~/~/~/~/~
In the end, there was only token resistance from the remaining enforcers who hadn’t fled when Arald disappeared. Sensing something had happened to their employer, they’d left the night before to escape any repercussions for their actions. Faced with the overwhelming numbers of enforcers Slate brought with him, the rest of Arald’s army surrendered quickly and without a fight. After a brief meeting with Ulfric and Ordovic, most of the day was spent ferrying Kieran’s friends and the pups back to their families.
Dylon used his strength to break through the front barricaded door of Arald’s fortress. He and Slate quickly locked up the remainder of Arald’s enforcers in emptycells. When Arald saw them looking at him through the small barred window of his cell, he let out a stream of profanity that echoed off the stone walls of his prison.
Then Cody, Dylon and Slate made sure the recording equipment was working in the peace conference’s meeting room. Chuckling to himself, Slate turned to Cody and Dylon. “You know, I have a perfect record in negotiating at peace conferences. With Arald locked up and his army either gone or behind bars, Ulfric and Ordovic’s packs will have the peace they wanted all along. Ha, Steel won’t be able to lord anything over me now.”
“I’m sure he’ll agree with your assessment especially after you tell him about your stay in the dungeon,” Cody said, smirking.
And yup, there was the universal sign of agreement—Slate’s middle finger.
Chapter 40
Returning to the hotel, Cody and Dylon were eager to cuddle with Jake and Jessica before their bedtime. Entering their room, they saw their pups on the floor, trying to roll over on a blanket. Laughing, Cody sat next to Jake, urging him to do his first roll but when Jake saw Cody, he raised his arms wanting to be held by his father. Picking him up and cuddling Jake close to his chest, Cody hummed “Puff the Magic Dragon” to his son for the very first time. Spit bubbles and a smile was proof—to him at least—that Jake loved the song as much as Cody did when he was little. Glancing at Jessica, Cody saw her now in Dylon’s arms, laughing, while he tickled her belly and made cooing sounds. Finally, all was right in his world.
“Are you taking Jessica and Jake home now?” Kieran asked, watching Cody and Dylon playing with their pups.
“What?” asked Dylon, when Kieran’s voice finally registered in his mind.
Kieran sighed. “I asked if you were taking the twins home.”
“Yes. I’m not sure when. Slate will be here shortly so we can finalize the plans for tomorrow,” Dylon said, then, hearing several knocks, added, “speak of the devil.”
“I’ll get it,” Kieran said, jumping up to open the door. “Slate,” said Kieran, giving him a hug, “Thank you so much for taking care of my friends and getting the pups back to their families!”
Slate awkwardly patted Kieran on the back. “Uhmm, sure. You’re welcome.”
Stepping back, Kieran led Slate to the living room and after sitting down, he asked, “What’s going to happen to Theodore and Norman?”
Confused, Slate asked, “Who are Theodore and Norman? I thought the pups were Jake and Jessica? Wait…Jessica’s a girl. Who are you talking about?”
“My friends…Theodore and Norman…the shifters from Canada. The ones we rescued who are in their room at this hotel…you know…thatTheodore and Norman. Where are they going?”
“Back to Canada. Why?”
“Because they can’t go there. They’re gay like me and were caught kissing. Their parents gave them to Arald because he promised to get the gayness out of them. If you send them home, who knows what’ll happen to them this time,” Kieran said, his voice rising. Turning to Cody, he pleaded, “Please don’t send them there. They can come with me. If you’ll lend me some money, I’ll get a job and take care of them. I’ll make sure they go to school and keep them safe. Please, don’t send them back to Canada.”
“Kieran, calm down, nobody will send them any place that’ll put them back in danger, I promise,” Cody said watching as Kieran took a deep breath. “Let’s start over, shall we?” After seeing the young man nod, Cody asked, “You said they were from Canada and I can tell they aren’t wolf shifters so what kind are they?”
“Ghost Bear Shifters,” said Kieran.
Dylon’s jaw dropped. “Ghost Bear Shifters? Are you sure?”
“If you’re asking if my friends lied to me,” Kieran said indignantly, “no, they didn’t. Why would you think such a thing?” Turning to Cody, he said, “I get it, he’s yourmate, but I don’t like anyone insulting my friends. Would you tell him to behave himself?”
Chuckling, Cody said to Dylon, “You heard Kieran. Behave yourself or I will tell Lizzie and she’ll take you over her knee.”
Dylon said, “I wasn’t implying that at all. It’s just that Ghost Bear Shifters are very rare. The High Council hasn’t found any for years and they were beginning to think Ghost Bear Shifters were extinct.”
“Well they aren’t, but that doesn’t change the facts. You can’t send them back. Their parents will give them away again or worse, sell them like I was sold to somebody who will abuse them just because they’re gay,” Kieran said angrily.
“How long did Arald have them locked up?” asked Cody.
“A little more than three years, I think. They were there when I got there. From what they told me, they were fifteen when they arrived. So they’re now eighteen, but that doesn’t matter; they can come with me and I’ll take care of them.”
“How old are you, Kieran?” asked Slate.
“Old enough to take care of myself and my bears,” snapped Kieran.
