“How do you know?”
“Oh boy, are you going to be busy chasing after him now,” Mac said.
“Oh heck, I bet Jake and Jessica won’t be far behind,” Dylon groaned.
“It’ll be good practice for you and Cody when you babysit our triplets,” Ian said.
“Wait…” said Cody. “What do you mean, watch your triplets?” He looked at Colton and Ian. “Why would you think we’d do that?”
“Because you owe me, remember?” Colton smirked.
“Ahh…owe you for what? I don’t remember promising you that,” Cody said.
“Not that, specifically, but you did say that each of my brothers…including you…owed me a favor…any time…anything, after I agreed to talk to Steel about what you wanted to do in Seattle? Now do you remember?” Colton asked.
Realization dawned on Cody as the memory of making that promise came back to him. “Oh shit!”
“So glad we cleared that up,” said Colton, grinning at his triplet.
“And just so you know,” Ian said, “we have a hard and fast rule about no swearing around our pups.”
Shaking his head, Cody glared at his brother. “You know, I never figured you for having a mean streak.”
“Better you babysit than me,” Zane said, smirking.
“Why not us?” asked David. “I would love to babysit Colton and Ian’s pups.”
“Are you volunteering?” asked Colton.
“No, he’s not!” exclaimed Zane. Then, turning to David, he asked, “You aren’t, right?”
“I think it’s an excellent idea,” Jackson said, sitting down next to his mate.
Zane’s head spun, seeking out his older brother. “No, it’s not. Don’t you remember what happened when I watched Daniel and he crawled into the mud puddle? I still believe he’s going to be scarred for life after that disaster.”
“Yeah, but this time you have David to help you,” smiled Jackson.
“But they are having triplets! Triplets! That’s times three! And there are only two of us!”
“Mom can help us,” David said quietly.
Turning back to his mate, Zane studied David’s face, seeing the need to belong clearly etched there. Sometimes he forgot how hard it was for David, growing up alone, with no friends or siblings to feel he was really part of the Blackwood pack. And while his shyness had gotten better, he knew it took a lot of courage for David to volunteer their babysitting services. Smiling softly at his mate, Zane replied, “You’re right, babe. Sofia can give us some pointers.” Leaning over, he brushed his lips lightly against David’s before looking at Colton. “So, okay then, count us in as part of your babysitting team.”
The love filling the room stunned Brady. He’d never experienced anything like it before, and it gave him hope that Mystia and Oracle were right this time. That the Alpha of this pack could be counted on to help the Ruler of All Magic and the Mystic Guardian—whatever it took and whatever the cost. That this time he would not fail all the enslaved low-level magic users as he had before. And maybe, just maybe, the gods and Fates knew what they were doing this time.
~/~/~/~/~
Opening the front door, Fionn smiled when he saw Ki and Q get out of the car, squealing when they saw him. He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed his friends until they were standing in front of him, smothering Fionn in an all-encompassing hug. He felt the heat of Kieran’s hands on his back, soothing his jangled nerves. And for the first time since he found out about his father, Fionn felt free to make a decision without being judged badly. Freedom he desperately needed.
Slipping past Fionn and his friends, Hunter walked over to Oracle and Logan, greeting them with a smile. “Hello Oracle, good to see you again,” giving her a kiss on the cheek before turning to his cousin. “Logan, glad you and Kieran came. I owe a big thanks to Jackie. But how the hell did you convince Quin to join you?”
Logan stepped forward, giving Hunter a hug. “I didn’t, Ki did. I think you’re going to be surprised at the difference in your brother. I know Mase and Mac are. By the way…you’re looking good…being mated agrees with you.”
“Yeah…more than I thought it would.” Hunter looked over at Fionn, noticing some of the past week’s tension gone in his mate’s face, bringing a sense of relief to him. Then turning back to Logan and Oracle, he asked, “What’s the plan? I’m not trying to rush you but Fionn has been on edge and I think it would help if he knew the facts surrounding his father and brother.”
“Hey, Hunt…can we get settled first?” asked Logan, wanting to buy some time for Oracle.
“Thank you, Logan, but if you don’t mind, I would prefer to begin as soon as Fionn is ready.”
Nodding, Hunter said, “Then, let’s get inside.” Turning around, Hunter headed over to his mate and friends followed by Logan and Oracle. “Pet, are you ready to talk to Oracle now?”
Glancing at Kieran, Fionn caught his tiny nod. “Yeah, if it’s all right with everyone.”
“It is,” Hunter replied, leading everyone inside to the living room. Once they were all seated, he claimed the spot on the other side of his mate, grasping his hand tightly.
Fionn lowered his eyes, staring at his fingers entwined with Hunter’s. Then he felt Kieran place his hand on his thigh, immediately feeling the love his friend was sending his way. Finally, the strength he’d been missing all week suffused him, giving him the courage to speak. “Oracle, this past week, I tried to come to terms that my father cheated on my mother which produced a child…Alex. I hope you can tell me why he did this to my mother. And while I’ll try to listen with an open mind, I can’t imagine anything you can say that will change my feelings about him. And because of that, I’m not sure I can ever welcome Alex into my life. I know it sounds selfish, but I’m trying to be as honest as I can be.”
Inwardly sighing, Oracle replied, “I appreciate that, Fionn. I do understand what a difficult position this has put you in so I promise to be as truthful as I can.” After seeing his nod, she began.
