Examining the three bullets in his hand, Dylon listened as Jackson told him and Steel about Josiah. He couldn’t have planned a better ending for the sonofabitch. He regretted only that it wasn’t he who’d struck the killing blow, but he could live with that. The threat that hung over the Pack for so long was gone and damned if that didn’t feel good.
“Dylon!”
Hearing his name, he looked up, realizing Jackson had asked him a question. “Sorry…just thinking about the twins.”
“Can’t blame you,” chuckled Steel. “You and Cody won’t have to worry anymore about Josiah trying to take them from you.”
“The same goes for you…Danny is safe along with all the other kids in the Blackwood Pack,” Dylon agreed.
“Everyoneis safe from that asshole now,” Jackson said. “However, Smokey will be here soon and before he arrives, I want to know if you’ve ever heard of a gift like the one he apparently has.”
Turning his attention back to the bullets, Dylon looked closely at them, thinking for a moment, before saying, “The only healing gift I know of is Colton’s Raphael’s Power.”
“But Colton can’t use it on himself…only others,” Jackson pointed out.
“Hmmm…you’re sure Smokey was shot?” asked Dylon.
“I have no reason to doubt Willow,” Jackson said. “And after the first two shots, Norm heard three more. The only witness to what actually happened is my mother, but…”
“Yeah…better wait till Mac gives the all-clear before you ask her anything about Josiah,” Dylon muttered. “The only person I can think of who might know about Smokey’s power is Glenn, but he’s with Sawyer at Alex’s hoard.”
“That’s not going to help me right now,” Jackson said. “The biggest problem facing me is the Council’s representative who was with me when Willow explained what happened to her and Smokey.”
“What’s his name?” asked Dylon.
“Reeve Nicolet,” Jackson replied. “Do you know him?”
“I know of him,” Dylon responded. “I’ve never met him but he’s a legend at the High Council. I could ask my dad.”
“Do that,” Jackson said. “Josiah may be dead, but there’s still Rudy, and there may also be others who are involved. Reeve is keeping pretty closed mouth about his investigation, but unless he can give me assurances that no one else from the Silver Point pack is targeting us, I intend to keep the enforcers on high alert. This whole thing with Josiah was a little too close for comfort.”
~/~/~/~/~
Standing outside Jackson’s study, Smokey glanced down the hall, watching his mates hurry toward him. His nerves settled as each took one of his hands and gave him reassuring squeezes.Smiling briefly, he lifted his mates’ hands to his mouth kissing them both before murmuring his thanks.
“Hey,” Norm said, quietly, “everything’ll be okay. Jackson is a good guy, and you’ll see, he’ll accept you as you are, with open arms.”
Then Theo chimed in. “I know you can’t imagine that could ever happen, but it will. Remember when I said you’d fit in here? You’re about to see I was telling you the truth.”
Nodding, Smokey swallowed the lump caught in his throat, while forcing back the tears brought on by the support of his mates. Finally, able to speak, he asked, “Are you guys ready?”
“Yup,” Norm answered, for both himself and Theo. Raising his free hand, he knocked, waiting until he heard Jackson give permission to enter. Then, giving Smokey’s hand one last squeeze, he opened the door, leading his mates into the room.
Smokey thought it would be a meeting with Jackson alone, but when he saw two other men sitting in the room, he hesitated for a moment, his anxiety rising again. He had psyched himself up to tell Jackson but hadn’t considered the possibility that anyone else would be present. Glancing at them, Smokey realized Steel wasn’t a problem—it was the other man who unnerved him—the one built like Hercules or what he imagined Hercules would look like if he ever met him.
Theo felt Smokey freeze up at the sight of Dylon and realized his mate hadn’t met him yet. “Golden Sun, that’s Dylon, Cody’s mate,” he whispered close to Smokey’s ear.
Dylon…that’s Dylon?He’s the one who taught Norm about being a Dom?Dueling emotions of jealousy and admiration fought inside him until his bear reminded him of the love hismates had for him. Dropping Norm’s hand, he stepped forward and held out his hand. “Hey, nice to meet you. I owe you a lot for rescuing my mates from Arald’s prison.”
Shaking Smokey’s hand, Dylon said, “Actually my mate, Cody, is responsible…I was just along for the ride.” Then glancing at Theo and Norm, he continued, “Congratulations are in order I hear…both for finding your Fated mate and the upcoming birth of your cub. If Ki hasn’t already heard, then I expect…”
The door to Jackson’s study opened abruptly, banging against the wall as Kieran rushed in. “Is it true? Oh my gods, I can’t believe it, my pup and your cub are gonna be besties, just like we are! This is the best surprise ever, well, findingmacushlawas the best, and then maybe our sprout but this is right up there! I have some great ideas for a cub shower for you with lots of baby bear decorations. Oh do you know if it’s a boy or a girl yet? Oh. My. Gods. A baby cub princess would be ah-maaa-zing! Think of all the pink! Did you have an ultrasound yet? Where’s the picture of your cub? Who does she, or he, look like? Our sprout looks like Logan and when we were in France I found the cutest matching onesies for Logan and our sprout. It was Colton’s idea, I think he was gonna give them as a gift when the pup was born but when I saw them, I couldn’t resist. Hey, I’m gonna order some for you guys.”
Staring at the whirlwind who was hugging Theo, Smokey was gobsmacked, missing most of what was said until the comment about wearing onesies registered in his brain.Oh hell no!I’ll be the butt of Glenn and Ghost’s jokes for the rest of my life.Somehow, he would have to dissuade Theo from that bizarre idea and that would be easier if Norm agreed. Glancing over at his mate, Smokey found the same look on Norm’s face he wassure was on his own and, since it now appeared he had an ally on his side, his worries began to subside.
Beaming, Theo returned Kieran’s hug, happy his best friend was back. “I missed you,” he whispered into Ki’s ear before letting go and saying, “I have so much to tell you, but first, meet Smokey, he’s honey bunch’s and my Fated mate. Can you believe it?” And without giving Ki a chance to reply, Theo continued, “Neither did we. Were we ever surprised! But in the best way possible.”
Looking up at Smokey, Ki grinned. “Nice to meet you Smokey, what a great name. Is that a nickname or did your parents give it to you? Mine named me Kieran which means ‘black’ in Irish because my wolf is black even though I’m an omega. My mate, Logan; his is white but he’s an Alpha like Jackson. Did you know they were twins? No, you probably didn’t but now you do so that’s a good thing, right?”
