All of my love forever my son.
Your mother, Caitlín.
Logan took the letter from Kieran, setting it down on the side table, then pulled his mate tight to his chest and covered him with a throw from the back of the sofa. There were no words he could give his crying mate, no comfort other than what he was doing, nothing to ease Kieran’s heartbreak other than to just be there for him. Oracle had left the room, leaving Logan alone with his mate, his hand gently rubbing Kieran’s back, his cheek resting on his mate’s head.
~/~/~/~/~
Thomas showed Oracle to a bedroom; she’d held herself together but after he left, she broke down, crying for Kieran’s mother and for all the mothers who would never see their pups grow up. The pain of leaving their children too soon was something she’d never experienced but Oracle felt it deeply nonetheless. Her phone rang and, smiling through her tears, she said, “Hello, Maximus.”
“Darling are you all right?”
“I am now.”
“What happened?”
“I just finished telling Kieran about his mother’s death. Seeing him alone, without a mother, just hit me hard because I know Kieran.”
“I can understand that. I remember how I felt when my father died but at least I was old enough to know him before he did.”
“Yes, today reinforced how fortunate we are to be alive to see our sons grown, happy and at least one mated with a family.”
“Let’s not forget how lucky we are to have Daniel in our lives,” said Maximus.
“Yes, we are.”
“How long will you be in Ireland, darling? I miss you.”
“Maybe another day. It depends on Kieran. I left him and Logan after he read his mother’s letter because he needed to come to terms with what I told him. Logan is taking very good care of his mate, but I will have to stay here until I finish my job.”
“I understand. I love you, darling.”
“And I, you.”
“Call me when you are ready to come home. Daniel and I are missing you very much.”
“I will. It should not be too much longer. And Max, thank you for always being there when I need you.”
“Always have and always will. Love you!”
“Love you back. Bye”
~/~/~/~/~
His mother’s letter gave words to the images in his mind that had been there for as long as he could remember, and now he knew what they were. Cocooned by his mate,Kieran relived his life with his parents, finally knowing who he was and why he became what he was. There was more to tell Logan, but for now he was happy to be surrounded by his mate’s arms and love. He sent a silent message to his parents, letting them know he was happy and loved.
Logan kept silent while his mate grieved for the parents he never really knew; this was a journey Kieran had to take by himself. He’d made the same trip when his mother and his siblings were massacred and, as he found out, nobody can do it for you—nor are there any shortcuts that can lessen the pain. So, he waited, holding his mate until Kieran’s tears subsided before he spoke. “Babe, I’m very sorry about what happened to your parents as I’d have loved to meet them.”
“Thanks, I know they would have loved you,” murmured Kieran, then waving his hand at the letter. “I never expected any of this, but it is the best gift I ever received, after you, even though my tears would lead you to believe otherwise.” Looking around he noticed they were alone, and asked, “Where’s Oracle? I want to thank her.”
“Thomas showed her to a bedroom, so she could rest. Do you want me to ask her to come back?”
“Yeah, but first I want to tell you what I am, if that’s okay,” said Kieran.
“Whatever you want, babe.”
“According to my Shaman, the gods and Fates sent Jophiel, an angel, to give me the powers I have. They are permanent and will be passed onto any pups I may have.”
“What powers exactly are you talking about?”
