“Yes,” Theo grinned. “His real name is Norman.”
No matter how hard Brady tried, he just couldn’t wrap his mind around a powerful male Alpha ever allowing the dress. Not that he had any problem with a man wearing one since there were more than a few low-level male magic users who did. In fact, they were highly prized by a certain group of high-level magic users. It was what those particular low-level magic users were force to do that enraged him because it went against the witches’ moral code. When he brought it up before the governing council, his complaint was quickly dismissed. Brady kept reminding himself that both Mystia and Oracle had vouched for Jackson, but now he needed more. And who better to provide him with answers than the bear shifter. “Theo, what does Quin do in the pack?”
Shrugging, he said, “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Well, you work in the kitchen…”
“No, I’m an intern…at least that’s what Cody calls it. I want to be a chef so Dakota is teaching me, and when he can’t, Steel or Miss L steps in.”
Nodding, Brady said, “I understand…so is Quin an intern too?”
“Noo…at least not that I know. Q just joined the pack so maybe he hasn’t decided what he wants to do.”
While Brady was mollified that Quin wasn’t being abused sexually, the jury was still out regarding the acceptance of a male wolf shifter wearing female clothes. “Does anyone in the pack object to Quin’s desire to wear dresses? What about the Alpha?”
“Jackson?” Theo squeaked. Shaking his head vigorously, he said, “Never! Jackson’s the best Alpha ever. Oh, my gods, I can’t believe you think he’d ever be mean to Q.”
“I just wanted to make sure, Theo, since I’ve seen it happen before,” Brady murmured, slightly embarrassed.
“You have nothing to worry about. Jackson would never allow anyone to mistreat Q. He is so protective of all of us. Pooh bear and I were hot messes when they rescued us and look at us now…I’m learning how to be a chef and pooh bear is learning all about business…and we’re getting married soon. We owe it all to Jackson and his brothers. Nope, the Fates smiled on me and pooh bear when they sent Cody and Dylon to get us out of Arald’s hell.”
Brady felt his worries fade after listening to Theo’s ringing endorsement of Jackson. Maybe, just maybe, success against the Witches’ Council was within reach this time, especially if Jackson and his pack were on Brady’s side.
~/~/~/~/~
Staring at the ceiling for the past hour, Fionn decided to get up, wondering if the answers he was searching for would come easier to him. Inching slowly out from under Hunter’s arm that was pinning him to the mattress, he listened to his mate’s breathing, pausing whenever there was a hitch to it. Finally free, he climbed out of bed carefully, making sure not to jostle Hunter. His bare feet padded softly over to the chair by the window.
Sinking into its deep cushions, he sat bathed in moonlight, his mind revisiting what he learned from Oracle…trying to make sense of it. But no matter how many times he mulled things over, he was overwhelmed. There was just so much to process, beginning with his father being gay.How could he hate me but love Alex? We’re both gay.He knew in his heart that until he could understand that contradiction, it would be impossible for him to decide about meeting Alex.
Once again, Fionn thought about seeing his mother, but just as he’d decided since first learning about his half-brother, he rejected it because of the pain it would cause her. And to make matters worse, his dragon wanted to meet his half-brother dragon and welcome him into the family.But what about me? Will Alex even understand what our father did to me? And then, what if Alex doesn’t like me? What if he blames me for killing his father? How can I ever justify that?Taking away his only parent. I know I could never forgive that if I were in his shoes.
Rubbing his head in frustration, Fionn considered his options. Finally, he rose, walking over to Hunter. Shaking him gently, he called softly, “Mate…mate?”
Groaning, Hunter slowly turned over until his eyes met Fionn’s. Seeing the worry in them, he sat up and asked, “Pet, are you okay?”
Shaking his head, Fionn replied, “I have to go to my hoard…do you want to come with me?”
“You want to go now? Can’t it wait until morning?”
A tear rolled down Fionn’s cheek. He was so tired?tired of thinking, tired of fighting his dragon, tired of his father still affecting his life…all he wanted to do was to forget everything. And the only way that was going to happen was to let his gold soothe him until he fell asleep. “I need to go…now.”
Hearing the pain in his mate’s voice, Hunter understood what Fionn needed him to do. Using his thumb to brush away his mate’s tear, he said, “Let’s go, pet.”
