Cody walked to his spot in the forest where he could enter his trance in peace. It still shocked him how his foresight had grown since the massacre. He was now forced to meditate—at least that’s what his brothers thought he did—more often than ever before. He knew exactly when the future called to him and demanded his attention—hisbody would grow restless and his wolf would pace endlessly; no respite could be found until he entered his trance.
He was pretty sure Oracle knew he possessed foresight but she hadn’t revealed it to anyone. Cody was pretty sure Jackson and his other brothers didn’t know; they just thought he meditated because that’s what his mother told them. When he was old enough to realize he was different, she took him aside and explained what was happening to him every time he slipped into the space where the real world ceased to exist.
When his mother found him kneeling on his bed one evening surrounded by the glow, she consulted with their Shaman and then made sure no one else knew. Hence the “meditating” story. Cody was uneasy about Steel seeing him in the woods the other evening while he was ‘meditating’ but with the drama swirling around Jackson, he hoped he’d forget. He knelt down in a submissive pose, his hands palms-up on his thighs and closed his eyes. The glow started slowly, spreading through and around him until his body was encased in it. Then and there, Cody found his answers.
~/~/~/~/~
Jimmy and Mystia arrived for dinner just as Steel came downstairs wearing fresh jeans and a t-shirt. Greeting them with hugs, he asked, “Did you see how much Daniel has grown?”
Mystia smiled, “No, not yet. We were just on our way to see him.”
“Well you won’t believe it. He’s already wearing the next size of clothes.”
“Really? What are you feeding him, steak?” Jimmy asked.
“No, although it would be easier to clean up than formula.”
Bursting into laughter, Jimmy said, “Well, just look at it as practice for his teen years when he starts to drink.”
“He won’t be doing any of that stuff,” growled Steel. “If he does, he’ll be grounded until he’s an old wolf.”
“Sure he will,” chortled Jimmy as they entered the great room together.
The trio walked over to Jackson where he was feeding Daniel. “Babe,” said Steel, “do you know what Jimmy said about our son? I don’t know where he got the idea our son would ever drink too much. Shit, if he does he won’t be allowed outside our home until he’s fifty.”
Jackson laughed. “Well, that’s good because he’ll have company if you keep using bad language in front of him.”
Jimmy guffawed and reached out to take Daniel. “I better feed him the rest of his bottle while you and Steel go talk to Mystia. She’s been on edge all night. It has something to do with that shifter.”
Jackson sighed. Handing Daniel over, he rose and led the way to his study. Once inside, he turned to Mystia and asked, “Do we need Oracle?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll go get my Mom,” Steel said.
Jackson asked Mystia, “Which brother is the man’s Fated Mate?”
Mystia smiled. “Mon petit loulou,how did you know?”
“I didn’t…not really. But I figured it had to be the reason the Fates sent him here.”
Jackson glanced over as Steel and Oracle entered and sat down.Then he said to Oracle, “Sorry to be abrupt but I’mworried about our sick shifter so let’s cut to the chase. Mystia confirmed the man in our hospital is a Fated Mate of one of my brothers. Which one?”
“Cody.”
Jackson gasped. “Does he know it?”
“Yes, he does,” Oracle said.
“Why hasn’t he said anything to me?” asked Jackson.
“I do not know. Maybe you should speak with him.”
Jackson glanced at his mate and knew this was a whole new set of variables to take into consideration. Speaking with Steel through their mind link, Jackson asked,Why is my brother rejecting his mate?
I don’t know. We need to speak to Cody.
This means Cody will receive his gift from the Fates.
