Primal Law (Alpha Pack #1)(44)

There was no mistaking the profound relief as he answered. "If you don't mind."

"No problem."

He tried a smile and then walked past her, head high, as though to his doom. But she wasn't worried. Dr. Mallory might not be all shits and giggles, but she seemed fair.

Maybe the doc just needed to get laid.

Thinking of Jax and where that mentality had gotten her, she made a face.

Then again, maybe not.

Chapter Eight

"Watch out! Brace with your left leg, not your right!"

Jaxon grappled for leverage, fighting both a losing battle with Zan and his own goddamned bum leg. He wanted to yell at Aric that he was trying and to kindly f**k off, but he couldn't bellow at his friend and breathe through the pain at the same time.

Sweat trickled down his face and sides and his mangled leg trembled as Zan used his position to his advantage, bowing Jax backward to force their combined weight onto the limb. Zan had him in a bear hug, his embrace every bit as powerful and unbreakable as a grizzly's. All he had to do was be patient and wear Jax down, drive him to exhaustion.

It was pathetic how quickly he'd done it.

Then suddenly, Zan let up, loosened his hold. Distracted by the relief of being able to straighten, thinking their bout was over, Jax was taken completely by surprise when Zan delivered a swift kick to his injured leg.

"Aaah, fuuuuck!" he yelled, agony sweeping through his muscles like a blowtorch. The leg buckled and he went down hard, the thick gym mat cushioning his fall. To his shame, he could do nothing but writhe on the mat, breathing hard and pounding his fist, riding out the waves of sickness rising in his throat.

"Hey, low blow!" Aric shouted. Jax was barely aware of the redhead leaping from his spot on the bleachers and jogging over to shove Zan. "What the hell, ass**le?"

Zan ignored him and raised his thumb and forefinger as though shooting a gun aimed between Jaxon's eyes. "And boom, you're dead."

Aric shoved Zan again and got right in his face. "I'm talkin' to you, needledick. What gives with that bullshit? You're supposed to be his best bud, and you put him on the ground like a f**kin' dog!"

Jaxon wasn't sure what amazed him more-Zan doing just what Aric said, or Aric leaping to Jaxon's defense. Wasn't it just this morning that he'd taken a chunk out of the red wolf for getting too cozy with Kira? And here the man was, ready to do the same to Zan for delivering the cheap shot.

The two men glared at each other as Zan replied. "What do you think a demon would do in battle? Or someone with a gun? Apologize and offer to kiss his boo-boos? Get a grip, man. We can't help him improve his skills by coddling him."

Aric's lip curled. "But you're not the enemy, you prick. He can't get better with you whacking away at the damage."

"I disagree."

"Why don't ya take a shot at someone who can whoop your ass?"

Jesus. Sitting up with a grimace, Jax reached out and tapped Aric's calf. "At ease, soldier. He's right. Help me up, would you?"

The pair stared each other down a few seconds longer. Aric relented first and reached to lend him a hand. Zan grabbed the other and together they hauled him to his feet. Another bolt of pain rocketed through the complaining limb, but he managed to steady himself by briefly holding on to Zan's shoulder.

At their questioning looks, he nodded. "I'm good. Gonna go grab a shower and see Melina before lunch."

"Christ, Jax, did I hurt you that bad?" Zan asked, eyes wide. "God, I'm sorry!"

"No," he said with a short, humorless laugh. "Something else entirely."

"What's going on?" This from Aric, who was frowning in concern. "You sick?"

"Don't think so." He paused. "Not sure. I've got this burning itch-"

"Eewww." Zan gave him a teasing grin. "Thought we couldn't get those kinds of diseases anymore."

"Ha-ha, very funny. It's not that sort of itch; it's all over, just under my skin. No rash or anything, but it's driving me insane." Especially when she's around, and then I have the unbearable urge to bite her. But he refrained from telling them that part.

Zan pushed a hand through his black hair. "Huh. Well, if anyone can figure it out, Melina can. Let us know you're okay after you talk to her."

"You bet. Walk me out?"

He didn't really need any help, but he wasn't about to leave them there alone to possibly get into another argument. Aric's combustible temper was going to be his downfall someday.

In the hallway, at the junction leading to his quarters, however, he had no option but to leave them to their own devices as they headed toward the rec room. At least they both seemed calm now. They could handle their difference of opinion like adults. He hoped.

In his bedroom, he stripped and showered without rushing, letting the hot water cascade over his aching muscles. Bracing his hands against the tile, he hung his head and fought back the feelings of worthlessness threatening to take over. He was no good to his team in this condition, but Nick had stood firm against him quitting Alpha Pack. God knows why.

The boss had his reasons and Jaxon was sure he didn't want to be privy to them.

A small, insistent voice in his brain reminded him that he'd handled the bastards attacking Kira just fine. In wolf form, he wasn't weak. Wasn't less. But how could she, or any woman, love the beast as well as the man?