Hugh didn't know what caused Jonas to get angrier until he noticed the cut on Eli's lip as well. Jonas was trying hard to not show that he was protective of his little brother, so Hugh didn't bring it up, instead he turned his attention to his roommates. "Travis, Jaiden - get to the car."

Jaiden put his arm around Travis and started to steer him out of the St. Vincent's mob. But Jackson's hand reached out and ripped Travis out of Jaiden's grip and held him by the collar, lifting him off the ground.

"This is one is coming with me." He growled.

"Let go of me, you beefy bitch!" Travis yelled and tried to kick out.

Eli latched onto the arm holding Travis. "Jackson, you need to let him go."

Jackson snarled and pulled back his fist aiming it at Eli. Eli flinched and closed his eyes to expect the oncoming pain but it never came. He cracked opened his eyes and saw that Jonas was effortlessly holding back Jackson's arm with one hand. The other hand was casually in his pocket, as if Jackson was never a real threat.

Eli couldn't help but to be surprised when he saw the changed and, in his opinion, improved version of his brother. In the cafe, he was disguising himself, but now he saw his brother stand completely in his own element.

Eli knew that he was no longer Joey, the pompous Elite, who was all smiles and flattery. He wasn't Jo, the exhausted brother, who was dragging his body off the floor to take another hit from his father. He wasn't Jonas, the terrified son, who was pleading to be let out of the basement. He wasn't the dark and desolate Wolf, unsure where to direct his anger. He was something more. He was a protector, a dangerous King.

But even Eli had to shiver when he saw a foreign look in Jonas' eyes; a venomous look begging to let a murderous beast out.

Hugh pulled Eli away. "We got this now, kid." He whispered so no one but Eli heard. Eli let out a breath he didn't know he was holding and took several steps back.

"I suggest you fuck off, Jackson buddy." Hugh said with a laugh. "My friend doesn't like you."

Jackson at first didn't understand why his hand stopped at first, but was caught by surprise when he saw the look in Jonas' eyes. Jonas tightened his grip, making Jackson feel a sharp pain shoot up his arm.

Jonas growled because Jackson was still holding on to Travis. "Release him or lose your arm."

Jackson shuddered a little and lost his grip on Travis. Travis ripped out of his hand and brushed off his jacket like it was dirty. "I suggest you still break that arm, Jo. Fuck him."

Hugh patted him on the back. "Go to the car. We're going to have a little fun right now."

Jonas let go of Jackson when Travis and Jaiden made it to the car. Hugh found his place next to Jonas again, arm around his shoulders. Sam, Rodgers, and Millan stood on either side of them, watching the St. Vincent's people closely.

Jackson and a few others were new to St. Vincent's and Jonas didn't recognize them. He could tell by their bodies that they knew about fighting, but they were not honed fighters. Jackson gave them a laugh. "What the hell are you five going to do against 30, and more on the way?"

Jonas gave an arrogant scoff. "St. Vincent's can't even put me down when I am by myself. Even if they have the element of surprise, the numbers, and bats. So against you cowardly motherfuckers, five Kings are more than enough."

Hugh growled next to Jonas, giving Lukas a piercing glare.

Lukas gulped. "Come on, Joey. It's the Hunt."

Jonas' eyes narrowed and darkened when he heard the nickname from the old friend's mouth. It sounded worse coming from Lukas than it did Rodgers.

Joey Spencer, the Golden Boy, the one sitting on the St. Vincent's throne. But then his friends turned on him and stripped him of his status and a name all together. He became the 'Wolf'. An animal. They even had the teachers calling him that. It was ridiculous to think that Lukas had the gall to call him any name now other than Wolf.

"You should have heeded my warning. I'm normally not that nice." Jonas said darkly.

Jackson shoved Lukas to the side and pointed to the Kings. "Who the fuck are you?"

Jonas had his hands in his pocket and his face split in an eerie grin. "How about a hint?" He leaned forward. "I huff and I puff."

Hugh grinned. "Do you get it now Jackson buddy? Or do you need time to process that?"

The murmurs were low around them, but everyone spoke the same words. "The Wolf became a King?"

Once Jackson caught on he turned towards Eli with a glare. "Your fucking brother is a King?"

Eli gave Jonas a quick glance and Jonas rubbed his fist. It was another signal that only they knew, indicating that they needed to fight to throw off suspicion. Eli gave him an understanding look, but there was a little pain behind it.

"I just found out he was going to Hawkings, which was why I was trying to stop you. I didn't know about him being a King. It's not like he has time for his family anymore." He said with a hiss.

Lukas grinned and put his arm around Eli as if trying to comfort him, but they both knew that it was to rile up Jonas.

"You call that shit show a family?" Jonas asked with a cold laugh.

Eli glared. He grabbed the water bottle that was attached to his backpack and threw it at Jonas' head.

Jonas moved out of the way and dodged it with an amused snort. "Shit, you should have practiced baseball instead of piano, Eli."

"Fuck you." Eli hissed. "You should have just stayed out of my life, you son of a bitch."

Jonas chuckled. "Son of a bitch? I really am a son of a bitch and son of a bastard."

Eli launched himself at Jonas, but Lukas grabbed him and pulled him back. "Eli, calm down! You can't fight him."

Jonas laughed. "Listen to Lukas, baby brother. Don't hurt your delicate little fingers."

His tone was hard, but Jonas was grateful for Lukas. He unknowingly helped the situation. With their argument, Jackson no longer bothered with Eli and believed that he and Jonas were truly at odds with each other. This allowed him to calm some of the building anxiety.

Lukas glared at him. "You have no right calling him your brother when you disappeared from his life for over half a year. And now you show up like this - with them? You used to want to protect your friends, but now you can't even stand up for your own brother?"

His moment of gratefulness disappeared as quickly as it appeared. He wanted to slam his fist in Lukas' throat and stop him from talking. Jonas took a deep breath and his eyes softened a little, looking at Eli. "You're actually right about something. I am a shit brother. Eli has earned quite a few free hits so you can let him go and have at it."

Eli's face flashed with emotion, but he quickly masked it. "Go to hell, Wolf." He said coldly.

"Wolf King, baby brother." Jonas growled.

Eli flipped him off as a response before he turned and walked away from the crowd.

Lukas was cracking up while Jonas watched the retreating figure. When he saw Eli get into his car and drive away, he relaxed a little. He didn't need to be as tense as he was.

Lukas crossed his arms over his chest and stared down Jonas. "You know, we used to have each other's back for 6 years, Wolf. You discard all of your old friend and replaced them with a pack of mutts." He jutted out his chin, indicating the Kings surrounding him.

The Kings got riled up hearing him dare to bring up old friendship, trying to make Jonas look like the one in the wrong. The one that got most agitated was Hugh. He was about to step forward when Jonas quickly pulled him back.

"Having my back? I wouldn't consider cracking me in the head with a bat as 'having my back'. I know it was you who took the first swing at me that night. As for my pack... I would choose them over you, Lukas, any day." Jonas said with a dark chuckle.

Sam and Rodgers paused and glanced at the scar the back of his head. They have seen it since Jonas had cut his hair, but never asked about it. Millan was there when they discovered the scar and Jonas shared his story. More about Jonas' past was coming together for him. The rumors that they have heard about the Wolf now had merit, and now they knew who was possibly behind it. They all shared a cold look threw out curses at Lukas.

Hugh trembled with rage. "I am going to rip him apart."

Jonas had to smile inwardly because of how protective his friends and Hugh were. He had been alone for too long and stopped trusting people, including Chuck to some extent. He never could open up about himself. But his new friends protected and cared for him, more than St. Vincent's ever could.

Out of all of them, Hugh has stirred something brand new inside of him. He always attached to him, but after their moment in the car, Jonas felt an unparalleled amount of affection for Hugh. And when he saw Hugh become angry on his behalf, he felt a fire burn in this stomach. It took a lot of effort to not hold Hugh and taste his tantalizing lips again in front of everyone.

Even in this moment when all hell could break loose, his eyes captured everything about Hugh. The way his green eyes darkened with anger. The crease of his brown. The pursing of his soft lips. How his jaw flexed and accentuated his jawline. How his long fingers clenched in fists, causing his arms to flex.

"Hugh." Jonas said quietly, but his tone was soft and gentle. It rolled off of his tongue like velvet. It surprised Jonas himself, and the others who were close enough to hear it. Jonas never expected himself to call out like that, but it felt right like he was calling to his lover.

Hugh was conflicted because he wanted to fight, but he also wanted to just drag Jonas away and have his way with him. He let the tremors pass after hearing Jonas say his name and then stepped back with a shaky breath. "Shit."

He wanted to hear it again, but bit his lip to stop himself from asking Jonas. They were friends but always had something more between them. They had terms of endearment and even slept in the same bed. They were close the moment that they met. But the kiss finally unleashed what they never dared to admit - their untapped desire.