"So you're actually giving this up?" Jeremy's voice comes low and incredulous, heavy with frustration and disbelief.
He leans slightly forward, his arms crossed, watching Fenris like he's daring him to flinch. "You're just deciding to quit? That must be your new quality, because I've never known you to be a quitter."
Fenris doesn't snap back immediately. His jaw tightens, but he doesn't turn around. His silence speaks volumes, not because he doesn't care, but because he can't afford to let himself unravel more than he already has.
"I would hate myself forever if I let my pack go to hell knowingly," he mutters after a long pause, the weight in his voice pressed down like a stone lodged in his throat. "But what choice do I have?"
"Plenty. Actually, there's plenty of choices." Jeremy doesn't back down. He moves a step closer, planting his feet as if steadying himself for a fight. "Okay, I know this is going to anger you, but come on, just listen. Just hear me out. And promise me you'll let me finish talking before you shut me down."
Fenris says nothing, but the tension in his shoulders says enough. "Just say it," he finally mutters, the words tight with warning.
Jeremy breathes in slowly. "Alright. I'm not saying that the person you brought home tonight is your mate, but..."
"If it's that," Fenris cuts in, voice sharp and final, "don't bother saying it. Use that energy to do something effective like finding my trophy, the only thing that reminds me I was ever worthy."
But Jeremy doesn't stop. His voice comes firm now, pushing past the interruption with determination. "He or she, whatever gender it is, gave you your strength back."
Fenris's hands curl into fists at his sides, but he doesn't speak.
Jeremy presses on. "Fenris, thirty years old is not far from here. You know what happens when you get there unmated, even the moon goddess herself considers you unworthy because there's something you did really wrong that made her not give you a mate. There's no redemption after that point. None. You'll be nothing. You'll fade out. You won't just lose the pack, you'll lose every single thing. Even a human could blow at you and you'd fly away. As weak and forgotten as no one has ever been. Unseen."
He watches Fenris closely, searching his posture for any break. Any sign that something he's saying is landing. But Fenris stands motionless, like a man carved from stone and barely holding shape.
Jeremy's voice drops a little, "If you don't want to do this for the pack, fine. But at least do it for yourself."
Still, Fenris doesn't turn. His silence is louder than any outburst.
"You don't have to claim him," Jeremy continues, slower this time, trying not to push too hard. "You don't have to tell anyone. You don't have to present him to the pack. You don't even have to look at him again after. But you can still find redemption from him before it's too late."
His voice gains a little strength as he steps even closer. "Just one night, Fenris. That's all. One night alone won't cost you anything. It won't kill you. Just one night. You mate with him and mark him, that's it. Then you both go your separate ways. You'll have what you need. You'll get your strength back. He'll go back to his own life. You'll have time to think clearly again, time to decide what comes next, instead of letting Callum decide it for you.
For a moment, Fenris doesn't breathe. The words circle him like smoke, burning and suffocating all at once. His eyes fix on the floor, expression unreadable, but his fists are clenched so tightly the veins in his hands have begun to rise.
"I understand, it's not easy." Fenris continues, "I've never been with a man myself, and I've never even heard of it happening, but if he gives you what you truly need, then why not?"
Without a word Fenris turns on his heel and walks straight past Jeremy, not sparing him so much as a glance.
His footsteps echo sharply against the floor, each one louder than the last, he leaves Jeremy talking to a space that no longer holds anyone.
Jeremy lets out a long, bitter breath, dragging a hand through his hair as he shakes his head.
"Fine. Whatever," he mutters under his breath, voice low and tired. "Suit yourself, Alpha."
He lingers for a moment, staring after where Fenris left, then finally turns to go, his steps quieter, but no less heavy.
But just as he turns away, a thought sparks in his mind, his steps falter as he spins around and follows Fenris down the hallway.
He catches up but keeps a careful distance. His voice drops, almost a whisper, wary of the way sound travels in this house. "Which pub did you find him?"
Fenris doesn't answer right away. He keeps walking, his steps clipped and even, not once turning his head.
Jeremy tries again, a little firmer. "If I'm going to have to find him and get your things back, then at least I need some more details."
"A rat like that?" Fenris finally replies, voice low and unreadable. "I don't think he does things like that in just one place. He might be all over the country right now."
Jeremy doesn't ask any more questions. He just turns and walks out, heading straight for his car.
He doesn't know where he's supposed to find this person.. not even sure who exactly he's looking for. Fenris says it's a man, while he still thinks it's a woman.
But right now, that doesn't matter. He's not going to let Fenris decide what he wants... not when it's obvious he isn't thinking straight.
So Jeremy will find the man, he'll track him down, draw him in, and bring him close. If this person really is Fenris's mate, then the bond will speak for itself.
It shreds reason and swallows pride. And Fenris? He has lived too long without one. If it's real, if this is truly his mate, then they'll see how long Fenris can fight something that was never meant to be resisted.
The bond between true mates is maddening, the longing becomes unbearable.
So if it's true... it'll only be a matter of time before it breaks him.