Jackson heard the muffled voice of Cody speaking to the other pack members before coming back on the line and demanding, “What the fuck happened?”
“Listen, I’ll tell you everything—will you pick me up at Jimmy’s? My car was stolen and I need a lift home.”
“I’ll be right there.”
“Okay. Cody? Be careful.”
Just as Jackson hung up, Jimmy came into the office and sat down on the beat-up old chair in the corner which matched the rest of the décor in the dingy and worn room. After looking Jackson over, he asked, “Want to tell me about it?”
Jackson sighed. He gazed at his friend’s short grey hair that looked as if Jimmy’s hands had run through it many times today—probably because he was worried about me.His shirt matched two, light blue, piercing eyes set in a weather-beaten face lined with years of tough living. Jimmy was an old wolf and reminded Jackson of a grizzled range cowboy he’d seen in some Western movie.
“Not much to tell. I stopped to help a couple of dudes at the side of the road, they knocked me over the head, stole my money, clothes, and car. Came to and hitched a ride here. That’s about it.” He didn’t mention finding his fated mate?the walking, talking, sex god?because he knew what Jimmy would say and he’d already made up his mind it wasn’t going to happen. Jimmy and Mystia had been together almost forever and would nag him until he claimed his mate. Jackson sat still and returned Jimmy’s stare, because if he didn’t, Jimmy would know something was up. So, he kept quiet and waited for a response.
“Is that all that happened?” Jimmy asked, hoping Jackson would change his mind and reveal more, even though it was a long shot.
“How’s Mystia? Is she coming home soon?” Jackson asked, changing the subject, knowing Jimmy could never resist talking about his wife who acted as a mother figure to the Blackwood Pack. The surviving members of the massacre owed their lives to Mystia for putting a protection spell on all of them. That kept the Silver PointPack from finding and killing the rest of them who’d been members of the now defunct Fox River Pack. Thank the gods no one knew of his friendship with Jimmy and Mystia before everything had gone to hell in a handbasket.
“She’ll be back tomorrow,” answered Jimmy, “and she’ll be wantin’ to see you about what happened.”
Jackson groaned silently. He knew what that meant. There’d be no way he could keep a secret that big from Mystia. He’d just have to convince her it was for the best, that his mate not be claimed. He heard a door slam, then, his brother, Cody calling out, “Yo, Jackson, where are you?”
“In here,” Jackson yelled as he got up from the desk. “Thanks Jimmy, I’ll see you tomorrow.” As he got to the door, Cody’s arms wrapped around him, lifting him off his feet. “Jeez, Jackson, don’t you ever do that to us again. We’ve been going out of our minds with worry.” Cody whacked Jackson on the back of his head as he put him down and then headed to their old green truck.
“Ow! What was that for?” asked Jackson, following Cody. “Aw, never mind. Let’s just go home. I need a shower.” Jackson climbed into the passenger side, leaning his head back against the headrest, closing his eyes.
He was already asleep when Cody slid in behind the wheel and turned the truck around, heading for the mountain behind Jimmy’s. He glanced over at Jackson, saw the tension in his sleeping body and, even though he was eager to know what happened, was reluctant to disturb him. “Well,” he mumbled, “soon we’ll be home and he can tell all of us together. He’s safe now and that’s all that matters.”
Chapter 4
Cody switched off the engine and shook Jackson gently. “Hey bro, wake up. We’re home.” Jackson slowly opened his eyes and blearily looked around. He saw his twin, Logan and the rest of the pack members surrounding the truck. He gave Logan a smile as he stepped out of the truck and was instantly embraced in his huge arms. Jackson could feel Logan’s concern for him so he patted his broad back and murmured, “Everything is okay.”
“Listen, I need a shower first and then something to eat. I promise I’ll tell you all everything after that. Can Dakota make me a steak? I haven’t eaten in over a day.”
“Sure,” Logan said, reluctant to let go of Jackson. “Are you sure everything is all right?”
“Yeah, it’s cool, man.”
Jackson headed to his bedroom and fatigue set in. He stripped on the way to the shower, dropping the borrowed sweatpants in the hamper. Turning on the hot water, his mind wandered back to his mate causing his dick to harden.Shit, my wolf is unhappy that I didn’t claim Steel. I have to talk to Mystia tomorrow to see what can be done.So far, he had his wolf under control but for how long, he didn’t know.
Thumping his cock, he reminded himself to control his thoughts around his brothers. If they smelled his arousal, they would wonder why, especially since they didn’t know he’d found his mate. He knew if he told them, Zane, the youngest, would panic, thinking Jackson was going to leave, and the rest of the pack would also get nervous about any changes.No, I’m going to keep that part of the story buried.
He’d just gotten everything in order, which is why he’d been on the road. Most important was his visit to the lawyer to sign the papers releasing all the money his Grandparents had put in a trust for him.
He now had enough funds to take care of everyone which meant one less worry about the well-being of the pack. He wondered if Silver Point Pack would ever give up trying to locate them, but he snorted at the thought since he and his brothers still had rights to the Fox River land. If he could only figure out what was so important about the land that made it worth killing for.
“Hey, food’s ready,” called Cody, through the bathroom door.
“I’ll be out in a minute.” Jackson stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel to dry off. He picked out a t-shirt and some pajama pants because that bed would be calling to him as soon as he ate and talked to everyone.I’ll make this short and sweet, focus on what I did with the lawyer and try to calm the pack down. Best to divert the attention away from me. Yup, a good plan.
Jackson’s mouth watered and his stomach growled as he entered the kitchen. Hell, it might just be his wolf growling; it’d been far too long since he’d eaten. He sat down at the earth-toned, granite-topped island, smiling at his brother.
“Thanks, Dakota. I’m so hungry I could eat the whole cow. Everything looks great.” Cutting into his steak, he groaned with satisfaction—it was perfect, lightly cooked and still bloody, just the way his wolf loved it.
“So, what happened to you?” Logan asked impatiently, not willing to wait until Jackson had finished. “We expected you home last night and when you weren’t here by morning, the whole pack was worried. Cody and I kept bugging Jimmy hoping he’d heard from you butwhen there was no word by late afternoon, we decided to search for you.”
Jackson finished his dinner before answering Logan. He sat back before he spoke. “The good news is I saw the lawyer and was able to sign all the paperwork to release my trust fund along with yours. I opened a new bank account under a corporate name for my money and set it up so I can access the funds as we need to. I’ve set up a personal account for your money, Logan.” Then he turned to the rest of his brothers. “We’ll have to do the same for each of you when you reach the release date of your funds but for now, we won’t have to worry about meeting our needs.”
Cody growled, “Well, that doesn’t explain why you showed up late and half naked.”
