Hudson finished his tea and placed the cup on the coffee table before turning to face Seb. There was nothing he could do in regards to Wolf or TIN, but there was certainly a concern he could address, and it was sitting beside him, eyes filled with love. "What are we doing?"
"What do you mean?"
"I have no doubt you love me, Sebastian. No one will ever love me the way you do, but that love is dangerous." Hudson brushed his fingers down Seb's stubbly jaw. The love he felt for this man was frightening at times. "You can't go around beating the pulp out of everyone who poses a threat to me. What if Sparks hadn't been there? What if... what if you'd killed Trent?"
Seb straightened. "You make me sound like some kind of monster. I'd never murder anyone."
"When my life is in danger, you lose yourself to your feral half. You allow him to take control. It terrifies me. How far would he go to protect me?" He met Seb's gaze, pleading for him to understand. "Something needs to change, Sebastian. If this is going to work, we need to change. I have to learn to lean on you, and you have to learn to take a step back and let me deal with uncomfortable situations."
Seb opened his mouth to reply, but Hudson placed his fingers to Seb's lips.
"I'm not asking you to step away completely. You're my mate, and you need to protect me, I understand, but if you come to my rescue for every little thing, it makes me feel weak, as if I can't take care of myself. All my life, I've been coddled, by my parents, my brothers and sisters. I don't want that from you. I need you to have faith in me."
Seb frowned, taking Hudson's hand and tenderly moving it away from his mouth. "I didn't know I made you feel that way."
"Not you, your actions, and although they come from a good place, it hurts me, hurts us."
"I'm sorry. I'll try harder." Seb lowered his head, but Hudson cupped his face, lifting it so he could place his lips to Seb's.
"We'll try harder. We're in this together, remember? I love you."
Seb's smile took Hudson's breath away. "I love you too, Lobito." He drew Hudson into his heavenly embrace, and Hudson closed his eyes, basking in Seb's warmth. He loved Seb's strength, loved how safe it made him feel, how loved and protected, but that didn't mean Hudson couldn't be strong enough for the both of them too. As he snuggled against Seb, inhaling his scent, he tried to think less about the madness around him and concentrated on the one thing that mattered most. He had his Sebastian back. Hudson smiled despite his worries. He'd spent so long living in the past; he couldn't wait to get started on their future.
"YOU'RE SMILING like a loon," Hudson muttered, tapping away at his tablet.
Inside he was as giddy as Nina, but he was hardly about to start giggling like some preteen with their first crush. He was determined to perform his duties as if nothing had changed. Word of his and Seb's reconciliation seemed to have spread through Unit Alpha like wildfire. Hudson was certain a gummy-bear-eating scoundrel was behind it. The man was a worse gossip than the tabloids, especially when he was excited about something. Hudson couldn't be upset, though; Dex had been so ridiculously happy for him. So had the rest of their unit, judging by all the smiles he'd received since arriving at work this morning. And what a morning it had been!
Hudson was still reeling from waking up in Seb's bed. He woke ten minutes before his alarm went off, like he always did, but this time was different. This time, when he turned, a lump formed in his throat at the beautiful sight before him. Seb lay asleep, long lashes against his cheeks, full lips slightly parted. He had one arm thrown over Hudson's waist, holding him close. Hudson studied his face, the barely there freckles sprinkled across his nose and cheeks, the dark stubble on his chiseled jaw. He couldn't keep from reaching out. He ran a thumb across one thick, dark eyebrow, and Seb moaned softly. He opened his eyes slowly, his lips spreading into a beautiful smile.
"Good morning, darling."
Seb pulled him closer and kissed the tip of his nose. "Great morning, Lobito."
That had been followed by Seb pouncing on him, the incredible sex waking him up like no amount of caffeine ever could.
Hudson let out a sigh before he could help himself, and Nina laughed at him, grabbing his arm and shaking him. So much for going on as if nothing had changed.
"Why are you trying to tear my arm off? Honestly, Nina. We're at a crime scene."
Nina rolled her eyes. "Fine. Pretend you're not squealing like a schoolgirl inside. Besides, we're all done here. Vic's on their way to the lab." She released him, and he scrunched up his nose. He was not squealing like a schoolgirl inside. His dreamy sigh was very adultlike.
A lovely breeze washed over Hudson as he stood downwind. It felt good against his face. Then a scent struck him from out of nowhere, sending a jolt of familiarity through him. He reeled back, his heart threatening to beat out of him. Sniffing the air, his lungs filled with the unmistakable scent, but it wasn't possible.
"Hudson?"
Hudson shook his head. It couldn't be. No. Not again.
The first time he'd smelled it, he told himself it was a mistake, a result of stress and sleepless nights. He'd been recovering from several gunshot wounds, followed by nightmares of that evening, and with everything going on with Seb, his mind conjured up the one scent he would have given anything to have again. Only there was no comfort this time, because there was no possible way this could be happening. His feral half woke, its fur bristling and fangs bare. It was confused, frightened, and angry. So much had happened in such a short time, and now this. He was feeling overwhelmed suddenly.
Hudson's vision sharpened, and his breath quickened into harsh pants. Oh God.
"Hudson, what's wrong?" Nina tried to get close, but he snarled at her, backing up near the shop door behind him. His body screamed in agony, and he wrapped his arms around himself. He was shivering, and darkness encroached on his vision. This wasn't supposed to happen. Not to him.
Before the darkness claimed him, he heard Nina's panicked voice.
"Seb, Hudson's going feral!"
SEB WAS pretty sure he'd broken every traffic law in existence. He didn't care. The lights on his Suburban flashed, the siren howling his approach as he sped through the city to get to Hudson. He had no idea what the hell was going on, but in all the years he'd known Hudson, his little wolf had never, ever lost himself to his feral half. Hell, Hudson might throw a tantrum and get pissy, but he never lost control. Period.