Chuckling, Frank said, “It’s a good thing you didn’t want to be an actor. And before you deny it, you shouldknow that your mom talks in her sleep…especially when she’s upset about something…like letting the cat out of the bag when she slipped up and told you and Cody about our move.”
“Fuck! Cody has been making me practice my surprise face every day so you wouldn’t find out Mom spilled the beans.”
“All I can say is…keep practicing,” Frank replied, laughing.
“Fuck off!”
Balancing a tray in one hand, Lizzie pushed open the door, frowning at her son. “Dylon, mind your language!”
Hurrying over to his mother, Dylon took the tray from her and carried it over to the bedside table before answering, “Mom, I’m very careful around Jake and Jessica.”
“I know, sweetie, but all it takes is one slip and before you know it, they’ll be using it around the other kids and then what are you going to do? You can’t put the genie back in the bottle once they hear it.” Then she turned to her husband and said, “Dear, Steel was just pulling a roast out of the oven so he cut off a few pieces for you and added some mashed potatoes, corn, a small salad, and a piece of chocolate cake. And there’s plenty more if you’re still hungry after eating all this.”
“Thanks, sweetheart,” Frank said, eyeing the food. Picking up his fork, he scooped up some mashed potatoes and put it in his mouth, slowly swallowing it. When his stomach didn’t object, he proceeded to devour the rest of the food. He’d just set down his fork when three pups rushed in the hospital room, yapping and growling as they circled his bed.
Strolling in behind them, Cody grinned at Frank. “I hope you don’t mind but once Danny caught your scent, he was determined to see you and, where Danny goes, Jake and Jessica are right behind him.”
After circling Frank’s bed several times, Danny stopped at Lizzie and barked several times before licking the hand she held out to him. Giving her one of his wolfish grins, he then jumped onto Frank’s bed and padded slowly over to him before sitting and staring into his eyes.
“What does he want?” asked Frank, perplexed by the pup’s behavior.
“Uhm…for your wolf to acknowledge his wolf,” Dylon replied.
“You’re joking,” Frank muttered, keeping his eyes on Danny.
“Uhm…no,” Cody replied. “Danny’s wolf has decided he’s responsible for the protection of Jackson and everyone who’s a member of the pack.”
Glancing quickly at his son before returning his gaze to Danny, Frank asked, “What happens if my wolf refuses?”
“Dad…please, just let your wolf say hello to Danny’s wolf,” Dylon pleaded.
“This is most unusual…and I’m not sure it’s a good thing to encourage this type of behavior in a pup. He could get hurt,” Frank said.
“I think it’s cute,” Lizzie said, smiling at Danny. “Go ahead, Frank, hold out your hand.”
Frank knew the battle was lost as soon as Lizzie sided with Dylon. Holding out his finger, he watched as hiswolf greeted the pup. He was stunned when he felt a jolt of Alpha power surging through him from Danny. He’d never met anyone so young who could repel his efforts to make them submit.
But what was even more disturbing to Frank was the behavior of his wolf. After greeting the pup as an equal, his wolf lowered himself to his belly, and grinned back at Danny’s wolf.My fucking wolf grinned! Actually grinned!He’d never seen his wolf do that before except when Frank had found Lizzie. And like then, his wolf was acting like a playful pup, enjoying the attention Danny’s wolf was giving him.
“Is this one of the pack’s secrets? A pup with more Alpha Power than what most grown wolves possess?” asked Frank, looking at his son.
“Only Jackson can answer your question,” Dylon replied. Then bending down, he picked up Jessica and Jake, handing his daughter to Lizzie and setting his son on Frank’s bed.
As soon as Jake was free, he scrambled over to his grandfather and curled up on his lap. After licking Frank’s hand, closed his eyes and fell asleep.
Grinning at his sleeping grandpup, Frank buried his hand in Jake’s soft fur, murmuring, “He’s grown so much since I last saw him.”
“So has my little princess,” Lizzie replied, cuddling Jessica. “I’m so glad we’re moving to California because I don’t want to miss another moment with her or Jake.”
Cody’s eyebrows shot up at Lizzie’s unexpected announcement. Glancing quickly at Frank who was still engrossed with Jake, he looked over at his mate, who also appeared oblivious to what his mother had justsaid. Breathing a sigh of relief that somehow that problem had been resolved, he said, “Sorry to break this up, but these pups need to get dressed for dinner because Jackson has a firm rule against appearing without clothes at the dinner table.”
“And we should be going home,” Lizzie said. “Do you think we could use the Magic Carpet?”
Walking in, Jackson said, “I’m sure Brady and Lucius would be happy to whisk you home, but I think it’s better if you stay here until Rudy and the rest of his gang are caught, Lizzie. Right now, no one knows Frank has been rescued and I want to keep it that way.”
“What about the High Council? Shouldn’t Frank inform them he’s okay?” asked Lizzie.
“I agree with Jackson,” Frank said, grasping Lizzie’s hand and tugging her over to him. “Someone helped the prisoners escape and until we know who it was, it’s better if no one knows where we are.”
