Jackson spoke up. “I understand there’s no guarantee, but I want my brother to do his voodoo on me. If it works, I don’t have to take any medicine and I prefer that scenario.”
“Okay,” Colton said, “Jackson, I need you to lie flat on the bed.”
“What do you need me to do?” asked Steel.
“Nothing for now,” replied Ian.
After Jackson was in position, Colton started touching and caressing his brother’s body while humming. Lost in his efforts, he never heard Steel growl protectively.Slowly, Colton’s hands roamed over every inch of flesh, spending more time around Jackson’s belly and the pup.
At first, Jackson felt nothing but then his body became warm from the inside out. The longer Colton laid his hands on Jackson, the better he felt. The bone-weary tiredness dissipated inch by inch until he felt rejuvenated. Worries left his mind in slow drips, leaving Jackson calm and relaxed.
After Steel growled, when seeing Colton’s hands on his mate, Ian grabbed his arm, scowling while mouthing “stop.” Embarrassed at his reaction, Steel forced his wolf to be quiet. Instead he concentrated on his mate, hoping like hell it would work. It was the first time he’d seen a natural healer in action and watched the visible results. The longer Colton rubbed and caressed Jackson, the more relaxed his mate’s body became. Now, seeing it with his own eyes, Steel realized how tense Jackson had become. Berating himself for failing to notice the stress his mate was under, Steel vowed to do everything possible between now and the birth of the pup to ease his mate’s worries.
Ian kept a restraining arm on Steel, until Colton finally stepped back from Jackson’s bed. No way would he take the chance that Steel might attack Colton while he was ministering to Jackson. He looked at Colton and saw only serenity on his mate’s face. Moving forward to check on his patient, Ian was astounded to find the same peacefulness reflected on Jackson’s face. He quickly checked blood pressure,normal,swelling in face, hands, and legs, gone…Ian chuckled and then asked, “Jackson, do you feel tired anymore?”
“No,” he said, surprised, “I don’t feel the extreme tiredness I had yesterday. Does that mean it worked?”
“I want another blood panel done, but it’s looking good. Your blood pressure is normal and the other symptoms are gone.”
“Does that mean I can get out of here?”
“Yes it does. But, I want you to avoid stressful situations and to take it easy. This last month is going to be the hardest on your body.”
“Got it.” Then Jackson turned to Steel, “would you bring my clothes over, lover, so I can get dressed?”
Steel set the clothes on the bed and helped Jackson stand. Looking at Ian and Colton, he growled, “You can go now. I’ll help my mate.”
Ian smiled and said, “Fine, but before you go upstairs, Colton will need to draw some blood so let him know when Jackson is dressed.”
“Okay.”
Colton held the door for Ian and then followed him out. One glance at Ian, and Colton lost it, bursting out laughing. Ian’s twitching lips gave way and his laughter also echoed down the hall. Leaning against the wall, they held each other as tears streamed down their faces at Steel’s reaction.
“Did you hear him growl?” Ian sputtered, as laughter continued to break through his voice, “I had to hold him back.”
“The crap about Jackson dressing with us in the room,” snorted Colton.
As their laughter died down, Ian said, “We’ve got to think of something to do about him when I operate on Jackson. I don’t think Steel can be in the same room with us.”
Colton sobered up. “Shit, you’re right. I’m going to have Maximus stay with him. He’s the only wolf I know that can stop Steel in his tracks.”
“I’ll talk to him and Oracle,” Ian said.
“Good.”
~/~/~/~/~
Slate walked in and stood in front of Pablo’s jail cell. “I’ve arranged for your transfer to the Universal Paranormal High Council law enforcement division on next Wednesday.”
“What will happen to me there?” Pablo asked, lying on his bed, staring up at the ceiling.
“After verifying my evidence, you’ll be tried and most likely be found guilty and given a death sentence.”
“But I didn’t kill anyone!” Pablo exclaimed, sitting up suddenly.
Slate sighed. “Do you have any idea how much trouble you’re in? More than a hundred attacks against women and men, silver poisoning, kidnapping, attempted shifter slave trafficking, and using a gun to commit a crime. And I’m sure the High Council legal division will add even more charges to the list.”
‘Shock’ was inadequate to describe Pablo’s feelings. As Slate’s words finally registered, he sat there trying to understand the magnitude of his crimes. He started to hyperventilate. During his time in jail, he’d contemplated what his punishment might be but death never entered his mind. Now he was facing something new—and extremely frightening.
