed the burning ruins of his home. "We're not coming back, are we?"
"Not for a while," Brighton said.
Unlike the drive to Josh, the drive back was slow. Adrian was putting in extra effort to make the ride as smooth as possible for them, something Josh was eternally thankful for. After all the help they'd received, he'd make sure the Foxhold pack would know how grateful he was. He'd stay and work his debt to them off somehow.
"Dad's really going to be okay?" Jacob asked.
Brighton pulled Jacob closer, tucking the child's head under his chin. "Promise, kiddo. He'll be so happy to see you."
"Did you get that guy?"
"No," Brighton replied. "But don't worry. He won't get near you again."
Jacob leaned back against his chest and rubbed his eyes. Brighton leaned back against the side of the van. "Get some sleep, okay?"
The kid was out within minutes.
Brighton spent the rest of the ride watching Josh's chest rise and fall, reassuring himself that the man was still alive.
It also gave Brighton plenty of time to think. He thought back to what Jacob said. That Josh was upset after they left. Brighton couldn't stop the small flare of hope that lit in his chest. He knew now, without a doubt, that he wanted to claim Josh as his mate. Was it possible that Josh wanted the same thing? It still didn't make sense in Brighton's head. He didn't know why Josh would send him away if he wanted the same thing.
He'd also apologize for leaving in the first place. Rationally, he knew that there was no way he could have known that this would happen, but he couldn't help but feel guilty anyway. He should have been there. Then Josh wouldn't be lying unconscious and beaten to hell and Jacob wouldn't be completely traumatized.
When Josh was well enough, Brighton was going to ask why Josh told him to leave, and this time, he was going to actually get an answer.
As soon as the van stopped, somebody was opening the door. Brighton had to fight back the urge to growl as several shifters carefully lifted Josh out. He knew they were there to help, but his wolf didn't want anyone else touching the omega.
Jacob was still fast asleep. Brighton was careful as he stood up not to jostle the kid too much. They both needed all the rest they could get. Once he had Jacob settled in his arms, he climbed out and followed the shifters that were carrying Josh.
Foxhold was a slightly larger pack. Their medical hut was twice as big as Summerwood's and it had two beds. Brighton tucked Jacob in, making sure to add an extra blanket, and took a seat. He watched the medic, Georgia, look Josh over.
"How's he looking?"
"He's bruised and definitely has a concussion. He's also a bit dehydrated. Mostly he's just exhausted." Georgia finished her examination. She set two white pills down on the table beside the bed. "When he wakes up, get him to drink some water and take these. I'll bring some soup too."
"Thanks," Brighton said quietly.
Georgia put a hand on his shoulder. "He's fine," she assured him.
Now all Brighton had to do was wait.
Josh woke up first, just as the sun was starting to set. His eyes flickered then snapped open. He gasped and jerked like a fish out of water, searching wildly.
"Hey!" Brighton jumped up from his chair and hurried over to him, placing a hand on his chest. "It's alright. You're okay," he said gently.
"Jake," Josh croaked.
"He's fine, see?" Brighton gestured to the figure huddled under the blankets. "He's asleep."
As if those were the magic words, Josh instantly calmed. He attempted to speak again, but it came out as a raspy moan.
"Here." Brighton picked up the glass of water. He slipped an arm around Josh's shoulders and helped him sit up. He gently pressed the glass against Josh's cracked lips. "Drink slowly."
Josh seemed to have a hard time complying, but he didn't choke. Brighton set the cup down and awkwardly adjusted the pillows so that Josh could sit up somewhat.
"How's your head?" he asked.
"Hurts," Josh said. His voice sounded a bit clearer.
Brighton stood up to refill the glass and picked up the pills. "Can you take these? Georgia said they'll help."
After feeding Josh the pills and water, he sat back down in his chair. "Georgia's going to bring some broth for you soon."
"Thanks," Josh said quietly. He turned his head to look at Jacob again. "He's really okay?"
Brighton nodded. "A little shaken, but physically, he's fine."
Josh sagged in relief. Moisture began to pool in his eyes. "Thought I'd never see him again," he whispered. He turned back to Brighton. The gratitude and love in his eyes would have melted a heart of stone. "Thank you," he said again.
"Nothing to thank me for," Brighton replied firmly.
Josh settled back into the pillows, eyes falling closed. "Slade's still out there."
Brighton's knuckles cracked. "He won't get near you again. Not while you're here." Not while I'm here. "And if that bastard comes within a mile of you, I'll deal with him."
The omega blinked up at him, surprised. "You don't have to stay."
"Do you want me to go?" Brighton countered.
Josh bit his lip. "No," he said finally.
"Good," Brighton nodded. "Because I wasn't planning on it either way." He reached over and took Josh's hand in his. "Get some more sleep. I'll wake you when the food gets here."
Josh nodded and drifted off again.
An hour later, Georgia swept into the room with three trays carefully balanced along her arms. She gave Josh a look over.
"You got him to drink and take the pills?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good. See if you can get them both to eat something." She patted Brighton on the shoulder and left.
Brighton decided to wake Jacob first. He gently rubbed the kid's shoulders until large brown eyes blinked wearily.
"Hey, bud." Brighton smiled. "How are you doing?"
"Is Dad okay?" Jacob immediately asked.
"He's fine. He's just sleeping," Brighton replied. "You hungry?"
Jacob looked over to Josh, eyes narrowed before nodding. "He's really okay?"
"Promise."
Once Jacob was sitting up properly, Brighton placed the tray on his lap before helping himself to his own. There was a bowl of soup that smelled like it might be quail, and two slices of bread.
Jacob ate slowly at first, but within seconds had devoured the bread and was draining the bowl. Brighton ate his own dinner at a more leisurely pace.
"You're going to make yourself sick if you don't slow down," he said.
The kid ignored him. When he was done, Brighton handed him a glass of water. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine," Jacob said softly, looking down at his lap. "Dad's really going to be okay?"
"The medic already looked him over. In fact, it's about time he woke up for dinner." Brighton hadn't actually been planning on waking Josh up yet, but Jacob was staring at his dad with such a heartbreaking expression that Brighton knew this is what Josh would want.
He placed a hand on the omega's arm and gently shook him. "Hey, Josh? Someone wants to see you."
It took a moment but eventually Josh's eyelids fluttered and he opened his eyes. "What's wrong?" he asked groggily.
"Nothing at all. Look who's awake."
Josh's face split into a large smile when Jacob crawled up onto the bed with him. "Hey, honey. How are you doing?"
Jacob's lower lip quivered. A strangled "daddy" left his lips before he burst into tears. Josh just pulled him close, tucking the kid's head under his chin.
"It's alright. Hey, it's alright."
Brighton almost felt like an intruder. He was about to stand up to leave, to give father and son a bit of privacy, but Josh reached out and grabbed his hand. Brown eyes met his, so warm and full of love that it froze Brighton in place.
"Thank you," he said almost silently.
Brighton swallowed the lump in his throat and settled back down. "Anytime."
Josh didn't let go of his hand. Slowly, their fingers wove together.
They still needed to talk; to figure out where they stood and what would happen next. He still needed to tell Josh about their house. But there would be time later. For now, Brighton just enjoyed that they were all together, and for the most part, unharmed.
Jacob peeked up at him from his father's chest. "You're going to stay, right?"
Well, how could he say no to that?