Hale

Chapter Six

Hale poured another cup of coffee, his nerves stretched taut. He'd spent the past few hours watching Paige sleep and wondering about her. She'd slept like a baby, which surprised him. After the ordeal they'd gone through, he would have expected a bad dream or restless slumber. But she'd curled up on the pillow and hadn't moved, even when he'd gotten up from beside her on the bed and left his room.

“Yo, Hale. Where've you been?” Derrick asked as he entered the dining area. “You look like crap.”

Trust Derrick to tell it like he saw it.

The back door opened, and in moments, Ace and Zack joined them. The pair wore workout clothes and looked way too cheerful for eight in the morning.

“Hale, how goes it?” Zack asked with a smile.

Hale grunted and took a swallow of dark coffee.

Ace and Zack exchanged a glance. “That good, hmm?” Ace took a step closer and sniffed him. “Well, well. I'd say our boy is just fine. I smell female all over him. About time you found some pussy, playboy.”

It was on the tip of his tongue to say something mean, when he caught Derrick shaking his head. Since both Zack and Ace weren't the most stable Circs during their mate's pregnancy, Hale decided to save his obnoxious comments for later.

He sighed, and Derrick relaxed. “That's not just any female you smell. That's Paige Masters. We almost had a run-in with some Circs last night.” Roane entered the room just then. “What?”

“I was out driving and decided to go back to Paige's house.”

“Under whose authority?” Roane crossed his arms over his chest.

“What do you mean, whose authority? Doc wants to see Paige. I went out and found her.”

“Without anyone else.” Roane stepped closer, and Hale stood to defend himself.

“You could have been hurt or captured, dickhead. You know that area was swarming with mutants and rogue Circs just two nights ago. What the hell were you thinking?”

“That I don't need to ask permission to leave the fucking house,” Hale snarled and shoved Roane back.

Everyone stared in shock. No one challenged Roane's leadership. They never had, not in the eight years they'd been together. And especially not Hale, Roane's best friend.

But Hale couldn't contain his anger. He was pissed that Paige was in danger, that his female hadn't yet submitted more than her body. That she still clung to McKinley…

Throughout the night, Hale had been plagued with thoughts of Robbie as well. Odd, lustful, violent thoughts that made him hard and made him want to tear into someone.

He didn’t want the creature tied up in front of him. He wanted Paige. He wanted Hale.

Not blood and sex, but love. Another burst of ecstasy filled him as he released his seed…

“Hale, snap out of it, dammit.” Roane shoved him into his seat and waved his hand before his face.

“Wh-what?” All around him, his brothers looked concerned. Hale wiped a hand over his face. “What's wrong?”

“You’re wrong,” Derrick said. “You looked ready to go toe-to-toe with Roane, and then your eyes rolled back in your head, and you nearly cracked your thick skull on the floor. Roane caught you.”

“Don't thank me,” Roane growled. He poked Hale hard in the chest and sat down next to him. The others sat as well. “You tell me every damned thing that happened last night. Now.”

“I—”

“Now, Hale,” Doc agreed as he entered the room. He grabbed a cup of coffee from the pot on the serving table and joined them. “This looks like a fascinating discussion.”

“I'm fine. Everything's okay,” Hale began. “Last night, after, well, after that mating heat struck, I needed to get out of here.” Thankfully, Roane nodded but said nothing. “I had planned to go downtown. Find a few friends. But instinct told me to backtrack to Paige's house. I took an alternate route to get there and found Paige.” For some odd reason, he paused, not sure whether to mention McKinley's presence. He needed to talk to Paige about him first. Not that he planned to keep anything from his family—his friends—but he felt uncomfortable discussing McKinley with anyone else just yet.

“Go on, Hale,” Doc prodded.

“Anyway, I met her just as a bunch of PPA were coming after her. We ran, then drove back here.” But not before we stopped to fuck like rabid bunnies.

Roane's eyes narrowed, as if aware Hale was holding back.

“Wait a minute. You drove back here with Paige?” Doc asked. “She's here? Now?” Hale nodded. “She's sleeping in my room. We had a rough night.”

“No shit.” Ace whistled. “So Doc's mystery niece is finally found, eh? Good job, Hale.”

“Not bad,” Zack seconded his mate.

“Is she all right? Does she need medical attention?” Doc sounded nervous.

“She's fine,” Hale reassured him. “Just tired.” He turned to Roane. “I didn't get any sleep last night either. It's been a rough couple of days. I'm sorry, about before.”

“Don't sweat it.” Roane pounded him on the shoulder. But Hale had the sense Roane wouldn't let this go. “So you've told us everything, right, playboy? Nothing else we need to know?”

Shit. Hale fought the urge to squirm. Roane always could see right through him.

“Uh, well. I can tell you she's Circ.”

“She is?” Doc should have sounded happier, but instead, he sounded distressed.

“You saw her change?”

“Not exactly.” Hell. This was going to be embarrassing. He didn't mind admitting to sex with a beautiful woman. But this woman happened to be Doc's niece. He swallowed. “See, when we were together, in the close confines of the SUV, there was this chemistry. I'm not sure if it was because of our mating heat last night or not, but another heat struck me out in town. Really hard.” Roane blinked and sat back. He started to smile, glanced at Doc, and muted his amusement. He coughed into his hand. “So you and Paige…?”

“Yeah, me and Paige,” Hale huffed, wishing he didn't have to announce the details to everyone. Then again, there were few secrets in this tight group. Where everyone depended on everyone else, lies didn't belong.

“Oh.” Doc didn't seem upset, which put Hale at ease. He looked thoughtful. “Did you experience this the other night? A sense of sexual need?”

“Doc,” Zack complained. “Do we have to talk about sex before breakfast?”

“Yeah. Sex and Hale before coffee is just wrong.” Ace grimaced and stood to grab himself a cup.

“Kind of,” Hale answered, glaring at the pair. “There was an attraction to her scent. But nothing as potent as last night. I couldn't stop it. I tried, but it was a powerful thing.” And so damned right, he wanted to do it again.

“Interesting.” Doc took a sip of coffee. “We have three mated sets of Circs, one expectant female, and one unmated male. Your attraction might be the result of Kelly's powerful pheromones. She's throwing Caitlyn and Sabrina into early ovulation, trying to extend procreation throughout her 'family.' The more babies, the stronger the chance that you Circs will continue. As an unmated male, you're not furthering your 'species,' per se.”

“Tell me he didn't just say Caitlyn's ovulating.” Roane ran a hand over his face.

“Sabrina too?” Derrick asked, stunned.

“It's not Kelly. It's much more than that,” Hale automatically protested, then wished he hadn't.

Derrick nodded. “Has to do with those weird-ass dreams you've been having lately, I'll bet.”

“What?”

“You talk in your sleep, hoss. And the name Paige is one you've mumbled a time or two.”

“Hale Rogers, you and I need to have a talk.” Doc opened his mouth, no doubt to blast Hale with another lecture about full disclosure, when Paige walked into the kitchen. “Paige?” Doc whispered.

“I'm sorry. I'm intruding. I should—”

“Stay.” Hale hurried from his seat to intercept her. “Please. Come and meet Doc, so the rest of them will leave me the hell alone.” She regarded him with a curious half smile, and his beast purred with satisfaction.

She’s here, and she’s mine.

“Paige, I'd like you to meet Evan Dennis, our Doc. Doc, this is Paige Masters,” Hale said. “I believe she's your niece.”

Hale had to pull her closer to meet Doc. She ignored the other Circs, her attention riveted on her uncle.

“You know, you look exactly like your mother,” Doc whispered. Tears filled his blue eyes, and Hale felt a pang for the mild-mannered man.

“I do? I've never seen a picture of her. They wouldn't let me have one when I asked. And I used to ask a lot.”

Doc quickly stood. “I think I have one in my study. Would you like to sit down and talk for a while? Would you mind?”

Paige turned to Hale. To his relief, she didn't seem panicked or upset, just unsure of herself.

“Go on.” Hale gently pushed her toward Doc. “He can answer a lot of questions for you. And he is your uncle, you know.”

She bit her lower lip, looking at him as if he had all the answers, then turned and followed Doc from the room. Hale watched her go, his heart full at just the sight of her.

When he turned around, it was to find his friends staring at him with shit-eating grins.

“What the hell are you looking at?”

Derrick burst into laughter. “Oh man. Playboy's finally fallen. That was priceless.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Dude, you were looking at her with that lovesick expression Zack makes when he stares at Kelly,” Ace said with a chuckle.

“Ass.” Zack elbowed him.

“Doc's niece, hmm?” Roane drawled. “So that's why you've been so different lately.”

“I'm not different.” Hale cursed them and sat back down again, cradling his coffee, which was growing cold. “Paige needs some help, that's all.”

“Oh, I'm sure you're helping her, all right.” Derrick smirked. “I bet you helped her a helluva lot last night. No wonder you've been moaning and groaning during the night the past few weeks. Wet dreams about a hot blonde, eh?”

“Fuck off, D.” Embarrassment seared him. God, he'd been calling Paige's name out while he slept. What if he'd mentioned McKinley as well?

“Man, I don't need to fuck off, not with the hottest mate in the world in my bed.”

“Thanks so much for the reference,” Sabrina said dryly as she entered the room with Caitlyn and Kelly on her heels.

“Oh, ah, hey, baby,” Derrick covered lamely and greeted his mate with a kiss.

Every damned one of the Circ females shot Hale cheeky grins. The torment would never end.

“So, Hale's finally found his true love, hmm? Who is she?” Kelly asked as she waddled to her mates. At only five months, her belly had grown to the size of a watermelon, and Hale wondered if she might be carrying twins.

“She's Paige Masters, Doc's niece. But she's not my mate, my true love, my anything. God, you people are annoying.” Hale muttered under his breath and swallowed more coffee. His eyes felt gritty, his head ached, and he felt sluggish all of a sudden.

“You need some z's,” Roane said.

Hale turned, unnerved to find Roane's piercing gaze centered on him. “I'm fine.”

“You're exhausted. Lemme help you to your room.” The threat was there. Shit.

Hale didn't want to answer more questions when he didn't have any answers. Was Paige Masters his mate? No, because if she was, then McKinley had some part in Hale's future as well. Why had Hale spaced earlier and tried to attack his best friend? He had no idea, and he didn't want to know.

“I said I'm not tired. Besides, I want to be here when Paige is done with Doc. She doesn't know any of you.” He glanced around him. “And from looking at you, I can see why she'd be less than thrilled at being surrounded by your ugly mugs. Not you, ladies.”

“Thanks, Hale.” Sabrina rolled her eyes. “Derrick, is he always this oblivious?”

“Afraid so, princess.”

“Hale, you have circles under your eyes. You're still recovering from your injuries the other night. We all know you're Circ. But your body still needs time to finish healing and replenishing itself internally. Go get some rest. Caitlyn, Kelly, and I will make sure none of the guys so much as goes near her without you around.”

Hale considered her. Paige wouldn't feel threatened by the women. Especially not Kelly, who looked about as harmful as a round little kitten. “Okay. If you need me, I'll be in my room.”

“Dreaming about Paige,” Derrick murmured. Zack and Ace snickered, but Roane didn't laugh.

“Come on, playboy. I'll help you to your room.”

He dreaded each step, but to his relief, Roane said nothing. Hale opened the door to his room and lay down, expecting Roane to leave. Instead, his friend walked in, closed the door behind him, and stood next to his bed. Damn.

“Hale, you're worrying me. Why won't you tell me what's wrong?” Roane sat at the edge of the bed and turned to face Hale. “I'm your friend. I'm not gonna judge you because you had sex with Doc's niece, for God's sake.”

“I know.” Hale felt like shit because he was holding out. Hadn't Roane come to him when he'd had problems with Caitlyn? Didn't Roane always know how to help him, how to solve all their problems? “Roane…”

“Yeah?”

“Look, you can't tell the others. Not even Doc.”

“I won't.” And just like that, he wouldn't.

“I, uh, I've been having dreams about Paige for a while. And they're not normal.

My family had a history with this kind of thing.”

“What kind of thing?”

“Psychic stuff. My dad could predict the weather. My mom knew things before they'd happen. But I thought I was normal. But then a few months ago, I started having dreams, prophetic dreams. I saw Paige with me.”

The silence unnerved him.

“Okay. You're psychic. So what exactly have you been dreaming?” At Hale's surprise, Roane grinned. “Come on, Hale. Like I'm not going to believe in ESP? Hell, we turn into giant monsters when the mood hits. That's not exactly normal.” An odd sense of relief filled him, that Roane accepted him. “Well, here's the problem. In these dreams…” He cleared his throat, not sure how to say it. “In these dreams I'm with Paige. But there's always someone else with us.”

“By your tone, I'm thinking that 'someone' is a guy.”

“I'm not really into men, Roane. I mean, I know we all do things together. But it's different with the squad.”

“Look, you don't have to explain it to me. Technically, Circs are bisexual. We do it with anything Circ. Hale, man, you're my best friend. What, you think I'm going to revoke your membership to 'the club' because you're going to be with some other guy?”

“I think the guy is McKinley,” he said in a rush, before he could change his mind.

Roane's eyes widened, the shock on his face almost comical. “The same motherfucker who nearly killed you and Derrick a few months ago? The same one who threatened Sabrina if she should ever return to Pearson Labs? Elliot Pearl's old bodyguard, that McKinley?”

“Yeah, that one,” Hale groaned and threw his arm over his eyes. “Why do you think I haven't said anything? He's the reason I had a hard time with you and Caitlyn the other night. My beast kept telling me to find him…and Paige.”

“Damn.” Roane drummed his fingers on his knee. “Tell me something, Hale.

When you found Paige the other night, was she alone?”

“No,” Hale replied, miserable.

“I knew you were lying. Ass.” Roane slapped him on the leg, and Hale lifted his arm from his face to see his friend. “Tell me. All of it.” Hale told him about meeting McKinley, about the dreams he'd been having, about the psychic blast McKinley had shot him with at Pearson Labs months ago. He couldn't bring himself to tell Roane how often he thought of the male, but he didn't hide anything else.

As Roane sat there digesting it all, Hale wondered if he'd done the right thing in telling the truth. Circe's Recruits was his family. What if his strange connection to Paige and McKinley put them all in danger? Wouldn't it have been better to learn about McKinley on his own, with no one the wiser, should McKinley be as dangerous as Hale thought he was?

“Well, this is a shit sandwich, any way you look at it,” Roane rumbled. “If Paige is already tied to McKinley, and you're dreaming about doing both of them—”

“No, man. That was just me doing Paige. He was just…there.”

“With his hands on your ass,” Roane snorted. “Get real, Hale. From everything you've described, Paige and McKinley might very well be your mates. What does your beast tell you?”

Damn. Roane would have to ask that.

“You don't have to say anything. I can see it on your face.” Roane took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Figures you'd be the biggest pain in the ass finding your mate. Okay. So we have Paige here. You need to connect with her. Work your magic.

Even I can see you two together. My beast likes her with you. In the meantime, the guys and I will look for McKinley. How hard can he be to find? A seven-foot-tall freak—sorry, human slash Circ—with yellow eyes, claws, and fangs. And he's got a thing for your girlfriend, so he won't be far.”

“Thanks, Roane. You're making this so much easier to deal with.” The truth was, Roane had eased Hale's burden just by listening. By accepting Hale for who he was.

Roane grinned. “Hey, it could be worse. You could tell me you're in love with Caitlyn. Then I'd have to skewer you.”

“Ah, about that. I don't think I'm gonna be able to, ah, you know, again.”

“What? Take it up the ass? Let Caitlyn manhandle you?”

“Jerk.”

Roane chuckled. “Look, you know what's between us. It was sexual because we're Circ. It just made us closer.” Roane grabbed Hale's thigh and gripped him tightly.

“We're family, Hale. We're not gonna dump your ass because you have a thing for Pearl's daughter and his bodyguard. If your beast wants him, he can't be all bad. Can he?”

“I hope to hell he's not. Actually, I hope to hell these dreams are just nightmares. I don't have any proof that he, or even Paige, is my mate. Just because the rest of you idiots mated doesn't mean I have to.”

“Didn't you listen to Doc at all?” Roane sighed. “It's hormones, buddy. Your beast wants to procreate.” Roane looked ill. “I wasn't going to say anything yet. But I have a bad feeling Caitlyn's pregnant.”

“No shit!”

“Shut up,” he grumbled. “I'm not sure, but she smells different today. I think last night did it. And if hormones are causing us to spread Circ genes like wildfire, why do you think you'd be immune?”

“I understand basic biology. I'm not Derrick,” Hale said with a grin. He might be stressing, but Roane was going to be a father. Hot damn.

“Good point.”

“Why do you think I'm so drawn to McKinley? I've never been into guys as a rule.”

“Look at Ace. He wasn't either until Zack. Being Circ changes us deep inside.

Your beast knows what you need better than the man does, Hale. You have to trust what you feel. When you don't, you'll fuck up. And then you can only pray it's not a major fuckup.” Roane stood. “Now, get some rest so you can think straight. Caitlyn will take good care of your—of Paige. And we'll see if we can find the big dude.” Roane's eyes narrowed. “I'd like to talk to him myself. Time for a face-to-face with the man who thinks he can threaten my team.”

“Here we go.” Hale sighed. “Try not to kill him before I have a chance to see what the hell he's all about.”

“Sure thing, playboy.” Roane saluted and left the room.

Hale closed his eyes and went to sleep. He didn't dream, and he didn't worry about tomorrow. It would come soon enough.