“I think that’s everything, Reeve,” Eddie said, wiping the blood from his hands on the side of his jeans.
Coming out of his reverie, Reeve inspected the area; only pools of Josiah’s blood remained which would be washed away by the next rain. “Great job,” he said, as he headed for the path that would lead them back to the Blackwood Pack house and, hopefully, some answers.
Chapter 21
After returning to the house, Jackson said, “Mom, I want Mac to check you over to make sure those bruises are the only injuries you have.”
Giving Jackson a brief nod, Mac tucked his aunt’s hand into the crook of his arm. “C’mon Aunt Hope…let’s make your son happy.”
“But I’m fine,” Hope said, eager to see Willow first. Although Smokey had assured Hope her friend was well, she wanted to see it with her own eyes.
“Then it won’t take any time at all,” Mac said, smiling.
“Mom, please…for me,” Jackson murmured, kissing Hope’s forehead. “I’ll send Willow to keep you company, okay?”
Smiling at how well Jackson knew her, Hope nodded. “Okay sweetie…and thank you.”
Waiting until Mac and his mother were in the pack house, Jackson turned to Smokey. “Reeve will be here shortly to speak with you.”
Looking down at his naked body covered with streaks of blood and dirt, Smokey said, “I need to shower first. Can you delay him?”
“Yup,” Jackson replied. “However, we need to talk first, so meet me in my study when you’re finished.”
Will do,” Smokey said, heading into the house. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know what the conversation would be about, but whether he was ready or not for the world to know who he was, Josiah had taken away his choice in the matter. He couldonly guess what Reeve’s intentions were; it was impossible to figure out what the man was thinking. Shutting the front door, he sniffed, grinning when he recognized the aroma of Willow’s beef stew. Maybe he could grab a bowl of it after his shower, before he spoke with Jackson. Climbing the steps to his and his mates’ bedroom, Smokey’s mind was being bombarded with a myriad of jumbled images from the afternoon and he failed to hear the footsteps behind him.
“Golden Sun!” called Theo, running up behind Smokey. Wrapping his arms around his mate’s waist, he hugged him tightly, ignoring the grungy state of his body.
Turning around, Smokey grinned down at his pregnant mate, humming his pleasure. “Love you, Shining Star…how’s our cub?”
“Good…but what about you? Willow told us what happened and how you saved her using your Manetu. I’m so proud of you!” Theo said, checking his mate over carefully, finding nothing but… “Eww…you’re filthy!”
Chuckling, Smokey replied, “So are you. C’mon, we can shower together. Where’s Eagle Feather?”
“He offered to help clean up in the kitchen, while I came to find out if you were back.”
“Jackson’s waiting for me but a shower must come first,” Smokey said, holding Theo’s hand as they ascended the steps together. “By the way, is there any of Willow’s beef stew left?”
Theo’s eyes widened in astonishment. “How did you know it was hers?”
“She always made it for Ghost and me whenever we came home with Glenn. I don’t know exactly what she puts in it, but I can tellbecause she adds the same herb every time.” Opening the door to their bedroom, Smokey ushered Theo in before closing it. Pausing for a moment, he bent down and cupped his mate’s face with his hands, gently brushing his lips against Theo’s. “Sorry about leaving you and Norm but…”
Kissing Smokey back, Theo murmured, “Nothing to be sorry about…I’m…we’re just glad you’re okay.”
“I killed Josiah,” Smokey whispered.
Theo heard the catch in his mate’s voice and saw the regret in his eyes. Putting his hands over Smokey’s, he murmured, “Listen to me…Josiah was totally bad…and he caused so much heartbreak for Jackson and his brothers. Norm and I haven’t had a chance to tell you the whole story, but you have to trust me, Golden Sun…you did our world a great service by getting rid of him.”
Searching Theo’s face, Smokey found only love, shining so brightly he had to close his eyes. It had been a long time since someone gave him unconditional love. Deeply inhaling the scent of his mate, he held his breath for a moment before slowly letting it escape. When he opened his eyes, he found Theo looking at him tenderly. “I love you so much, Shining Star. You and Eagle Feather are my whole world.”
“As you are ours, Golden Sun,” Theo whispered. “Now and forever.”
The words were simple, but they were the ones Smokey had waited a long time to hear—the words which had been missing since his grandfather and parents died. And now, by the grace of the Fates, he was whole again. At that moment, Smokey realized the fears that had ruled his life about who he really was were gone like a puff of smoke in the wind, and he was ready to emerge from the dark, embrace the light, and fulfill his destiny.Softly rubbing his thumb over Theo’s cheek, he murmured, “I want you and Norm to be with me when I tell Jackson who I am.”
“Absolutely,” Theo said, his voice still a whisper. “Whatever you need, we’ll be there for you.”
Smokey nodded; his smile wide as he led Theo to their shower.
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