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Dylon had arisen first and was changing the twins but was thinking about Kieran and Logan. He had to admit Logan had done nothing to Kieran last night but that didn’t mean he didn’t want to. Maybe he should have the same talk with Kieran his father had with him. Of course, he’d have to change it a bit because his father’s talk was about not taking advantage of smaller wolves and with Kieran it would be how to watch out for larger wolves who think they have the right to fuck anything smaller.
Thinking it over, it seemed like a responsible thing to do. After all, Kieran had been protected growing up, before becoming a slave, so when would he have had the chance to learn about such things. And besides, it would be good practice for when the home they were planning to build was filled with pre-teens and teenagers who probably had little or no experience with sexual matters. Smiling to himself as he added reasons to justify his talk with Kieran, he never heard Cody enter the sitting room/temporary nursery.
“I agree with your idea about talking to each boy we accept but I don’t think you should be including Kieran, Theo or Norman in that group because I think you’re just asking for trouble. First of all, Theo and Norman are sexually active already, so I think they’re a little past the stage for a birds and bees talk. That leaves Kieran, who’s twenty-one, and has powers beyond belief. If you want to talk to someone, I suggest Logan because he’s clueless that Kieran is his Fated Mate,” Cody said, smirking at the thought of the surprise his brother was going to have.
“Why are you so sure they’re Fated Mates?”
“Because I’ve never seen Logan act that way before in my life. He’s always been the strong, silent, self-assured, sophisticated one in the family. When we were trying to come to grips with what happened to our world, Logan was the rock everyone leaned on, including Jackson. I know at one time or another, every one of us cried on his shoulder but I never saw Logan shed a tear. He kept us together while Jackson was muddling through learning how to lead a pack. Even now, Jackson leans on him…as you saw yesterday when he asked Logan to keep an eye on Zane during the meeting.”
“Okay, but how does all that prove Kieran and he are Fated Mates?”
“Because Logan was nervous around him and, during the entire meeting, Logan never once looked at us, instead, constantly seeking Kieran’s approval. My brother never sought anyone’s approval when it came to his designs. He has an innate ability to know what the client wants even if the client doesn’t. Look at his plan for Jake and Jessica’s nursery…could it have been any more perfect? Was there something we wanted that Logan didn’t do? No! That’s because he is a freaking superstar when it comes to interior design.”
Dylon looked up from Jessica who was sucking vigorously on her bottle and said, “Well, let’s say you’re right. Explain then how there weren’t any signs showing they were Fated Mates? Like the scent of arousal, or extreme protectiveness? Those were missing and, if they had just found each other, they should have been evident.”
Cody laughed as he picked up Jake to give him his morning bottle. “Babe, you know what Kieran is. The power he has with his spirit and wolf allows him to rewrite the rules of nature and that includes his claiming. Kieran sought me out yesterday and asked to be assigned to Logan. At the time, I didn’t think anything about it since Zane was going to be writing software all day, but when I saw how they behaved toward each other, I started adding up the pieces and came to the only conclusion possible…Kieran is Logan’s Fated Mate.”
Putting Jessica up on his shoulder to burp her, Dylon replied, “Then don’t you think we need to warn Logan? I mean…like you know…level the playing field, maybe?”
“Are you serious? Look, when we were claiming each other, Carson tried to interfere, and it ended up costing him six months of doing my chores. I have too much todo with the twins, the home for boys and managing Kieran, Theo and Norman to open myself up to a punishment that will heap more chores on me. We keep our noses out of it and let nature…make that Kieran…take its course.”
Dylon had to admit Cody had several good points and it would be hypocritical of them to interfere when they had insisted Carson had no right. “I agree with you on that point,” Dylon said, “but I’m worried about Kieran getting hurt. What if Logan rejects him?”
“Logan? Rejecting his Fated Mate?” Cody asked. “Never! He’s been waiting for his since Jackson found Steel. Dylon, I think the Fates got this exactly right. My brother needs someone like Kieran…someone who will be all his…someone to love who will love him back in an all-consuming way. Let them find their own way and, besides, I think this will come to a head sooner than you think. Kieran must be in Scotland next week and I have a feeling he won’t want to go without Logan.”
“Will Logan get a gift from the Fates when he and Kieran claim each other? Cause I got to wonder, what could they possibly give Logan that would complement Kieran?”
Burping Jake, Cody thought about the gift and came to the same conclusion. “I don’t know…I wonder if Oracle knows. Anyway, I’m sure we’ll find out in time. Change of subject…what do you think about Colton and Ian’s plan to split up the empty suite between our rooms and divide it into two?”
“I like it. I want Jake and Jessica close to us like Daniel is to Jackson and Steel. And it makes sense because only one suite is lost instead of two. Maybe there could be a kid sized door between the two nurseries, so the cousins can play in each other’s rooms.”
“That’s a great idea, and I bet my brother and Ian will like it too. Let’s talk to them this morning after breakfast and once they agree, we can ask Jackson.”
Dylon stood with Jessica and offered a hand to Cody and Jake. “Our pups have eaten so now it’s our turn. Let’s go.”
Chapter 17
Theo burst into Kieran’s room, exclaiming, “Did you like my cottage pie? What about the barmback? I told Dakota the game you used to play with us and asked him if he knew how to make some of the dishes. We looked up recipes online…did you know how many recipes are online…and he helped me make them for your lunch. Were you surprised?”
Kieran hugged Theo, saying, “I loved them. Dakota brought them up to Logan’s studio, so I ate them with Logan who thought they were delicious too.”
After following Theo into Kieran’s room, Norman asked, “Where were you last night? We watched a couple of movies and I thought you were going to join us.”
“Oops, I forgot. But it wouldn’t have mattered anyway because I fell asleep on Logan’s sofa while he was working. I woke up this morning in my bed, so I guess he carried me here last night.”
With one raised eyebrow, Norman stared at Kieran. “Soooo, what happened after…you know…in your bedroom…with Logan.”
“Nothing,” Kieran said smiling. “Hey, can you keep a secret?”
“Absolutely!” They said in unison as they crossed their hearts.
Smiling broadly, he said, “I found my Fated Mate!”
Kieran giggled at his friends’ reaction—both mouths formed a perfect ‘O’ before morphing into broad smiles as the meaning of what he said sank in.
Squealing and jumping up and down, Theo exclaimed, “Oh. My. Gods. That is huge! When did this happen? Who is it?”
