Carson paused because he wanted to be careful about what he said. He needed Zane’s help, but he didn’t want his brother going to Jackson. “I don’t have a mind link anymore. And I don’t know why.”
“Maybe because he’s mated now. You know, Colton had turned off his mind link, so Ian couldn’t see his secret.”
“Yeah, that is a possibility. But there are other things I noticed. For instance, Cody stayed by Dylon’s side the entire night. Then they left quickly and never came back. And Cody was constantly looking at Dylon almost like he was asking for permission to speak. Weird, huh?”
“Mmm, I wasn’t paying that close attention to Cody. I was enjoying Lizzie too much. She’s a hoot! I wonder how Frank’s Alpha power works on her. I bet not good at all.”
“Yeah, I did enjoy her,” Carson said, before changing the conversation back to his brother. “Something is wrong with Cody but damned if I know what.”
“Why don’t you talk to Colton? He might be able to tell you how Cody is mind blocking you.”
“I’ll do that. But in the meantime, would you search the web about Dylon…and Cody…and tell me what you find out. I know Jackson said Dylon wasn’t involved in the massacre, but I can’t help feeling he knows more than he’s letting on.”
“Whoa, bro! You know what you’re asking me to do? Go against Jackson? And what about Cody? What if I find something that would force Jackson to kick him out of the pack? What would that do to Cody? Would he leave with Dylon? I don’t see what else he could do since they’re claimed.”
“No, they aren’t…well, not totally yet. I saw the bite on Cody’s neck but not on Dylon’s. So far, it’s only one way. If there’s ever the right time to do this it’s now, before Cody claims Dylon.”
Zane thought about Carson’s argument for acting now and he had to admit it made sense. “Okay, but if I don’t find anything, promise you’ll drop the matter?”
Carson smiled. That was an easy promise to make because he was so sure he was right. “I swear.”
Chapter 15
After Lizzie had gone to bed,Frank sat in the suite’s sitting room, sipping his cognac and reflecting on the evening. Concerned about what his son had gotten into, he’d used his Alpha power to test Jackson. It never fazed the young Alpha; Jackson had projected his Alpha power as a blanket over his pack, shielding everyone from feeling Frank’s.Never blinked an eye doing it either. Nor did he call me out. What kind of Alpha doesn’t take umbrage with what I did?Jackson was a huge contradiction and in all his years, Frank had never met anyone like Alpha Blackwood.
And then there was Daniel. Where did he come from? Frank could see the child had Jackson’s eyes—they were exactly the same. They—two Alphas—obviously had to use a surrogate. But that didn’t ring true.Mmm, another puzzle.
But the biggest surprise was the lack of discussion about their complaint before the High Council. He’d expected Jackson to push him to rule in favor of Blackwood’s complaint. He snorted.And why not?Who wouldn’t take advantage of this fortuitous turn of events? A top ranking official now related by his son’s mating?Instead, not only didn’t Jackson mention it, Frank got the feeling the young Alpha was deliberately avoiding the subject. All in all, a very interesting evening.
~/~/~/~/~
Sunlight streamed through their windows, bathing Cody in a golden glow as he slept. Dylon lay quietly next to his mate, happy to have finally gotten a good night’s sleep. He was awake a lot the night before, afraid he might lose his mate if he fell asleep, and only got a few short naps. But with the chains Dylon’s Shaman had made, Codycould not experience pain from his visions nor enter that world, and Dylon had slept well knowing his mate would be next to him in the morning.
Dylon’s thoughts wandered to yesterday. He chuckled at the bullshit his father had pulled last night at dinner and the unexpected response when Jackson suppressed his father’s Alpha power.Welcome to the Blackwood Pack, Dad. Dylon was sure there’d be some questions today.But this morning belonged to Cody. Checking on the condition of his mate he found their life thread—huh, more like a life rope—and Cody’s aura gleaming a bright silver.Good!Soon he hoped his mate would be able to give him a claiming bite. But he wasn’t going to rush him. It would happen when his mate was ready.
A soft knock drew Dylon out of bed. Slipping into his jeans, he headed for the door. Opening it, he found Dakota with a serving cart of food.
“Hi, Dylon, I thought you and Cody would like to eat in your sitting room this morning, so I brought you breakfast.”
Dylon cast a furtive eye at his sleeping mate and saw the chains weren’t visible. “That’s very nice of you. Cody is sleeping right now, but I’ll take it and wait for him to wake up.”
“Dakota? Is that you? Did you bring us your mating gift?” a sleepy-voiced Cody called out.
“Yeah, bro. I made all your favorites.”
Cody sat up, lifting a chained hand to his eyes in an effort to rub the sleep from them. Realizing why he couldn’t get out of bed, Cody’s face reddened as embarrassment flooded his body at his brother seeing him this way.
Dylon acted quickly, “I’ll take the cart, Dakota. Thanks for the thought.” He grabbed the cart and pulled it into the room.
Dakota followed the serving cart into the bedroom. He knew why Cody couldn’t come to the door. He was pleased when he heard the chains rattle. Turning to look at his brother, he said, “Good morning bro, were you able to get a good night’s sleep finally?”
Dylon moved to block Dakota’s view of Cody. “What do you mean?”
“I know he hasn’t been sleeping well. I was hoping you knew how to keep him from having visions.”
“What do you know about his visions?”
“I know he has them. I know they’ve increased in intensity since our family was killed and I know he’s in trouble. Can you help him or not?”
