When All Else Fails

Page 5

"Right, that was believable. Want to try again." I just sigh.

"I'd stop thinking about it if I knew what was going on." He groans.

"Look, ask a question I'll answer it but I'm not volunteering anything."

"I'm guessing they dated, right?"

"Yes."

"I'm guessing that it was for some time given Rance knew exactly how James liked to be fucked."

"Yes."

"I'm also going to guess that Rance broke up with him when he started the Sessions."

"No."

"No?" Jeff glances at me and sighs.

"James broke up with Rance." That surprised me.

"Why?"

"Because Rance wouldn't claim him."

"I don't understand, Rance is doing the Sessions, it's all about pregnancy and claiming. Why would he refuse to claim James who wanted him if he was just going to do this?"

"Because James never got pregnant. Rance includes him on the off chance that he would get pregnant but after several years of sleeping together and no kids I think they aren't a fertile match. We know James is fertile he's passed all the testing." Jeff glanced at me. "So am I going to regret telling you?" I chuckle.

"No. They have history. Its a kind I get. I don't hold grudges for it, and I'm not jealous, James had his shot. I feel a little sorry for James though." I told him. I wasn't sure he believed me. When we got to the house we headed for the kitchen. I saw that dinner was still in swing. Jeff got us plates and we sat to eat. As we were finishing up James arrived in the kitchen. I looked at him. Nope not a lick of jealousy. I was heading for the exit when he stopped me.

"Carson, right?" I smiled and nodded.

"Yep."

"I hear that Rance knotted you after we left."

"Where did you hear that?"

"It's all over the house. They are taking it for granted you'll be pregnant and be his mate."

"I can only hope. While knots help it's not guaranteed." I saw anger flip over his face and I realized his intent too late. Pain shot through my head as he back handed me. Jeff grabbed me and yanked me away as another man grabbed for James.

"James you know the rules."

"It shouldn't have been allowed. Rance chose his six. This little half breed wasn't part of it." James says growling at me.

"James!" We all turned to see a furious Rance. Rance stalked to stand between James and I. "I asked that an exception be made for him. If you have a problem with it, it's with me not with him." A look of pain ran over James face.

"Six years. We were together for six years. Not once did you ever loose yourself so much you knotted me. Why? Why now, with him?"

"I don't know. I didn't ask for it. You know how I feel about knotting. I didn't want to do it. I don't like knowing that I lost control like that. If I'd done it when we were together I'd never been able to trust myself with you ever again. I'm sorry. I know what it most likely means, but it's not a guarantee. You know that." James just turned and headed for the exit. "James." The man turned to look at Rance. "I'll try to forget this. But if you raise your hand to him or one of the others again I won't choose you next time." I saw that made James angry but he nodded and left. Rance turned to me. His eyes went over my cheek with a gentle finger he touched it. I winced as it made the sensitive nerves hurt.

"I think they were worried about the wrong person being jealous."

"What?" He asked frowning.

"This morning I was asking about you and James. They wouldn't tell me because I might get jealous of him. I couldn't stop thinking about it so Jeff finally told me. Once I knew and wasn't speculating I was fine. I think they should have worried about James instead. He obviously loved you. Still does it seems. Do you love him?"

"He can't answer that." Jeff tells me.

"Right. I forgot." No I hadn't I just wanted to see if Rance would say yes or no before Jeff interfered. I sighed. He cared I could tell but I don't think he loved him like he once had. It was probably James rejection of him for not claiming that had started to kill those feelings. A young woman stepped up and pressed a wrapped ice pack to my cheek.

"Ow." I say.

"Sorry. It'll be fine by morning." She says. I nod.

"Carson I'm sorry. This is my fault."

"I'd like to agree but I think I'm going to blame the guy who hit me instead." I head for the stairs and my room. My hand is caught. Looking back I see Rance frowning still.

"I'd recommend staying away from him." I snort.

"Oh way ahead of you there." He smiles and lets me go. In my room I take a look at my cheek there's a bruise blooming nicely.

"Damn. That looks terrible. Has he ever acted like that before?" I asked Jeff.

"No. He's always been friendly and at times comforting to the ones who are new to it and nervous. I think the only reason he acted like this is because Rance knotted you and will most likely be claiming you. He's realized that he's lost him for good and he's got no one to blame but himself. Sorry. If I had thought he might do that I wouldn't have let him get so close to you."

"Right. I think I'm going to keep to caution with the others." I kept the ice on it until I was falling asleep and then set it aside.

As I go to breakfast the next morning I'm careful about watching for James and the other Chosen. Alpha manages to catch Jeff and I as we're leaving.

"Well the cheek looks alright. How does it feel?"

"It's a little tender but doing better. Thinking you shouldn't have let him have me?"

"No. Thinking I should ban James from participating anymore. Rance was in my room ranting for hours about James hitting you. Wants me to lift the visiting restriction so he can check on you every day."

"Did you?" I ask.

"No. But I said I'd check on you for him. He took that grudgingly. I've never seen him like this with a Chosen. I'm going to admit I think you're pregnant I think he knotted because he and his pup wanted you to be pregnant and his and was ensuring it. It wasn't a matter of losing control but wanting someone bad enough to try and ensure conception."

"What about James they were together for years never an accident."

"That I don't know about. I'd say bad timing but six years of it? Either way I'm pretty sure he's yours." Alpha stepped back. "Jeff if James becomes a nuisance let me know I'll restrict him to his half of the house. I'd also recommend you get dinner out or eat in his room." Jeff nods.