With each breath he took, Kieran remembered those special times during his childhood that he’d spent at the beach with his Shaman who’d taught him the importance of loving all creatures of the sea. And he had promised his mentor he would do that always, but only did he finally understand the depth of his Shaman’s feelings. Kieran’s love would provide warmth in a cold, unforgiving world—a world in which these newly hatched sea serpents were defenseless. “My love will protect you always,” he promised them. Finally satisfied he’d done what he could, Kieran fell asleep, dreaming of frolicking with the Nessies in the sea.
Waking up, Logan turned over, expecting to find his mate, but instead, his hand felt only cold sheets. Alarmed, he sat up quickly and searched the room but Kieran wasn’t there. Tamping down his rising fear, Logan climbed out of bed, pulled on his jeans, and then hesitated as he thought about what to do next. Suddenly, he felt their spirit and, after listening to it, left their bedroom. Padding softly down the hall, he stopped in front of the nursery door, shaking his head and grinning as he thought about what their spirit had told him.
Quietly opening the door, his gaze finally landed on his sleeping mate. Tip-toeing over to where Kieran and the sea serpents were dozing, Logan’s heart swelled at theabundance of love in the room. When he reached his mate, he leaned over him and gently ran a finger down Kieran’s cheek, marveling at his beauty. He was lucky and would spend his lifetime making sure Kieran knew he was loved and cherished. Then, lifting his sleeping mate into his arms, Logan left the nursery and headed back to their bedroom, smiling all the way.
Chapter 25
“Cain was dead!” Mac exclaimed, looking at Jackson. “So how can he be alive? What the fuck happened?”
“Smokey’s abilities worked,” Jackson replied. “And for that, I will be eternally grateful. You know he used them on Harte and Willow…and apparently also on himself when Josiah shot him. I just didn’t know they’d work on a human.”
“Yes, but they weren’t dead,” Mac said. “Cain was…his heart had stopped…completely.”
“Mac’s right, Jackie,” Colton said. “Cain had no heartbeat when I left. Trust me, a heart just doesn’t come back to life on its own…not after all that time.”
“Well, it did,” Jackson said.
Ian, who’d been deep in thought throughout the conversation finally spoke up. “It’s good to know there’s another tool we have in our medical arsenal, but it would help if Mac, Colton, and I knew more about Smokey’s abilities.”
“Ian has a point,” Mac agreed. “It would allow us to choose the best treatment for our patient. For instance, Cain was alive when he arrived…if we knew Smokey’s abilities would work on a human, then we wouldn’t have had to waste precious time trying other procedures.”
“I understand,” Jackson replied. “I didn’t intentionally keep you in the dark about Smokey’s abilities, but…”
“We know that,” Colton said.
Nodding, Jackson continued, “It was more a matter of waiting to see if Smokey, Norm, and Theo wouldcomplete their claiming…which, I might add, has been done. Now that that’s resolved, I can brief him about our powers and, after that, I promise to send him down here to explain what he can do.”
“I look forward to it,” Ian said. Then, glancing at Mac and Colton, he added, “We’re all eager to meet with him to learn how we can complement his abilities.”
“Good…and for now, keep this confidential, please,” Jackson said, “until I can find out if Smokey and his mates could be in danger if this information becomes known.”
“That won’t be a problem,” Ian replied. “Since he is now a member of the Blackwood Pack, any information he discloses will be regarded as medical information and will automatically stay confidential.”
“Perfect,” Jackson replied. “Any other issues?”
“What about Cain Foster?” asked Mac. “Is he going to stay or are you sending him back to prison?”
“He’s staying,” Jackson replied. “So the same rules apply regarding him that apply to Smokey…everything about his treatment…including what clothes were on him when he arrived will be kept confidential. Understand?”
“Of course, Alpha,” Ian murmured.
Turning to Colton, Jackson said, “I want Cain’s clothes destroyed…totally.”
“I’ll take care of it, ” assured Colton.
Giving a brief nod, Jackson said, “Let me know as soon as it’s done.” Feeling his phone vibrating in his pocket, he pulled it out, frowning when he saw the caller’s name. Ignoring it, he looked at the medical team andsaid, “If you have any questions after talking to Smokey, let me know.” Then after getting affirmative responses from Ian and Mac, Jackson left the room, heading to his study to return the call.
~/~/~/~/~
Oracle walked past several doors until she came to the one that Tristan was behind. Knocking softly, she then entered after receiving permission. Moving gracefully over to his desk, she said, “Alpha, I must speak to you.”
Looking up from his computer screen, Tristan saw a beautiful woman with long silver hair that fell in layers around her face, but what caught his attention were her icy-green eyes locked on his. It made him think that she was the huntress and he her prey. A shiver skated up his spine at that thought but then the manners his mother had ingrained in him suppressed it. Rising, he said, “Please call me Tristan. How may I help you?”
“I am Oracle…”
“A real Oracle?” Tristan asked, stunned.
“Yes, and the Fates have sent me.”
