Giving a brief nod, Smokey stayed silent, studying Jackson. He scented a wolf, but it wasn’t like that of any other wolf shifter he’d ever come across. Jackson’s wolf was huge, probably as tall, if not taller, than his bear on all fours. No wonder his animal was acting strangely—though it was no cause for alarm—he wasn’t planning to stay here for very long. Glenn was right, though. The strength of Jackson’s wolf made this the perfect place for Harte and Elen.
“Jackson, are you out here?” Theo called, opening the front door. Then seeing his Alpha, he stepped out onto the porch. “Oh good…Steel said I couldn’t keep working unless Mac gave me permission and Mac said I could if it was all right with you.”
Smokey’s eyes shifted from Jackson to newcomer. A sweet honey scent embraced Smokey, hardening his cock instantly as his bear roared. Smokey’s nostrils flared as he sucked in a deep breath. His bear pushed him to take a step forward, demanding his mate…Whoa! A pregnant mate? What the fuck?
Jackson heard the intake of air, saw the flaring of Smokey’s nose, felt the presence of his bear, and instantly knew trouble had landed on his doorstep once again. Using his mind link, he called for Steel before increasing his Alpha power over Smokey, freezing him in place before he could take another step. Once Smokey’s bear was under control, he turned to Theo, alarmed to see how pallid he’d become. Grabbing his hand, he ushered him inside, motioning for him to sit down. Squatting in front of him, he asked, “Are you okay?”
Shaking his head, tears filled Theo’s eyes. “I need pooh bear.”
“Babe, I’m here,” Steel called, hurrying over to Jackson and Theo. His eyes quickly searched for signs of blood, relieved that there were none. “What happened? Is Theo and his cub okay? Should I get Mac…or Norm?”
“Take Theo to the hospital and ask Mac to check him over. Also, you better get Norm.” Then, laying his hand on Theo’s thigh, Jackson squeezed lightly to get his attention. “I want you to go with Steel to see Mac.”
“I need pooh bear…”
“Norm will join you there,” Jackson said softly.
Raising his tear-streaked face, Theo pleaded, “Please don’t tell him…”
“Tell him what?” asked Jackson.
“You know…oh my gods,” Theo wailed, unable to even say the words.
“Hey,” Jackson murmured, gently wiping away Theo’s tears. “I won’t say anything until you give permission. Okay?”
Nodding in response, Theo rose slowly and, pointing at the door, said, “I don’t want to see him.”
Catching his mate’s attention, Steel frowned when Jackson, using their mind link, described the situation. Now the pieces were beginning to fall into place. Theo’s shock at finding out certainly explained his paleness and justified Jackson’s request to have him see Mac. Following Theo out of the room, Steel pulled his phone from his pocket and sent a text to Groose.
Jackson waited until they were gone before returning to the porch. Stopping in front of Smokey, he found angry eyes staring back at him. “We need to talk but I need your promise to keep your bear under control.” Rolling back his Alpha power slightly, he waited for a response.
His bear was so furious, Smokey wasn’t sure hecouldcontrol him. Maybe before, but not now after what had happened. He knew about the gifts three of the pack members possessed, but this…Damn it! Why didn’t Glen tell me about the Alpha? At least I would’ve been ready.Though after thinking about it, that was a foolish notion; there’d be no way he could ever be prepared for a wolf’s Alpha power strong enough to control his bear. And that led to another question he had for Glenn, but it would have to wait till later. Now, his goal was meeting his mate and, to do so, he needed to dominate his bear. Moving was still impossible but at least he could now speak. “I’m not sure I can… my bear has scented his mate.”
“Hmm…okay, let me try this,” Jackson said. Closing his eyes, he searched for Smokey’s bear, finally finding the enraged Grizzly. Then using his own wolf together with his Alpha power, he calmed the animal down until the bear’s anger had dissipated. Opening his eyes, he looked at Smokey’s face, smiling at the surprise in it. “Your bear is fine for the time being so I’m going to release you. Just let me know if you need my help again.”
Smokey’s eyes widened as the Alpha power that held him lessened until it was finally gone. He waited a moment, then moved different parts of his body to make sure he was truly free of it. Returning his gaze to Jackson, he growled, “Where’s my mate?”
“Safe…for now. But let me make myself clear: I decide when or if you will see him.” Seeing anger appear in Smokey’s face, he held up his hand. “Theo is a member of my pack and under my protection. You will respect that or you can leave now.”
Before Smokey could reply, he felt Elen’s hand on his arm. “Gabriel? Did you find your mate?”
Frowning slightly, he looked down at the woman who’d become his mother after his own died. “How do you know about my mate?”
Grinning, Elen replied, “You might say your bear gave it away; the closer we got to here, the more agitated he became. My animal acted the same way before I met Harte.” Then turning to Jackson, she smiled. “You must be the Alpha of the Blackwood Pack. Thank you so much for taking us in. I’m Elen Pilip.”
“Not a problem at all. We have plenty of room. I’m Jackson…is that your husband in the SUV?”
“Yes…he was shot but Gabriel saved him.” Glancing over her shoulder, Elen waved to Harte, before returning her gaze to Jackson. “It’ll just take some time before he’s fully recovered…but please don’t tell him I told you that.”
Charmed, Jackson grinned. “My lips are sealed. I believe my mate has assigned you a suite in the same wing where his parents stay.”
“Oh my, that sounds lovely…especially after camping for the last month. I’m getting too old to sleep on the ground anymore.”
“Bullshit!” muttered Smokey. “You better not let Harte hear you say that. He’s older than you and it doesn’t bother him.”
Elen’s soft laughter filled the air. “He already knows how I feel and if he weren’t so stubborn, he’d agree with me.”
Smiling, Jackson’s eyes zeroed in on the man in the SUV, finding pain etched on his face. Realizing the cause of it, he shifted his gaze back to Elen. “After you get settled, I’ll send our doctor to see you, just to make sure Harte is healing well.”
