Finally getting himself under control, Theo lifted his tear-streaked face, looking at his mates. “I’m sorry…but every time I think of what might have happened to my parents…I’m so scared…what if someone harmed them? What if they are waiting for me to rescue them?”
Norm’s brow furrowed in an effort to make sense of Theo’s words but it was futile.What in the world is Theo talking about?Shifting his gaze to Smokey, he saw his mate was also confused, making Norm wonder if Theo’s behavior was caused by his pregnancy hormones. If so, it was time for another visit to see Mac, but first, he needed more information. “Honey bunch…why do you think someone has hurt your parents? Is that what they told you when you talked to them on the phone?”
Tears filled Theo’s eyes again. Giving voice to his fears made it real and he didn’t want it to be true, but it had become too heavy a burden to carry by himself. He needed help in figuring it out. Swiping the wetness from his eyes, Theo tried to swallow the lump in his throat that always appeared whenever he thought of his parents. Then he spoke. “I found out my parents’ phone had been disconnected which didn’t make any sense to me. You see, my aunt was in an accident which caused memory problems, but she always remembered our phone number.
“I know it sounds strange but Mom told me there’s no rhyme or reason to why her brain can remember some things and not others. Well, anyway, that’s why my parents would never change the number or…or…have the phone disconnected. But that wasn’t the only reason…my aunt would occasionally get lost and she’d forget everything…where she lived, the name of her son, where he lived…everything… but she never forgot our number. It was her lifeline so I just know my mom would never, ever take that away from her sister. That’s why I know something had to happened to my parents.”
“Maybe they moved to take care of your aunt. That would explain why their phone would be disconnected,” Norm said.
“I did think that, so I called our next door neighbor who’s best friends with my mother,” Theo replied, his voice hitching slightly. “She told me the last time she talked to my mother was the day we had dinner with your parents. Since then, she hasn’t seen anyone there, including my father. Eventually, the Alpha ordered the house boarded up. I know there might be a perfectly good reason why my parents are not living there anymore, but I can’t come up with one that makes any sense to me.”
“That’s why you asked to go home? Because you were worried about your parents?” Norm asked.
Nodding, Theo lowered his eyes to avoid seeing how much he’d hurt Norm. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I should have told you then, but I was afraid…”
Norm glanced at Smokey, finding the same sadness on his face as he was sure showed on his own. Turning to Theo, he placed two fingers under his chin, lifting it until their eyes met. “I should’ve asked why you were so set on going back…I’m sorry I didn’t. But I did listen to you because that was the place I decided would be perfect for our honeymoon… I didn’t say anything before now because it was going to be a surprise.”
“Really? For our honeymoon?” Theo squealed joyfully. “O.M.G…that is the bestest surprise ever!”
Grinning at Theo’s exuberance, Smokey hid his worries, refusing to cast a damper on his mate’s happiness. None of it made any sense and, if he trusted his gut, Theo’s first assumption regarding his parents was correct—they were in danger—that is, if they were still alive. But that wasn’t a thought he’d share with Theo right now. Nope, it was better for him to investigate that on his own first. Which reminded him, he owed Ghost an explanation for why he’d been avoiding his calls for the last day.
~/~/~/~/~
Entering the kitchen, Steel was surprised to find Hope already there. “Hey, you’re up early.”
“Am I?” Hope replied, brushing back wisps of her hair, while stirring a pot of oatmeal. “I guess I was eager to get started. Dakota gave me a detailed list of what to make for breakfast along with a special mating breakfast menu for Theo and Norm.”
Chuckling, Steel walked over to the sink to wash his hands. “That sounds like him, but you don’t have to follow it. I gave up quickly after figuring out my skills would never match someone who trained as a professional chef.”
Giggling, Hope removed the pot, setting it on the counter. “He didn’t say so, but I have a feeling it was dumbed down for me.” Pulling out a sheet of paper from her apron pocket, she handed it to Steel. “See? Everything there is something I made when Dakota was growing up. No fancy dishes, just some good old-fashioned eggs and bacon…lots of eggs and bacon.”
Steel read the list, chuckling at what was on it. Setting it down, he said, “Well, that’s a…”
“Go ahead…say it,” Hope replied, her eyes twinkling.
Making a motion of zipping his lips closed, Steel shook his head, then burst out in laughter. “I expect Slate will be trying to figure out a way to distract Dakota because he’s probably pushing Mac to let him get up.”
“He already tried,” Hope replied, laughing. “But don’t you worry, I had a ‘come to Jesus’ talk with Dakota and told him it would upset me greatly if I never got a chance to teach his son how to make cookies.”
“Ooh…that’s playing dirty,” Steel said, grinning. “Another parenting tip…I love it…but please don’t tell Jackson because…”
“You don’t want him to know, right?”
“Yeah…though I suppose it could be helpful when Daniel gets older,” Steel muttered. Then pointing at the list, he asked, “Do you want me to start on the mating breakfast?”
~/~/~/~/~
Stepping out of their bedroom, Smokey checked his phone, grimacing at the last message from Ghost. Heading outside to keep his upcoming conversation private, he heard noises coming from the kitchen, a sure indication his talk with Ghost would have to be quick, though that might not be as easy as it sounded. Closing the front door behind him, he hit the number, waiting for Ghost to pick up. Knowing he was in for a shitload of crap, his only hope of avoiding Ghost’s tirade was if he could get in the first word, but he wasn’t counting on it.
“Where the fuck are you?” Ghost growled. “You were supposed to be here hours ago.”
“Hello to you, too,” Smokey responded, smirking.
“Stop with the smartass shit. Why the fuck didn’t you answer my calls?”
“Something came up,” Smokey snapped back, then, seizing the moment, continued. “I found my Fated Mates so I’m sorry I didn’t put you first…for once.”
Stunned, Ghost couldn’t respond.Mates? Fuckin’ MATES?Suddenly a certain game warden appeared in his mind. Refusing to give that thought any credence, he forced his attention back to the matter at hand.
