Norm stared at Mac in disbelief. What happened to the person who’d shown no hesitancy when telling him about Theo’s pregnancy? That man was now gone and, in his place, stood someone he didn’t like. He had no doubt Mac knew the reason causing Theo’s withdrawal from their world, but it was also clear it was a secret Mac intended to keep. “Fine…but when I come back, you will no longer be Theo’s doctor. I refuse to be treated like a child. Theo’s my mate, carrying my offspring and that gives me the right to know anything and everything that could affect his and the cub’s health. Since you obviously don’t believe that, there’s no reason for you to be involved in their care.” Abruptly turning on his heels, Norm marched out of the room, heading for the man who evidently had the answers he desperately sought.
~/~/~/~/~
Leaving the coolness of the forest, Smokey paused in front of the pack house. The enforcers had resumed their previous positions. He had no doubt who’d ordered them to follow him, but it hadn’t been necessary: he’d never do anything that might result in his being barred from seeing Theo. Smiling to himself, he ascended the front steps. He could teach them a thing or two about being stealthy so that not even shifters with the keenest senses would know they were being shadowed. But since he wasn’t planning on sticking around, he’d leave that kind of training to Glenn.
His phone rang just as he reached the top step. Sighing, Smokey knew who it was. He accepted the call and lifted the phone to his ear. “Hey…what’s up?”
“Did you deliver Kevin’s parents safely to the Blackwood Pack?” Ghost growled.
“Yup…all safe and sound,” Smokey said, turning his back to the house. It was a conversation he wasn’t eager for anyone to overhear, especially if questions about how he’d healed Harte came up.
“Good…when are you leaving? My jail is filled with humans just waiting for their chance to see you.”
“I guess I’m a popular guy,” he joked. He had to be careful since Ghost had a well-honed bullshit meter. “I don’t know yet…I’ll let you know when I do.”
Ghost remained silent for a moment. He knew Smokey was definitely concealing something but decided it could wait until his friend got back to LA. “Okay…in the meantime, I have Riley working on finding out who hired the humans.”
“Great…any word from Snow White?”
“Nope…why?”
“No reason…but if you hear from him, ask him to call me, okay?”
“Sure.”
An ache suddenly filled Smokey’s chest, causing his bear to growl. Unsure what had precipitated it, he quickly said goodbye and ended the call. Slipping his phone back into his pocket, he searched the surrounding area for any sign of danger but found none. Shaking his head slightly before opening the front door he knew it was time to put his plan into action.
~/~/~/~/~
Muttering all the way up the steps leading to the great room, Norm was torn between feeling regret for his harsh words to Mac and anger at the doctor for refusing to tell him about Theo. In the end, his anger won out. Theo and his cub were counting on him to make the best decisions for them and that would be impossible if Mac continued to keep him in the dark. Satisfied he was justified for firing Mac, he decided that after seeing Jackson, he’d ask Ian about taking over Theo’s care.
Satisfied at how he’d handled the first major crisis facing him and Theo as mates, Norm stepped into the great room. Squaring his shoulders, his eyes zeroed in on Jackson and Steel standing on the opposite side of the room. It couldn’t be better. He’d be able to handle two issues at once—the secret Mac wouldn’t tell him and making sure Theo was allowed to resume some kitchen duties. “I can do this…Iwilldo this…Theo is counting on me,” Norm muttered to himself. Determination clearly reflected in his face, he began to walk resolutely toward his Alpha.
Closing the front door behind him, Smokey was surrounded by the scent of his favorite fruit, causing his mouth to salivate in anticipation. But before he could find the blueberries, his bear roared within him, demanding to shift. Controlling his animal suddenly became his first priority and it took him several moments before he noticed something else was occurring.
Jackson’s eyes widened as Smokey began struggling with his bear’s demand while Norm continued to stride toward Steel and himself. Instantly grasping the possibility of an impending crisis he flooded the room with his Alpha power, freezing both visitors in place. It wasn’t how he’d hoped Norm would find out about Smokey, but it seemed the Fates had other ideas.
Thankful for Jackson’s help with his bear, Smokey turned his attention to the reason his cock had become hard as a rock. His eyes settled on the young man in the center of the room as the source of his favorite scent. “Holy fucking hell!”
Norm’s confusion over Jackson’s action filled his face. His Alpha had to know that even though he was angry, he’d always be respectful. All he wanted to find out was why his Theo was so upset. As he tried to figure out what was happening, his attention was drawn toward the deep growly voice off to his left. Turning his head, his eyes grew huge at the tall, heavily-muscled man staring intently at him. He should have been afraid, but instead, a sense of calm infused him; his world suddenly righted itself. “Unfuckingbelievable,” Norm whispered to himself.
“That about sums it up,” muttered Steel, his eyes flipping between Norm and Smokey. “It seems, Babe, that your worry about Norm accepting Smokey into his relationship with Theo isn’t gonna be as big as a deal as you thought.”
Ignoring Steel’s comment, Smokey kept his eyes locked with the young man’s as he said, “You’re Norm. I’m Smokey.”
Norm’s Adam’s apple bobbed several times before he finally found his voice. “How do you know who I am?”
“Jackson told me…Theo’s your mate…right? So am I.”
Norm quickly glanced at Jackson before returning his gaze to Smokey. “I don’t understand…I’m a Ghost bear and so is Theo…we only mate in twos. How can you be my mate?”
“I’m Theo’s mate, too,” Smokey replied.
Jackson stepped forward, pulling back his Alpha power. “Norm, why don’t you and Smokey join me in my study…that’s where you both were headed right?”
Ignoring the question, Norm asked Smokey, “Does Theo know you are his mate?”
Glancing quickly over to Jackson for some help, Smokey wasn’t sure whether to answer his new mate or not. He didn’t want to lie but on the other hand, he’d promised Jackson not to say anything.
