by Mary Rundle
“No-o-o, I don’t think so. Aunt Hope spent most of her time in her bedroom or on the back porch which faced the woods.”
“What about the other pack members who lived with you?”
“No one lived with us…it was just family…like your father and mother’s house was. All pack business was conducted in the pack hall. It’s a communal place for pack members to meet; we had dances there and other social events,” explained Hunter.
“Gotcha. So no one knows my mother is alive, correct?”
“The only person other than me and my brothers is my father’s brother, who became Alpha of the Rolling Hill Pack.”
“Can he be trusted?” asked Jackson, then, seeing his cousin grimace, continued, “Look, I’m not implying he can’t but without knowing why you turned down becoming Alpha, I’m just going over all the possibilities. If Josiah finds out my mother is alive, I’m sure he’ll want to kill her…hell, he’ll have to kill her. That’ll put me and my brothers, our mates, the pups and the other members of my pack in extreme danger. It’s something I want to be prepared for.”
Looking down at the floor, Hunter knew Jackie was subtly probing, trying to find the reason he’d rejected becoming Alpha. And honestly, he would have done the same if he was in his cousin’s shoes, but he wasn’t going to tell him. Flicking his gaze up, staring at Jackson, Hunter responded, “While I can’t be a hundred percent sure he can be trusted, I’m pretty sure he won’t say anything. But if I were you, I wouldn’t trust anyone, so my advice is to make plans for the worst possible case.” Frustrated at the game he was sure his cousin was playing, Hunter decided to take control. Slapping his thighs loudly, he stood up and began pacing. His wolf was angry, the scent of his mate was strong in the pack house and Hunter was fucking tired of waiting. Stopping in front of Jackson, he growled, “Enough with the twenty questions. I did what you wanted, now please introduce me to my mate.”
Chapter 9
“Sit down, Hunter,” Jackson said, stonily. Whether his cousin liked it or not, there were still things to discuss before Hunter met with one of Jackson’s pack members.
Stalking around the room, his anger evident, Hunter tried to ignore Jackie’s command, but finally was forced to do as ordered. “Fine, I’m sitting,” he said petulantly, “now what?”
Seeing how close his cousin was to the edge, Jackson sighed, making a decision he hoped wouldn’t come back to bite him. “Even though there are issues we need to discuss, I’m willing to wait on those if you promise not to pressure your mate to leave with you until I’m satisfied he’s doing it of his own free will.”
Clenching his teeth, Hunter nodded, knowing he had little choice since he didn’t know what relationship his mate had with Jackson.
“Okay, then, there are four members who could be your mate.” Opening a file on his computer, Jackson selected the photographs, then opened them. Turning his monitor around, he asked, “Which one is it?”
Hunter’s eyes zeroed in on the face of his mate. “That one,” he said, pointing to one of the images.
Fuck no! Keeping his face expressionless, Jackson said, “Okay.” After sending a text, Jackson said, “I’ve asked him to come to my study.”
“What’s his name?” Hunter asked, determined to get at least that piece of information.
“Fionn MacDùghlas.”
“He’s Scottish?”
“Yes, he is,” Jackson said, tapping his fingers on the desk, then, making a decision, continued, “He’s a dragon, Hunter.”
A dragon? The Fates gave me a dragon as my Fated Mate? Fucking hell! Staring at his cousin, Hunter was stunned into silence, trying to sort it all out. He’d better say something soon, he thought, or Jackie might misconstrue his reaction. “I thought the Fates were very selective when it came to picking the mate of a dragon. I mean…aren’t dragons usually mated to other dragons?”
“Well, I guess they had a good reason for picking a wolf shifter to be his mate,” Jackson replied.
Hunter’s eyes narrowed at the tone of his cousin’s voice. Studying the taut expression on Jackson’s face, he said, “And let me guess…you’re not happy about it.”
Shrugging his shoulders, Jackson replied, “Not my call.”
“But if it were, you wouldn’t have picked me.”
“Don’t go there, Hunter. It’s not my call so what I would or wouldn’t have done is not important. What is important is Fionn and his feelings,” Jackson said.
“But that’s where you’re wrong, Jackie. Fionn is your pack member and you’re his Alpha— he’s going to look to you about this mating and if he senses you’re not happy with it…”
“Stop! You’re out of line, Hunter,” Jackson ordered. “You have no right to imply I’d do anything other than help one of my pack members regarding the Fates’ choice of a mate for him. If I were you, I’d be very careful about criticizing your mate’s Alpha, especially in front of him.”
Swallowing his retort, Hunter knew his cousin was right about that, at least not until he found out more about why a dragon was in a wolf pack—something he was sure Jackson wasn’t going to reveal to him. Damn! Deciding not to engage in a power struggle right now, Hunter asked, “Where’s Fionn?”
Picking up his phone and seeing no reply had come, he sent a message to his mate. “I just asked Steel to find him and bring him here.”
Hunter’s wolf clawed to get out, sensing a problem with their mate. Finally, unable to control his wolf any longer, Hunter felt a shift begin; his body began vibrating as his bones lengthened. Forced out of his chair, Hunter desperately fought his wolf, demanding he back down, but without success.
Looking up from his phone, realizing his cousin was no longer in control of his wolf, Jackson stood and rolled out his Alpha power at full strength.
Whimpering, Hunter’s wolf retreated, cowering in submission on his belly, exposing his ruff to the more powerful wolf. Hunter fell to his knees; Jackson’s power and the sudden withdrawal of his wolf, left him unable to stand. Exposing his neck to Jackson, Hunter felt fear invade his body as he finally realized his cousin was no ordinary Alpha.
Slamming the door open, Steel stood in the doorway to Jackson’s study, partially shifted, snarling. Seeing Hunter, he strode over, picked him up by his shirt and shook him violently. “Don’t you ever threaten my mate again!” he thundered.
Unable to shift as long as Jackson’s Alpha power held him in thrall, Hunter tried to utter an apology but couldn’t. Finally, desperate to stop the assault, Hunter forced his body to go limp, surrendering to the huge wolf holding him.
“Babe, put him down!” Jackson said, jumping up and placing a hand on his mate’s arm. “It wasn’t me he was after. I think his wolf is sensing something’s happened to his mate.”
Feeling coolness wash over his heated body smothering the flames of anger and calming him, Steel released Hunter, letting him fall to the floor. “Who’s his mate? Oh fuck, it’s Fionn, isn’t it? That’s why you want him?”
“Yes, did you find him?”
“I found his phone in his room but he’s not there. As far as I can tell, he’s not even in the house.”
Pulling back his power, Jackson reached down, helping his cousin up. “What caused your wolf to get so riled up, Hunter?”
Once on his feet and free of Jackson’s Alpha power, Hunter backed up, his wolf demanding they stay a safe distance away from his cousin and Steel. Shaking his head, Hunter said, “I don’t know who you are any more, Jackie, but you’re not the cousin I knew. We’ll be leaving now.” Ignoring his wolf’s howl at his words, Hunter, turned and rushed from the study, hell bent on putting as much distance between him and Jackson as possible.
~/~/~/~/~
Slate wheeled his mate next to his mother’s bed while Ian stood by, and Dakota reached out for her hand. He stared down her, lying motionless, and the reality that she’d survived the massacre slowly began to sink in. Trying hard not to think about what she’d gone through, he lifte
d her hand and kissed it, hoping she’d know it was him, alive and waiting for her to wake up. Lowering his head, he rested his forehead on the bed, tears steadily falling while memories of her flickered through his mind like an old movie. Mama, please, please, mama, come back to me…
Privy to his mate’s thoughts and emotions, Slate prayed for Dakota’s wish to come true. Placing his hand on his mate’s back, he felt the trembling caused by Dakota’s sobs. Slowly moving his hand in soothing circles, he offered comfort, hoping to ease Dakota’s pain.
“Dakota,” Ian murmured, “Time for you to go back to bed.”
Lifting his tear streaked face, Dakota pleaded, “Just a little more, please, Ian. My mom needs me, and I can’t fail her again.”
Crouching next to his mate’s wheelchair, Slate hugged Dakota. “No babe, you’re wrong because you never failed her…not once. And when she wakes, she’ll tell you that. Think about the joy seeing your face will give her, knowing she hasn’t lost everyone…that some of her pups survived. Think of the happiness our pup will give her…another baby to hold, cuddle, and love. And none of this would’ve been possible if you and your brothers hadn’t stopped in Las Vegas. If you hadn’t survived…if your brothers hadn’t survived. No babe, don’t ever think you failed her because you are exactly where you need to be to help your mother overcome her sorrow and grief. You and your brothers are the Fates’ gift to your mother. Understand?”
Listening to his mate’s words, realizing the truth in them, Dakota wiped his tears away, “My mom will love our sprout.”
“I know she will,” Slate smiled. “Between your mother and mine, our son will be so spoiled.”
“No, he won’t…but he will be loved, won’t he? No matter who he is.”
“Absolutely, babe. C’mon, let’s get you back to your bed and make sure our sprout and you get some rest tonight. Tomorrow, we can come back,” Slate assured his mate.
“Okay.” Giving his mother another kiss, Dakota looked at Ian, who’d been standing silently by. “Please take care of her, Ian.”
“I will, I promise,” Ian said. “Tomorrow, Dakota, when you come back here, please talk to her. Even in a coma, she may hear you.”
Eyes shining brightly, finally knowing he could do something to help his mother, Dakota said, “I will…promise.”
“Good, now off you go. It’s time to check your mother’s vitals,” Ian said.
Standing, Slate leaned down and gave his mate’s mother a kiss on her check, whispering, “Wake up soon, Hope, your sons are waiting for you.” Grabbing the handles of the wheelchair, he then rolled Dakota back to his room.
~/~/~/~/~
Storming through the great room toward the front door, Hunter’s anger grew with each step, knowing he didn’t deserve the treatment his cousin and mate were giving him. Fucking assholes! Both of them! I’m fucking family and they treat me like shit!
Wait! What about our mate? His wolf was talking to him.
Hunter’s steps faltered for a moment when he heard his wolf. It didn’t happen often, but he knew better than to ignore him. What about him? He’s gone. He doesn’t want us.
Yes, he does. He’s young…you need to give him time.
Right, something my fucking cousin doesn’t want to give me. He’s been hiding Fionn from us since he first figured out our mate was a member of his pack.
Why would he do that? He can’t change that Fionn is our mate.
Because my little cousin is a megalomaniac…obsessed with power, that’s why. You felt his power…it’s not normal.
That’s why we need to protect Fionn. What will happen to him if we leave now? Who will save him from the madman?
How are we supposed to fight that kind of power? You were as helpless as I was. What good will the two of us be if my fucking cousin uses his power against us again? Face it, Wolf, the Fates fucked up when they gave us a mate from my cousin’s pack.
You’re wrong! I won’t leave our mate defenseless.
Sorry, you don’t get a choice in the matter. Reaching the door of the motorhome, Hunter yanked it open and climbed in. Ignoring his brothers who were sitting at the dinette table, he marched to the front, slipping the key into the ignition, starting the engine.
Confused at his brother’s actions, Mason exchanged glances with Mac before asking, “What the fuck are you doing, Hunt?”
“Leaving. I did what mom wanted, so it’s time to go home.”
Jumping up, Mason reached for the keys and pulled them out.
Snarling at his brother, Hunter tried to snatch them from Mason’s hand. “Give ‘em to me! I said, we’re leaving.”
“You can’t. Quin has…”
“Quin will be happy to hear he won’t have to stay here for two fucking weeks. Give. Me. The. Keys.”
“No. You didn’t listen. Quin has two bear shifters in his bedroom…two bear shifters who are members of the Blackwood Pack,” Mason explained.
Bear shifters? A dragon? In a wolf pack? And who knows what kind of a fucking wolf Jackson’s mate is…certainly not one I ever read about. Fuck it! Fuck it! Fuck it! Hunter stood and headed for his brother’s bedroom, determined to see the bear shifters for himself. Nudging the cracked-open door just a bit wider so as not to startle the bears, he peeked in and stared incredulously at the scene in front of him. His youngest brother—the one who was painfully shy in front of strangers, the one who hid himself from anyone who wasn’t family—was laughing and talking with the two young bear shifters as if he’d known them his whole life. Slowly backing out, he turned to Mason who’d followed him to the bedroom. Hunter’s mouth opened and shut; he was at a loss for words.
“I know…amazing isn’t it?” Mason said, taking his brother by the arm. “Let’s go outside and talk.”
Letting himself be led by Mason outside and away from the motorhome Hunter found himself under a huge pine, staring at his brother. “Why? How? I don’t understand…Quin…our Quin and bear shifters?”
“Their names are Theodore and Norman and they’re engaged to be married,” Mason explained. “Cody and his mate rescued them along with Kieran—the Shaman who saved Aunt Hope—from a prison in a country I never heard of. They were about to be sold at auction as sex slaves and after Jackson found out what they’d gone through, he offered them membership in his pack.”
“But how did Quin meet them?” asked Hunter.
“Theodore’s training to be a chef so he made us some sandwiches and brought them out to us. He found out about Quin and before I could stop him, he was in our brother’s bedroom, chatting about romance novels.”
“How long have they been in with Quin?” asked Hunter.
“Well, almost as long as you’ve been in the pack house. Speaking of which, did you meet your mate?” Mason asked.
“No, Jackson doesn’t want me to be the mate of a member of his pack,” growled Hunter.
“What? Uhmm, sorry to break the news to him, he doesn’t have anything to do with it.”
“Yeah? Well go tell him that.”
“Oh shit, Hunt,” Mason said, glancing at the pack house over his brother’s shoulder. “Tell me what happened.”
~/~/~/~/~
“Oh fuck, babe. I’m sorry,” Steel said after Hunter bolted from the room.
“Don’t be, it wasn’t you. My Alpha power is causing Hunter’s concern,” Jackson said, heading for the door.
“Wait! Where are you going?” asked Steel.
Pausing, Jackson looked at his mate. “I have to find Hunter, so I know what caused his wolf to ignore his commands. If it’s because Fionn’s in danger, I’ll need Hunter’s connection to him to help me. In the meantime, see if Theo, Norm or Zane know where Fionn is.” After Steel nodded, Jackson followed Hunter’s scent, tinged with pheromones of fear and anger, neither of which he could blame his cousin for feeling.
Using all his Alpha power wasn’t something he normally would have done, but then, Jackson wasn’t going to take any chances with the lengths a wolf wou
ld go to when seeking his mate. There were others he was responsible for, including Daniel and Jake and Jessica, innocent pups who would never stand a chance against a charging full-grown wolf. Jackson opened the front door, half expecting to see the motorhome gone but it was still in the driveway. Sighing with relief, he headed for it, knowing that if Hunter wasn’t in it, he’d be close by since he’d never leave his brothers alone—especially knowing what Jackson was capable of.
After listening to a brief recital from Hunter about the tempest in the study, Mason glanced over his brother’s shoulder and, seeing Jackson coming towards them groaned, knowing there’d be more fireworks and soon. “Hunt,” he said, “we have to find your mate so forget about the shit that happened.” Holding his hand up to stop his brother from objecting, he continued, “The Fates gave you a freaking dragon as a mate—you, a powerful Alpha in your own right—so there has to be a reason why. If Jackson’s a crazy asshole, then you have to save your mate because you’ll never forgive yourself if something happens to him. Now, get your fucking wolf and yourself under control cause Jackson’s almost here.”
Chapter 10
Fionn awoke shivering, his mind flashing back to the morning he found himself chained up in a cold, damp cave in Scotland. Fear filled him as he attempted to free himself, only to find he was safe, protected by the stone walls housing his hoard. Exhaling in relief, he sat up on his bed of gold coins, running his fingers through them, feeling his dragon grow more powerful.
His thoughts turned to the cousin who smiled at him when he was standing on the porch, kindling a bond. And it was that unsettling knowledge that drove his decision to flee the pack house, needing to buy time to come to terms with what was happening. Grimacing at the thought that the man was his mate, Fionn shook his head, unwilling to believe it. No fucking way…my mate? It can’t be, can it? It was too soon after the battles he’d fought to be free to even think of submitting to another’s control, yet it seemed the Fates thought otherwise.
