Glancing at Galen and Eamon, Carson’s heart was filled with love for what the Fates had given him. It was hard to believe that only a short time ago he felt forgotten and abandoned by them, but now he had everything his heart had longed for. Turning to Cody, Carson smirked. “Just wait till Jessica and Jake are older and you’ll be asking me for advice on how to stop an Alpha wolf with magic from bossing her brother around.”
“Fu…dge! Don’t remind me.” Cody looked over his shoulder at his daughter holding court with Daniel, Rune and Jake.
Following his brother’s gaze, Carson snorted. “She’s gonna be a ball buster when she grows up.”
“Oh gods, don’t let Lizzie hear you say that. She firmly believes that her darling granddaughter will be refined and ladylike. Dylon has tried to tell her otherwise, but she doesn’t believe him.”
“She will once she spends more time with her.”
“Yeah maybe,” Cody murmured, turning back to his brother. “I’m not gonna worry about it for now. I have a feeling Jessica will make her wishes known to her grandmother. Now, what about Galen and Eamon? Since I’m going with you and Remy, do you think there’ll be any problem with them staying here?”
“I don’t think so. We talked to them last night and according to Galen, none of the ‘bad people’ can find them here because of Jackson’s power. Plus, since Mac is keeping Ian and Colton’s triplets in the hospital for several more days, Colton has offered to sleep in Galen and Eamon’s bedroom. So with that and Mrs. B taking care of Rune, a lot of pressure is off Remy and me.”
Frowning, Cody asked, “Bad people? Who…and why are they after Galen and Eamon?”
“We don’t know…Remy thinks he’s referring to the ones responsible for the death of their parents, but he hasn’t pushed the issue because of Galen’s recurring nightmares. Thankfully, they’ve stopped…at least for now.”
“Shi…oot! Does Remy know why his parents were killed?”
“Not a clue. The lawyer who contacted him about his three younger brothers never answered Remy’s questions about it and Remy didn’t follow up because his brothers’ issues came first. But I plan to contact the lawyer after we get the stuff with the Witches’ Governing Council sorted out.”
“Ask Jackson to have Penn contact the lawyer,” suggested Cody. “You might find out more that way…professional courtesy from one attorney to another.”
“Good idea…at least it’s a way to start. I need answers because my wolf is sure Remy’s brothers are in danger.”
“Then talk to Jackson before we leave and tell him so he can get the ball rolling with Penn…and to make sure Groose is aware of the possible threat.”
“I’ll do it now,” Carson murmured before heading over to his mate to let him know what he was going to do.
~/~/~/~/~
Still holding Lucius in his arms, Brady waited until his trembling stopped and his breathing had returned to normal before asking softly, “Are you ready to meet Vasile?”
Looking up at his mate’s face, Lucius found only love and understanding, giving him the sense of security he needed. Then nodding, he whispered, “I think so…”
“I know so,leelan. You’re the bravest man I ever met…surviving a hell a lesser man wouldn’t have. Never forget that, Lucius.”
Tears filled Lucius’ eyes before he quickly wiped them away. “I’ll try not to but…”
“I know, it’s hard,” Brady murmured in his mate’s ear. “But eventually it will become easier. Just give it time. Now come, you’ve already met Mystia and trust her, so that should help you believe me that Vasile can also be trusted.”
Stepping back, Lucius nodded, holding on to one of Brady’s hands as he approached the powerful vampire. Ducking his head, he looked up at Vasile through his thick eyelashes, noting for the first time the kindness he found there. Exhaling his pent-up tension, he said, “Hello sir.”
Charmed by the young vampire’s shyness and innocence, Vasile smiled at him. “Hello Lucius, I’m honored to meet the mate of my dear friend.” He had to admit Brady had won the mate lottery when the Fates gave him Lucius. The gentleness he could sense perfectly complimented Brady’s personality. Shaking his head at what Lucius had endured before being saved, he was amazed that not only had Lucius survived, but had come though his ordeal with relatively few scars. It was a good thing Valarian was dead or he would have faced Vasile’s fury.
Glancing sideways at his mate, Lucius was unsure if he should respond to the older vampire. Trained by Valarian never to speak unless asked a question or ordered to report, he decided to err on the side of caution and say nothing. This was the part of the world he now found himself in that was so bewildering—and he desperately needed help to figure it out.
Picking up on his mate’s confusion, Brady stepped in and continued his introductions. “And of course, you’ve met Mystia before.”
Quickly flicking his eyes up to Mystia, he gave her a tentative smile before saying, “Hello Mystia.”
“It’s nice to see you again,mon ange,”Mystia replied.
Blushing at the witch’s term of endearment, Lucius felt enveloped by warmth that relaxed his body. He had no idea why she’d greeted him like that, but was glad she had. It had been a long time since he’d heard his mother call him her ‘angel’ and it brought back happy memories. It was exactly what he needed to erase a large portion of his worries. Squeezing Brady’s hand, Lucius sent a silent message that he was all right.
Returning the squeeze, Brady breathed a silent sigh of relief; Lucius was doing better than he’d thought, so he moved on. With everyone waiting back at the Blackwood Pack for him and Mystia to return, there were still matters to resolve before they could leave. Turning his gaze to Vasile, Brady said, “I’m not sure when I’ll be back, so…”
“It won’t be a problem. Nikolai has everything under control, so don’t worry, your mate will be safe with me.”
