“Because he had the hots for him,” growled Dylon, which caused more moaning from the bears.
“I need Theo and Norman to shift so I can get to the bottom of this.”
“Why don’t you use your Alpha power?” asked Zane, anxious to know what happened to his friends.
“It won’t work on any shifters except wolves,” replied Jackson. “I’m not even sure they’ll understand me in their bear forms.”
“Are you sure?” asked Carson, “I’m only saying because it’s pretty fucking powerful.”
With nothing to lose, Jackson rolled out his Alpha power at full strength toward the ghost bears; nothing happened and he was about to pull it back when first one bear and then the other tilted their heads, submitting to Jackson’s authority. A collective gasp was heard behind him, but ignoring it, Jackson issued his order, “Shift Theodore and Norman! Shift now!” One second…two…then Jackson saw the shimmer begin as Theodore and Norman shifted, finally standing before him, naked with tears streaming down their faces.
Jackson entered the room, followed by everyone else, and stood in front of the boys. “Theo, Norman, are you all right? Have you been hurt?”
Shaking their heads, they turned to each other and fell into each other’s arms with deep soul-wrenching sobs overwhelming their bodies.
Cody stepped around Jackson and wrapped his arms around the two boys, giving what comfort he could, and waited for them to stop. The sound of breaking hearts moved Jackson to tears as he stepped up and joined Cody in his effort to comfort the boys. And one by one, everyone joined in until Theo and Norman were engulfed in a fortress of love.
Finally, when the tears had stopped, and the sobs were mere hitches of breath, Cody spoke. “Guys, can you tell me what happened? Why did you shift in Kieran’s bedroom?”
Once everyone had stepped back to give them some room, Norman said, “Because our friend is gone, and he didn’t take us with him.”
“You mean Kieran is gone?” asked Cody.
“Yes, he was rejected and said he couldn’t stay here anymore,” cried Theodore.
“Did he tell you this?”
“No, he left us a note,” Norman said.
“May I read the note?” asked Cody.
Theo and Norman looked around the room for the first time since they shifted and seeing the state it was in, looked at each other with shock etched on their faces.
Cody realized they were using their mind link so he waited, his eyes moving from the boys to the trashed room. In a split second, Theo and Norman were running from the room and down the hallway headed for the staircase, rushing to escape.
“Stop!” boomed Maximus, his voice rolling out his Alpha power over the two hapless bear shifters, sending shivers down everyone’s body except Jackson’s.
Forced to stop, Theo and Norman fell to their knees, their heads touching the ground and their hands rose above them in a prayer position. Crying and pleading for their lives, the two shifters shook violently with fear at what could happen to them.
As Jackson, Cody and the rest of the group stared at the sight before them, the realization of what Theodore and Norman must had gone through caused tears to well up again in Jackson. If there was ever any doubt about the wisdom of opening Cody’s home for gay boys, it disappeared at that moment. Jackson reached down and helped Theo up while Cody did the same to Norman. “Theo, Norman, please stop. Nothing will happen to you here, I give you my word as the Alpha of the Blackwood Pack.” Then he gathered Theo into his arms and rubbed his back soothingly as Cody did with Norman. WhileJackson held the bear shifter, he issued orders to the rest of the group. “Zane, go to their room and get some clothes for them. Dakota, please make some coffee and bring it to my study. Ian, please get your medical bag and meet me there.” Turning to Steel, he said, “Daniel, Jake and Jessica are with Lizzie and I would appreciate it, babe, if you’d check on them to make sure everything is all right. Carson, Colton, please see what you can do with Kieran’s room. Oracle, please join me in my study and Dylon, please find Logan and tell him I want to see him immediately.”
“Jackson, I don’t think it’s a good idea for Dylon to get Logan,” said Cody.
“Right,” said Jackson, then turning to look at Dylon. “I don’t know what thatthingis between you and Logan, but whatever your beef is with him, in my pack you bring it to me instead of giving him dirty looks all the time. Now I expect both of you in my study, no fighting, no bruises and no cuts. Understand?”
“Perfectly. I promise I won’t fight him.”
Turning back to Theo who wasn’t shaking as hard anymore, Jackson said, “Theo, will you and Norman come to my study with me and Cody? I swear neither of you will face any punishment. If Kieran has really left, then I’ll need your help to find him.”
“You’re going to find my friend?” asked Theo.
“Yes, I am. Kieran belongs here and whatever made him think he doesn’t will be sorted out.”
Taking a moment to confer with Norman first, Theo finally said, “Okay, let’s go.”
After everyone had left the hallway, Maximus looked at his wife. “Well, that was certainly interesting. Logan isKieran’s Fated Mate. But what has really surprised me is how powerful Jackson has become. I’ve never heard of any Alpha Wolf power…other than me… having an effect on other species of shifters. Most extraordinary.”
“Yes, it is. Shall we go?”
