Lessons Learned Read online

  Lessons Learned

  Sandrine Gasq-Dion

  Dedication:

  To my family

  Jennifer Jacobson

  Kim Webb-Balan

  Brandi Reynolds for brainstorming with me!

  My LRO readers and the newest ones!

  Cover Design: selfpubbookcovers.com/RoBarts

  © Copyright 2013

  This is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or business establishments, events or locales is coincidental. All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. WARNING: This book contains material that maybe offensive to some: Violence, graphic language, homosexual relations, and adult situations.

  Table of Contents

  ~*PROLOGUE*~

  ~*CHAPTER ONE*~

  ~*CHAPTER TWO*~

  ~*CHAPTER THREE*~

  ~*CHAPTER FOUR*~

  ~*CHAPTER FIVE*~

  ~*CHAPTER SIX*~

  ~*CHAPTER SEVEN*~

  ~*CHAPTER EIGHT*~

  ~*CHAPTER NINE*~

  ~*CHAPTER TEN*~

  ~*CHAPTER ELEVEN*~

  ~*CHAPTER TWELVE*~

  ~*CHAPTER THIRTEEN*~

  ~*EPILOGUE*~

  ~*Prologue*~

  “Hey, Jude…”

  Jude closed his eyes and rested his head on his locker. The mocking sing-song voice was an almost everyday occurrence. Jude balled his fists and took a deep breath.

  “How ya doin’, Jude? Smoke anyone’s pole recently?”

  Jude bit his lip and turned to face his nemesis: Hayden Cox. Football player and human. They were in the same werewolf pack but the gene had skipped Hayden, making him a mere human instead of a werewolf.

  Jude wanted to kick himself.

  As always, the simple presence of Hayden Cox caused his stomach to flutter and his hands to sweat. God, he hated being attracted to that asshole.

  Beautiful blue eyes were laughing at him. Hayden’s hair was cut short, tapered on the sides with a little length at the top. And he was tall — like really tall. Jude licked his lips nervously and avoided eye contact.

  “Just leave me alone, Hayden.”

  “Where’s the fun in that, Jude?”

  Jude inched further into his locker as more voices floated down the hallway. Great, the rest of Hayden’s annoying teammates were making their way down the hall.

  “I don’t know why you feel the need to pick on me. I’ve never done anything to you,” Jude said softly. A hand flew out and slammed his locker door against the wall. Hayden leaned into his face and Jude held his breath.

  “Oh, but you do, Jude. Everyone loves Jude. Jude is so sweet. Jude is the son of the alpha. Jude is so perfect,” Hayden snarled. “You’ve never, even once, stopped any of them from fucking with me!”

  “That’s not true!” Jude raised his eyes to Hayden’s. “I’ve told them to stop. It certainly doesn’t help that you pick on me constantly.”

  “Maybe you need a time out,” Hayden grinned.

  “Please don’t…” Jude pleaded. Hayden shoved him into his locker and slammed the door shut.

  “Take a breather, Jude,” Hayden chuckled.

  Jude kept silent as the rest of Hayden’s team caught up with him. Voices floated down the hallway as they left. Jude let out a sigh and wiped his eyes. He hated crying. His math book was wedged into his hip and the top shelf of his locker pressed into his neck. Jude waited for someone — anyone — to come down the hall. He heard voices a few minutes later and knocked quietly on the inside of his locker.

  “Jude?”

  Jude breathed a sigh of relief. “Noah?” he whispered.

  “Oh come on! Not again!” Noah twisted the combination on the locker back and forth. He lifted the handle and eyed Jude. “Why didn’t you call for me?”

  Jude wiped his nose and looked at Noah King and Ross Collins — members of his pack. The two of them had done their best to try and shield him from Hayden’s cruelty, but they couldn’t guard him twenty-four hours a day.

  “Your dad needs to know about this,” Noah growled.

  “Please don’t.” Jude looked at Noah and Ross pleadingly. “It will only make things worse for Hayden.”

  “For Hayden?!” Ross gasped. “Why do you protect him, Jude? Look what he does to you!”

  Jude sighed and grabbed his chemistry book. “He’s getting picked on by the older werewolves. He doesn’t need any more stuff piled on top of him.”

  “Dammit, Jude!” Noah took Jude into his arms. The younger man sniffled, and then started crying. Noah swore under his breath. Jude wasn’t nearly as big as Hayden, or the rest of them for that matter. He was vulnerable. He took after his mother in so many ways. Violet eyes looked up at him and Noah sighed, wiping the tears from Jude’s face.

  “Come on, let’s get to class.”

  The rest of the day went by quickly. Noah and Ross walked Jude home. They all lived in the same neighborhood, which made it easier on the younger pack members since they could all hang out together.

  Jude noticed his father’s car in the driveway and let out a breath of relief. He entered the house and found his dad in the kitchen.

  “Hi, Dad.” Jude went for the fridge and grabbed a soda.

  “How was your day? Everything go okay?” Jonas eyed his son. Jude looked so much like his mother — the porcelain skin, unique and arresting violet eyes. But Jude had inherited his father’s raven black hair, and the combination of light and dark was stunning. He would be one hell of a good-looking man when he grew up.

  “Um, yeah.” Jude sat down at the table.

  “Need help with homework?” Jonas mussed his son’s hair as he sat down beside him.

  “Nope. I was paying attention this time,” Jude grinned.

  Jonas caressed his son’s cheek. “I know you miss your mother. I’m sorry I can’t be there for you as much as you need me to be. I know you’ve been having problems at school —”

  “Dad, just…don’t, okay? I can take care of myself.”

  “Is there a girl involved?” Jonas asked quietly.

  “Um, no. A boy, actually.” Jude squeezed his eyes shut and waited for the screaming.

  “Oh.” Jonas sat back in the chair and regarded his son. “So, you like a boy? Am I getting that right?”

  Jude looked through his thick lashes at his father. “If I said yes, would you still love me?”

  Jonas started in surprise. “Of course I would! Nothing will ever change my love for you.”

  “Really?” Jude whispered. “So, you’re not mad I like boys?”

  Jonas leaned over and pulled Jude into his arms. “I will never be mad at you for who you like. You’re my son, and I love you above anything else.”

  Jude sighed in relief and nestled into his father. “Thanks, Dad. I was trying to figure out how to tell you. I know you don’t like secrets and you’ve always said I can come to you with anything.”

  “And I meant it. You can.” Jonas kissed Jude’s forehead.

  The kitchen phone shrilled and Jonas looked into his son’s eyes. “Is it okay if I take that?”

  “You are the alpha,” Jude smiled wide.

  Jude started his homework as his father answered the phone. Low voices drifted to him and Jude honed in on the other party talking to his dad. It was Hayden’s father. The Coxes were moving. Jude’s stomach dropped and he felt the floor shifting beneath him.

  Hayden was leaving? Part of him was thrilled. The other part — the one that had feelings for Hayden — was sad. Hayden’s father, Henry, was telling Jonas that his son had had enough. They would be leaving the following day.

  “Henry, please reconsider,” Jonas pleaded. “You’re not protec
ted outside of the pack.”

  Jude could hear Hayden’s father arguing back. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. This was his fault. The other werewolves wouldn’t be picking on Hayden so much if he’d protected him. If he’d just opened his mouth…

  “I understand, Henry. If you need anything, please call.” Jonas sighed and hung up the phone. He glanced over at Jude who was busy scribbling in his notebook. He should have done more. Now it was too late.

  ~*~

  Hayden came around the corner and noticed a big moving truck in the driveway. His brows furrowed and he jogged the rest of the way to the house. Movers were coming in and out, taking boxes to the truck, while others milled around packing boxes. Hayden found his father in the kitchen. The conversation stopped as his parents noticed him standing there.

  “What’s going on? Why are movers here?” Hayden looked around the kitchen. Cabinets were open and bare of all plates and glasses.

  “Your mother and I decided it’s time to leave, Hayden. I’ve gotten another job.”

  “You’re doing this because of the other werewolves, aren’t you?” Hayden crossed his arms. “I can take it, Dad.”

  “You shouldn’t have to!” Henry shouted. His eyes caught movers coming back in and he motioned Hayden outside. Once on the patio, he took his son by the shoulders. “You shouldn’t be picked on because the gene skipped you; it’s not right and Jonas should protect you more. You are human, Hayden; it’s not right.”

  “So we just leave? What does that say about us?”

  “It says I love you and want you protected! Your mother and I agree. This is what’s best.”

  “What about what I want?” Hayden took deep breaths.

  “You’ll love the new place, you’ll see.”

  ~*~

  The first three years were pure hell. As Hayden came into his feelings, he realized he liked boys as well as girls. Well, not boys.

  One boy: Jude Brooks.

  And he missed him on a daily basis. He’d tried dating girls in his new school but it never really clicked. He couldn’t get past the kissing stage and the only face he saw was Jude’s.

  The new house was gorgeous, it was a nice neighborhood and he made plenty of friends. But none of them were Jude. Hayden found himself thinking about Jude’s beautiful skin and big, violet eyes all the time. He was in high school and dreaming about a boy who lived hundreds of miles away. Dating girls just didn’t work. No one would take the place of Jude Brooks.

  He’d gotten home early one day and found the house empty. His parents must have gone out. Hayden did his homework and chores, then took his shower and fell into bed.

  He woke to the sound of glass smashing, and his father grabbing him and dragging him down the hall.

  “What is it?” Hayden tried to grab his shoes.

  “No time!” Henry hissed.

  Hayden slipped on something in the hall and fell on his back. He found himself staring into the lifeless eyes of his mother and realized he had slipped on her blood, which was staining the wooden floor.

  “Mom!” Hayden shook her, but she remained still.

  “Dammit, Hayden! Come on!” Henry pulled his son to his office and slammed the door, locking it with the deadbolt. He turned to face his son. Hayden’s eyes were filled with tears, and Henry knew he’d never see him again.

  “Come here.” Henry took his son in a tight hug. “I love you, you know that, right?”

  “I do, please tell me what’s going on!”

  The door started shaking and Henry took Hayden’s face in his hands. “Your mother and I love you very much. We will always love you. You understand that, right? Tell me you understand!”

  “I do!” Hayden sobbed. “Please tell me what’s happening!”

  “I have to keep you safe, son. I’m so sorry.”

  “What? Why —”

  Canines lodged into his neck.

  Pain exploded everywhere and Hayden cried out. He was shoved into a small room and the door shut with a loud click. Several inches of steel separated him from his father in the other room. Muffled sounds of wood cracking and glass shattering could be heard through the door and Hayden put his hand on the cold steel.

  Growls and yips filled the room and he stiffened when they stopped in front of the door. Then the pain came. Bones broke and readjusted, and Hayden fell on his back as the lupine blood raced through him. His last thoughts were of his parents, and the sacrifice they had just made.

  It seemed like days had gone by when Hayden heard the click of the steel door being opened. He rolled on his side and looked at the face occupying the opening.

  “Oh God,” Jonas whispered. “Hayden?”

  “Mr. Brooks?” Hayden croaked.

  Jonas crawled into the small space and held Hayden in his arms. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered against Hayden’s hair.

  Hayden closed his eyes. He didn’t need an explanation. His father had always said he’d change him into a werewolf if he and his mother were not going to be able to protect him. He didn’t need to know, or to see, what his heart already knew. His parents were dead.

  He was whisked away to boarding school with Noah and Ross, and once he graduated, entered the military. But not one day went by that Hayden hadn’t thought of that beautiful face with the violet eyes…

  ~*Chapter One*~

  Vail, Arizona

  Hayden spun around, taking another rogue’s head off. They just kept coming. He, Noah, Ross, and two of the Salvatore brothers were waging a battle that seemed endless. James Pruitt-Jacobs had sent them into the caverns on a tip from an associate, and they had hit the rogue wolf jackpot.

  Justice and Jaxon Salvatore had been fighting rogues for years — now they were properly trained and fighting with swords. Searing hot pain exploded in Hayden’s shoulder and he flipped the biting rogue off his back. He plunged his sword through the rogue’s heart, and then decapitated it.

  “Jesus, Hayden!” Ross roared. Blood poured from the wound in Hayden’s shoulder.

  “Keep going!” Hayden shouted.

  The battle raged on. Jaxon swung both long swords in front of him as more rogues ran out of the darkness of the caves. Another hour of intense fighting, and finally they were starting to see the rogues fall back. Hayden slumped against the wall, breathing heavily. The rogue at his feet was gurgling, and smiling.

  “What the fuck are you smiling at?” Hayden snarled.

  “How’s Jude Brooks?” the rogue cackled.

  Hayden picked him up by his neck and slammed him into the wall. He squeezed his neck more tightly and leaned in, looking into its yellow eyes.

  “Who wants to know? Petey or Carl?” Hayden growled.

  “I’m not telling you shit! You’re going to kill me anyway.”

  Hayden smiled. “Yeah, I am. How and how quickly I go about it is another matter, though.” Hayden grinned as the rogue’s eyes widened and he began to babble.

  “All I know is that they want Jude; something about him being the least dangerous because of his size.”

  “Have you met Jude?” Ross chuckled from across the cave.

  “What else?” Hayden tightened his grip.

  “Um, Petey’s got this list, ya see?” he wheezed. “And um, I think one of the names on it was Newman? And it said somethin’ bout hepatitis or something.”

  “Hepatitis?” Hayden repeated. “Are you making this shit up?”

  “Newman who?” Jaxon stepped out of the darkness.

  “No, um, Elijah Newman. Yeah, that’s it!”

  Jaxon stiffened. “What’s Petey want with Elijah?”

  “I don’t know, man! There’s some other guy on there. Um, some Foxx guy!”

  “Foxx?” Noah looked over at Ross. “As in Skylar?”

  “Yeah, yeah! Him! Petey said they need the Foxx guy more; he said he needs his whore back.”

  Justice’s fist shot out and the sound of crunching bone filled the cavern as it met with the rogue’s face.

 
“Don’t you ever use that word about him again!” Justice hissed.

  “Why Jude? I mean, why now?” Hayden demanded.

  “Petey’s got a thing for Jude!” the rogue blurted.

  “Excuse me?” Hayden’s canines elongated.

  “Yeah, um, when Pierce took that Chance dude, they got Jude, too. Petey took a liking to him! That’s all I know!! Oh, and something about blood.”

  “What about blood?” Hayden cocked an eyebrow.

  “They didn’t say, just that they needed it or something.”

  “Whose blood?” Hayden’s grip started to weaken as his adrenaline wore off and the rogue saliva from the bite he’d gotten took over. The rogue’s lips lifted in a sick smile.

  “Jude’s blood.”

  Hayden’s claws flared from his fingertips and he punctured the rogue’s neck, slicing all the way through. The body fell to the floor of the cave and Hayden threw the head against the wall with a loud growl.

  “We need to find Petey!” Hayden slumped against the wall, the bile rising in his throat. “Shit, need to lie down.”

  Noah caught Hayden before he hit the ground. The rest of them grabbed their gear as Ross set the charges in the mines. Once up top, the sun beat down on them mercilessly. Noah put Hayden in the Hummer and Ross hopped into the driver’s seat. Jaxon and Justice jumped in the back and they flew across the desert.

  Once they got close to I-10, Noah took out the remote detonator and pushed the button. Even from fifteen miles away, the explosion could be heard, felt and seen.

  Ross drove them back to the safe house in Benson where the team doctor, Alexander Romasko, was waiting for them. Alexander was the alpha of the Vancouver pack, but now lived in Washington State with his pack members. During rogue hunts, they always had a doctor on hand on the off chance one of them needed attention. Alexander had volunteered to come with them to Arizona.

  Hayden’s shouts of pain and profuse sweating made it clear he needed attention. Alexander followed Ross as he took Hayden to the first room and put him on the bed. Hayden was white as a sheet.

  “How many times have you been bitten now?” Alexander checked Hayden’s pupils.